It’s no secret — bartenders love rye whiskey. And we’re not just talking about rye shots, picklebacks, and laybacks, either. Its mix of spicy, chocolaty, and herbal aromas and flavors along with its natural punchiness makes rye a uniquely stiff backbone able to support all kinds of cocktail ingredients. From tried-and-true classic tipples like the Sazerac and the Vieux Carré, to modern favorites, it’s clear that rye cocktails just work.
When it comes to choosing a flavorful yet affordable rye, it’s no surprise that bartenders have some strong opinions. As much as they’d likely prefer mixing with the latest WhistlePig Boss Hog or Michter’s 10 Year, they have to constantly balance price and flavor to make sure they’re serving the best drinks possible while running a successful business. If anyone knows which ryes deliver the best bang for your buck, it’s going to be a bartender. We asked a handful of them to recommend some ryes that punch well above their weight class. Here’s what they had to say.
The best bang-for-your-buck ryes, according to bartenders Rittenhouse Rye Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Fort Hamilton Rye Hudson Whiskey Do The Rye Thing Sazerac Rye Old Forester Rye Standard Proof Rye Ezra Brooks Rye Redemption Rye Peerless Rye New Riff Malted Rye
“[It] has always been and will always be Rittenhouse Rye from Heaven Hill. It’s a bottled-in-bond rye meaning that it is at least four years aged and bottled at 100 proof. Rittenhouse has those spicy fruity
