Butterscotch | Lemon | Apricot | Sweet vanilla | Charred oak  

Vanilla | Sweet oak | Honey | Light citrus | Touch of leather 

Green apple | Brown sugar | Light grain | Mild oak | Light rye spice 

Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is a mix of old and new. Created and distilled by legendary distiller Dick Stoll, this sweet mash rye is now aged in 53 gallon barrels by Stoll & Wolfe Distillery. Stoll was the last master distiller at Pennsylvania’s Michter’s Distillery, 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. 

This whiskey’s age is certainly the first thing that will grab your attention. There’s been a bit of a yo-yo-like swing in the company’s age statements for this brand. We originally tasted the rye in 2018 when it was 2 years old and aged in 30 gallon barrels. In 2020, we revisited it at 4 years old. Perhaps it was the switch to 53 gallons that resulted in batches now featuring age statements just shy of the 2 year mark. 

Since their start, Stoll & Wolfe has crafted a noticeably soft-tasting rye. Though light rye spice is present, the company’s rye is surprisingly smooth and tempered compared to the majority of the ryes on the market. It begins with an aroma that is rich in butterscotch with lemon and apricot feathered in. The rye is also much sweeter tasting than you’d expect for the age, with vanilla, sweet oak, and honey on the palate. The finish adds notes of green apple and brown sugar, further enhancing its sweet and gentle flavor profile. 

It’s been well established by now that ryes can be more enjoyable at a younger age than bourbons, and Stoll & Wolfe certainly makes a case for it. Although the rye’s mouthfeel is thin and its flavors lack maturity, many will find enough to enjoy in its overall flavor profile. In fact, there are probably many new rye drinkers who will enjoy this style of rye quite a bit for its overall approachability, not to mention its accessible price point. For others, more time will be expected to tease out more overall complexity.

The bottle in review is from Batch #825.