589546 Wed Jan 21 09:24:29 -0800 2009 21 36 Spirits 0 4344386 any ideas Wed Jan 21 09:24:30 -0800 2009 107788 luv2eatct 1 4344731 It depends on how you want your Manhattan to taste. I actually prefer a Bourbon (or Tennessee Whiskey) Manhattan. If you want to try a more traditional, rye Manhattan, though, here are a few that should do well for a traditional, spicy rye taste: Rittenhouse 100 Wild Turkey 101 Rye Sazerac Rye If you like something sweeter, you may want to try Old Overholt; for something a bit lighter, but still a traditional rye flavor, Wild Turkey's Russel Reserve http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2008/06/whiskey-wednesday-meet-me-in-manhattan.html Wed Jan 21 10:57:23 -0800 2009 4344386 10132 sku 2 4344813 Old Overholt or Sazerac are my favorite everyday ryes for Manhattans. In a restaurant/bar with no rye (typical) I'll always then call for Seagrams 7, a Canadian blended whiskey with a good portion of rye in it. Wed Jan 21 11:22:24 -0800 2009 4344731 13780 Up With Olives 3 4352946 FYI, Seagram's 7 is an American blended whiskey. (Seagram's was a Canadian company, which often causes this confusion). Fri Jan 23 23:15:23 -0800 2009 4344813 10132 sku 2 4345214 +1 on the Wild Turkey 101. It's a great rye at a great price, and the higher proof means that it will stand up to a bit more vermouth in the drink (I personally like a 3:1 rye:vermouth ratio). By the way, sku, nice blog! I just read through all of your Whiskey Wednesday posts and found them quite enjoyable. Wed Jan 21 13:10:19 -0800 2009 4344731 65478 davis_sq_pro 2 4346512 the bonded Rittenhouse, hands down. Wed Jan 21 21:23:12 -0800 2009 4344731 12626 ted 3 4346824 I agree with you. While I'll take any rye for my Manhattan, I like Rittenhouse bonded 100 proof. I think it has the most rye character, with more balance than some of the heavy rye super expensive ones. I like to use Antico formula vermouth which in itself can be overpowering, but put it to the Rittenhouse bonded and a miracle occurs, add a few drops of bitters, and nirvana. Thu Jan 22 05:03:52 -0800 2009 4346512 10732 JMF 4 4346984 I've been working my way through a bottle of the Russell's Reserve Rye. I like it, but it's hard to justify spending $35 for that over the Rittenhouse, when it's under $20. Fortunately, at least one of my local liquor stores has gotten more in stock after being out for several months. Thu Jan 22 06:25:26 -0800 2009 4346824 12626 ted 2 4351237 I like Old Overholt, too. I also like Jim Beam yellow label 100% rye. Both are affordable and make great Manhattan's. Don't forget to pay attention to your vermouth, too. I don't use the really cheap stuff, as I feel it affects the flavor as much as a cheap whisky would. I also mix sweet and dry vermouth, since I feel the sweet one is usually TOO sweet by itself. My Manhattan recipe is as follows: 2 parts rye 1/2 part sweet vermouth 1/2 part dry vermouth 3 dashes Angostura bitters 1 maraschino cherry with a spoonful of juice Stir over ice in a rocks glass. Fri Jan 23 10:51:07 -0800 2009 4344731 159754 ed1066 3 4352952 dry and sweet vermouth in equal parts is a.....Perfect Manhattan with Rye or a Perfect Rob Roy with Scotch. Fri Jan 23 23:23:59 -0800 2009 4351237 123497 fourunder 1 4351373 I always reach for either Rittenhouse 100 or Van Winkle Family Reserve. Both add the characteristic rye spiciness that I like. I think the Van Winkle is a touch more refined, but that's not always what you're looking for so I have both. Fri Jan 23 11:28:49 -0800 2009 4344386 185532 ShadowedOne 1 4354788 New favorite. R(i) 1. That isn't a typo. It is a modern package and typeface that is intended, I think, to look like a phonetic spelling of "rye." And then the "one" is actually on the label as an "exponent."...but that exceeds the capabilities of either (both?) Chowhound boards and I so I just did it with a regular one. Anyway, I use Carpano Antico vermouth which eliminates the need for bitters as it is already rather aromatic. This is the most leathal (in a good way) Manhattan I have ever had. You'd never guess it is 92 proof! Sat Jan 24 18:24:05 -0800 2009 4344386 96313 ellaystingray 2 4362325 I've been assuming that this is basically the "Grey Goose" of Rye. What I mean is that someone realized that if they made a catchy label and jacked up the price, people would assume that it was good. Tue Jan 27 10:54:03 -0800 2009 4354788 111910 jgg13 3 4363051 Here here. I took one look at that stuff and the store and thought "great, now they're trying to market rye to tools." Tue Jan 27 13:47:07 -0800 2009 4362325 243219 craigasaurus 4 4363131 Hey, it may be wonderful. And if it means that more bars will actually carry a rye whisky then I guess that's good. But I couldn't walk up to the register holding that bottle. Tue Jan 27 14:05:11 -0800 2009 4363051 101728 Frommtron 5 4363215 Just to be clear, I wasn't saying that it was a ripoff/etc - I really don't know. That was just my initial impression when I first read about it, and until I find out that this is demonstrably untrue I'm going to stick to non-flashy rye. Tue Jan 27 14:25:10 -0800 2009 4363131 111910 jgg13 6 4363330 I'm totally with you. Tue Jan 27 15:02:53 -0800 2009 4363215 101728 Frommtron 5 4364086 (rī)¹ is mediocre and way overpriced. It's very light, like a rye for someone who doesn't really like rye. Given the amount of great ryes out there at reasonable prices, there's no reason to spend for this stuff. http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2009/01/whiskey-wednesday-ryes-and-fall-of-jim.html Tue Jan 27 19:27:02 -0800 2009 4363131 10132 sku 6 4364113 The words 'light' and 'rye' shouldn't really go together. Thanks for the report. You're doing God's work, sir. Tue Jan 27 19:34:04 -0800 2009 4364086 101728 Frommtron 1 4357242 Templeton. Sun Jan 25 18:56:53 -0800 2009 4344386 10737 Bobfrmia 1 4361092 I like Michter's Rye for a Manhattan. I'll also use Sazerac to save some money. Wild Turkey 101 is my go to when in a bar that has a poor or non-existent rye selection. Tue Jan 27 02:02:37 -0800 2009 4344386 101728 Frommtron 1 4364940 I'll tell you one NOT to use: Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, Kentucky Straight 13 year old 47.8%abv/95.6 proof, bottle # I-520. I tried a small Manhattan with it last night and it was a mess. I used Carpano Antica vermouth and The Bitter Truth aromatic bitters, and they actually overwhelmed this almost too old, delicate, floral, smooth rye. This is a beautiful sipping rye, on the rocks, with a small splash of water to cut the proof a bit. I found it half full in storage in my distillery with most of my spirits collection and pulled it out yesterday and brought it home because I had forgotten what it was like. The last half of the bottle is going to be treasured, sip by sip, until I can find another bottle or three. Wed Jan 28 06:53:05 -0800 2009 4344386 10732 JMF