6 of The Best Rye Whiskeys to Guarantee A Spicy Winter, Ranked

We tend to reach for spirits when the weather is cold with hope that they will warm us from inside out.

While we love bourbon whiskey, single malt Scotch whisky, mature tequila, mezcal, and even dark rum, our favorite winter tipple is rye whiskey.

For those new to this whiskey variety, rye whiskey is exactly as the name suggests. While bourbon (among many more rules and regulations) must be made from a mash bill of at least 51% corn, to make a rye whiskey, the spirit must be made with a mash bill of at least 51% rye (although many are much higher). Secondary ingredients include corn, malted barley, wheat, and other grains.

While aromas and flavors vary based on the percentage of rye included, the secondary grains, and the barrel (and amount of time it’s matured), rye whiskeys are typically spicy and herbal with notes of vanilla beans, caramel, oak, wintry spices, and cracked black pepper. It’s warming, complex, and perfect for the winter months.

Now that you’ve learned a little about this spicy, warming whiskey, it’s time to find some to add to your home bar cart. Below, you’ll find five of our favorite rye whiskeys. Keep scrolling to see them all.

Alberta Cask Strength Rye

This cask strength Canadian rye whisky was named as the “World Whisky of the Year” in the 2021 ‘Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible’. Matured for a minimum of five years, and using 100% Canadian prairie rye, it’s known for its complex flavor profile featuring notes of maple candy, vanilla beans, orchard fruits, candied nuts, oak, and spicy cracked black pepper.

Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey

Sagamore Small Batch is crafted from 100% Maryland-distilled rye whiskey, using grains sourced through Sagamore Spirit’s dedicated Farm-to-Table process. These grains are used to create high-rye and low-rye whiskeys that are both triple distilled and matured for 4-6 years before being blended in small 20-barrel batches. The blending of two straight whiskeys gives complexity, while the triple distillation process enhances its distinct smoothness. Perfect for sipping when its cold outside.

Rittenhouse Rye

Named for Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, this expression is a 100-proof, bottle-in-bond whiskey beloved by bartenders and drinkers alike. Matured for a minimum of four years, this popular rye whiskey is known for its memorable flavor profile of caramelized sugar, dried fruits, cocoa, maple candy, vanilla, and gentle spices.

Knob Creek 7-Year Rye

While beloved for their bourbons, you can’t go wrong with Knob Creek 7-Year Rye on a cool winter night. Matured in deeply charred oak barrels for seven years, this 100-proof whiskey features a high-corn mash bill giving it a complex, nuanced flavor palate featuring notes of caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla beans, rich oak, and peppery rye spice.

Sazerac Rye

With a history dating back to the 1800s in New Orleans, Sazerac Rye is truly a timeless expression. The whiskey that the Sazerac cocktail is named for is known for its memorable flavor profile featuring hints of vanilla, cloves, candied fruits, and peppery rye.

High West Double Rye

If you’ve never tried High West Double Rye, now is the time. This whiskey gets its name because it’s a marriage of two rye whiskey that are each aged for two years. The result is a noteworthy sipping whiskey loaded with flavors like mint, honey, vanilla, and cracked black pepper.

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