Rye Whiskey Revival
Checked against each maker's own site · October 12, 2026

American rye, and who actually makes it.

68 rye whiskeys, with what each maker says about how it's made, quoted from its own site.

Compare the ryes   Rye vs bourbon, by the rules

  • 68rye whiskeys
  • 4businesses say they distill on site
  • 17TTB permit states
What makes a rye a rye and a bourbon a bourbon?

Rye is mostly rye. Bourbon is mostly corn.

Our reading of the US rules: a rye whiskey's mash is at least 51% rye, and a bourbon's is at least 51% corn. In that same row of the rules, both get the same distillation proof limit and the same charred new oak barrels. Other label terms, such as straight and bottled in bond, are on the rules page.

ⓘ From 27 CFR 5.143(c), Table 1, row (2), whose source column reads “Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain, [Other grain]” Rye vs bourbon, in full. All the label rules, quoted.

Where the businesses hold permits

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ⓘ One square per state, not to scale. Shaded squares hold at least one listed business's TTB permit; the number is how many listings. A permit shows where a business holds it, not where a given rye was distilled. Outside Ohio we checked selected businesses only, so a pale square doesn't mean no rye is made there.

Distilled on site, in their own words

4 of the 52 businesses have a sentence on their own site saying they distill at their own premises, and 7 more say they distill their own. For the other 41, we couldn't tell from the pages we read who distilled their rye. Open one to read the quote.

ⓘ States shown are where each business holds its TTB permit, which isn't necessarily where a given rye was distilled.

Say they distill their own; we couldn't tell where

Browse by TTB permit state

Every listing is in the directory. Outside Ohio we checked selected businesses only.

Ohio ZIP finder


Sorts all 15 Ohio listings by approximate straight-line distance between the center of your ZIP code area and the ZIP code area of each business's TTB permit premises. It isn't driving distance, and a permit address isn't necessarily open to visitors. The math runs in this page; the ZIP isn't added to the address or sent anywhere by the finder.

Rye label terms, in the regulation's words

Rye whisky, source: “Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain, [Other grain]” (27 CFR 5.143(c), Table 1, row (2))

Straight rye whisky, storage: “Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less for a minimum of 2 years” (27 CFR 5.143(c), Table 1, row (5))

Bottled in bond: “Bottled at 50 percent alcohol by volume (100 degrees of proof).” (27 CFR 5.88(a)(6), one of six conditions)

Age statements: “For all domestic or foreign whiskies that are aged less than 4 years, including blends containing a whisky that is aged less than 4 years, an age statement and percentage of types of whisky statement is required to appear on a label, unless the whisky is labeled as “bottled in bond” in conformity with § 5.88.” (27 CFR 5.74(b))

All of the rules, quoted with citations

Questions

What makes a whiskey a "rye whiskey" under US rules?

27 CFR 5.143, Table 1, row (2) covers Rye Whisky among other types. Its source column reads “Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain, [Other grain]”, its distillation proof “160° or less”, and its storage “Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less”.

What does "straight" add?

Row (5) of the same table, for Straight Rye Whisky and related types, requires storage in “Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less for a minimum of 2 years”. The regulation adds: “The use of the word “straight” is a further designation of a type, and is optional.”

What does "bottled in bond" require?

27 CFR 5.88(a) lists six conditions, including “Distilled in the same distilling season (as defined in § 5.1) by the same distiller at the same distillery.” and “Bottled at 50 percent alcohol by volume (100 degrees of proof).”

Which businesses are listed?

Businesses that hold a distilled-spirits permit on TTB's public list and whose own website lists a rye whiskey, checked October 12, 2026. The list isn't complete; the About page says what we checked.

Do you list prices or where to purchase?

No. This is an informational directory with no prices, sales links or rankings.

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