About Rye Whiskey

About Rye Whiskey
Rye Whisky must contain a minimum of 51% rye grain, be distilled at less than 80% ABV (160 proof) and be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred barrels. A small amount of straight Rye whiskey is bottled and marketed, but most of the industry production is blended into other whiskies to give them additional character and structure. Canadians frequently refer to their whisky as "Rye," though it is in fact made primarily from corn or wheat.

The Taste: While the best Bourbon is known for a creamy, caramel-like palate, the best Rye whiskey makes its presence known with a spicy, grainy, hard-edged firmness that is distinctive and unique. Usually very dry, with notes of walnut, toasted grain, and black pepper, straight rye has a bold assertive character that has earned it a small but dedicated following among discerning whiskey fans.

The Scotch-Irish immigrant distillers had some exposure to using rye in whiskey production, but for their German immigrant neighbors rye had been the primary grain used in the production of Schnapps and Vodka back in northern Europe. They continued this distilling practice, particularly in Pennsylvania and Maryland, where Rye whiskey, with its distinctive hard-edged, grainy palate, remained the dominant whiskey type well into the 20th century.

Rye whiskey was even more adversely effected by National Prohibition than Bourbon. A generation of consumers weaned on light-bodied and relatively delicate white spirits turned away from the uncompromising, pungent, full-bodied straight Rye whiskies. Production of Rye whiskies had vanished altogether from its Mid-Atlantic homeland by the 1980s. A handful of modern Rye whiskies are currently being made by Bourbon distilleries in Kentucky and Indiana. America’s first indigenous whiskey style is today only barely surviving in the marketplace. Its primary use is for blending to give other whiskies more character and backbone, although a small but vocal group of Rye whisky enthusiasts continue to champion it.

Top Picks for Rye Whiskey

Knob Creek 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
94 points
$69.99
Buttery rich with warm, just out of the oven baked flavors, bright note of fresh mint and a silky finish that delights with a perfect spritz of spice.
94 points $69.99
KOVAL Distillery Bottled In Bond Rye Whiskey
94 points
$50
Bread pudding made with Rye bread; not quite what you expected but so so tasty.
Awards: 2022 Top 2 Rye Whiskey
Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Voyage 26 Rye Whiskey
94 points
$79
A layered and delicious Rye that will benefit from more time in barrel.
Awards: 2022 Top 2 Rye Whiskey
Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey Batch 2G
93 points
$39
Rich, spiced, warm and inviting with a long, brightly spiced finish - autumn in a glass.
Mayor Pingree 6 Year Aged Green Label Small Batch Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
93 points
$240
This is quite special with loads of cinnamon, pepper, and black chocolate; add a few drops of water to watch it open up.
Knob Creek 7 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
93 points
$36
A benchmark Rye Whiskey with just enough age and barrel influence to pull everything together; would make a truly high class Manhattan.
KO Distilling 4 Year Old Distiller’s Reserve Bottled-In-Bond Rye Whiskey
93 points
$74
Snacking on Rye bread and butter while walking through an herb garden.
Ghost Owl Straight Rye Whiskey
92 points
$34
A rye for Bourbon lovers seeking a bit more rye spice without losing lovable butterscotch-vanilla-toffee centric Bourbon flavors - this whiskey shows off its spicy grain beautifully.
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Batch 1A
92 points
$59
Dark and rich flavors of maple, cigars and baked apple are wrapped in a spirits body with a fruity core that holds it all together.
Lasso Motel 10 Year Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
92 points
$89
Happiness is Rye Whiskey with age; this just really hits the mark and scratches an itch,and a couple drops of water really help pull complexity out of this spirit.