The United States Doesn't Have an Official Whiskey–One Distillery Is Trying to Change That
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Americans are marking the occasion with fireworks, hot dogs, and all of the Fourth of July traditions we've come to know and love.
For some, that includes adult beverages, but if you're going to lean into the Americana of it all, shouldn't your drink choice be as American as possible? For whiskey lovers, that's a little tricky, as the country doesn't have an official type of whiskey. But one distillery is aiming to change that.
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WhistlePig Distillery is set on making rye the country's official whiskey, even going so far as to ask fans to sign a petition to take the request to Congress. The brand's website reads, "America has an official bird. An official flower. An official anthem. And for 250 years, no official whiskey. As America turns 250, that changes. Long before the United States existed, Rye thrived in tough conditions where other grains fell short. It was here before bourbon, before Tennessee whiskey, before any of it. The grain that fed this country in its hardest years and filled its glasses on the best ones has never gotten official recognition."
The brand explains that rye was a popular spirit during the time of the Founding Fathers, pointing out that George Washington even had his own rye distillery. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, it was one of "the largest whiskey distilleries in early America."
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While it may take some time for Congress to listen to the brand's plea, WhistlePig recently made history in another way with the inclusion of its Louisville, Kentucky tasting room into the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The WhistlePig Vault, where customers can sample not just Whistlepig's wide selection of rye, wheat whiskey, and bourbon that's currently on the market, but rare finds like its annual limited-edition Boss Hog releases, took a former bank building and turned it into an upscale and unique experience. As evidenced by the current petition to make rye the official whiskey of the United States, Whistlepig is known primarily for its dedication to bringing rye back into the forefront of the whiskey industry, but that is not all it wants to be known for.
"For a brand that helped redefine Rye for a new generation of whiskey drinkers, joining the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is both a milestone and a signal of where we're headed," Kevin Didio, General Manager at the WhistlePig Vault, told Parade. "While Rye will always be at the heart of WhistlePig, this moment reflects the evolution of our portfolio and our growing presence in bourbon, all while staying rooted in the bold, rebellious spirit that built the brand."
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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM.