Matt wrote:I wonder how the raw material prices for whiskey are factored into retail prices. Presumably the rye was cheaper when the whiskey currently on the shelves was distilled. In any event, I suspect the price increases in recent years reflect a combination of increased costs and increased demand.

This is a good econ 101 question. The answer is that it will generally increase the price of whiskey now, even thought the actual raw materials in the bottle were purchased at a lower price.

Matt wrote:I wonder how the raw material prices for whiskey are factored into retail prices. Presumably the rye was cheaper when the whiskey currently on the shelves was distilled. In any event, I suspect the price increases in recent years reflect a combination of increased costs and increased demand.

I didn't mean to imply that it was a single-year spike in price. Rye was selling for between $2.50 and $3.50 a bushel for well over a decade until 2007 when it jumped to $5 and then went over $6 2008-2009. After dropping to the $5+ range for a couple of years it's now nearing $8. So the distiller's raw materials costs have been substantially higher for the last 5 years. They're finally at a point where they need to pass it on.

Datum for the record: A bottle of Rittenhouse 100 at Binny's, today, was $22.99.

so far Bulleit Rye is my favorite and I am also enjoying the Rittenhouse 101 proof I recently purchased. They are very close in price, the Bulleit just a couple $ more. I have been told by a few sources that (the far more expensive) Templeton rye is identical to Bulleit except that it is watered down to 40 proof (both are produced by the same facility in Indiana). I would describe rye as being hotter and drier than bourbon, less sweet.