Rye whiskey is bourbon’s spicy sibling. While bourbon might be considered the more familiar American whiskey these days, with rye the niche choice of connoisseurs, this was not always the case. So what is rye whiskey, exactly? How is it made, and how does its flavor differ from bourbon? Read on for our guide to rye—the original American whiskey.
WHAT IS RYE WHISKEY MADE FROM?
So, what is in rye whiskey? It does, of course, contain rye—but not exclusively. Rye whiskey is a mixed grain spirit containing, by law, at least 51% rye in the mash bill or grain recipe. The remainder of the bill is made up of corn, malted barley, or wheat. So, it is rye-dominated but not rye-exclusive.
Other rules governing rye whiskey say that it must be distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV). From there, it’s aged in charred new oak barrels at a maximum of 125 proof (62.5%). Rye whiskey is bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40%).
To qualify as a straight rye, the whiskey must be aged for a minimum of two years. Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey is aged for twice that. The extended aging enhances flavor and mellows the spirit: adding complexity and depth to the notes of vanilla, grain and spice and its long, lingering, smoky finish.
WHAT MAKES RYE WHISKEY SPECIAL?
A certain part of the allure of rye whiskey is to do with it being the first distilled American whiskey—it predates bourbon by at least a few decades. In the 17th century, European immigrants to Pennsylvania found that rye thrived due to its hardy nature.
Somewhere around the mid-17th century, the first rye whiskey was produced. The spirit was prized for its robust character, complexity, and spicy flavors. By the 1800s, Pennsylvania was the home of rye whiskey. Kentucky bourbon was growing in popularity, but rye was still the drink of choice for some time. Over the 20th century, whiskey drinkers migrated to the sweeter, smoother qualities of bourbon.
However, rye whiskey has seen a resurgence in recent years with the boom of craft spirits, and an interest in the ingredients in classic cocktails of the 1800s. Today, it is once again revered for its complex flavors—the main factor that makes rye whiskey special. Rye can be enjoyed on the rocks or in iconic whiskey cocktails such as the 101 Manhattan.
HOW IS RYE DIFFERENT FROM BOURBON?
A good way to think of rye and bourbon is as two halves of the American whiskey circle. They’re part of the same family but differ in production and flavor. Where rye leads with rye grain (51% minimum) in its production, bourbon leads with corn (51% minimum). Both have additional grains, such as malted barley and wheat added in different quantities. The mash bill for any whiskey is built around the master distiller’s vision for the finished product.
In terms of flavor, there is some crossover, due to both spirits being aged in charred, new-oak barrels. Bourbon is sweeter and richer in taste, with prominent notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. Rye is robust and assertive, with pepper, allspice, cinnamon, and clove, with a sharper finish. While both whiskeys share a common heritage and production methods, their unique ingredients and flavor profiles offer distinct experiences.
WHAT DOES RYE WHISKEY TASTE LIKE?
The key to rye whiskey is its spicy character. With prominent notes of pepper, allspice, cinnamon, and clove, rye provides a palatable kick. The spicy notes are often tempered by vanilla and fruity undertones from the charred new oak barrels. Rye will never be as sweet as bourbon and will often feature a sharp, dry finish.
Wild Turkey 101 is known for its balanced aroma of vanilla and spice. On the palate, it has a unique peppery toffee flavor, with an earthy depth and a hint of smoke, which lasts into the long finish, along with allspice and other aromatics. Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye has a complex floral, honey and fruit aroma, with caramel apple, rye spices and dried fruit that linger long on the palate.
HOW IS RYE WHISKEY MADE?
Apart from a few recipe and regulation differences, rye whiskey is produced like bourbon. But the small differences make a different whiskey…
THE GRAIN SELECTION
Rye makes up the bulk of the mash bill. The remainder is a combination of corn, malted barley, or wheat. At Wild Turkey, we pride ourselves on using non-GMO grains and American-grown corn.
THE MASH
The grains are ground into a coarse meal and mixed with hot water to create the mash. The heat helps to convert the starches in the grains into fermentable sugars.
THE FERMENTATION
The mash is transferred to fermentation tanks, where yeast is added. As the mixture ferments, it produces alcohol, carbon dioxide, and flavor compounds.
THE DISTILLATION
After fermentation, the liquid is distilled twice to remove impurities. Column stills and copper pot stills are often used in succession.
THE AGING
The raw spirit is transferred into charred, new-oak barrels and left in rickhouses to mature. As the seasons pass, the barrels breathe life into the rye whiskey, imbuing it with flavor.
THE BOTTLING
Once the maturation is complete, the whiskey is filtered and diluted to the desired proof before bottling. Rye whiskey must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40%), but it can be higher. Wild Turkey 101 is, as you might guess, bottled at 101 proof to enhance the bold, spicy flavor. Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye is bottled at barrel proof—with no dilution at all—to leave intact its complex and nuanced character expression of caramel and fruit, oak and lingering spice.
WHISKEY 101—AN AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE TO RYE
- It can be made anywhere in the world
- If it’s made in the United States, it must follow federal regulations
- It must be made with a minimum of 51% rye in the mash bill
- It must be distilled to a maximum of 160 proof (80% ABV)
- It must be barreled at a maximum of 125 proof (62.5% ABV)
- It must be aged in charred new oak barrels
- It must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV), and a maximum of 150 proof (75% ABV)
- Straight rye must contain no additives
Discover the differences between rye whiskey and bourbon—and more about mash bills— here.