Whisky vs Rye: What’s the Difference?

Whisky

Whisky is an alcoholic drink that can be made by fermentation of many different kinds of grains. This causes differences in strengths and tastes of different whiskeys. For example, the world knows about Scotch being the finest whisky that originates from Scotland though there are also the Canadian whisky, as well as American whiskys. No matter what the grain base used to make whisky, the basic procedure of whisky formation remains the fermentation of the grain mash, its distillation, and then aging of the produce in wooden oaks or casks.

Rye Whisky

Rye whisky is a type of whisky that is made using fermentation of a grain called rye. However, another whisky originating from Canada is also referred to as rye whisky, even though it may not have been made using rye. If it is American rye whisky, it has to be made from a grain mash that contains at least 51% rye. There are also requirements of distillation of proof up to 160 and aging into charred barrels. However, the foremost requirement for a whisky to be called rye whiskey is to have rye as the predominant grain mash.

Whisky vs Rye Whisky Comparison

If you compare malt whisky or barley whiske with rye whisky, you will find rye whisky to be spicier and fruitier in smell and flavor than the rest of the whiskies around the world.
Rye whisky is more popular in US and Canada, and it requires no less than 51% of the grain mash to be rye to be labeled as rye whiskey.
The Canadian rye may not even be a whisky made with rye.
Whisky is a generic term whereas rye whisky is a term reserved for whisky made with the grain called rye.