GrainHenge “Arrowwood” Wins Best Rye Whiskey 2025 at World Whiskies Awards
GrainHenge “Arrowwood” from Alberta, Canada, has been named Best Rye Whiskey 2025 at the World Whiskies Awards 2025. Distilled by craft brewer Troubled Monk, this pot-distilled, malt-based rye finished in maple syrup casks edged out seasoned American contenders with its bold spice and malty sweetness.
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Key Takeaways
Canadian distillery GrainHenge claims the Best Rye Whiskey 2025 title with its cask-finished “Arrowwood”
Michter’s 10 Year and WhistlePig PiggyBack medaled, reflecting classic and contemporary U.S. rye styles
The result signals rising recognition of Canadian craft rye with bold, malted, and brewer-influenced profiles
Best Rye Whiskey 2025 – GrainHenge “Arrowwood” (Canada)
Arrowwood is a brewer-distilled Canadian rye that blends dusty grain character with sweet spice and cask complexity. Judges praised its boldness and balance, with finishing in ex-maple syrup barrels adding a distinctive herbal warmth.
Aroma | Rich toffee, dusty rye grain, oak |
|---|---|
Palate | Clove, black pepper, dark chocolate, candied orange peel, malt |
Finish | Long, cinnamon, minty herbs, charred oak |
Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye – Silver Medalist
Michter’s took Silver with its flagship aged rye. Distilled in Kentucky and matured for a decade, this expression remains a benchmark for classic American rye: silky, spice-forward, and deeply layered.
Aroma | Rye spice, vanilla, dried cherry |
|---|---|
Palate | Cracked black pepper, toffee, citrus zest, cocoa |
Finish | Long and peppery with oak and menthol hints |
WhistlePig PiggyBack 6 Year – Bronze Medalist
WhistlePig’s PiggyBack earned Bronze with a cross-border expression sourced from Canada and bottled in Vermont. Designed to be a bartender’s rye, it delivered bold spice and cocktail-ready balance.
Aroma | Toasted rye bread, nutmeg, maple sugar |
|---|---|
Palate | Rye spice, tart apple, thyme, caramel |
Finish | Oak, orange rind, baking spice heat |
What Is Rye Whiskey?
Rye whiskey is made predominantly from rye grain, typically offering spicy, herbal, and peppery profiles. U.S. rye must use at least 51% rye in the mashbill and be aged in new charred oak. Canadian rye, less tightly defined, often emphasizes balance and subtlety. In 2025, judges sought bold rye character integrated with unique cask finishes and production techniques — from craft brewers and legacy houses alike.
GrainHenge’s win with Arrowwood represents a shift in the rye category, where bold craft methods and creative finishing are now rewarded alongside traditional approaches. While Michter’s reaffirmed the strength of long-aged Kentucky rye and WhistlePig spotlighted North American blending, Arrowwood’s rise from a brewery-distillery in Alberta suggests rye’s frontier is rapidly expanding — with innovation and flavor leading the way.
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All 2025 World Whisky Awards Gold Medalists
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