George Dickel Superior No 12 Whisky
Dont know the difference between Tennessee whiskey and bourbon? This bottle from Dickel is your perfect introduction . According to Thomas, Tennessee whiskey uses the Lincoln County Process: filtering the whiskey through sugar maple charcoal before it hits the barrel. The resulting whiskey is smooth and warm with a nice kick, but not too hot.
Best Peated Scotch: Bowmore 12 Year Old
Caskers
Region: Islay, Scotland| ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Peat, Chocolate, Cherry.
Bowmore is mildly peated compared to some other Islay whiskies, but the smoke is distinctly present all the same. But in this 12-year-old expression, the peatiness is balanced out by a rich array of fruit and spice flavors, along with notes of honey and vanilla. The distillery is the first recorded to be in operation on Islay, and this long, storied history is present in this approachable yet pleasantly smoky single malt.
Region: Japan | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Green apple, Citrus, Smoke.
Japanese whiskey, particularly from Suntory, can be very costly and hard to get, but this bottle from the Hakushu distillery in the Japanese Alps is phenomenal. It features crisp notes of unripe melon and apple, along with just a hint of smoke. This 12-year-old whiskey makes a delicious highball, although you might want to save this to sip. Lynnette Marrero, bar director for Llama Inn and Llama San NYC, calls it delicious, grassy, a little smokier than other Japanese whiskeys.
Best Grain Scotch: Compass Box Hedonism
Region: Scotland | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Coconut, Caramel, Toffee, Vanilla
A century ago, many Scottish whiskies were made with grains, including corn and wheat, but declined in popularity as big producers started focusing on single malt whiskies. Maverick whisky maker John Glaser rehabilitated it, searching out old grain barrels and blending them together in making Compass Box Hedonism.
H. Joseph Ehrmann, owner of San Franciscos Elixir Saloon and co-founder of Fresh Victor, calls it a head-turner that can open your eyes to the pleasures of grain whisky. With its coconut and caramel notes, it tastes fun, says Tardie. Glasers doing a wonderful service for blended scotch.
Region: Highlands | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Coffee, Espresso, Raisins, Cinnamon
did something innovative, says Tardie. They toasted the barley so much that they call it a chocolate malt.
Just as in beer making, where a chocolate malt adds mocha flavor to a porter or stout, this Highland scotch is rich in cocoa and espresso notes that only deepen over time. Its made from the distillerys oldest whisky35- to 40-year-old scotch, aged in American white oakwhich gives it a gravitas that Tardie appreciates. As you sip it, and as the alcohol burns off, he says, theres a strong characteristic of dark chocolate and coffee grinds.
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$: High West Bourye American Whiskey
Spirit:American whiskeyProof:92Approx. cost: $79
You may have noticed that my list is fairly bereft of microdistillery products. I dont like them, and due to economies of scale, they are often insanely overpriced. But not High West, the Utah craft distillery making products on par with the big boysand usually more inventive to boot. Incidentally, $80 is where Buffalo Traces Antique Collection and Pappy Van Winkle 15 are typically priced. Okay, if you find those for 80 bucks, buy them alland ask the store clerk if he also has any unicorns in the back room to sell you. Realistically, though, youll be stuck with Bourye, but thats hardly something to be bummed about. A blending of one bourbon and two ryes, in many ways it makes for a more interesting story to tell friends than one about standing in line for two days to get a bottle of Pappy you immediately sold off.
Others: Lagavulin 16, High West Midsummers Night Dram, WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey
Best Peated: Talisker Distillers Edition
Region: Isla | ABV: 45.8% | Tasting Notes: Iodine, Earth, Smoke, Dried fruit
A classic Islay scotch subjected to a Highland treatment, i.e. secondary aging in Amoroso sherry butts, this bottle is, at first, big, peaty, and smoky, says Shanahan, but then, you start to see this wonderful new balance created. You get these fruit kickers coming through without being too cloying, but theyre added to the peaty notes of the scotch from the isles.
The sherry-cask fruitiness softens yet also highlights the peat, reminding you of the earthy elements in the scotch, he concludes. Dont be afraid to pair this one with food. Those heavily peated, oily, viscous scotches love seafood or meat, says Tardie. One of my favorite pairings is oysters and peated scotch.
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From Bourbons To Ryes To Single Malts Neat Or On The Rocks
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Liquor / Chloe Jeong
Best Sherry Cask Scotch: The GlenDronach Allardice at Drizly
Matured entirely in Spanish Oloroso sherry butts, the 18-year-old whiskey delivers one of the best full-flavored sipping experiences.
Best Canadian:Lot No. 40 Whisky at Drizly
Look for a little bit of spice here, but overall this is a smooth sipper with notes of cocoa and caramel that pop in the palate.
In the big world of whiskeys, there’s a bottle out there for every taste, price point and preference. Nowadays, you can find whiskey made in every corner of Americaindeed, every corner of the worldeach with its own specific character and identity. Whether youre looking for the perfect whiskey to pair with a cocktail, something really smoky and assertive, or a smooth sipper, weve got you covered.
Here are some of the best whiskeys you can get your hands on now.
$: Redbreast 12 Year Old
Spirit: Irish whiskeyProof: 80Approx. cost: $65
Irish whiskey gets a bad rap for whatever reason. Bourbon is red hot, rye is hip, Scotch is classy, and Canadian whiskey often comes in a cool purple satchel at the very least. But no one is impressed when you have bottles of Irish whiskey displayed in your pad. Yet, you should have some displayed because, dollar-for-dollar, Irish whiskey is the best value out there. My favorite offerings are from Redbreast in County Cork. Its 12 Year Old is a single pot-still whiskey thats as good as many $80-$120 single malts.
Others: The Balvenie Caribbean Cask, Highland Park 15
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What Is The Most Expensive Irish Whiskey
The Emerald Isle Collection is The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.s second release, following the launch of The Devils Keep a triple-distilled, 29-year-old single malt whiskey which also set a world record for most expensive inaugural release when it sold at auction in November 2020 for $60,000 USD (approximately £
Best Under $: Buffalo Trace Bourbon
drizly
Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Anise, Oak.
Buffalo Traces eponymous bourbon really stands out from the pack in terms of flavor and price. If youre looking for a dependable bourbon for less than $50, give this one a try. Its unpretentious and flavorful, with an ABV that makes it stand up to being used in any cocktail. There are so many good bourbons from the distillery that are expensive and hard to find, and thats great for collectors. But for the average drinker, stick with this workhorse that is vibrant and bold.
Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45.2% | Tasting Notes: Honey, Marzipan, Chocolate.
Woodford Reserve launched its Double Oaked expression in 2012. After initial aging, this bourbon is further matured in barrels that are lightly toasted and then heavily charred. This gives the whiskey a full, almost smoky flavor that brings a cocktail to another level. It’s a full-bodied whiskey with loads of vanilla, caramel, fruit and spice notes, all of which are enhanced by their inclusion in the classic Old Fashioned, says Burns. Double Oaked also has a nice rich, creamy mouthfeel that works super well with a muddled sugar cube, well soaked with bitters.
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Gold Medals San Francisco World Spirits Competition & World Whiskies Awards
The bottle is tall and bold, and whats housed within doesnt shy away. Drink this one on a brisk evening, and youll forget all about the weather as soon as the notable spiciness and orange peel of this reddish-brown, dark honey colored whiskey dance on your tongue. For us, we prefer the purity of drinking it neat because it is a rich experience that makes no sense of the wallet-friendly price.
What Is The Smoothest Whiskey
What are the Smoothest Whiskeys?
- Scotch Whisky. Laphroaig 10 Year Old is considered by many to be Best Single Malt Whisky in the World. It has a smokey-smooth taste, without being too overpowering.
- American Bourbon Whiskey. American Bourbon is not as simple as you might think.
- Canadian Whisky.
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Best Under $: Aberfeldy 12 Year Old
Region: Highlands | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Cherry cola, Bittersweet, Tannic, Bright
For a reasonably-priced option, look no further than this whisky from Aberfeldy, a Central Highlands distillery that started operating in 1898. The facility is situated along the Pitilie Burn, a lively stream whose churning, fresh water results in a clean, brisk scotch.
An everyday pour, this whisky offers cherry cola aromas with a mouth-coating, mid-palate sweetness that finishes in bittersweet, woody tannins. Easy to drink neat, on the rocks, with a splash of water, or mixed into warming cocktails, its light enough at 40 percent ABV for a midday tipple, yet flavorful for post-work happy hour.
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14
St. John Frizell, owner of Brooklyn cafe and bar Fort Defiance, cant get enough of this Scotch finished in rum barrels. Its surprising how much rum character comes through, he says. Its beautiful Balvenie whiskey, but with graceful notes of almond, lime rind, tropical fruit, allspice, and nutmeg. These are rum punch flavors, straight out of the West Indies.
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$4: Angels Envy Bourbon
Spirit: BourbonProof: 86.6Approx. cost: $44
As we move beyond the $40 price point, we find manufacturers willing to be a little more playful with products like with High Wests scotch/bourbon/rye blend, Campfire. Angels Envy is another such release, a blend of four- to six-year-old bourbons finished in French-oak port barrels. That injection of wine adds a great chocolate-covered-cherries zing to the already toffee-like flavor profile. Im sure some annoying know-it-all has told you before that angels share refers to the portion of whiskey lost due to evaporation during aging. Well, this is supposedly the bourbon angels are envious they werent able to nab. Youll have no such trouble so long as youve got a valid I.D and no court orders against you.
Others: Dads Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey, High West Campfire, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch, Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey
One of the best whiskey gifts to get your friend? Well, whiskey. Buffalo Trace has been around since 1787. In that time, they have learned a thing or two about creating incredible whiskey. Buffalo Trace is proof you dont need to spend a fortune or look outside of the United States for an amazing whiskey. Sweet and smokey, distilled in charred oak barrels and 90 proof, you dont have to look any further than this Kentucky-born brand for a top-shelf whiskey experience.
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The 25 Best Gifts For Whiskey Lovers: Decanters Ice Molds Whiskey Stones
Whiskey has become a serious hobby for many lovers and aficionados. Chances are you know someone that has developed a real taste for the liquor and a small armory of whiskey-related paraphernalia. If youre trying to find the best gift for whiskey lovers, you should consider bottles and whiskey accessories. Seriously, the best whiskey gifts should be a no-brainer for your brown drink-loving buddy.
But what to get?
The products available for whiskey lovers range from perfect whiskey glasses to whiskey soaps, so figuring out which is best for your giftee can be tough. To help with the search, weve rounded up the best gifts for whiskey lovers.
Alternatively, you can give your whiskey drinker any of these best-selling bottles. And for bonus points, learn how to properly enjoy a bottle.
What Is The Smoothest Whiskey To Drink To Drink Straight
Are you a fan of the bold and intense flavours of aged whiskey? Or are you a regular drinker, and you enjoy your drinks neat? If yes, then smooth whiskey is just for you!
In America, people of all age groups enjoy a glass of whiskey, and from stats, it is clear that nearly 75% of whiskey drinkers are below 50 years old.
We have picked some of the smoothest whiskies just for you. But before that, lets discuss what makes a whiskey smooth and what it means by drinking straight!
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Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whiskey
This whiskey is full of flavours and delicious that which makes it the perfect drink to have straight. It is soft, smooth and has notes of frosted mini wheat.
When you sniff it, you get a strong aroma of crème brûlée and just a sniff of burnt toffee. As soon as you drink it down, you taste some ash and soft smoke, typical with scotches.
These flavors are so mild that they dont overpower the other flavours.
Best Bourbon: Elijah Craig
Region: Kentucky | ABV: 47% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Char, Cinnamon.
Elijah Craig is made by Heaven Hill, a distillery that makes other great bourbons and rye whiskeys as well. The liquid in this bottle is aged between eight and 12 years, and it really has everything you are looking for in an affordable but high-quality bourbon. Strong notes of vanilla and oak, and a higher proof of 94, make this a great sipping whiskey, as well as an excellent cocktail component to consider when making an Old Fashioned or Boulevardier.
Region: Kentucky | ABV: Varies per batch | Tasting Notes: Brown sugar, Cocoa, Baking spices.
Barrel-proof means that the whiskey has not been cut with water to reduce the alcohol content, often down to 40% ABV, before bottling . This is as close to drinking straight from the barrel as most people can get, with an ABV often exceeding 60%. The higher proof offers an unadulterated whiskey drinking experience with an amplified range of flavorsand of course, you can proof it down yourself with some water, if you like. Stagg Jr. is the younger brother to George T. Stagg bourbon, also made by Buffalo Trace, but its easier to obtain and usually just as good. Stagg Jr. is so unfairly under the radar, says Vacheresse. Whiskey drinkers are blown away when they are introduced to a few different batches side by side.
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Best Tennessee Whiskey: Chattanooga Whiskey 111
Total Wine
Region: Tennessee | ABV: 55.5% | Tasting Notes: Malted chocolate, Vanilla, Cinnamon.
There are some really innovative smaller distilleries that have popped up throughout Tennessee in recent years, including Chattanooga Whiskey. This whiskey does not undergo the Lincoln County process, a defining characteristic of Tennessee whiskey in which the new make spirit is filtered through maple charcoal before barreling. So instead of being called Tennessee whiskey, its labeled as Tennessee High Malt. The whiskey is made from a four-grain mash bill with a large percentage of malted barley, and comes in 91 and 111 proof versions. The latter is the most full-flavored, and sips like a whiskey much older than its two years of barrel aging.
Most Innovative: Bruichladdich Islay Barley
Region: Islay, Scotland | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Honey, Citrus, Vanilla.
Scotlands Bruichladdich distillery is always experimenting with new innovations. Experiments in the concept of terroir in whisky, aging its annual Octomore series in different barrel types, and often making some of the most heavily peated whisky you can find are just some examples. Their philosophy on whiskey is simple but effective: they care about what they do, and it comes through in their product, says Brendan Bartley, beverage director of Bathtub Gin and The 18th Room. Wiznitzer agrees, noting, This distillery turns out some of the most innovative consumer bottlings in all of Islay. The Islay Barley 2011 release is a true experiment in terroir. Its an unpeated whisky distilled from a mash bill of barley grown on six Islay farms in 2010, highlighting the flavors of stone fruit, green apple and citrus zest that the climate and soil bring to the grain.
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Best Overall: The Glendronach Revival
Region: Highlands | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Cedar, Chocolate-covered cherries, Pecans, Honey
With notes of cedar, chocolate-covered cherries, pecans and honey, The GlenDronach Revival 15-year-old scotch evolves in layers and layers of new flavors and keeps on delivering, according to Tardie, following through with its seemingly miles-long finish.
Aged in the Highlands in Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks, it starts off with a spiced fruit nose that Tardie calls brilliant. Drink it neat with milk chocolate or aged cheeses, or, as he suggests, “drop an ice cube in and let it sit for a few seconds and see what happens.”