Elijah Craig Straight Rye Review

Elijah Craig
Straight Rye
Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
94 Proof
MSRP: ~$30-33(original MSRP was $29.99)
Review

Please enjoy our Elijah Craig Straight Rye review!

“Spicy Rye Perfectly Balanced with Corn for a Distinctly Smooth Taste” – Heaven Hill Distillery

Elijah Craig Straight Rye was announced in late 2019. However, it was first released in January 2020, but only in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Oregon. The reason for that seemingly odd collection of states is known only to those in charge at Heaven Hill Distillery. Notably, much to our dismay, Kentucky was absent from the list. In fact, I had to buy my own bottle in North Carolina, which seems a bit crazy when the distillery is right here! But, I digress. Let’s move on to my review.

A Kentucky Rye

Elijah Craig Straight Rye is a Kentucky Rye. Kentucky rye is a style of rye that has a fairly low rye content, often close to the minimum allowable 51%. In addition, much of the remainder of the mash bill is made up of corn. Thus, Kentucky ryes can be a bit sweeter with less spice than many of the other rye styles.

The mash bill contains 51% rye, 35% corn and 14% malted barley. According to the original press release from 2019, “Extra-aging is a tenet of the Elijah Craig portfolio, and Elijah Craig Rye is no exception.” However, this rye does not bear an age statement, so we do not know exactly what “extra-aging” means.

Tasting Notes – Elijah Craig Straight Rye Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Rye spices, tart orange and grapefruit, sweet cherry candy, light honey, vanilla & rye bread; mild to moderate alcohol vapor
👉🏻Taste: Sugar sweetness, rye spices, tart orange and grapefruit, and a hint of cherries
👉🏻Finish: Building black pepper spice, mild char, tapering sweet cherry candy and rye spices; moderately long

Elijah Craig Straight Rye has many of the flavors I would expect in the nose, including rye spices, tart oranges and grapefruits. However, in addition, there are softer notes of light honey, hints of vanilla, sweet cherry candy, and fresh rye bread. The taste leads off with a sugary sweetness, with rye spices and tart orange and grapefruit, as well. The finish is fairly spicy, with growing black pepper, mild char, and tapering rye spices and sweet cherry candy. The flavors become quite dry, with some barrel char and black pepper remaining on my tongue for quite a while.

Summary

Elijah Craig Straight Rye has a bit less “bite” and more sweetness, when compared to many ryes which have a much higher rye content. The high percentage of corn is definitely at play. In addition, the tart citrus is a pleasant accompaniment to the other flavors, and when combined with the sweet cherry candy, makes for an enjoyable sip. However, the dryness, fairly high level of black pepper spice, and lingering barrel char in the finish are a bit unexpected, given the earlier flavors. Because of this rye’s somewhat atypical flavor profile, it might not appeal to everyone, but there are many who will really enjoy it. Therefore, if you are a fan of rye, but don’t like the “in your face” flavors of something like an Indiana 95/5 rye, and you like a bit more sweetness and fruit, then this may be the rye for you. Have you tried Elijah Craig Straight Rye? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Elijah Craig Straight Rye review! In 2024, a version of this rye that was finished in a specially toasted and charred barrel was released. If that sounds interesting to you, then you’ll want to read our Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Review. If bourbon is more your style, then check out our Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon and our Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon reviews.

This bottle was graciously provided by the distillery for my review.

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