Best Sipping Bourbon Brands To Drink Neat
Last Updated on September 9, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Bourbons are one of the best spirits to sip and enjoy. For inexperienced bourbon drinkers, the price could be their basis for the best bottles.
However, breaking the bank should not be your option unless you have money to burn.
To help you in your quest, we looked for the best sipping bourbon today. Check out our list.
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
I always have a bottle of Yamazaki 12 in my home bar, says Ben Potts. It is one of those whiskies that changes every time I go back to it. Every smell is something different, every taste is layered and complex. I know there are deeper, bolder, whiskies out there, but Yamazaki 12 does it for me every time. It’s perfect in my opinion.
What Is The Smoothest Whiskey To Drink Straight
- Next Luxury / Food And Drink by Jared McMahon
Whiskey drinking is an art, a delightful art that you can learn. We purposefully dedicated this article: How to Drink Whiskey Like A Man: Bourbon Guide to teach men the art of drinking whiskey like a real man.
Even without our guide, you can still enjoy the smooth, delicious taste of good whiskey. Good whiskey should be sipped it matters not if you are drinking alone or with a company, drinking hardcore, or on the rocks. You will enjoy the balance of various aromas and flavors.
Whiskey is of the most versatile spirits with different brands from different cities, countries, and continents, with each bottle having its unique profile and character. So, you will find Scottish, Japanese and American whiskey on this list. Note that only Americans and the Irish spell Whiskey with the e, other countries spell it as whiskey.
There is something for the big spenders and great pocket-friendly options. Limited release and more matured bottles are usually pretty expensive and hard to come by. However, they are not necessarily the best, and some people prefer a younger bottle, especially if the age difference is small. If you are interested in classy, expensive drinks, then check out our top 7 brands of cognac.
Of all the smooth whiskey types out there, here are five great options.
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Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey
If youre looking for a budget-friendly whiskey that doesnt sacrifice taste or quality, Knob Creek Bourbon is an excellent choice.
Knob Creek Bourbon is a premium, full-flavored bourbon whiskey that is ideal for those who appreciate quality craftsmanship and bold flavors.
This deep, pre-Prohibition style bourbon is aged in white oak barrels for a deep, rich flavor, with hints of smooth vanilla and caramel.
Enjoy this delicious bourbon neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite mixed drink. This also makes an excellent addition to any home bar.
What Is The Correct Way To Drink Scotch
The simplest way to enjoy your whisky is neat, cleansing your palate with cool water between sips. Many people also add a few drops of water to their whisky, which can open up the flavors as the liquids combine. Experimentation is key, but remember the old adage: you can add, but you can’t take away.
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Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch: Best Single
Price: £38 |
An exceptionally smooth-drinking triple-distilled Lowland Scotch, Auchentoshan Three Wood is matured in bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks to bring a mellow, fruity flavour thats worth savouring. Rich and very slightly sweet, with no peaty smoke, this is possibly the nearest fine whisky comes to the taste of Christmas pudding in a bottle. If more astringent malts have left you thinking you dont like Scotch whisky, give this one a try before you give up.
Key specs Alcohol content: 43% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Scotland
What Is The Most Popular Scotch Whiskey
Data shared by The Spirits Business shows that Johnnie Walker remains the most popular Scotch whisky label, with more than double the number of cases sold in 2020 compared to Ballantine’s, its closest competitor. Grant’s, William Lawson’s, and Chivas Regal rank third, fourth, and fifth place, respectively.
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Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon
You don’t often hear Nevada mentioned as a place to find the best bourbon whiskey. And not many of the bourbons you find online are grown and distilled in the same place. That’s what makes Frey Ranch Four Grain Straight Bourbon unique. That, and the fact that it’s a women-owned business.
You may be thinking, that’s all great but what about the quality? Frey’s bourbon won the gold at three prestigious whiskey competitions in 2020 alone.
When you take a sip of of this bourbon, you can expect citrus and honey on the nose. You will get tropical fruit, caramel, and vanilla on the palate with a spicy finish. It’s truly a delicious bourbon.
to order a bottle of this top bourbon online.
Bulleit Bourbon 10 Years Old
Bulleit Bourbon charred American white oak barrels were set aside to mature for ten years. It results in a perfect whiskey, creating a deep, rich, and smooth sipping experience.
Deep russet in color with rich, oaky aromas, its long, soft, and smoky finish come with hints of vanilla and dried fruit. It is an excellent straight whiskey made with corn, rye, and malted barley!
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Best For Beginners: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey
Total Wine
Because of the high alcohol content, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon might seem like an aggressive choice for a novice whiskey drinker, but beginners typically start with ice, which substantially shuts down the flavors.
Wild Turkey 101 and its high rye mash aged in white American oak easily stands its ground against even the largest cube. Plus, its a classic whiskey with archetypical bourbon flavors like caramel, cinnamon, and char. As whiskey newbies level up their ability to enjoy more intensity, they can reduce the amount of ice or water they add and suss out new and more subtle notes along the way.
ABV: 101 Proof | Age: Between 6-8 years | Volume: 750 milliliters
Flavored whiskey can be a bit tricky. Some of it can hardly be called whiskey at all, but Knob Creek Maple is made with all the craft and care of the labels original expression with a hint of maple sweetness that complements the traditional bourbon flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak.
A pleasant dose of smoke helps give this whiskey balance and prevent the sugary quality from becoming cloying. Its a lovely addition to enhance your cocktail repertoire, and if you are keen on living a bit dangerously, it makes a fun adult ice cream topping.
ABV: 90 Proof | Age: No Age Statement | Volume: 750 milliliters
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.
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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.
Best Under $: Buffalo Trace Bourbon
drizly
Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Sweet corn
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.
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Which Is Better Dewars Or Johnnie Walker
Bottom Line: The Dewar’s beats by a nose literally. It has a tad more nose, and delivers a bit more in the palate as well, with it’s almost aromatherapy-level of smoke showing up. The heavy sweetness may put off some, of course, and Johnnie is overall a more refreshing, neutral sip with a smoother finish.
What Is The Best Mixer For Crown Royal
- crown regular with coke.
- Crown vanilla with sprite or squirt.
- Crown black with coke or Pepsi.
- Crown maple with coke and soda.
Can crown drinks?
Crown Royal Launches New Ready To Drink Cocktails In A Can
- Whisky & Cola featuring Crown Royal whisky and cola.
- Washington Apple featuring Crown Royal whisky, apple and sparkling cranberry flavors.
- Peach Tea featuring Crown Royal whisky, peach flavor and brewed tea.
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Best For Sipping: Aberlour A’bunadh
Region: Speyside, Scotland | ABV: Varies by batch | Tasting Notes: Sherry, Spice, Vanilla
This scotch has something of a cult following, and with good reason: it’s a high-proof, sherry cask single malt that is consistently delicious. This is a rare example of a single expression being recognized and sought after by consumers, while the rest of the brand lineup is mostly , says Vacheresse. Add a bit of water or drink it neathowever you prefer, Aberlour ABunadh does not disappoint. Take your time with this as you sip to unveil layer after layer of flavor.
Contrary To The Snobbiest Drinkers Theyre Actually Delicious
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Many seasoned whiskey drinkers turn their noses to the sky at the mere mention of flavored whiskeyand with good reason. Most expressions on shelves at your local liquor store are less than good, despite being immensely popular.
Heres the rub: Not all flavored whiskeys are lousy. Some are even quite delicious. If you want to experience new and exciting flavors, keeping an open mind is a smart idea. After all, there was a time not long ago when people thought the only good single malts came from Scotland.
To be clear, all whiskey is flavored. Makers use different grains, water sources, yeast variants, wood, and time to give their bottles different tastes, but when makers and labels use less traditional methods of seasoning their spirits, we enter the realm of flavored whiskey. That said, a large number of the expressions that form the genre dont meet the technical minimum requirement of being bottled at 80 proof to actually be considered whiskey in the U.S. But does it really matter? If it pleases your palate, we say drink it.
Here are the best flavored whiskeys.
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Angels Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Angels Envy is Master Distiller Lincoln Hendersons masterpiece. He created this smooth whiskey after he retired from Brown-Forman. The complex flavors of this drink impressed experts and awarded the brand multiple recognitions.
The last parts of its aging process were inside port barrels, where the fruity flavors originated. The smooth texture is perfect for its sweet, mouth-watering flavors of dried cherries and strawberries, chocolate, and toffee. It has $43.3% ABV.
A 750ml bottle of this masterpiece is around $50.
Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Small Batch is among our favorite budget-friendly bourbons. Ultimately, at less than $50, it punches well above its weight in terms of quality and versatility. While its wonderful served neat, it can hold its own served with ice. Four Roses Small Batch offers brilliant balance throughout, and, when enjoyed on the rocks, this bourbon reveals some lovely spice and candied fruit notes.
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Green Spot Single Pot Irish Still Whiskey: Best Irish Whiskey
Price: £37 |
A warm, long-drinking single-pot whiskey, smooth with creamy vanilla notes. Made with a blend of malted and unmalted barley, Green Spot was, until recently, only available at its distillers Dublin store, and production is still limited to 12,000 bottles a year. So if you have expat Irish friends youd like to impress, a bottle of the lesser-spotted Green Spot should make them very happy indeed.
Key specs Alcohol content: 40% Bottle size: 70cl Country of origin: Ireland
The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old
Macallan is a fixture in the high-end whiskey world. Theyve been around since 1824, and theyre 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.
We like Macallans Sherry Oak 12-Year for two reasons: firstly, its matured in unique Oloroso sherry-seasoned oak casks from Spain. These casks introduce a bit of fruitiness and floral spice to the flavor. Secondly, with 12 years of age, its a mature, premium scotch yet much more attainable than Macallans older bottles .
Macallan makes a Speyside whiskey, meaning theyre 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 thats more approachable for beginner whiskey drinkers.
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Blantons Single Barrel Bourbon
Any House of Cards fan knows that this is Frank Underwoods bourbon of choice. And once you get a taste of Blantons, it would be hard to disagree. We also think you should consider picking up a bottle because it’s a conversation piece for your bar!
You may expect minute variations in the flavor profile, but the caramel and vanilla aromas dominate the mid-palate. The finish is where Blantons wins, with a subtle touch of pepper and grassy rye. This is the perfect bourbon to drink neat. Or, if you must drink it on the rock, make sure you made clear ice for your whiskey.
This whiskey can be hard to get. It will pop up occasionally on some of the better online whiskey stores. We are linking to one of your best options below. If you see a bottle is available, you should buy it before they run out!
| See if you can score a bottle of Blanton’s
Whats In A Sip Best Sipping Bourbons
ByJake Kratzenberg
A small mouthful of a drink is a sip in formal terms. To be considered a great sipping bourbon, the spirit must be something special on the palate, not just one note. It must be complex and resonate throughout the sip. The build-up from the smell, taste and lingering finish should complement each other.
Lets face it, not everyone can explain a bourbon taste profile. Personally, I can usually taste the spices and the fruits, but other notes like leather and tobacco escape me. And thats okay
Too many bourbon lovers are reluctant to describe what they are tasting in their sip, because of the Bourbon Snobs. Remember, your palate is yours and yours alone. Do not allow anyone to tell you what you should be tasting, enjoy the sip all on your own.
I am not here to break the bank, I know I cannot afford the unicorn bourbons, so I thought I would put together a list of my top five sipping bourbons, ones that I drink and are available every day.
Top Five:
5. Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon:
- The bourbon has a lower proof at 80 that gives no Kentucky Hug or burn, just a smooth sipping whiskey that I found to have hints of orange and spices on the front end and cherry on the finish, which completed my experience.
4. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon:
3. Michters US 1 Straight Bourbon:
2. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon:
1. Eagle Rare 10-Year-Old:
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Best Irish Whiskey For Cocktails
Before you shell out for a nice bottle of whiskey from Ireland, heed this warning from Justin Siemer: Most Irish whiskey cocktail recipes are not a good showcase for the whiskey itself. His one exception: The Tipperary. Don’t ruin the nuances of a nice Irish whiskey with ginger beer or coffee. Make a Tipperary and thank me later. With that in mind, here are the bottles worth buying.
Most of the bartenders we spoke to said this their go-to budget-friendly option for mixing. It has beautiful citrus notes and makes a lovely whiskey smash in the summer time, says Anderson. Hirsch argues that it shines brightest in Irish Coffeesand says its whats used in the famous rendition at San Franciscos Buena Vista Cafe.