Rye whiskey

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For other uses, see Rye whiskey (disambiguation).
A bottle of American rye whiskey

Rye whiskey can refer to either of two types of whiskey: 1) American rye whiskey, which must be distilled from at least 51 percent rye; 2) Canadian whisky, which is often referred to (and labelled as) rye whisky for historical reasons, although it may or may not actually include any rye in its production process.

Contents

[edit] American rye whiskey

In the United States, "rye whiskey" is, by law, made from a mash of at least 51 percent rye. (The other ingredients of the mash are usually corn and malted barley.) It is distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% abv), and aged in charred, new oak barrels. The whiskey must be put into such barrels at not more than 125 (U.S.) proof (62.5% abv). Rye whiskey that has been so aged for at least two years may be further designated as "straight", as in "straight rye whiskey".[1]

Rye whiskey was the prevalent whiskey of the northeastern states, especially Pennsylvania and Maryland, but largely disappeared after Prohibition. A few brands, such as Old Overholt, survived it. Today Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Jim Beam and Catoctin Creek (among others) also produce rye whiskeys, as does a distillery at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington, which sells a version of the rye Washington made. Rye is currently undergoing a small but growing revival in the United States.[2][3]

[edit] Canadian rye whisky

Canadian whisky is often referred to as "rye whisky," since historically much of the content was from rye. With no requirement for rye to be used to make whiskies with the legally-identical labels "Canadian Whisky", "Canadian Rye Whisky" or "Rye Whisky" in Canada, provided they "possess the aroma, taste and character generally attributed to Canadian whisky",[4] in some cases the corn-to-rye ratio may be as high as 9:1.[5] Most contemporary Canadian whiskies contain only a fraction of rye, with the exception of Alberta Premium which is one of the very few whiskies made from 100% rye mash.

In contrast with the US "straight rye whiskey" counterpart, a minimum of 3 years of small (700l/~185USG or less) wooden barrel aging is required for the "Canadian Whisky", "Canadian Rye Whisky" and "Rye Whisky" labels, although they need not be new oak, nor charred.

[edit] Differences between rye and bourbon

Rye is known for imparting what many call a spicy or fruity flavor to the whiskey. Due to its distinctive flavor, American rye whiskey is sometimes referred to as America's equivalent of an Islay whisky.[6] Bourbon, distilled from at least 51% corn, is noticeably sweeter, and tends to be fuller bodied than rye. As bourbon gained popularity beyond the southern United States, bartenders increasingly substituted it for rye in cocktails like Whiskey Sours, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds, which were initially made only with rye. All other things being equal, the character of the cocktail will be drier with rye.[7]

[edit] American distillers

Approximately twenty US distilleries produce about forty different ryes.

[edit] Canadian distillers

Approximately a dozen Canadian distillers make rye whisky today. Only a few produce a whisky with majority rye content, most famously Alberta Distillers' Alberta Premium and Alberta Springs, and Wiser's Old Rye Whisky, long distilled on the shores of Lake Ontario. Popular international brands of Canadian whisky are Canadian Club and Crown Royal.

[edit] Specialties

"Rye and Ginger" is a popular cocktail in Canada and New York made with rye whiskey and ginger ale.

"Rock and Rye" is the name of two distinct beverages: a citrus fruit flavored whiskey-based liqueur made from American rye bottled with a bit of rock candy (crystallized sugar); and a toddy made with rye whiskey, bitters, and rock candy.

"Rye and Dry" is a cocktail made with rye whiskey, dry vermouth, and optionally a dash of orange bitters.

The Detroit, MI based Faygo soft drink company features a beverage called "Rock & Rye." While it has no rye whiskey in it, it is meant to mimic the flavor of a traditional "Rock and Rye."

[edit] Rye bottlings

[edit] U.S. rye whiskey

[edit] Canadian rye whisky

  • Alberta Premium (100% rye, 5 years old)
  • Alberta Springs (100% rye, 10 years old)
  • Alberta Premium Limited Edition (100% rye, 25 years old)
  • Canadian 83
  • Canadian Club
  • Canadian Five Star
  • Crown Royal
  • Forty Creek
  • Gibson's Finest
  • Jefferson's Straight Rye Whiskey (10 year old, 100% rye)
  • Lot 40 Pot Still Single Canadian (NAS)
  • Royal Reserve
  • Seagrams VO
  • Walker's Special
  • Wiser's Old Whisky
  • Wisers Special Blend
  • WhistlePig Whiskey
    • WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits," Title 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Pt. 5.22.
  2. ^ "Rye's Revival," Wine Spectator magazine, July 31, 2008
  3. ^ Catoctin Creek Press Release, March 15, 2010
  4. ^ "Canadian Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870) - Canadian Whisky, Canadian Rye Whisky or Rye Whisky (B.02.020.)"
  5. ^ "Rye: Situation and Outlook," Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bi-Weekly Bulletin, 2006-06-02 | Volume 19 Number 8 | ISSN 1494-1805 | AAFC No. 2081/E
  6. ^ "You are all going to discover the beauty of young rye whiskey," Roundtable Interview, Malt Advocate Volume 16, Number 2, 2007.
  7. ^ See, e.g. Wondrich, David, Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar, Perigee Books, 2007. (ISBN 978-0-399-53287-0) At page 241 Wondrich states, in giving the recipe for a Manhattan, that "[a]ll things being equal, a 100-proof rye will make the best Manhattan..."
  8. ^ Copper Fox Distillery Products website
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ [2]
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