It’s December 26, and I’m going to try a new rye whiskey every day this month. And while my rye game is not as weak as my Scotch game was this time last year, I’m always up for suggestions on good rye whiskies. And now that I have goals (it’s good to have goals), there are some key players I could use your help finding. Send me your favorite, readily-available rye. Goals (abridged): 5 ryes. 4.5 stars. Readily available. (5/5, WT101, Whistlepig 10, Whistlepig 12, Old Riff, VOSN Summer Rye) I want to recognize the difference between any bourbon and any rye. First try. One of these must be an Empire Rye. (1/1, Hudson) I want a burning rye. I one the one that feels like Tabasco sauce on chapped lips. >>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<< Big thanks to @Anthology for recommending this rye! Nose is brine, salt, pear, yeast, dust. Melon. Body is anise, licorice, leather, sugar, mint. Finish is heavy on mint, with a bit of dark chocolate. This one screams Heaven Hill profile to me. It’s not an arrangement of flavors that I’m crazy about, but like all HH products, I can’t deny the talent in the bottle. I could see this being an amazing mixer, but not something I’d reach for neat on a regular basis.