Hillrock Double Cask Rye is a 100% estate-grown rye whiskey from Hillrock Estate Distillery in New York's Hudson Valley, matured in two new American oak barrels and finished in French Premier Cru Sauternes wine casks. It is bottled at 90 proof.
The rye is grown, mashed, fermented and pot distilled on the estate in a custom-built copper pot still. It matures first in a new #3 char American oak barrel, then in a second new #4 char barrel, before the Sauternes finish. When it debuted in 2016, it was billed as America's first estate-grown 100% rye finished in Sauternes casks, created with the late Dave Pickerell.
A patina-copper amber, it offers candied orange peel, honeycomb, peach skin, blossom, maple, candied apples, vanilla and rye spice on the nose. The palate brings spicy rye softened by honeyed dessert-wine sweetness, with toasted bread, honey and butter, and the finish is long and honeyed, with apricot and lingering spice.
The square Hillrock decanter makes it a handsome gift.
Sip it neat to appreciate the Sauternes sweetness against the rye spice.
American rye whiskey is made from a mash of at least 51% rye and aged in new charred oak, giving it a spicier, drier character than bourbon, with notes of pepper, herbs and baking spice.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Candied orange peel, honeycomb, peach skin, maple and rye spice.
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Palate: Spicy rye, honeyed dessert-wine sweetness, toasted bread and butter.
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Finish: Long, with honeyed apricot and spice.
Specifications
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Producer: Hillrock Estate Distillery
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Style: Rye Whiskey, 100% estate rye
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Expression / Batch: Double Cask, Sauternes finish
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Proof / ABV: 90 proof (45% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: New #3 and #4 char American oak, finished in Premier Cru Sauternes casks
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Region: Hudson Valley, New York
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
Serve it neat. It pairs with blue cheese, apricot tart or foie gras.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sauternes?
A sweet French dessert wine; its casks add honey and apricot.
Is the rye grown on the estate?
Yes, it is 100% estate-grown rye.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at 90 proof.
Explore more in our Rye collection.
