There is a big difference between Rye and whiskey. Rye is a grain used extensively in some parts of the world for making different kinds of drinks like beer. On the other hand, whiskey refers to the general name for some alcoholic liquor that is made using different kinds of grains.
While there are some that are made with a single grain, others are made by mixing two or more grains together. When grains like wheat, barley, corn are used, it usually leads to the production of different kinds of whiskeys, and this also accounts for the variation in their flavor and taste. Invariably, it is very easy to differentiate between rye (plant) and whiskey, which is a drink.
However, there are different kinds of whiskeys, and rye whiskey is a type. Rye whiskey is a drink distilled from fermented rye. There are two types of rye whiskeys, which are Canadian and American rye whiskeys.