Rye Whiskey vs Bourbon: 8 Differences & 3 Similarities (+ FAQs)

by Ari Rule

The Rye vs Bourbon debate has been long-standing among whiskey lovers.

After all, these are two of the most loved whiskeys to have emerged from America, and for good reasons.

So, what exactly are rye and bourbon whiskeys?

How do these drinks differ?

Let’s take a deep dive into the world of these quintessential American whiskeys and explore their rich history, flavor profile, production, and much more.

We’ll also introduce you to a safe and reliable way to invest in fine whiskey casks (through Vinovest).

Rye Whiskey vs Bourbon: 7 Key Differences

Let’s unravel the eight key differences between rye whiskey and bourbon, from their origins to their use in cocktails:

Origin & History
Flavor Profile
Styles
Mash Ingredients
Production Rules
Price
Usage in Cocktails

1. Origin & History

Rye whiskey and bourbon have a long and storied history that dates back to the 17th century.

Rye whiskey predates bourbon and was first produced in New York and Pennsylvania, where rye grain was abundant.

It was once the most popular American spirit, but its market collapsed during Prohibition. This was when bourbon and Scotch whisky began casting their spell on American whiskey lovers.

Interestingly, Rye whiskey has seen a resurgence in recent years — thanks to the craft distillery movement and cocktail culture.

Bourbon whiskey, in contrast, originated in Kentucky, where it was first produced in the early 1800s. The name "bourbon" comes from Bourbon County in Kentucky, where the first bourbon was made.

The spirit quickly became popular throughout the United States and is now one of the world's most popular types of whiskey.

Over the years, rye whiskey and bourbon have both evolved and changed.

Today, rye whiskey has gone global and is also produced in countries like Canada, Germany, and the UK. Bourbon, on the other hand, can only be produced in the USA.

2. Flavor Profile

Rye whiskey usually has a spicier, grain-forward flavor with hints of pepper and grass.

Meanwhile, bourbon has a high corn content and delivers a sweeter, smokier, and full-bodied taste — often described as caramel-like.

Both rye and bourbon whiskeys are largely sugar-free. However, untraceable amounts of sugar may still seep into the whisky during oak barrel aging.

3. Styles

The two common rye whiskey styles include:

US Rye: Made in the USA and known for its robust, spicy flavor profile. If you fancy the American Rye style, you can’t go wrong with Wild Turkey or Bulleit Rye whiskey.

Canadian Rye: Tends to be smoother, often with a hint of fruitiness. Prominent examples include Canadian Club and Alberta Premium.

Meanwhile, bourbon comes in the following styles:

Traditional Bourbon: This American whiskey is made with a standard corn-heavy mash bill, and is usually sweet and full-bodied. Jim Beam is a well-known example of this prevalent bourbon style.

Tennessee Whiskey: Produced just like bourbon but includes an additional charcoal filtering process for smoothness. Jack Daniel is a prime example.

High Wheat Bourbon: A softer, sweeter style due to higher wheat content. Famous names include Maker's Mark Private Select and Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve.

High Rye Bourbon: Adds a spicy kick to the traditional bourbon flavor — thanks to a higher rye proportion in the mash bill. Bulleit Bourbon is a popular choice for this style.

4. Mash Ingredients

The mash bill (or grain mixture) is a defining factor for rye and bourbon whiskeys.

Rye whiskey requires a mash bill with a dominant rye grain content, with some distilleries opting for even 100% rye mash.

In contrast, bourbon mash contains a higher amount of corn — averaging 65%-75%. The remainder is often a blend of malted barley, rye, and/or wheat.

Manufacturers tinker with grain proportions to create desired flavors. For example, a high wheat content in the mash (known as wheated bourbon) lends toasted oak and vanilla notes to the spirit.

5. Production Rules

The US Tobacco and Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau defines rye and bourbon whiskeys as separate product categories. Each product must meet specific standards to use the term ‘Bourbon Whiskey’ or ‘Rye Whiskey’ on the label.

The most important difference between their production rules is the proportion of primary grain in the mash.

American Rye whiskey must contain a minimum of 51% rye grain in the mash. Conversely, bourbon must contain at least 51% corn.

What about aging?

Bourbon must be aged for at least two years. But rye whisky doesn’t have such a minimum aging requirement. However, it must be aged for at least two years to qualify as a Straight Rye.

Keeping aside the minimum aging requirements, ryewhiskey is typically aged for a shorter period than bourbon. This is because rye whiskey has a higher alcohol content than bourbon, making it more stable. While Bourbon must be aged for at least two years, many producers age their bourbon for much longer.

7. Price

Various brands of rye and bourbon whiskeys come at different prices.

That said, a rye whiskey bottle can cost anywhere between $8 to $11,034. Meanwhile, a bourbon whiskey bottle can cost you anywhere between $8 and $ 52,427.

So, it’s clear that premium bourbon bottles tend to be more expensive than premium Rye whiskey bottles.

8. Usage in Cocktails

Both rye whiskey and bourbon do well in cocktails. But due to their unique taste profiles, they might be better suited for specific cocktails.

The spiciness of rye whiskey would be perfect for cocktails like:

Old Fashioned
Manhattan
Whiskey Sour
Ward 8
Sazerac

Bourbon, on the other hand, is more versatile due to its mellow and smooth flavors. You can use it to make:

Bourbon Sour
Kentucky Mule
Bourbon Sidecar
Gold Rush
Bourbon Street

By now, you may be wondering:

Do bourbon and rye whiskey have any similarities?

Rye Whiskey vs Bourbon: 2 Interesting Similarities

Here are two common links between bourbon and rye whiskey:

1. ABV Rules and Cask Wood Choice

Rye whiskey and bourbon must be distilled under 160 proof (80% ABV), aged under 125 proof (62.5% ABV), and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof (40% ABV).

Additionally, they must not contain any other ingredients except water (which helps reduce the proof).

Besides, both rye whiskey and bourbon must be aged in a new, single-use charred oak barrel.

2. Distillation Process

Aside from the differences in mash grains, rye and bourbon whiskeys follow similar distillation processes.

Most bourbon and rye whiskey distillers typically use the sour mash method. In other words, they combine older mash with a new batch to reduce the pH (a measure of acidity or alkalinity) of the mix. The process helps feed live yeast during fermentation and prevents the growth of unwanted bacteria.

Similarly, most producers use double distillation to make rye whiskey and bourbon.

However, some craft producers distill the fermented mash three times (triple distillation) — taking inspiration from Scotch whiskey or Irish whiskey.

Most Rye and bourbon makers (including premium brands like Pappy Van Winkle and grocery store staples like George Dickel) distill their fermented mash in column stills.

They usually keep their stills running continuously instead of distilling batch-by-batch.

Still have questions about rye whiskey and bourbon?

Let’s tackle them.

FAQs About Rye and Bourbon Whiskeys

Below are the answers to common questions about these iconic American whiskey drinks:

1. How Is Tennessee Whiskey Different From Rye and Bourbon?

Tennessee whiskey is a type of bourbon that has been filtered through maple charcoal. As the name suggests, this drink is made in Tennessee, USA.

2. Is Scotch a Rye Or Bourbon?

Scotch whiskey is neither rye nor bourbon. It is a type of whiskey made in Scotland, primarily from malted barley.

3. What Are Some Best Bottles of Rye and Bourbon Whiskeys?

Here are the five best rye whiskeys to try:

Old Rip Van Winkle 'Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve' 13 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey ($2,423)
Peerless Distilling Co. Double Oak Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey ($114)
Lock Stock & Barrel 21 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey ($499)
High West Double Rye Whiskey ($37)
Old Overholt 11 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey ($75)

The five best bourbon bottles you should check out are:

The Last Drop 1980 Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky ($18,224)
2014 George T. Stagg Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($2,396)
Jim Beam 200th Anniversary Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($414)
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($62)
Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 13 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($529)

By now, you’re probably asking yourself:

Should You Invest in Rye and Bourbon Whiskeys?

In recent years, rye and bourbon whiskeys have become increasingly popular among whisky enthusiasts and collectors.

This has led to a surge in demand and prices for rare and limited-edition bottles, driving up prices in the secondary market.

Here are some examples to give you an idea:

The price of 1993 Buffalo Trace Distillery O.F.C. Old Fashioned Copper Bourbon Whiskey rose from $7,696 to $9,992 between August 2021 and June 2023. That’s an impressive 29.83% gain.

The value of the 2008 William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey went from $3,675 in August 2021 to $4,981 in July 2023 — appreciating 35.54%.

These iconic American spirits fare brilliantly in auctions as well. For example:

A bottle of LeNell's Red Hook Rye 24 Year Old Barrell #4 sold for a staggering $43,750 at a 2022 Sotheby’s auction.

A bottle of William Larue Weller from the 2022 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection sold for $1,890 at a Unicorn Auction event in 2023, while its market price was around $99.

The bottom line?

The finest rye whiskeys and bourbons are a treat for your palate and present a brilliant investment opportunity.

That said, we’ll tell what’s better than buying a premium whiskey bottle – investing in whiskey casks!

Why, you ask?

Consider these benefits:

Cask investments are more liquid. This means they are easier to sell, as there is a larger market for casks than bottles.

Cask investments have a higher profit potential. Remember, the value of a cask can increase significantly over time as the whiskey matures in the barrel. For instance, a 1988 Macallan Scotch cask, which had an original value of $6,275, was sold for a whopping $1.3 million at a 2022 Whisky Hammer auction.

Whiskey casks deliver bulk value — meaning you can invest in a larger amount of whiskey for a lower price per bottle.

So, how do you invest in casks of the finest rye whiskey, bourbon, and other premium whiskeys from around the world?

Look no further than Vinovest!

Invest In The Finest Whiskey Casks Through Vinovest

Vinovest is an AI-driven platform that lets you buy, sell, and store exceptional whiskey barrels from anywhere in the world — be it a Scotch, Irish, or perhaps, Canadian whiskey.

Vinovest doesn’t involve any middleman, which means you needn't pay exorbitant markups or commissions.

When you invest in a cask through Vinovest:

It’s stored in climate-controlled warehouse and managed by an expert team.
You get to enjoy your whiskey as Vinovest sends you a sample bottle from the cask each year.
You can get the whiskey bottled and delivered to your doorstep or sell the cask for a profit.
You can schedule an in-person visit to view your whiskey.

Visit the Vinovest website to explore how you can get started with your whiskey investment journey.