Review: 3 Stoll & Wolfe Whiskeys, 2025 Releases
Rosen rye is a resilient winter rye variety with deep roots in early 20th-century American agriculture. Its story begins in 1909, when Dr. Frank Spragg of Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) received a small sample of pedigreed rye seeds from Russia. These seeds were sent by his former student, Joseph A. Rosen — a Russian immigrant who had endured imprisonment as a student protestor before continuing his studies in the United States. With no known Russian name for the grain, Spragg cultivated the variety and named it “Rosen rye” in honor of his student.
By 1912, the first commercial planting of Rosen rye yielded 35 bushels, quickly sparking widespread interest. Through the 1920s, Rosen rye became a staple crop across Pennsylvania, integral to the region’s agricultural and distilling traditions. However, after World War II, its cultivation declined sharply. The rise of industrial agriculture favored hybrid grains, and unintentional crossbreeding diluted Rosen rye’s genetic purity. By the 1970s, commercial production had all but vanished, with only a small batch of seeds preserved in the USDA seed bank.
The revival of Rosen rye began in 2015, thanks to the efforts of Laura Fields of the Delaware Valley Fields Foundation. Launching Project Rosen with just five ounces of seeds from the USDA, Fields partnered with Penn State grain expert Greg Roth to scale up production through successive plantings. The historic Kline Family Farm, established in 1741 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, became a key grower, reconnecting Rosen rye with its storied past.
Among the most iconic names linked to Pennsylvania rye whiskey is Dick Stoll, formerly of Pennsylvania’s Michter’s Distillery. In 2016, Avianna and Erik Wolfe brought Stoll out of retirement to co-found Stoll & Wolfe Distillery in Lititz, Pennsylvania — reviving the tradition of distilling whiskey from Rosen rye. Though Dick Stoll passed away in August 2020 at age 86, his legacy endures through the distillery’s work.
Each rye variety carries its own distinct character, and Rosen rye is no exception. Stoll & Wolfe Distillery generously provided Drinkhacker with three whiskeys featuring Rosen rye: Pennsylvania Straight Rye, a Blend of American Straight Whiskeys, and a collaboration from West Overton’s Keystone Rye Collection. Once a vital part of Pennsylvania’s rye whiskey heritage, Rosen rye’s unique character shines through in these modern expressions.
With Rosen rye now flourishing again on the Kline Family Farm, the question remains: Is the hype around this historic grain still justified?
Stoll & Wolfe Pennsylvania Straight Rye (2025) Review
The sample provided by Stoll & Wolfe is from a batch aged for 30 months in 53-gallon barrels sourced from Zak Cooperage. These barrels feature staves air-dried for two years and carry a #3 char. This age statement is significant, as Stoll & Wolfe offer a wide range of whiskeys with varying ages. The mashbill is composed of 60% Rosen rye, 30% corn, and 10% malted barley. Fermentation takes place in open-top cypress tanks using a sweet mash process lasting 4 to 5 days. It’s important to clarify that this mashbill does not follow the traditional Monongahela-style rye often linked to Pennsylvania, as the rye content here is considerably lower than that classic profile.
The distillate leaves the still at 128 proof and is barreled at 109 proof. Initially, the barrels age in an old tobacco barn in Lancaster County, then finish in a heated distillery environment to replicate the heat cycling typical of historic Pennsylvania rye whiskey aging. The whiskey is bottled at 90 proof and is non-chill filtered, meaning it may develop some cloudiness when chilled—an aesthetic quirk rather than a flaw.
On the nose, there are clear notes of lemonade and green apple, creating a crisp impression. These fruity scents soon give way to hints of mint and vanilla, keeping the aroma light and approachable. The palate offers cracked peppercorn alongside a bright candied lemon peel. Midway through, honey and dried apple chips appear, with the texture settling at a medium viscosity. The finish brings back cracked peppercorn and honey, introducing a nice touch of dark chocolate that lingers.
Considering its relatively young age, the whiskey performs well. The black pepper is present but never overpowering. Without knowledge of its age, many tasters would likely find it satisfying. When compared to rye whiskey of similar age from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, this Rosen rye from Pennsylvania is a clear preference. 90 proof. B / $31 (375 ml)
Stoll & Wolfe Blend of American Straight Whiskeys Review
Stoll & Wolfe’s American Whiskey is a blend of 20% Pennsylvania rye and 80% bourbon sourced from MGP in Indiana. The bourbon portion uses a mashbill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Batch 52 features bourbon aged 4.5 years alongside Rosen rye aged 2.5 years.
On the nose, canned pears and honey stand out right away. As it opens up, additional notes of caramel and a dash of gardenia come through. The aroma leans heavily on sweet qualities but lacks much in the way of spice. While there are different types of sweetness present, the overall impression is straightforward rather than complex.
The palate begins with flavors similar to Golden Grahams cereal and a gentle caramel note. As it develops, crisp pear and rye bread appear, accompanied by a medium mouthfeel. The finish highlights more rye bread alongside dark brown sugar. Like the nose, the palate is fairly simple.
There’s nothing unpleasant about this whiskey, but it also doesn’t leave a lasting impression. If a friend poured me a glass, I’d enjoy it without hesitation. However, when it comes to picking a bottle to share or savor, this one wouldn’t be my choice over others in my collection. 86 proof. B- / $37 (375 ml)
West Overton x Stoll & Wolfe Keystone Rye Collection (2025) Review
This release is a collaboration with West Overton Distillery in Scottsdale, Pennsylvania. The distillery is part of West Overton Village, home to the historic distillery of Abraham Overholt. West Overton Village resumed producing its own Pennsylvania rye whiskey in 2020, continuing a legacy that traces back to Henry Overholt’s first stills in 1803. The site is also a notable stop on the American Whiskey Trail. The distillery is housed in a restored 19th-century barn. West Overton’s Keystone Rye Collection includes a small amount of rye distilled on site, blended with rye from other prominent Pennsylvania distilleries.
This collaboration between West Overton and Stoll & Wolfe distilleries marks the first barrel proof release in the Keystone Rye Collection, bottled at 108 proof. The blend contains 95% rye whiskey from Stoll & Wolfe and 5% distilled by West Overton. The West Overton rye features a mashbill of 80% rye and 20% malted barley, aligning with the traditional Monongahela-style rye. In keeping with that authenticity, the rye grain is grown on site, while the malted barley is locally sourced. All barrels in this blend have been aged a minimum of three years.
The nose opens with notes of citronella and peppermint tea. As the whiskey breathes, apricot jam and hazelnuts join the aroma, creating a more pronounced and complex bouquet than the American Whiskey and Pennsylvania Rye, despite comparable age statements. The palate begins with white pepper and gingerbread spices. Midway, raisin paste and smoked beef jerky appear, supported by a thick, oily texture. The flavor profile is fun and diverse, matching the complexity found on the nose.
The finish brings chai spices and a pinch of mocha, fading into soft sandalwood. Considering its relatively young age, this rye performs exceptionally well. Of the three whiskeys reviewed, this one stands out as worth the price to own. Given that only 5% of the blend is from West Overton, it’s fascinating how distinct it is compared to Stoll & Wolfe’s 30-month Pennsylvania Rye. This bottle is a clear winner. 108 proof. A- / $75 (375 ml)
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