Short answer: High rye bourbon is bourbon made with a bigger share of rye grain in the mash bill, usually somewhere between 20 and 35 percent, instead of the smaller amount most bourbons use. That extra rye brings more pepper and spice to the glass. Our Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon runs 21 percent rye, giving it a bold, spice-forward character.
Key Takeaways
- Bourbon must be at least 51 percent corn. Everything past that is up to the distiller.
- High rye bourbon swaps in more rye grain, usually 20 percent or more, for a spicier, drier profile.
- Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon uses a 69 corn, 21 rye, 10 malted barley mash bill.
- Long Ridge earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
What Makes Something Bourbon in the First Place
Before getting into rye content, it helps to know what counts as bourbon at all. By law, bourbon has to be made in the United States, from a mash bill that is at least 51 percent corn. It has to be distilled to no more than 160 proof, put into the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and aged in new charred oak barrels. No coloring or flavoring can be added. It has to be bottled at 80 proof or higher.
Past that 51 percent corn minimum, distillers have room to work. The rest of the mash bill is usually split between rye, wheat, and malted barley, and that split is where a bourbon gets its personality.
What Is High Rye Bourbon, Specifically
There is no official legal definition of "high rye," but most distillers and drinkers use the term for a bourbon where rye makes up somewhere between 20 and 35 percent of the mash bill. Standard bourbon usually sits closer to 10 to 15 percent rye, so a high rye bourbon noticeably shifts the flavor.
Rye grain brings pepper, spice, and a drier finish. Corn brings sweetness. Malted barley helps with fermentation and adds a little nuttiness. The more rye in the mix, the less sweet and the more peppery the bourbon tends to taste.
Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon: A Working Example
Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon uses a mash bill of 69 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, what we call our RB22 recipe. That 21 percent rye puts it solidly in high rye territory.
Long Ridge is aged 5 to 7 years in new charred white oak barrels and bottled at cask strength, so the proof varies by barrel. The rye spice comes through clearly on the palate, backed by caramel and vanilla from the barrel and a long, peppery finish.
Long Ridge earned a Double Gold Medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was named one of the world's best small batch bourbons by Forbes.
Standard Bourbon vs. High Rye Bourbon
| Standard Bourbon | High Rye Bourbon (Long Ridge) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical rye content | 10 to 15 percent | 21 percent |
| Flavor lean | Sweeter, softer | Peppery, spice-forward |
| Finish | Rounder, mellow | Drier, longer spice |
| Best for | Sipping neat or in sweeter cocktails | Cocktails that need backbone, like a Manhattan |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is high rye bourbon the same as rye whiskey?
No. Rye whiskey has to be at least 51 percent rye in the mash bill. High rye bourbon is still bourbon, so it stays at least 51 percent corn. It just carries more rye than a typical bourbon.
What percentage of rye makes a bourbon "high rye"?
There is no official cutoff, but most people use the term for bourbons with 20 percent rye or more. Long Ridge sits at 21 percent.
Does high rye bourbon taste different from regular bourbon?
Yes. Expect more pepper and spice and a drier finish, compared to the softer sweetness of a lower-rye bourbon.
Is high rye bourbon good for cocktails?
Yes. The extra spice holds up well in cocktails that use citrus, soda, or vermouth, since the flavor does not get lost the way a softer bourbon might.
Try High Rye Bourbon for Yourself
Pick up a bottle of Long Ridge High Rye Bourbon from our shop and taste the rye spice firsthand.