The 2024 SIP Awards, a renowned consumer-judged competition, celebrated the best in spirits across various categories, and American Rye Malt Whiskey was no exception. This category highlights whiskeys that feature malted rye as the primary grain, resulting in a unique balance of spice and complexity. Much like rye whiskeys, malted rye whiskeys must contain at least 51% malted rye in the mash bill.
So, today in my Awards Series I will give you the lowdown on the three (or four) medal-winning American rye malt whiskeys from the 2024 SIP Awards. Featuring tasting notes, prices, and backgrounds – here is everything you need to know.
Mother Earth Carolina Rye Whiskey
Medal: Double Gold
Tasting Notes: Hazelnut, cocoa, spice
BUY NOW: Not currently available at retail
Mother Earth Spirits was founded in 2008 by Stephen Hill and Trent Mooring and has been producing high-quality spirits including whiskey, gin, and rye in North Carolina.
As the name would suggest, Mother Earth Spirits is dedicated to producing eco-friendly spirits. The whiskey is distilled from locally sourced ingredients and the water hails from the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Mother Earth also employs barrel toasting rather than fully charring, this results in a subtle balance between wood and whiskey, making this rye perfectly sippable. So much so, in fact, that it was the only rye malt to pick up a Double Gold medal in this category.
It must be noted that Mother Earth Spirits has not outwardly stated that malted rye is used in this expression as the exact mash bill for this whiskey has not been disclosed.
Hill and Mooring are also the founders of Mother Earth Brewing, where they apply the same sustainable attitude to the brewing of beer. The two also founded the Mother Earth Brewing Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable craft brewing and distilling, and “protect, preserve, and benefit the environment.”
291 All Rye 100% Rye Malt Colorado Whiskey
Medal: Gold
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon raisin toast, Irish breakfast tea, sawdust, plum pudding, black pepper, salted caramel
BUY NOW:
291 All Rye is distilled from, you guessed it, 100% malted rye. Matured and then finished with toasted wood staves from the mountain town of Aspen, 291 All Rye Colorado Whiskey is a reflection of the distillery’s surroundings in Colorado Springs.
“We were inspired to create the addition to our line-up after the success of 291 E Batch 3, one of our first single malt experiments,” says Michael Myers, CEO & Founding Distiller on the brand’s website. “We liked it so much that we decided to make it again… this time featuring Colorado Malt from our friends at Root Shoot Malting out of Loveland, CO.”
Whiskey first came off the stills at 291 Colorado Whiskey in September 2011, and since then founder Michael Myers has been dedicated to producing whiskey “Hardmade the Colorado Way”.
Noble Oak Double Oak Rye
Medal: Gold
Tasting Notes: Toffee, allspice, rich grains, sweet brown sugar, maple syrup, green pepper, grass, rye spice
BUY NOW: $37
There is not a huge amount of information out there about the elusive Noble Oak brand. Owned by Edrington, the owner of The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, Scotland, the brand produces three principal expressions: Double Oak Bourbon, Double Oak Rye, and Trinity Reserve.
Noble Oak Double Oak Rye is treated to a finishing period using port wine staves that are sourced by Edrington’s Master of Wood. Given The Macallan’s stellar reputation for using only the finest sherry casks for maturation, it follows that Edrington would be vital in sourcing port staves for Noble Oak.
No information is given on the mash bill for this expression. But, if its classification is correct, then it must contain at least 51% malted rye.
The Question Mark – Elijah Craig Rye
Medal: Gold
Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, spices, a hint of smoke, baking spices, honey, smooth oak
BUY NOW: $20
Now, this expression was listed under the ‘American Rye Malt’ category in the results for the 2024 SIP Awards. However, it is widely accepted that Elijah Craig does not use malted rye in this expression, but unmalted rye. I cannot find any reference to malted rye being used in the mash bill. I have reached out to SIP Awards representatives for comment on the classification, as I suspect it has been mislabeled. It may be that the expression won a Gold medal in the ‘American Straight Rye Whiskey’ category instead.
Elijah Craig Rye, produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, is a distinguished expression within the world of rye whiskeys. The whiskey is distilled from a mash bill comprising 51% rye, 35% corn, and 14% barley.
The brand’s namesake, entrepreneur and distiller, Elijah Craig, is “credited with being the first to age his American Whiskey in charred oak barrels to make Bourbon,” according to the brand’s website. This is a tradition that Heaven Hill is carrying on to this day. The result is a smooth yet robust rye whiskey, ideal for both sipping and mixing in classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.