Post Views: 310

Three American rye whiskeys were recognized at the 2025 World Whisky Awards, a prestigious event that celebrates excellence in the whiskey industry. The winners were announced during a ceremony in Bardstown, Kentucky. Here’s a closer look at these top rye whiskeys, along with their tasting notes.

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye

ABV: 61.6%
Price: $99

Heaven Hill’s Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey took the title of World’s Best American Rye Whiskey. Produced by Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown, this whiskey showcases its commitment to quality with a mash bill of 63% rye, 24% corn, and 13% malted barley. Distilled in a pot still and aged in #3 charred oak barrels, it is bottled at 50% ABV/100 proof.

Tasting Notes: The aroma is robust with spicy rye bread, pepper, and cinnamon, layered with sweet caramel and vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied and spiced with black pepper and clove, balanced by caramel, toffee, and a slight hint of dark chocolate. The finish is long, sweet, and warming, leaving a lingering spice and oak flavor.

Highline Triple Rye

ABV: 48.5%
Price: $79.99

Highline Triple Rye was awarded Best 12 Years and Under Rye Whiskey. This unique blend incorporates three types of rye grains, giving it a complex flavor profile. Produced by Highland Distillers, the Triple Rye consists of a mash bill made up of 53% rye and 37% corn, aged in #3 charred oak barrels and sourced from 5 YO, 5.5 YO, and 10 YO whiskeys.

Tasting Notes: The nose reveals strong spices such as clove and black pepper, along with butterscotch and caramel undertones. It has a smooth, full-bodied palate blending spicy rye flavors and balanced sweetness, with a long, spicy finish featuring lingering oak and hints of sweet vanilla and toffee.

Sazerac 18 YO Rye

ABV: 45%
Price: $99

The Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye was noted as the Best 13-20 Years Rye Whiskey. Produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, it holds a reputation for rarity and complexity. Although the exact mash bill is not disclosed, it is believed to consist of 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley.

Tasting Notes: The aroma is rich, exhibiting spicy rye, black pepper, and clove alongside notes of butterscotch, toffee, and vanilla. On the palate, it presents smooth flavors of dark chocolate and baking spices, enhanced by a pronounced oak influence. The finish is long, nuanced, and leaves a smooth, refined aftertaste of spicy oak and sweet caramel.

Each of these rye whiskeys offers distinct expressions of classic rye flavors, making them noteworthy for distillery recognition and whiskey enthusiasts alike. The World Whisky Awards celebrates the high standards of craftsmanship in the whiskey industry, providing benchmarks for quality across various styles.

For more details on whiskey achievements, see also: