A recent analysis released from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) shows rye whiskey volumes grew 536-percent from 88,000 9-liter cases in 2009 to 561,000 cases in 2014, a 609-percent increase equaling $15 million in supplier revenues in 2009 to over $106 million in 2014. David Ozgo, Chief Economist for the Distilled Spirits Council, said the numbers represent $300 million in retail sales.

“The growth of rye whiskey has been phenomenal, given that as late as 2000, rye volumes were virtually nonexistent with only a handful of brands in the U.S. market,” said Ozgo. “By 2014, there were over 100 brands, and the sheer numbers tell the story. While it still represents a small share of the overall American whiskey category, its growth is skyrocketing.”

Ozgo attributes the success to the “new found” interest in American whiskeys, as well as consumers “embracing the heritage of spirits products” and the growing cocktail culture, as factors in rye whiskey’s growth.