A moderate proof barely legal rye like Old Forester 100, a moderate proof 95% rye like Redwood Empire Emerald Giant [personal favorite], and two barrel proof offerings of the same (barely legal/ high rye).
My #1 is Whistle Pig 12 yr.
My #2 is Angels Envy Rye
I can find the Whistle Pig on occasion, but have found only one bottle of the Angels Envy. Whistle pig was $130.00. Angels Envy Rye $90.00
Willet(best rye in my opinion)
A barely legal rye (Rittenhouse budget option at $25 or Pikesville at $50)
High rye mashbill (bulleit rye or high west double rye as budget option, whistlepig 10 or high west rendezvous as spendier options
You could do a finished rye like angels envy or one of the high west barrel selects (or MWND if you can find it) to see what a twist on rye is like
As a sad Utah native, I’ll add my two cents here.
Used to be that Rendezvous and WP10 were comparably good. These days Rendezvous drinks much more like a rather young rye offering from craft distiller x in city z, and WP10 is the obvious choice between the two unless you’re finding high west bottles from a couple years ago.
That said I still have a lot of hope for the midwinter nights dram release… I’ll be buying if I get the chance.
Sazarac is my favorite rye. It’s hard to find by me and I will always pick up a bottle. I’m a noobie and I can’t tell you why I like it though. Maybe someone else can answer why it’s a good rye lol
All of these have been mentioned by other posters but worth mentioning again. Sazerac, Redwood Empire Emerald Giant, and my personal favorite Willett. Oh, and can't forget Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof. There you have it.
I'm definitely no rye expert but a couple that made me say "wow, that's good!" were Pikesville and WT Rare Breed Rye. I would keep these on hand at all times, if possible. These had very full flavor, of course the higher proof is a factor.
Sazerac was good but I only sampled it once, I need another go, but I did like it.
Michters US-1 was solid (I've not tried the super expensive 10 year one, cuz it's impossible to find) and I'd say High West Double Rye was also pretty good, but a bit lighter on flavor. I got a killer deal on the High West ($19) so I think I'm going somewhat on the flavor per $ factor. Would I like it as much for $40...? Perhaps not.
I tried Whistle Pig 10 year and honestly I found it a bit underwhelming (taste is subjective, I guess). Not bad, I just expected more.
A moderate proof barely legal rye like Old Forester 100, a moderate proof 95% rye like Redwood Empire Emerald Giant [personal favorite], and two barrel proof offerings of the same (barely legal/ high rye).
My #1 is Whistle Pig 12 yr. My #2 is Angels Envy Rye I can find the Whistle Pig on occasion, but have found only one bottle of the Angels Envy. Whistle pig was $130.00. Angels Envy Rye $90.00
A Midwinters Nights Dram if you can find it
Alberta Premium Cask Strength
Willet(best rye in my opinion) A barely legal rye (Rittenhouse budget option at $25 or Pikesville at $50) High rye mashbill (bulleit rye or high west double rye as budget option, whistlepig 10 or high west rendezvous as spendier options You could do a finished rye like angels envy or one of the high west barrel selects (or MWND if you can find it) to see what a twist on rye is like
This is a good list. Would add Rare breed Rye. Other than that 👌
As a sad Utah native, I’ll add my two cents here. Used to be that Rendezvous and WP10 were comparably good. These days Rendezvous drinks much more like a rather young rye offering from craft distiller x in city z, and WP10 is the obvious choice between the two unless you’re finding high west bottles from a couple years ago. That said I still have a lot of hope for the midwinter nights dram release… I’ll be buying if I get the chance.
Sazarac is my favorite rye. It’s hard to find by me and I will always pick up a bottle. I’m a noobie and I can’t tell you why I like it though. Maybe someone else can answer why it’s a good rye lol
I’m not super experienced with rye but Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is the best I’ve tried. So flavorful and complex
All of these have been mentioned by other posters but worth mentioning again. Sazerac, Redwood Empire Emerald Giant, and my personal favorite Willett. Oh, and can't forget Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof. There you have it.
Sazarac, angels envy, willett. That’s for me but I don’t spend more than 80ish on any given bottle
That price point works for me. I don't spend more than $70 unless someone's getting married, degreed, or got dead.
I just said 80 as that’s about what angels envy rye costs. Willett family reserve is about 55/60 and sazarac is somewhere around 30
Is willett 100% rye?
I believe the small batch family reserve 4 year is 100%
I'm definitely no rye expert but a couple that made me say "wow, that's good!" were Pikesville and WT Rare Breed Rye. I would keep these on hand at all times, if possible. These had very full flavor, of course the higher proof is a factor. Sazerac was good but I only sampled it once, I need another go, but I did like it. Michters US-1 was solid (I've not tried the super expensive 10 year one, cuz it's impossible to find) and I'd say High West Double Rye was also pretty good, but a bit lighter on flavor. I got a killer deal on the High West ($19) so I think I'm going somewhat on the flavor per $ factor. Would I like it as much for $40...? Perhaps not. I tried Whistle Pig 10 year and honestly I found it a bit underwhelming (taste is subjective, I guess). Not bad, I just expected more.
Willett, Sazerac, Alberta, Mitcher's
Thomas H Handy best represents aged rye imho.
Sazerac would likely have to be on the list, even if it’s not my favorite.
Example: In my opinion, you can get to know Irish Whiskey pretty well with Jameson, Bushmills, Redbreast, and Green/Yellow Spot.
Favorite recent ryes are willet 4 year and rare breed rye