GETTY IMAGES/JAY'S PHOTO
We recently published our Editor's Choice selections for scotch whisky from the Summer issue's Buying Guide, and here we present the Editor's Choices for rye—along with a few others that scored 90 points and higher. Some are new and others are not, but even the returnees are worth another visit. Whether sipping neat alongside s'mores, mixing them with a cocktail by the lake, or with a cold rock after a day at the beach, there's plenty to love about rye whiskey. Most ryes are spicy, but there's a lot more variance than some people may think. Those with 95% rye in the mashbill are lip-smacking, spicy favorites, but the ones with more corn or malt in the mix can be sweeter. Across the spectrum, you'll find flavors ranging from fruity, earthy, bakery-like, creamy caramel, and even coffee-laden. Sample some of these high-scoring ryes to find your sweet and spicy spot.
93 Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve Chocolate Malt Barrel Strength Sweet Mash (Batch 002), 57.4%, $90
Hard Truth’s second batch of this rye is a bakery in a bottle, opening with a sweet and bready nose spiked with cinnamon, well-done toast, and a little bit of char. On the palate, there are honey-wheat pretzels, cherry pie, and tiramisu. Water brings out fresher fruit flavors like Bing cherries, raspberry jam, and pears. The finish is long and balanced with chocolate cake sweetness tempered by clove and pepper spice. [Editors' Choice]
93 Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength (2024 Release/Barrel No. 24B0481), 55%, $110
The nose is packed and complex, offering a variety of rich aromas including milk chocolate, muted rye spice, mellow licorice, butterscotch, spearmint, and crème de menthe. The palate is equally loaded, with flavors of honey, sweet vanilla cream, fresh cherries, cherry coulis, and aged tobacco leaf. The finish is long and filled with baking spice, warm chocolate, earthy oak, and a spiced finale. There is refined aging and great depth to this superbly integrated rye. [Editors' Choice]
92 Blackened Rye The Lightning Madeira & Rum Cask Finished Blend (2024 Edition), 46%, $70
Musty oak, sugar-free mint gum, cinnamon baked apples, vanilla, Red Hots, monkey bread, caramel, frosted Cinnabon, and a touch of wood spice on the nose. The cinnamon stays around on the sweet and spiced palate that also reveals flavors of vanilla cream, baked peaches, burnt sugar cookies, hints of candied nuts, and dashes of jalapeño spice. The finish is lengthy with honey and vanilla sweetness tempered by oak, dark espresso, and more cinnamon. [Editors' Choice]
92 Filmland Spirits Ryes of the Robots Extended Cut Cask Strength, 54%, $60
The nose is bursting with scents of brunch— monkey bread, cinnamon, powdered sugar on pancakes, vanilla sweetness, and lemon poppyseed muffin. Coffee comes forth on the palate, as rich notes of caramel macchiato, coffee ice cream, vanilla bean, and strawberry jam coat the mouth. This whiskey does a fine job holding its proof, and with water, the finish is flush with fruitier notes, plus a bit of chocolate and black coffee.
92 McKenzie Bottled in Bond, 50%, $60
From Finger Lakes Distilling, this bonded Empire Rye—meaning it’s made with at least 75% grains from New York State, among other stipulations—is spiced and nutty on the nose, with pecan pie, candied walnuts, and chocolate-hazelnut spread leading the way. The palate is more tempered; the nuttiness remains but is dustier and less sweet. The spice is balanced by grape sweetness and caramel candies. The finish is quite dry, with polished oak and walnut.
92 Never Say Die, 52.5%, $85
This whiskey was distilled in Kentucky and spent 5 years aging there before embarking on a transatlantic journey to the UK. While it’s tough to say how much said journey impacted the final whiskey, there’s certainly a lot of flavor to suss out here; the nose is fragrant with Dole fruit cup, cornbread, and cooked cherries. On the palate, the wonderfully round mouthfeel precedes more fruit flavors, plus some rich chocolate and barrel char. The finish leads with wood spice, chocolate, and cherry.
92 Still Austin Bottled in Bond, 50%, $80
Dry and grainy on the nose, but fresh and aromatic in its own way. Subtly fruited flavors of apples and red berries, plus spice, create a soft, full-bodied, and well-balanced drink. A nice long finish with the sweet red berries leading, plus some dry ash, balanced with savory rye spice and coriander. A big Texas-style BIB rye.
91 15 Stars 6 year old First West Blend of Straights (Batch 2-SSDD), 52.5%, $90
15 Stars blends 6, 7, and 9 year old ryes to create this floral and well-spiced pour. At first, the nose is all spice rack, with cinnamon, dried herbs, and fresh parsley overwhelming sweeter notes. With time, green apple and maple syrup rise through the spice, creating an inviting blend of aromas. While spice is still present on the palate, honey-nut cereal sweetness and bread pudding rise to the front, supported by cinnamon, chai, and autumnal spices.
91 All Points West Mid-Atlantic Pot Still (Batch 8), 52%, $60
From All Points West Distillery in Newark, New Jersey. Amber in color, this has a nose of fragrant and pleasant dry rye spice plus a hint of licorice. Creamy and syrupy sweet on the palate, with dark chocolate, chocolate syrup, blackberry jam, and plenty of lively rye spice. The finish is wonderfully long and full of chocolate, the spice finally taking a bit of a back seat to rich dessert-like sweetness. Great texture, flavors, and integration; a very nice example of the category.
91 Green River, 47.5%, $35
Fresh and crisp on the nose, this blend of 4 to 6 year old ryes is minty and herbaceous. Pine, thyme, and other sweet herbs rest atop fruit-forward sweetness. The palate dials back the herbal character and introduces white pepper, caramel apple, and honey. While the whiskey shines throughout, the finish is the brightest star: long and with a heavy dose of apples and cinnamon, hibiscus tea, and tingling pepper.
91 Penelope 8 year old Tokaji Cask Finished, 55%, $90
Dry and spicy on the nose, with hints of vanilla cream and fresh grain. On the palate, creamy vanilla, lemon peel, fresh raspberries, and spiced dark chocolate. The finish is very spiced and quite long, with chocolate cake and quite a tasty balance of fruit and peppery spice. This one holds its proof very well, and water brings out more chocolate and spice notes.
90 Catoctin Creek Rabble Rouser Bottled in Bond (2024 Release), 50%, $100
The nose kicks off with rye grain and grape jelly, setting the stage for a palate that’s both fruity and spiced. Cinnamon babka intermingles with red berries, and while it’s light on its feet, there’s a certain richness here that keeps you coming back for more. More tempered spice on the finish, which stays fresh thanks to ripe berry sweetness and vanilla bean.
