{"product_id":"elijah-craig-straight-rye","title":"Elijah Craig Straight Rye","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey. Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky — the first extra-aged Kentucky straight rye whiskey from Heaven Hill's Elijah Craig program, made from a 51% rye mash bill and aged longer than standard rye expressions to develop the spice, oak depth, and complexity that distinguishes it from younger, less developed rye whiskeys on the market.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRye whiskey requires a minimum 51% rye grain in the mash bill by law, but the grain ratio and age have an enormous impact on the final character. Elijah Craig's straight rye uses 51% rye alongside corn and malted barley — a mash bill that delivers the characteristic rye spice while the corn provides the sweetness that balances the pepper and dried herb notes. \"Extra-aged\" distinguishes this expression from the younger rye whiskeys that dominate the category: more time in new charred American oak at Heaven Hill's Bardstown rick houses means more wood-derived caramel and vanilla alongside the rye grain's natural spice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe result is a rye that bridges the gap between the assertive, grain-forward rye character that cocktail bartenders and rye enthusiasts seek and the approachable, well-integrated profile that makes it easy to drink neat or on the rocks. It carries the Elijah Craig name's consistent value proposition into the rye category.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rye spice — pepper, dried herb, and caraway — with caramel and vanilla from the extra aging in new charred oak. More integrated and less raw than young, lightly aged ryes.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold rye character with cinnamon and pepper up front, softened by the corn-derived sweetness and the oak's caramel contribution. Well-balanced between spice and sweetness.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm and spiced with lingering rye grain and oak. The extra aging creates a sustained finish that younger ryes at this price cannot match.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown, Kentucky\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMash Bill:\u003c\/strong\u003e 51% rye, 35% corn, 14% malted barley\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, extra-aged\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eABV:\u003c\/strong\u003e 47% (94 Proof)\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBrowse our full selection of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/rye\"\u003erye whiskey at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Elijah Craig Straight Rye taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Pepper, dried herb, and caraway with caramel and vanilla on the nose. Bold rye spice with cinnamon and pepper softened by corn sweetness on the palate. Warm, spiced finish with lingering rye grain and oak.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it \"extra-aged\"?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is aged longer than the minimum required for straight rye designation, allowing more time in new charred American oak to develop caramel, vanilla, and wood complexity alongside the rye's natural spice character.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat cocktails work best with Elijah Craig Straight Rye?\u003c\/strong\u003e Manhattan (rye's classic cocktail home — the spice integrates perfectly with sweet vermouth and bitters), Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour with rye, or neat with a single ice cube. The extra aging also makes it excellent for sipping without any mixer.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does this compare to Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon?\u003c\/strong\u003e Same Heaven Hill distillery and value philosophy, different grain character. The Small Batch is corn-forward — sweeter, rounder, caramel-led. The Straight Rye is spice-forward — pepper, herb, and caraway with sweetness in a supporting role. Both over-deliver at their price points.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What does Elijah Craig Straight Rye taste like?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Pepper, dried herb, and caraway with caramel and vanilla on the nose. Bold rye spice with cinnamon and pepper on the palate. Warm, spiced finish with lingering rye grain and oak.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What makes it extra-aged?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Aged longer than the minimum for straight rye, allowing more time in new charred American oak to develop caramel, vanilla, and wood complexity alongside rye's natural spice.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What cocktails work best with Elijah Craig Straight Rye?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Manhattan (rye's classic cocktail home), Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, or neat with a single ice cube. Extra aging also makes it excellent for sipping without mixer.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How does this compare to Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Same Heaven Hill value philosophy, different grain character. Small Batch is corn-forward and sweeter. Straight Rye is spice-forward with pepper, herb, and caraway. Both over-deliver at their price points.\"}}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Elijah Craig","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42904164728903,"sku":"096749002733","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/elijah-craig-rye.png?v=1782422002","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/elijah-craig-straight-rye","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}