Rittenhouse Rye has earned a permanent spot on the shelf at Camp West, our cabin-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant in the West Seattle Junction. It is one of those bottles that bartenders reach for again and again: a 100-proof, bottled-in-bond Kentucky straight rye that brings backbone and spice to a classic cocktail without breaking the bank. If you have ordered a Manhattan or a whiskey sour here, there is a good chance this is the rye doing the heavy lifting.
About the Distillery
Rittenhouse is made by Heaven Hill, one of the largest family-owned distillers in Kentucky. The brand first appeared in Philadelphia in 1934, named for the city’s historic Rittenhouse Square, and was relaunched as a four-year-old bottled-in-bond expression in the years that followed. Heaven Hill acquired the brand in 1993 and moved production to Kentucky, where it is distilled and aged today. The “bottled-in-bond” designation means it meets the standards of the 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Act: the product of one distilling season, from one distillery, aged at least four years in a federally supervised warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a Kentucky-style straight rye built on a mash bill of 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley. That is right at the legal minimum for rye, which gives Rittenhouse a rounder, slightly bourbon-leaning character compared with the high-rye whiskeys of the Northeast. It is aged a minimum of four years and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV).
Tasting Notes
Expect a nose of mint, caramel, and cedar with a faint herbal hint of dill. The palate carries that mint and cedar through alongside ginger, baking spice, and a soft caramel sweetness. The finish leans toward cinnamon and cedar, warm and dry. At 100 proof it has real presence but stays balanced and approachable.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
Rittenhouse is a cocktail workhorse, and that is where it shines on our menu. The 100-proof strength stands up to vermouth, bitters, and citrus without getting lost, so it is a natural in a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned, or a sour. That said, it is plenty enjoyable neat or over a single large rock if you want to taste the spice on its own. A pour is $10.
FAQ
Is Rittenhouse Rye good for cocktails? Yes. Its 100-proof bottled-in-bond strength and balanced spice make it one of the most reliable mixing ryes out there, which is exactly why we keep it behind the bar.
What does “bottled-in-bond” mean? It is a federal standard requiring the whiskey to come from one distillery and one distilling season, age at least four years under government supervision, and be bottled at 100 proof.
Ready to taste it? Book a table, browse our full whiskey list, or explore the complete beverage menu.