Judson & Moore Rye 750ML

Judson & Moore Rye 750ML is a Chicago-distilled straight rye whiskey bottled at 47% ABV (94 proof) in a 750ml bottle. A Triple Gold medal winner at the Micro Liquor Spirit Awards (MLSA) and Best in Class at the ECCSA, this craft rye has accumulated an impressive collection of accolades from multiple national and international competitions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 47% (94 Proof)  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Straight Rye Whiskey  |  Distillery: Judson & Moore

Production & Heritage

Judson & Moore distills, barrels, and bottles this rye entirely in Chicago, Illinois, using locally sourced Midwestern grains and Lake Michigan water. The mashbill runs 70% rye, 20% yellow corn, and 10% malted barley, processed through the distillery's custom-built 500-gallon copper pot still. What truly distinguishes this expression is the aging program: the whiskey matures in barrels fashioned from Minnesota white oak, selected specifically because oak grown in colder climates develops a tighter wood grain. According to the distillery, that tighter grain allows more vanillin and sweetness to migrate into the final spirit, counterbalancing the assertive rye spice.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with freshly made chocolate and rye seeds before unfolding into clean grain and a subtle mint-vanilla undertone. It carries a brisk, almost pastoral quality — aromatic and invigorating, recalling a breeze across rye fields.

Taste: The entry is smooth and honeyed, quickly joined by ripe melon and lemon citrus at mid-palate. As it builds, black pepper spice and baking spice assert themselves without overwhelming the underlying sweetness, creating a well-balanced push and pull between fruit and grain.

Finish: Medium-length with a dry, oaky backbone and a persistent thread of light vanilla. The rye spice lingers on the lips and tongue, tapering off gradually with a gentle warmth.

How to Drink Judson & Moore Rye

At 94 proof, this rye has enough structure to drink neat or with a single large ice cube; the slight dilution tends to amplify the melon and honey notes. It also stands up extremely well in cocktails:

• Manhattan: The honeyed sweetness and dry oak finish pair naturally with sweet vermouth, keeping the drink balanced without becoming cloying.
• Sazerac: The mint and pepper spice in the whiskey echo the absinthe rinse and Peychaud's bitters, creating a layered, aromatic drink.
• Old Fashioned: A touch of simple syrup and orange bitters draw out the chocolate and vanilla notes lurking beneath the rye spice.

Best For

• Rye whiskey enthusiasts exploring craft distilleries outside of Kentucky and Indiana
• Gifting to a cocktail-focused home bartender who values a versatile, barrel-proof-adjacent rye
• Tasting alongside other grain-forward American ryes to highlight regional terroir differences
• Hosting a whiskey flight night showcasing Midwest craft spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Judson & Moore Rye taste like? It leads with honey and melon sweetness before transitioning into assertive black pepper and rye spice, all grounded by a dry, oaky backbone. Chocolate and vanilla notes from the Minnesota white oak aging add depth throughout.

How does Judson & Moore Rye compare to Bulleit Rye? Bulleit Rye uses a 95% rye mashbill at 90 proof, resulting in a more aggressively spice-driven, leaner profile. Judson & Moore's 70% rye mashbill with 20% corn and its higher 94-proof bottling deliver noticeably more sweetness, body, and fruited complexity alongside the spice.

Is Judson & Moore Rye good for cocktails? Absolutely — the 94-proof strength ensures it punches through mixers and modifiers without getting lost, while the honey-and-spice balance makes it versatile across Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and Sazeracs.

Where is Judson & Moore Rye made? It is distilled, barreled, and bottled in Chicago, Illinois. The distillery uses Midwestern grains and Lake Michigan water, with aging carried out in barrels made from Minnesota white oak.

What foods pair well with Judson & Moore Rye? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the rye spice cuts through rich fat; aged cheddar or Gruyère, which complement the vanilla and oak; dark chocolate truffles that echo the cocoa on the nose; charcuterie boards with cured meats and grainy mustard; and apple-based desserts like tarte Tatin, which mirror the whiskey's fruit-forward mid-palate.

What sizes does Judson & Moore Rye come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 94 proof.

Is Judson & Moore Rye worth the price? It positions as a premium craft rye, and the all-in-one-facility Chicago production, custom copper still distillation, and Minnesota white oak aging program justify its placement above mass-market ryes. Multiple gold and Triple Gold medals from recognized competitions reinforce its quality-to-value standing.

Why Judson & Moore Rye?

This is a genuinely grain-to-glass Chicago rye — distilled, barreled, and bottled under one roof using a purpose-built 500-gallon copper still. The deliberate choice of Minnesota white oak barrels, with their cold-climate tight grain, introduces a vanillin sweetness rarely found in ryes aged in standard cooperage. That barrel selection, combined with the balanced 70/20/10 mashbill and 94-proof bottling strength, produces a rye that earned Triple Gold at MLSA, Best in Class at ECCSA, and additional medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, ADI, and ACSA. In a crowded rye market increasingly dominated by sourced whiskey, Judson & Moore delivers a traceable, regionally distinct product with serious competition hardware to back it up.