Long associated with pre-Prohibition sipping and classic cocktails, rye whisky and whiskey has modernised in recent years to win new fans around the world. Here are five ryes from the US and beyond to savour today.
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Rye. A dynamic, delicious and flavourful grain that’s notoriously tricky for distillers to work with. But persist and it’s worth it: rye whiskies – and indeed whiskeys! – are some of the most expressive, mixable and versatile bottlings around.
Rye whiskey is often most associated with the US. Pre-Prohibition, it outsold bourbon as the spirit of choice across the country. But with the decline of the Temperance movement came fresh tastes, and softer, corn-forward releases were more preferred.
Fast-forward to today, and rye has experienced something of a renaissance. Over the last decade or so, bartenders have embraced the style, recreating the classics with aplomb and popularising more modern serves as well. Rye Old Fashioneds are always in style, with Manhattan and Sazerac cocktails also enjoying an enduring appeal. More contemporary interpretations include swapping rye in for other spirits, for example a Ryerita in place of Tequila in a Margarita.
The rye whisky map has broadened significantly, too. Distillers across Scandinavia, where rye is a staple in foods, are crafting some of the most innovative ryes on earth. So too are English makers, plus some Scotch distillers. And don’t forget Canada’s rich history when it comes to rye. There’s a whole atlas of whiskies out there to explore.
On that note, here are five extraordinary rye whiskies to try now!
