Dad’s Hat Pre-Prohibition Style Straight Rye Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Dad’s Hat Pre-Prohibition Rye
(Credit: Richard Thomas)

At the end of 2016, Pennsylvania distiller Dad’s Hat contributed to a wave of craft distilleries releasing bottled in bond expressions, declaring the growing maturity of America’s craft whiskey scene. This year, they’ve gone two steps better. Not only did Dad’s Hat follow up with a second batch of its bottled in bond, but it also raised the age statement on its Pre-Prohibition Style expression to “at least four years.” In doing these things, Dad’s Hat is claiming a place at the head of the Pennsylvania Rye Revival.

Except for being one year-plus older, it’s still the same boldy spicy, throwback of a whiskey. They made it from an 80% rye, 15% malted barley and 5% malted rye mash bill, with no corn whatsoever, and bottled it at 95 proof (47.5% ABV).

The Whiskey
Dad’s Hat 95 proof has a sticky look in the glass, so stick in fact that it is reluctant to drop any tears at all. The coloring is the light amber so typical of rye whiskey, while the scent is a mix of pumpernickel bread and dried red fruits, with a hint of spearmint.

The flavor is much more restrained than the generous nose, however. It’s quite spicy, with a pinch of charred oak shavings. On the backside, a little sweet tobacco leaf rolls up and over the tongue. The finish runs spicy and a bit woody, lasting for a decent amount of time, but certainly nothing lengthy.

The extra aging has made this iteration of Dad’s Hat mellower than other younger, earlier expressions I’ve had from them. It’s quite an easy drinking sipper. Moreover, anyone who wants more rye out of their rye whiskey will love the virtues of Dad’s Hat Pre-Prohibition.

The Price
Expect to pay about $50 a bottle for Dad’s Hat 95 proof.