(Photo: WhistlePig Whiskey)

On Wednesday, WhistlePig opened presale on the 13th release in its The Boss Hog series, and this one traces its origins to a tiger nut cake recipe found carved into an Egyptian tomb more than 3,000 years old.

The Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh is a straight rye finished in barrels seasoned with Egyptian black honey and tiger nuts. It’s the first The Boss Hog release to draw its inspiration from Africa, and the brand’s first time opening a presale window for the series.

The recipe is something of a study in misnomers. Egyptian black honey, or asal eswed, is a sugarcane molasses rather than bee honey, and remains a staple ingredient in Egyptian cooking today. Tiger nuts, meanwhile, aren’t nuts at all, but edible tubers with a flavor closer to almond or coconut, long used across Egypt and the wider Mediterranean and Middle East for food, medicine and ritual offerings.

“Through our research, we came across a tiger nut cake recipe carved into the side of a tomb dating back more than 3,000 years,” WhistlePig Whiskey Head Blender Meghan Ireland said in a news release. “We recreated the recipe on our farm and fell in love with the flavor combination. That led us to experiment with the finishing for this year’s The Boss Hog to see what those flavors could do to Rye whiskey. We were not disappointed!”

An aside for whiskey nerds: this is the first The Boss Hog I can remember that was distilled in Kentucky, a departure from the series’ more common Canadian roots (last year’s edition was distilled in Indiana) — and it comes a few months after WhistlePig opened The Vault, its bar in Louisville. Coincidence?

As always, WhistlePig says the release holds to The Boss Hog series’ five promises: single barrel, bottled at proof, powerfully complex, distinctly unique, and “Stupendous.”

Presale opens Wednesday ahead of a nationwide launch on Sept. 29. The whiskey carries a suggested retail price of $599.99 for a 750-milliliter bottle, bottled at cask strength between 102.6 and 105.6 proof (51.3-52.8% ABV).Each bottle is topped with a pewter Golden Pharaoh-inspired topper, with a limited number of bottles receiving a rare gold topper for collectors.

Review: How Does The Boss Hog XIII Golden Pharaoh Stack Up?

WhistlePig was gracious enough to send me a bottle of The Boss Hog XIII ahead of its launch for review. It’s a dense, nuanced pour that opens with warm holiday spice, honey and molasses up front, with a long finish that delivers dark chocolatey/coffee goodness and plenty of spice.

Find our full tasting notes, score and our take on how it compares to last year’s The Boss Hog are available in our complete review.

(Photo: San Francisco World Spirits Competition)

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition convenes every year to separate the wheat from the chaff (or, in the case of certain whiskeys, the rye from the wheat). First organized by the Tasting Alliance in 2000, the SFWSC has persisted for decades as the world’s largest and most prestigious alcohol judging competition. Thousands of brands face off against dozens of judges, who whittle the selection down to a small handful of winners spanning everything from tequila to ready-to-drink cocktails.

SFSWC judges award spirits Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Above Gold sits Double Gold; spirits that are unanimously awarded a Gold Medal by every member of the over-50-person panel. Double Gold awardees will eventually be narrowed down to a single Best In Class winner for each category at the Topo Shelf Gala, which is tentatively set to take place this November.

On Tuesday, the Tasting Alliance unveiled the six rye whiskeys that have a shot at the grand prize.

The Best in Class finalists for the rye whiskey category represent a fascinating hodgepodge of different brands, casting a wide net across Maryland, Indiana, Vermont, Kentucky, Colorado and New York. The one thing they all have in common? A well-above-average proof point. Though the competition has no criteria for ABV, judges fell head over heels for blisteringly high-proof whiskeys running the gamut from 104.8 all the way up to 148 proof. Some were helmed by local distilleries that you’ve likely never heard of; others, by the biggest names in the game.

WhistlePig The Boss Hog Collection – Boss XII Feather & Flame Rye Whiskey

(Photo: WhistlePig)

The latest release in WhistlePig’s wildly indulgent Boss Hog series, Feather & Flame is a straight rye whiskey that pays homage to Ancient Aztec flavors. The limited-edition spirit is finished in barrels seasoned with pulque curado, which the team reimagined using agave, cacao and a blend of Mexican chiltepín, guajillo and pasilla peppers. Though its price is steep (nearly $600), we’re inclined to agree with the judges on this one. Among our favorite releases from 2025, Feather & Flame is stuffed to the brim with anise, clove and butterscotch notes that play ball against a fiery green serrano and chili pepper undertone.

Read Our Full Review of WhistlePig Feather & Flame Rye Whiskey Here.

Old Overholt 12 Year Old Extra Aged Cask Strength

(Photo: Old Overholt)

Last October, Suntory Global Spirits expanded its Old Overholt line with a cask-strength 12-year-old rye bottled between 53% and 65% ABV. That makes it the oldest age statement from the oldest continually maintained whiskey brand in the United States. Superlatives aside, this is great juice. Reviewing the whiskey at launch, we found plenty to like in its thickly layered flavors of peanut brittle, chocolate-covered cherries, gingerbread and peaches, followed by a distinct pop of orange zest on the finish. The whiskey is still widely available online at its original suggested retail price of $109.99.

Read Our Full Review of Old Overholt Cask Strength 12 Year Here

O.K.I. 13-Year Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

(Photo: O.K.I.)

Distilled in Indiana, barreled in Kentucky and “loved” in Ohio, O.K.I. is no stranger to a cult-hit single-barrel whiskey release. This particular bottle is part of a series selected by founders Chad Brizendine and Jake Warm, who curated a rye aged for 13 years and bottled at 66.2% ABV (believe it or not, far from the highest proof point you’ll be seeing on this list). Judges described it as “big and unapologetic,” leading with flavors of oak, clove and a distinctly sweet rye backbone. Older single barrels from O.K.I. tend to cost a pretty penny, so expect to pay no less than $130 if you’re hunting one of these down.

Art of the Spirits Mogadishu Hazmat Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey

(Photo: Art of the Spirits/Instagram)

Art of the Spirits Mogadishu is part of a single-barrel series paying homage to Operation Gothic Serpent, a 1993 U.S. special forces mission carried out during the Somali Civil War. Though there’s a smattering of information about this whiskey online, little is known about the pick tasted at San Francisco, which appears to have been selected by Ayra’s Liquor & Store in Racine, Wisconsin. We can confirm, however, that a) there’s a helicopter on the label, b) the whiskey was aged 12 years and c) it’s bottled at an astoundingly high cask strength of 74% ABV. Judges said that it drinks with remarkable nuance and complexity, spearheaded by flavors of licorice, baked apple, allspice and tea.

Epoch Maryland Straight Rye Whiskey 6 Year Old Cask Strength

(Photo: Baltimore Spirits Company)

The Baltimore Spirits Company is dedicated to reviving the pot-distilled, Maryland rye whiskeys of Scottish and Irish settlers in the 18th century. This year’s Best In Class awardee is a cask-strength version of its flagship Epoch, aged for six years and bottled at 64.3% ABV. Described as a “bold, expressive rye with a big oak and wood-forward nose,” judges found a lot to like in its fresh, grassy flavors and lingering mint finish. The bottling is currently floating around for about $60, making it by far the cheapest selection in its category.

Kings County Barrel Strength Straight Empire Rye Whiskey

(Photo: Seelbach’s)

A highly sought-after annual release from the Brooklyn-based Kings County Distillery, Empire Rye is a whiskey made from 80% New York-grown Danko rye and 20% English barley malt. The alcohol content varies from year to year, and the San Francisco team appears to have gotten their hands on an expression bottled at 61% ABV. Judges heaped praise on its flavors of black tea, sweetened condensed milk, toffee and cinnamon, describing it as “balanced and poised at every turn.” Typically retails for around $100.

(Photo: WhistlePig Whiskey)

WhistlePig Whiskey has sold a complex of spirits aging warehouses in Moriah, New York, for $17 million, according to the Adirondack Explorer. The otherwise unassuming facility was at the center of a years-long dispute with locals over the first documented outbreak of Baudoinia Compniacensis, or whiskey fungus, in the state.

On Monday, it was reported that the Vermont-based distiller sold the warehouses to a Delaware-based company called Zags 26 LLC, of which little information is publicly known apart from the fact that it buys real estate. WhistlePig subsidiary Moriah Ventures reportedly renewed its distilling license earlier this year, indicating that the premises can continue to age and bottle spirits until at least the spring of 2029.

Local officials told the Adirondack Explorer that they were not aware the complex had been sold.

Tensions between WhistlePig and the Moriah community came to a head in 2023, when it was reported that black Baudoinia fungus had begun spreading to nearby businesses and residences. The mold is formed when airborne ethanol vapors from aging spirits mix with atmospheric pressure. Though research indicates that it’s not dangerous to human health, whiskey fungus is known to damage property, cling to cars and kill trees.

The story quickly made headlines across the state. Locals dubbed it everything from “black schmutz” to the “devil’s bulls–t,” rallying around calls for WhistlePig to take responsibility and pay for the cleanup.

WhistePig formally denied culpability for the outbreak, claiming that the accusations were “founded more on conjecture than on any objective evaluation.” The distiller did, however, agree to clean nearby homes on a case-by-case basis “in the spirit of cooperation.”

New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation later determined that WhistlePig was responsible for the outbreak, and the distiller agreed to a corrective plan to provide free power washing to homes within a 960-yard radius of its rickhouses.

WhistlePig is a popular rye whiskey brand distilled at a renovated dairy farm in Shoreham, Vermont. The brand’s barrel warehouses in upstate New York were its only facility outside of its home state, excluding a recently opened tasting venue in Kentucky.

(Photos: WhistlePig Whiskey)

On Wednesday, WhistlePig Whiskey unveiled a national campaign urging Congress to recognize rye as the official whiskey of the United States, tying the initiative to the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The campaign, which runs through July 4, centers on a public petition that, if it reaches 1,776 signatures, will be formally presented to lawmakers. The campaign is backed by Max Miller, who has more than 4 million subscribers on YouTube and is known for highlighting historical food and drink traditions.

The petition will be available to sign here.

“Rye isn’t just part of American whiskey history – it is American whiskey history,” said WhistlePig CEO Alex Roberts, pointing to rye’s prominence in early U.S. distilling before bourbon rose to dominance.

If successful, the petition would bring the question of an “official” American whiskey designation to Congress.

While most most closely associate bourbon with the U.S., rye whiskey played a central role in early American spirits production, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where the grain was more readily available than corn. The campaign frames rye as a foundational style that predates and helped shape the broader American whiskey category.

WhistlePig has long been a leading advocate for rye and is one of the biggest faces of rye whiskey, building its portfolio around the grain and expanding into critically acclaimed experimental releases.

Limited Releases Tied Into Campaign

Alongside the petition, WhistlePig Whiskey is introducing two limited releases designed to mark the anniversary and support the “Rye, White and Blue” campaign.

The first is a special-edition version of its PiggyBank 10-year rye, packaged in its its usual pig-shaped decanter  — silver instead of gold this time, complete with flairs of red, white and blue. Bottled at 110 proof, it’s distilled from a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley and has a suggested retail price of $249.99.

The second expression, Declaration Wheat Whiskey, offers a contrasting style with a wheat-forward profile. The wheat whiskey is distilled from a mashbill of 93% wheat and 7% malted barley, double-oaked and bottled at 86 proof. It has a suggested retail price of $73.99.

The bar at WhistlePig’s new Louisville location.

In December, WhistlePig Whiskey opened its first location beyond its home state of Vermont. And where better to expand than the heart of bourbon country?

Located in a magnificently restored 1911 limestone bank at 403 E. Market Street in Louisville, Kentucky— just steps from iconic distilleries like Angel’s Envy, Old Forester and Rabbit Hole — WhistlePig has landed in the heart of Louisville’s walkable Bourbon District with a can’t miss destination fittingly named The Vault. The brand known for its exceptional rye whiskeys has made a major splash right in the center of bourbon country, and the result is one of the coolest spots in town.

A Building That Commands Attention

The impression begins before you set foot inside. Impressive marble columns rise to the building’s classical cornice, where the words Security Bank are still etched in stone. Near-floor-to-ceiling windows put the warmly lit interior on full display, drawing you in before you’ve even touched the door handle. A doormat bearing The Vault’s seal marks the threshold between the ordinary street outside and something altogether different within.

The bar doesn’t gesture at the bank theme; it goes all in. The centerpiece is a sweeping bar of extraordinary craftsmanship: burnished gold vault detailing lines the back bar, safety deposit box panels cover the walls floor to balcony, and the whole room glitters under the warm glow of chandeliers sporting WhistlePig’s iconic gold PiggyBank Rye bottles. It’s opulent without being garish.The most inventive touch is the pneumatic tube system. Cocktails — including the signature “When Pigs Fly” (a twist on the Paper Plane) — are shaken and dispatched to guests via a classic bank-style tube, arriving at the bar in a capsule with the drama of a transaction from another era. It’s delightfully creative, and entirely on-brand for a distillery that has never taken the obvious route.

Past the bar, the original bank vault has been preserved and repurposed: its heavy steel door now swings open to reveal WhistlePig’s complete Boss Hog collection, displayed where safety deposit boxes once held people’s most valued possessions. Two golden pig sculptures stand guard at the entrance.

Upstairs, tastings are hosted, and guests will have the chance to craft their own personal blend of WhistlePig Old World Rye Aged 12 Years. Around the corner from the vault is The Whiskey Exchange, where you can wax-dip, seal, and stamp your own PiggyBank Rye bottle for a personalized keepsake.

Worth the Stop

Louisville’s bourbon corridor is no stranger to world-class distillery experiences, but The Vault adds something the strip didn’t have: a great rye whiskey story told inside a fittingly magnificent building. Whether you’re a committed rye devotee, a bourbon explorer looking for something fresh, or simply someone who appreciates an awesome, unique bar, WhistlePig’s The Vault belongs on your list.

Check it out at 403 E. Market St. from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

This ranking pulls from The Daily Pour’s critics’ scores, which aggregate our house ratings with scores from the most trusted reviewers across the internet. All seven entries here cleared 91 points, which tells you something about WhistlePig’s consistency at the high end. It also means the differences between entries are a matter of degree, not quality. Here’s how they stack up.

7. WhistlePig The Badonkadonk 25 Year Old Single Malt

Check Out the Reviews

At $1,999 a bottle, WhistlePig The Badonkadonk 25 Year Old Single Malt is the kind of purchase that requires a long conversation with yourself. Presumably distilled by Glenora in Canada and finished in Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon casks, this 45.5% ABV bottling opens with a nose that’s almost disarmingly generous: honey, cola, toffee and ripe fruit wrapped around a core of old malt and baking spice. The palate follows through with real authority, the Cabernet casks pushing blackberry, jammy cherry and a hint of cranberry and lingonberry into the mix, while black pepper and tobacco keep things from going too sweet. The finish pulls together currant, fig, old parchment and pleasant malt into something that lingers long after the glass is empty.

6. WhistlePig The Boss Hog X: The Commandments

Check Out the Reviews

The 10th installment of the Boss Hog series is also one of its strangest, and that’s saying something for a lineup that has finished rye in Greek liqueur barrels and Philippine rum casks. WhistlePig The Boss Hog X: The Commandments is Canadian rye finished first in barrels that held a rye-and-whey spirit infused with aromatic resins from Boswellia and Commiphora trees, then matured in craft mead casks. Bottled at 53.9% ABV, it arrives with a nose packed with clover honey, cider, black tea and a sharp pine-and-maple note that feels like a walk through a cold forest. On the palate, that syrupy texture carries lemon, lime, punchy rye spice and a floral sweetness that shouldn’t work as well as it does alongside the slate and pepper. The finish is long, creamy and honeyed, with oak and pepper closing things out cleanly. Totally unusual, totally compelling, and priced at the usual $600 mark that Boss Hog collectors have come to expect.

5. WhistlePig Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific

Check Out the Reviews

Distilled in Canada, aged 17 years and finished in Philippine rum casks, WhistlePig Boss Hog VIII: LapuLapu’s Pacific is the rare cask-finish experiment where both components hold their ground without either one surrendering. At 53.2% ABV, the nose hits hard with maple, bold clove, rye spice and a rum presence that adds complexity without announcing itself too loudly. The palate is a genuine yin-and-yang: spicy and sweet in near-perfect alternation, with medicinal cherry, spearmint and a big orange peel note giving way to tannin, oak and sweet cream. The finish keeps both identities alive, opening spicy and rye-forward before breaking into maple and cracked pepper for a long, satisfying close. Rum finishes on rye can go sideways fast, introducing muddled sweetness or a tropical note that clashes with the grain. LapuLapu’s Pacific avoids all of that, combining two powerful flavor profiles into something that drinks with real purpose.

4. WhistlePig Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Song

Check Out the Reviews

WhistlePig Boss Hog IX: Siren’s Song is the most divisive bottle on this list, and that’s precisely why it scores as high as it does. Finished in fig casks and barrels that held Tentura, a Greek liqueur WhistlePig created from scratch for this release, the cask-strength rye opens with a nose that reads like a cocktail menu: anise, balsamic, maritime brine, spice drops, brown sugar and apple, all rolling through in waves. The palate doubles down on savory and spice, with angostura bitters, red wine vinegar, plum, currant and clove hitting in quick succession before maple and earthy pepper settle in. Then the finish arrives, and it’s genuinely hard to describe without resorting to superlatives: sweet then savory, salty then acidic, honey to vinegar to sweet vermouth to funky maple, all in one long, wild arc. Fans of Sazeracs and Negronis will lose their minds over this. Anyone expecting a conventional rye will be baffled. But damn if it isn’t delicious.

3. WhistlePig The BigShǝBàng 30 Year Old Single Malt

Check Out the Reviews

Priced at $4,999.99 and billed as the oldest known bottled North American single malt, WhistlePig The BigShǝBàng 30 Year Old Single Malt arrives with expectations that would flatten most whiskeys. Presumably distilled by Glenora in Canada, aged 30 years in American oak and finished in Vin Santo casks, it opens with a nose that’s musky, earthy and almost perfumey, the Italian dessert wine barrels coaxing lavender, plum, raspberry preserves and red apple out of what is otherwise a deep, tobacco-and-burnt-caramel foundation. The palate is silky and measured, oak present but not overbearing (a real achievement at this age), with cherry, apple and plum sitting alongside a bitter tannin spine and a faint mineral thread. The finish is the one soft spot: dry, medium in length, with ash, char and a rich animal-fat note before tannin closes things out.

2. WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic

Check Out the Reviews

WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic is the Boss Hog that set the bar for everything that came after it. Aged 17 years after being distilled in Canada, then finished on Spanish oak staves and in Brazilian Teakwood casks, it’s the product of a supply chain that crossed more borders than most diplomats. Bottled at 52.6% ABV, the nose is boisterous and effervescent: sandalwood, apple, pear, gumdrop and rye spice in a combination that feels both lively and composed. The palate delivers caramel, orange peel and pepper with a fruit-forward aromatic quality that keeps pulling you back for another sip. The finish is long and floral, with sandalwood, honey, clove, maple and big rye spice wrapping things up in a way that feels complete rather than abrupt. Tied at 95 points with the BigShǝBàng and Feather & Flame, Magellan’s Atlantic earns its runner-up spot on the strength of its coherence: a whiskey that could have been chaotic and instead turned out masterfully composed.

1. WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame

At $599.99, WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame is the most accessible bottle in the top three and, by a meaningful margin, the most exciting thing WhistlePig has released. Distilled in Indiana and finished in pulque- and xocolatl-inspired barrels seasoned with agave, cacao and a blend of Mexican chiltepín, guajillo and pasilla peppers, it’s a concept that sounds like it belongs on a dare. The nose makes the case immediately: gingerbread, cinnamon sugar, chili powder, fresh green serrano pepper and, underneath all of that heat and spice, a rich vanilla pastry note like a freshly baked eclair. The palate is where it becomes something special. Huge anise and clove arrive alongside butterscotch and cracked pepper, white pepper and chili pepper, plus those classic MGP dill and mint notes that ground the whole thing in something recognizable. The viscosity is remarkable, thick and velvety in a way that feels closer to a cream liqueur than a barrel-proof rye. Then comes the burn, and it’s not the burn of high proof; it’s a spice burn, slow and building, the kind that fans of genuinely hot food will find deeply satisfying rather than alarming.

The finish seals it: cracked pepper leading into a long, sweet maple note, followed by dill, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. The spice lingers but never overwhelms. The balance between the pepper-forward heat and the creamy butterscotch and maple sweetness is the whole trick, and WhistlePig pulls it off completely. Tied at 95 points with two other entries on this list, Feather & Flame earns the top spot because it’s the most singular drinking experience of the group, a bottle that does something no other whiskey on the market does, and does it deliciously. This is all-time stuff, in the wackiest and most WhistlePig way possible.

WhistlePig’s catalog rewards the adventurous and penalizes the timid. These seven bottles represent the best the brand has produced, across two continents, three decades of aging and a genuinely unhinged range of finishing casks. If you’re building a case for WhistlePig as one of the most creative forces in premium whiskey right now, this list makes it for you.

(Photo: Bhakta Spirits)

Raj Bhakta, the flamboyant liquor mogul behind WhistlePig Whiskey and the eponymous Bhakta Spirits, is giving away a college campus on the condition that its new owner dedicates itself to the “revival of the United States and Western Civilization.”

So… how did we get here?

Variously known as a whiskey entrepreneur, a Republican political personality and a one-time contestant on “The Apprentice,” Bhakta purchased the campus of the defunct Green Mountain College in the summer of 2020. Located near the village of Poultney, Vermont, the college was originally founded in 1834 before closing its doors in 2019 due to steeply declining enrollment.

Following years of renovations and an unrealized attempt to turn the campus into a destination getaway, Bhakta is now offering up the grounds for free — so long as its recipient is a Catholic, mission-based organization.

“This gift is about stewardship,” Bhakta remarked in a news release. “The Green Mountain College campus is a magnificent resource, and I am seeking a Catholic organization with the vision and capability to use it for good — to serve people, purpose, and faith.”

The Gift (stylized in all caps) reportedly includes an office and administrative building with a commercial kitchen and dining hall, a multi-level library and dormitories consisting of over 54 individual rooms. The 155-acre campus also contains several quad areas, a gymnasium and an indoor basketball court.

Bhakta bought the shuttered campus at an auction price of $4.5 million, well below its estimated value of $20 million. His team speculates that the grounds would cost $200 million to fully rebuild, plus an additional one million dollars in annual upkeep.

And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the campus’ liquor and luxury goods assets — all of which will presumably be rehomed (if they haven’t already) once a Catholic institution signs the deed.

As little as a year ago, groups of journalists were being invited to the campus, then envisioned as a booze-themed hotel in progress. From the sounds of it, Bhakta was dreaming of an all-in-one emporium on par with Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Visitors told tales of a vintage car collection housed in the school gymnasium, barrels stacked to the ceiling of the library, whiskey blending seminars taught in a repurposed lab room and a sauna room adjoining the facility’s Olympic-size swimming pool. According to Drinkhacker’s Drew Beard, journalists and influencers spent the night in “minimally updated dormitory housing, complete with communal showers.”

Bhakta got his start in the spirits industry in 2008, when he bought more than 5,000 gallons of Canadian rye whiskey to launch his inaugural brand, WhistlePig. The entrepreneur was ousted by WhistlePig’s board of directors a little over a decade later, eventually founding Bhakta Spirits — a specialist in vintage Armagnac, brandy and whiskey reserves — in 2020.

From established regions like Scotland to countries that have become overnight whisky sensations like Japan — the following list showcases the 12 best world whiskies to buy that special whisky drinker in your life. Consider these drams the perfect present when plane tickets are too pricey.

Prices may vary based on location.

9 Best World Whiskies for Holiday Season

Busker Single Grain Irish Whiskey ($29.99)

See What The Critics Think

As far as value goes, The Busker’s Irish Whiskeys offer up a lot for a modest average price point. The finishing process is distinctive for the Busker Single Grain Irish Whiskey, and it spent time in a mixture of bourbon barrels and Sicilian Marsala wine casks. With a modest ABV of 44.3% and balanced flavors of apple pie a la mode, The Busker is an elegant and affordable Irish whiskey.

Clonakilty Port Cask Finish ($52)

(Photo: Clonakilty)

See What The Critics Think

Irish whiskeys are experiencing a renaissance, and Clonakilty’s Port Cask Finish is another example of what this country is capable of. This whiskey is a blend of Irish malt and 9-year-old Irish grain whiskeys, which spent a secondary maturation process in port casks from the Douro Valley before being bottled at 43.6% ABV. The port adds a pleasant berry throughline throughout the pour, and this expression has a reasonable suggested retail price of €49.50 ($52).

Keeper’s Heart 10 Year Old ($74.99)

(Photo: Keeper’s Heart)

See What The Critics Think

Keeper’s Heart is known for its blends of Irish and American whiskeys, but this whiskey is 100% Irish through and through. The brand is helmed by the legendary distiller Brian Nation, who worked for Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers for 23 years, crafting whiskey for some of the world’s biggest brands like Jameson and Redbreast. Keeper’s Heart 10 Year Old was aged in ex-bourbon barrels and finished in Malaga wine casks. With an ABV of 43% and a suggested retail price of $74.99, Keeper’s Heart 10 Year Old is a luxurious gift with plenty of pedigree behind it.

Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky Christmas Edition ($79.99-$84.99)

(Photo: Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky)

See What The Critics Think

This single malt whisky comes to us from from Paul John, produced at John Distilleries in Goa, India. It’s a blend of malts finished in Caribbean rum cask and new oak cask, bottled at 92 proof.

Priced between $79.99 and $84.99, Paul John’s Christmas Edition bottling is beautifully festive is perfect for anyone who’s a fan of pleasant, malty and sweet whisky. Seven thousand bottles were released in the U.S., located at select retailers.

Kanosuke Double Distillery Japanese Whisky ($119.99)

(Photo: Kanosuke Whisky)

See What The Critics Think

If you’re looking to wow the scotch drinker in your life with something they haven’t had before, consider stepping outside of the box with this whisky from Kanosuke. This blended Japanese whisky is sourced from two Japanese distilleries; one is a single malt distilled at Kanosuke and the other is a pot still barley whisky made at Hioki. With plenty of almond, smoke and stone fruits, Kanosuke Double Distillery Japanese whisky is an elegant pour.

GlenDronach Revival 15 Year Old ($110)

(Photo: The GlenDronach)

See What The Critics Think

GlenDronach’s 15-year-old scotch is Christmas in a bottle, with plenty of fruit and spice throughout. With an ABV of 46% and an average price of $110, according to Wine-Searcher, and it was brought back after being discontinued for several years due to a shortage. Masterfully distilled and aged in sherry casks, thanks to the brilliant Dr. Rachel M. Berry, we’re so glad this beautiful festive scotch has been brought back.

Compass Box Art & Decadence ($180)

(Photo: Compass Box)

See What The Critics Think

For the whisky enthusiast in your life who happens to have a sweet tooth, look no further than Compass Box Art & Decadence. With a suggested retail price of $180 and an ABV of 49%, Compass Box has a delicate, wedding cake-y sweetness with plenty of coconut throughout. The ultimate decadent indulgence!

Redbreast Missouri Oak Edition ($199.99)

(Photo: Redbreast)

See What The Critics Think

Redbreast’s Missouri Oak Edition is a beautiful marriage of Irish whiskey and American Oak, more specifically oak sourced from Missouri’s Ozark Forest. With a suggested retail price of $199.99 and an ABV of 50.5%, this Irish whiskey is an easy-drinking pour with loads of butter, vanilla and dessert.

The Dalmore 15 Year Old, Select Edition 2009 ($224.99)

(Photo: The Dalmore)

See What The Critics Think

Released in November 2024, this is The Dalmore Select Edition 2009, a 15-year-old single malt scotch. This whisky is aged in bourbon barrels and finished in Matusalem Sherry and Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port pipes.

That trio of casks have imbued this whisky with a stunning flavor profile that’s exquisitely balanced, offering sweetness, wine character, spice and malt. All of those attributes come together for a delicious, complex pour, sure to be enjoyed by any whisky fan.

Every month, we sort through dozens of new releases (and older ones that are new to us!) to highlight the whiskeys that stood out the most. It’s a great way to remind ourselves — and share with you! — what’s been the greatest of the latest in the whiskey world. October was a splendid month of whiskey — one of 2025’s best, for sure — ranging from some of the year’s best rye whiskeys to complex single malts to deep, sweet bourbons to (!) the world’s oldest whisky.

As always, these whiskeys are ranked by their Critics’ Scores — The Daily Pour’s aggregated number that averages our own house score with the rankings given by the internet’s most trusted reviewers. When necessary, ties are broken by 1) our house score, 2) the number of aggregated reviews, 3) alphabetical order.

Here’s the list, ranked from 10 to 1.

10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in October 2025

10. Sagamore Spirit 10-Year Rye Whiskey

(Photo: Sagamore Spirit)

Released in September, Sagamore Spirit’s first 10-year-old rye marks a milestone for the Maryland distillery. Priced at $79.99, it’s the oldest age-stated whiskey in the brand’s lineup — and one of its best.

The nose bursts with soft butterscotch, candied orange, clove and allspice. On the palate, it’s balanced and warm, mixing gingerbread, cherry and tiramisu with rye-driven spice. The finish lingers with clove, nutmeg and marshmallow fluff. Complex yet approachable, this rye offers an impressive harmony of oak, spice and sweetness — and feels like a steal at the price.

Click here to read our full review.

9. Westland Garryana American Single Malt Aged 10 Years

(Photo: Westland Distillery)

Westland’s Garryana series has long celebrated the Pacific Northwest’s native oak, Quercus Garryana, but 2025’s 10-year-old edition sets a new benchmark. The Seattle distillery’s oldest age-stated whiskey to date, this 100-proof malt was matured in a mix of Garryana, Pedro Ximénez sherry, rum and bourbon casks, with just 4,600 bottles released, retailing for $149.99 a pop.

The result is beautifully balanced: bright notes of tangerine and peach meet espresso, oak and graham cracker richness. The finish shifts to darker tones of coffee, tobacco and vanilla bean. It’s a reminder that American single malt continues to evolve — and that Westland remains at the forefront.

Click here to read our full review.

8. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon (2025 Release)

Maker’s Mark continues to prove that age can suit wheated bourbon beautifully. The third annual release of its Cellar Aged expression combines bourbon aged 11 to 14 years, with the 14-year component marking the oldest known whiskey ever blended by the distillery. Bottled at 112.9 proof and priced at $175, it’s rich, spicy and unmistakably Maker’s.

Sweet aromas of custard and caramel lead into layers of cocoa, anise and gingerbread. The finish leans darker — think coffee grounds, fudge and cinnamon — without tipping into bitterness. It’s an elegant, dessert-forward pour that showcases what careful long aging can bring to a classic recipe.

Click here to read our full review.

7. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release: Tanyard Hill Rye

(Photo: Jack Daniel’s)

Jack Daniel’s latest Special Release pushes rye whiskey to its limits. Drawn from barrels aged atop the distillery’s historic Tanyard Hill, this cask-strength Tennessee rye varies by barrel — ours clocked in at a fiery 145.9 proof.

Despite the power, the whiskey is layered and expressive. Clove, espresso and black cherry dominate the nose, while the palate explodes with cinnamon, sassafras, buttercream and dark fruit. The long, spicy finish mingles coffee, dark chocolate and fig. Intense but beautifully balanced, it’s a standout hazmat whiskey that cements Jack Daniel’s rye program among the country’s best.

This whiskey clocks in at No. 7 based on its Critics’ Score, an aggregated number that averages out reviews from trusted critics across the internet, but it would be a good bit higher if this was a subjective list solely based on our in-house review.

Click here to read our full review.

6. Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Aged 10 Years (2025)

For the 2025 edition of its annual Limited Edition release, Yellowstone brought together bourbon from Kentucky’s Limestone Branch and Indiana’s Ross & Squibb Distillery. The 105-proof blend, built from three mashbills, highlights both distilleries’ strengths.

It opens with sweet aromas of butterscotch and crème brûlée before revealing soft spice and bright fruit. The palate brings cherry, raspberry and smoked oak, while the finish turns dry with hints of coffee, cacao and vanilla custard. A deft blend of sweetness and spice, it’s one of the most rewarding and balanced releases in Yellowstone’s series to date.

Click here to read our full review.

5. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask No. 53.469 “The Ultimate Nuance”

This limited Islay single malt from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society lives up to its name. Aged 10 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at 57% ABV, “The Ultimate Nuance” reveals a softness that’s rarely found in a high-proof peated scotch.

Sweet butter and sugar cookie aromas mingle with smoke and sea air. The palate strikes a graceful balance between peat, pear and vanilla wafers, while the finish brings honey, mesquite and marzipan. It’s a standout example of precision blending — an Islay whisky that invites both peat lovers and skeptics alike.

Click here to read our full review.

4. Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E

(Photo: Russell’s Reserve)

The latest entry in Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse series showcases barrels pulled exclusively from the fifth floor of Camp Nelson E — and it’s the highest-proof Russell’s Reserve yet at 128. Bottled at cask strength and priced at $300, this bourbon brims with the distillery’s signature richness.

Luxardo cherry, browned butter and caramel cake leap from the glass. The palate follows with pecan pie, oak and crème brûlée, leading to a long finish of espresso beans, raisin and peach pie. Deep, flavorful and impeccably structured, it’s a powerhouse that’s just the latest of Wild Turkey’s hot streak.

Click here to read our full review.

3. King of Kentucky (2025 Release)

Brown-Forman’s crown jewel returned this fall with another towering statement. The 2025 King of Kentucky is a 17-year-old single-barrel bourbon selected from just 63 barrels, bottled between 124 and 135 proof and priced at $399.

Despite its strength, the whiskey is remarkably smooth. Cherry cola, buttercream, gingerbread and almond come through on the nose, while the palate layers dry oak and spice with caramel, root beer and chocolate-covered cherries. A drop of water teases out candied orange and cocoa powder. It’s a beautiful, bruising bourbon that rewards patience — and perhaps a drop or two of water to explore further flavors (after tasting neat, of course).

Click here to read our full review.

2. Gordon & MacPhail 85-Year-Old Glenlivet

(Photo: Gordon & MacPhail)

The oldest known whisky ever bottled, Gordon & MacPhail’s 85-year-old Glenlivet is a historic release distilled in 1940 and bottled in May 2025. Only 125 handblown decanters exist, each priced at £125,000 ($168,500), and proceeds from the first bottle’s Christie’s auction will benefit American Forests.

For all its age, this single malt is astonishingly vibrant. Aromas of smoked wood, cardamom and brown sugar lead to flavors of orange sherbet, lemon peel and melting butter. The finish winds through dark chocolate, charred mango and tobacco. It’s a masterclass in time, balance and restraint — a once-in-a-lifetime whisky in every sense.

Click here to read our full review.

1. WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame

(Photo: WhistlePig Whiskey)

WhistlePig’s latest Boss Hog release might be its most adventurous yet. Finished in barrels seasoned with pulque curado — a blend of agave, cacao and Mexican chiltepin, guajillo and pasilla peppers — Feather & Flame pushes rye whiskey into thrilling new territory. Bottled between 52.4% and 54.2% ABV, it retails for $599.

The nose brings gingerbread, chili powder and vanilla pastry cream. The palate follows with butterscotch, clove, pepper and dill, delivering a spicy burn unlike any other whiskey on this list. It finishes long and sweet, with maple, nutmeg and a whisper of heat. Daring, delicious and wholly original, it’s the Boss Hog at its finest — and a clear contender for Rye of the Year.

Click here to read our full review.

Final Thoughts

October 2025 was a remarkable month for whiskey, blending innovation with tradition. From WhistlePig’s chili-spiced experiment to Gordon & MacPhail’s record-breaking relic, these releases show just how diverse and daring the whiskey landscape is. Whether you crave high-proof rye, perfectly aged bourbon or smoky single malt, this phenomenal month offered something worth savoring.

Every month, we sort through dozens of new releases (and older ones that are new to us!) to highlight the whiskeys that stood out the most. September 2025 was by far the best month of the year. We tasted several expressions that are sure to be in “Best of the Year” discussions a couple months from now. The competition was incredibly stiff this month; some excellent whiskeys didn’t crack the top 10. Let’s get into the list, which is sorted from great to nearly perfect. Spoiler: It was a big month for bourbon and Irish whiskey.

10. Starlight Distillery 10 Year Old Bourbon

(Photo: Starlight Distillery)

Released in late July, this is the first 10-year-old bourbon ever released by Starlight Distillery, the Borden, Indiana-based distillery. This bourbon was aged for 10 years in Icône barrels sourced from Napa Valley cooperage Seguin Moreau, which spent their time aging on the West side of Starlight’s Warehouse 2, purportedly the “warmest pocket” of any of its rickhouses. Suggested retail price is set at $250.

This well-aged bourbon is rich and inviting on the nose, with dessert-forward notes of buttercream and graham cracker, plus a fruitier side with peach rings and lemon meringue. On the palate, it’s oily and oaky with notes including milk chocolate, custard, strawberry, cinnamon and clove. The finish is long, dry and tannic, closing the sip with barrel char, cherry, malted milk balls, French toast, mint and tobacco.

Click here to read our review.

9. WhistlePig The BigShǝBàng 30 Year Old Single Malt

(Photo: WhistlePig Whiskey)

The oldest and most expensive whisk(e)y ever to come from WhistlePig, The BigShǝBàng is a 30-year-old Canadian single malt finished in barrels that previously held Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine. Per WhistlePig, this is the oldest known bottled North American single malt. Presumably by Glenora, this whisky is bottled at 90.4 proof and priced at $4,999.99.

Would we recommend you pay 5 grand for this? Probably not. It’s great whisky without a doubt, though, delivering a beautiful mix of earthy musk and perfumey sweetness.

Click here to read our review.

8. Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 9 Years

(Photo: Woodinville Whiskey)

Released in August, this is the oldest whiskey ever to come out of the Washington-based Woodinville Whiskey Co. Released to celebrate Woodinville’s 15th anniversary, this bourbon is aged nine years and bottled at 100 proof. Distilled from a mashbill of 55% corn, 35% rye and 10% malted barley, this bourbon was aged in heavily toasted, lightly charred barrels made from 24-month open-air seasoned staves by Independent Stave Company.

Decadent and rich on the nose, this $130 bourbon has aromas of cherry cordial, fudge, caramel, oak and musky grape. On the palate, it’s silky an, rich and sweet with oak, cocoa powder, caramel, tobacco, figs, cinnamon and cashew. It’s sweet but with enough of a bitter tannic bite to balance out the sweetness.

7. Bushmills Single Malt 46 Year

(Photo: Bushmills)

The theme of this month thus far appears to be age; Bushmills 46 Year is the oldest single malt released by the Bushmills Distillery and the oldest Irish single malt ever released. This 46.3%-ABV expression honors the River Bush, which has supplied water to the distillery since 1608. The whiskey was aged exclusively in oloroso sherry butts, and only 300 bottles were released, each priced at $12,500.

While we weren’t quite as in love with this one as some critics thanks to its heavy oak, there are some truly wonderful notes in here. Picture, earthy, umami, mushroomy goodness with tobacco, paired with an uber-fruity profile of  mango, peach, raspberry and pineapple. All of that is joined by big oak and some honeyed sweetness.

Click here to read our review.

6. Bushmills 26 Years Crystal Single Malt Irish Whiskey

(Photo: Bushmills)

Back to back appearances by Bushmills! This malt may be two decades younger than the previous entry on this list, but we actually found it to be a more well-rounded pour. This $1,000 bottle was released in 2025 in Europe but didn’t make it to America until September. Bushmills 26 Year Old Crystal Malt gets its name from the crystal malted barley it’s distilled from. This barley undergoes a process that crystallizes sugars within the grain. The whiskey was aged for 26 years in oak casks and bottled at 46% ABV in a 700-milliliter format.

This gorgeous whisky strikes a killer balance between light fruitiness and dark, brooding oak, spice and tobacco. Great whiskeys take you on a wild but well-structured ride, and this is a prime example.

Click here to read our review.

5. Bruichladdich Octomore 16.3

The lone scotch to crack the list this month, this is the third entry in the 2025 release of Bruichladdich’s annual Octomore series. Each offering in the Octomore lineup is some of the world’s peatiest scotch whisky as measured by phenol parts per million, or ppm. Octomore 16.3 is aged five years and distilled from 100% Concerto barley grown on Bruichladdich’s Octomore Farm, which is two miles away from the distillery on Islay. At 189.5 ppm, it’s by far the peatiest of the Octomore 16 collection — and the proofiest at 61.6% ABV. Bourbon, Sauternes and Pedro Ximénez casks were used for aging, and the result is a spectacular scotch whisky that achieves truly impressive balance despite the high peat level.

Click here to read our review.

4. Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity Bourbon

Released in September, this is a limited-edition bourbon from Heaven Hill. It’s a blend of bourbons aged six, eight, 14 and 32 years. The 32-year-old portion is one with great history and meaning behind it: It was drawn from the last remaining barrel distilled at the historic Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in 1991 by Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam, who died in 2017. The 32-year-old barrel is blended with younger bourbons crafted at Bernheim Distillery by Beam and other former Heaven Hill Master Distiller Denny Potter, as well as current Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. Uniting the work of three master distillers of such a storied brand is a very cool project, and the result is one of our favorite bourbons of the year. It’s an opulent, delicious blend with a creamy mouthfeel. With its decadent, dessert-y flavor profile, this bourbon is peak Heaven Hill.

Click here to read our review.

3. Old Fitzgerald VVS 2025 Bottled-in-Bond 11 Years Aged

Speaking of peak Heaven Hill, this edition of Old Fitzgerald Very Very Special is a delicious sweet treat. Released in August, this is the fourth VVS release to date from Heaven Hill’s Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series. With a suggested retail price of $169.99 per 750-milliliter bottle (although you should expect to pay much more than that on the secondary market), VVS 2025 is aged 11 years and available at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown and select Kentucky retailers. It’s distilled from the classic Heaven Hill wheated bourbon mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malted barley, and it’s a great entry to the Old Fitz Decanter Series. It’s silky, soft, sweet, fluffy and utterly delicious.

Click here to read our review.

2. Keeper’s Heart 32 Year Old Irish Single Malt

(Photo: Keeper’s Heart)

Released in September, Keeper’s Heart 32 Year Old Irish Single Malt is the most exclusive release yet from the Minnesota brand, with only a single barrel available. That barrel was selected in 2020 by Keeper’s Heart Master Distiller Brian Nation. Bottled at 54.9% ABV, this rare single malt is priced at $2,499. This is an unpeated malt, but the pot stills used to distill it had previously been used for peated whiskey and weren’t fully cleaned, allowing for a sweet, oaky profile with just a wisp of smoke. If you’re lucky enough to enjoy a pour of this malt, expect a perfect mix of honeyed sweetness, fruity notes, delicate peat and oak.

Click here to read our review.

1. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon

(Photo: Wild Turkey)

There are still a couple of months left in 2025, but if the year ended now, this would be our pick for the best whiskey of 2025. Released in September, Beacon is the final release in Wild Turkey’s Master’s Keep collection. It’s a blend of 10-year-old bourbon selected by Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell and 16-year-old bourbon selected by his father, Master Distiller Eddie Russell. It’s bottled at 118 proof and has a suggested retail price of $300.

This is really just near-perfect bourbon. Powerful waves of oak are layered with beautiful sweetness and enough spice to keep things interesting. It’s a wonderful mix of Bruce’s signautre powerful, spice-forward profile and Eddie’s softer, sweeter one.

Click here to read our review.