Rye whiskey can refer to two different, but related, types of whiskey:American rye whiskey, which is similar to bourbon whiskey, but must be distilled from at least 51 percent rye grain Canadian whisky, which is often referred to as rye whisky for historical reasons, although it may or may not actually include any rye grain in its production process.

A blended whiskey is the product of blending different types of whiskeys and sometimes also neutral spirits, colorings, and flavorings. It is generally the product of mixing one or more higher-quality straight or single malt whiskey with less expensive spirits and other ingredients. This typically allows for a lower priced finished product, although expensive "premium" varieties also exist.