Top Rye of 2025 — Sip & Support LA Fire Recovery

2025 Pinhook 9 year old “Another Round Another Rally Charity Barrel” Vertical Series K&L Wine Merchants Single Barrel #2409 Indiana Straight Rye Whisky (750ml) ($99.99)

Pinhook has carved out a unique position in the non-distiller producer (NDP) world—not just as a brand that sources barrels, but as one that blends vertically, allowing each release to represent a direct evolution of the previous vintage. Because of this, you never know exactly what you’re going to get—except that it’s going to be good.

This particular release is extra special, not just because of the whiskey, but because of the cause it supports. Another Round Another Rally is an incredible organization founded to support bartenders and hospitality workers in need. It has become a vital resource for education, grants, and scholarships—often focusing on underrepresented and marginalized members of the hospitality community. Just as importantly, the organization has become a primary source of emergency aid for bar and restaurant workers and owners facing hardship.

This bottle specifically supports relief efforts for industry professionals in Los Angeles who were impacted by the devastating fires that swept through the region in January 2025. Proceeds go directly to those who lost homes, income, and stability during the crisis—offering real aid to real people when they need it most.

As meaningful as the mission is, the whiskey more than holds its own. The nose delivers deep rye spice, caraway, clove, and anise wrapped in black cherry jam. On the palate, it bursts with rich, dark fruit, decadent burnt caramel, and earthy spice, finishing long, layered, and full.

This is an exceptional barrel—for an even more exceptional cause. Get it before it’s gone.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 17, 2025

This is one of the most rewarding projects I’ve ever had the privilege to be part of. Not only are we offering some of the most delicious single-barrel rye on the market, but we’re also working—legitimately and directly—to improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in the hospitality industry who have lost everything.

Living in Los Angeles, the scale of destruction we witnessed this year felt truly unprecedented. But if you're not driving through these neighborhoods daily, it's easy to forget the tragic and traumatic events that affected our city so profoundly. That’s why projects like this matter—because the recovery is ongoing and will continue for years to come.

So don’t sit back and watch the city rebuild—sit back and drink. Your valiant sacrifice is actually helping real people. All you have to do is enjoy the bottle. For me, that alone is worth taking a risk on this release.

But there’s more: our original barrel for this project was unceremoniously lost when it was accidentally dumped by the bottler. In response, Pinhook’s owner and master blender—an incredibly generous and deeply knowledgeable man—diverted a barrel he had hand-selected for his own private group so that we could still complete this mission. And between that selection and the arrival of this final product, his 2025 Vertical Series was named Best Rye Whiskey of the Year.

So essentially, you’re drinking an even better version of the very best.