Bourbon or Rye? What’s the difference, which goes in a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned, which one should I get? We’ll breakdown taste, technique, and often associated drinks below.
Corn vs Rye
The difference in flavor comes from the emphasis on different grains for the mash. Bourbon was created in Bourbon County Kentucky. Taking advantage of an abundance of corn, the process of creating bourbon was cultivated to be made of over 50% corn and aged in oak barrels. Not only is this an American whiskey, but over 93% of bourbon today comes from Kentucky.
American rye whiskey on the other hand is shockingly made with rye. While the American rye whiskey’s must be made of over 50% rye, distilleries in Canada have no rules for how much rye must be embedded, meaning expect various degrees to be in it.
Smooth and sweeter versus spice and smoke.
Bourbon takes on the flavor of the corn and will often have a sweeter and more mellow flavor. Aged in oak barrels leads to a smoother softer flavor to accompany the sweeter profile. Often embedded into bourbon in the 49% of other ingredients are four main profiles: grain forward, nutmeg forward, caramel forward, and cinnamon forward.
Rye takes on a spicier more bold flavor. For sipping on something neat with a little more of a pop, rye often has a more in your face flavor. That spicier flavor is usually accompanied with nodes of fruits or smoke depending on the brand and bottle.
What’s common for each drink?
Keep in mind, these are what’s common, but as always there’s no hard and fast rules.
Old Fashioned: Bourbon
Most gravitate towards a smoother and sweeter easy to sip approach
Manhattan: Rye
This is the standard drink for rye whiskey accompanied by dry vermouth and bitters.
Sazerac: Rye
Previously outlawed, this slow sipper takes advantage of the bold flavor of the rye
Kentucky Mule:
Kentucky Mules go with the Kentucky whiskey, so bourbon
Mint Julep: Bourbon
Same for the Julep
Whiskey Ginger: Rye
Gives the drink a little more of an edge
Boulevardier:
For someone who likes whiskey, but wants a less dry Manhattan