The 20 Best Rye Whiskeys We Tasted In 2024

The Rye-naissance is in full bloom. After decades of having a reputation as “the other whiskey” next to bourbon, rye has come into its own. With its spicy and herbaceous profile, rye is an excellent whiskey for mixologists who like to add a little “oomph” to their cocktails.

The following 20 rye whiskeys are the best we’ve tasted this year. Read on for a truly exciting line-up.

Rankings explanation: Bottles are ranked by the house scores given by our spirits critics. When a tie takes place in the house scores, it is broken by its Raided Score®, a number that is the average of notable critic scores. If a spirit’s Raided Scores® are equal, the whisky with the highest amount of aggregated reviews is ranked higher. When all of those factors are equal, alphabetization is used as a final tiebreaker.

The Best Rye Whiskey We Tasted in 2024, Ranked

20. Sagamore Small Batch Rye

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Maryland’s Sagamore Spirits is proving the state deserves more recognition for its dynamic rye whiskeys.

The 2024 expression is the first year the brand used its own distillate, and this bottle is composed of two mashbills, one high-rye and the other lower-rye. It spent four to six years aging before it was blended in 20-barrel batches.

With an ABV of 46.5% and a suggested retail price of just $39, this dynamic rye whiskey is an unbelievable value. Sagamore’s small batch rye has big gingerbread throughout, coupled with maple, herbaceous pine and clove.

Whether you want to rock it in a Manhattan or sip it neat, this is a great rye through and through.

19. High N’ Wicked Cask Strength 5 Year Rye

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This 5-year-old rye whiskey dropped in April 2024, and it was distilled by New Riff from a mashbill of 91% rye and 9% malted barley. It then spent five years aging before it was bottled by High N’ Wicked at 124 proof. It has a suggested retail price of $90.

The nose is chock full of brown sugar, ginger, and herbs. On the pour, picture plenty of confectionary sweetness, with a bit of caramel and DOTS candies. The finish is full of maple and lingers forever.

This is a funky, fruity pour.

18. Sagamore Spirit Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey (2024)

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This rye whiskey is another banger from Sagamore Spirit, and it is a nod to the ever-popular Manhattan cocktail.

In order to achieve this, the Sagamore team finished 4-year-old rye whiskey in a mixture of vermouth, bitters and cherry brandy barrels for a minimum of 20 months.

Bottled at 103 proof and priced at $79.99, this rye whiskey is the perfect mixture of spicy and sweet. Full of luscious cherries on the nose and lavender on the palate, Sagamore’s Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey finishes with cinnamon and anise.

17. World Whiskey Society 12 Year Rye Finished in Awamori Casks

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Just 356 bottles of World Whiskey Society’s 12 Year Rye Finished in Awamori Casks exist, making this a rare rye indeed. This 12-year-old rye was finished in oak casks from Okinawa, Japan that previously held Awamori, a spirit distilled from rice.

This rye has an ABV of 48% and retails for $169 from the World Whiskey Society’s website.

With a peppery, dill and floral-driven nose, coupled with herbs and spice aplenty on the palate, this is a beautiful rye with an incredible amount of depth. The finish is sweet, with butterscotch throughout.

16. High Wire Distilling New Southern Revival Rye

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High Wire is a South Carolina distillery that has a reputation for playing around with distinctive heirloom grains, and this rye whiskey is another great byproduct of that spirit of experimentation.

High Wire’s New Southern Revival Rye is made from Wrens Abruzzi rye, which is an heirloom varietal that grows in the Carolinas. The South Carolina brand chose not to malt this grain, to let its character shine through in this whiskey.

This rye whiskey is a steal, with a $45.99 price tag from the brand’s website. It has an ABV of 45% and is loaded with pine, almond and anise on the nose. The palate is incredibly distinctive, with tobacco, cinnamon and cloves, and it finishes with brioche, blueberry and black tea.

High Wire’s Southern Revival Rye is a wild ride indeed, but we absolutely love it.

15. High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12

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High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram releases each year, and this port-cask-finished whiskey has earned itself a bit of a cult following over the years. Crafted from the brand’s Rendezvous Rye and clocking in at 98.6 proof, this rye whiskey tastes like Christmas in a bottle.

On the nose, there’s plenty of cherries, cracked pepper and toffee, which segue into a palate full of wintergreen spice, cherry cordials and ginger. The finish lingers on and on, with plenty of berries and spice.

High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12 costs $149.99 from the Park City distillery.

14. Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Years Old 2024

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Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Years Old hit the market in 2019 and immediately became a rye sensation.

Unfortunately, the whiskey’s fame was short-lived after the brand ran out of its original stocks. Fast forward to 2024, and Bulleit answered its fan’s prayers, by bringing back this value-oriented whiskey priced at $55.

With an ABV of 46% and an herbal nose full of tropical fruit, spearmint and butterscotch, this whiskey is ginger-driven and minty. Bulleit’s 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Years Old finishes with butterscotch and more tropical fruit like pineapple and mango.

13. Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #13 Twice Barreled Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey

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This whiskey dropped in July 2024 as part of Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series. It was distilled from a mashbill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley before being double-oaked and aged for 2.5 extra years in a new charred oak barrel.

The Tennessee whiskey brand’s 13th installment within the Distillery Series clocks in at 107 proof and has a suggested retail price of $41.99.

There’s fudge aplenty in this rye whiskey, and from nose to pour, expect thick rich chocolatey goodness kissed with black pepper and a little rye spice. Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #13 finishes with plenty of oak and cocoa.

12. Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye

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Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye is the first cask-strength rye released from Angel’s Envy. It is distilled from the classic mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley by the storied Indiana producer, MGP.

This whiskey hosts an ABV of 57.2% and a suggested retail price of $269.99.

With aromas of baking spice and brioche, coupled with toffee segueing into a sauternes-like palate with apple bake, this is an elegant take on rye whiskey. Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye finishes with white grape, baking spice and brioche.

11. Pinhook Tiz Rye Time Vertical Series 8 Year Rye 2024 Release

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Pinhook’s Vertical Series is all about the passage of time. For the series, the brand sourced a large collection of rye barrels from MGP and took them to Kentucky to age. Each year, Pinhook releases a new batch, one year older than the previous year’s. Bottled at 54% ABV, 2024’s release is a blend of 32 barrels.

With a rich nose that’s full of luscious vanilla bean frosting, milk chocolate and mocha, this is one decadent rye whiskey. The palate is viscous, with orange and anise, coupled with pine and peppermint tea. This whiskey finishes with marshmallow, ginger, and citrus candies.

Pinhook’s 2024 Tiz Rye Time Vertical Series 8 Year Rye whiskey costs $84.99 from the brand.

10. Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2024 (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)

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This year’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey clocks in at a hefty 127.2 proof, a bump from last year’s release within the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

This year’s Thomas H. Handy has a spicy and sweet nose that promises this rye is going to be a bruiser, coupled with a chewy and syrupy palate. Picture barrel char, rye spice and brown sugar segueing to a spicy-sweet finish with bold black pepper and waffle cone. There’s a kiss of blackberry, adding some fruity complexity to this potent and beautiful rye.

Though this rye has an MSRP of $149.99, expect to pay significantly more on the secondary market, as is the case with all BTAC releases.

9. WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut

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WhistlePig repeatedly proves that weird is wonderful, and that was no difference with its 2024 Boss Hog release. This rye whiskey was distilled by an anonymous producer in Canada and finished in seasoned barrels inspired by Thandai, a South Asian drink.

The Vermont whiskey brand seasoned the barrels with a rye whiskey infused with botanicals of saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, poppy and black peppercorn, then finished the rye whiskey after it initially matured in new oak barrels. It clocks in between 103.8 and 105.2 proof. It is on the pricier side, with a suggested retail price of $599.99.

With aromas of black tea, chai, honey, vanilla icing and a palate full of orange peel, vanilla, spice cake and some slightly medicinal cherries, this whiskey is a roller coaster ride in liquid form. The Juggernaut finishes with yuzu and toffee.

Wild? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely.

8. K. LUKE Whiskey Company Barrel Strength Toasted Rye Batch 3

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Rising star whiskey brand K.LUKE has shortly become a critical darling, with VinePair predicting offerings from this Kentucky non-distilling producer will soon reach “unicorn” status. If this rye is any indication, there might be some truth behind that bold claim.

This blended rye was made from eight barrels of Kentucky and Indiana rye, and it spent three months finishing in toasted barrels before it was bottled at 114.6 proof in May of 2024.

With a bold nose that highlights this rye’s complex bouquet of clove, herbal spice and toffee, this rye hits the balance of power and toasted oak in a perfect way. The oak is nicely integrated and adds a pastry-driven sweetness to the rye’s herbal and spicy profile. The finish lingers on and on, with rye spice dominating the pour.

Expect to spend around $110 on a bottle of this rare release.

7. Blackwood Toasted Rye

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Priced at $159 and distilled by an undisclosed Kentucky producer, Blackwood’s Toasted Rye was finished in three types of barrels: a new barrel with a medium toast, a char 4 barrel with toasted heads and a char 2 barrel with toasted heads. It has an ABV of 56.3%.

With a nose of ginger, peppercorn and cinnamon coupled with a ginger-driven palate with citrus notes, this full-throttle rye finishes with candied oranges, root beer and oodles of zingy ginger.

Spicy and oh-so-pretty, this rye puts newcomer Blackwood on the map of whiskey brands to pay attention to.

6. WhistlePig 10 PiggyBank Rye 2024

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As far as appearances are concerned, WhistlePig’s Piggy Bank Rye of 2024 is a winner. With a blinged-out 1-liter pig-shaped decanter, this rye whiskey oozes style and bar cart appeal. WhistlePig 10 PiggyBank Rye has an ABV of 55%, and this 10-year-old Canadian rye hosts delicious juice on the inside to boot.

The nose is decadent with cinnamon and sweet potatoes with marshmallow fluff. The palate is full of orange marmalade, sassafras and peppermint, coupled with a finish that features layers upon layers of marshmallow and citrus fruit.

This flashy rye whiskey sells for $299.99.

5. Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve Sweet Mash Rye 2024

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Indiana’s Hard Truth Distilling Company has earned itself a favorable reputation for its sweet mash whiskeys. This particular rye whiskey is a blend of three Hard Truth whiskey recipes: RW-4 caramel malt rye (50%), RW-6 malted rye (30%), and RW-3 chocolate malt rye (20%.)

This rye spent four years aging before it was bottled at 115 proof. It is priced at $89.99, and just 20 barrels were made, making this a rare find.

With a nose of vanilla and cherries, coupled with sassafras — this whiskey is dessert and brash spice. The palate is a heady mixture of oak, marshmallow, tobacco and more berries. This bold rye finishes with cocoa and gingerbread, coupled with a twist of orange candies for a little zing.

4. Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend

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The folks at Hard Truth are clearly on their A-Game, with not one but two rye whiskeys cracking the top five. This whiskey is liquid proof that Hard Truth is one of the more interesting under-the-radar brands on the market.

Hard Truth’s Barrel Finish Reserve was distilled from a mashbill composed of 94% rye and 6% malted barley before it was finished in a cornucopia of casks. This bold rye spent time finishing in cognac (31%), Pedro Ximenez Sherry (26%), Pedro Ximenez Brandy (17%) and sauternes (26%) casks.

With an ABV of 58.4% and a suggested retail price of $89.99, Hard Truth’s Barrel Finish Reserve has a wild ride of a nose. Picture powdered sugar, cherry pie filling and citrus.

The rich palate features espresso, buttercream frosting and rich cherry syrup. Hard Truth’s Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend finishes with cherries, dark chocolate and walnuts.

3. Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye (2024)

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We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a rye whiskey from Michter’s on this list. This cult brand was crowned “The World’s Most Admired Whiskey” by Drinks International for the second year in a row, and this release proves yet again that Michter’s has rightfully earned that title.

With a suggested retail price of $200 an ABV of 46.4%, this whiskey is one of the brand’s most limited-production whiskeys. The nose on this stunner leans away from herbaceous territory with plenty of pepper, brown sugar and brown butter.

The palate is full of fruit, apples and cherries with a spine of oak and baking spice. Michter’s 10 Year Old has an opulent texture — even with its lower proof. The finish is pure dessert, making this whiskey an absolute knockout.

2. Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey 2024 (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)

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The 2024 release of Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey is arguably one of the more complicated and bold Sazerac rye releases in recent memory. With its hefty age statement and mellow proof of 90, this is a cerebral and layered rye that begs to be savored over a lengthy period.

Picture a peppery and minty nose that segues into a pleasant rye with rose water, mint, ginger and toffee. The finish is dynamic, with molasses, grassy herbal characteristics and a pingy bit of mint.

This whiskey hosts a suggested retail price of $149.99 — yet we all know how the secondary market can be for Buffalo Trace Antique Collection whiskeys. Expect to shell out quite a bit more.

1. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph

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Wild Turkey’s 2024 Master’s Keep “Triumph” is appropriately named, with its bold and characterful profile. The rye dropped in May 2024 and is the oldest age-stated rye whiskey in the history of the brand. It has a suggested retail price of $275 and a proof of 104.

This whiskey also has a touching story behind it, and it was crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell after he found out his son, Associate Blender Bruce Russell was a fan of rye whiskey — before it was popular.

The elder Russell laid down a cask a decade ago during a time when many distillers were pulling whiskey off store shelves. The brand named the whiskey “Triumph” to honor the recent rye renaissance and Wild Turkey’s commitment to making stellar rye.

With a bold and powerful nose, coupled with a palate that has toffee, grassiness, spice and mint, this is a classic and satisfying rye. The finish has a dessert-like quality with some waffle cone and maple, rounding out those bold punchy herbal qualities, making it a total winner — or should we say, a Triumph.