The World’s Best Rye Whiskeys According To The Top Whiskey Competitions

The revival of rye whiskey is now in its second decade and shows no sign of slowing down. With hundreds of rye whiskeys available in various styles, there are plenty of expressions to choose from. Here are tasting notes on 20 rye whiskeys that have consistently won gold or higher awards or scored more than 90 points in at least five international spirit competitions. They are all among the world’s best rye whiskeys!

WhistlePig 10 YO Straight Rye Whiskey, WhistlePig Farm Distillery, Vermont

San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC), Double Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), 96 points; International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), Gold; World Whiskies Awards (WWA), Best Rye Whiskey; International Spirits Challenge (ISC), Gold.

The world’s most awarded rye whiskey is rich and complex, with caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and clove flavors. Its long, peppery finish features hints of oak and citrus.

Michter’s 10 YO Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

The rye whiskey is bold and spicy, with dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted oak flavors. The finish is long, with lingering caramel notes and a touch of cinnamon and pepper.

Sazerac Rye, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; Whisky Advocate Awards (WAA), Top Rye.

Produced at Sazerac’s legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery, this rye whiskey classic is spicy and robust, with cinnamon, vanilla, and pepper flavors. The finish is long and warm with a hint of citrus.

Pikesville Straight Rye, Heaven Hill Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

A historic 19th-century Maryland rye, now produced by Heaven Hill in Kentucky. The rich and spicy whiskey features caramel, vanilla, and baking spice flavors. The finish is long and smooth, with a touch of pepper.

Russell’s Reserve 6 YO Rye, Wild Turkey Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 93 points; IWSC, Silver Outstanding; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; International Spirits Challenge, Silver.

This rye whisky is smooth and balanced, with caramel, vanilla, and rye spice flavors. Its long, sweet finish features lingering caramel and seasoned oak notes.

High West Double Rye, High West Distillery, Utah

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 92 points; IWSC, Silver Outstanding; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Silver.

A bold and spicy whiskey with mint, clove, and cinnamon flavors, balanced by a warm, peppery finish with a touch of honey. A perfect cocktail rye whiskey!

Knob Creek Rye, Jim Beam Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

It is rich and robust, a legendary rye whiskey from one of America’s oldest distillers, with caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and clove flavors. The finish is long and warm, with a touch of oak.

Rittenhouse Straight Rye 100 Proof, Heaven Hill Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; Ultimate Spirits Challenge, 93 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; WAA, Top Rye.

It’s spicy and bold, a classic, high-rye, Pennsylvania-style whiskey featuring cinnamon, vanilla, and pepper flavors. Its long, warm finish, with a hint of citrus, complements its flavors.

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Rye, Woodford Reserve Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 92 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

Smooth and balanced, with caramel, vanilla, and spicy cinnamon flavors, this whiskey features a long, warm finish with a touch of well-seasoned oak.

Old Forester Rye, Brown-Forman, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 93 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; WAA, Top Rye.

Another historic rye brand, this whiskey is bold and spicy, with caramel, vanilla, and pepper flavors. It exhibits a long, warm finish and subtle but lingering citrus notes.

Templeton Rye 6 YO, Templeton Distillery, Iowa

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 92 points; IWSC, Silver Outstanding; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Silver.

The whiskey is fruity and spicy, with distinctive stone fruit flavors, especially nectarine, caramel, vanilla, and rye spice. It has a long, warm finish with a lingering touch of oak.

Angel’s Envy Rye, Louisville Distilling Co., Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; WWA, Top Rye.

The whiskey is smooth and sweet, with caramel, vanilla, and maple syrup flavors. The finish is long and sweet, with a touch of lingering spiciness.

New Riff Rye, New Riff Distilling, Kentucky

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 92 points; IWSC, Silver Outstanding; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Silver.

A top, new, craft rye whiskey, it’s robust and spicy, with caramel, vanilla, and pepper flavors. The finish is long and warm, with lingering caramel and a hint of oak.

Willett Family Estate Rye, Willett Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

One of the most heavily medaled rye whiskeys, it’s rich and complex with dark cherry, caramel, vanilla, and rye spice flavors. The finish is long, with lingering cherry notes and a touch of oak.

Bulleit Rye, Bulleit Distilling Co., Kentucky

SFWSC, Gold; USC 93 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

One of the best values among rye whiskeys, it’s bold and spicy, with flavors of dried citrus zest, caramel, vanilla, and pepper. Its finish is long and warm, with a lingering hint of citrus.

Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye, Mountain Laurel Spirits, Pennsylvania

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 92 points; IWSC, Silver Outstanding; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Silver.

Another traditional high rye Pennsylvania whiskey, it’s robust with flavors of caramel, rye spice, and dark fruit, complemented by a long, peppery finish with a touch of oak.

Redemption Rye, Redemption Whiskey, Indiana

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 93 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

The rye whisky is smooth and spicy, with caramel, vanilla, and pepper flavors and hints of stone fruit. It is an excellent base for cocktails and features a long, warm finish with a touch of citrus.

Peerless Kentucky Straight Rye, Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 95 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

Another top-ranked rye whiskey and a perennial standout in whiskey competitions, it’s floral and herbal on the nose and rich and complex on the palate. It features brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, rye spice flavors, and hints of tropical fruits. The finish is long, sweet, and fruity, with a hint of oak.

E.H. Taylor, Jr. Straight Rye, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Kentucky

SFWSC, Double Gold; USC, 94 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; WAA, Top Rye.

A legendary brand from an iconic distillery, E.H. Taylor Straight Rye is bold and spicy, with flavors of orchard fruit, caramel, vanilla, pepper, rye spice, and a slight herbal note. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy, with a touch of citrus zest at the end.

George Dickel Rye, Cascade Hollow Distilling Co., Tennessee

SFWSC, Gold; USC, 92 points; IWSC, Gold; WWA, Best Rye Whiskey; ISC, Gold.

This whiskey, produced from a 95% rye mash bill, undergoes the Lincoln County maple charcoal filtration process. It’s sweet, smooth, and balanced with caramel, vanilla, and rye spice flavors. The finish is long and sweet, with a lingering hint of oak. At an average price of $25, it’s also great value.

These rye whiskey expressions represent some of the finest examples of this style, each crafted meticulously by their respective distilleries. Rye whiskey is known for its robust, caramel and spicy character, often complimented by stone and tropical fruit notes, and these expressions showcase the depth and complexity achievable with this grain.

Whether new to rye whiskey or a seasoned enthusiast, these expressions offer a diverse range of flavor profiles to explore. Each of these whiskeys has earned its place among the best in the world, recognized for its quality and craftsmanship in multiple prestigious competitions.

See also the World’s Best Rye Whiskeys According to the International Wines & Spirits Competition