{"product_id":"clyde-mays-straight-rye-review","title":"Clyde May's Straight Rye Review","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n\/* ── RyeCentral Review v2 CSS ── *\/\n.rc-v2 { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1a1a1a; line-height: 1.6; }\n.rc-v2 * { box-sizing: border-box; }\n.rc-v2 h2 { font-size: 22px; font-weight: 700; margin: 28px 0 16px; color: #1a1a1a; padding-top: 8px; }\n.rc-v2 h3 { font-size: 18px; font-weight: 600; margin: 20px 0 12px; color: #1a1a1a; }\n.rc-v2 p { margin-bottom: 14px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.75; }\n.rc-breadcrumb { font-size: 13px; color: #6b6b65; margin-bottom: 16px; }\n.rc-breadcrumb a { color: #6b6b65; text-decoration: none; }\n.rc-breadcrumb a:hover { color: #E8860C; }\n.rc-jump-links { display: flex; gap: 8px; flex-wrap: wrap; margin-bottom: 20px; }\n.rc-jump-link { display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 6px; padding: 6px 14px; border: 1px solid #e5e5e0; border-radius: 20px; font-size: 13px; 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}\n.product-form__buttons { display: none !important; }\n.product-form__input--variant { display: none !important; }\n.price--large { display: none !important; }\n.product__title h1{font-size:28px !important;font-weight:800 !important;line-height:1.25 !important;color:#1a1a1a !important}\n.price--large .price-item--regular,.price--large .price-item--sale{font-size:14px !important;font-weight:500 !important;color:#6b6b65 !important}\n.price--large .price__container{font-size:14px !important}\n.rc-guide-price{font-size:13px;color:#8a8a82;margin-bottom:8px;font-weight:400}\n.rc-guide-price-label { font-size: 14px; color: #6b6b65; font-weight: 500; }\n.rc-guide-price-value { font-size: 24px; font-weight: 800; color: #1a1a1a; }\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .rc-fit-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n  .rc-tasting-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n  .rc-cocktail-grid { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }\n  .rc-proscons-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n  .rc-facts-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }\n  .rc-comm-big-score { font-size: 42px; }\n  .rc-voucher-card{flex-direction:column;text-align:center}\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-v2\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-guide-price\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-guide-price-label\"\u003eGuide Price:\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"rc-guide-price-value\"\u003e$32 – $45\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-breadcrumb\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/\"\u003eHome\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan\u003e›\u003c\/span\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rye-whiskey-reviews\"\u003eRye Whiskey Reviews\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan\u003e›\u003c\/span\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rye-whiskey-reviews\"\u003eCLYDE MAY'S\u003c\/a\u003e \u003cspan\u003e›\u003c\/span\u003e Clyde May's Straight Rye Review\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-jump-links\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-tasting\" class=\"rc-jump-link\"\u003e👃 Tasting Notes\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-flavor\" class=\"rc-jump-link\"\u003e📊 Flavor Profile\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-cocktails\" class=\"rc-jump-link\"\u003e🍸 Cocktail Fit\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-review\" class=\"rc-jump-link\"\u003e📝 Full Review\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-community\" class=\"rc-jump-link\"\u003e👥 Community\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-faq\" class=\"rc-jump-link\"\u003e❓ FAQ\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"#rc-rewards\" class=\"rc-jump-link rc-jump-link--reward\"\u003e🎁 $10 Reward\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-facts\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-facts-grid\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-label\"\u003eType\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-value\"\u003eAmerican Straight Rye Whiskey\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-label\"\u003eProof \/ ABV\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-value\"\u003e94 proof \/ 47%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-label\"\u003eAge\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-value\"\u003eMinimum 4 years (was 3)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-label\"\u003eMash Bill\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-value\"\u003eUndisclosed\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-label\"\u003ePrice Range\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-value\"\u003e$32 – $45\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-label\"\u003eDistilled At\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-fact-value\"\u003eMGP, Lawrenceburg, Indiana\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-callout\"\u003e💡 \u003cstrong\u003eSourcing, plainly:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Alabama story on this label is a brand story. The liquid is distilled in Indiana at MGP and shipped south to be proofed and bottled. Clyde May's does not say so on the front label; every independent source we checked does.\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-fit\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eIs This For Me?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fit-grid\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fit-box rc-fit-like\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fit-label\"\u003e✅ You'll love this if…\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eYou want a spice-forward Indiana rye with real proof behind it — 94 proof is enough weight to hold up in a Manhattan without being punishing neat. Cinnamon, pepper and rye grain are the through-line across almost every reviewer, and at a street price in the thirties it is genuinely well-priced for what it is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fit-box rc-fit-skip\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-fit-label\"\u003e⛔ Maybe skip if…\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eYou want age, or you want the label to tell you the truth about where the whiskey comes from. Reviewers of the original 3-year bottling repeatedly used the words \"youthful,\" \"immature\" and \"rushed to market,\" and two independently flagged a solvent or rubber note. The mash bill is still undisclosed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-flavor\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile at a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-bars\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eSweetness\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 50%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e5\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eRye Spice\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 70%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e7\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eHerbal \/ Mint\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 50%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e5\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eFruit\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 60%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e6\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eOak \/ Vanilla\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 60%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e6\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eBody\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 50%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e5\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eHeat\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 40%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e4\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-label\"\u003eFinish Length\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-fill\" style=\"width: 60%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-val\"\u003e6\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-tasting\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWhat It Tastes Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-grid\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e👃\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNose\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVanilla first, then dry oak and a distinctly floral lift — honeysuckle and apricot are the notes the brand names and independent reviewers keep confirming. A little green apple and cinnamon sit underneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e👅\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePalate\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRye spice leads, with cinnamon, green apple and a cereal-grain thread running through it. Lightly charred wood arrives mid-palate and brings some tannin with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e🔥\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFinish\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium and drying — black pepper over lingering rye spice and toasted cereal, with the charred wood turning a touch tannic at the very end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cbutton class=\"rc-dl-card\"\u003e\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 16l-5-5h3V4h4v7h3l-5 5zm-7 2v2h14v-2H5z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e Download Tasting Card (PDF)\u003c\/button\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-cocktails\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Ways to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-grid\" style=\"grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e🥃\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNeat\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorkable but not the highlight. Several reviewers found it a touch harsh or hot neat for its age, and one described the mouthfeel as thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e💧\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWith Water\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA few drops soften the ethanol edge without flattening the spice. At 47% there is enough structure to take it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e🧊\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOn Ice\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clearest upgrade. Chill pulls the floral and apple notes into line and knocks back the alcohol — the format most reviewers preferred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-tasting-card\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e🍹\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCocktail\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere the consensus lands. The brand recommends a Perfect Manhattan; reviewers independently reach the same verdict — this is a mixing rye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 16px;\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eCocktail Scores\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-grid\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-name\"\u003eManhattan\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-stars\"\u003e★★★★☆\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-name\"\u003eOld Fashioned\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-stars\"\u003e★★★★☆\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-name\"\u003eWhiskey Sour\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-stars\"\u003e★★★☆☆\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-name\"\u003eBoulevardier\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-stars\"\u003e★★★☆☆\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cocktail-tip\"\u003e💡 \u003cstrong\u003ePro Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e The brand's own call — a Perfect Manhattan, split sweet and dry vermouth — is the right one here; the dry half keeps the floral side from turning soapy. In an Old Fashioned, use demerara rather than white sugar and go light on it.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-price\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003ePrice \u0026amp; Value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-price-highlight\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-price-range\"\u003e$32 – $45\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-price-context\"\u003e750ml · MSRP around $45; widely discounted to the low thirties\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis bottle's value case has improved quietly and substantially. At the $45 launch price in 2018, reviewers were blunt: \"more than a little overpriced for what's in the bottle\" and \"rushed to market.\" It now routinely sells in the low-to-mid thirties, and the age statement has gone up a year. Thirty-two dollars for a 94-proof four-year Indiana rye is a fair deal by any current measure — it is simply not a premium one, and the brand still charges a premium-shelf MSRP for it. If you are shopping this bracket, the rest of the field sits in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mid-rye-whiskey-collection\"\u003emid-priced rye collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-transparency\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBottle Transparency\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul class=\"rc-transparency-list\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-label\"\u003eDistillery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-value\"\u003eMGP of Indiana, Lawrenceburg. Not distilled in Alabama, and not at Clyde May's own Conecuh Ridge Distillery in Troy. Confirmed independently by Breaking Bourbon, Drinkhacker, Distiller, The Whiskey Reviewer, Barrel and Brew and The Daily Pour.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-label\"\u003eMash Bill\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-value\"\u003eUndisclosed by the brand. Commonly assumed to be MGP's 95% rye \/ 5% malted barley recipe, but neither Clyde May's nor MGP confirms it — so we do not treat this as a high-rye bottle on the record.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-label\"\u003eAge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-value\"\u003eMinimum 4 years on the brand's current page. Bottles from the 2018 launch through roughly 2021 carried a 3-year statement under the same name and the same 94 proof. Some retailer copy still says 3.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-label\"\u003eProofing \u0026amp; Bottling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-value\"\u003eThe brand says the whiskey is shipped to Alabama and brought to proof with Alabama spring water. Distiller records it as bottled at Conecuh Brands in Kentucky. The two accounts conflict and we could not resolve it.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-label\"\u003eFiltration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-value\"\u003eNon-chill filtered. Recorded on the label and logged independently by both Distiller and Whiskybase.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-label\"\u003eAwards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"rc-t-value\"\u003eDouble Platinum at the 2023 Ascot Awards, Double Gold at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 92 points at the New York International Spirits Competition. All three are pay-to-enter judgings; we exclude them from the community score.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-review\" class=\"rc-review-content\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eFull Review: Clyde May's Straight Rye\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-author-box\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-author-avatar\"\u003eKL\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-author-name\"\u003eKevin Lawton\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-author-role\"\u003eFounder \u0026amp; Lead Reviewer, RyeCentral\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-review-body\"\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eClyde May was a real Alabama moonshiner — bronze star, purple heart, twenty-seven years of illegal distilling, eight months in a federal penitentiary, and a habit of dropping oven-dried apples into his barrels. That story is worth telling, and Conecuh Brands tells it well. What the front label does not tell you is that the rye inside this particular bottle has never been within five hundred miles of Alabama during distillation. It is made at MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the same plant that supplies a very large share of the American rye shelf, and then shipped south. Every independent reviewer we read states this plainly. The brand does not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eSourcing, and Why We Lead With It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eNone of this makes it a bad whiskey — sourced whiskey is most of the category, and MGP's rye is good rye. But a brand built entirely on a place-specific origin story owes its buyers a clear statement about origin, and this one does not volunteer it. The mash bill is undisclosed too. The consensus guess is MGP's 95\/5 recipe, which would make this a close cousin of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/bulleit-95-rye-whiskey-review\"\u003eBulleit 95 Rye\u003c\/a\u003e at similar money, but a guess is a guess and we will not file it under a mash-bill collection on that basis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eThe Three-Year Problem\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eHere is the thing that shapes everything else about reading reviews of this bottle. It launched in 2018 at a minimum of three years old. Somewhere around 2021 the age statement quietly moved to four, with no name change, no proof change and no relabelling fanfare. Eight of the twelve scored sources behind our community figure tasted the three-year liquid. One reviewer who tasted both eras was explicit that the extra year did it a lot of good and that the unfavourable reviews he had read were of the older bottling. So the numbers on this page carry more uncertainty than the source count alone suggests, and that is why this review is flagged for a human re-check rather than treated as settled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eWhat the Glass Actually Does\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eThe floral character is the identifier, and it is unusually consistent — honeysuckle and apricot appear in the brand's notes and in independent ones, which does not always happen. Rye spice and cinnamon dominate the palate across nearly every source, and that is exactly what you want at 94 proof for mixing. What is missing is interesting: dill, the classic MGP rye signature, appears in exactly one of our twelve sources, and caraway in none. If this really is the 95\/5 recipe, it is not showing the family resemblance. The recurring complaints are youth-related — \"freshly sawn\" wood, green grain, and in two separate reviews a solvent or rubber note on the nose that one writer said you have to get past before the whiskey opens up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003ch3\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eA competent, spice-forward, honestly-priced mixing rye with a marketing story that outruns its disclosure. Buy it for a Manhattan at thirty-two dollars; do not buy it expecting Alabama, and do not buy it expecting depth. It earns its place among the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-rye-whiskey-for-cocktails\"\u003ebest rye whiskeys for cocktails\u003c\/a\u003e rather than on the sipping shelf, and if 94 proof is where you like to live, the rest of that bracket is in our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sub-100-proof-rye-whiskey-collection\"\u003esub-100 proof rye collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-community\" class=\"rc-community\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eCommunity Tasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-comm-score-row\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-comm-big-score\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003cdiv style=\"font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;\"\u003eCommunity Score\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-comm-score-meta\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"font-size:14px;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);margin-top:-8px;\"\u003eThis score rests on twelve independently scored sources, weighted by sample size, with 96 named crowd ratings behind the largest of them. Remove that largest pool and the figure only moves from 3.1 to 3.0, so the number itself is stable. The real caveat is age: eight of those twelve sources reviewed the original 3-year bottling, and Clyde May's now ships a 4-year minimum under the same name and proof. Treat the figure as a floor for the current bottle, not a verdict on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eTop Reported Flavors\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-flavor-tags\"\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eRating Distribution\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-label\"\u003e5★\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-fill\" style=\"width: 11%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-pct\"\u003e11%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-label\"\u003e4★\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-fill\" style=\"width: 28%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-pct\"\u003e28%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-label\"\u003e3★\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-fill\" style=\"width: 35%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-pct\"\u003e35%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-label\"\u003e2★\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-fill\" style=\"width: 18%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-pct\"\u003e18%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-label\"\u003e1★\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-track\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-fill\" style=\"width: 8%;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-histogram-pct\"\u003e8%\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"rc-cta-banner\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eTried Clyde May's Straight Rye? Share Your Tasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eJoin the RyeCentral community and help other whiskey lovers discover new favorites. Your review connects taste profiles with the perfect pour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ca class=\"rc-btn-white\" href=\"#judgeme_product_reviews\"\u003eWrite a Review\u003c\/a\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-rewards\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003e🎁 Whiskey Review Rewards\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-voucher-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"rc-emoji\"\u003e🎁\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003cdiv\u003e\n        \u003ch4\u003e$10 Gift Voucher — Every Review\u003c\/h4\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eWrite a real tasting review and we'll send you a $10 digital gift voucher for barware and whiskey accessories on the store. Your honest notes help fellow rye lovers discover new favorites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-process-strip\"\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/how-our-reviews-work\" class=\"rc-process-step\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-process-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M8 2h8v5a4 4 0 0 1-1.5 3.12L12 12l-2.5-1.88A4 4 0 0 1 8 7V2z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M12 12v7\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M8 22h8\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpath stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M7 2h10\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cline stroke-width=\"1.5\" y2=\"7\" x2=\"18\" y1=\"4\" x1=\"15\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cpath stroke-width=\"1.5\" d=\"M17 4l1 3-2 1\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"rc-process-label\"\u003ePour\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/a\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/how-our-reviews-work\" class=\"rc-process-step\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-process-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"\u003e\u003crect stroke-width=\"2\" rx=\"1\" height=\"16\" width=\"8\" y=\"4\" x=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003crect stroke-width=\"2\" rx=\"1\" height=\"16\" width=\"8\" y=\"4\" x=\"14\"\u003e\u003c\/rect\u003e\u003cline y2=\"8\" x2=\"8\" y1=\"8\" x1=\"4\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cline y2=\"8\" x2=\"20\" y1=\"8\" x1=\"16\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cline y2=\"11\" x2=\"8\" y1=\"11\" x1=\"4\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cline y2=\"11\" x2=\"20\" y1=\"11\" x1=\"16\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cline y2=\"14\" x2=\"7\" y1=\"14\" x1=\"4\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cline y2=\"14\" x2=\"19\" y1=\"14\" x1=\"16\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"rc-process-label\"\u003eCompare\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/a\u003e\n      \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/how-our-reviews-work\" class=\"rc-process-step\"\u003e\n        \u003cdiv class=\"rc-process-icon\"\u003e\u003csvg viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M14 2H6a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v16a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h12a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003cpolyline points=\"14 2 14 8 20 8\"\u003e\u003c\/polyline\u003e\u003cline y2=\"13\" x2=\"16\" y1=\"13\" x1=\"8\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cline y2=\"17\" x2=\"14\" y1=\"17\" x1=\"8\"\u003e\u003c\/line\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M10 9H8\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n        \u003cspan class=\"rc-process-label\"\u003eReview\u003c\/span\u003e\n      \u003c\/a\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"rc-honesty-block\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\"At RyeCentral, we never pay for positive reviews — \u003cstrong\u003ehonest, unbiased opinions matter.\u003c\/strong\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-proscons\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-proscons-grid\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-proscons-col\"\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003ePros\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cul\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-pro-icon\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e94 proof — real weight for mixing, without being punishing neat\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-pro-icon\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003eSpice-forward and consistent: rye spice and cinnamon in nearly every source\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-pro-icon\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003eDistinctive floral signature — honeysuckle and apricot confirmed independently\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-pro-icon\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003eNon-chill filtered, which is not a given at this price\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-pro-icon\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003eAge statement moved up from 3 to 4 years while street prices came down\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-pro-icon\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003eGenuinely good value in the low thirties as a cocktail rye\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003c\/ul\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"rc-proscons-col\"\u003e\n        \u003ch3\u003eCons\u003c\/h3\u003e\n        \u003cul\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-con-icon\"\u003e✗\u003c\/span\u003eAlabama branding obscures the fact that it is MGP-distilled in Indiana\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-con-icon\"\u003e✗\u003c\/span\u003eMash bill undisclosed — the 95\/5 attribution is an assumption, not a fact\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-con-icon\"\u003e✗\u003c\/span\u003eYouth shows: \"immature,\" \"green\" and \"rushed to market\" recur in reviews\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-con-icon\"\u003e✗\u003c\/span\u003eTwo independent reviewers flag a solvent or rubber note on the nose\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-con-icon\"\u003e✗\u003c\/span\u003eMSRP near $45 is poor value; only the discount makes the case\u003c\/li\u003e\n          \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"rc-con-icon\"\u003e✗\u003c\/span\u003eMost of the published review pool describes the older 3-year bottling\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003c\/ul\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv id=\"rc-faq\" class=\"rc-card\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ Where is Clyde May's Straight Rye actually distilled?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003eAt MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — not in Alabama. The brand is Alabama-born and the whiskey is shipped south to be proofed and bottled, but the distillate is Indiana rye. Clyde May's does not state this on the front label; Breaking Bourbon, Drinkhacker, Distiller and several others state it plainly.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ What is the mash bill?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003eUndisclosed. Because it is MGP-distilled, most writers assume the well-known 95% rye \/ 5% malted barley recipe, but no one has confirmed it and MGP also runs a 51% rye mash. We treat the mash bill as unknown, which is why this bottle is not filed in any mash-bill-specific \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/straight-rye-whiskey-collection\"\u003estraight rye whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e category beyond the basics.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ How old is Clyde May's Straight Rye?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003eA minimum of four years, according to the brand's current product page. It launched in 2018 carrying a three-year statement, and the change happened around 2021 with no name or proof change. If you are reading an older review, check its date — it may well describe the three-year liquid.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ What proof is it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003e94 proof, 47% ABV. That has been constant since launch and is confirmed by the brand, Distiller, Whiskybase and every reviewer we checked. It puts the bottle just under the 100-proof line — enough structure to survive vermouth, gentle enough to drink on ice.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ Does it taste like an MGP rye?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003eOnly partly. The rye spice and pepper are there, but dill — the classic MGP 95\/5 marker — shows up in just one of the twelve sources we scored, and caraway in none. One reviewer called it \"a notable departure from MGP's house style of spice-forward ryes.\" The floral, honeysuckle-and-apricot side is the more distinctive character here.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ Is it better in cocktails or neat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003eCocktails, by a clear margin, and the brand agrees — its own recommendation is a Perfect Manhattan. Reviewers who tried it both ways generally preferred it on ice or mixed; neat, several found it a touch hot or harsh for its age. It makes a good Old Fashioned with demerara syrup.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"rc-faq-q\"\u003e❓ Is Clyde May's Straight Rye worth buying?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-faq-a\"\u003eAt the low-thirties street price, yes, as a workhorse mixing rye. At the $45 MSRP, harder to argue — that was the single most common criticism at launch. Just buy it knowing what it is: a solid Indiana rye in an Alabama costume, not an Alabama whiskey.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-disclaimer\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisclaimer:\u003c\/strong\u003e RyeCentral does not sell alcohol. We publish independent rye whiskey reviews, ratings, and community tasting notes to help you choose a bottle to buy elsewhere. Every review follows our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/review-methodology\"\u003eCommunity Score Pipeline\u003c\/a\u003e — an eight-step process for producing accurate, unbiased content.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rc-last-updated\"\u003eLast updated: September 10, 2026 — Kevin Lawton\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cscript src=\"https:\/\/unpkg.com\/jspdf@2.5.2\/dist\/jspdf.umd.min.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Clyde May's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50484147749112,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/7935\/7688\/files\/22feb200-db2c-418b-811b-cf1de81cbe3a.jpg?v=1789096709","url":"https:\/\/www.ryecentral.com\/products\/clyde-mays-straight-rye-review","provider":"RyeCentral","version":"1.0","type":"link"}