Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. We do receive a small commission when you click on our links and make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). We always give our honest opinions, and these opinions are fully our own. See our Disclaimers →
Hudson Whiskey NY Do THe Rye Thing
About Do the Rye THing
I think this is the first time I’ve seen a label that makes me think of public transportation. But this simple and striking design successfully drew me in and made me excited to try Do the Rye Thing from Hudson Whisky NY.
Whiskey hadn’t been distilled in New York since prohibition until Ralph Erenzo decided to establish a distillery in 2003. A gristmill sitting on 36 acres of land in the Hudson River Valley became what is now Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery. To lean into their New York pride, Hudson sources their grains from local farms. Hudson are now fully owned by the Scottish company, William Grant & Sons.
Bottle Specs
❖ Spirit: Straight Rye Whiskey
❖ Distillery: Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery
❖ ABV: 46% (92 Proof)
❖ Mash Bill: 95% Rye Grain/ 5% Malted Barley
❖ Aged minimum 3 years
❖ Moderate Price
Tasting Notes
❖ Color: Caramel
❖ Nose: Vanilla, honey, stone fruit, an unusual sweet note that I can’t quite place but seems artificial.
❖ Taste: Thick mouthfeel, Peppery spice, mint, honey, licorice, stone fruit, Bit of heat but fades quickly as the sweet note become more prominent
❖ Finish: long, mint, vanilla
Cocktail
New York Ryeball
1/2 part lime
3/4 part Sweet Vermouth
1 1/2 parts Rye Whiskey
Ginger Beer
❖ Add Lime, Sweet Vermouth and Rye Whiskey to a cocktail shaker
❖ Fill with ice and shake until chilled
❖ Strain in to a glass filled with ice and top with ginger beer
❖ Garnish with a long orange peel
Even though so many classic cocktails use rye whiskey, I knew I needed to try this New York Ryeball I saw on the Hudson Official Website. I’m always a sucker for the lime/ whiskey combo, but I’ve also been trying to make my way though a bottle of sweet vermouth, so the timing was perfect. All of these flavors are so strong on their own, so I was also curious how they would work together.
I really loved this cocktail. I wasn’t sure how all these ingredients would work together, but it was so refreshing. The spice from Do The Rye Thing and ginger beer was the most dominant flavor, but I still got a strong tartness from the lime juice. The vermouth added the perfect amount of sweetness, and the herbal notes were nice on the finish.
Bottom Line
RATING: 3/5
While there are things I like about Do The Rye Thing, it just didn’t come together into a cohesive experience. I could just never quite settle into this rye, because there would always be a little detail that would throw me off. I would be enjoying the fruit notes in the nose, but would then get a sickly sweet note. I would be enjoying the spice and mint notes, but then the sweet fruit notes would completely take over. I just wish everything could have had more harmony.
Do The Rye Thing‘s strong spice notes work well in cocktails, especially the New York Ryeball, but the price is a bit too high for a mixing spirit. It’s moderate price tag, the most I’ve spent on a whiskey in a little while, is just a little bit out of my preferred price range, since I wouldn’t be drinking it neat too often.
But despite all of this, I’m interested in trying out some other whiskies from Hudson Whiskey NY. Do The Rye Thing has some nice flavors and a pleasant mouthfeel, so I wonder if I just didn’t gel with this particular bottle.
As always, drink responsibly.
Not Quite what you're looking for?
SEE OUR OTHER WHISK(E)Y REVIEWS:
JOIN THE NEWSLETTER!
Get more from Let’s Drink It! by subscribing to our monthly email newsletter