Whisky/whiskey afficionados can be as tribal as sports fans when it comes to their preferred drink. I have my favorite single malts, bourbons, and Irish whiskeys but in recent years I've come to love RYE WHISKEY.

Once nearly as popular as bourbon it all but fell off the map about the same time Rock and Roll music hit the scene. I live in the heart of bourbon country and I'm happy to report rye is back.

I've tried a heap of top shelf ryes and I keep coming back to the humble, affordable Jim Beam Rye.

To my taste buds it has a character somewhere between Auchentoshan (lowland single malt), Jameson, and bourbon. Ryes tend to be simultaneously soft and spicy.

Bourbon is made from corn and either wheat or rye. I have discovered all my favorite bourbons are rye-based (Woodford Reserve, Old Pogue, Four Roses).

Any rye lovers here?