15 Best Rye Whiskeys Under $50 Ranked for 2023
Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Rye is a lighter American whiskey made with a high-rye mash bill. It gives a more intense and distinct flavor.
If you’ve never had rye, you’re missing half of your life. With so many different types of rye whiskey out there, you no longer have any excuses to pass up on this beverage.
Don’t worry; some spirits won’t break your bank. Here are our top picks of the best rye whiskeys under $50.
Top 15 Rye Whiskeys Below $50
1. Bulleit Rye
Average Price: Roughly $33.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
Bulleit rye won the “Best Rye for Cocktails” by the American Distilling Institute in 2014.
This rye is an excellent choice if you’re looking to explore different types of whiskey.
Although the company’s famous bourbon often overshadows Bulleit rye, this high-quality whiskey is surprisingly good.
Distilled at 90 proof, its smooth and approachable characteristics make it an ideal choice if you’re looking for something different.
The spicy entry notes are followed by creamy and luscious vanilla, making it an excellent choice for mixing and sipping.
2. Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye
Average Price: Roughly $37.99 (Total Wine)
Average Alcohol Content: 47.5%
Why We Like It:
Dad’s Hat gives the trend a resurgence with its vibrant and fruity scent. The combination of tropical fruit and vanilla adds a touch of excitement to this spirit.
It also got a unique edge with hints of sugar and overripe bananas with a silky texture on the throat.
If you’re an Old Fashioned drinker, you’ll enjoy this whiskey’s flavoring that goes well with bitters and sugar.
Made in traditional Monongahela-style with a high rye content, it comprises barley malt and rye malt.
It is aged 6-9 months using the white oak quarter-barrel, adding to its savor.
3. George Dickel Rye Whisky
Average Price: Roughly $22.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
What makes George Dickel Rye whiskey unique is its charcoal filtering process.
This process allows the whiskey to develop a smooth and creamy texture that’s ideal for keeping the savor of the Rye whiskey alive.
George Dickel Rye is a blend of 95% rye grain and 5% malted barley. This is an excellent choice for classic cocktails such as the Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
Its smooth finish and powerful relish make it ideal for any beverage.
4. Oak & Eden Rye & Spire
Average Price: Roughly $42.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
Oak & Eden Rye & Spire’s bottling process features a touch of a charred American oak spire to each barrel, which adds a unique character to this magnificent whiskey.
The resulting blend is full of rich notes of coffee and smoke with a distinct spicy taste.
This rye has tasting notes of a well-balanced, creamy oak with bites of spice, dark chocolate sweetness, and tobacco.
One tip, one glass of Oak and Eden Rye & Spire is the best pair with food like pasta, chicken, cheese, or dried fruits.
5. Old Forester Rye
Average Price: Roughly $25.99 (Total Wine)
Average Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Like It:
Although Old Forester Distillery is best known for its bourbon spirits, they have produced one of the best rye whiskey at a reasonable price range.
This rye whiskey features a mash bill of rye, corn, and malted barley.
Old Forester rye has a blend with a high percentage of malted barley, which helps reduce the need for artificial enzymes in the fermentation process.
So, this addition gives it a distinct baked bread flavor. The tasting notes of this rye whiskey are also balanced by the floral notes that come from the other ingredients. This is an ideal option if you’re looking to mix a cocktail.
6. Old Overholt Straight Rye
Average Price: Roughly $16.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It:
Old Overholt is a relic of The Olds Distillery, and it’s a unique blend of straight rye whiskey known for its distinctive savor.
After Prohibition, this rye spirit became the country’s most popular straight rye whiskey.
One reason is that this rye whiskey is an excellent addition to any classic cocktails like Manhattan.
The nose is mild with hints of peach skin and grass, white flowers, spearmint, cigar, and toffee.
And on the mouth, you can get the savor of allspice and white pepper. As you drink forward, you get hits of apricot with cereal sweetness on the finish.
7. Pikesville Straight Rye
Average Price: Roughly $41.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 55%
Why We Like It:
Pikesville Straight rye comes from one of the well-known distilleries today, Heaven Hill.
This rye whiskey has a vanilla finish with a touch of apricot and cinnamon. Pikesville is a solid option if you’re looking for a fruity yet spicy rye beverage.
On the nose, you’ll get a dusty rye spice with a touch of cocoa and Norweigian hand cream.
This rye whiskey is one of the must-try American whiskeys that won the “Extraordinary Ultimate Recommendation” from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2016.
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8. Redemption Rye
Average Price: Roughly $29.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 46%
Why We Like It:
Redemption rye is a blend of 95% rye and 5% malted barley for those who like to spice up their drinks.
This rye whiskey is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a handsome-looking bottle with a delicious content– perfect for various alcohol mixtures.
Produced by MGP Distillery and aged in a new charred oak barrel for 2.5 years, Redemption rye makes an excellent and classic American cocktail.
Its high rye component pushes the flavors further and magnifies the unique profile of rye grains.
9. Rittenhouse Rye (Bottled In Bond)
Average Price: Roughly $26.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Like It:
Another creation of the Heaven Hill Distillery, this rye whiskey is exceptionally good yet affordable.
Bottled in bond rye whiskey and aged in new charred oak barrels, it has a fruity palate with hints of cocoa, baking spices, and orange juice.
Rittenhouse rye is a must-have for your home bar that won’t bust your budget.
On the nose, you’ll get a mixture of grain and fruit like dried bananas and light peaches. This rye is not that spicy.
This whiskey is for you if you want a nicely balanced flavor without a heavy mouthfeel.
10. Rossville Union Rye
Average Price: Roughly $35.99 (Total Wine)
Average Alcohol Content: 47%
Why We Like It:
Rossville Union’s rye whisky has been aged in a special blend for over five to six years.
The result is a smooth and slightly sweet savor complemented by a hint of cherry. This rye whiskey has a robust and intense savor complemented by a rich and creamy finish.
It has an excellent blend of sweet and savory, ideal for those who like their whiskey to be full-bodied.
Also, this limited-edition release features creamy-in-bond single barrel straight rye whiskey. Hurry up, as this is available only to retailers that are part of the company’s exclusive selection.
11. Russell’s Reserve Rye
Average Price: Roughly $38.49 (Total Wine)
Average Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
Russell’s Reserve is a distilled, small-batch American rye whiskey made by Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell [1].
This whiskey is made from 100% American rye, and this spirit features crystal clear overcoats and deep amber colors.
You’ll love its vibrant and refreshing savor that you’ll surely enjoy as it warms up your mouth.
Hay, wood, and a hint of vanilla provide the initial excitement, while the sweet caramel and faint bubblegum note carry over to the mouth.
This full-flavored whiskey is the ideal choice if you enjoy drinking rye whiskey straight.
12. Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey
Average Price: Roughly $25.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
If you’ve ever tried the Sazerac cocktail, you’ll likely have noticed its enticing aroma due to the presence of the Sazerac rye whiskey.
This whiskey is made from 51% ryes, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley. It’s aged in newly distilled Kentucky limestone stream waters for up to six years before it’s brought into barrels for taste maturity.
The aroma is filled with notes of dried fruits and citrus with various spices and honey.
On the palate, it’s also got a sweet and complex bouquet savor and a touch of candied citrus.
This rye is a great gift for anyone who enjoys drinking and dining with friends and family or drinking cocktails.
This bottle is also ideal for parties that involve mixing other whiskeys.
13. Woodford Reserve Rye
Average Price: Roughly $30.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 45.2%
Why We Like It:
For fans of the smooth and creamy savor of Kentucky whiskeys, the Woodford Reserve Kentucky rye whiskey is a must-try.
This whiskey’s mash bill features a combination of different grains such as ryes, barley, and maize.
The rye percentage helps retain this whiskey’s distinctive characteristics while increasing the floral and spicy components.
The aroma of cinnamon, syrup, and pine combine with the flavors of dried cherries, gingerbread, and apple pie in this whiskey.
Its smooth and creamy savor is complemented by the sweet and savory flavors of baking spices and dark chocolate.
14. Woody Creek Colorado Rye
Average Price: Roughly $43.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 45%
Why We Like It:
This whiskey is made from 100% Colorado rye by Woody Creek Distillery. It has a complex and very smooth relish.
It’s aged in the new American white oak barrel for around two years and bottled at 90 proof.
Hints of oak and honey follow the white pepper and sour fruit note on the nose.
As you taste this rye spirit, the spice is balanced and brings out the flavors of caramel, oak, and pine.
Woody Creek Colorado rye whiskey is well-rounded and incredibly smooth, with a spice balance.
15. 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey – 100 Proof
Average Price: Roughly $26.99 (Drizly)
Average Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Like It:
Introduced by James E. Pepper & Co Distillery, this rye is a very underpriced whiskey, especially for bottom-shelf ryes.
It’s made with non-chill filtered whiskey, which adds a bit of flavor and body to this spirit.
The flavor notes of this whiskey are sweet and floral, with hints of sour fruits, yet it tastes like marshmallows. Dark chocolate and cinnamon round out the flavor.
If you’re interested in trying out this spirit, make sure you can take the heat as it’s bottled at 100 proof.
This one is an award-winning whiskey bagging the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits competition in 2021.
FAQs
Are rye whiskeys under $50 worth it?
Rye whiskies under $50 are definitely worth it. One good thing about today’s distilleries is that they introduce high-quality and delicious spirits at an affordable price range. You can enjoy and savor rye whiskies without spending much money.
What is the smoothest rye whiskey under $50?
The smoothest rye whiskey under $50 would be the Sazerac rye. It is a smooth, easy-to-drink, crowd-pleasing rye that will surely fit the bill.
Our spirit professionals recommend this as a go-to rye whiskey bottle for any cocktail.
In Summary
Rye whiskies are getting popular these days, and we can’t deny that it is a must-have in any home bar. If you’re starting to explore rye whiskies and looking for the best spirits to start, hopefully, our list of the best rye whiskeys under $50 is a great help.
We know you’re excited to try all these spirits up, so hurry up! Go to your favorite liquor store now; it’s time to add new bottles to your liquor shelves.
Reference:
- https://people.com/food/talking-with-two-generations-of-wild-turkey-master-distillers/
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
