If you’re a whiskey drinker, you’re likely aware that bourbon is touted as America’s “native” spirit (it was so named in 1964) with its genesis sometime in the late 1700s. While its history is shrouded in mystery and legend, many believe that a former Baptist minister named Elijah Craig (who now has a line of whiskey named in his honor) invented bourbon when he decided to age his corn whiskey in charred oak barrels in 1789.
And while its inventor is disputed by some, the idea that bourbon is the first American whiskey is also disputed. That’s because many believe that rye whiskey might actually have been distilled first. It was commonly distilled in Maryland and Pennsylvania in the mid-1700s, well before bourbon was “technically” invented. Regardless of whether or not it was the first, there’s no disputing its recent resurgence in popularity in the last few decades.
While bourbon (along with various other rules) must be made with a mash bill featuring a minimum of 51 percent corn, to be called a rye whiskey, it must contain at least 51 percent rye. Featuring complex, nuanced flavors including cracked black pepper, caramel, vanilla, oak, and even herbal, earthy notes, rye whiskey is a popular choice for cocktails and drinking neat.
To find some of the best rye whiskeys, we turned to the professionals for help. We asked a handful of bartenders, distillers, and whiskey experts to tell us the one rye whiskey they always drink. They definitely didn’t disappoint with their selections. Keep reading to see them all.
FEW Straight Rye Whiskey
“FEW Straight Rye Whiskey. A few words on the whiskey: I always look for a rye that has a little spicy caraway but also has nice citrus notes. FEW Rye Whiskey hits both of those, which makes it perfect for mixing into cocktails. I love coaxing those lemony notes by pouring it with a fruity vermouth and reaching for a twist in my summertime Manhattans or letting the spice shine alongside absinthe in Sazerac.” – Jessie Smyth, consultant, currently working with Driftwood in Seattle
- Origin: Illinois
- Proof: 93
- Price Range: $35-50
Bespoken Spirits Rye Whiskey
“A great rye whiskey I’ve enjoyed lately is Bespoken’s Rye Whiskey. They finish their whiskey with oak staves with a process they call “Tailored Wood Finishing” that allows them to control the flavors and enhance the aroma coming off the whiskey. The rye has notes of dark chocolate, baked walnut, with a subtle hint of orange peel and makes for a great sipping moment.” – Jared Bailey, bar manager at Soho Cigar Bar in New York City
- Origin: California
- Proof: 100
- Price Range: $29-39
Leopold Brothers Three Chamber Rye Whiskey
“One rye whiskey I always drink, if I can find it, is the Leopold Brothers Three Chamber Rye. I’m a huge fan of this distillery and will drink pretty much anything these geniuses distill, but this is a special case. It’s made with heritage grain Abruzzi rye and distilled in a one-of-a-kind three chamber still that the distillery built referencing old manuscripts and trade documents.
This rye is immensely complex and balanced with a somewhat floral nose, and tasting notes of cream, spicy pepper, caramel, and baking spices. It’s a special whiskey.” – Brandon Ristaino, co-founder and beverage Director at Good Lion Hospitality in Santa Barbara, California
- Origin: Colorado
- Proof: 100
- Price Range: $230-250
Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye Whiskey
“My go-to rye whiskey from a reliable, delicious drink is Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Rye. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but this double-barreled rye is unique and stands out because of its complex flavor profile featuring toffee, hints of tobacco, vanilla, cinnamon, and a sea salt finish. This Rye is truly delicious alone or in cocktails, so I always grab it for a drink.” – Donny Largotta, beverage director at Gansevoort Meatpacking in New York City
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 96
- Price Range: $75-85
Sagamore Spirit Signature Rye Whiskey
“I’m a huge fan of Sagamore Rye. It delivers tons of clove and honey flavor, making it a super smooth spirit to mix the classics with. While Sagamore has a slew of great rye whiskeys (that’s what they’re known for). I opt for its flagship Sagamore Spirit Signature Rye Whiskey.
A blend of two straight rye mash bills that are aged between four and six years in charred oak barrels, it’s known for its cinnamon, clove, honey, orange peel, and sweet caramel flavors.” – Drew Russ, lead bartender at Venteux in Chicago
- Origin: Maryland
- Proof: 83
- Price Range: $35-40
Woody Creek Straight Rye Whiskey
“Woody Creek Straight Rye has been what I’ve been drinking lately, it holds its weight in cocktails and on its own. Which makes it great for having behind the bar. I also love that all the ingredients in their spirits are sourced locally to the distillery, making it a great choice for the drinker that wants to know where the ‘juice is being squeezed’.
Wood Creek Rye has a really nice hit of baking spices and light notes of citrus, which make it really pleasing for stirred and shaken drinks alike.” – Max Green, bartender at The Press Club bar in New York City
- Origin: Colorado
- Proof: 90
- Price Range: $60-75
Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey
“Whether I am pouring myself a drink after a long day or mixing up a cocktail, Rittenhouse is my go-to rye whisky because of its history, flavor, and versatility. Named for Philadelphia’s famous Rittenhouse Square, Rittenhouse Rye follows the American tradition of being bottled-in-bond. The bottling process guarantees the whisky has been aged for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof.
Rittenhouse absorbs great flavor from the barrel aging process such as cocoa, vanilla, and nutmeg while also gaining a maple-like mouth feel. Rittenhouse packs a spicy and robust punch that makes it the ideal backbone to any Manhattan or classic whiskey cocktail.” – Sam Penton – the new Director of Bars at Rosewood Miramar Beach
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 100
- Price Range: $25-30
Old Overholt Straight Rye Whiskey
“Old Overholt. A few words on the whiskey: I think as a culture we make the mistake of lusting after unobtainables while the real value in experience sits directly under our noses, and thus—my favorite rye recently has been Old Overholt. They recently moved their base model up 6-proof (3% ABV) from 80 to 86 and no longer chill-filter the juice before bottling. This makes for an exceptionally flavorful and smooth whiskey for a cost far less than would be expected.
They also added a 114-proof model to the lineup that is also not chill-filtered and is absolutely packed with oil for flavor and texture. You cannot do better for the money, and they’re almost always in stock. The lineup is full of show stoppers that no one talks about, so we don’t have to pay the popularity and marketing fee associated with the bigger names.” – Donny Clutterbuck, bartender at Cure Bar in Rochester, New York
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 86
- Price Range: $20-25
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