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Spirits

Rye Whiskey

  • Spirit
  • Alcoholic
  • 6 drinks

What is Rye Whiskey?

Rye whiskey in the U.S. is made from a fermented mash containing at least 51% rye and follows the federal whiskey production standard; straight rye adds a minimum two-year new-charred-oak ageing requirement.

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You enjoy rich, complex spirits with oak, vanilla or smoky character.
  • ✓There are 6 drinks on WhatDrink using this.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer light, neutral or sweet spirits.

At a Glance

75 kcalCalories
0gSugar
0gCarbs
SpiritType
6Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

What does Rye Whiskey taste like?

Flavor varies by mash bill, producer, maturation and proof; the legal rye-grain threshold does not by itself establish one universal tasting profile.

Ways to use rye whiskey

Cocktails (5)Punches (1)

Rye Whiskey authority guide

What defines Rye Whiskey?

Regulated standard

U.S. rye whisky is defined around a fermented mash containing at least 51% rye and the federal whisky production requirements; straight rye additionally requires at least two years in charred new oak containers.

Source: U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

The product-level view below is built from 166 approved WhatDrink whiskey records. It currently spans 24 named distilleries.

166
Products
36.8%
With age data
1.2%
With cask data
30.1%
With distillery data

Age statements in the graph

61 products have an approved age statement, ranging from 3 to 25 years in the current dataset.

Common documented cask types

Double oak · 1Sherry cask · 1

Most represented distilleries

WhistlePig · 21KOVAL Distillery · 3Far North Spirits · 2Knob Creek · 2Heaven Hill Distilleries · 2Templeton Rye Spirits, LLC · 2Archie Rose Distilling Co. · 1Norseman Distillery · 1Corsair Distillery · 1State 38 Distilling · 1

Representative products

  • New Riff, Kentucky Straight Rye Single Barrel 50.6%
    rye whiskey
  • Old Overholt, Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond 5YO 100 Proof
    rye whiskey · 5 years
  • Peerless, Kentucky Straight Rye Single Barrel 57.15%
    rye whiskey
  • Russell's Reserve, Kentucky Straight Rye Single Barrel 104 Proof
    rye whiskey
  • Thomas H Handy Sazerac, Kentucky Straight Rye Barrel Proof Bottled 2010 126.9 Proof
    rye whiskey
  • Thomas H Handy Sazerac, Kentucky Straight Rye Barrel Proof Bottled 2014 128.4 Proof
    rye whiskey
  • WhistlePig, Straight Rye 10YO 100 Proof
    rye whiskey · 10 years · WhistlePig
  • WhistlePig, Straight Rye Blend 10YO 50%
    rye whiskey · 10 years · WhistlePig
  • WhistlePig, Straight Rye PiggyBack 6YO 96.56 Proof
    rye whiskey · 6 years · WhistlePig
  • WhistlePig, Straight Rye The Boss Hog 1st Edition Single Barrel 12YO
    rye whiskey · 12 years · WhistlePig

Coverage percentages describe approved fields in WhatDrink's current specialist dataset; an unfilled field is not treated as a negative claim.

Flavour profile

OakPepperRyeSpice

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 59.15–59.15 ml; median 59.15 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 9 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml)
250
Sugar (per 100 ml)
0 g
Carbs (per 100 ml)
0 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

  • Gluten-FreeCompatible
  • KetoCompatible
  • Low-CarbCompatible
  • Low-SugarCompatible
  • VeganCompatible
  • VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Reviewed substitutes

  • BourbonRounder, sweeter whiskey profile.

Reviewed ingredient substitution guidance. Results can vary by brand, quantity and preparation. These substitutions have not been tested in every individual recipe.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-22T00:39:18.100704+00:00

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.