Let’s face it—bourbon drinkers are a loyal bunch. Once you’ve found your groove with caramel-rich, vanilla-heavy, oak-forward Kentucky nectar, it can be hard to stray too far from the fold. But there’s a secret corner of the whiskey world tailor-made for bourbon lovers looking to branch out, what I refer to as “bourbon-y ryes.”
Now, we’re not talking about those ultra-spicy, nose-hair-singeing green ryes that taste like you just licked a peppercorn. We’re talking about ryes with character—bold, complex, and richly layered expressions that toe the line between bourbon sweetness and rye spice in a way that makes you question which camp they even belong in. For bourbon drinkers wary of venturing into the rye world, these pours are the perfect entry point. And for seasoned rye drinkers, they represent the best of both worlds.
Below are four standout bottles—some cult favorites, some newer faces—that demonstrate just how wide and wonderful the bourbon-rye overlap can be.
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Proof: 128.8
Mashbill: 51% rye / 35% corn / 14% malted barley
Bourbon Blue Book® Price: $340
The 2023 Parker’s Heritage was a curveball—in all the best ways. While Heaven Hill is known for its strong bourbon backbone (think Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna), this release showcased what happens when the brand leans rye but doesn’t let go of its bourbon DNA.
At nearly 130 proof, this rye may start off a bit shockingly with a rush of cinnamon and rye spice but leather and oak layer in and it opens into a swirl of sweet cherry cola, vanilla bean, and fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. The corn content gives it a creamy, round mouthfeel, and the oak influence from a decade in the barrel brings a lovely dryness on the back end. It’s rye enough to carry that signature herbal punch, but the sweetness and structure are pure Heaven Hill bourbon.
Why Bourbon Drinkers Love It: Because it drinks like a mature bourbon with just enough rye to keep it interesting. This bottle will fool your palate in the best way.
Distillery: Kentucky Owl (blended by Dixon Dedman, sourced from undisclosed stocks)
Proof: 110.6
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Bourbon Blue Book® Price: $313
If there were a Mount Rushmore of bourbon drinker-friendly ryes, Kentucky Owl would be George Washington. Dixon Dedman built his early reputation by blending rare, robust, high-proof Kentucky bourbons—and his rye blends show the same DNA.
Batch 1 in particular is a crowd-pleaser. With 11 years in the wood and a higher proof which adds punch, what comes through is rich molasses, dark cherry, pipe tobacco, and a toasted marshmallow note that screams well-aged bourbon. The rye spice is definitely there, but it’s woven tightly into a backdrop of leather and oak.
Why Bourbon Drinkers Love It: It’s unapologetically bold, layered, and sweet-spice rich. Bourbon drinkers looking to dip into the rye world without sacrificing intensity will find a home here.
Distillery: Jack Daniel’s (Lynchburg, TN)
Proof: 100
Mashbill: 70% rye / 18% corn / 12% malted barley
Finish: Aged in American oak, then finished in toasted oak barrels
Bourbon Blue Book® Price: $170
Don’t sleep on Jack Daniel’s. Their recent limited releases—especially this twice-barreled rye—have been turning heads across the whiskey landscape. For this rye, the Tennessee distillery first ages the spirit in new American oak, then finishes it in heavily toasted barrels, adding richness and depth. You instantly notice the amount of oak exposure on this pour, as it has a unique dry oak note that draws out the moisture from your mouth.
The result? A whiskey that smells like warm banana bread and tastes like a toasted s’more with cinnamon sugar dusted on top. There’s an undeniable richness from the toasted barrel finish that gives this rye a bourbon-like body and flavor arc. Banana, maple, charred oak, and rye spice dance together in a way that feels fresh and familiar.
Why Bourbon Drinkers Love It: It’s like a rye that dressed up as a toasted bourbon for Halloween and never took the costume off. Toasted barrel lovers will especially appreciate this pour.
Distillery: Released by River Roots
Proof: 124.96
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Bourbon Blue Book® Price: $310
This one’s a newer entry into the scene, but don’t let its indie status fool you—Catcher in the Rye is a heavy-hitter. The team at BRBNFNDR collaborated with Brooks Raley (MLB player and known whiskey enthusiast) to release a nearly 13-year banger of a rye that hits like a bourbon and finishes with rye authority.
It is hands down one of my favorite pours of the year, and that’s saying something for this being a rye.
Why Bourbon Drinkers Love It: It’s approachable, but not boring. Rich, spicy, and full of flavor transitions that keep you coming back. It doesn’t hurt that it’s cask strength either. Well, it hurts a little but it's a good hurt.
A lot of bourbon lovers shy away from rye because they expect harsh, grassy, overly herbal flavors. But the rye whiskeys above prove that with the right mashbill, aging, and blending, you can create a rye that retains the richness, depth, and sweetness that bourbon fans crave—while layering in that signature spice that makes rye so interesting.
Whether it’s the long-aged elegance of Parker’s, the firepower of Kentucky Owl, the toasty dessert notes of Jack Daniel’s, or the single barrel excellence of Catcher in the Rye, these pours offer bourbon drinkers a gateway to rye without sacrificing familiarity.
Plus, as the secondary market and retail allocations for premium bourbons continue to tighten, it’s smart (and frankly enjoyable) to diversify your drinking. These ryes are not substitutes, but evolutions—complex spirits that expand your palate without making you feel like you’re betraying bourbon.
• Old Forester Single Barrel, Barrel Strength Rye: Brown-Forman’s classic banana bread note carries through here, making this one of the most bourbon-esque budget ryes on the market. Soft, sweet, and full-bodied for the price.
• Peerless Double Oaked Rye: If you love the deep, dessert-like richness of something like Elijah Craig Toasted or Woodford Double Oaked, this rye is your jam. The double-barreling process cranks up the oak, caramel, and dark chocolate notes—while the rye spice plays more of a supporting role than a lead. Thick, chewy, and complex, this one practically drinks like a rye-finished bourbon… or a bourbon-finished rye, depending on your perspective.
• Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye: A fan favorite that drinks more like dessert than spice rack.
If bourbon is your comfort zone, rye can feel like risky business. But the bottles featured here prove that rye doesn’t have to be punishing—it can be plush, flavorful, and every bit as rewarding. These are bourbon-friendly ryes, crafted for those who appreciate depth, balance, and the kind of pour that makes you think, “Okay... maybe I am a rye guy.”
So next time you're scanning the shelf or hovering over that "Add to Cart" button, don’t be afraid to go rye-curious. Your bourbon brain will thank you.
Sure, the name’s Bourboneur, but the app goes way beyond just bourbon. If you're getting into rye—or already deep down the rabbit hole—we’ve got you covered. The database includes nearly 1,000 rye whiskeys, with real-time pricing details. Whether you’re after bold Kentucky ryes, barrel-proof releases, or finished craft bottles with bourbon-like depth, you’ll find them all here. We were even recently featured in Forbes for helping collectors track pricing on rare and hard-to-find bottles—because whether it’s a unicorn bourbon or a sleeper rye, knowing the market matters. If you’re building a shelf, hunting bottles, or just trying to drink smarter, Bourboneur has your back.
The app requires a subscription—but at just $3/month or $25/year, it pays for itself the first time you avoid overpaying for that hot bottle.
👉 Download the Bourboneur App today and start making smarter whiskey decisions.
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