"Whiskey is by far the most popular of all remedies that won't cure a cold."
-Jerry Valehere
Rye whiskey has a long and lustrous history, fraught with trials and tribulations. Rye whiskey today typically encompasses a category that includes both American rye whiskey, which is quite similar to bourbon whiskey (with some key differences), and Canadian rye whisky, which is a nuanced category of its own.
Rye whiskey, as we know it, was born out of necessity. When a British blockade of colonial ports dried up the molasses supply from the West Indies, the traditional rum distillers of the 1600s turned to crops they could grow locally. Some notable points in rye whiskey history include the regional prowess of the northeastern states in the 1700s and 1800s, which saw states like Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland producing most of the country's rye whiskey. There was even a rebellion that almost led to an all-out whiskey war when a group of Scottish-Irish immigrants refused to pay an unfair tax on their stills. What was once a thriving industry was later nearly wiped out completely by Prohibition. Today we see a small but growing rye renaissance slowly taking hold across the country as bourbon drinkers turn rye curious. It's this renaissance that the Amongst the Whiskey team has been investigating deeply over the past month with this thorough research into all things rye. We hope this article serves you well as you go out to your local retailers and attempt to separate the rye from the chaff, discovering the right flavor profile for you to spend your hard earned dollars on.
First, you'll want to understand what makes rye whiskey unique from bourbon. The primary differentiator is determining what the majority grain used throughout mashing and distillation is, the majority meaning more than 51% all the way up to 100%. In bourbon, the majority grain is corn. In rye, the majority grain is rye. There are whiskeys listed in this article that run the entire gamut of that range.
There are a few other guidelines for what defines a rye, and there are a few nuances based on subtle language changes you'll also want to understand.
Rye Whiskey: Made from a mash of at least 51% rye, distilled to no more than 160 U.S. proof (80% ABV), aged in new, charred oak barrels, entered into those barrels at no higher than 125 proof (62.5% ABV), and containing no added colorings or flavorings
Straight Rye Whiskey: Follows the same conventions as rye whiskey, with extra clauses: must not be blended with other spirits, and aged for at least two years in new, charred oak; additionally, if the whiskey is aged less than 4 years, it must carry an accurate age statement on the label
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey: Follows the same conventions as straight rye whiskey, but all the whiskey in the bottle must have been distilled in the state of Kentucky; note that straight rye whiskey can be produced anywhere in the US, so California straight rye whiskey, Indiana straight rye whiskey, Texas straight rye whiskey, etc. are all possible labels you can also discover
Canadian Rye Whisky: Must be made in Canada, aged at least 3 years in wooden casks, and typically made from a blend of single-grain spirits, though there is no legal requirement on mash bill percentages, making this the most ambiguous category to understand
Empire Rye: A New York-specific style rye that conforms to the New York Farm Distiller Class D requirement that 75% of the mash bill be local New York rye grain (either raw or malted), distilled to no more than 160 proof, and aged for a minimum of two years in charred, new oak barrels at not more than 115 proof at time of entry
Monongahela Rye: Not a legally defined category, but this is a rye whiskey style originating out of the foothills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that traditionally was made from a mash of 100% rye, though modern revival takes mostly just conform to the standard rye whiskey regulations
Scotch Rye Whisky: A relatively new category that is still being explored by a handful of Scottish distilleries experimenting with the flavoring grain in various projects; expect this to follow a similar character arc to Canadian rye whisky
All the whiskeys in this write-up fall under the broadest "rye whiskey" category, but many will also conform to the straight rye whiskey designation too. Our personal favorite styles are highly transparent, high-rye mash bills that are distilled on pot stills. You may be wondering what you can expect for flavors in a rye whiskey and how you might choose to drink them. Rye can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or as a high-impact ingredient in a cocktail. AmongstTheWhiskey owner Nick Anderson openly admits to only using rye when making an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. Whether you are a neat sipper or a cocktail drinker, at the end of this article we'll summarize the best whiskey for any type. All of the short blurbs on the whiskeys below are based on experiences tasting neat in a glencairn glass per the Amongst the Whiskey editorial policy.
From here, like all whiskey, there is a barrel maturation component that comes into play as well. Rye whiskey can be wholly aged in new, charred oak as we defined above, or it can be secondarily "finished" in other cask types like rum, sherry, port, madeira, or toasted barrels. Each of these extra oak influences will impart slight flavor changes depending on the duration of the extra maturation.
There are many other factors you can learn about by diving into the full reviews of each of the whiskeys below. Without further ado, let's get into the best rye whiskeys you can drink in 2024!
The Top 24 Rye Whiskeys as of 2024:
Subtle red berries for days on the nose and a slow dance on the tongue make this an infinitely approachable rye for those ready to dip their toe into the limited release category. Keep in mind this is a single barrel style release, so your mileage may vary depending on the numbers and letters on your neck. If you can't find this one, spring for their lower proof shelfer version at ~$47 instead for a decent alternative.
ABV: 54% // MSRP: $120
A true rarity in the whiskey world, this is part of the once-per-year "Pappy" Van Winkle allocated release season that happens every winter. Good luck trying to find this one at any liquor store being offered for less than two whole arms and two whole legs. Those willing to become a paraplegic for a taste of this coveted 13 year rye whiskey can expect to taste linen, oak funk, honeysuckle, tea, and soft creampuff flavors. It's an incredibly light sipper this year, which is why it didn't place higher.
ABV: 47.8% // MSRP: $120
Blended by Shaylyn Gammon as a collection of 189 contract distilled rye whiskey barrels from Castle & Key that the legendary Jim Rutledge detailed out. Fans of the butterfly will find creamy caramel and floral tones on the nose. Sipping this cask strength rye reveals wild mint, dark walnut, and a light sprinkle of cacao powder. There are far more notes to be had if you spend your time with this one, and it's a wonderful example of Shaylyn coming into her own as a supertaster.
ABV: 58.35% // MSRP: $119.99
These barrel strength ryes are always a hit. While they vary greatly due to the single barrel style release, the team at Michter's is top notch and leaning in on all the best science and low barrel entry proof practices. That 103 barrel entry proof produces a whiskey that drinks in a tidal wave of fruit: dark, sticky, juicy, and tannic fruit. Macerated black raspberry, luxardo cherry, fig, and plum all come across syrupy on the tongue. Make an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan with this if you really want to impress your friends, as this is one of the best cocktail rye mixers money can buy.
ABV: 55.5% // MSRP: $110
The domestic house cats of ryes, this offering is an excellent example of what to expect when diving into the flavorful profile of rye whiskey. With its bottled in bond distinction, this fruit-forward, spice-leaning, and oily mouthfeel experience will easily lure those curious about the rye category, like the purr of an adorable cat. It's clear this is a "barely legal" rye (one which features a mash bill just north of majority grain at 51%) by taste, and that makes it a great rye introduction for your bourbon drinking friends. Just don't put it in a blind rye tasting flight, where it definitely won't stand up.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $80
WhistlePig just recently expanded their local grain portfolio with the Beyond Bonded line. This local grain could be seen growing from the farmhouse as we sipped through their bold portfolio of rye whiskey. Not only is the grain local, but the water, the wood to make the barrels, the team, and the equipment are all Vermont through and through. It doesn't get any more grain to glass than this. Expect to taste browned butter, graham cracker, silky parfait yogurt, and a lovely little grenadine linger. Drinking this rye will instantly transport you to their Vermont farm.
ABV: % // MSRP: $99.99
ASW has been silently crushing the distilling game out of their Atlanta, Georgia-based operation for the last handful of years. The toasted rye is their take on sourcing, but with a key focus on how their local climate changes the barrel maturation process, blending for taste, and artfully layering in a toasted barrel finish that elevates this 95/5 MGP rye mash bill to new heights. We tasted this when it was first being blended for mass release and patiently waited for it to get distributed through the normal acquisition channels. It's a buy all day with notes of cake pop, melting marshmallows, graham cracker, molasses, and orange marmalade.
ABV: 50.7% // MSRP: $65
Another craft rye making waves in the whiskey world—enter New York Distilling Company. They partnered with local spirits writers Aaron Goldfarb and Robert Simonson to pick two barrels they thought were literature-worthy. Chapter 2.2 was a personal favorite, with tasting notes of mulled wine, cardamom, pomegranate juice, kumquat, and a delicate chapeau of truly unique barrel funk.
ABV: 56% // MSRP: $69.99
A 100% rye mash bill is pretty rare, but not unheard of. This single barrel pick was expressive from the get go on the nose with notes of maple syrup, brown sugar, tobacco, white lilly, and coffee bean rising to the occasion. The palate showed up with honey-ladened granola, Earl Gray tea, lemon pudding, and steeped bergamot. These distiller's reserve releases are really mind-blowing. So much so that Nick and the Liquor Junction team went to pick their own barrel.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $69.99
The only independent bottler to make the top rye whiskey list, Two Souls has been solidly delivering unprecedented access to great whiskey for the last few years. This is a very peculiar whiskey selected from Wollersheim Distillery out of Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, that presented a bold enough character to warrant a name: "Wisconsin Waffles." We find cinnamon, runts, lemon milkshake, bread pudding, blackberry coulis, and, of course, maple sugar. While the citrus outweighed the maple in our tasting, our faith in James and Chad was fully galvanized with this release.
ABV: 59.2% // MSRP: $84.99
Continuing on our tour of the US, we discovered Cedar Ridge, from Swisher, Iowa, knows how to make a really great rye whiskey. What sets this one apart is their unique mash bill of 85% malted rye, 12% corn, and 3% malted barley. Nosing this one reveals lemon hard candy, warm pine bark, silly nilly pink vanilla cotton candy, and a trademarked funk that is representative of Cedar Ridge. Sip this rye and you'll find that sweet Perle di Sole, maple syrup, strawberry daiquiri, and a kiss of lime.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $45
The late, great Parker Beam started a legacy of releasing some of Heaven Hill's best stocks. This annual release aims to raise awareness and generate donation revenue for ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that ultimately led to his passing in 2017. Despite the Parker's Heritage Collection typically featuring some kind of extra innovation like a heavy char barrel or a special finish, the 2023 release (17th edition) was a simple 10 year Kentucky straight rye with no funny business. This 51% rye mash bill tastes like lemon biscotti, creamy confectioners' sugar, and all the Thanksgiving fixings you could ask for. This is another great rye for the traditional Kentucky bourbon fans.
ABV: 64.4% // MSRP: $185
Despite this being a bit of a dated review, we believe Barrell is still one of the best blending houses in the business. Combining rye stocks from both America and Canada, batch 1 Seagrass rye has proved to be the perfect summer sipping rye year in and year out. Given Barrell's consistent skill, the batches available today are likely just as good. Follow the grass line on the front label between the green and the blue sections all the way to the right, and in a tiny little font, you will find the batch number. The multitude of finishing barrels utilized here creates an utterly unique flavor profile that no other brand has replicated to date. We find a thick mouth coating on this whiskey with notes of apricot cream, pineapple, strawberry, vanilla, grapefruit, and a smoldering white rum finish.
ABV: 59.2% // MSRP: $79.99
With a long history of distillation, Southern Distilling is reigniting North Carolina as a hub of great rye whiskey. Like most other regional distilleries, prohibition nearly wiped out this celebrated production style that supplied whiskey to a good portion of the east coast back in the day. In modern times, they are producing an ultra-flavorful, citrus-forward rye whiskey that exudes lemon zest, tart plum, sugary peach rings, and deep oak tones. This is well aged whiskey through and through. If you can't find this label, seek out their Double Rye as a similar alternative.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $49.95
A legacy reborn. While several other distilleries have attempted to cash in on the rich history of Monongahela rye, nobody has done it better yet than Liberty Pole. I've tasted the original whiskey, including a 1917 distilled Sam Thompson Old Monongahela Pure Rye Whiskey, and this is the real deal. Expect to find juicy red fruit like raspberry and plum alongside a hint of nougat, balsam fir, black tea, allspice, and terroir-ladened sweet oak funk. This is a prime example of modern distillers doing things the right way instead of what is most profitable.
ABV: 54% // MSRP: $64
Few people get to comb through Willett's revered stocks of whiskey for the purposes of selecting their own single barrel. Nick Anderson and UPROXX writer savant Frank Dobbins III joined the Liquor Junction team to do just that. What started as an intriguing conversation about the smell of the inside of a naval battleship quickly turned to eye-widening praise as the tasting team discovered an impeccable rye giving off notes of lemon rind, blood orange, pineapple, and plum. This is a decadent whiskey that matches its admittedly high price tag, as the finish carries juicy pear, pie crust, whipped cream, and a cascade of nutmeg across the tongue. Fans of this style of rye can seek out the 4 year family estate bottlings for a similarly great tasting experience for around $65.
ABV: 59.3% // MSRP: $349.99
A California straight rye whiskey, this rye is attention to detail distilled and bottled for your enjoyment. Estate grown Merced rye, Mapes Ranch corn, and malted 2-row barley come together in oily, old-school, pot-distilled perfection. We find notes of subtle smoky oak, fresh baked artisan bread, lemon ginger tea, honey, and hints of clay. We've tasted some great rye through the years, and this can be counted amongst the best from a relatively new craft distillery.
ABV: 48% // MSRP: $70
With a distinct and precise whiskey style that can capture the attention of even the most distracted whiskey sippers, Kings County Empire Rye demands full attention and will captivate you from start to finish. The creamy pot-stilled mouthfeel and the complex palate bursting with butterscotch, pepper, and pine, with a distinct craft barrel funk, make this pour not soon to be forgotten. This is a wonderful chance to taste the history of rye whiskey, as Kings County puts New York back on the whiskey making map.
ABV: 51% // MSRP: $89.99
Few palates are more discerning than that of Pablo Moix. Selected barrels that are considered the best of the best are chosen for very limited runs of a new bottling run from Rare Character called Brook Hill. This resurrected brand name carries some real historical significance, but the liquid carried within the modern bottles is really the stuff of legend. Sipping attacks the tongue like a nuclear-powered Sazerac 18 year, quickly pulling one back in for another sip. Raspberry tea, coconut shavings, and grilled pineapple can be found in the smoldering coals where your tongue once stood. Peach rings dance late in the glass. While it came just short of the number 5 spot, this is a tremendous straight rye whiskey you should be paying attention to.
ABV: 63.11% // MSRP: $250
Wild Turkey came out swinging with their latest Master's Keep, offering a 10 year Kentucky straight rye whiskey from a distillery known for their staple 101 proof bourbon. This 51% rye caused quite a few discussions to crop up on the value factor, with pricing under Campari's rule steadily rising through the years. Overall, this glass is creamy with a dusty earthiness as well in the nose. Soft, delicate sweetness just dances in the mouth, like a slow dance with eyes closed, and nothing else matters but you and that song you are enjoying so much. A long savor is reminiscent of the comfort of a snack cabinet that has just what you're looking for: a bite of s'mores made with a touch of creamy peanut butter. Like rolling down a car window to enjoy a perfect stretch of country highway, the linger is ridiculously long if you have the patience to sit with it as long as it goes on. Wonderful whiskey all the way through.
ABV: 52% // MSRP: $275
The young buck amongst the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac straight rye whiskey has not always been lauded as one of the finer ryes. The 2023 release certainly changed that. With a nose that shows off molasses, cherry pits, wood spice, pine boughs, magnolia flowers, and expressed orange peel, we found this to be delectable from the get-go. Sipping demonstrates a lovely rye whiskey with notes of navel orange, plum, pear, white grape, and a lovely creaminess throughout. This one was well worth chasing down.
ABV: 62.45% // MSRP: $125
A true rye lover's pour, this 100% malted rye pot still whiskey is like that kid at school who was friendly and loved by all. From the nose to the palate, expect to be taken to a place where spiced cake, stewed plums, and lemon custard are abundant. At 112.8 proof, this spicy and velvety mouthfeel will be an exciting and cozy journey, like a snowy train ride in a foreign country. It's great to see craft distillers coming into their own, and ASW is leading the charge on old-school pot distillation. Make sure you grab a bottle the next time you see this one on the shelf!
ABV: 56.4% // MSRP: $79.99
Mediocre sourced whiskey has no place here. This 95/5 MGP is capable of inspiring and igniting a true love for rye whiskey. From creamy orange to sultry warm spiced cookies and soft pine, the range of flavors will sizzle on the tongue like a whole array of pancakes on a breakfast diner griddle. This is a pinnacle straight rye single barrel, through and through. Not all barrels are created equal, though, so make sure you seek out a trusted palate when dabbling in this space.
ABV: 58.23% // MSRP: $99.99
Michter's you've done it again. Consistently raising the bar for what good whiskey means is what defines this brand. This is a rye that focuses on quality, and it's a gold standard for what the flavor-packed rye grain can do in modern whiskey. The nose offers a masterclass of aromas, including caramel, butterscotch, pumpernickel bread, and buttery oak tones. Palate notes include creamy buttercream frosting, lemon sponge cake, silky marula tree fruit, toffee, and dulce de leche. The finish is magnificent as white pepper, oily coffee bean, bergamot, and hard lemon candy tapers off. This is a bottle we will never tire of nosing and sipping through. Kudos to the Michter's team on another exceptional 10 year Kentucky straight rye whiskey release.
ABV: 46.4% // MSRP: $200
In Summary:
Best Rye Overall: Michter's 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Barrel 23E0603 ($200)
Best Readily Available Rye: Kings County Empire Rye ($89.99)
Best Sub $50 Budget Rye: Southern Distilling Company Hunting Creek Rye ($49.95)
Best Splurge Rye: Rare Character Brook Hill Rye "Want" ($249.99)
Best Mixer Rye: Michter's Barrel Strength Rye ($110)
Honorable Mentions: New England Barrel Company, Old Louisville, Found North, and Whiskey Acres are all brands that are top of mind but could not be fully reviewed in time for this article
It goes without saying that these are some of the best ryes being produced today. The Amongst the Whiskey team has had the great privilege of tasting some of the best of all time from pre-prohibition until today, so this perspective comes from two very well calibrated palates working together. Despite some of the picks in this list being single barrel selections that Nick Anderson selected, any conflicts of interest have been mitigated by the patient vetting of Jes Smyth tasting completely independently. Both writers also wholeheartedly follow all the principles laid out in the AmongstTheWhiskey.com editorial policy. Drop a comment down below if you have thoughts on this curated list of some of the best rye whiskeys out there! Are there any releases you would like to see tasted next?
Written by: The Amongst the Whiskey Team
&
Comments