Country: USA - Pennsylvania
Producer: Hidden Still Spirits
Type: Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
Mashbill: 86% Rye, 14% Barley
Age: 4 yr
Cask: American White Oak
ABV: 47%
Proof: 94
Price: $47
Nose: Oak spices, rye spice, vanilla, pine nut, unripe mandarin
Palate: Creamy, hot, black peppers, ginger, raw oak, honey, hint of tobacco after adding water
Finish: Medium, ginger, cinnamon, dates, light Demerara
There’s something unmistakably honest about rye whiskey when it doesn’t try to hide its rugged side—and David E. Pennsylvania Straight Rye walks right up, tips its hat, and kicks its boots off only after you've taken the first sip.
The distillery originally opened at the Hauk Manufacturing Building in Lebanon but then moved to Hershey Company Recycling Facility in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Crafted in Pennsylvania, the birthplace of American rye, this bottle carries the kind of swagger that hints at heritage but refuses to play dress-up. No corn in the mashbill, so no layered sweet notes—this is rye in its work shirt, unapologetically raw.
David E.
Hidden Still Spirits was founded by David E. Stein in 2014, by big intentions to be the largest bourbon producer in PA.The name "Hidden Still" itself is derived from how the process of distilling spirits had been conducted many times throughout history. This rye whiskey is new to me too, their PR agency graciously sent a bottle, and I have to admit, this review should have gone online way earlier.
This rye whiskey is aged for at least 4 years and made of a mashbill consisting of 86% rye and 14% malted barley.
David E. Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey
David E. Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey Tasting Notes
The moment it hits the glass, you're greeted with a bold mix of oak spice and classic rye grain bite, softened slightly by vanilla and an intriguing nutty lift—think pine nut. There's a sharp burst of unripe mandarin in there, too, adding a citrus tension that keeps your nose guessing.
The mouthfeel is creamy, but don’t let that lull you into comfort. The heat comes in hot, laced with black pepper, ginger, and the kind of raw oak that speaks to its youth. There’s honey on the back that tries to round the edges. Add a few drops of water, and you might catch a hint of tobacco—a welcome, earthy twist that gives it depth.
It wraps with a medium-length, spicy sendoff, where ginger heat lingers a while, leaving your palate tingling and ready for another go. It’s not refined—but that’s not the point. The finish is still a little raw, like it’s reminding you that this rye wasn’t made to please everyone.
Verdict
First of all, definitely don't use Glencairn glass or a tulip glass. The raw oak flavors hit your nose and you will be remembering it forever. After the initial tasting, I poured myself another pour in Denver & Liely's Bourbon Glass, but any rocks glass will also do it.
Expecting raw and strong flavors from a PA rye whiskey is not new, and I usually quite like it. However, the nose was quite strong and young which initially made me wait for a few minutes to taste. Still after a long time, the nose has young alcohol and raw oak quality which is something that I don't usually prefer. However, I know a good crowd of people that enjoy this character.
David E. excels with the palate in my opinion. Especially in a larger glass, honey, vanilla and date flavors are balenced pretty good with the spicy and raw details. So, palate score will be significantly higher than the nose.
Finish is quite simple. Medium finish with some ginger, and still raw flavors.
On final remarks, I would hope to see an older David E. rye whiskey in the future with more complexity and stripped off from the raw oak quality. The palate is my positive outtake on this whiskey, which could be a perfect guide for the future.
