The 15 Best Whiskeys To Drink In 2022
From the simple combination of grain, water, and yeast, distillers yield a stunningly complex array of spirits. Were talking, of course, about the world of whiskey. And it is a veritable planet, with single nations producing myriad styles, and distillers planting flags in each of the metaphorical corners of the globe.
While its hard, if not impossible, to reduce each style and nation down to one definitive example, certain bottles serve as shining ambassadors for their categories. Catering to every budget, palate, and drinking occasion, here are 15 of the best whiskeys to drink in 2022.
The Worlds Best Whiskey
Wigle Pennsylvania Straight Bourbon
A true blue American craft bourbon produced from local corn and wheat in Western Pennsylvania. Wigle Pennsylvania Straight Bourbon is wracking “best ofs” and gold medals from national whiskey writers. The beauty of this bourbon is the dedication they show to highlighting local ingredients in their product. The regional yellow dent corn and organic soft winter wheat are transformed into a bourbon that is sweet on the nose and finishes with cinnamon and nuttiness on the palate.
This is bottled by hand at 92 proof. It’s a robust bourbon that deserves a spot on our list of the best bourbon whiskeys.
Are Old Whiskey Bottles Worth Money
Old and rare doesn’t mean something is very valuable. The value is determined by what others are willing to pay for it and what you can collect for it. Whiskey doesn’t age or improve in the bottle like wine does. Whiskey that was bottled decades ago will still taste similar to the day it was bottled.
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Can I Ship Whiskey As A Gift
Many sites allow you to ship whiskey around the countrysome even internationally. That said, each state has its own laws and regulations about shipping alcohol. Unfortunately, some areas may be restricted when youre sending a gift, but these should be clearly outlined on the site when youre purchasing a whiskey bottle.
Four Roses Small Batch Whiskey
BEST FOR COCKTAILS
Four Roses is well known for its use of 10 different bourbon recipes, a combination of two mash bills and five different yeast strains. While the Kentucky distillerys core expression uses all ten, the Small Batch expression uses just four and ups the proof to 90. This might be a bit more expensive than your average cocktail bourbon, and you should certainly sip this on its own, but go ahead and make an Old Fashioned or any other whiskey cocktail with this and you will be very pleased.
Country of Origin: USATasting Notes: Vanilla, butterscotch, oakGreat For: Cocktails or sipping neat
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Best Sherry Cask Scotch: The Glendronach Allardice
Drizly
Region: Highlands, Scotland| ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, Walnut, Spice
For at least part of the aging process, many Scottish distilleries use sherry casks in addition to ex-bourbon barrels to add bold, dried fruit and spice flavors to the whiskey. But some distilleries exclusively age their whiskey in these seasoned barrels, like The GlenDronach.
The 18-year-old Allardice may not be the most famous single malt in the world, but it is perhaps one of the most perfect, says Daniel Burns, lead bartender at Elixir Saloon in San Francisco. Its deep sherry notes and flavors of toasted nuts and jammy fruit last seemingly forever on the palate. The 18-year-old whiskey is matured entirely in Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, no color is added, and it delivers one of the best full-flavored sipping experiences.
“If you can get your hands on The GlenDronach 18-year-old Allardice, count yourself lucky. It’s such a beautiful example of what can happen when you age a single malt in sherry casks for nearly two decadeswonderfully rich flavors emerge.” Prairie Rose, Editor
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
This straight bourbon has 52% ABV and is made from corn, rye, and malted barley. In just one sip, you can feel the blend of spices with layers of summer fruits and pepper, joined by vanilla and oak. You can taste the spice from start to finish, a pleasant way to end your sip.
This is one of the best bourbons at around $55.
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Van Winkle Special Reserve 12
Average Price:$840
The Whiskey:
This is an interesting wheated bourbon. The Lot B moniker on the label denotes that these barrels hit their mark at 12 years and werent going to hit the right taste marks for the 15, 20, and 23-year-old expressions. So instead of aging further, they were cut with that soft Kentucky limestone water to bring them down to a manageable 90.4 proof, then bottled.
Tasting Notes:
Theres an orchard fruit sweetness on the nose not unlike a spiced apple pie filling, laden with brown sugar. The palate builds on that by adding in walnuts, dried fruits, and a hint of salted caramel by way of vanilla pudding. The end is medium-length with a hint of oak next to the spices, fruit, and sweet vanilla.
Bottom Line:
This is another bourbon that lives up to the hype in the flavor department. Its really goddamn tasty. But that price means its almost always relegated to the vaults of collectors and not home bars. Thats a shame for a bottle this tasty.
Blantons Single Barrel Bourbon
This legendary American whiskey features orange zest and burnt sugar aromas. You will love its long, earthy, and cinnamon finish. With an ABV of 46.5%, you can never regret sipping this bright and balanced bourbon.
For about $60, you can get to try this great whiskey but be warned its hard to find!
Find out how long Blantons bourbon is aged here.
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Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Bottles Ranked From Worst To Best
Everyone knows Jack Daniel’s. Obviously, not on a personal level . While Jack may be long gone, his legacy lives on in the form of a highly recognizable bottle filled with true Tennessee whiskey. Having registered with the United States government over 155 years ago in 1866 , Jack Daniel’s legendary whiskey is officially produced in the oldest working distillery in America.
If that’s not impressive enough, Vinepair says that in 2021, Jack Daniel’s was the best-selling whiskey in the world. Perhaps that’s because this whiskey brand has a broad range of bottles and flavor profiles that are suited for multiple palates. Jack Daniel’s can be drank straight, but it also works well in cocktails. There also seems to be a bottle that can accommodate any wallet. Jack Daniel’s obviously know’s a thing or two about the industry.
But with so many options to choose from , which one comes out on top? For sanity’s sake could you imagine reading an article reviewing all 60 plus Jack Daniel’s bottles? If you could, that’s dedication only the distillery’s core bottles are included, and are rated worst to best, based on overall taste, availability, and price. Unfortunately, not every bottle can be a winner, so read on to see if your favorite bottle of Jack made the cut.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey
The first thing youll notice is this whiskeys honeyed, smooth taste. Its not too strong, but it has some kick, making it perfect for sipping or mixing into a cocktail. The finish is smooth and clean, with just a hint of that burn from drinking straight whiskey.
It has an ABV of 50%, which you can find in your favorite liquor store for approximately $67.
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John E Fitzgerald Larceny Kentucky Straight Very Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
John E. Fitzgerald is one of the most recognizable names in the whiskey industry. His legacy dates back to the 1870s and it was said that he single-handedly made his distillery and sold one of the finest bourbons at the time.
To this day, people still know him partly because of the honor that Heaven Hills Distillery made for him: the John E. Fitzgerald Larceny whiskey. This whiskey has an aroma of fruity coffee with cedar and coriander spice notes mixed in.
One can taste buttered corn as well as molasses followed by sweet malt loaf flavors which slowly build up to include more Christmas spices at the finish. It also allows you to savor your drink since there are some strong but pleasant peppery tastes!
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
This is an iconic brand of go-to bourbon for its unique and well-blended flavors of floral, caramel, fruit, and wood notes. Aged in white oak barrels and new bourbon barrels, Woodford Reserve bourbon creates a rich and colorful flavor.
The finish is long and warm, containing 43.2% ABV. You can get this for about $39.
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Whistlepig 6 Year Piggyback Rye Whiskey
This is an interesting straight rye whiskey, aged in virgin oak, with a lot going on in the palate and finish. The nose is syrupy and spicy, with notes of peppercorn and cocoa. The palate starts with the same sweetness but quickly turns spicy and earthy.
The finish is long, smooth, and warm, with lingering herbs and orange zest. It has an ABV of 48% and is priced for about $53.
Read: Recommended Rye Whiskeys Under $50
Makers Mark Bourbon Whisky
If you prefer a nice whiskey cocktail theres no need to splurge on a premium bottle for sipping and discussing. Instead, go for a beloved classic such as Makers Mark Bourbon.
Makers Mark sets itself apart with a recipe that doesnt include rye . Without rye, Makers Maker allows the corn, malted barley and red winter wheat to do the talking. The flavor is less spicy, with more sweetness and citrus.
Although Makers Mark will hold its own simply on the rocks, it really does best in a great cocktail. We like the classics , but also suggest trying lesser known recipes like a Lynchburg Lemonade or Whirl-Y-Gig.
Courtesy Drizly.com
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Makers Mark 46 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
For bourbon fanatics, the soft and sweet notes the grain imparts in this spirit are pretty quaffable. This is a true classic wheated bourbon spirit, featuring a smooth taste of vanilla and toffee with hints of mint and oak.
With an ABV of 47%, the finish is smooth with just a hint of heat and smoke. And best of all, you can easily find this delicious beverage for approximately $50.
Heaven’s Door Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Many of the top bourbon whiskeys have a long and painful history behind them. There is often a story about the people who struggled to establish the distillery during hard times. And generations of their ancestors acting as caretakers for this legacy of bourbon greatness. The force behind Heaven’s Door Bourbon is known for celebrating these struggles, but not for making whiskey.
This award-winning American bourbon is made in collaboration with Bob Dylan. Its smooth and lasting flavors of vanilla and warm spice are accented with caramel. The distinctive bottle features a design inspired by Dylan’s ironmaking hobby.
| Buy A Bottle
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Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year
There are many excellent expressions of Glenfiddich, but for the ultimate in high-end luxury gift giving, nothing beats Glenfiddich Excellence 26-year single malt scotch. Straightforwardly aged in American oak, ex-bourbon casks, this rare and special release is steeped in history and quality. It is very bright, tasting of fruits, rich green and red apples, vanilla and pears. Some nuttiness and gentle baking spices finish out the taste. Understated and delicate, but stunningly complex.
Gift List: This special occasion gift is perfect for the person who has impeccable taste. Straightforward, quietly powerful and graceful.Price: $509.99
Pricing and images courtesy ofGordons Fine Wine and Liquors.
Where to buy:At the time of this publication, all listed bottles are currently available at the following Gordons Fine Wine and Liquors locations:
894 Main St., Waltham
What Are The Different Types Of Whiskey
If youre unfamiliar with the different kinds of whiskey, there are really six that you have to know: Irish whiskey, Scotch, bourbon, Tennessee, rye and Japanese whisky. Each has a unique origin, distilling process, taste and even way of spelling the liquor. The Irish use the e along with American distillers while Scots, Canadians and Japanese distillers all leave it out. There are some major differences between how these different types of whiskey are made, and each has its own unique flavor and style.
Beyond the six listed above, there are a few more categories worth knowing as well:
Irish whiskey is often described as smooth, but that really doesnt do justice to the complex and often fruity flavor of the whiskey. There is single malt Irish whiskey, blends, and single pot still, which is made from a mixture of malted and unmalted barley.
Scotch whisky is whisky made in Scotland which has very strict laws in place for distillers in terms of how its made. It must be aged in barrels for at least three years. If there is an age statement, that indicates the youngest whisky in the bottle. Single malt comes from one distillery and is made from 100 percent malted barley, while a blend consists of malt and grain whisky from various distilleries. Some scotch is peated, meaning that peat is burned to dry the barley infusing it with a smoky flavor, but most of it is not.
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Orphan Barrel Foragers Keep
Average Price:$590
The Whisky:
This was Diageos first Orphan Barrel from Scotland . The juice in this bottle is a 26-year-old single malt from the long-shuttered and now-demolished Pittyvaich distillery. So not only are you getting a super rare and old whisky, youre getting something that well never see again.
Tasting Notes:
The nose draws you in with sharp green apples nestled in loose straw in wicker baskets in a sunny orchard with a throughline of light vanilla cream. The apple and vanilla mellow out into an almost cream soda note on the palate, as a rush of orange oils and wet cedar spice things up. The end adds in a dry cedar and apple tobacco vibe with a hint of silken maltiness.
Bottom Line:
That shaggy-haired Scottish Highlander cow on the label is a great example of how this whisky will make you feel: Chilled the f*ck out. Taking a sip of this soon-to-be-gone whisky, you get a warm feeling of, Its all good, man Its really that silky smooth.
The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao
Everyone talks about sustainability, but Macallan has now dedicated a whisky to it. In fact, this is the first limited edition in an innovative new series of single malts that will see the brand progress towards even more sustainable packaging. In this case, the bottle labels and the recyclable and biodegradable presentation outer box are made from organic cacao shells, while the box ribbon is made from 81 percent virgin wood pulp. To create the whisky itself, Macallan whisky maker Polly Logan embarked to Girona, Spain, where she collaborated with renowned pastry chef Jordi Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, visiting his chocolate factory, Casa Cacao, while also working with chocolatier Damian Allsop. Combining European sherry and American oak casks, Logan created a whisky reminiscent of chocolate fondant, honey and oak, perfect for pairing withchocolate.
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$2: Old Weller Antique
Proof: 107Approx. cost: $24
Are you the kind of bourbon neophyte who is all about the Pappy, baby? Gotta have that Pappy. Ooh, what you wouldnt give for some Pappy. Let me let you in on the worlds worst kept secret: Theres a cheaper line of bourbons sorta like the beloved Van Winkles that youve never tasted before. You see, Pappy is a wheated bourbon, which is fairly unique in the industry. In 2002, Buffalo Trace acquired the Old Rip Van Winkle brand and began using its wheated mash bill to make the Pappys. Are things starting to come together for you? Yes! Buffalo Trace also owns the Old Weller line of wheated bourbons for which it uses that exact same mash bill. The indispensable Bourbonr blog calls it Poor Mans Pappy, advocating mixing Old Weller Antique with the similarly-priced, though tougher-to-find, W.L. Weller 12 Year. If I wanted to mix things at home, though, Id make a cocktail. Antique is perfect by itself.
Others: Elijah Craig 12 Year, Old Forester Signature, Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Barrell Bourbon Batch 005
A newer brand in the market, every batch of Barrell Bourbon is a limited release, bottled at cask strength and made in limited quantities. The founder and producer, Joe Beatrice, travels through Kentucky and Tennessee sampling and buying barrels and then blending them together in new inventive and creative ways. Each has an intentionally distinct flavor profile, which is the essence of the Barrell brand. The current batch, number 005, is one of the nuttiest bourbons available and their spiciest batch to date, with notes of cinnamon and pepper along with cherries, stone fruit and chocolate.
Gift List: For those who favor the small batch, craft bottles and appreciate the artistry of a maker. Its the the right choice for an outdoorsman, an artist or craftsman.Price: $74.99
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Best Overall: Henry Mckenna Single Barrel Bourbon
Courtesy of Drizly
Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Honey, Vanilla
From Heaven Hill Distillery, this Henry Mckenna bourbon was named “Best in Show” at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and with good reason. Aged in oak barrels, this bourbon is the only extra-aged bottled-in-bond single barrel bourbon available and offers a smooth, sumptuous, structured flavor profile.
Xania Woodman, bar manager and lead bartender at O.P. Rockwell Cocktail Lounge & Music Hall, describes the 10-year-old bourbon as rich and buttery, “like butterscotch candy,” but with an appreciable bite. And for all its attributes, the price point isn’t as exorbitant as some other celebrated bourbons. It just goes to show you, says Woodman, that an astronomical price doesn’t necessarily indicate actual quality.