In our blind tasting, New York bartender Jeremy Oertel’s recipe won over the judges for its richness and full body. Seven years later, his preferred whiskey for the classic, Rittenhouse Rye, remains the same: “Rittenhouse is by far the best budget-friendly, and maybe best overall,” he says. Portland’s Katie Stipe also appreciates the versatility of the storied, balanced rye, calling it her “forever go-to” for classics beyond the Manhattan, including Sazeracs, Old-Fashioneds and Boulevardiers.
