Hudson Do The Rye Thing 750ML

Hudson Do The Rye Thing 750ML is a 46% ABV New York straight rye whiskey from Tuthilltown Distillery, batch distilled and aged a minimum of three years. It earned a Double Gold at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards and stands as one of the Hudson Valley's most recognized craft rye expressions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46% (92 proof)  |  Origin: Hudson Valley, New York  |  Minimum 3 Years  |  Distillery: Tuthilltown Distillery

Production & Heritage

Tuthilltown Distillery, founded in 2003 in Gardiner, New York, helped launch the modern New York craft whiskey movement. Do The Rye Thing — which evolved from the earlier Hudson Manhattan Rye — holds the distinction of being New York's first straight rye whiskey produced in nearly a century. The mashbill is 95% rye and 5% malted barley, sourced from New York state farms and compliant with the Empire Rye certification standards. It is batch distilled in Tuthilltown's hybrid pot still and matured in new charred American oak barrels for a minimum of three years.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with honey and straw before shifting into orange tea, apricot, and dried flowers. Subtle undercurrents of leather and dark chocolate give it unexpected depth for a rye at this age.

Taste: The entry is surprisingly creamy, with marmalade and fruitcake notes arriving first. Mid-palate, baking spice and black pepper emerge alongside dill and a gentle mintiness. Rather than the aggressive heat typical of a 95% rye mashbill, the palate leans fruit-forward and delicate, with peanut brittle and dark chocolate rounding out the profile.

Finish: Medium in length with a silky texture, tapering into white flowers and cool mint. Barrel char lingers quietly underneath, grounding the bright finish.

How to Drink Do The Rye Thing

Neat or with a single ice cube lets the fruit-forward character and creamy texture come through clearly; at 92 proof, it holds up well with a splash of water. For cocktails, its distinctive profile works especially well in three classics:

• Manhattan: The honey sweetness and baking spice complement sweet vermouth without getting lost.
• Sazerac: The mint and citrus peel notes amplify the absinthe rinse and Peychaud's bitters.
• Old Fashioned: The fruit-forward rye adds complexity beyond the usual spice-dominant rye rendition.

Best For

• Introducing bourbon drinkers to rye whiskey through a less aggressive, fruit-leaning profile
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values New York craft distilling
• Building a home rye collection that extends beyond Kentucky and Indiana expressions
• Serving as a conversation-starting Manhattan cocktail base at a dinner party

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Do The Rye Thing taste like? It leads with honey, marmalade, and apricot before baking spice, black pepper, and dill arrive mid-palate. The overall impression is unusually fruit-forward and creamy for a 95% rye, finishing with cool mint and white flowers.

How does Do The Rye Thing compare to Hudson Manhattan Rye? Do The Rye Thing is the direct successor and rebrand of Hudson Manhattan Rye, sharing the same 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill and Tuthilltown Distillery origin. The current expression carries a minimum three-year age statement and Empire Rye certification, reflecting the brand's evolution toward a more defined New York identity.

Is Do The Rye Thing good for sipping neat? Yes — its 46% ABV provides enough body and flavor concentration for neat sipping, while the fruit-forward, low-heat profile makes it approachable even for drinkers who find most ryes too spicy.

Where is Do The Rye Thing made? It is distilled at Tuthilltown Distillery in Gardiner, New York, located in the Hudson Valley. The rye and malted barley are sourced from New York state farms, qualifying the whiskey for Empire Rye certification.

What foods pair well with Do The Rye Thing? Aged cheddar or Gruyère brings out its honey and baking spice. Smoked salmon works well against the citrus and dill notes. Dark chocolate amplifies the whiskey's cocoa undertones. Charcuterie with stone fruit preserves mirrors its apricot and marmalade character. Pecan pie echoes the peanut brittle sweetness on the palate.

What sizes does Do The Rye Thing come in? The standard bottling is 750ML at 46% ABV (92 proof).

Is Do The Rye Thing worth the price? It positions as a premium craft rye, priced above mass-market straight ryes but justified by its small-batch hybrid pot still production, New York-sourced grain, minimum three-year aging, and Empire Rye certification. Its Double Gold at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards and 90-point score from Whisky Advocate support its standing in the category.

Why Do The Rye Thing?

This is one of a small number of American rye whiskeys carrying Empire Rye certification, meaning every grain is New York-grown and the whiskey meets strict regional production standards. It earned a Double Gold at the 2024 TAG Global Spirits Awards and a Gold at the 2023 NY International Spirits Competition, while Whisky Advocate rated it 90 points. Where many 95% rye mashbills deliver searing spice, this expression takes a distinctly different path — fruit-forward, creamy, and layered with floral and confectionery notes. For drinkers seeking a rye with genuine regional identity and a flavor profile that stands apart from the Indiana and Kentucky mainstream, Do The Rye Thing delivers a compelling case for New York whiskey.