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Bourbon must be made with a mashbill of at least 51% corn, and the remainder generally comes from some combination of rye, malted barley, and/or wheat, though some distillers who use oat, millet, amaranth, and other esoteric grains. This gives whiskey makers plenty of creative room when it comes to the mashbill, but the ones with a comparatively high share of rye in the mashbill tend to attract a devoted following.
Though there’s no set rule on what constitutes a high-rye bourbon, they typically contain anywhere from 20% to 35% rye, giving them that extra dose of spice, heat, and bite. Those seeking to look at rye in a different light—or who find bourbon too sweet—should consider a high-rye bourbon for their next dram; below, we’ve rounded up some recent favorites.
10 High Rye Bourbons
94 Peerless High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 55.3%, $160
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: undisclosed, but it’s more than twice that of their flagship bourbon.
Tasting notes: Somewhat of a breakfast spread, with notes of egg bagel, orange slices, and grape jelly, though chocolate eventually becomes the star of the show, with chocolate-covered cherries and hot fudge lingering on and on.
93 Backbone Uncut Decade Down Anniversary, 55%, $75
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 21%.
The nose has notes of toasted bread, almond butter, and caramel topping. The palate is creamy, sweet, and packed with peanuts and well-integrated spice.
91 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch (2022 Release), 54.5%, $180
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: this is a blend of four bourbons with two mashbills; one has 20% rye and the other is 35% rye
The complex nose offers up oak, cherries, and cloves, while the creamy palate delivers more cherries alongside hot cinnamon spice and cayenne pepper-infused dark chocolate.
91 Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Cask Strength, 58.4%, $70
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 20%
Spice-driven bakery shop aromas highlight the nose with notes of cinnamon babka, Christmas cake, and powdered sugar, while the palate is creamy and rich with tobacco leaf, rye spice, and vanilla cream.
90 Remus Repeal Reserve (Series VI), 50%, $100
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 21%.
A layered and leathery whiskey, with herbal candies and baking spices on the nose and a spicy, fruity palate that oozes with cinnamon candies, Maraschino cherries, and pepper.
90 Hirsch The Horizon Straight Bourbon (Batch AHH0320), 46%, $40
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 21%.
Cracked corn, peanut shell, and other grain scents on the nose; the palate is a chocolate lover’s dream, utterly rich but never heavy.
89 High N’ Wicked 5 year old High Rye Cask Strength, 62.6%, $90
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 39%.
The nose, fruity and dense, summons Fig Newton, fruit-and-nut roll, and Martinelli’s apple juice; cinnamon and apples overtake the palate, joined by char and wood.
89 New Riff Bottled in Bond, 50%, $40
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 30%.
The nose is fresh, delicate, and dotted with stone fruits, while the palate is rife with plums, nectarines, black pepper, clove, and piney cedar.
89 Redemption Cognac Cask Finished, 49.5%, $70
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 36%.
Poached pears, peaches, and other soft cooked fruit aromas, with pear tart, baked apple, cinnamon, and chocolate notes on the palate.
88 Old Soul High Rye, 45%, $45
Percentage of rye in the mashbill: 21%.
Orange zest, stewed pears, and apple pie a la mode on the nose; that apple lingers on to the palate, where it’s joined by lightly ashy oak.
