Drinks Spirits Whisky & Bourbon 11 Best American Rye Whiskeys for Your Liquor Cabinet Use one of these bottles to make your next Old Fashioned. By Brian Freedman Brian Freedman Brian Freedman is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer; event host and speaker; and drinks educator. He regularly contributes to Food & Wine, and his first book, Crushed: How A Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink, was published in October 2022. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 15, 2023 Close Photo: Angels's Envy Rye whiskey's popularity has steadily increased in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. Perhaps as a result of the craft cocktail boom and a growing consumer appreciation for craft spirits, there is more great rye available than ever before. Rye whiskey is defined by having a mash bill made of majority rye — at least 51% in the United States. This composition gives rye whiskey a distinctly spicy, grassy, and dry flavor profile as opposed to sweeter, corn-dominant bourbon. To simplify your whiskey choices, here's our list of rye whiskey bottles that we recommended stocking up on. As a side note, we have limited this list to American rye whiskeys. However, if you're a fan of rye-based whiskey or whisky, you should explore the world of Canadian whisky, where brands like Crown Royal, Alberta Premium, Pendleton, and more are more than worthy of shelf space. 01 of 11 Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey Courtesy of Heaven Hill Produced in Kentucky by the Heaven Hill distillery, Rittenhouse is made from the minimum of 51% rye, but since it's bottled at 100 proof — and bottled-in-bond, no less — there's still a defined, pleasant spice to it. And at right around $25 a bottle, it's an outstanding value. Try it: in a Manhattan. 02 of 11 Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey Courtesy of Beam Suntory Now produced in Kentucky by the James B. Beam Distilling Co., Old Overholt began its life more than two centuries ago in Pennsylvania. The 4-year-old straight rye, bottled at 86 proof, balances caramel and peppercorns with a hit of toasted cereal. It's got everything you want in a bottle of rye — spicy, balanced, and easy to mix into cocktails, though excellent on its own, too. Try it: in an In Cold Blood, an easy-to-make signature cocktail from reputable cocktail bar Portland Hunt & Alpine Club. 03 of 11 Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey Courtesy of Beam Suntory Even Knob Creek's bourbon contains a strong dose of rye, so it's no surprise their rye whiskey excels. The tightrope of spice and sweet fruit is beautifully calibrated. If you can find it, the Twice Barreled Rye is a fantastic, concentrated whiskey with sweet toasted vanilla and cafe mocha notes at its core. Try it: in a Northern Standard. 04 of 11 George Dickel Rye Whisky Courtesy of George Dickel Headquartered in Tennessee, Dickel treats its rye like the rest of its whiskey — filtering it through charcoal made from sugar maple wood. The result is softly textured, almost creamy, while its 95% rye content means there's still a spicy sizzle running throughout. Try it: in a Sazerac. 05 of 11 Widow Jane Apple Wood Aged Rye Whiskey The Widow Jane lineup is famously extensive, and even among their excellent other offerings, the oak and apple wood aged "whiskey distilled from a rye mash" is a standout. This rye is a sweeter expression, with cardamom, coriander, vanilla, and cedar, all framed by sweet oak tannins that allow cinnamon-sticky baked apple flavors to shine. Try it: in a Vieux Carré. 06 of 11 Michter's US-1 Straight Rye Whiskey Michterâs Michter's US-1 Straight Kentucky Rye is a single-barrel whiskey that, while not disclosing its exact age, always has at least three years on it. The rye has a classic fruit-spice character with orange and butterscotch notes and a balanced peppery tingle. Try it: just neat or on the rocks! Though it makes a spectacular Old Fashioned, too. 07 of 11 Wild Turkey 101 Straight Rye Whiskey Courtesy of Wild Turkey Pronounced spice, vanilla notes, and a lingering smokiness on the palate define the distinctive character of this overproof rye from Wild Turkey. At around $30 a bottle, this rye is an exceptional value, perfect for sipping straight or enjoying in a classic cocktail, as the higher proof helps to bring structure to a drink. Try it: in an Old Fashioned — the spice and high proof are terrific foils for the sweetness of the sugar. 08 of 11 WhistlePig PiggyBack 100% Rye Vermont-based WhistlePig has become a go-to for rye fans, and it’s no wonder: Their lineup is impressive. Their six-year-old PiggyBack 100% Rye is a pot-distilled whiskey that takes the rye component as far as it can go for a bold, spicy, full-bodied whiskey that is silky in texture, with well-calibrated spice, grilled stone fruit, and flamed orange peels, and an underpinning of green peppercorns and coffee beans. Also try their Farmstock Rye, which they call "Bottled in Barn," as it is made from start to finish on their property using water from their well and aged in local, sustainably sourced Vermont Oak barrels. Try it: in a Boulevardier. The prominent spice in the PiggyBack Rye makes an excellent counterpoint to the Campari and Sweet Vermouth in this Negroni variation. 09 of 11 Uncle Nearest Straight Rye Whiskey This straight rye whiskey from Food & Wine, 2022 Drinks Innovators of the Year CEO Fawn Weaver and Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler, shows notes of honey, nougat, and devil's food cake alongside pink peppercorns, dried pear, and tobacco on the finish. If you're at the Tennessee distillery, pick up a bottle of the Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, a 100% rye distilled in British Columbia, aged in New York, and finished at the Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. It's honeyed and sweetly spiced, with dried papaya and pineapple, sticky buns, white raisins, and molasses. Try it: in a Mint Julep. 10 of 11 Angel's Envy Finished Rye Angels's Envy Angel's Envy's port-barrel-finished bourbon may be more well-known, but the praline- and sweetly spiced rye, finished in casks that previously held Caribbean rum, is just as noteworthy. As delicious as it is on its own, when mixed into a cocktail, this spirit brings cinnamon and graham cracker notes that take the drink to the next level. Try it: in a Whiskey Sour. 11 of 11 High West Double Rye Courtesy of High West Distillery The Double Rye expression is a blend of two different ryes, the sum of which is fruit-forward with less spice than you might expect. Flavors of yellow plums, nectarines, and a hit of licorice and carob make it well-suited to more spice-forward cocktails. Try it: in a Paper Plane; the rye works well with the amaro. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit