# Do you like Rye Whiskey? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [February 26, 2011, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670 "2011-02-26T03:53:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/21 "2011-02-26T21:03:30Z")
Too many childhood incidents of grabbing a cup off the table thinking it had just coke in it and finding out it was rye and coke have turned me off of it. I still get a little feeling of nostalgia whenever I see a bottle of Golden Wedding though. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2011, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/22 "2011-02-26T21:52:11Z")
I love rye! Manhattan’s are supposed to be made with rye. The Black Maple Hill 23 year old **silenus** mentions is the finest whiskey I’ve ever had in my life. But it’s too good to mix in a Manhattan. In addition to Russell’s, try [High West](http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1037707) or [Michter’s](http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1011880), both very good and affordable. ---
**Author:** ![that\_darn\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/59ef9b/32.png) [@that\_darn\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/that_darn_cat)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/23 "2011-02-27T04:01:45Z")
Old Overcoat isn’t bad for the price, better than Jim Beam. Russell’s Reserve is ok, but too pricey for the quality. Right now I have a bottle of Ri, very nice, a little spicy and great with a dash of bitters. _Dressed in black tossing back A shot of rye. Finding things to do in Denver When you die_ -Warren Zevon ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/24 "2011-02-27T04:51:46Z")
> [@kushiel](#): > > Too many childhood incidents of grabbing a cup off the table thinking it had just coke in it and finding out it was rye and coke have turned me off of it. > > I still get a little feeling of nostalgia whenever I see a bottle of Golden Wedding though. Once I asked if I could have a drink of my uncle’s ice water. I took a drink, only to discover that it wasn’t water, but vodka. Everyone thought it was funny, though. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/25 "2011-02-27T13:00:37Z")
I like Redemption Rye, they also make a bourbon rye that I have yet to taste. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/26 "2011-02-27T15:35:49Z")
> [@usar\_jag](#): > > Has anyone tried WIld Turkey Rye Whiskey? I was given a bottle, and I want to know if it is better consumed neat, on the rocks, or in a Manhattan… Yes. I’ve not tried it in a Manhattan, but I’ve consumed it both neat on on rocks, and I’d go rocks with this one. > [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Jim Beam Rye is the best kept secret in whisky. It is much too good for the $19 dollars they charge. Really? I tried to love it, but I don’t. I don’t want to hastily conclude that I may not like Rye, because my experiences have been limited to the major brands, and some bottom shelf crap. I wish I could find some of The Good Stuff around, so that I can give it a fair shake. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/27 "2011-02-27T16:41:58Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Jim Beam Rye is the best kept secret in whisky. It is much too good for the $19 dollars they charge. It doesn’t taste that different to me than their bourbon. I figure they went right up to the 51% rye constitution requred by law to call itself rye and the rest is bourbon. Of course, that it’s to say the stuff is bad. ---
**Author:** ![Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ce7236/32.png) [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mona_Lisa_Simpson)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/28 "2011-02-27T17:20:33Z")
Most Canadian whisky is Rye. When I was growing up grownups always had a bottle of Rye in the house for drinks, and if you wanted something other than beer or rye you must be a sissy or a pinko communist. Then the 80s happened and vodka became sort of normal. Rye and ginger is total nostalgia for me. It is also my drink of choice if I am in the mood to drink excessively, become blotto, and not sick the next day. (I did not say no hangover, but I did say not sick) A friend of mine said “ooh thats a total hard core drinkers drink” Gibsons is good. I like 40 Creek Whisky but not all of it is rye, there are blends. Wisers or Canadian Club was what my family and their friends usually had around, back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/29 "2011-02-27T17:34:47Z")
> [@Mona\_Lisa\_Simpson](#): > > Most Canadian whisky is Rye. Canadaian whiskys are a good bit different than American ryes. The biggest difference is that by law in the US, a rye whisky is one in which rye is at least 51% of the mash bill. Most Canadian whiskys have a far lower rye content in them–I can’t find definitive exact numbers, but there’s no law governing how much rye a Canadian whisky must have, and Wikipedia claims the content of major brands is as low as 10%. [Here’s one cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_whisky): > [@](#): > > It is a common misconception that Canadian whiskies are primarily made using rye. The use of rye is not dictated by law, and whisky products of all grain types are often generically referred to as (and may legally be labeled as) “rye whisky” in Canada. Under Canadian law, the term “Canadian rye whisky” is simply synonymous with “Canadian whisky”. > > In contrast, the U.S. definition of “rye whisky” prevents low rye content whiskies from being labeled “rye”. The U.S. also requires that if whisky is blended or contains coloring, flavoring or distillates with 80% or greater alcohol content, this must be acknowledged on the label by including the term “blended” in the description on the label. Canadian law does not have this requirement. Moreover, U.S. law requires at least 20% of the content of a blended whiskey to be “straight whiskey” rather than neutral spirits or “light whiskey”, which is not required under Canadian law. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/30 "2011-02-27T17:39:34Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Old Overshoe is only fit for mixed drinks. Blech. I, OTOH, love Russell’s Reserve. It is my go-to rye for Manhattans and just drinking straight. The key idea there was for the price. I imagine you wouldn’t even mix similarly priced booze. ---
**Author:** ![diku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4af34b/32.png) [@diku](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diku)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/31 "2011-02-28T18:51:19Z")
Sazerac and Jim Beam Rye are mighty tasty. I drink Scotch more these days, but I love a good rye. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/32 "2011-02-28T19:04:55Z")
Sazerac is an excellent rye. Makes a great Manhattan, too. ---
**Author:** ![mundylion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundylion/32/3604_2.png) [@mundylion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mundylion)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/33 "2011-02-28T19:07:01Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > The only rye I’ve ever bought had half-rotted lemons already in the bottle. It was foul. Hah. That wasn’t Rye Whiskey, that was a liqueur called “Rock and Rye” which is sweet and usually contains whole fruit as well as some chunks of rock candy (sugar). This was very popular years ago but has fallen out of favor. Well deserved, imho. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/34 "2011-02-28T19:08:08Z")
A vote for [Old Potrero](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/oldpotrero_18th.htm), and pretty much anything else that Anchor Distilling makes. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/35 "2011-02-28T21:46:25Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > A vote for [Old Potrero](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/oldpotrero_18th.htm), and pretty much anything else that Anchor Distilling makes. +1 ---
**Author:** ![DETXL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/detxl/32/19366_2.png) [@DETXL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DETXL)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/36 "2011-02-28T21:59:19Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > A vote for [Old Potrero](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/about_us/oldpotrero_18th.htm), and pretty much anything else that Anchor Distilling makes. I came in to mention Old Potrero and was beat to the punch. Though, come to think of it, I’m not really sure where to get it in a store. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/37 "2011-02-28T22:05:52Z")
You are some cranky old guys. I’ve been drinking Old Overholt bonded since I was 18 and I can’t tell the difference between that and the yellow label Jim Beam (IIRC that’s the rye). I actually bought bartending school at the International Bartending Academy up on 7th Ave in NYC, and they never let us taste any ryes. Now I’m curious. Doper hang at my apt in PDX, females who are spayed are welcome. ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/38 "2011-02-28T23:31:03Z")
It’s a regional thing. Manhattan were originally made with rye whiskey. But in the south and the west rye ain’t it. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/39 "2011-03-01T00:08:34Z")
I put Old Overholt and Jim Beam rye on about the same level, with a slight advantage to Old Overholt. It seems like every month there is a new small batch rye out there, so much drinking to do, I might just have to quit my job. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670/40 "2011-03-01T00:46:03Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I like Redemption Rye, they also make a bourbon that I have yet to taste. Think of Redemption Bourbon as the hot 16-year old babysitter. Nice packaging, but if you touch it you will pay dearly because of its age. The stuff is way too young, so it shows its corn likker roots too much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-rye-whiskey/572670.md?page=3)