What are the best rye whiskeys to drink in 2022? Well, that depends on how much you want to spend. So, I have compiled a list of some of the best rye whiskeys by price and value. What is the best rye under $30? What are the best ryes under $60? What are the best ryes under $100? Let's see the best rye whiskey brands to drink right now.
Rye Whiskeys Under $30
With a retail price of around $24.99, Old Forester Rye Whisky might be the best rye whiskey value on the market. Brown-Forman says that with this rye whiskey, spice awakens immediately, leading with sharp black pepper and cinnamon stick, rounding out with notes of dried dill and baked apple. It is almost embarrassing that Old Forester produces a rye at this price point that is better than most ryes double this price.
$30 to $60 Rye Whiskeys
Coming in just below the $60 threshold at an MSRP of $59.99 is Wild Trukey Rare Breed Rye. Once this wonderful rye opens up, watch out. It has an aroma of caramel, green apple, and vanilla. Its palate features caramel and fruit. The finish is smooth and balances out the palate with spice and dried fruit.
Wildernesses Trail Rye is one of the best pure rye whiskey on this list, and it comes in at a retail price of $54.99. "Pure rye whiskey" means that it is a rye drinker's rye. It probably has the most robust rye taste of any whiskey on this list while being superbly drinkable neat. We find this strong rye taste interesting since Wilderness Trail states that their rye mash bill is one they created for a broader balance of flavor to offset the typical high ryes commonly found.
Coming in at a modest price of $49.99, Tiz Rye Time drinks well above its price point. The distiller describes it as a rye brimming with aromas of butterscotch, cardamom, dates, and grapefruit, leading to a rich palate of dark caramel, licorice, gingerbread, and black pepper. It is also wonderfully oily and rich.
$60 to $100 Rye Whiskeys
Retailing at $89.99, Stellum Black Rye is a delectable rye and one of my favorites at this price point. Stellum describes the palate as buttery and rich with chocolate mint, star anise, and sesame flavors, leaving a finish of fresh dill and cracked black peppercorns. I might add that it is one of the creamiest rye whiskeys on the market.
Retailing at around $79.99, if you can find it, each barrel of Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Rye will have its unique tasting notes and various proofs. However, the Old Forester Distillery describes the tastes as full-bodied with a base of ripe orchard fruit, subtle cinnamon stick, dried dill, and hazelnut. This description does not do it justice. The batch and proof I have may be the best rye I've experienced in recent memory.
Conclusion
Of course, I have not tasted every rye whiskey under $100. However, of those I have tried, these are the cream of the crop at each price point. As I experience more rye whiskeys, I will update this list as needed.