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Rye vs bourbon
In the federal rules, bourbon and rye sit in the same row of the same table, with the same proof and barrel limits. What the row separates is the main grain.
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]” The full row, quoted. All the label rules, quoted.
One row, two grains
| Type | “Bourbon Whisky, Rye Whisky, Wheat Whisky, Malt Whisky, Rye Malt Whisky, or [name of other grain] Whisky” |
|---|---|
| Source | “Fermented mash of not less than 51%, respectively: Corn, Rye, Wheat, Malted Barley, Malted Rye Grain, [Other grain]” |
| Distillation proof | “160° or less” |
| Storage | “Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less” |
Our reading: "respectively" pairs the types with the grains in order, so bourbon is a mash of at least 51% corn and rye is a mash of at least 51% rye. The proof and barrel cells are the same for both. Read 27 CFR 5.143 on eCFR.
Straight, for both
"Straight" works the same way for both. Row (5) covers “Straight Bourbon Whisky, Straight Rye Whisky, Straight Wheat Whisky, Straight Malt Whisky, or Straight Rye Malt Whisky” and requires storage in “Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less for a minimum of 2 years”
How much rye, in the makers' words
The 51% is a floor. Of the 68 ryes listed here, 9 have a captured grain-recipe quote from the maker that gives a rye share. Those shares run from 65% to 100%. The share column is our reading of each quote, counting all rye grain, malted or not; the quote is the source.
KOVAL Rye Whiskey - 100% Organic Single Barrel KOVAL Distillery 100% rye
“KOVAL Rye is made from a unique mash bill of 100% organic rye grain, sourced from a Midwestern farm collective.” (koval-distillery.com/whiskey/rye)
Rye Whiskey DOG Distilling Company 100% rye (95% rye plus 5% malted rye)
“The mash bill for this Rye Whiskey is 95% Rye and 5% Malted Rye.” (dogdistillingcompany.com/spirits/rye-whiskey)
Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey Great Lakes Distillery 100% rye
“The same 100% Rye mash bill as Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Straight Rye Whiskey.” (greatlakesdistillery.com/whiskey/)
Straight 100% Rye Whiskey Aged 6 Years Woodinville Whiskey Co. 100% rye
“This 100% rye starts with pure, traditionally grown rye cultivated exclusively for us on the Omlin family farm in Quincy, Washington.” (woodinvillewhiskeyco.com/products/straight-100-rye-whiskey-2026 (store page, not linked))
Putnam Straight Rye Whiskey Boston Harbor Distillery 95% rye
“Putnam Rye Whiskey is distilled from 95% Rye and 5% Malted Barley, aged to perfection Harborside in 53-gallon, new American Oak barrels that have been seasoned, toasted and charred.” (bostonharbordistillery.com/collections/putnam-whiskey/products/putnam-new-england-straight-rye (store page, not linked))
Rye Whiskey The Bardstown Bourbon Company, LLC 95% rye
“A celebration of innovation, our rye whiskey starts with a classic 95% rye recipe aged at least 6 years which is then doubled barreled in a secondary hybrid cherry wood barrel for a minimum of 6 months.” (bardstownbourbon.com/products/origin-series-rye/ (store page, not linked))
Bootjack Rye Whiskey McClintock Distilling 75% rye
“A love letter to Maryland Rye Whiskey of the past, Bootjack Rye uses 75% Danko Rye in its pre-prohibition mash bill.” (mcclintockdistilling.com/organic-spirits/)
COPPER FOX ORIGINAL RYE WHISKY Copper Fox Distillery Enterprises, L.L.C. 67% rye (2/3, about 67%)
“COPPER FOX ORIGINAL RYE WHISKY Distilled from a unique blend of thoroughbred grains from the Northern Neck of Virginia; 2/3 rye, 1/3 barley, hand-malted and kiln-dried with applewood and cherrywood smoke.” (copperfoxdistillery.com/rye-gallery)
Old Forester Rye Whisky Old Forester Distilling Co. 65% rye
“A historic recipe, acquired in 1940 by Owsley Brown I, Old Forester Rye features a mash bill of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn.” (oldforester.com/products/old-forester-100-proof-rye-whisky/ (store page, not linked))
More of the rules
Age statements, bottled in bond and the other label terms are quoted in full on the rules page. To compare the ryes themselves, see who makes it.
Regulation quoted from eCFR, checked October 12, 2026. Makers' quotes checked October 12, 2026. Not legal advice.