To be considered rye whiskey, there are some very specific rules that must be adhered to. Rye can be made anywhere in the U.S. from a mashbill of at least 51 percent rye, and aged in new charred oak “containers” (which are virtually always barrels). There is no minimum aging requirement, although to be considered straight rye it must be aged for two years. Rye can be distilled to no more than 160 proof, put into barrels at no more than 125 proof, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. No additives like flavoring are color are permitted for straight rye, but if the whiskey is just labeled “rye” those are allowed.

The short answer is however you like it—there is no wrong or right way to enjoy rye. That being said, it’s a good idea to at least taste rye neat to really discover its character. From there, drink it however you like—over ice, with some water added, or in any cocktail you can think of, including classics like an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Old Pal.

We considered different factors when picking these ryes, with the emphasis being on taste. Because after all, despite a bottle’s availability or the hype surrounding it, that is the most important thing. Tasting rye involves a combination of sensations, including the nose, palate, mouthfeel, and finish. And each category has different characteristics, so part of the process is to consider how an individual pick fits into its style overall. The bottles on this list represent the best ryes based on all of these options, providing a good overview of selections you can easily purchase in person or online that are good examples of each individual category.

Jonah Flicker has been writing about whiskey and other spirits for over a decade, visiting distilleries around the world to meet the people behind the bottles and find out more about their stories. He is a judge for the John Barleycorn Awards and New York World Wine and Spirits Competition, he is the editor of the Unicorn Review, and his work has appeared in many national other lifestyle outlets besides Robb Report, including Esquire, Food & Wine, Men’s Journal, CNN, USA Today and more.