When it comes to American whiskey, bourbon hogs much of the spotlight. However, there was once a time—pre-Prohibition—when rye whiskey was considered the dram of choice for many an American. After the Prohibition era, rye whiskey was relegated to the shadows in favour of the sweet elixir that is bourbon, with rye somehow developing a reputation for being a mere secondary grain to corn. However, the tides have turned and rye whiskey is enjoying a well-deserved resurgence, with its distinct spicy notes making it the ideal sipper or cocktail accoutrement (Sazerac, anyone?) for the discerning drinker. Feeling spicy? Read on for our guide to the best rye whiskeys.
Related: The Best Bourbon Whiskeys Are Unfussy & Uncomplicated
What is rye whiskey?
Most American whiskeys are categorised and defined by the type of grain(s) they comprise, with rye whiskey no exception. Rye whiskey is made with a mash bill containing a minimum of 51% rye grain. Other grains present in the mash bill can include barley, corn, or wheat. Rye whiskey must be aged in new charred oak barrels, distilled to a maximum of 80% ABV (160 proof) and bottled at a minimum of 40% ABV (80 proof). Rye whiskey that has been aged for a minimum of two years is known as ‘straight rye whiskey’.
It’s worth noting that this definition is specific to American rye whiskey. There is also Canadian rye whisky, however the definition is a lot looser here. Canadian whisky is able to be labelled as ‘rye’ simply by containing any amount of rye in its mash bill. This article focuses on American rye whiskeys, and as such, uses that definition.
Related: The 18 Best American Whiskey Brands
What does rye whiskey taste like?
Rye whiskey has an idiosyncratic flavour palate; not as sweet as bourbon or as savoury as Scotch, it tends to be defined by its dry, spicy (think cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pepper) quality. Rye whiskey sees the dry, dark, and spicy quality of the grain tempered by the sweet oakiness from the charred new oak barrels it’s aged in. Most distillers use a hefty dose of corn as the secondary grain to offset the dry, savoury notes of the rye. As a result, many rye whiskeys feature a spicy hit of black pepper, cloves, and smoke which descends into nuanced caramel notes (courtesy of the corn) on the finish.
The best rye whiskeys to try in 2024
1. Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whisky
A Pennsylvanian style rye whiskey, Rittenhouse was introduced in 1934 following the end of Prohibition. One of the rogue American whiskey brands that uses the Scottish spelling of ‘whisky’, Rittenhouse Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey remains true to the original. Aged four years and bottled at 100 proof, it’s a bold expression characterised by a palate of dark cherries, cocoa, vanilla, and lashes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and baking spices.
Price: $94.99AUD
Established in: 1934
Founder: Harry Publicker
Parent company: Heaven Hill Distillery
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
2. Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Another heavy hitter courtesy of Heaven Hill Distillery, Pikesville was the once-illustrious Maryland Rye industry’s last whiskey standing, reemerging following the end of Prohibition. The Pikesville 110 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey is a classic take on rye whiskey, with a hot, dry, and spicy palate with notes of almost bitter rye and peppery cloves with a smooth finish.
Price: $149.99
Established in: 1895
Founder: L. Winand and Brothers Distillery
Parent company: Heaven Hill Distillery
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
3. Elijah Craig Straight Rye
A rye whiskey for bourbon lovers. Elijah Craig is best known for its bourbon, with its recent foray into rye reflecting that. A corn-heavy mash bill (51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley) results in a more palatable take on the divisively savoury grain, with Elijah Craig Straight Rye boasting a buttery smooth palate of baking spices, pepper, honey, and oak. A good entry point into rye whiskey.
Price: $135AUD
Established in: 1986
Founder: Heaven Hill Distillery
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
4. Basil Hayden Dark Rye Whiskey
An idiosyncratic take on rye, Basil Hayden Dark Rye Whiskey combines Kentucky straight rye and Canadian rye with a touch of Californian port to create a delectably dark rye with front notes of dried fruit, caramel, and oak, underscored by peppery spice.
Price: $139.99AUD
Established in: 1992
Parent company: Beam Suntory
Location: Clermont, Kentucky
5. George Dickel Rye
Applying the signature Tennessee charcoal mellowing process to its high-rye mash bill (95% rye and 5% malted barley), to create a smooth yet spicy expression with notes of fruit, cloves, and cinnamon with a hint of cereal. Its spicy character makes it an apt fit in a Manhattan.
Price: $124.90AUD
Established in: 1870 (1964 for George Dickel brand)
Founder: George A. Dickel
Parent company: Diageo
Location: Tullahoma, Tennessee
6. Bulleit Rye Whiskey
Known for its spicy yet sweet character, Bulleit Rye Whiskey boasts a palate of baking spices with notes of honey and vanilla, with a crisp long finish. Its high-rye mash bill (95% rye and 5% malted barley) makes it one of the more archetypal rye whiskeys, allowing it to hold its own in a Manhattan or Sazerac.
Price: $69.99AUD
Established in: 1987
Founder: Thomas E. Bulleit Jr.
Parent company: Diageo
Location: Lebanon, Kentucky; Shelbyville, Kentucky
7. Knob Creek Rye
While best known for its bourbon, Knob Creek Rye offers a well-rounded drinking experience with a blend of sweet and spicy notes. The former comes courtesy of the whiskey’s barely legal rye mash bill (thought to be 51% rye), softened by corn. That said, it has a nose of crisp green apples and fresh rye grain, with a balanced palate of soft rye, pepper, citrus, vanilla, caramel, and a hint of pine and oak.
Price: $96.99AUD
Established in: 1992
Founder: Booker Noe
Parent company: Beam Suntory
Location: Clermont, Kentucky
8. WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Straight Rye
WhistlePig isn’t devoid of controversy, with the distillery once claiming its rye whiskey was distilled in Vermont when it was actually made with imported straight rye whiskey from Canada. However, the distillery has since righted its ways, with its whiskey hand-bottled in Shoreham, Vermont (despite still sourcing some whiskey from Canada and Indiana) and has played a key role in ushering in a rye renaissance. The WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Straight Rye is known for its refined palate, dominated by earthy, spicy notes of rye, citrus peel, cumin, anise, and soft vanilla, with oak and leather on the finish.
Price: $135AUD
Established in: 2007
Founder: Raj Bhakta
Location: Shoreham, Vermont
9. High West Double Rye!
Nothing says excitement like an exclamation mark. The High West Double Rye! is worth exclaiming about though, marrying young and old non-chill-filtered rye whiskeys to create an expression that balances the intense spiciness of the former with the smooth sweetness of the latter. One for the whiskey drinker who doesn’t shy away from a healthy dose of spice, it has a full-bodied palate of rye grain, cinnamon, ginger, licorice, and mint, with an undertone of gin botanicals like juniper, anise, and coriander seed.
Price: $110AUS
Established in: 2006
Founders: Jane and David Perkins
Parent company: Constellation Brands
Location: Park City, Utah
10. Russell’s Reserve 6-Year-Old Rye Whiskey
Another release with a barely rye mash bill (51% rye, 37% corn, and 12% malted barley), Russell’s Reserve 6-Year-Old Rye Whiskey sees complex rye grain, citrus, allspice, and honey tempered by sweet and creamy sugar, vanilla, and oak.
Price: $99.99AUD
Established in: 2001
Founders: Jimmy and Eddie Russell
Parent Company: Campari Group
Location: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Words by Henry Blake
Cover image courtesy of Peden + Munk
