Top Rye Whiskey Brands: Discover Your Next Favorite Sip

Rye whiskey has gained popularity in recent years, becoming a favorite choice for those seeking a bold and complex spirit. With its distinct flavor profile, several brands have emerged as leaders in the rye whiskey market, offering a variety of options for both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers alike. From small-batch distilleries to well-established names, these brands have been recognized for their commitment to quality and craftsmanship. To discover some of the best brands that embody the rich tradition and captivating taste of rye whiskey, continue reading below.

Illustration of rye

Best brands of rye in 2025

WhistlePig

WhistlePig is renowned as the most-awarded rye whiskey brand in the world, known for its ultra-premium rye products. Founded in 2007 by Raj Bhakta, the brand launched its first product, a 10-year-old rye, in 2015. WhistlePig's distillery, located in Shoreham, Vermont, utilizes a "Triple Terroir" approach, involving local water and oak, and sources rye from Canada. Their portfolio includes notable releases such as the 10-year-old Small Batch Rye, the 12-year-old Old World Rye, and the innovative Boss Hog X, which features a double finish and unique infusions. WhistlePig's whiskeys often receive high scores, such as the 10-year-old scoring 96 points from Wine Enthusiast.

Rittenhouse Rye

Rittenhouse Rye is highly regarded as one of the best producers of rye whiskey, particularly for its Bottled-in-Bond 100 Proof expression, which is bottled at 50% ABV. This whiskey is known for its spicy, warming, and full-bodied profile, despite containing only the legal minimum amount of rye in its mash bill. It is praised for its versatility in both spirit-forward stirred drinks and shaken cocktails, and its affordability with an average price of around $27. Endorsed by professional bartenders, Rittenhouse Rye stands out for its complex flavor profile, including notes of baking spices, black pepper, and dried dark fruits. Its nationwide availability further solidifies its reputation as a top choice for cocktail enthusiasts. Learn more about why Rittenhouse Rye is celebrated among the best rye whiskies.

Sazerac

Sazerac, a renowned brand under the Buffalo Trace Distillery, is celebrated for its exceptional rye whiskey productions. The Sazerac Straight Rye, for instance, is noted for its herbal notes of rye and corn, along with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and is bottled at 90 proof. The Sazerac 18 Year-Old, part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, is aged for 18 years and 5 months, showcasing a mature and complex flavor profile. These rye whiskeys are believed to contain a mash bill with at least 51% rye, along with corn and malted barley. The brand's commitment to quality and aging processes has earned it a high reputation among whiskey enthusiasts.

High West

High West Distillery, located in Park City, Utah, is renowned for its exceptional rye whiskey productions. Notably, their Rendezvous Rye Whiskey, a blend of 6-year-old 95% rye and 16-year-old 80% rye, won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco Spirits competition in 2008. High West has also released its first-ever bottled-in-bond rye whiskey, a nearly 5-year-old pot still rye made from a 100-percent rye mash, with 20% malted and 80% unmalted rye, distilled in 2018. The distillery uses a combination still to produce a variety of unique distillates, including blends sourced from MGP Distillery and their own in-house distillate. High West's products, such as Double Rye and Campfire, showcase their expertise in blending and aging whiskey. For more details, visit their official website.

Michter's

Michter's, a Louisville, Kentucky-based distillery, has been recognized as one of the best producers of rye whiskey, notably being named the World's Most Admired Whiskey in 2023, a historic first for an American distillery. This accolade reflects their rigorous production standards, including the use of custom recipes and small batch blending vats that hold only a dozen or so casks at a time to ensure high quality. Michter's rye whiskeys are characterized by strong toffee or caramel sweetness and a bit of pepper, with products like the Toasted Barrel Finish Single Barrel Rye showcasing their labor-intensive and high-quality production methods. The brand's commitment to excellence is evident in their ability to produce over 20,000 casks annually at their Shively plant. Michter's success is a testament to the growing recognition of American whiskey globally.

Bulleit

Bulleit is renowned as one of the top producers of rye whiskey, particularly with its award-winning Bulleit Rye, which boasts a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Released in 2011, this straight rye whiskey has garnered numerous accolades, including Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Chairman's Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. The whiskey is aged for four to seven years, enhancing its spicy and complex flavor profile. Recently, Bulleit introduced the Bulleit Rye 10-Year-Old, aged for a minimum of 10 years, which has also received high praise and awards. This commitment to quality and innovation has solidified Bulleit's position in the rye whiskey market.

Knob Creek

Knob Creek is renowned for its exceptional rye whiskeys, having launched its straight rye in 2012 and since then, garnering numerous accolades, including "World's Best Rye" at the 2016 International Wine and Spirits Competition. The brand offers a range of rye expressions, such as the Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey, aged for nine years and bottled at 119.6 proof (59.8 ABV), and the recently introduced Knob Creek 10 Year Old Rye, aged for a decade in deeply charred barrels and bottled at 100 proof. These whiskeys are distinguished by their complex flavor profiles, featuring notes of caramel, vanilla, and robust oak. Knob Creek's commitment to quality and traditional production methods has solidified its position as a leader in the rye category. The brand's rye whiskeys are crafted at the Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, utilizing a water source rich in limestone.

Templeton

Templeton Rye is a renowned producer of high-quality rye whiskey, with a rich history dating back to the Prohibition era of the 1920s. The brand recently opened a state-of-the-art distillery in Templeton, Iowa, in 2018, marking a significant shift from being an independent bottler to a full-scale distiller. Their new flagship, Templeton Straight Rye Whiskey, is crafted with a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, aged for a minimum of four years in first-fill American oak barrels, and bottled at 90 proof. This non-chill filtered whiskey offers a complex flavor profile with notes of vanilla, pineapple, toasted oak, and classic rye spices. With a focus on innovation and community investment, Templeton Distillery produces up to 500,000 proof gallons of rye whiskey annually. For more information, visit their official website.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey is renowned as one of the premier producers of rye whiskey, particularly notable for its Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, which boasts a mash bill of 51% rye, 37% corn, and 12% barley. Since Jimmy Russell began distilling rye whiskey in Kentucky in the 1970s, the brand has maintained a high level of quality, with the Russel family, now including Jimmy's son Eddie and grandson Bruce, ensuring consistent excellence. The distillery's unique yeast strain produces less fusel oil, resulting in a smoother, nutty flavor profile. Wild Turkey's rye whiskey is popular in traditional cocktails and has seen a resurgence in popularity, leading to the introduction of new expressions like Russell's Reserve Six-Year-Old Rye and Master's Keep Cornerstone. The brand's commitment to quality and traditional methods has solidified its position as a leader in the rye whiskey market. For more detailed information, visit their dedicated whiskey database page.

Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is a renowned producer of high-quality rye whiskey, introducing their Kentucky Straight Rye in 2012 with a mashbill of 53% rye, 33% corn, and 14% malted barley. This blend creates a smooth and balanced flavor profile, characteristic of Kentucky-style rye. Master Distiller Chris Morris perfected the recipe over several years, ensuring it aligns with the brand's commitment to flavor excellence. The whiskey is aged in charred new oak barrels and bottled at 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV), making it a favorite among rye enthusiasts. Woodford Reserve continues to innovate, including experiments with locally grown rye to enhance flavor and sustainability.