Before the American Revolution, rum was the spirit of choice for most of the British colonies. Rum's popularity was due to the cheap and steady flow of molasses from the Caribbean; after the American Revolution, that flow was cut off and the United States turned to rye, which grew well in poor soil and could be made into whiskey.
For a short period, rye was the most popular spirit in America, but gradually fell behind bourbon, likely because of bourbon's sweeter corn profile. In the 1970’s, the once thriving rye distilleries in Pennsylvania and Maryland were closed, and the brand names sold off to Kentucky without their historic mash bills. Since 2009, however, sales of rye have exploded and once again become popular.
Rye whiskey can be made anywhere in the world, though the most popular rye whiskeys are made in the US, Canada, and Western Europe. In the US, rye whiskey can be made in any state.
Rye grain makes a very unique whiskey, and generally has a much broader spectrum of possible flavors than bourbon or malt whiskeys. Most ryes are described as having a strong spice character that works well in cocktails such as the Manhattan or Sazerac. Rye grain is packed full of flavor compounds that express differently, depending on whether the grain is malted or unmalted and what the temperature is during fermentation. Because of this, the flavor of rye whiskeys can vary widely from spicy to fruity to bubble gum, as well as herbal, grassy, or even black licorice.
Whiskey fermented from a mash of at least 51% rye grain, distilled at or below 80% ABV, stored in charred new oak barrels at or below 62.5% ABV, and bottled at 40% ABV or higher.
Whiskey that has been aged for a minimum of two years. Straight whiskies cannot have any additives and can only be proofed with water.
Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana / Midwest Grain Products is a former Segrams distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana that became infamous for its unique 95% rye, 5% malted barley rye whiskey. This style of rye rose in popularity due to brands such as Templeton, Bulleit, High West, Smoke Wagon, and countless others who purchased aged rye in bulk from MGP and sold it under their brand labels.
Any rye whiskey not labeled as straight or bottled in bond is allowed to add coloring, flavoring or blending additives to the whiskey without having listing them on the label as long as they do not exceed 2.5% by volume of the finished product.