Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey Review

Reviewed by Colin Hewitt

Many moons ago, as a gift for my fiftieth birthday, a good friend bought me a bottle of American bourbon. I have been a convert to American spirits ever since. In the intervening ten years, I’ve tried numerous bourbons of varying quality. Therefore when I was given the fabulous opportunity to test-drive a bottle of American whiskey, I jumped at the chance.

So, first things first, what’s the difference between whiskey and bourbon?

I vaguely remember someone once telling me that all bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbons. A little research showed that the difference is basically how it is manufactured and then allowed to mature. To be a bourbon, the whiskey needs to be at least 51 per cent corn.

The Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Whiskey I was sent to review is made from 100% rye, no corn in sight, so it’s not a bourbon – it’s a whiskey (are you still with me?). But, more importantly, to your average consumer, not only is the Roundstone Rye a whiskey, it’s an exceptionally delicious whiskey.

I was surprised to discover that The Catoctin(pronounced Kat-Tok-Tin) Creek distillery, located in Purcellville, Virginia, USA, has only been around since 2009. It was founded by the wife and husband team, Becky and Scott Harris. The bottle and traditional style label give the gravitas of a much older establishment.

Catoctin Creek distils slowly and uses 100% locally sourced, organic Virginian rye to give the product its distinctive mellow flavour. It is then matured for at least three years in a mixture of Minnesota and Virginia White Oak barrels.

More details about the Catoctin Creek distillery can be found on their own website here.  The website shows their full range of spirits and a lovely potted history of the distillery.

Regardless of the history, the ingredients, distillation process, and the numerous awards, what does it actually taste like?

In my opinion, it’s fresh, it’s mellow, it’s seriously quaff-able, and it couldn’t be smoother. I didn’t experience the usual spirit burn of other whiskeys (I’ve tried a few Irish ones) or Scotch whiskies.

It smelt a little of vanilla, possibly chocolate or cocoa, even coffee, and definitely oak (but fresh oak, not the moss or peat-like aroma of some spirits).

After drinking, you are left with an oak and slightly toffee-like flavour on your palate.

My only criticism is that it is a little too drinkable (but that may be a personal problem). Unfortunately, the bottle didn’t last very long in this household.

Personally, I would never use this in a cocktail; I wouldn’t want to mask the beautiful flavour. However, everyone’s taste differs. I’m sure it would make a delicious base ingredient for an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan or numerous other whiskey-based cocktails.

This would make an ideal gift for a spirit drinking friend or family member at Christmas or any other time of year.

Each 70cl bottle is 80% proof (40% ABV)

Rating: 5 out of 5 (and very well deserved at that!)

RRP: £37.00

This product can be purchased in the UK from numerous retailers, including:

Native Spirits Online here

Master of Malt here

and The Whisky Exchange here