Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey

Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey is a bold, mature American rye from Beyond Distilling Company in North Charleston, South Carolina, crafted from 100% rye grain and aged for 7 years in full-size 53-gallon new American white oak barrels with a #4 char. Bottled at a substantial 100 proof (50% ABV), this limited-release whiskey brings together classic rye spice, toasted oak, caramelized sweetness, vanilla, dark fruit, and warming baking spice in a concentrated, full-bodied style.

Process & Profile

Beyond Distilling Company was founded with a dual focus on craft spirits and inclusive employment. Founders Tyler LaCorata, Ryan Sadis, and Kerianne Krause combined distilling experience with a mission to create meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. The company opened its North Charleston facility in late 2021 with approximately 2,000 barrels of whiskey originally crafted in New York.

The rye itself is produced from 100% rye, an unusually grain-focused recipe compared with many American rye whiskeys that incorporate corn or malted barley into the mash. The all-rye composition emphasizes the grain's naturally assertive spice, herbal character, and dry structure.

Maturation takes place for a full seven years in new American white oak, specifically traditional 53-gallon barrels with a heavy #4 char. That deep char helps build layers of toasted wood, vanilla, caramelized sugar, and spice around the naturally powerful rye grain.

After seven years of maturation, the whiskey is bottled at 100 proof / 50% ABV. Rather than softening the whiskey down to a lower bottling strength, the 100-proof presentation preserves substantial body, aromatic intensity, and a warming finish. The release is produced in limited quantities and has been positioned as an annual fall release.

On the nose, expect a rye-driven combination of toasted grain, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, dark fruit, and charred oak. Subtle herbal and peppery notes provide additional lift, while seven years in heavily charred oak brings a darker, more mature aromatic character.

The palate is full-bodied, spicy, and structured, opening with rye grain, cracked pepper, and cinnamon before developing richer notes of caramel, vanilla bean, toasted oak, dark cherry, baking spice, and subtle cocoa. The maturity of the whiskey rounds the sharper edges typically associated with younger rye while preserving the grain's naturally energetic personality.

The finish is long and warming, carrying black pepper, cinnamon, toasted oak, vanilla, caramelized sugar, and dry rye spice. At 100 proof, the flavors remain concentrated and persistent without pushing into extreme barrel-strength territory.

What makes Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey particularly compelling is the combination of 100% rye grain, seven years of maturation, full-size #4-char American oak barrels, and a robust 100-proof bottling strength. The recipe offers a distinctly rye-forward experience rather than relying on corn sweetness to soften the profile.

The whiskey has also earned notable competition recognition. Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey received a Silver Medal at the 2026 American Craft Spirits Awards and was also listed as a Silver Medal winner at the 2025 New York World Spirits Competition.

Enjoy it neat to experience the full seven-year rye character, add a few drops of water to reveal additional vanilla and caramel, or serve it over a large cube. Its 100-proof structure also makes it an excellent choice for a premium Manhattan, Sazerac, or Rye Old Fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey?
It is a limited-release American rye whiskey from Beyond Distilling Company, made from 100% rye grain, aged for 7 years, and bottled at 100 proof / 50% ABV.

What are the key specs of Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey?
The whiskey is 7 years old, bottled at 100 proof / 50% ABV, and offered in a 750ml bottle. It is made entirely from rye and matured in 53-gallon new American white oak barrels with a #4 char.

What is the mash bill of Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey?
The whiskey is distilled from 100% rye grain, giving it a particularly grain-forward and spice-driven character compared with rye recipes containing significant amounts of corn.

What flavors characterize Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey?
Expect rye spice, cinnamon, black pepper, toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, dark fruit, baking spice, and subtle cocoa, with a dry, warming finish enhanced by seven years in heavily charred American oak.

What makes Beyond Distilling Rye Whiskey special?
Its distinction comes from the combination of 100% rye, seven years of aging, heavily charred full-size American oak barrels, 100-proof strength, and limited annual production. The whiskey also earned Silver Medals at both the 2026 American Craft Spirits Awards and 2025 New York World Spirits Competition.