The Best Rye Whiskey

The best rye whiskey brands are those from the best whiskey brands that are aged to perfection. These best rye whiskey choices can be enjoyed alone, as a sipper, or mixed into a drink like a Manhattan, a rye sour or an Old Fashioned. These are not your typical Jim Beam or Canadian Club rye whiskeys, these are the best rye whiskeys around.

Whiskey is unique in that in the United States, by law it must be created with at least 51% rye grain to be considered a rye whiskey. As creating whiskey from corn is easier to grow and sweeter, rye whiskey is generally more expensive and considered a better type of whiskey. Canadian rye whiskey on the other hand doe not have this percentage requirement giving Canadian rye whiskeys, or rye whisky as it's often spelled, a different taste.

Going further, straight rye whiskey is the cream of the crop among rye whiskeys as it must be aged for at least two years prior to sale. Many of the top rye whiskey varieties are aged for much longer, however. A favorite Russell's Reserve Rye Whiskey is aged for six years. The delicious Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye Whiskey doubles that with a 13-year aging process. Black Maple Hill has a version aged 23 years. Many others with long aging times in between are also adored.

So whether you prefer the Reservoir Straight Rye Whiskey, the Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey or simply the Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey, you owe it to yourself to sample (responsibly of course) these other great rye whiskey varieties. Share your picks for the top rye whiskeys by voting below! Then, head over and vote for the best tequila brands and the best bourbon brands too!