Originally Posted by
number_6
Whether rye was similar in taste to Irish whisky was asked earlier; certainly both are quite different from Scotch but that only makes them similar in the sense that all red wine is the same
Ignoring the mass-market products (which are trying to be bland), Jameson is generally sweeter, lighter and more watery than rye, while rye has a unique flavour (not like rye bread, but on that line) and more viscous. Fine rye is remarkably nuanced and under-rated, making it cheap (at least in the US which doesn't tax alcohol much).
Irish Whiskey and Scotch are both made from barley. Others will know better, but I think the difference between the 2 is that the Scots let the barley sprout and it's dried with various degrees of peat smoke. The Irish use the raw (unmalted), some malted, and no smoke. Irish is distilled 3X. Scotch 2X. Irish is generally lighter. There's lots of new barrel treatments with Irish now that are producing a fuller taste profile though. Rye tastes nothing like Irish (or Scotch for that matter). More like Bourbon. Lots of Bourbons have a pretty high rye content in addition to the corn. If you want to try something interesting - The fine Bourbon maker Pritchards, produces a Whiskey that's half barley and half rye. It's a roller coaster ride, but I prefer their bourbon actually. wj