Rye Whiskey substitutes
The closest substitute for Rye Whiskey is Bourbon, which works but the drink will taste a little different. Softer and sweeter than rye's spice. Jim Beam Bourbon and Crown Royal also work. In a pinch, use Jack Daniels.
What to use instead of Rye Whiskey
| Substitute | How much | Strength | Typical drink |
|---|---|---|---|
BourbonWorks, tastes different Softer and sweeter than rye's spice. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV | −1 point |
Jim Beam BourbonWorks, tastes different A bourbon: softer and sweeter than rye. Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | −2 points |
Crown RoyalWorks, tastes different Canadian whisky, lighter body. Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | −2 points |
Jack DanielsLast resort Sweeter and much less spicy. Same amount | Same amount | 40–47% ABV | −2 points |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink. Typical drink: the usual change in ABV, in percentage points, across the drinks below.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Rye Whiskey, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Algonquin
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 20% ABV → about 19% ABV−1 point
- Bensonhurst
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 27% ABV → about 26% ABV−1 point
- Black Manhattan
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 31% ABV → about 30% ABV−1 point
- Brooklyn
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 27% ABV → about 26% ABV−1 point
- Cobble Hill
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 29% ABV → about 28% ABV−1 point
- Devil's Soul
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 29% ABV → about 28% ABV−1 point
- Diamondback
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 34% ABV → about 33% ABV−1 point
- Greenpoint
50ml (1⅔ oz) Rye Whiskey → 50ml (1⅔ oz) Bourbon
About 31% ABV → about 30% ABV−1 point
- Hunter
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 30% ABV → about 29% ABV−1 point
- Little Italy
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 27% ABV → about 26% ABV−1 point
- Long Look Back
30ml (1 oz) Rye Whiskey → 30ml (1 oz) Bourbon
About 25% ABV → about 24% ABV−1 point
- Manhattan
50ml (1⅔ oz) Rye Whiskey → 50ml (1⅔ oz) Bourbon
About 29% ABV → about 28% ABV−1 point
- Manhattan Transfer
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 26% ABV → about 25% ABV−1 point
- Monte Carlo
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 34% ABV → about 33% ABV−1 point
- Old Pal
30ml (1 oz) Rye Whiskey → 30ml (1 oz) Bourbon
About 23% ABV → about 22% ABV−1 point
- Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
20ml (⅔ oz) Rye Whiskey → 20ml (⅔ oz) Bourbon
About 28% ABV → about 27% ABV−1 point
- Red Hook
50ml (1⅔ oz) Rye Whiskey → 50ml (1⅔ oz) Bourbon
About 30% ABV → about 28% ABV−2 points
- Remember the Maine
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 28% ABV → about 27% ABV−1 point
- Scofflaw
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
About 18% ABV → about 17% ABV−1 point
- Slope
75ml (2½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 75ml (2½ oz) Bourbon
About 29% ABV → about 28% ABV−1 point
- Toronto
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 32% ABV → about 30% ABV−2 points
- Trinidad Sour
15ml (½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 15ml (½ oz) Bourbon
About 18% ABV → about 17% ABV−1 point
- Vieux Carré
30ml (1 oz) Rye Whiskey → 30ml (1 oz) Bourbon
About 27% ABV → about 26% ABV−1 point
- Ward Eight
60ml (2 oz) Rye Whiskey → 60ml (2 oz) Bourbon
About 17% ABV → about 16% ABV−1 point
- Blinker
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
Same strength
- Final Ward
22ml (¾ oz) Rye Whiskey → 22ml (¾ oz) Bourbon
Same strength
- La Louisiane
45ml (1½ oz) Rye Whiskey → 45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon
Same strength
How they compare
| Property | Rye Whiskey | Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–50% ABV | 40–50% ABV |
| Taste | Spicy, Peppery, Dried fruit, Herbal, Oak | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Gentle spice |
| Aroma | Spice, Pepper, Caraway, Citrus, Oak | Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Corn sweetness, Baking spices |
| Finish | Dry, Spicy, Long, Warming | Warm, Sweet, Medium to long, Oak tannins |
| Property | Rye Whiskey | Jim Beam Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–50% ABV | 40% ABV |
| Taste | Spicy, Peppery, Dried fruit, Herbal, Oak | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Medium body |
| Aroma | Spice, Pepper, Caraway, Citrus, Oak | Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Corn sweetness, Light spice |
| Finish | Dry, Spicy, Long, Warming | Warm, Sweet, Oak, Medium length |
Already have one of these?
If you have Rittenhouse Rye, Bulleit Rye, Sazerac Rye, Old Overholt or WhistlePig 10 Year, you don't need a substitute: they are all Rye Whiskey. How they differ
What is Rye Whiskey?
Rye whiskey is a spicier, more assertive American whiskey made primarily from rye grain. Essential for Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and other classic cocktails.
Got Rye Whiskey? It also replaces
Questions about Rye Whiskey substitutes
What is the best substitute for Rye Whiskey?
Bourbon is the closest substitute for Rye Whiskey, though the drink will taste a little different. Softer and sweeter than rye's spice. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Rye Whiskey in a Manhattan?
Bourbon: swap 50ml (1⅔ oz) of Rye Whiskey for 50ml (1⅔ oz) of Bourbon. It ends up about 28% ABV instead of about 29%.
Which Rye Whiskey brands can I use?
If you have Rittenhouse Rye, Bulleit Rye, Sazerac Rye, Old Overholt or WhistlePig 10 Year, you don't need a substitute: they are all Rye Whiskey. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.
Does Bourbon instead of Rye Whiskey change how strong the drink is?
It can. The biggest change is in the Red Hook, which goes from about 30% to about 28% ABV. The swap calculator on this page works it out for every drink.
More spirit substitutes
Out of Rye Whiskey?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.