Bourbon vs rye in a Manhattan

Rye was the older Manhattan spine in many American bars. Bourbon took more menus because it is softer and easier to sell. Both are correct if the vermouth is fresh and the drink is cold. Rye leans pepper and grain. Bourbon leans vanilla and caramel. If the cocktail tastes like dessert, ask for drier vermouth or more rye. If it tastes thin and angry, a bourbon Manhattan may be the better Tuesday. TheDrinkPlace will only tell you who serves one when a place has listed it. Until then, this is a tasting note, not a map.