There is a lot of noise right now about the best rye whiskey, what they are like, how much they cost, and where to get them. Here, we’ll break the ice on the best rye whiskey currently available.
What is rye whiskey?
Rye is the grain from which some whiskies are made. Rye whiskeys are of two main types: the first is American rye whiskey, which is quite similar to bourbon but is made with at least 51 percent rye. The second is Canadian whiskey, which mostly can be labeled as Rye but possibly may not contain any rye in it.
Rye Whiskies are made in a lot of different countries, some better than others. These, along with American rye whiskies, will state the fact that they are made from 100 percent rye whiskey on the label.
American rye whiskey, besides being made with Rye, is also made with malted barley, corn, and wheat. It has to be distilled to at least 80 percent ABV and can only be filled into barrels at 62.5 percent ABV. It must be aged for a minimum of two years and not blended with any other spirits in able to be called straight ‘rye whiskey.’
Canadian rye whiskey, despite not having Rye, the whiskey has characters historically associated with Canadian whiskey, and rye characteristics are included in its flavor profile. Most Canadian whiskies nowadays are blended to get this character trait. Corn and wheat are blended and used in barrels along with a small amount of flavoring created from a mash using Rye. Usually, though, the blend can be as much as 90 percent corn or wheat. Canadian whiskey has some rules: They cannot use barrels larger than 700 liters, and the liquid must be aged for a minimum of three years, like Scotch. Unlike bourbon (but again, like Scotch), the barrels can be new or used. In some places, there are whiskies that are 100 percent rye.
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Rye was the spirit of America, not bourbon. There were lots of distilleries in Pennsylvania and Maryland. At that time, they were much more saturated than the bourbon market. Sadly, by the 2000s, only a few brands were left.
But as the new millennium rolled on, Rye got more and more popular, with brands and distilleries launching bottle after bottle. Thankfully, that popularity hasn’t slowed down one bit in 2022. Walk into any liquor store today, and you’ll likely find names like Sagamore Spirits, Pikesville, WhistlePig, and Redemption staring at you in the face.
List of some of the Best Rye Whiskey
The best rye whiskeys are known for their elegant flavors like caramel, cracked black pepper, oak, vanilla, and dried fruits.
Below is a list of some of the best rye whiskey brands that are known for their versatility and quality.
Please note that the list below has been categorized based on prices and rye rating.
- Best Rye Whiskey above $100
- Best Rye Whiskey under $100
- Best Rye Whiskey under $50
Best Rye Whiskey above $100
Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Average price: $342. (MSRP $170) Rating: 96
If you want one of the best rye whiskeys, then get an older limited release of the Mitcher’s. If you are lucky to find it, then you definitely should try the 10-Year Single Barrel. It is a rich, complex, and textured rye whiskey you can find. You will most likely not get this bottle at its $170 MSRP (Manufacturer’s suggested retail price), nor will you see it on just any shelf. So, be prepared for a lengthy search if you want a taste of this. As you can imagine, the quality of this whiskey is unquestionable. It has a distinct cherry aroma which meets sweet and intense herbs on the nose, and the two continue their dance well down.
Cascade Moon 13-Year-Old Rye Whisky
Average price: $334 Rating: 94
It was Launched in October 2020 as an experimental limited series of whiskies under the umbrella of Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. It can be found in Texas, California, and Tennessee. This 13-year-old Rye was distilled and aged for four years in Indiana, then spent a further nine years in a barrel in Tennessee. The oldest release in this roundup. By sipping Cascade Moon, you get an exploration of age and maturation, immediately apparent via aromas of dried fruits, nuts, and cacao nibs.
George Dickel x Leopold Bros. Collaboration Blend
Average price: $110 Rating: 94
This limited-edition bottling was released in December 2021, truly amongst the best rye whiskey as it blends George Dickel’s previously unreleased column-distilled Rye with Leopold Bros. This best Rye whiskey, which has only been available for about a year, also employs interesting production equipment. The palate leans more traditionally Rye in character, and it is said to leave an everlasting impression with a lengthy, intense finish.
Corbin Cash 1917 Merced Rye
Average price: $100 Rating: 93
This farm-to-bottle release is produced from Corbin Cash’s estate-grown Rye (100 percent) from Atwater, Calif. It spends around half a decade in a barrel before bottling without filtration. This Rye is a well-tamed cask strength release. It showcases intense notes of cigar box, apricot, and cherry, among others. It’s quite expensive considering its age, but this is clearly the product of high-quality ingredients treated with utmost care and attention. You can say one of the best rye whiskeys in town.
Stellum Fibonacci Blend #1
Average price: $100 Rating: 93
Separately, six rye blends are put together in this highly expressive cask-strength whiskey. The fruits remain common throughout with blackberries, cherries, and citrus oil. Extra layers of nuance arrive in the form of honey syrup, toasted oak, and baking spices. Pour a glug into a glass, add a few drops of water, and have a nice time.
Best Rye Whiskey under $100
Craft Spirits Seagrass Rye Whiskey
Average price: $94 Rating: 94
While a lot of processing goes into the production of this whiskey, the final blend makes it worth the effort. With a blend of American (Indiana and Tennessee) and Canadian rye whiskeys, all components of this spirit are finished separately in apricot brandy casks, Martinique rhum agricole casks, and Madeira barrels. This is guaranteed to always be amongst the best rye whiskies around, A “classic” style of Rye that has its many casks interacting seamlessly with the base rye(s). Indeed, the Barrell Craft Spirits team achieved the perfect balance with this unique expression.
Hughes Bros. Belle of Bedford
Average price: $92 Rating: 93
Distilled and selected at the MGP distillery, proofed, and bottled by Pennsylvania’s Hughes Bros. Distillers. This bottle provides enough proof that not all whiskeys having the label “Distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana” taste and smell exactly the same. Part of what makes this release distinctive is its age – 9 years old – and its 52 percent ABV, both of which are a little higher than most sourced ryes on the market. Citronella, cherrywood, lemon oil, and peppermint represent just a few of the aromas that come from the glass, while the palate takes on a more savory guise, with strong bursts of caraway seeds most notable.
Angel’s Envy Finished Rye
Average price: $90 Rating: 93
Here’s another exceptional rye that, after tasting, you can easily pick out blind from a lineup of dozens of whiskeys. It kicks off with hits of maple, brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and every other baking spice you can imagine and finishes off in rum casks. It lands with even more intensity than the nose. If you’re all about scented candles, you’ll love this whiskey considered to be one of the best rye whiskey.
Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Rye
Average price: $80 Rating: 93
Surprisingly, this cask-strength Rye is easygoing. The smell, heat, and taste of alcohol never threaten to distract from its flavor profile, which could serve as the dictionary definition for a kind of classic Rye. It has slightly peppery grains, a streak of green earthiness, and mature oak. Pour it on a large cube of ice and appreciate it as its melted water soon starts to open its profile.
WhistlePig 10-Year Straight Rye
Average price: $69.99 Rating: 94
Vermont’s WhistlePig is one of the world’s most well-known rye whiskey brands. Considered to be one of the best rye whiskeys around, this award-winning brand releases nothing but high-quality, memorable expressions, and one of its best value-to-price bottles is WhistlePig 10. This high-rye, small-batch whiskey was aged for a minimum of 10 years. You’ll only want to drink it straight. This results in a smooth whiskey with flavors of spicy cracked black pepper, candied orange peels, vanilla beans, and sticky toffee.
Valentine Distilling Co. Mayor Pingree Orange Label Rye
Average price: $50 Rating: 92
From Detroit’s Valentine Distilling Co., Mayor Pingree combines two mash bills that are each triple pot distilled before resting in a barrel for four years. Rising from the glass includes nectarine and apricot fruits, while a whiff of mint leads onto a full-bodied palate as the fruitiness of the nose also takes on. Craft? Check. Quality? Rated one of the best rye whiskeys.
Best Rye Whiskey under $50
Russell’s Reserve 6-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Average price: $42 Rating: 92
Though it arrives on the lower end of the alcohol spectrum (90 proof), this whiskey has no lack of character or concentration. However, with just a hint of prickly spice, you can say it is a Kentucky-style rye: fruit-forward and rich. We advise holding off on the ice, although it is more than capable of impressing during sipping occasions.
Sazerac Rye
Average price: $33 Rating: 93
The Sazerac is one of the most popular rye-based cocktails of all time. It was named for the Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street in New Orleans. To get the most out of this New Orleans-based drink, use the rye whiskey that carries its name. It features notable flavors of vanilla beans, clove, peppery Rye, and candied orange peels. It’s complex and mixable, cheap as one of the best rye whiskeys, but it will most definitely gain a permanent spot on your home bar cart.
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Average price: $40 Rating: 95
At this price point, drinkers should expect a whiskey that will hold its own in cocktails but also perform valiantly when enjoyed neat. With an impressive depth of flavors, rich, toasted caramel notes, and heavy doses of sweet spices, Knob Creek’s Rye delivers. At 50 percent ABV, sipping over ice isn’t out of the question, either.
Redemption Rye
Average price: $28 Rating: 94
Redemption Rye is one of the best rye whiskey brands. This 95 percent rye to 5 percent barley-based whiskey was produced to be a spicy and bold compared to the rye whiskeys that were released before Prohibition. As one of the best rye whiskey, it has aged in new, charred oak barrels. It’s known for its flavors of rich oak, toffee, vanilla, mint, and spicy black pepper. It can be found in most home bars due to its quality-to-price ratio.
Old Overholt Bonded Straight Rye Whiskey
Average price: $25 Rating: 91
Old Overholt’s core expression gained a few extra proof points with a formula shake-up. With the new 114-proof line also launched, all whiskeys in the lineup are bottled without chill filtration. The latter factor is key, with more intricacy but texture maintained in the final spirit. The 4-year-old, 100-proof Bonded expression punches well above its price tag, with attractive herbal notes surrounding a caramel core, and represents the most versatile option in Old Overholt’s stellar, less expensive lineup.
How to enjoy the best rye whiskey
Like any other good whiskey, the best way to enjoy your best rye whiskey is either neat or on rocks. Alternatively, you can go cocktail style.
Cocktails made with bourbon can also be made with Rye, making the drink a little less sweet and spicier. Rye for cocktails is actually nice, thanks to the backdrop of different mixes.
Health Benefits of Rye Whiskey
Yeah, health benefits. Do not be surprised. Indeed, there are health benefits to taking this. Like most regular whiskeys, rye whiskeys are not just about filling your fancy glass of wine. They bring much more to the table. And below are some of the health benefits they offer.
It helps with weight loss.
Rye is widely known for its pro-weight loss benefits. It contains lots of different fibers that can help you feel fuller than other types of grains or cereals. This conveniently removes the main problem faced by people looking to shed weight – hunger.
By lowering your appetite, you lose your knack for food, thus enabling you to reach your weight goals faster.
It aids Digestion
The fibers present in Rye also help in the digestion process. These fibers work by moving blockage apart, eliminating gas and the general discomfort that is caused as a result of indigestion issues. This will help free you up to do what needs to be done per time in your everyday activities.
Rye Whiskey Improves Diabetes
Rye and whiskey contain zero carbohydrates, so they do not significantly impact your blood sugar level the way wheat products can. This means that people with diabetes can choose whiskey as their top choice or favorite alcoholic beverage without any fear of inadvertently raising their blood sugar. But before doing so, you should get in touch with your physician before drinking rye whiskey.
Rye Whiskey Minimizes the Risks of Cancer
Rye whiskeys contain lots of antioxidants, the chief of which is known as “ellagic acid,” a compound obtained from rye grains. Ellagic acid is a compound that prevents the direct contact of DNA and cancer-causing cells.
This has led to the encouragement of rye grain suppliers, who are always more than willing to provide high-quality rye grains to aid the continued research in finding additional helpful links to cancer prevention.
Conclusion
There are various rye whiskeys that can be categorized among the best rye whiskey group. In the end, it all comes down to your preference (spice and flavor). This is why we always advise people to try different bottles if they can get a hold of them. That said, don’t get carried away in your quest to know all about the best rye whiskeys that are there. Remember to find out how each one affects your health. That way, you can learn to control your consumption.