19th century Brooklyn was full of distilleries that produced everything from Rum and Gin to Whiskey. All these enterprises closed when Prohibition came knocking on the door and it wasn’t until the new Millennium when once again that distillation became an up and coming enterprise. Opened in 2012, Van Brunt Stillhouse got its name after Cornelius Van Brunt, one of the founding fathers of the neighborhood. Its founder Daric Schlesselman started with producing the first Rum hailing from Brooklyn since the Prohibition era. Other Spirits soon followed, such as Grappa and different grain distillates. Daric, a former editor at Daily Show, decided to leave the world of TV and dedicate himself to reanimation of Spirits that have once flown from distilleries in these parts.
Armed with craving for experimentation and a great sense for historical means of production Van Brunt Stillhouse is paying tribute to distillation as it once was in Brooklyn.
Van Brunt Stillhouse Rye Whiskey is made from 100% rye mash-bill. Rye is sourced from the farms within the state of New York then distilled in Red Hook, Brooklyn and aged in medium sized barrels that give this Spirit a great vivid and lively palate. A great showcase of a young artisanal Rye.
What does Van Brunt Stillhouse Rye Whiskey taste like?
The Flavor Spiral™ shows the most common flavors that you'll taste in Van Brunt Stillhouse Rye Whiskey and gives you a chance to have a taste of it before actually tasting it.
We invented Flavor Spiral™ here at Flaviar to get all your senses involved in tasting drinks and, frankly, because we think that classic tasting notes are boring.
This was the first sample in the Rye Whiskey tasting I did and immediately it was my favorite out of the three. Very smooth but still a rye. Really nice.
Nicholas,
This was a very unusually rye as I am not used to the oily flavor profile and it’s very apparent. I enjoyed it for the different flavors it brought to my pallet that I’d not experienced in a rye before, but certainly not my favorite.
Jeffrey,
Sugar upfront. Smooth finish. Pepper and oil come on big after it aerates a bit. $68 is a bit steep for rye, but it’s a nice addition to the bar.
Derek,
Good finish; strong sugary taste that would mix well with a Manhattan
Eli,
Grain-forward and spicy character with light menthol and chocolate on the finish
David,
Very scotch like rye.
David,
Enjoyed this one.
Jon,
Really nice and smooth to sip on
DANIEL,
This one was ok but I wouldn't purchase it. Had a pretty good burn going down and the smoke was very subtle. I didn't enjoy the first two sips but I think this whiskey gets better with some water.
Robert,
This one got sweeter as I drank it. The spice was pleasant and welcoming. Earthy nose with a spicy/sweet taste. Slight lingering burn, but nothing to pout about. I would buy but not for $62.
John,
Nice surprise, great nose, good neat but AWESOME on a rock!
Robert,
Great taste and wonderful finish
Justin,
Good. A good rye without the spice typical of most rye whisky. The smoke is subtle and I get stronger sugars than expected.
Justin,
Thought it was a great Rye! Whether you are someone wanting to get into Rye or someone that has been around the world... a great buy! First pour had strong oak flavors! After adding ice smoky characteristics came out and letting it sit for a minute a sweetness came out. Highly recommend this!
Jeff,
I really enjoyed this, it has a lot of smokiness and spice to it. The color is awesome. If I ever get a home bar this will be on it. If you don’t like rye whiskey, it’s not for you.
Patrick,
Way better offerings in the $60 plus range. Very heavy on the oak taste would not recommend at this price point.
Alex,
I enjoyed it to say the least. The oak is up front and dominant among the profile the herbal bite soon follows. All that being said, the following notes of spice, smoke, and a slightly sweet finish make this a good choice anytime.
Ryan,
Lots of smoke and herb flavors, really enjoyed it neat with a few drops of water
Aaron,
I was not a fan. For me, there was too much oak and smoke flavor.
Quinn,
Strong oakey flavor that is followed favorable by some spice and sweetness. Didnt care for it when it hit my nose but after a couple sips I am a fan of this one. Just sipped it neat.
Matt,
Oaky and spicy with a bit of sweetness/sugar. Loooong enjoyable finish. Straightforward sipping rye. A little water makes this one much more enjoyable.
Dan,
A bit on the peppery side, but very enjoyable
Todd,
Only a little flowery. I get more grain and sweet. I am a fan of this one.
Skyler,
Strong oak taste and somewhat overpowering other flavors.
Daniel,
Aroma: wood and slight (yet pleasant) musk/leather. Taste: herbal spices, oak, hint of pepper. Good warmth. With ice: herbs prominent, no pepper spice. Hint of oak still.
Overall decent, would drink again, but might not buy outright. Think it would work well mixed.
Christopher,
Woody and herby with a hint of leather. Very nice drinker. This one goes to the front of my list.
Matt,
Clean, simple rye whiskey with light oak flavor. Easy drinking rye. Slightly spicy.
Daniel,
A tasty rye. A little too cardboardy in the nose.
Mike,
Not very smooth
Brian,
A standout rye, with a long finish. Lingering camel, coffee chocolate notes makes this one special. Definitely a drink Rye.
Matt,
Not great
Craig,
For a 100% rye mashbill, this is really drinkable and smooth and full of herby flavor details of the sort you get in a big gin. I pick up some cinnamon all along, but that may be eccentric. At $45 a bottle I'd buy one. At $70+, I'll pass.
Lacey,
Did not like this one at all. Too flowery. Finish reminded me of oolong tea. Not what I’m looking for in a rye.
Shannon,
I enjoyed the sample from one of Flaviar's kits, but upon buying a whole bottle it tasted too buttery. I suspect this is small batch and the consistency isn't quite there yet. Still good, but there are better options for the price.
Grant,
I’m finding that I enjoy rye quite a bit. This one was easy to drink with a hint of sweetness.
Angela,
very medicinal
Antti,
It is a good, intense, with a bold & oily birth; while an intense life leads to a long, oily & toasty death with bitter oakiness & a hint of sugar.
Lloyd,
I'm not much of a Rye fan, but this… simply, where had this rye been all my life and I'll be having a bottle of this in my personal stash.
Anne,
super smooth, easy taste, but great taste
Shannon,
Lots of wood and floral notes. Perfect amount of spice. Maybe my new favorite rye.
Jonathan,
Very tasty
Jennifer,
Aroma of fresh tobacco is beautiful and inviting. The botanicals take it in a surprising direction. If you like interesting botanical gins, you will probably like this rye.
Craig,
Interesting you should mention gin. I thought it was somehow ginny too. In a good way. A lot of those herby, woody details realy come across.
Ansley,
Clean, nice rye nose, smooth bread pudding finish
chris,
smells like dough , herbal taste.
Holly,
So smooth and good flavor. Really enjoyed this rye. Not sure it’s worth the price though. Tried it with my Advent Calendar.
Patrick,
very medicinal
Greg,
Not too bad. These rye whiskeys are growing on me. It was a little outside my wheelhouse but it's got flavor. I wouldn't hesitate to give it a try!
John,
A little sweet with some definite spice. The nose has elements of peppermint. Pretty good, but not my fave.
Jordan,
Strong young wood flavor. Not my cup of tea but definitely has some stand out flavors that others might love
Jeffry,
Pretty good complex flavor profile. More Smokey and less sweet than most ryes. Probably a little expensive for what you are getting though
Gregory,
Oaky
Paul,
I dig it; lots of complexity with the herbal Smokey up front flavor, the oily mouthfeel and long Spicey finish. Funky.
Nino,
Very herbaceous. Too long of a finish. A bit oily on the tongue., even a touch of terpentine. Does not have the bite I seek in a rye.
Alex,
It smells like it has a strong oak taste but it tastes like it was aged in barrels of green wood. Not too bad but I wouldn't buy a bottle for myself.
James,
Not a really flavorful rye.
Austin,
Strong wood and smoke flavors
Brita,
Spicy! Very tasty
Amy,
I couldn’t sip this — tasted like wet leaves and bitterness. Perhaps interesting in a cocktail, but no comparison to the other selections in the tasting box.
Jesi,
A little more sting in the aroma than I am accustomed to. Rated a 7 for the taste tho.
Scott,
I really wish the nose matched up with the flavor more. The herbal nose/flavor gives way to a woody & what I am assuming is the "cardamom" spice note that doesn't suit my palate well.
Roger,
Damn this was the favorite out of the sampler, I will be adding this bottle to my collection. Smooth and what a great taste.
Timothy,
I really enjoyed this Rye
John,
Nice tasting Rye. I am confused as the Flavor spiral on the app is much different than the one sent with my sample
Shoji,
Decent
Shannon,
If you want to taste what an oak tree in your mouth tastes like, than this is for you. Me not so much.
Scott,
Coriander, Pine, Cardamom and Botanicals made for a very interesting spice feel.
Joseph,
Hated it. If you like Gin you might like this Whiskey.
Carlos,
Smooth finish with flowery hints.
Frank,
This is a really flavorful Rye. Absolutely one for the sipping room.
Phil,
I loved it very smooth and great taste.
Jonathan,
I get a wood-varnish nose and finish that I'm not too fond of, but it's overall decent, with an herbal spice on the palate. I agree with Peyton on the peppery finish with a hint of cardamom, but the vaporous varnish aspect keeps me from enjoying this more.
Daniel,
Lots of herbs and cardamom in both the nose and flavor. Excellent complex whiskey.
Henry,
Perfect Manhattan
Ryan,
The flavor spiral that arrived with my sample is totally different than this one. The version on the app is much more accurate than the one I was sent with the sample pack.
Peyton,
Honey-Caramel-Orange peel Nose. Sharp Smokey-Woody Body, Over Powers and lingers. Pepper shows up at the end with a slight Cardamom flavor
Aaron,
After reading reviews I've often wondered if my bottle was skunked or if I'm crazy. I found it bitter and rough. It wasn't smokey, it was burned.
Josh,
Nose: honey, caramel, currant, clove
Flavor: oak, phenolic, citrus, spicy
The woody dryness is so upfront and pronounced, that it nearly downs out the subtlies that exist underneath. If they could figure out a way to mellow it out just a smidge, it would be a far more complex and interesting spirit.
Robert,
Loved it! One of the best rye whiskies I've tasted. A very fun and flavorful sip.
Ernie,
This excellent. Smooth and easy to drink.
Kyle,
A very smooth and flavorful rye. I really enjoy the nose with a pleasant wood aroma. Something different.
Browning,
It was without question the smoothest, full body, and tastiest Rye I've tried for the value. Highest recommendation.