10 Best Rye Whiskeys Under $100Fans of rye whiskey are a lot better off than bourbon drinkers these days. Despite a rise in popularity and availability in the 21st century, rye hasn’t seen the runaway inflation that bourbon has. Sure, there are unicorns and dustys that people collect, but great bottles of tasty ryes are easy to find in the $40-$100 range (remember that retailers can charge whatever they want, so you may not find coveted labels at the SRP). With the notable exception of Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, even most collectible ryes don’t retail for five to six times their suggested price, unlike bourbon. “From my perspective, the basic principles of making the best whiskey possible apply to those products that are affordable, the same way they apply to those that are high-end,” says Isaac Winter, distilling manager at Utah’s High West Distillery. “You’re always after quality, consistency and complexity.” As we move into the holidays, it’s a good time to re-stock the bar with brown spirits (Pro tip: Leave these bottles out for guests to enjoy, and hide the pricey stuff for yourself for later). Consider the following rye whiskeys as a starting point. |