Rye Vs. Bourbon Whiskey: What's the Difference?
Ahhh, Rye and Bourbon, two iconic American whiskies sharing a common heritage in American distilling, yet differing in both their composition and flavor profiles. Are rye whiskey and bourbon the same? Nope. Although it has never stopped being consumed, Rye whiskey has been talked about more than ever recently, and it seems to be trying to dethrone Bourbon from the top spot of American whiskeys.
While Bourbon remains the dominant whiskey in the U.S., Rye has been making a strong comeback in recent years, driven by its versatility in classic cocktails like the Old-Fashioned and Whiskey Sour. Is a war of the whiskies brewing? Not at all, though Rye is experiencing tremendous growth, its total volume in relation to Bourbon’s still represents only 4%: just under 10 million liters versus 220 million liters in 2018.
In fact, in some distilleries, both spirits quietly and successfully coexist.
How is rye whiskey different from bourbon? Which one should you choose? Well, it depends on the time of consumption and what your body craves that day. Here are the main differences between the two:
Composition
Bourbon must contain at least 51% corn, which gives it a sweeter, smoother taste with rich caramel and vanilla notes, often complemented by a robust oakiness from aging in charred American oak barrels. Rye, on the other hand, uses at least 51% rye grain, resulting in a drier, spicier whiskey with a more complex flavor profile that often features peppery, herbal, and fruity characteristics.
Also read: What Does Single Barrel Select Mean?
Whiskey Origin
While Bourbon must be produced exclusively in the United States, Rye can be made anywhere. In fact, Canada also produces it, but unlike U.S. legislation, there is no minimum percentage of rye in its composition, and it is usually low.
Organoleptic Properties
According to Javier Pulido, development manager at the Dstila distillery school in Madrid, Bourbon is: “easy and attractive, with an addictive flavor and aroma resulting from subjecting the cereal, in this case, corn and other grains that each distillery adds through its own recipes, to a strong toasting. This way, the grains are filtered and refined in barrels, which gives rise to a very peculiar aroma, somewhere between mint and cocoa, that, when combined with the popcorn and butter touch of corn, results in a winning combination.”
When you buy whiskey online for making cocktails, remember that a Bourbon may be ideal for making a great Manhattan. Rye, by contrast, is a drier and more complex spirit, “much more elegant and aromatic, with a spicy touch, ideal for adding to classic cocktails.”
Also Read: The Best Summer Cocktails
The Evolution
Although Bourbon inhabits our collective imagination as the quintessential American whiskey, Rye has always been there. It was very popular during the 18th and 19th centuries—indeed, George Washington even had his own distillery—but following Prohibition and the economic impact of World War II, both Bourbon and Rye consumption plummeted, with Rye nearly disappearing. During that time, people preferred Scotch blends, white rums, or vodka, and it wasn’t until the mid-1980s that the category started to recover, with continuous growth.
But if Rye has made a comeback, it is for two reasons. First, the Bourbon trend has dragged other styles of American whiskey along with it. Second, and most importantly, it is due to the rise of cocktail culture: when American bartenders rediscovered the classics 15 years ago, they realized that historically, most of them were made with Rye, not Bourbon or Canadian whiskey. So, it is advisable to order rye whiskey for a well-stocked home bar.
Similarities Between Rye Whiskey and Bourbon
Despite the differences between Bourbon and Rye Whiskey, these spirits have numerous similarities that distinguish them from their European counterparts and give them specific organoleptic characteristics. Both must be aged by law in new, charred American oak barrels, which are typically sold to Scotland after use. This is a win for the industry, as “the product is still being amortized,” explains Pulido, who points out that this type of barrel “gives the spirit an extra smoothness that can mask the alcohol, as the charring process extracts the sugars from the wood,” which results in that enveloping and velvety flavor so characteristic of good American Whiskeys.
Whether you prefer the sweeter, fuller body of Bourbon or the sharper, spicier edge of Rye, both offer a distinct taste of American craftsmanship and tradition.
We hope you enjoyed learning about how and why rye whiskey is different from Bourbon. Please leave us a comment below!
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