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America's Best Rye Whiskey-According To The New Orleans Spirits Comp
The Sazerac with Bitters and Rye is New Orleans' classic rye whiskey cocktail getty
The American rye whiskey renaissance continues to accelerate, driven by innovation, bold grain experimentation, and a renewed appreciation for spicy, robust flavor profiles. Nowhere was this evolution more evident than at the 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition (NOSC)—a showcase of the world's best spirits, held in tandem with the renowned Tales of the Cocktail festival. Below are the top-rated rye whiskeys from the recently completed NOSC.
Since its debut in 2022, the NOSC has earned a reputation for spotlighting exceptional quality from both heritage brands and craft upstarts. This year's top-performing rye whiskeys proved just how diverse and dynamic the category has become—from rum barrel finishes and heirloom grain mash bills to malted rye experiments and age-statement powerhouses.
Angel's Envy's Finished Rye is one of the most distinctive barrel-finished rye whiskeys available. Produced by Louisville Distilling Co., the brand is renowned for its unique secondary maturation approach. This rye whiskey is finished, for up to 18 months, in ex-pot still XO rum barrels from Barbados.
The rye whiskey features a rich bouquet of maple syrup, molasses, allspice, and dark caramel. It's sweet and spicy on the palate, showcasing flavors of cinnamon-dusted baked apple, brown sugar, toasted rye bread, and spiced rum cake. The finish is long and flavorful, with lingering notes of toffee, nutmeg, and tropical fruit. The rum influence is prominent, making this a rye unlike any other—dessert-like yet with a layered complexity.
Based in Dane, Wisconsin, J. Henry & Sons is a grain-to-glass craft distillery that grows its red heirloom corn and grains. The mash bill consists of 64% Spooner Rye, 14% J Henry red heirloom corn, 14% winter wheat, and 8% malted barley.
Their Spooner Rye is named after a local town and honors regional agricultural heritage. This is a high-proof, barrel-finished rye matured for 5+ years and finished in cognac barrels, adding an elegant European flourish to a bold American spirit.
The whiskey features herbal and earthy rye spice aromas along with dark berries, hints of fig, and French oak. It's robust and flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of licorice root, toasted hazelnuts, cocoa, dried plum, and bold rye grain spices. The finish is long, sweet, and spicy, with lingering notes of clove, anise, and dried fruit sweetness from the cognac cask. Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig Straight Rye, 47% ABV, 750 ml. $32
Launched in 2020, Elijah Craig Rye marks Heaven Hill's major entry into the straight rye category under this historic whiskey brand. It utilizes the traditional Heaven Hill rye mash bill, comprising 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% malted barley, and is aged for under 4 years, making it an approachable entry-level rye.
The whiskey features aromas of rye spice, vanilla, toasted/cooked cereal, and a hint of green apple. It's smooth and slightly sweet on the palate, showcasing flavors of caramel, dried herbs, and cinnamon with underlying notes of citrus zest and mint. The finish is medium length, with lingering notes of nutmeg and soft rye spices—an excellent rye for cocktails or sipping neat.
Glass of whiskey on background of rye grain getty New Riff Distilling, Balboa Rye, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $55
This 4–5-year-old rye from Kentucky's New Riff Distilling is a single varietal rye whiskey made with the rare Balboa rye grain. This historic heirloom varietal delivers deeper, spicier, and more savory notes than traditional rye. The mash bill is 95% Balboa rye and 5% malted barley. New Riff is a respected name in the craft whiskey industry for its transparency, bottled-in-bond releases, and full-flavored spirits.
The whiskey features aromas of rye bread, black peppercorn, dark honey, and clove. It's robust and flavorful on the palate, showcasing flavors of sour cherry, dark chocolate, roasted malt, dried herbs, cracked black pepper, and a slight savory note. The finish is long and dry with a persistent pepperiness and earthy undertones. Balboa rye delivers a robust, old-world rye profile with a distinctive flavor profile. New Riff Distilling, 6-Year-Old Malted Rye, 50% ABV, 750 ml. $65
This expression is made with 100% malted rye grain, which enhances the body and complexity of the spirit. Aged for six years and bottled without chill filtration, this is one of the most sophisticated rye whiskeys available from New Riff.
The whiskey features aromas of toasted nuts, roasted coffee beans, chocolate malt, and fruitcake. It's smooth and silky on the palate with a pronounced mouth weight, showcasing flavors of dark chocolate, cooked cereal/malt, roasted almond, dates, and molasses, along with subtle rye spices. The finish is long and velvety, with lingering notes of dried dark fruit, toffee, and a persistent chocolate finish. This whiskey will appeal to fans of both single malts and rye. Old Overholt 11-Year-Old Extra Aged Cask Strength Rye, 53.7% ABV, 750 ml. $100
One of the oldest and most respected names in American rye whiskey, Old Overholt has roots dating to 1810 in Pennsylvania. This 11-year-old cask-strength version showcases the brand's resurgence with a bold, fully matured rye.
The whiskey is rich, with oak-driven complexity featuring aromas of dried cherry, leather, pipe tobacco, and spearmint. It's intense and robust on the palate, showcasing flavors of black tea, toasted walnut, burnt orange peel, dark caramel, and pronounced rye spices. The finish is exceptionally long, with a gripping tannic dryness and lingering notes of rye spices, dark chocolate, and menthol. This is rye whiskey in its prime—bold, assertive, and rewarding.
From the island sweetness of Angel's Envy's rum-finished rye to the old-school muscle of Old Overholt's 11-year cask-strength release, the 2025 NOSC judging revealed a category brimming with character, complexity, and creativity. Whether rooted in tradition or boldly pushing the envelope with unique grains and finishes, these medal-winning rye whiskeys reflect the depth and dynamism of the American whiskey scene.
For collectors, enthusiasts, and cocktail lovers alike, this year's NOSC rye whiskey standouts offer something special in every sip—and further proof that rye's future is every bit as exciting as its storied past. More From Forbes
