legal
Rye whisky
Defined in law
In the United States, whisky from a fermented mash of not less than 51% rye, distilled at 160° proof or less and stored in charred new oak at 125° proof or less. 'Straight rye' adds a two-year minimum and bars additives.
Where it is defined
27 CFR 5.143(c) Table 1 items (2) and (5)
Often confused with Canadian rye whisky
In Canada 'rye' is a traditional style name with no minimum rye content. Canadian whisky need only be mashed, distilled and aged three years in Canada in small wood, and may legally contain 9.09% of other spirits or wine — so a Canadian 'rye' can contain almost no rye.
Related terms
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · All glossary terms