Great Value Ryes in 2025
With the huge variety of rye (and whiskies in general) available in the modern market, there’s a lot to sort through when deciding what to spend your money on. Spirits shops, big box retailers, online stores, and distilleries all give you hundreds of options; which of these bottles present the best value?
The prices in the modern whisky market are also higher than ever before. Despite that, there’s still plenty of value to be found on the affordable end of the spectrum, and also the premium end of the spectrum. We’ve chosen our top 7 value rye whiskies, as well as a couple of premium options ($75+) which present some of the best value propositions.
One of the cheaper ($23) rye options in the modern market - but that doesn’t mean it’s lower quality. We love this 100 proof rye from Old Forester, as it has the strength to stand up to cocktails or to deliver plenty of flavor neat.
Some flavors you can expect: Sweet for a rye, with candy notes and caramel, but also classic rye spices of pepper, mint, and wood smoke.
Check out our full review of Old Forester 100 Proof Rye here.
While Wild Turkey may be known more for the 101 proof bourbon, they produce a sister product: a 101 proof rye. Like the bourbon, this rye is well-priced around $24. A bulletproof rye that can work in mixed drinks or a neat pour, this is one of the gold standards for value whisky.
Some flavors you can expect: Ground pepper and caramel, herbal rye notes like eucalyptus; hot cherry jam, cinnamon, and apples.
We get our first age statement on the list: 7 years, from Jim Beam’s Knob Creek brand. Jim Beam products are known for their fair prices and good value, and this rye is no exception; you can pick it up for about $33.
Some flavors you can expect: Dry and spicy with cinnamon, mint, and nutty flavors; a sweeter side of vanilla, molasses, and almond cookies arrives later.
This rye from New Riff boasts an 8 year age statement, and while the price is a bit higher (around $70), the flavor matches the price: this has nice aged oak notes, lots of baking spice, and great complexity.
Some flavors you can expect: Mint candies, brown sugar, creme brulee, and cherry cola; molasses, cocoa, a strong pepper kick, and cayenne.
A. Overholt Monongahela Mash Rye
The second Jim Beam entry on our list, this time from a relatively new brand: A. Overholt. It owes its name to Abraham Overholt, the man who managed the Overholt family's rye production in Pennsylvania as far back as 1810; now it’s made in Kentucky, using a unique mashbill of 80% rye and 20% malted barley. This bottle is priced around $40.
Some flavors you can expect: Sweet and sharp, fruity and oaky. Brown sugar, nutmeg, butterscotch, and cinnamon are balanced by spearmint, hot honey, oranges, and sweet cherry.
Check out our full review of A. Overholt Monongahela Mash Rye here.
Michter's Single Barrel Straight Rye
Our first single barrel entry on this value rye list: this comes from Michter’s in Kentucky. This 84.8 proof rye is a bit lower on the strength side, but it brings an unusual flavor profile that keeps things interesting. This rye is priced around $43.
Some flavors you can expect: Savory notes like barbecue sauce and smoked ribs, sweetness from caramel apple and chocolate, and spice like cedar wood and black pepper.
Check out our full review of Michter's Single Barrel Straight Rye here.
Another twist on the classic rye recipe: this time, New Riff brings up a rye that is made entirely of malted rye grain. This often creates a softer, more rounded profile with sweeter notes, but there’s still a nice spice kick from the oak influence, especially after 6 years of aging. New Riff’s Malted Rye is priced at $55.
Some flavors you can expect: Mellow and creamy, with fruit candies and vanilla. Time brings more spice: black pepper, cinnamon, paprika, and drying oak.
Check out our full review of New Riff 6 Year Malted Rye here.
And now, those premium options we mentioned earlier:
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
An entry from Canada, and the Alberta Premium brand: this is their Cask Strength rye, the first cask strength whisky on our list. Their higher bottling strength generally sits at 60%+ ABV, and while the current price seems to hover around $75, this rye can also be found on sale on a regular basis, which only increases the value proposition.
Some flavors you can expect: Cream soda and butterscotch, peppery oak, dill and heather flowers; rye grain character, mint, and leather.
Check out our full review of Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye here.
Sagamore Reserve Series 9 Year Rye
This Sagamore is a bit more difficult to find, but it’s worth seeking out. Sagamore is producing older and older products over time, and all of their bottles have great quality; this 9 year rye blends two different rye mashbills for a unique, well-aged profile. Sagamore’s 9 Year Rye starts around $80.
Some flavors you can expect: Sweet peppermint candies, cinnamon, oranges, and anise; baking notes like graham crackers meet cola, grape, and black pepper.
Check out our full review of Sagamore Reserve Series 9 Year Rye here.
