American rye whiskey, defined by law as containing a mash of at least 51 percent rye grain, was, at one time, a very prevalent liquor type in the United States. It was very well regarded in states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland, but after Prohibition it fell into obscurity as bourbon and Scotch rose in popularity. In recent times it has seen a comeback though, particularly among younger drinkers and lovers of cocktails. It is an easy whiskey for young craft distilleries to produce, and something the old bourbon guard is moving into as well.
To get you started on some good ryes for your whiskey collection, here are five American rye whiskies you should consider, all of which can be ordered online for shipment to various states should you not be able to pick them up in a local store.
Produced by the Tuthilltown Spirits farm distillery in a rural part of New York, Hudson Manhattan Rye is essentially that state’s return to a whiskey type that had not been produced there in over 80 years. It is made from whole grain rye one batch at a time, according to the distillery, and bottled at 92 proof. It is described as being “fruity, floral and smooth, with a recognizable rye edge.”
Buffalo Trace, known as a bourbon powerhouse, also dabbles somewhat in rye whiskey production. Its most well known brand in this regard is Sazerac, described as “the one and only New Orleans original,” and whose name references America’s first branded cocktail. The winner of numerous spirits awards, Sazerac Rye is available in both a standard 6-year and extremely hard to find 18-year expressions. Tasting notes in general for this rye indicate “aromas of clove, vanilla, anise and pepper. Subtle notes of candies spices and citrus.”
Kansas might not immediately seem, at least from a drinking perspective, the first place you consider a top notch, small batch rye to come from. That hasn’t stopped grain to grass distillery Dark Horse however from producing its Reunion Rye. Made from 100 percent rye, it is aged in new American oak micro barrels for what’s described as “flavor extraction in a shorter amount of time.” It is hand bottled at 89 proof, and tasting notes from the distillery indicate “a rich combination of spice, butterscotch & citrus.”
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For such a young rye, Ravenswood Rye from Michigan-based craft distillery Journeyman is an extremely popular award winner. This small batch whiskey was matured in new white oak charred, 15 gallon barrels from a mash made up of Michigan harvested wheat and Minnesota made rye. This is an all organic affair certified by the Midwest Organic Services Association that was bottled at 90 proof.
Much like rival Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey is first and foremost a large scale bourbon producer. They’ve got their rye on board as well though, mainly in the form of the Russell’s Reserve Rye expressions. Three bottlings make up the standard line up of this good, basic rye, including a 6-year, 10-year and single barrel. All are made using an old recipe that includes multiple years aging in American oak barrels that sport a deep no. 4 char. Generally bottled at least in a 90 proof form, it is either a nice sipping rye or one which would go well into a cocktail.
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