All about Rye Whiskey

The expression “Rye Whiskey” can be atoned for several sort of whiskeys, usually depending on the producer and the region where they are made. In America, the “Rye Whiskey” should be produced using 51% of rye at the minimum for it to be declared as a genuine whiskey made from rye. The rye, typically a kind of wheat, is known to provide the whiskey a peculiar taste and whiff. However, in Canada any whiskey that provides the similar taste and smell and doesn’t essentially have the required or prescribed concentration of the rye can be termed as a “Rye Whiskey”.

Malted barley and corn along with the necessary percentage of rye are usually used in America to produce elegant rye whiskey. Charred barrels of oak are generally used to age the whiskey. The other condition for it be declared as made from rye is that it should not be distilled to more than 160 proof and when barreled in charred oak casks it should not be above 125 proof. It actually means that the quantity of alcohol should not exceed 62% of the total content. The whiskey made from rye and aged for or more than two years is referred to as “Straight Rye Whiskey”.

On the other hand, the whiskey made from rye in Canada is totally different. Corn instead of rye takes over as the main ingredient while producing it in Canada. Although almost all the rye whiskeys produced in Canada have a certain percentage of the rye present, there is usually no established norm or rule for the quantity of rye that must be used while distilling this type of whiskey. Hence, the whiskeys stated to be made from rye and produced in Canada may contain or may not contain a significant quantity of rye in them. However, they do contain the fragrances and flavors that are normally associated with whiskeys made from rye as a primary ingredient, and they are generally referred to as a rye whiskey. Almost all the rye whiskeys produced in Canada use lesser quantity of rye comparatively and are aged for at least three years.

The rye whiskey was usually consumed in large quantities in the northeastern regions of America, but it mostly disappeared when the prohibition was implemented and struggled to make a comeback after that. At present, several of the lesser known distilleries still produce various types of whiskeys made specially from rye. However, the rye whiskeys are not as in style as the other forms of whiskeys produced in America such as Scotch and Bourbon. Made from the corn, Bourbon is quite sweater than the whiskeys made from rye and hence is quite popular. Still, the rye whiskey is commonly used in mixed drinks and very much liked throughout the America.

Many rye whiskey brands like Old Overholt, the one to survive the ban during probation, Old Potreo produced by Anchor Distilling Company, Russell’s Reserve Rye by Austin Nichols, Redemption Rye by Bardstown Barrel Selections and Roundstone Rye Whiskey by Catoctin Creek are quite popular across America.