Rye Whiskey: An American Tradition
In the 1700s and early 1800s, rye whiskey was one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in America, with production concentrated in Pennsylvania and Maryland.
During the American Revolution, George Washington famously operated a large distillery at Mount Vernon, where rye whiskey was one of the main products.
In the mid-1800s, rye whiskey faced competition from bourbon, which was easier and cheaper to produce. Bourbon quickly became more popular, and rye whiskey production declined.
Prohibition dealt a major blow to the American whiskey industry, including rye whiskey. Many distilleries shut down, and those that remained in operation often switched to producing other types of alcohol or went underground.
After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the American whiskey industry slowly began to recover. However, rye whiskey remained a niche product for many years, with most consumers preferring bourbon or other types of whiskey.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in rye whiskey, as craft distilleries have started producing high-quality rye whiskey and bartenders have begun incorporating it into cocktails. Today, rye whiskey is once again a popular and respected spirit in America.
Rye whiskey is known for its spicy, complex flavor profile. Rye grain contains more spicy and floral notes than other grains, which can give rye whiskey a peppery, spicy flavor with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other baking spices.
Compared to other types of whiskey, rye whiskey generally has a lighter body and a more assertive flavor profile. It can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails, and is often used in classic cocktails such as the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned.
Selected Rye Whiskies
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Angel’s Envy Finished Rye Whiskey
Angel's EnvyMash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $75
Tasting Notes: Maple Syrup, Rum Raisin Cake, Gingerbread, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Barrell Craft Spirits Seagrass Rye Whiskey
Barrell Craft SpiritsMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 59.2% | MSRP: $90
Tasting Notes: Stone Fruit, Molasses, Candy, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Water
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Buzzard's Roost Barrel Strength Rye
Buzzard's RoostMash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 57% | MSRP: $70
Tasting Notes: Stone Fruit, Caramel, Roasted Nuts, Spices, Chocolate, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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Catoctin Creek Cask Proof Rye Whiskey
Catoctin CreekMash Bill: 100% Rye
ABV: 58% | MSRP: $80
Tasting Notes: Raisins, Molasses, Toffee, Chocolate, Rye Spice, Citrus
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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FEW Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
Few SpiritsMash Bill: 70% Rye, 20% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 60.5% | MSRP: $75
Tasting Notes: Stone Fruit, Baking Spices, Citrus, Brown Sugar, Banana, Vanilla, Oak.
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram
High West DistilleryMash Bill: Blend of 80% Rye, 20% Malted Barley and 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 49.3% | MSRP: $150
Tasting Notes: Berries, Jam, Port Wine, Vanilla, Crème Brûlée, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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James Pepper Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey
James E. PepperMash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 57% | MSRP: $40
Tasting Notes: Cherries, Cinnamon, Cloves, Rye Spice, Dill, Tobacco, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Cocktails
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Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye
Knob CreekMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 59.8% | MSRP: $70
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Honey, Pepper, Spices, Oak, Brown Sugar
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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Michter’s Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Michter'sMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 42.4% | MSRP: $45
Tasting Notes: Cherry, Caramel, Apple, Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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New Riff Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
New Riff DistillingMash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Rye
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Clove, Back Pepper, Orange, Mint, Rye Spice, Vanilla, Caramel
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
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Peerless Kentucky Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
Peerless DistillingMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 54.2% | MSRP: $125
Tasting Notes: Stone Fruit, Black Pepper, Honey, Vanilla, Rye Spice, Oak, Banana, Leather
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Rock
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Pikesville 6 Year Rye Whiskey
Heaven Hill DistilleryMash Bill: 51% Rye, 39% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 55% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Nutmeg, Cherry, Syrup, Oak, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
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Sagamore Spirits Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
Sagamore SpiritMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 56% | MSRP: $75
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Vanilla, Cherry, Oak, Rye Spice, Caramel, Licorice
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Water
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The Senator Barrel Proof 6 Year Straight Rye Whiskey
Proof And WoodMash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 58% | MSRP: $75
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Cherry, Black Tea, Herbs, Toffee, Roasted Nuts, Black Pepper
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Water -
Stellum Black Rye Whiskey
Stellum SpiritsMash Bill: Undisclosed
ABV: 57% | MSRP: $100
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Dried Berries, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Dark Chocolate
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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Templeton 10 Year Rye Whiskey
Templeton DistilleryMash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 52% | MSRP: $85
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Caramel, Dark Fruit, Brown Sugar, Black Pepper, Clove, Vanilla
Suggested Drinking: Rock
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WhistlePig 10 Year Old Whiskey
WhistlePig WhiskeyMash Bill: 100% Rye
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $80
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Rye Spice, Mint, Oak, Cinnamon, Orange Peel
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Neat
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Willett Family Estate 4 Year Old Rye
The Willett DistilleryMash Bill: Blend of 74% Rye, 11% Corn, 15% Malted Barley and 51% Rye, 34% Corn, 15% Malted Barley
ABV: 56.6% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Toffee, Honey, Oak, Citrus, Cherry, Baked Bread, Black Pepper
Suggested Drinking: Rock
Selected High-Rye Bourbons
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1792 High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1792 BourbonMash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 46.85% | MSRP: $40
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Baking Spices, Oak, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
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Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Basil HaydenMash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
ABV: 40% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Baking Spices, Oak, Honey, Cinnamon, Black Pepper, Fruit
Suggested Drinking: Neat
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Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon
Bulleit Frontier WhiskeyMash Bill: 68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
ABV: 60% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Toffee, Oak, Maple Syrup, Dark Fruit, Rye Spice
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Cocktails
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Four Roses Small Batch Select
Four Roses BourbonMash Bill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
ABV: 52% | MSRP: $60
Tasting Notes: Caramel, Vanilla, Black Cherry, Apricot, Plum, Baking Spices, Oak
Suggested Drinking: Rock, Cocktails
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George Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon
George Remus BourbonMash Bill: 36% Corn, 21% Rye, 43% Malted Barley
ABV: 50% | MSRP: $100
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Honey, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Leather, Tobacco
Suggested Drinking: Neat, Cocktails
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Redemption High Rye Bourbon Single Barrel Select
Redemption WhiskeyMash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Barley
ABV: 52.5% | MSRP: $50
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Rye Spice, Toffee, Oak, Nutmeg, Cinnamon
Suggested Drinking: Rock
Pair Your Rye Whiskey and High-Rye Bourbon With the Perfect Glass
Select one of our Glass & Grains Exclusive Rye Tumblers to get the most out of your whiskey drinking experience.
They match perfectly with a large ice cube to maximize the spicy and sweet rye whiskies and high-rye bourbons.
Rye Grain Classic Tumbler Whiskey Glass
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