Review: Belle of Dayton Detrick Rye Single Barrel
Time flies when you’re having fun. It often seems like just yesterday that craft distilleries were popping up everywhere and pushing rough whiskey aged for around 2 years at $60. Almost as if we went through a time warp, we’re now living in a universe where those small distilleries dealing in expensive harsh whiskey are all grown up. Setting up shop in Dayton, Ohio, Belle of Dayton Distillery is one such craft distillery that now has very well-aged whiskey, unbeknownst to most consumers who don’t realize the distillery even exists. In the era before Prohibition, Detrick Distilling sold copper pot distilled whiskey in Dayton under the tutelage of Registered Distillery No. 60, 10th Ward with the slogan “While we live, let’s live.” Belle of Dayton Distillery was founded in 2012 and now pays homage to the city’s whiskey heritage with its Detrick branding of bourbon and rye. In late 2024, Belle of Dayton released Batch No. 005 of Detrick 4-Grain Single Barrel Full Proof Rye Whiskey aged for a whopping 9 years and 18 days. Craft distilling, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.
Belle of Dayton does not disclose any specifics regarding its rye mashbill other than containing more than 51% rye, plus white corn, wheat, and malted barley. The unique 4-grain rye mashbill sports white corn and wheat and undergoes a fermentation of 72 hours at a controlled temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. After a proper fermentation, the mash is introduced to a 300-gallon custom-built, steam-injected, copper column pot still with 4 plates. Distillate comes off the still at 120 proof and equally enters the barrel at 120 proof. Speyside is the cooperage of choice with 53 gallon barrels featuring a #4 char and hand-toasting. All white oak for the barrels is sourced from the Ohio River Valley. Batch No. 005 of Detrick 4-Grain Single Barrel Full Proof Rye Whiskey was barreled on 8/12/2015 and bottled on 8/30/2024.
Belle of Dayton offers the whiskey community a rye whiskey that is both unique in mashbill and length of aging for a rye. Priced at a respectable $98 and packing 112.6 proof, could this the next great rye whiskey worth hunting down? Let’s pour a glass and discuss.
The spirit presents a beautiful bouquet with exceptional balance. Initial notes of peach rings burst forth, offering a nostalgic sweetness that melds seamlessly with the grain-forward scent of Nut and Honey Crunch breakfast cereal. A bright, citrusy thread of orange marmalade develops next, lending it a zesty richness, while a light hint of pickled ginger adds spicy intrigue. As expected with the age, there are no youthful aromas. The maturity is well-managed, steering clear of the over-oaking that often plagued craft distilleries in their early days.
Detrick delivers a wildly inviting tasing experience, unfolding with a delightful complexity. It opens with the familiar bittersweet tang of orange marmalade, setting a vibrant tone that transitions into the licorice-like spice of anise. A refreshing whisper of Andes Mints follows, bringing a cool, minty chocolate nuance that dances on the palate, while the rich buttery essence of macadamia nuts round out the profile. The mouthfeel is distinctly dry, enhancing the sophistication of the sip. A captivating green influence threads through the flavors, never overpowering, but adding a layer of intrigue to the balance. The finish lingers with a playful yet refined character, opening with the unmistakable sweetness of peach Jolly Ranchers. The sweet peach gives away to the embrace of chai spice. Finally, a hint of cherry cough drop appears, offering a medicinal, slightly tart edge that wraps up the experience with a nostalgic twist.
This rye whiskey is an absolute gem, a fantastic yet under-the radar find that most consumers have yet to discover. The proof strikes a perfect chord, as does the price, harkening back to a time when whiskey enthusiasts could rely on the $10-per-year formula — a standard that’s largely faded as prices have soared. This bottle takes a refreshing step toward that lost value, delivering exceptional quality without breaking the bank. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who cherishes a well-crafted rye whiskey, and I’m eagerly awaiting future releases from Belle of Dayton.
112.6 proof.
A /$98 / belleofdayton.com
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