10 Of My Favorite Rye Whiskeys, From A Bartender

10 Of My Favorite Rye Whiskeys, From A Bartender

Rye whiskey is a beloved American spirit with a rich history and distinctive flavor profile. Made primarily from rye grain, this whiskey offers a spicy and robust character, characterized by notes of pepper, cinnamon, and earthy undertones. Rye whiskey has played a significant role in American whiskey-making traditions, dating back to the country's early days, and it remains a popular choice among whiskey enthusiasts today. Whether enjoyed neat, in classic cocktails like the Manhattan or the Old Fashioned, or as a versatile base for creative mixology, rye whiskey continues to captivate drinkers with its bold flavors and timeless appeal. Shop rye whiskeys!

Michter's 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Described by the distillers as having deep notes of vanilla, toasted almonds, cinnamon, a generous dash of crushed pepper, and a subtle hint of orange citrus, this 10-Year whiskey from Michter's has received a stellar rating of 99. Despite its limited stock and high demand, Michter's president, Joseph J. Magliocco, foresees a promising future as the brand expands its Springfield Farm to cultivate more estate-grown grain for distillation. This impressive whiskey presents a complex profile with aromas of sassafras, ginger, and apricot kissed with maple syrup. The taste experience is characterized by a mouthfeel reminiscent of sunflowers bathed in honey and peach nectar, followed by a resonating resin quality on the mid-palate, while sandalwood and saffron butter notes carve an enticing path through the flavor profile. Buy now for $299.97.

Michter's US1 Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey

The May 2015 launch of Michter's US1 Barrel Strength Rye, their inaugural release, marked a significant milestone in their pursuit of excellence. This rye whiskey boasts a captivating aroma of butterscotch and cinnamon with subtle cherry notes. The taste profile is characterized by a warm, rich, and toasty blend of vanilla and caramel upfront, culminating in a dry, oaky spiciness on the finish. Michter's distinctive approach includes entering the rye distillate into barrels at a lower 103 proof, contrary to the industry norm, which requires additional investment in barrels and warehousing. However, they believe this meticulous process results in a whiskey with a more luxurious, smoother, and fuller-bodied character after proper aging. Each bottle of Michter's US1 Barrel Strength Rye is derived from a single barrel and maintains its unique alcohol level at the time of bottling, typically ranging from 107 to 112 proof. For those who appreciate rye whiskey, savoring this unique product offers an unparalleled experience. Buy now for $249.97.

Milam & Greene Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Port Casks

Named among the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Spirits of 2022 and recognized as the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Double Gold Medal Winner, this Indiana Rye whiskey undergoes a distinctive process in Texas. It is brought to Texas, where it is batched in a warehouse and finished in aged Port Wine Casks, influenced by the Texan sun, which imparts flavor at its own unique pace and intensity. The whiskey is continually tasted during its maturation in the Port Wine Casks until the optimal flavors are achieved, with some casks taking longer than others. Once ready, the casks are blended, regularly tested, and proofed before the final bottling. Professional ratings for this rich rye whiskey, with a deep, ruddy hue, include a score of 97 by Wine Enthusiast, highlighting toffee and red fruit aromas, a bold palette featuring dusty cocoa and mild cinnamon, and the addition of water revealing plush butterscotch and peanut brittle notes, culminating in a finish with red fruit nuances and a satisfying warmth of spice. Buy now for $55.99.

Bespoken Rye Whiskey

With a proof of 100, this exceptional spirit presents a nose rich in caramel, vanilla, and spice, accompanied by subtle undertones of caraway, celery, and a gentle smokiness. On the palate, the charred American oak takes center stage, enveloped in a rounded sweetness and concluding with a peppery finish. Receiving a notable rating of 97 from Tasting Panel, this spirit offers arresting aromas of brown-sugared walnut, coffee, and peach nectar, leading to a sumptuous and velvety texture. The flavors of milk chocolate, ripe apricot, and oiled saddle leather are nothing short of divine, while the finish leaves a lasting impression with the enduring notes of charred orange peel. Buy now for $53.99.

Redwood Empire Emerald Giant American Rye Whiskey

Emerald Giant, named after the world's fastest-growing redwood, is meticulously created from hand-selected barrels aged for a minimum of four years, resulting in a burnt orange-hued whiskey. It exudes a natural rye aroma, followed by a blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and a subtle hint of pepper, offering an unparalleled complexity of spiciness complemented by smooth rye notes. The taste profile unfolds with a touch of honey and orange peel, evolving into a peppery character, and culminating in a lingering finish with pronounced cinnamon notes. This Sonoma County whiskey, boasting a 97 rating from Tasting Panel, pays homage to the colossal trees of California's northern coast. It offers a sumptuous olfactory experience featuring salted orange peel, followed by an impressive weight on the palate, where sea salt and bittersweet chocolate harmonize with nutmeg, exotic blue flowers, and caraway, and finishes with a delightful touch of stone fruit. Buy now on sale for $34.99.

WhistlePig 15 Year Estate Oak Rye Whiskey

With a proof of 92, this exceptionally complex spirit showcases a deep and opulent nose, where caramel, vanilla, and oak take center stage, accompanied by subtle notes of allspice and burnt orange. The palate offers a warm, rich, and slightly creamy experience, featuring abundant butterscotch, baking spice, leather, and a hint of tobacco. The finish is impressively long and rich, leaving a lasting impression. Earning a remarkable rating of 97 from Wine Enthusiast, this multifaceted sipper begins with a caramel and vanilla introduction and unfolds with rounded dried fruit, sherry, and almond notes, concluding in a gentle and enduring finish characterized by baking spices. It's worth noting that this spirit is crafted with 100% rye sourced from Canada, undergoes a finishing process in barrels made from Vermont oak, and is bottled in Vermont. Buy now for $319.97.

High West Distillery A Midwinter Nights Dram Rye Whiskey

High West's A Midwinter Nights Dram Rye, featured in the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Spirits of 2022, is a limited release known as Act 9, created by finishing High West Rendezvous Rye in French oak port barrels. This remarkable spirit captivates the senses with aromas of muddled blackberries, honey-poached figs, chocolate-covered cherries, toasted marshmallow, gentian root, star anise, hoisin sauce, the essence of a well-worn leather jacket, and the comforting warmth of a fireside blanket on a crisp evening. On the palate, it delivers a refreshing fusion of sugar plums, blackberries, spiced bitter orange peel, toffee cookies next to an orange tea, fresh dates, cinnamon strudel, brown sugar glass, and the delicate touch of dried thyme leaves. The finish is marked by notes of aromatic bitters, pink peppercorn, violets, and mint. Earning a rating of 96 from Wine Enthusiast, this ninth annual release combines straight rye whiskies finished in ruby and tawny Port barrels, featuring toffee and espresso scents with a hint of spearmint. The palate exhibits oak, toffee, and dried cherry notes, while a touch of water unveils intriguing leathery undertones and hints of plum skin and dried cranberry tartness, concluding with the delectable essence of dark chocolate-covered dried cherries and the lingering echoes of menthol and clove. Buy now for $299.97.

Sagamore Spirit Signature Rye Whiskey

Displaying a golden straw hue and a proof of 83, this Maryland-Style Rye Whiskey offers a classic profile with aromas of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices, embodying the traditional essence of this rye style. It unfolds with the candied appeal of dried orange peel, complemented by hints of clove and nutmeg, leaving a delightful trace of walnut and brown sugar on the finish. Garnering a rating of 95 from Tasting Panel, it boasts an exquisite bouquet featuring peach and jasmine notes, while the palate offers a rounded texture accentuated by the flavors of spiced apricot nectar, caramel cream, tobacco leaf, and a conclusion with a touch of orange rind. Notably, a lean, calcareous dryness is attributed to the limestone-infused pure spring water from Sagamore Farm in western Maryland, which also nourishes champion Thoroughbred horses. Buy now for $42.99.

Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled In Bond Rye Whiskey

Bottled under the stringent regulations of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, this rare whiskey represents the purest embodiment of Redwood Empire's craft. Aged in the temperate climate of Northern California's coast, the original distillate is altered solely by the introduction of pristine water sourced from the Russian River Valley aquifer. It offers an aromatic profile with hints of sandalwood, clove, parsnip, and dry leaves, while the palate presents a dynamic blend of black pepper, coffee grounds, leather, and rich malt. With a 100 proof, this whiskey has been lauded with a 95 rating by Tasting Panel, featuring brown-sugared peach, baked apple, and a touch of pekoe tea on the nose, followed by a comforting medley of papaya, cashew, and peach cobbler on the palate, culminating in a finish adorned with vanilla bean and tobacco leaf. Wine Enthusiast also acknowledges it with a 95 rating, noting a concentrated crème brûlée aroma and a lighter flavor profile that combines caramel, toasted brown sugar, and a plummy note, enriched with toasty spices like nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. This 87% rye whiskey, complemented with small measures of barley and wheat, is aged for five years and adheres to the bottled-in-bond standard. Furthermore, Whisky Advocate commends its buttery and soft nose, evoking notes of pancakes, maple syrup, clove, and brown sugar. The palate offers a smooth medley of peanut brittle, French toast, vanilla ice cream, and orchard fruits, harmonized by peppercorn spice and subtle oak. The finish is long and creamy, unveiling sweetness akin to maple syrup, the indulgence of milk chocolate, and a subtle touch of red fruit, interwoven with oak and earthy elements, showcasing the whiskey's remarkable smoothness and balance. Buy now for $94.99.

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey boasts a remarkable track record, earning both a 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal and a 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal. This whiskey is deeply rooted in the tradition of classic rye whiskeys that once reigned supreme in American whiskey, and its legacy is preserved through the efforts of Heaven Hill and two other distilleries. With a mash bill composed of 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley, Rittenhouse Rye delivers a captivating palate with rich notes of cocoa, citrus, cinnamon, and vanilla, culminating in a lingering spiciness reminiscent of maple. Highly regarded by experts, Wine Enthusiast rates it at 95, highlighting pleasing flavors of vanilla, maple, and a subtle dried cherry note, while Tasting Panel, with the whiskey's 100 proof and Bottled in Bond designation, appreciates aromas of saltwater taffy, mandarin orange, and cooked pineapple. The flavor journey encompasses spiced cinnamon toast that softens the savory cigar leaf, concluding with a lingering and velvety mouthfeel reminiscent of apricot nectar. This award-winning spirit not only pays homage to the illustrious Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia but also carries on the legacy of classic American rye whiskeys, known for their distinctive, spicy character and ideal for crafting cocktails like the Sazerac, Manhattan, or Old Fashioned. To be labeled as American Rye Whiskey, a spirit must have a mash bill consisting of at least 51% rye grain, with the remainder often a combination of malted barley, wheat, or corn, and it must be aged in unused, charred white oak barrels for a minimum of two years, though many producers opt for longer maturation periods. Buy now on sale for $26.99.