Our Ultimate Guide to The Best Whiskey Brands
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There’s never been a better time to be a whiskey lover. The brown liquor is now more popular, more diverse, and — most importantly — more delicious than ever. Plus, with the recent explosion of mixology in the U.S., whiskey is also necessary in any bar for cocktails such as a Don Draper-approved old-fashioned, whiskey sours and Manhattans.
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If you’ve been drinking the stuff for years, you’re in a good place. If you’ve just decided to delve into the whiskey world for the first time, we envy you. But with so many whiskey brands now available, it can be tricky to find the best — whether you’re a connoisseur or a newbie. To help you find the best stuff out there, we’ve rounded up some of the best whiskey brands that everyone should try.
The Best Whiskey Brands to Try Right Now
Below are some of the best whiskey brands that every enthusiast-to-be should know about, from classic American whiskeys to Japanese brands to top-shelf Scotch. To come up with this list, our team of enthusiasts taste-tested hundreds of the most popular whiskey labels in the world. We then consulted outside reviews of every bottle to ensure the highest chances that you’ll enjoy your glass.
Buffalo Trace
From its most affordably-priced Kentucky straight bourbon, all the way up to its grail-level Van Winkle expressions, just about every brand out of Buffalo Trace distillery is worthy of your bar shelf. Started in the late 1700s, Buffalo Trace is the oldest continuously operating distillery in America and — maybe more impressive — family-owned. Many of their expressions win awards every year, but, if you’re new to whiskey, think of their Kentucky straight as a rite of passage.
$41
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Whistlepig
Whistlepig, located in Shoreham, Vermont, has legendary distiller Dave Pickerell to thank for almost all of its success. The celebrated distiller, who passed away in 2022, discovered unused barrels of rye whiskey in Canada, which he brought down to Vermont and bottled as some of the first Whistlepig releases. Now, the brand is one of the most esteemed in the States, with excellent expressions from the 10-Year (the world’s most awarded rye whiskey) to the 15-Year. Ryes are Whistlepig’s bread and butter, but their bourbons are worth trying too.
$88
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Jefferson’s
There’s no getting around it: The whiskey world can get stuffy and repetitive. And that’s why Jefferson’s is so great. The Kentucky bourbon brand — founded by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet in 1997 — put itself on the map with Ocean Aged at Sea Bourbon, which spends eight years on land and five months on a ship where the salty air, rocking motion, and temperature fluctuations turn the liquid into something even more unique.
The brand has followed this with other exciting launches like its new Tropics expression, which is finished in the sweltering heat and humidity of Singapore. If you’re bored of other whiskeys, or just looking for something exciting, check out any of Jefferson’s releases.
$115
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Henry Mckenna Single Barrel
Henry Mckenna is part of the Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Distillery, which is known for other award-winning whiskeys such as Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, and Pikesville Rye Whiskey. Its Single Barrel 10-Year — marked by caramel, oak, vanilla, and honey — is one of the more decorated single barrel bourbons out there, and, despite its accolades, it’s not too expensive either.
$79.99
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The Balvenie
Famous for its finishing techniques, the Speyside brand The Balvenie is one of our favorite Scotch brands to try right now. Most of its whiskies aren’t as peaty as some Scotches, making them more approachable for newbies. Our top choice from the brand is the Caribbean Cask, a 14-year-old that’s finished ex-rum barrels. We’ve personally leveraged the whisky’s warm smoothness and palate of ripe plum, vanilla, and toffee to make people fall in love with the whole Scotch category.
$83
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Glenfiddich
Another excellent and deservedly well-known Scotch to try is Glenfiddich, the original single malt. Their 12-year is also on the softer side peat-wise, making it a great entry-point for Scotch newcomers. If you know that you like Scotch, try a Talisker or a Lagavulin. Glenfiddich’s higher-end offerings, like its Grand Cru, are a treat as well.
$48
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Uncle Nearest 1856
Uncle Nearest has a fascinating story to rival its premium taste. The brand’s namesake, a man named Nathan “Nearest” Green, was the first Black master distiller. Born into slavery, Green helped invent modern Tennessee whiskey and passed that knowledge along to a promising pupil: Jack Daniel.
A Black-owned brand, Uncle Nearest 1856 launched in 2017 to honor Green’s importance in American spirits. The whiskey is fragrant, floral, fruity, and incredibly smooth (thanks to at least eight years of aging) — even though it’s 100-proof. It’s been well-received by the whiskey community with top marks across the board, and we have to agree.
$62
Redbreast
Whether you’re looking to try your first serious Irish whiskey or in need of branching out, this Redbreast fits the bill. Its flagship 12 Year Old is made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley that’s triple-distilled and aged 12 years in Bourbon-seasoned American Oak barrels and Oloroso sherry-seasoned Spanish oak butts. These unique barrels give the whiskey a fruity aroma and complex flavor with tastes of sherry, fruit, and cream.
We’re big fans of the Redbreast distillery because they’re staunchly traditional. They’re the best-selling single pot still Irish whiskey in the world, producing rich bottles since 1857. As with most high-quality Irish whiskeys, this stuff should be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. If you want a cocktail, we suggest using a different bottle.
$75
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Knob Creek
Knob Creek was introduced in 1994 as an upscale brand under Jim Beam, making it a fairly young label by American whiskey standards. Nevertheless, it has quickly become a favorite of many whiskey lovers.
Its Cask Strength release is a great pick. It features a bold taste with flavors such as tropical fruits, citrus oil, and peach nectar. The finish is unsurprisingly strong, with a rich spiciness, and notes of charred oak and honey. Be sure to sip this slow, or maybe even dilute it with a splash of water to unpack the full flavor.
$89.99
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Macallan
Macallan is a fixture in the high-end whiskey world. They’ve been around since 1824, and they’re still one of the best-selling Scotch brands in the world. In fact, they were one of the first to mass-produce single malt whiskey.
Macallan makes a Speyside whiskey, meaning they’re distilled in Strathspey, Scotland, which just happens to be the home of the other two best-selling Scotch whiskeys in the world: Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Speysides are characterized by a sweeter and fuller flavor that’s more approachable for beginner whiskey drinkers. Check out their 15-year-old to see what we mean.
$173
Suntory Toki
Japanese whiskys have quickly grown in size and scale over the past couple of decades, becoming big enough to rival the old dudes in Europe and the U.S. Whiskey connoisseurs haven’t always been excited to branch out to a whole new continent, but they’ve continued buying from Japan because the whisky has a rich sharpness and spice that can’t be found elsewhere. Leading the charge from Japan is Suntory, a brand with three distilleries in the Chita Peninsula, Yamazaki, and the Japanese Alps.
Suntory’s Toki whisky is their best-seller with a very reasonable price tag and flavor that works on its own or in cocktails. The name, Toki, translates to “time,” and denotes the Toki’s blend of variously-aged whiskys from each of Suntory’s three distilleries. Tasters have noted the Toki’s accessible lightness (making it excellent as an introduction to whisky/whiskeys) and flavors of oak, honey, and vanilla.
$55
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George Dickel
George Dickel is the second-largest Tennessee whiskey distillery, but it’s far less well-known than the largest, Jack Daniels. However, George Dickel is often considered superior in quality, and this Barrel Select is the brand’s finest bottle. It’s first steeped in charcoal, mellowing the bite, and then aged at least nine years. Finally, ten barrels are hand-selected by George Dickel’s Master Distiller, Nicole Austin.
The award-winning flavor is marked by caramel and corn with hints of vanilla, spice, and charcoal. These fade slowly, leaving a satisfying finish of caramel, cinnamon, and vanilla. It’s a premium bourbon, so it’s best enjoyed neat with a drop of water, but also works for making upgraded bourbon cocktails.
$52
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Wild Turkey
If you’re looking for an affordable bourbon to keep stocked for cocktails or parties, Wild Turkey 101 is a great choice. Thanks to deep charring and a high rye content, the liquid is bursting with flavor yet still a classic bourbon with vanilla, caramel, and spices on the palate.
$31
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Chicken Cock
Chicken Cock was originally established in 1856 out of Paris, Kentucky. It wasn’t until years later during prohibition, however, that Chicken Cock became popular as the house whiskey of the Cotton Club, one of the most legendary prohibition speakeasies. Because the brand survived through America’s prohibition, they still know how to make whiskey as they did in the good old days.
$78
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Paul John
After India was introduced to Scotch in the 19th century, they quickly started making their own. Today, India might not be known as a major whisky producer, but they make liquor that’s worthy of any connoisseur’s bar. One of India’s best whiskys is Paul John, a premium single malt launched in 2008 to compete in the high-end market.
$84.79
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What Are the Different Kinds of Whiskey?
Before trying a new bottle of whiskey, it’s important to remember the core varieties. Below are eight of the most important types of whiskey to be familiar with.
Bourbon: Bourbon is the go-to for many whiskey drinkers because it has a sweet, smokey flavor that’s easy to sip on its own or mixed in an old fashioned. Sometimes called American whiskey, bourbon is corn-based (at least 51% corn, to be exact), aged in new charred oak barrels, and 80 proof or higher.
Tennessee: Tennessee whiskey is technically bourbon, but Tennessee whiskey distillers might not agree with that. This is because Tennessee whiskey must be produced in the state using a charcoal steeping process called the Lincoln County Process before aging. This mellows the whiskey, creating a smoother taste.
Rye: Rye whiskey is pretty self-explanatory: it must be made primarily from rye. The American whiskey uses the same aging process as bourbon in new charred oak barrels. It also yields a spicy flavor that makes it the whiskey of choice for certain cocktails such as Manhattans.
Irish Whiskey: The Eire (Republic of Ireland) and Northern Ireland produce Irish whiskey using primarily barley and malt. The aging process in Ireland takes at least three years (but often more) in wooden casks and produces a very smooth liquor.
Scotch Whisky: The Scots make their whisky (spelled without an “e”) using malted barley or grain, oak casks (often ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks), and an aging process of at least three years. Scotch’s flavor is often likened to bourbon but has a distinct smoky flavor.
Japanese Whisky: Japan didn’t start exporting its whisky (also without an “e”) to the U.S. until the 21st century. We’re very glad they did. Japanese whiskys have blown up thanks to a wonderfully dry, smokey flavor. It’s made from double-malted or peated barley and uses a distillation process inspired by Scottish whisky makers.
Canadian Whisky: Usually corn-heavy, Canadian whisky must be aged at least three years in barrels no larger than 700 liters. This aging, along with the initial mashing and distilling, must happen in Canada. Canadians are also allowed to add artificial flavoring and coloring, but the final product has to be at least 40% ABV.
An important difference between American whiskey and all others is barrel age. By law, American whiskey must be aged in new oak barrels, whereas Scotch, Irish whiskey, Japanese whisky, and Canadian whisky primarily use aged barrels — often barrels that were recently used for American bourbon.
How We Chose the Best Whiskey Brands
Like any art form, whiskey tasting is a subjective experience. However, sometimes there’s agreement. To find the best whiskey brands for this list, we did the not-so-hard work of tasting dozens of whiskies. We stuck with widely available, well-known labels for our roundup, in the hopes that you can easily order the recommendations online or find them in a store nearby. We also After tasting whiskies, we cross-checked our experience with other expert reviews to find brands that are more widely loved.
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