High Rye Bourbon Whiskey All Grain Distilling Recipe Kit - Root Shoot Malting

High Rye Bourbon Kit

Craft a bold and spicy bourbon with our High Rye Bourbon All Grain Distilling Recipe Kit. Featuring a robust grain bill of non-GMO malted corn, award-winning Munich 4, and flavorful malted rye, this kit produces a complex spirit with notes of spice, caramel, toasted bread, and dark fruit.

This recipe highlights Root Shoot Malting’s celebrated 2025 Malt Cup winner—Munich 4, which took 1st Place in the Distillers Malt category. Paired with their high-quality malted rye, it’s a grain-forward experience made for distillers who appreciate a strong backbone of character and regional malt distinction.

Fermented with Still Spirits Distiller’s Range Whiskey Yeast (included), this wash ferments cleanly and brings forward the spice and structure rye lovers crave. Still Spirits Turbo Clear is also included to ensure optimal clarity before distillation. This recipe is built to produce 5 gallons of wash at 1.080 OG and 10.5% ABV.

To ensure a high-efficiency mash and complete conversion, this kit includes:

• Alpha-Amylase Enzyme – Breaks down starches into shorter chains during the mash.
• Glucoamylase Enzyme – Converts remaining sugars during fermentation into fermentable glucose.

This kit produces 5 gallons of wash, ready for distillation into a bold, spice-forward high rye bourbon. See our full lineup of distilling kits here.

High Rye Bourbon Brewing Notes:

• Style: High Rye Bourbon
• Included Yeast: Still Spirits Distiller's Range Whiskey
• Fermentation Range: 68–95°F
• Original Gravity (OG): 1.080
• 5 Gallon Wash ABV: 10.5%
• Rice hulls are strongly recommended for this kit.

Key Characteristics of High Rye Bourbon:

• Bold Grain Bill – 60% malted corn, 10% Munich 4, and 30% malted rye for spice and depth.
• Award-Winning Malts – Featuring Root Shoot’s 2025 Distillers Malt Cup winner, Munich 4.
• Enzyme-Assisted Mashing – Alpha-amylase and glucoamylase ensure full fermentability.
• Spicy Bourbon Character – Ideal for fans of rye-forward whiskeys with punch and personality.

More About High Rye Bourbon

High rye bourbons are known for their bold, spicy flavor and dry finish. With a higher rye content than traditional bourbons, they deliver a distinctive kick alongside classic notes of caramel and toasted grain. This style is ideal for cocktails or sipping neat, and gains complexity with barrel aging.

What Makes High Rye Bourbon Unique?

• Rye Brings the Spice – Sharp, dry, and flavorful, malted rye adds grip and complexity.
• Layered Malt Depth – Munich 4 enhances toast, biscuit, and dark fruit flavors.
• Balanced Strength – Designed to be bold but smooth, perfect for bourbon drinkers who want more edge.