Rye Whiskey Brands You Should Try

Did You Know?
Besides its use in making whiskey, rye is also used to make beer and vodka.

Unlike bourbon or American whiskey, rye whiskey is characterized with a dry and bold taste. Its flavor is reminiscent of the earth it thrives in - fruity, grassy, and sour. You can actually taste a bit of its edginess in every sip. Of late, whiskey connoisseurs are turning to a glass of rye, and it is definitely rising in popularity on the shelves.

While bourbon has a distinct sweet and smooth taste, rye is often associated with a dry, jangly taste. As they say, wine and spirits are better had when reasonably aged. When appropriately aged, rye whiskey becomes more subtle, weaving in a spicy caramel flavor which retains most of its edginess.

Connoisseurs would agree when I say cocktails like Old Fashioned, Sazerac, and Manhattan are incomplete without the grassy undertones of rye whiskey. It can also be enjoyed with club soda or even ginger ale, and for those of you who live life on the rocks, well that's exactly how you can enjoy this drink.

Distiller: Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Aged For: 23 Years
Black Maple Whiskey is a complex rich whiskey aged for 23 years and bottled at 95 proof. It has a spicy sweet aroma and an oaky smoothness that will leave you rather slowly. It is definitely one of the rarest and the best rye whiskey you can lay your hands on.

Distiller: Kentucky Bourbon Distillers
Aged For: 18 Years
This is a single-barrel rye bottled at 95 proof. This whiskey has a sweet and fruity aroma which has an intriguing depth. It tastes like apples and pears and has a luxurious finish that lingers long after you have gulped it down.

Distiller: Lawrenceburg Distillers
Aged For: 4 to 7 years
Made with 95% rye, this one has comes across as a spicy, sweet concoction. It has an aroma of tobacco and cherry, and comes across as buttery smooth and spicy-sweet on the palate. Bottled at 90 proof, enjoy this one straight on the rocks.

Distiller: High West Distillery
Aged For: Not Known
Rendezvous rye is a blend of two differently aged straight whiskeys. It blends a 16-year old rye that is extremely rich in flavor, with a 6-year relatively new whiskey. This unique blending gives it an uncompromising rich flavor. Corked at 92 proof, this one gets a definite thumbs-up.

Distiller: Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery
Aged For: 13 Years
Corked at 95.6 proof, this rye whiskey bursts with flavors of cocoa, vanilla, and white pepper. It has an applewood aroma, and a finish of crunchy wood with a slight hint of spice.

Distiller: Redemption
Aged For: 2 Years
Redemption Rye whiskey has a mash bill of 95% rye, and is bottled at a bold 92 proof. it has a spicy toasted oak aroma, and a spicy finish. On the palate it tastes a bit like star anise treacle and espresso.

Distiller: Heaven Hill
Aged For: 4 Years
Pikesville, corked at 80 proof, offers a sharp fruity aroma, and has a rich spicy character. It attains a creamy smooth finish, making it the Aristocrat of straight whiskeys.

Distiller: Jim Beam
Aged For: 4 Years
Termed as Jim Beam Yellow Label for its distinct golden color, Jim Beam whiskey is corked at 80 proof. Made with 51% rye, it is spicy, dry, and bold. It has an aroma of nutmeg, cloves, and pepper. On the palate, it starts with a caramel vanilla note and has a citric finish.

The rye whiskeys mentioned here are those that are currently available. This list obviously does not contain all the rye whiskeys available out there. We would love to know the rye whiskey brands that you have tried, so please do let us know via the comments. Till then, Cheers!