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What makes it rye
The label terms, quoted from the regulation on eCFR. "…" marks where an excerpt stops short of the full sentence; the citation links the full text.
Whisky
““Whisky” or “whiskey” is distilled spirits that is an alcoholic distillate from a fermented mash of any grain distilled at less than 95 percent alcohol by volume (190° proof) having the taste, aroma, and characteristics generally attributed to whisky, stored in oak barrels (except that corn whisky need not be so stored), and bottled at not less than 40 percent alcohol by volume (80° proof) …”
“The word whisky may be spelled as either “whisky” or “whiskey”.”
Rye whisky
| 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” |
| Coloring, flavoring, blending materials permitted | “Yes, except for bourbon whisky.” |
Source: 27 CFR 5.143 on eCFR.
“The “harmless coloring, flavoring, blending materials permitted” column indicates whether harmless coloring, flavoring, or blending materials, other than neutral spirits in their original form, described in § 5.142, may be used in the product.”
“The whiskies defined in paragraphs (c)(2) through (6) and (10) through (14) of this section are distinctive products of the United States …”
On place names in the designation:
“The place, State, or region where the whisky was distilled may appear as part of the designation on the label if the distillation and any required aging took place in that location …”
Straight rye whisky
| Type | “Straight Bourbon Whisky, Straight Rye Whisky, Straight Wheat Whisky, Straight Malt Whisky, or Straight Rye Malt Whisky” |
|---|---|
| Storage | “Charred new oak barrels at 125° or less for a minimum of 2 years” |
“The use of the word “straight” is a further designation of a type, and is optional.”
“For example, the standard of identity for straight rye whisky requires that the whisky be aged for a minimum of 2 years, so the age statement “Aged 1 year,” would be prohibited for a product designated as “straight” rye whisky, even if the spirits were actually aged for more than 2 years, because it is inconsistent with the standard of identity.”
Age statements
“… age is the length of time during which, after distillation and before bottling, the distilled spirits have been stored in oak barrels.”
“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.”
Bottled in bond
“The term “bond,” “bonded,” “bottled in bond,” or “aged in bond,” or phrases containing these or synonymous terms, may be used (including as part of the brand name) only if the distilled spirits are:”
- “Composed of the same kind (type, if one is applicable to the spirits, otherwise class) of spirits distilled from the same class of materials;”
- “Distilled in the same distilling season (as defined in § 5.1) by the same distiller at the same distillery.”
- “Stored for at least 4 years in wooden containers wherein the spirits have been in contact with the wood surface …”
- “Unaltered from their original condition or character by the addition or subtraction of any substance other than by filtration, chill proofing, or other physical treatments …”
- “Reduced in proof by the addition of only pure water to 50 percent alcohol by volume (100 degrees of proof); and”
- “Bottled at 50 percent alcohol by volume (100 degrees of proof).”
Source: 27 CFR 5.88 on eCFR. Items 3 and 4 are excerpts: item 3 continues with rules for vodka and gin, and item 4 with a parenthetical on what physical treatments may not do.
“Domestically manufactured spirits labeled as “bottled in bond” or with some other synonymous statement must bear the real name of the distillery or the trade name under which the distiller distilled and warehoused the spirits, and the number of the distilled spirits plant in which distilled, and the number of the distilled spirits plant in which bottled.”
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.
Quoted from eCFR, checked October 12, 2026. Not legal advice; TTB and the regulation are the authority.