Large Monongahela Pure Rye
Added on Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 at 09:00 PM
  Bottler: OB
  Age: 4 yrs Type: American
  Vintage: 1913 Subtype: Rye
  ABV: 50.00 % Region: Pennsylvania
  Price: N/A Availability: Collectors Only

Distilled by the Large Distillery in Pennsylvania, Bottled in Bond. 
Distilled Fall 1913, Bottled Spring 1918

Member Ratings and Notes
Sku
 
The nose is very musty, like an old antique shop. (old bottle effect?) There is polished leather and an underlying spiciness but not similar to the rye spice I know from today's ryes, also some pine and floral notes. On the palate, I am again struck by how very unlike today's ryes this is. It's very dry and musky, like old fashioned shave soap and polished wood, ending on a sort of peppery note with some nuttiness. The finish may be the best part of the whole experience, lingering with a sandalwood scent.

This is wonderfully different from anything around today. It's dry and spicy but much more fragrant than today's ryes; the spice notes are less in the realm of cooking spices and more in the realm of wood, soap and subtle cologne. Fascinating stuff. It definitely transports me back, back to an old drug store with a polished wooden bar. I can almost hear the barbershop quartet.

It's hard to judge something this different from what we have today particularly when I can't know how it was really intended to taste coming out of the bottle and if it's changed since that time.  While it's weird, I did come to like it and appreciate the flavors, particularly the finish. 
Whiskey Master List
Whiskey Value and Selling Online FAQ
Contact Rare Liquor Collectors
Popular Articles