Orange peel | Vanilla custard | Caramel | White pepper

Juicy citrus | Apricot | Stone fruits | Candy apple | Herbal tea | Light mint | Brown sugar | Toffee

Peppery rye spice | Aged leather | Cigar box | Lingering cinnamon & rye spice mix | Long

Rittenhouse United States 250th Commemorative Edition is a 10 year old limited edition bottled in bond rye. According to Heaven Hill, the product “celebrates Rittenhouse’s Pennsylvania heritage with commemorative Liberty Bell packaging.” The Rittenhouse name pays homage to Philadelphia’s famed Rittenhouse Square. A total of 90 barrels were blended for this release, which translates to an estimated 15,000-20,000 bottles overall, assuming a typical evaporation loss rate.

The standard Rittenhouse Rye is one of Heaven Hill’s accessible, affordable staples. It’s been a while since we last reviewed it, but the whiskey remains a solid option for about $25. This isn’t the first time Heaven Hill has released high aged Rittenhouse either, with 21, 23, and 25 year editions released in 2006, 2007, and 2009, respectively, all at 100 proof. With the latest edition clocking in at 10 years, it gives consumers a chance to try Rittenhouse at about double the age of the standard release.

Rittenhouse United States 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition is an immediately enjoyable pour. A “barely legal” rye at only 51%, it leans heavily on the 35% corn in the mashbill to provide layers of sweetness up front. This comes in the form of bright, lively fruit notes at the onset of both the nose and palate, with orange peel on the nose and juicy citrus followed by apricot, stone fruits, and candy apple on the palate. Scents of vanilla custard and caramel further support the sweeter aroma, with just a hint of white pepper on the backend. There’s a unique herbal tea note at the midpoint, though it’s not bad, just unusual. It’s joined by light mint, brown sugar, and toffee. The finish is where the rye really kicks it up a notch in terms of spice, shifting from fruity and sweet to spicy and noticeably savory. Peppery rye spice up front yields to aged leather and cigar box. The finish kicks out a rye spice and cinnamon mix that lingers unexpectedly long.

Will 2026 turn out to be the year of the ryes? Rise of the ryes? Dad-joke-inspired puns aside, Heaven Hill’s Rittenhouse 10 Year 250th Anniversary Rye is a satisfying 10 year old rye. It delivers an enjoyable range of sweet and fruit notes, but doesn’t forgo its majority rye mashbill, even if that fact isn’t noticeable until the tail end of the sip. It’s somewhat non-traditional in that sense, but also one that typical bourbon drinkers will appreciate due to its approachability. While it doesn’t offer a game-changing flavor profile, at $100 for a 10 year old commemorative bottle from a major Kentucky distillery, it’s an easy buy recommendation for drinking or collecting.