Rye Whiskey and the Whiskey Rebellion

A few months ago, I happened upon an interesting article while searching for the perfect birthday whiskey. Entitled "Comin' Through the Rye" by Jim Burger, this article traced the history of the Whiskey Rebellion in the 1790s, whiskey taxation, and chronicled the rise (and unfortunate fall) of many early distilleries in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and throughout the bootlegging countryside. According to his article, Pikesville Rye whiskey was one of the few "originals" to make it through the tumultuous centuries to our modern day (although it's no longer distilled in Maryland - now at Heaven Hill in Kentucky). I contacted my local BevMo to see if they had it in stock, and to my elation, there were two bottles available. I "reserved" them and headed for the store.

I like a good story to go with my drink, and there seems to be a lot of them out there when it comes to rye whiskeys. According to a Scarborough Research study in 2001, most young whiskey drinkers prefer bourbons and older drinkers prefer scotch, with Canadian whiskeys coming in third overall, and rye/blended whiskeys bringing up the rear out of the four. However, many articles published in 2009 (particularly) seem to point to a rye whiskey comeback.

In "The Comeback Kid" by Paul Clarke, he claims that "the preferred whiskey of the saloon era is re-emerging." Along with some sharp photos and cocktail recipes, he gives a short history of rye whiskey's evolution and it's increasing popularity between the 1990s and today, including many new and noteworthy rye whiskeys. It seems that whiskey drinkers are returning to their roots or at least curious about them. Attribute it to what you will: economic hardships, a longing for the simple life, or the basic necessity of a good drink. As a curious whiskey drinker myself, it sent me running for my local whiskey supplier to try an original, and this weekend I'll be going back for more. What's on the docket this time? A Monongahela rye (or Pennsylvania rye) survivor from the pre-Prohibition era (albeit not in it's altogether original form): Old Overholt (formerly "Large").

Other rye whiskey articles for your reading pleasure:
The New Whiskey Rebellion

The Whiskey Rebellion: Whiskey Taxes: The Real Thing

Rye: A classic American whiskey is coming back

Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey Named "North American Whiskey of the Year"

American Whiskey: Messin' 'Round the Old Mawn-Nonga-Heelah