Hemingway Signature Edition Rye 750ML

Hemingway Signature Edition Rye 750ML is a 48.5% ABV straight rye whiskey blending Indiana and Kentucky ryes, finished in rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry casks. It earned 97 points from Tasting Panel and was named the #1 Rye of 2023 by Whisky Advocate, where it also scored 94 points and landed at #13 on their annual Top 20 list. The 2023 ASCOT Awards further recognized it with a Double Platinum medal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48.5% (97 Proof)  |  Origin: Indiana & Kentucky, USA  |  Blend of 6-Year and 4-Year Straight Ryes  |  Producer: Hemingway Whiskey Company

Production & Heritage

Hemingway Whiskey Company was founded by Steve Groth and the Call family, with Master Distiller Ron Call overseeing blending and finishing. The Signature Edition combines two distinct straight rye whiskeys — 90% is a 6-year-old Indiana rye with a 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill, and the remaining 10% is a 4-year-old Kentucky straight rye. What truly distinguishes this expression is its dual finishing process: both component whiskeys are matured in Ron Call's own rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry casks, layering tropical sweetness and dried fruit complexity onto the aggressive rye spice backbone. The result is a whiskey that pushes the 95/5 rye profile into genuinely unfamiliar territory.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh ryegrass and vanilla frosting appear first, followed by waves of cinnamon, raspberry, and raisins. Deeper exploration reveals sugarcane, tropical fruit, and sea-salted caramel with a subtle hint of suede.

Taste: The entry is creamy and rounded, with honeycomb and almond paste giving way to bold orange and dark fruit at mid-palate. The sherry influence emerges with chocolate and caramel, while clove and nutmeg spice build toward the peak alongside coffee bean and nougat. At 97 proof, there is ample weight behind every layer without becoming aggressive.

Finish: Rich and full-bodied, with a burst of concentrated fruit flavor that gradually softens into warmth. The close is sweet, gently spiced, and lingers with dried berry and baking spice echoes.

How to Drink Hemingway Rye

Neat or with a few drops of water is the best way to experience the rum-sherry cask influence in full — the proof is balanced enough to sip comfortably without dilution, though water opens up additional tropical and caramel notes. For cocktails, the bold flavor profile stands up remarkably well:

• Manhattan: The dark fruit and chocolate notes from the sherry finish harmonize naturally with sweet vermouth, creating a layered, dessert-like version of the classic.
• Sazerac: The high rye content and baking spice character provide the backbone this New Orleans staple demands, while the rum-cask sweetness adds unexpected depth.
• Vieux Carré: The whiskey's complexity — fruit, spice, nougat — mirrors the multi-spirit architecture of this cocktail without getting lost alongside Cognac and vermouth.

Best For

• Gifting a serious rye whiskey collector who follows annual awards lists
• Side-by-side tastings comparing standard MGP 95/5 ryes against cask-finished expressions
• Anchoring a premium Manhattan or Sazerac for a home cocktail evening
• Celebrating a milestone with a critically acclaimed, limited-production American whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hemingway Rye taste like? Hemingway Signature Edition Rye delivers bold dark fruit, orange peel, and chocolate from its sherry-rum cask finish, layered over the classic 95/5 rye spice of clove, nutmeg, and fresh rye grain. The mouthfeel is notably creamy, with honeycomb, nougat, and caramel balancing the heat at 97 proof.

How does Hemingway Rye compare to Bulleit Rye? Both whiskeys share the well-known Indiana 95% rye and 5% malted barley mashbill, but Hemingway adds a 4-year Kentucky rye component and finishes the blend in rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry casks, resulting in significantly more fruit and chocolate complexity. Bulleit Rye is bottled at a lower 90 proof without additional cask finishing, making it a leaner, more straightforward expression of that same grain bill.

Is Hemingway Rye good for sipping neat? Yes — at 48.5% ABV, it has enough proof to carry its dense fruit and spice layers without being harsh, and the rum-sherry cask finish contributes a rounded sweetness that makes it very approachable neat. A few drops of water can further expand the tropical and caramel aromas.

Where is Hemingway Rye made? Hemingway Signature Edition Rye is produced by Hemingway Whiskey Company, blending a 6-year-old Indiana straight rye with a 4-year-old Kentucky straight rye. Both components are finished under Master Distiller Ron Call's direction in his proprietary rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry casks.

What foods pair well with Hemingway Rye? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and caramel notes from the sherry finish. Smoked brisket or barbecue ribs stand up to the bold spice and 97-proof weight. Aged Manchego cheese echoes the nutty, dried fruit character, while pecan pie mirrors the whiskey's baking spice and sweetness. A charcuterie board with dried apricots and salted almonds bridges both the fruit and savory elements.

What sizes does Hemingway Rye come in? Hemingway Signature Edition Rye is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Hemingway Rye worth the price? Hemingway Signature Edition Rye positions as a premium American rye, and its 97-point Tasting Panel score, Whisky Advocate #1 Rye of 2023 designation, and ASCOT Double Platinum medal place it among the most decorated ryes in its price tier. The proprietary rum-sherry cask finishing and multi-age blend offer genuine complexity that justifies its standing above standard MGP-sourced expressions.

Why Hemingway Rye?

The rum-seasoned Oloroso Sherry cask finish is the single most important detail here — it takes a familiar Indiana 95/5 mashbill and transforms it into something distinctly richer and more layered than its peers. A 97-point score from Tasting Panel and Whisky Advocate's recognition as the #1 Rye of 2023 confirm this is not just a marketing exercise but a genuinely standout whiskey. The blend of a 6-year Indiana rye with a younger Kentucky component creates textural depth, while the 48.5% ABV hits the sweet spot between sipping weight and cocktail versatility. In a crowded field of MGP-sourced ryes, Hemingway Signature Edition has earned its reputation through verifiable critical acclaim and a finishing process that no other producer replicates.