Back in the 1700s and 1800s rye was quite common and popular, corn came on later which are the bourbons. Bourbon whiskies are usually sweeter and sometimes smoother, rye is a little fruitier, sometimes spicier and usually drier.
Since you said you liked white whiskey I figured you had come across some made the old fashioned way. Rye seems to be making a comeback and there are some good ones out there, you should try one sometime. Next time I go to Kentucky I plan on stopping at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, taking the tour and buying some of their White Dog Rye Mash Whiskey (125 proof).
Bourbon whiskies are usually sweeter and sometimes smoother, rye is a little fruitier, sometimes spicier and usually drier.
I've had corn whiskey that the distiller put peaches into and let them ferment to make it into peach brandy. That was some pretty tasty stuff.
The guy that did this was at least a 4th generation bootlegger out of Georgia. Nobody in his family had ever held a regular job. This was back in the early 70's. I have no doubt they still live that way. I knew the grandsons because they had a cousin that was a friend of mine,and they came to visit him once and brought about 30 gallons of moonshine with them in the car trunk. After that they would sometimes come visit us to party and make a delivery,and sometimes we would drive to Ga to party and do a pick up. I lost contact with them all when I moved to Denver.
