Rye whiskey has made a roaring comeback over the last decade, staking out territory far beyond its historic roots as bourbon’s spicier cousin. And that’s a good thing for a style of whiskey that was once America’s favorite before Prohibition nearly wiped it out, and then only survived for decades as a cheap alternative, before craft distillers rediscovered it in the early 2010s.
If there was any doubt that American Rye is in the midst of a well-deserved resurgence, then the two finalists for Best Rye Whiskey at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC) should dispel it. Both are deeply complex whiskeys from craft distillers that earned raves from the judges at the event.
K.Luke Small Batch Toasted Barrel Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey Batch 5
Jonathan Maisano doesn’t fit the archetype of a typical whiskey maker. A sommelier by training, he got into the whiskey business in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since. He opened K. Luke in 2021 with his wife, Jennifer, with a simple goal. To make the best small batch blends by sourcing whiskeys from several different distilleries in Indiana and Kentucky. He obviously must be doing something right, as his Batch 5 took home the Best in Class Rye Whiskey Trophy at the NYWSC.
His approach to crafting his small-batch whiskeys is increasingly gaining popularity. By focusing on blending, instead of distilling, Maisano can concentrate on layering flavors and adding liquid as needed. This allows him the freedom to experiment and produce wildly unique bottlings that are quickly snatched up.
Made from a blend of four different barrels of whiskey that were chosen not for age but for how they worked together. The resultant mixture was then finished in toasted barrels, an increasingly popular technique that amplifies the warmth and depth of the underlying rye. It was bottled at a barrel strength of 114 proof. The judges loved it.
This mouthwatering Rye whiskey opens with a dry and savory nose of rye bread, tobacco, and subtle sweetness, before unfolding into a symphonic palate where honey, vanilla, and baking spices meet rye spice, glowing warmth, and broad, mouth-filling depth, finishing with a long, evolving persistence of brooding spice and oak that beckons you back for another sip.
There were only 643 bottles made, so if you want one, you’d better move fast. You can grab one here.
Bespoken Alchemist Series Release #012 Straight Rye Whiskey Finished With Amburana Wood
Just as impressive was Bespoken’s Alchemist Series Release #012, which was fashioned with an entirely different vision. Where K.Luke plays into tradition, Bespoken embraces the future. Its proprietary finishing technology allows its team to manipulate wood and toast profiles with laboratory precision. It compresses the effects of years in wood into a matter of weeks, allowing a new breed of whiskey to emerge.
That experimental edge earned Bespoken, bottled at 117 proof, a Double Gold Medal and raves from the judges.
A captivating rye whiskey with an evolving nose of oatmeal cookie, molasses, autumnal fruits, and charred wood, tasting every bit as good as it smells with a richly layered palate of whole grains, warm ginger spice, peppery rye, baked orchard fruits, candied nuts, chai, and tobacco, and culminating in a long, complex finish where molasses and oak linger with inviting warmth.
The bottling was a limited release and is not yet available to the public. Still, you can find other Bespoken bottles here.
Looking Forward
The 2025 NYWSC reminds us that rye whiskey’s future will continue to be shaped by creators who ask not just “What was?” but “What’s possible?” Whether you’re clutching a rare bottle of K.Luke or experiencing Bespoken’s latest experiment, you’re witnessing the new frontier of American rye: bold, imaginative, and unapologetically delicious. One thing’s sure: in the world of rye, the boundaries keep moving, and that’s good news for everyone who loves a little spice in their glass.
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