To the casual drinker, rye whiskey may often be confused with American bourbon, however they’re quite different in taste despite similarities in the distillation process.

If you are new to drinking rye whiskeys or are looking extend your bar and palate into a new direction, the following list of 7 best rye whiskeys to try in 2020 will help you find the taste you like. As always, enjoy responsibly!

1. High West Double Rye! Whiskey

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High West Double Rye! Barrel Aged Rye Whiskey is the blend of a spicy 2-year-old rye whiskey with a smoother, older barrel whiskey.

Double Rye! blends straight ryes aged in oak barrels for two to seven years in new, charred white oak barrels.

The younger rye whiskey creates a bold up-front taste that mellows to hints of wildflowers and anise on the palate.

The Double Rye! is a quality mid-priced American Rye that drinkers of all types can enjoy whether sipping an Old Fashioned cocktail or drinking neat.

2. Michter’s US-1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye

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Michter’s makes an enjoyable American Rye whiskey, however it likes to experiment by adopting different barrel finishes to craft even better tasting whiskey with variety in cask strength.

The result is the brilliant Toasted Barrel Finish Rye, which uses a second custom barrel made from air dried wood and toasted (instead of burnt) at the end of the distillation process to add an extra layer of unique flavor.

Michter’s US-1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye is the most expensive but most uniquely flavored bottle of rye whiskey on the list and would suit the collection of a serious connoisseur.

3. Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey

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Rittenhouse Rye is a favorite for whiskey drinkers of all stripes. The brand is known for a strong, spicy flavor in their rye whiskey, making it a popular choice for drinking straight or for use with other spirits in a classic cocktail.