WHAT THE HECK IS RYE WHISKEY, ANYWAY?
Rye, a close cousin to bourbon, is so called because it’s made using at least 51% rye in the mash from which it’s distilled. That grain gives it a more complex and spicy flavor than bourbon, which employs at least 51% corn for a sweeter, fuller bodied drink. Rye’s complexity isn’t for everyone, and for decades, it was for practically no one. As American drinkers gravitated towards smoother spirits like bourbon, Canadian blended whiskeys, and (heaven forbid) vodka, rye nearly fell off the booze radar completely. Thankfully, with the rise of Cocktail Nation, vintage liqueurs and spirits were revived, including rye. It’s now in vogue among cocktailians and once again available on the shelves of any liquor store worth walking into. Given how tough it was to find at all a mere 10-15 years ago, the number of ryes now out there, ranging from inexpensive brands best employed in cocktails to ultra-pricey, super-aged sipping whiskeys, is staggering. What follows is a list of some of the ryes I’v
