From the New York Distilling Company in Williamsburg, Brooklyn comes Ragtime Rye Bottled In Bond, the distillery's newest expression, and not to be confused with their earlier 95.4 proof Ragtime Rye. Bottled in Bond means that this rye complies with the mandates of a federally designated style of whiskey defined by the Bottled In Bond Act of 1897, which states that the whiskey must be the product of one distilling season from one distillery, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof.

Interestingly, all of the ingredients in the mash bill, which consists of 75 percent rye, 13 percent corn, and 12 percent malted barley, come from the State of New York, and thus, qualifies for a new spirits category known as Empire Rye. This refers to a whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in New York State, and comprised of at least 75 percent New York-grown rye, and aged a minimum of two years. Ragtime Rye Bottled In Bond, however, is aged for four years. It is a bit gruff on the palate without the addition of water or ice, but retains a heavy cinnamon and clove character that's delicious.