Testing three American Rye Whiskies

Rye whisky has been emerging from a long dormancy of late. Rye whisky is as American as George Washington and baseball, and even has a connection with our first president. I have three different ryes in front of me at the moment, one from Jim Beam, another from Rittenhouse, and finally a Virginia local from Copper Fox. They all have a similar coloring, sort of a deep copper, even thought they are very different whiskies. Jim Beam's is 80 proof and has the classic, spicey nose, though it is softer than I expected. Taking it in and holding it on the tongue reveals some sweet notes swimming with a mild spice. Rittenhouse is 100 proof and has some stronger spice on the nose and that carries into the tongue. White pepper notes compete with some light background caramel. Comparing the first two, the Rittenhouse has a bit more roundness and heft to it, but both are quite good. Finally the Copper Fox, which is a middle-weight at 90 proof between the other two and is only aged about 14 months. The other significant difference is that it is only 2/3rd rye and 1/3 hand malted barley, which yields a much fatter nose with some of the rubber smell I get from their single malt whisky. The trademark spice of a rye is not there, not even on the tongue. I think the apple wood is not doing this whisky any favors.