Rye whisky: Our Experts Pick up the Top 12 Rye Whiskey

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Rye whisky is an alcoholic drink known for its special spicy peppery bite. Rye whisky is a well-known beverage used throughout the world due to its special taste and therapeutic potential. It has the power to wash over the palate with every sip. Rye whisky is famous for sipping, especially the best-prepared whiskey; it has more influence on human taste than bourbon. A rye whisky of four to five years old, distilled in a charred barrel, will be great for sipping.

Is it safe to drink rye whisky?

It’s totally safe and therapeutic to use for humans, especially in cases of high blood pressure. In certain cases, doctors suggest it for the treatment of high blood pressure. Due to the presence of fiber, minerals, glucose, and nutrients, it is highly recommended for lowering blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of a heart attack.

Rye whisky is gluten-free?

Yes, whisky is totally gluten-free after a proper and carefully monitored distillation process. In all its forms, rye, wheat, and barely whisky is guaranteed to be gluten-free, but a certain amount of gluten is always to be noted in rye whiskey. It is due to the presence of sealing, a gluten protein in rye. But most of the best rye whisky brands often tried their best to make rye whisky gluten-free by distillation.

Rye whisky scope

Rye whisky is used as the most spicy and delicious drink at parties, weddings, Christmas, etc. throughout the world, especially in America and Europe. Now rye whisky is produced in many states of America, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada, etc., in many different tastes. Here in this article, we will discuss the 30 best rye whiskies of 2024.

Rye whisky history

in Innnsylvania, for the first time ever in history, rye whisky was fermented by local farmers before 1750. Rye whisky dominance was short-lived because, in 1780, the market was captured by bourbon whiskey.

Rye whisky was the choice of the great American president, Sir George Washington. He often said there was nothing tastier and more important than rye whisky at the dining table. That’s why he constructed a large whisky distillery in Virginia. American and Canadian rye whisky has been distilled, manufactured, and consumed in the United States and Canada since before the Revolutionary War. In the revolutionary war, it was a choice of the freedom fighters.

Composition   Specialty  51-52% rye, 29-28% corn, and 10% malted barley peppery bite,
Average Price 20$-250$
Alcohol percentage Calorie 80%72 calorie per oz (30 ml)
Benefits  Negative effects Lower blood pressure Drop Heart failure risk nausea, vomiting

12 Best Rye Whiskies  

1: Stellum Black Fibonacci Blend #1

Price 99$ per 750ml
Alcohol percentage 57.56%
Color Light Mahogany
Availability Available at stellum.com
proof 115
Taste Brown butter and molasses emerge
Release date June 2022

It’s usually recognized by citrus. This rye whisky is completely dried, mild, and fresh. With a toasty char aroma and delicate wood pulp, the oak is well-integrated here in Stellum Black Fibonacci Blend # 1. The most surprising thing about the best Stellum Black Fibonacci Blend # 1 is that the nose is restrained for the proof. As things begin to open up, an earthy layer of whole spices appears. The taste is thicker, richer, and more assertive than the fragrance implies. That’s why it is the most significant drink in America today.

Why Stellum Black Fibonacci Blend #1 is one of the best rye whisky?

One of the best rye whiskies on the market is Stellum Black Fibonacci Blend #1 because it has a little resemblance to black tea on the tongue. Brown butter and molasses emerge, showcasing the whiskey’s gentler side, followed by clove and brown sugar. Before releasing the charred oak tannins, a hint of cinnamon, apples, and chocolate emerges. The palate and finish are spice-forward but also given off more dry and earthy aromas that serve to emphasise this rye’s proof. It’s a fiery, spicy rye that encompasses all of its proof points. It’s a steep price to pay, but for rye fans who want a lot of spice with just a hint of sweetness, it’s well worth it.

2: Corbin Cash 1917 Merced Rye

Price $117.99 per 750 ml
Alcohol percentage 61.50%
distillery Corbin Cash Spirits
release date 2021 august
Specialty This is delicate blend of cherry, apricot, toasted oak, and cigar boxes
proof 123
Availability Around the year

Corbin Cash is one of the best rye whiskies in 2024. Corbin Cash is distillate at Corbin Cash spirits have been grown on the soils of America and Europe. Its rye grows rapidly in cool weather and is naturally pathogen and drought-resistant in California. Not only is Corbin Cash’s 1917 Merced Rye essential for a sustainable farming environment and development, but it also makes an award-winning best rye whisky in 2024.

Why Corbin Cash 1917 Merced Rye is one of the best rye whiskies?

For me, it’s the best rye on the planet! Along with the flavor, the bottle’s shape and the “Corbin Cash” script on the bottle give it a cool Old West vibe! The nose is as interesting as it is bold and intense. The palate and finish deliver similar intensity, first with silky sweet and spicy flavors that pack a punch, followed by rye spice and heat. The rye is intriguing and shows the distilling prowess of the Corbin Cash Spirits distillery. The downfall of the rye, however, is its overly dry finish, which seems to almost suck the moisture out of your mouth. If the company can hone in on the finish of future releases, this will be a barrel-proof rye that can go head-to-head (and then some) with the best in the industry. Corbin Cash is the top choice of the year.

3: George Dickel x Leopold Bros. Collaboration Blend

Price $100 per 750ml
Alcohol percentage 50%ABV
George dickel distillery Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. and Leopold Bros
George dickel release date 06 December 2021
Taste Creamy malt
George dickel proof 100
Availability Around the year

George Dickel whisky is one of the delicious rye whiskeys! “Contradiction Rye, the new release, comes in at a whopping 105 proof. It’s a blend of four rye whiskies: two from Tennessee (51% rye and 70% rye), one from Indiana’s MGP (95% rye), and one homemade rye whisky (88% rye) from Smooth Ambler.

This is a rye whisky that hits you in the mouth with its intensity. It starts off a little astringent but mellows out and is warm and spicy on the finish. Personally, I liked it better with a few drops of water to mellow it out.

This blend of George Dickel Whisky has gone through a lot since its start. It’s the top American whisky today. It is available in the market throughout the year with the same taste and specialty. It is distillated by Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. and Leopold Bros. by George A. Dickel & Co., Tullahoma, TN.

4: Cascade Moon 13-Year-Old Rye Whisky

Price $337 per 750 ml
Alcohol percentage 50%
distillery Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.’s new distillery
release date At the end of 2020
Cascade Moon Produced in United states of America
Taste caramel, black pepper, fennel, cherry, and leather
proof  100
Availability Around the year but Limited

Cascade Moon is the combination of the four most unique and rare whiskies. Cascade Moon 13-Year-Old Rye Whisky is very beautiful and tasty with its deep amber appearance and flavours of caramel, black pepper, fennel, cherry, and leather. It is 100 proof and available around the year, but limited at a premium retail price of 337$. Cascade Moon is the classic, which is 95% rye and only 5% malted barley.

Cascade Moon is full of caramel, black pepper, fennel, cherry, and leather. The nose is awesome; this is fantastic and charming. On the palate, things feel sweeter, with sweet impressions of caramel sauce, smoked peppercorn, and vanilla cream. The sweetness of the caramel flavours is really appreciable, with persistent rye grain, pepper, and moments of herbaceous complexity.

Why is this rye whisky the best rye whisky?

This rye whisky has a wonderfully nuanced nose without much overt ethanol presence. Cascade Moon 13-Year-Old Rye is an elegant whisky that’s unlike other rye whiskies distilled by MGP, with a special spicy taste and a combination of four renounced whiskies.

5: Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whisky

Price $338 per 750 ml
Alcohol percentage 46.4%
distillery Signal barrel limited quantities
release date March 2022
Produced in America
Taste combine taste of vanilla and toffee, cinnamon and toasted almonds with little dose of pepper and orange citrus
proof 92.8
Availability Very rare but around the year

It is one of the most limited production whiskies with high market demands. Due to its high demands, the company distilled it in 2013 after three years of absence from America. Its first sniff Is just incredible and superb. This Kentucky rye whisky is dark honey, licorice, dry cherry, fennel, and dry orange peel; rose; dry oak; clove; and grilled pineapple. 10 years of ageing provide a lot of enveloping darkness, but not in a burnt way. Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey smells incredible and has a unique taste. It has a unique taste of caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, dark licorice, fennel, cherry, dried blueberry, grilled pineapple, orange, dried apple chips, roasted oak, cinnamon, clove, rose, and ginseng.

Why is this the best rye whisky to drink?

I placed it in the top 10 rye whiskies of 2024 because of its online customer ratings (8.3/10) and my personal experience, its special taste, and the fact that for rye whisky lovers, it is a much sought-after bottle. It is hard to find it in America because it is not released every year. I’ve had the 10-year bourbon, toasted whiskey, and American whiskey, and they’re all great. Never had a bad Michter’s product. The 10-year-old rye sounds fantastic.

6: Willet Family Estate Rye Whisky

Price $35 / 750ml
Alcohol percentage 56.6%
distillery Distillery willet
release date May 28, 2020
Produced in Bardstown, Kentucky
Taste dark cherry, burnt vanilla, and spices plate with green tea notes
proof 131.8
Availability Throughout the years

Willet Family Estate 4-year Rye Whiskey is fantastic rye whisky with dark cherry, burnt vanilla, and spices, along with green tea notes. When you open it, you will feel layers of cherry over a mildly tart cherry. I think having the Willet first kind of blew out your palate (heavier on the rye qualities). It might have been different if you had it the other way around. I prefer the 4-year rye so much more than the 3-year rye.

I know it’s only four years old, but it’s buttery, sweet, subdued, and gently complex. It is on our list due to its flavours and fragrance. This rye whisky has been attention-grabbing for the last two years due to the depth of its sip. They always have a nice, oily mouthfeel, which I like. This whisky is darn good; if you get a chance to try any of the Willett bourbons, don’t pass it up. Most are fantastic.

7: Old Forester Rye

Price $23per 750ml
Alcohol percentage 65%
distillery Old forester
release date February 2019
Produced in Shively, Kentucky
Taste Banana notes
proof 100
Availability Around the years

It has a fantastic fragrance of sweet brown sugar and a citrusy zest. It has a light hint of bananas with a mixture of different spices. I dig this, Rye. I did get a banana and a rose on the nose. There was something both on the nose and on the pallet that reminds me of an Irish whiskey. It may be the 20% malted barley. which is not enough to remind me of a Scotch whisky but enough for an Irish whiskey. The 20% malted barley also explains the banana notes on the nose. I paid $24 for this at my neighborhood liquor store and would gladly do so again, so that’s one dig and one thumb’s up from me.

I absolutely love this rye. The price is great, love” the taste, and 100 proof. It’s a staple on my bar. Just bought this rye and for the price ($23) it is undoubtedly the best rye u can buy for the price. It is really well-balanced and tasty and I would put it up against the pricier ryes any day. But be prepared for a more unique taste.

8: Knob Creek Rye Whisky

Price $ 29.99/ 750ml
Alcohol percentage 50% ABV
distillery the Jim Beam distillery
release date 2012
Produced in Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
Taste Dried spice peppery bold and herby
proof 100
Availability Throughout the year

It smells like rye whiskey, with honey, roasted oak, and dried citrus. I’ve noticed that a small percentage of rye in the mash bill may favorably cover the alcohol taste. It is “smooth”/gentle. Rye is also spicy.

This is thought by most to be just over the required rye content of 51%, with the balance being rather high in corn. It’s felt by many that it is sort of halfway between a Bourbon and a full rye in that it is a mix of sweet and spicy. I find the following: Very cinnamon, butterscotch, vanilla, brown sugar, corny rye, and a long, slightly oaky pepper finish. It has a nice, warm, viscous mouth feel. It’s not rare here but widely available for between $30 and $35. Well-crafted and of solid quality. Lotta fun for a very reasonable price.

9: High West Double Rye Whiskey

Price  $37.99per 750 ml
Alcohol percentage 46%
distillery MGP and 16 year from Barton
release date October 2014
Produced in Park City, Utah, United States
Taste spicy black pepper notes mixed with some sweet undertones
proof 92
Availability Through out the year

Why is this one of the best rye whisky?

Users love the High West Double Rye. They love the complexity of the flavors. It’s almost as if they have a different taste with each sip. I get a bit of a smokey linger that I find so enjoyable. High West Double Rye (the normal stuff; I didn’t know about this limited release) is $37.99 a bottle in America. I can’t find anything (for even triple the price) that I like as well as this.

I got double rye recently, and I literally moaned at how good I found it. It’s everything I love about rye, but with an apple pie sweet spice opening to the herbal, spicy, rye finish… Oh, I was in love.

Double Rye from HW started my love affair with rye! I loved the spicy black pepper notes mixed with some sweet undertones. Was a winner for the price and still something I enjoy going to for an everyday sipper from time to time.

10: Redemption Straight Rye Whisky

Price $29.99/ 750 ml
Alcohol percentage 46%
distillery the former Seagram distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Release date 2014
Produced in MGP in Indiana
Taste Anise, mint, citrus, spicy, vegetal
proof 92
Availability Throughout the year

 Redemption Straight Rye Whiskey is one of the best rye whiskeys with alcohol percentage of 46% having 92 proof. A 750 ml bottle of it cost for $29.99. Its price is comparatively low than other rye whiskies. It is distillated by the former seagram distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This whiskey is first time introduced in 2014 in MGP Indiana.

It has a sweet taste with hint of Anise, mint, citrus, spicy, vegetal. Redemption Straight Rye Whiskey is available throughout the years with limited edition.

11: Bulleit rye whisky

Price  $31.49/750ml
Alcohol percentage 46%
distillery MGP Ingredients
release date April 2019
Produced by Diageo
Taste Hot cocoa
proof 92
Availability Throughout the year

Bulleit rye is an award-winning whisky due to its specific and unique taste. After a couple of sips, it smells like cocoa or chocolate when you hold the glass just right from your nose. This is robust and bouncy. bubbly, hearty, and special yet simple whiskey. There are notes of cinnamon, cherry, smoke, tincture of vanilla, and the bitterness of hops in heavy IPAs, but strangely, the aroma is hot cocoa after two or three servings. Nose it again. This is a very well-done and enjoyable true-to-America whiskey. I paid about $34 under Bidenflation for the 750m here in Northern VA, but it still operates at its price point at least today, the last two weeks of 2021.

An evergreen smell, like a deciduous pine tree. You get a light burn taste with a smooth run down the throat; that’s the rye. It sits well in the stomach and leaves a nice aftertaste in the esophagus, as if it were a sweet bourbon.

12: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye

Price $60/750ml
Alcohol percentage 55%
distillery Wild Turkey Distillery
release date 2010
Produced in Lawrenceburg, KY
Taste cinnamon with delicious lemon notes
proof 110
Availability Throughout the year

It has smooth unimpressive smell of gingerbread and hay with caramel notes. It tastes like classic rye notes with significant cinnamon with delicious lemon notes. This is a nice and smooth rye whiskey. I agree with the maple and red fruit. The nose is fairly ethanol forward with some cinnamon. Steeping is the process of changing the flavor profile of an e-liquid by allowing it to age and air out. After vigorously shaking it, the alcohols and more perfumy flavoring additives evaporate, yielding a more rounded and enjoyable flavor profile. This is dependent on the flavor and manufacturer.

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I'm Arjun Kumar, a seasoned bartender. As a passionate liquor enthusiast, I've made a humble effort to provide the latest information on IMFL and FMLF.

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