The Top American Rye Whiskeys Under $50

Released in mid-March 2018 in celebration of the distillery's 10th anniversary, this rye whiskey from Balcones is made from 100% rye and is bottled at 100 proof. The rye mash bill includes 80% raw elbon grain from north and northwest Texas as well as crystal, chocolate, and roasted rye varieties. Aged just under two years, this product is matured in new American oak barrels and diluted to proof with Hill Country spring water. No additives used including color or flavor. This is a permanent addition to their spirits portfolio.

That's right, folks, a Bonded version of Old Overholt. Distilled in one season, at one distillery, and bottled at 100 proof. This straight rye whiskey is aged for four years in new, charred American oak. Product launched in February 2018 with availability limited to the US.

While Michter’s can trace its roots back to Pennsylvania in the 18th century, today it boasts two distilleries in Kentucky. For their Kentucky Straight Rye bottling, they release them as single barrel expressions so slight variations may occur.

Rossville Union Straight Rye is the first proprietary rye brand released by MGP Ingredients based in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. This straight rye whiskey is aged at least four years in new, charred American oak and is bottled at 94 proof. It was made from a batch of 159 barrels. Availability begins in June 2018 in select markets in the Midwest and Southwest US.

The folks at Corsair, Darek Bell and Andrew Webber, are known for having kind of a maverick approach to whiskey, with lots of experimental releases that often stray way outside tradition. Ryemageddon is their aged rye (though with no statement), using the Wry Moon recipe of malted and chocolate rye as well as red wheat.

Released in the middle of 2012 this small batch straight rye is the first from Knob Creek, and joins a line of ryes offered by its parent company Beam Global. Knob Creek Small Batch Rye is 'patiently aged' with a blend of up to 9 years old. Bottled at 100 proof. Note: As of March 31, 2023, Knob Creek has added an age statement of 7 years to this flagship Kentucky straight rye whiskey. Look for separate listing for details.

This is a blend of two straight rye whiskeys (hence the name) with ages ranging from 2-7 years. One rye was distilled at MGP in Indiana (mash bill: 95% rye and 5% barley malt). The second was distilled at High West (mash bill: 80% rye and 20% malted rye). Double Rye is bottled non-chill-filtered and at 92 proof. Note: This formerly included a 16 year-old straight rye from Barton Distillery in Kentucky (mash bill: 53% rye and 37% corn) instead of the High West distillate.

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye was released in February 2016 as part of the brand's Single Barrel Collection. It follows the release of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select and Barrel Proof. The mash bill is comprised of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley grain. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett created this expression using the same cave spring water, proprietary yeast, and charcoal-mellowing process as their 150-year-old Tennessee Whiskey recipe.

Answering the call for a bolder, burlier rye, Jim Beam master distiller Fred Noe has turned to one of the distillery's oldest recipes. Pre-Prohibition Style aims to recreate the rowdy frontier style of a rye from the days before the Roaring '20s.

Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Straight Rye is matured in the deepest no. 4 char barrels. Aged for six years in the “center cut” of the rickhouse. It is hand-selected by Jimmy and Eddie Russell. Bottled at 45% ABV.

Named after the Sazerac Coffee House on Royal Street in New Orleans (and subsequently the cocktail), Sazerac Rye is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. It is aged from four to six years and formerly had an age statement of six years. It's bottled at 90 proof. The rye category's growing popularity has made this bottling difficult to keep in stock.

One of the heroes of the rye world, Rittenhouse is a must have in your home bar, neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. It's a bargain for a bonded rye and always a welcome gift for beginners or those more advanced. This rye whiskey from Heaven Hill is bottled at 50% ABV.

As of early 2015, Woodford Reserve Rye is the latest member of the Woodford family of American whiskeys to join the party! Master Distiller Chris Morris has been working on this project since 2006, as an answer to fans who for many years have been requesting a rye from this historic distillery. It's made from a 53% rye mash bill, produced and aged at their distillery in Versailles, Kentucky.