Rye bread | Baking spices | Stone fruits | White nectarine | Charred oak

Rye spice | Stone fruits | Charred oak | Leather | White peppercorn | Faint dried pineapple

Rye spice | Baking spices | Light nougat | Faint black cherry | Oak

Stoll & Wolfe Distillery is based in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Even though it is considered a craft distillery, it has a rich history in whiskey thanks to the late Dick Stoll, who passed away in 2020. Stoll was the last master distiller at Pennsylvania’s Michter’s, where he also distilled bourbon for the A.H. Hirsch Bourbon brand. He was trained by Charles Everett Beam, who was the grandnephew of the legendary Jim Beam himself. To create their single barrel of Stoll & Wolf Pure Rye, the company used a 100% rye mashbill and aged it for just shy of 3 years. Erik Wolfe, co-founder and distiller at Stoll & Wolfe states that “Our Single Barrel Pure Rye is our homage to the historic Monongahela style, reflecting the methods and spirit of Pennsylvania rye, with a focus on bold spice, balance, and a distinctly regional character.”

Being a 100% rye, it would be safe to assume that this is a spice-forward whiskey, which is a correct assumption. And while spice plays a major part in the overall flavor profile, it’s also nicely balanced with a supporting cast of sweet and dry flavors. The nose opens with rye bread and baking spices scents, while stone fruits and a white nectarine scent add contrast. The midpoint pulls forward spice notes and drier charred oak and leather, while stone fruits and a faint dried pineapple scent add sweet contrast. Ending on predominant spice and oak notes, the finish weaves in just enough light nougat and faint black cherry notes to stay interesting. While whiskey aged under 3 years can often come across as underdeveloped, Stoll & Wolfe Pure Rye delivers a spice-forward yet balanced sip that rye fans will appreciate.

The rye in review is from barrel number 122.