If it seems like the sudden surge in popularity of rye whiskey is just a passing fad, think again. First distilled in 1750, several decades before the invention of bourbon, it was the dominant spirit in the fledgling United States. George Washington himself owned a rye distillery that produced up to 11,000 gallons a year, a version of which is still made at Mount Vernon today. Primarily produced in Pennsylvania and Maryland by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, it had a stranglehold on the market throughout the early nineteenth century.
A historically spicier whiskey than its close cousin, bourbon, it slowly began to decline in popularity, and the arrival of Prohibition almost killed it. As a grain and whiskey, rye is more expensive and challenging to work with than the corn used in bourbon. As the illegal liquor market spread across the country in the 1920s, bootleggers turned their backs on rye and instead dove into corn-based bourbon and moonshine.
When Prohibition was overturned in 1933, the once-proud and dominant rye whiskey market didn’t return. Instead, cheap Canadian whiskeys calling themselves ryes appeared, and the style sank to bottom-shelf status akin to rock gut. It was a tragic end to a once-beloved whiskey style.
Luckily, the booming cocktail and craft distilling scene of the new millennium has led to a revival of this iconic whiskey. You can easily find rye-based cocktails at most bars, and store shelves are filling up with new and exciting bottles of rye whiskey. While that’s nothing but good news for drinkers, it does raise the question of what bottles are the best to search out.
Every year since 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has brought together the finest bottles of booze from around the globe in one of the most significant events of its kind. Designed to identify the finest spirits on the planet, it has become one of the premier events on the spirits’ calendar. It’s often called the “Oscars of the Spirits World.” Each bottle is blind taste tested by an esteemed panel of judges. The finest are awarded double gold medals, and out of that pool, a select group of finalists are singled out for Best in Class Awards.
Here are the five bottles vying for the Best in Class Rye Whisky Award presented in no order. The champions will be revealed at their Top Shelf Awards Gala in San Francisco on October 5-6.
River Roots Barrel Company-Rye Whiskey Single Barrel
Situated in Cleveland, Ohio, the River Roots Barrel Company team is focused on producing high-quality American whiskeys that appeal to modern drinkers yet pay homage to time-honored techniques. Their Straight Rye Whiskey, a new offering, wowed the judges with flavors of cinnamon, clove, vanilla, and caramel.
Tumblin’ Dice-Curated Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey
It seems that every single year, the whiskeys from Tumblin’ Dice appear at the top of whiskey competitions across the globe. That is a testament to their creator, industry legend Dave Schmier. Known for his innovative and incredible blends of whiskey, he has been turning heads for decades. According to the judges, his Curated Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey exhibited notes of dried fruit, spice, caramel, and vanilla.
Dark Arts Whiskey House-Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Toasted Amburana Oak Staves
Dark Arts Whiskey House in Lexington, Kentucky, uses underutilized maturation and blending techniques to create liquid gold. It’s only fitting that their Straight Rye Whiskey would grab the judge’s attention. By adding toasted Ambrurana Oak staves to whiskey that has been aged at least six years, they have created a spirit that the judges called out due to its complex and aromatic nature.
Penelope Toasted Straight Rye Whiskey
Launched in 2018, Penelope Bourbon is a newcomer with a great backstory. Created to celebrate by Mike Paladini and Daniel Polise to celebrate the impending birth of Paladini’s first child, Penelope, it has quickly racked up a legion of devoted fans. Focused on using innovative approaches that focus on unique focuses and high-quality ingredients, their bottles are a prime example of the new breed of whiskey brands changing the game. Their Toasted Straight Rye Whiskey was noted as sweet and inviting, with notes of honey, vanilla, and a hint of spice.
Tabby Road-Single Barrel Rye #1B 116.2 Proof
Hailing from tiny Daufuskie Island just off the coast of South Carolina, Tabby Road only just entered the whiskey game. If their Single Barrel Rye is any indication, they have a long and fruitful road ahead. It’s a high-proof rye whiskey that delivers an intense experience with each sip. It is designed to showcase the spicy and bold flavors rye is known for. The judges noted its spice, vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla flavors.
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