The 9 Best Rye Whiskeys for a Manhattan in 2026

Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky Bottled-in-Bond — $25

The undisputed king of budget cocktail rye. Rittenhouse Bottled-in-Bond has been the default Manhattan rye for bartenders and home enthusiasts alike for decades, and for good reason: at 100 proof and $25, it punches well above its price class. The nose delivers rye spice alongside caramel, spicy cinnamon and warm molasses. The palate brings more of the same — rye spice, vanilla and molasses with a mild metallic edge that vanishes entirely once it hits vermouth and bitters. The finish is medium in length, spicier and hotter than the nose, but deeply satisfying.

In a Manhattan, Rittenhouse is exceptional. The 100-proof ABV holds up beautifully to dilution, and the spice profile is exactly what the cocktail calls for. If you’re stocking a home bar and want a dedicated cocktail rye that won’t break the bank, this is your bottle. It’s the king for a reason. Buy two.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye — $27

Wild Turkey’s rye dialed up to where it belongs — 101 proof, matching the distillery’s cult-favorite bourbon — is a dependable, characterful bottle that sometimes flies under the radar. Bold brown sugar, rye spice, and pepper greet you on the nose alongside a hint of orange peel and rising bread. The palate is medium-weighted with clove, pepper, sourdough, and brown sugar, at a proof that’s basically perfect for cocktail work. The finish runs medium to long, not the most complex in the lineup but satisfying: brown sugar, pepper, clove, and fresh-baked rolls that work beautifully together.

In a Manhattan, Wild Turkey 101 Rye delivers a spicier, slightly more rustic experience than Rittenhouse with a bit more brown sugar sweetness rounding things out. Occasionally hard to find, but always worth grabbing when you spot it.

Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye — $32

Despite how massive it is, Jack Daniel’s is perhaps the most slept-on distillery in America in terms of how excellent its mid-shelf whiskeys are. These days, the brand is much more than Old No. 7 and Tennessee Honey. The Bonded series is evidence. For around $30 a bottle, you can get really excellent Bottled-in-Bond whiskey — whether you go with this one, the Tennessee Whiskey or the Triple Mash. Where most ryes lead with spice, Jack’s Bonded Rye leads with fruit — big banana cream sweetness on the nose alongside maple, apple, pear, and a touch of cherry. The palate fills out with baking spice, creamed corn, big rye spice, and more banana.

In a Manhattan, this fruit-forward character makes for a distinctly different cocktail — one that’s slightly sweeter and more tropical than a classic rye Manhattan. Pair it with a drier vermouth to balance the fruit and you’ll have something genuinely memorable.

If you want to go higher-proof for a slightly higher price, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye is also one of the best mid-shelf ryes on the market.

Sazerac Rye Full Proof — $40

Sagamore Small Batch Rye — $40

Something from Sagamore Spirit — the Baltimore distillery making some of the best rye out there — had to crack this list. Made from two mashbills (one high-rye, one lower-rye) and blended in 20-barrel batches, this is a well-balanced rye that’s classic spicy rye on the nose with lots of ginger and clove joined by anise and creamy caramel. The palate is viscous for the proof with a big gingerbread note meeting cocoa and caramel. Big gingerbread character continues on the finish alongside maple, pine, and clove.

Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye — $45

Released in 2024, Minden Mill is a distillery near South Lake Tahoe crafting a genuinely estate-grown, estate-distilled, estate-aged rye from grains grown on its own Bently Ranch. At 80% rye, this is a high-rye mashbill that brings boldness to every pour. The nose is sweet and pleasant — caramel, powdered sugar, cinnamon, buttercream frosting, cherry and plum. The palate offers moderate weight with buttercream, praline, almonds, brioche, cinnamon, nutmeg, cherry, brown sugar and peppermint. The finish trails through powdered sugar, almond, nutmeg, mint and pepper.

Minden Mill’s rye is sweeter and more dessert-forward than most on this list, with its cherry and buttercream notes creating a distinctive Manhattan that leans into richness. A lovely, flavorful bottle from a distillery with serious upside — and one that’s still flying well under the radar nationally.

Milam & Greene Straight Rye Finished in Port Wine Casks — $52

Milam & Greene’s port-finished rye takes a solid MGP rye base and finishes it in ex-port wine casks. That finishing process, plus the Texas climate, does a lot to this whiskey, adding a layer of dried fruit, dark berry and subtle sweetness that makes this one of the most cocktail-forward bottles on the list. The port finish introduces dark cherry, dried plum, and a vinous richness that plays beautifully against sweet vermouth’s own fruit character — creating a Manhattan with unusual depth and a wine-like elegance that’s hard to find elsewhere at this price.

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Rye — $54

Rabbit Hole’s first rye and a genuinely compelling one despite its youth. Sweet, fragrant and citrus-forward on the nose with a nice rye spice backbone and strong floral notes that set it apart from the gingerbread-heavy bottles elsewhere on this list. The palate is sweet with moderate weight, brown sugar, apple, clove, spicy pepper and light oak.

In a Manhattan, Boxergrail’s floral and apple notes create a lighter, more aromatic cocktail than the gingerbread-dominant ryes. Excellent if you want something refined and a little unexpected. A very competent rye that shines despite its relative youth.

Still Austin Cask Strength Rye — $58

Still Austin is arguably America’s best craft distillery, and it’s expanding while the industry shrinks. This cask-strength rye is a killer bottle and is elite in any cocktail. The nose is punchy and full of brown sugar, lemon zest, big rye spice, and a lovely pie crust note — peppy and lively, ducking between heavy spice and softer dessert notes. The palate is moderate to rich with tannin, brown sugar, apple butter, herbal spice, ginger, pine, and pepper. The finish is short to medium but clean, trailing off through pepper, ginger, maple, and a hint of tobacco.

Still Austin’s mastery of oak and tannin management is what makes this special — at 116 proof it never feels too fiery, and in a Manhattan the cask strength dilutes to exactly where you want it. An exceptional bottle from a distillery that’s rapidly becoming one of America’s most interesting producers.