Catcher In The Rye Drink

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Liquor / Chloe Jeong

Spicy, bold, and part of America'southward spirit history, rye whiskey is condign an increasingly popular option for both cocktailians and those who prefer their whiskey directly.

"Historically, we were a very rye-focused culture before we discovered it was easier in almost of the U.Southward. to distill with corn and barley malt," says Jena Ellenwood, bartender at Love Irving and Sparrow Tavern in New York Urban center. "Rye was harder to grow in the soil, and it tended to have more spice than the sweet corn."

Popular in the 1940s and '50s, rye went through a scrap of a slump until the early 2010s when need grew again. At present, in that location are enough of quality rye whiskeys available on the market place, some crafted for sipping direct, while others punch through in cocktails. "With rye whiskey, the question becomes non merely one of aroma and flavor, but of trunk and heat, as well," says Alicia Yamachika, lead bartender at Nobu Honolulu.

Afterwards consulting industry experts, Basil Hayden's Dark Rye Whiskey tops our list of rye whiskeys thanks to its unique flavor profile.

Read on to detect out the all-time bottles of rye to beverage and mix with.

Region: Kentucky, Canada, California | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Spice, Dried fruit, Molasses

Almost decadently rich, this unique rye whiskey is a blend of Kentucky rye, Canadian rye from Basil Hayden's Alberta-based distillery, and a touch of California-made port, which gives it undertones of dark fruit flavors.

This isn't your typical rye, but information technology'southward nonetheless great for sipping on its ain or stirring into a cocktail like a Boulevardier or Manhattan. Piece of cake-drinking as information technology is, this bottling yet harbors rye's signature spice, though it leans more into the holiday spice category than black pepper. Whether yous're new to rye whiskeys or a seasoned rye drinker looking to branch out, this is the bottle to consider.

Courtesy of Drizly

Region: Utah, Indiana | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Menthol, Love, Spice

From High West, Utah's ski-in distillery, the Double Rye bottling is heavy on the spice, making it a neat option for diehard rye fanatics who are heat-seekers at heart. It's a alloy of 2 different rye whiskeys (a younger spirit and an older spirit, both aged 2 years at minimum), and information technology's designed to be twice as spicy as your boilerplate rye.

Mix this canteen with archetype cocktails like the Old Fashioned or a drink that calls for an amaro, or sip it directly with a splash of water to assistance tame the estrus.

What Our Experts Say

"It's a polish-drinking, piece of cake-on-the-pocketbook rye that is very easy to mix. A blend of ii different ryes in perfect harmony, information technology has just the right level of spiciness." — Christian Cocky, owner of Bevy & Taco'ako in Honolulu

Read Next: The Best Whiskeys

Region: Indiana | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Mint, Citrus, Floral

Though a whiskey but has to incorporate 51 percentage rye grain to be deemed a rye whiskey in the U.South., Redemption went a scrap farther, creating their signature bottling with 95 percent rye grain. Perfect for rye purists, it as well happens to brand a terrific Manhattan, thank you to that heavy rye content. The spice and malty quality of the grain come through, balancing out the fruity sweet vermouth, while the spirit'southward cinnamon and nutmeg notes play off the bitters. It also comes in at 92 proof, so watch out for its dial.

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Citrus, Candied spice

As its name suggests, this rye whiskey is the best pick for Sazeracs. Packed with notes of baking spices, orange and lemon zest, and a hint of vanilla, information technology'due south bright and vibrant. This rye harmonizes beautifully with the archetype New Orleans cocktail's Peychaud's bitters and absinthe, plus it can handle a little dilution from some ice. When using it to make a Sazerac, don't forget the lemon zest garnish. The rye brings out even more of the candied citrus notes in the whiskey, marrying everything together.

Courtesy of Total Wine

Region: Texas | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa, Pepper, Espresso

"I was a fan of this one before I moved to Texas two months ago," says Carlos Batista, beverage director for Landrace at the Thompson Hotel San Antonio. "It's rich and spicy, chocolatey, and peppery, with tobacco notes. It's just this and a few water ice cubes for me." Balcones is located in Waco, Texas and makes this young whiskey with a mash pecker of 100 percent rye grains, including Elbon Rye from the north of Texas along with crystal, chocolate and roasted rye varieties.

courtesy of Evins

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Orange, Cinnamon

A favorite of bartenders and upkeep-conscious whiskey drinkers, Old Overholt has stood the test of fourth dimension. Case in point: the make boasts that information technology was the most popular spirit in the state afterwards Prohibition was lifted. This rye starts with a cereal sugariness and a impact of vanilla, and so finishes with a bracing hit of white pepper. And while you'll often see it as the stiffer one-half of a Boilermaker, this rye can also be stirred into a fine Manhattan or a spicy Old Fashioned.

Courtesy of Total Wine

Region: Canada, Vermont | ABV: 48.28% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa, Cardamom, Leather

WhistlePig is known for releasing some expensive rye whiskeys, just a few years ago the distillery launched this lower-priced, six-year-onetime whiskey sourced from Canada. It's a good value bottle that provides ample flavor and a college ABV which works well in cocktails.

"The 100 pct rye mash bill whiskey is anile to a minimum of six years," says Joshua Lopez of American Social in Florida. "Information technology has a fleck of estrus, only nil that hangs around also long. Prominent flavors I become are cardamom, blistering spices with hints of citrus, and primarily grapefruit and orangish. My preferred manner to beverage PiggyBack is on a large ice cube, or neat with a few drops of water. It besides makes a peachy Boulevardier with the citrus in the whiskey pairing perfectly with the Campari."

Read Side by side: The All-time Irish Whiskeys

Courtesy of Total Wine

Region: Tennessee, Indiana | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Cinnamon, Vanilla

This new brand from Tennessee sources barrels (mainly from Indiana making MGP the likely source), and blends them together back in Nashville. The second batch of the rye is a favorite of Mike Vacheresse, owner of Travel Bar in Brooklyn. "A blend of iv and eight-year-old MGP whiskey, this is a pleasant sipping rye," he says. "Likewise, any Nashville Barrel Company unmarried barrel picks that you lot see, I would highly recommend picking them up."

Courtesy of Total wine.

Region: Canada | ABV: 53.v% | Tasting Notes: Honey, Plum, Vanilla

Made by the tardily Robert J. Cooper (creator of the St-Germain), this high-proof rye would be a collector's item if it weren't so darn piece of cake to drink. Just 3,000 cases of the 107-proof, Lock Stock & Butt spirit were made. Distilled from 100 percent rye, producers anile the spirit in charred American oak barrels for sixteen years. The resulting spirit is delightfully spicy, however easy to sip. It's balanced out by notes of stone fruit and a impact of honey. The rye'due south high proof means information technology's nifty for mixing into cocktails with other strongly flavored ingredients, but you lot should also sip it directly to truly appreciate the balanced flavors and cheek-warming oestrus.

Courtesy of Drizly

Region: Canada | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Oak, Spice

When information technology was briefly discontinued in the early on 2000s, Lot 40 became a precious collectible, prized by fans of the 100-pct rye whisky (spelled sans "e" due to its Canadian origins). Thankfully, it made a comeback in 2012 when the rye was relaunched past Pernod-Ricard. Dry out and powerful with notes of fresh-baked breadstuff and lots of zesty spice, it's swell in a Maple Old Fashioned (a nod to its Canadian heritage), but also tasty but poured over an ice cube. A touch of chill and dilution brings out more of the whisky's fruitier notes while tempering its bold, big-bodied heft.

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 52% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Nutmeg, Oak

"I dearest that Eddie Russell created this despite the fact that his father, Jimmy, who's been distilling and blending Wild Turkey for 60-plus years, hates rye," says Ellenwood. On behalf of all rye drinkers out in that location, we give thanks Eddie for rebelling confronting his father and creating this fine, single butt rye. At 104 proof, information technology definitely packs some heat, just that'due south the essence of rye. Pour it direct and you'll get the intensity of the vanilla from its time spent in oak barrels, along with earthy, smoky flavors and a nice, dry finish. Of form, you can also take reward of the rye's power past stirring it into a Boulevardier.

Read Next: The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Baking spice, Citrus

When you run across "bottled-in-bond" on a characterization, information technology means that the spirit (typically a bourbon, rye, or apple tree brandy) follows the regulations put in place by the Bottled-in-Bond Human activity of 1897. To be stamped with the honor, whiskeys must be 100 proof, originate from a single U.S. distillery, and exist aged for at to the lowest degree four years in a federally bonded warehouse.

Rittenhouse follows the letter of the constabulary and the loftier-quality, spicy spirit is one that bartenders turn to time after time. "Information technology's my become-to dorsum bar rye and information technology won't interruption the bank," says Ellenwood. She likes to shake it into both traditional and nontraditional Sours. "It stands up well to citrus," she says. And Neil Heimsoth, beverage manager at White Orchids Thai Cuisine in Middle Valley, Pa., holds it upwardly equally an exemplary rye overall. "Rittenhouse is my forever first grab," he says. "It is consistent, cost-constructive, and fantastic in all types of cocktails."

Courtesy of ReserveBar

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Mint, Orange

Affections's Envy is a distillery that specializes in cask finishing, utilizing barrels from the Caribbean for its rye whiskey. The rye spends up to 18 months in these barrels, soaking up flavor and color. "That rum cease brings out delicious tropical notes while holding on to the elegant spiciness of the rye that Angel's Envy offers," says Gabriel Urrutia of Gramps Miami in Florida. "Information technology'due south definitely my favorite in the Angel's Envy portfolio."

Final Verdict

The all-time overall rye whiskey to try now is Basil Hayden Nighttime Rye (view at Drizly), an interesting blend of Canadian and Kentucky whiskey fortified with some port wine. A close second is Loftier West's Double Rye (view at Drizly), a more than traditional rye that's made up of a blend of whiskey distilled at MGP in Indiana and at Loftier West itself.

FAQs

What makes whiskey a rye?

In the United States, legally a rye whiskey has to accept at least 51 pct of rye grain in its mash bill. The other grains are usually a combination of corn and malted barley, only can include others as well. And in the U.S., it must be aged in new charred oak containers.

How is it unlike from other types of whiskey?

Rye brings spicy notes to the palate that are non always equally present in other types of whiskey similar bourbon. Retrieve baking spices similar nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper, which make this whiskey a archetype pick to utilise in cocktails that have a bit of sweetness to counterbalance the character of the rye.

What'due south the best fashion to potable it?

Definitely effort sipping rye whiskey neat to discover the flavors of the spirit, but this is a whiskey that is meant to be used in cocktails as well. Try it in a Manhattan or an Old Pal.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

Justine Sterling is an experienced spirits author and cocktail recipe developer. She has been writing about the wide world of drinking—from new spirits to cocktail trends to wines and beers—for over a decade. Rye beginning caught her eye in quondam Humphrey Bogart movies, and ever since her first sense of taste, she'south been seeking out new, spicy bottlings.

Jonah Flicker is an experienced writer who has been roofing spirits and traveling the world visiting distilleries to taste and discover for many years. His work has appeared in many different national outlets covering trends, new releases, and the stories and innovators behind the spirits. His offset love remains whiskey, but he is partial to tequila, rum, gin, cognac, and all things distilled.