Below, you’ll find tasting highlights and what makes each whiskey worth reaching for when the temperatures drop. Click each bottle name to read our full review!

Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled in Bond — $39.99

Beam’s Old Grand-Dad 7 Year BIB release debuted this year and is one of winter’s best values, offering a high-rye mashbill that brings both heat and balance. The nose is lively — vanilla bean, Smarties candy and cinnamon roll — while the palate turns warm and nutty with tart cherry, chopped peanuts, fudge and waffle cone. A long, dry finish with walnut, leather and sweet tobacco makes this a perfect fireside sipper or a cocktail workhorse when you want something sturdy and flavorful.

Sagamore High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey — $49.99

(Photo: Sagamore)

Sagamore’s first-ever bourbon stays true to the distillery’s rye-forward DNA, blending sweetness with spice in a way that feels tailor-made for cold nights. Expect aromas of cinnamon-raisin bread, dried raspberries and butterscotch. The palate brings cocoa, clove, mint, gingerbread and honeybun, all wrapped in a moderate but satisfying mouthfeel. The long finish leans on caramel, dried cherry and gentle oak. It’s a flavorful, full-bodied pour that punches above its price.

Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled in Bond — $59.99

(Photo: Heaven Hill)

A rare mid-shelf Old Fitz that still carries the familiar elegance of the upscale line. This wheated bourbon opens with praline, brown sugar, plum and butterscotch before shifting toward soft oak, white chocolate, graham cracker and cherry on the palate. A long, dessert-leaning finish — marshmallow, crème brûlée and almonds — makes it a natural winter warmer. Sweet, gentle and extremely easy to drink.

Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch C925 — $64.99

Barrel-proof wheaters shine in colder months, and this batch is no exception. Batch C925 is a full-throttle apple bomb: apple pie on the nose, caramel apple and brown sugar on the palate, and toasted oak with green apple on the finish. It isn’t the most complex bourbon in the world, but it is ridiculously delicious, comforting and perfect for sipping on chilly nights.

Hard Truth & Mellencamp Whiskey Co. American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon Bottled In Bond — $69.99

Hard Truth continues its remarkable run of Sweet Mash releases with this Bottled-in-Bond expression released alongside Mellencamp Whiskey Co., run by Hud Mellencamp, the son of Joh Mellencamp. The nose leans into brown sugar, cherry, plum and cinnamon, while the palate delivers a thick, port-like wave of dried dark fruits — plum, blackberry, cherry — alongside gingerbread, pepper and allspice. The finish brings maple, Luxardo cherry, vanilla and a hint of tobacco. If you want something rich, fruity and winter-ready, this is it.

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel — $69.99

(Photo: Jack Daniel’s)

This single-barrel Tennessee whiskey is dessert-leaning, spicy and wonderfully textured — a great pick for drinkers who want sweetness balanced by baking spices. The nose shows clove, ginger, nutmeg, custard and blackberry. On the palate, expect butterscotch, honey, cocoa and enough oak and spice to keep things grounded. Finishing notes of chocolate shavings, French toast and toasted oak make it a natural pairing with holiday treats.

Hardin’s Creek Warehouse Owl — $149.99

From Beam’s trio of Warehouse Series releases, Warehouse Owl stands out for its rich, layered character shaped by aging in a massive nine-story warehouse. The nose delivers browned butter, almond croissant, orange zest, dried raspberries and a touch of Beam funk. French-toast sweetness leads the palate — maple syrup, hazelnut, cherry and custard — before espresso, cinnamon and peanut brittle taper into the finish. One of the most dynamic winter pours of the year.

How to Choose the Right Winter Bourbon

If you prefer punch, spice-heavy bourbon, lean toward high-rye bourbons like Old Grand-Dad 7 Year or Sagamore’s debut bourbon.

Fans of sweeter, dessert-leaning profiles will find plenty to love in the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year, Larceny C925 or Jack Daniel’s Heritage Barrel.

If you want deeper, richer, fruit-heavy pours, Hard Truth’s American Odd offers standout complexity.

For something premium and layered, Hardin’s Creek Warehouse Owl delivers great depth — but also the highest price tag.

Whichever bottle you reach for, these seven bourbons can help make the long winter nights a little warmer, a little cozier and a lot more delicious.

Every month, we sort through dozens of new releases and old favorites to highlight the whiskeys that stood out the most. August 2025 delivered everything from long-awaited Scotch imports to new Bottled-in-Bond bourbons and limited editions from some of America’s top producers. Below, we’ve ranked the best 10 whiskeys we tasted this month — a lineup that ranges from $40 bargains to rare single malts costing more than $1,000.

10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in September 2025, Ranked

10. Laws Whiskey House San Luis Valley Bonded Straight Rye 7 Year Old (2024)

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Colorado’s Laws Whiskey House continues to shine with this 100% heirloom rye, aged seven years and meeting Bottled In Bond stipulations. the 2024 release offers a layered nose of ginger, cocoa, almond and orange peel, followed by a rich, spicy palate of cinnamon, root beer and mocha. The finish brings marshmallow sweetness and charred oak. A balanced, standout rye at $84.99.

9. Old Grand-Dad 7 Years Bottled in Bond Bourbon

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This long-awaited age-stated Bottled-in-Bond release from Beam revives a heritage brand with real flair. The nose is sweet and candy-like, while the palate layers tart cherry, peanuts, fudge and cinnamon with a sturdy oak backbone. The finish is dry and complex, full of walnut, leather, crème brûlée and black cherry. At $40, this is an absolute steal.

8. Hard Truth & Mellencamp Whiskey Co. American Odd Sweet Mash Bourbon Bottled In Bond

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Hard Truth’s collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Co. — led by John Mellencamp’s son, Hud — blends Indiana-grown grains into a dark fruit-forward BIB bourbon. Plum, cherry and blackberry dominate, supported by gingerbread, cinnamon and tobacco. It’s sweet but balanced by rye spice, with a port-like character that makes it distinctive and delicious.

7. 15 STARS Fine Aged Whiskey Three Kings Aged 11 Years

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A blend of well-aged wheat, rye and bourbon whiskeys, this 107-proof release is dessert in a glass. Custard, marshmallow, salted caramel and butterscotch are balanced by red fruit and oak tannin. The finish carries cherry candies, brownie and spice. Another excellent showing from the young upstart 15 STARS.

6. Westward Whiskey Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish

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This American single malt was finished for two years in oloroso sherry casks, amplifying Westward’s malty backbone with blackberry, clove, coffee and tobacco. The finish is long, smoky and fruity, with oak and spice lingering. Available to Whiskey Club members only, it’s a top-tier sherry finish done right.

5. Bardstown Bourbon Company Ferrand

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A 111.8-proof blend finished 15 months in Maison Ferrand Cognac casks, this August release sees Bardstown Bourbon Company’s blending prowess on full display. Cognac character adds lush fruit without overwhelming the bourbon and rye base. Expect peach, banana bread, cherry, nougat and cinnamon with a tannic, oak-driven finish. A decadent, well-structured whiskey at $139.99.

4. Rabbit Hole Distillery Series Starlino

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Finished in Hotel Starlino vermouth barrels, this 95% rye whiskey drinks like a Manhattan — no bartending required. Vermouth-driven notes of licorice, ginger and peppercorn shine, balanced by oak, cocoa and vanilla. At $49.99 per 375-milliliter bottle, it’s a unique and playful release for rye lovers and cocktail fans alike.

3. Parker’s Heritage Collection 11 Year Kentucky Straight American Whiskey (2025)

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Heaven Hill’s annual Parker’s Heritage release blends 11- to 15-year-old whiskeys from multiple mashbills, bottled at 122.5 proof. Sweet pastry, cherry and caramel meet tannic oak, plum and rye spice on the palate. The finish is long, layered and spicy with leather, apple peel and salted caramel. A complex, powerful whiskey for a good cause; Parker’s Heritage Collection whiskeys all pay tribute to Parker Beam, Heaven Hill’s late Master Distiller Emeritus. Beam was diagnosed with ALS in 2010, and since 2013, the series has been used to raise money for ALS research and patient care. It has raised more than $1.4 million so far.

2. Fettercairn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Aged 28 Years

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Part of Fettercairn’s long-awaited U.S. lineup, this 28-year-old Highland malt is a showcase of maturity and balance. Apple bake, butterscotch and cookie butter open the nose, while the palate delivers salted caramel, raisin bread, fig and tobacco. Leather, cinnamon and clove drive the finish. This scotch is gorgeous and complex — albeit not cheap, priced at $1,250.

1. Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon 2025

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Released Aug. 19, this year’s highly anticipated Limited Edition Small Batch blends four bourbons aged 13 to 19 years. The result is a masterclass in balance: rich fruits, crème brûlée, mocha and tobacco on the palate, capped by a long finish of cinnamon, cherry and cocoa powder. Bottled at 109.1 proof, it’s a benchmark bourbon of 2025 and proof of Brent Elliott’s blending mastery.

Hard Truth Distillery in Nashville, Indiana, is evidence that the sweet mash technique can be used to make delicious whiskey just as well as sour mash. (Photo: Hard Truth)

In the world of whiskey, the terms “sour mash” and “sweet mash” refer to different fermentation processes that influence the flavor, consistency and production methods of the whiskey.

What Is Sour Mash?

Sour mash is a fermentation technique where a portion of the mash from a previous distillation — known as “backset” — is added to a new batch. This method helps control the pH level, creating an environment less conducive to unwanted bacterial growth, thereby promoting consistency across batches. The process is akin to using a sourdough starter in baking.

Sour mash is by far the standard practice in the whiskey industry and became prevalent due to its ability to produce a more uniform product without requiring advanced scientific equipment. The acidity introduced by the backset naturally inhibits harmful bacteria, making it a practical choice for distillers aiming for consistency.

What Is Sweet Mash?

Contrastingly, sweet mash involves fermenting a fresh batch of mash without incorporating any backset; it’s essentially just starting each batch from scratch. This approach requires meticulous control over the fermentation environment to prevent contamination, as it lacks the natural acidity that sour mash provides.

Sweet mash bourbons are often described as having a cleaner and more vibrant flavor profile, allowing the nuances of the grains and yeast to shine through. However, the process demands greater precision and sanitation, which can make it more challenging for distillers .

Flavor and Production Implications

Sour Mash tends to produce a more consistent flavor across batches, with a slightly more robust and fuller-bodied profile. The tradeoff, however, is that you don’t always want consistency. Sweet mash distillers argue that the absence of backset gives them more control over the flavors in each batch of whiskey since they aren’t being impacted by the previous batch.

While both methods can yield high-quality bourbon, the choice between sour and sweet mash often depends on the distiller’s desired flavor profile and production capabilities.

Notable Examples

Sour Mash: Most whiskeys on the market, including brands like Jim Beam, Jack Daniel’s and Maker’s Mark, utilize the sour mash process.

Sweet Mash: Some craft distilleries, such as Hard Truth in Indiana and Wilderness Trail in Kentucky, have embraced the sweet mash technique to create distinctive flavor profiles.

Hard Truth in particular is one of America’s most underrated distilleries and is living proof that the sweet mash technique can be used just as well as its counterpart to make delicious whiskeys.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between sour mash and sweet mash bourbon offers insight into the artistry and science behind whiskey production. While sour mash provides consistency and ease of production, sweet mash allows for a more nuanced expression of ingredients, albeit with increased complexity in the fermentation process.

The following 20 rye whiskeys are the best we’ve tasted this year. Read on for a truly exciting line-up.

Rankings explanation: Bottles are ranked by the house scores given by our spirits critics. When a tie takes place in the house scores, it is broken by its Raided Score®, a number that is the average of notable critic scores. If a spirit’s Raided Scores® are equal, the whisky with the highest amount of aggregated reviews is ranked higher. When all of those factors are equal, alphabetization is used as a final tiebreaker.

The Best Rye Whiskey We Tasted in 2024, Ranked

20. Sagamore Small Batch Rye

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Maryland’s Sagamore Spirits is proving the state deserves more recognition for its dynamic rye whiskeys.

The 2024 expression is the first year the brand used its own distillate, and this bottle is composed of two mashbills, one high-rye and the other lower-rye. It spent four to six years aging before it was blended in 20-barrel batches.

With an ABV of 46.5% and a suggested retail price of just $39, this dynamic rye whiskey is an unbelievable value. Sagamore’s small batch rye has big gingerbread throughout, coupled with maple, herbaceous pine and clove.

Whether you want to rock it in a Manhattan or sip it neat, this is a great rye through and through.

19. High N’ Wicked Cask Strength 5 Year Rye

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This 5-year-old rye whiskey dropped in April 2024, and it was distilled by New Riff from a mashbill of 91% rye and 9% malted barley. It then spent five years aging before it was bottled by High N’ Wicked at 124 proof. It has a suggested retail price of $90.

The nose is chock full of brown sugar, ginger, and herbs. On the pour, picture plenty of confectionary sweetness, with a bit of caramel and DOTS candies. The finish is full of maple and lingers forever.

This is a funky, fruity pour.

18. Sagamore Spirit Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey (2024)

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This rye whiskey is another banger from Sagamore Spirit, and it is a nod to the ever-popular Manhattan cocktail.

In order to achieve this, the Sagamore team finished 4-year-old rye whiskey in a mixture of vermouth, bitters and cherry brandy barrels for a minimum of 20 months.

Bottled at 103 proof and priced at $79.99, this rye whiskey is the perfect mixture of spicy and sweet. Full of luscious cherries on the nose and lavender on the palate, Sagamore’s Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey finishes with cinnamon and anise.

17. World Whiskey Society 12 Year Rye Finished in Awamori Casks

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Just 356 bottles of World Whiskey Society’s 12 Year Rye Finished in Awamori Casks exist, making this a rare rye indeed. This 12-year-old rye was finished in oak casks from Okinawa, Japan that previously held Awamori, a spirit distilled from rice.

This rye has an ABV of 48% and retails for $169 from the World Whiskey Society’s website.

With a peppery, dill and floral-driven nose, coupled with herbs and spice aplenty on the palate, this is a beautiful rye with an incredible amount of depth. The finish is sweet, with butterscotch throughout.

16. High Wire Distilling New Southern Revival Rye

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High Wire is a South Carolina distillery that has a reputation for playing around with distinctive heirloom grains, and this rye whiskey is another great byproduct of that spirit of experimentation.

High Wire’s New Southern Revival Rye is made from Wrens Abruzzi rye, which is an heirloom varietal that grows in the Carolinas. The South Carolina brand chose not to malt this grain, to let its character shine through in this whiskey.

This rye whiskey is a steal, with a $45.99 price tag from the brand’s website. It has an ABV of 45% and is loaded with pine, almond and anise on the nose. The palate is incredibly distinctive, with tobacco, cinnamon and cloves, and it finishes with brioche, blueberry and black tea.

High Wire’s Southern Revival Rye is a wild ride indeed, but we absolutely love it.

15. High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12

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High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram releases each year, and this port-cask-finished whiskey has earned itself a bit of a cult following over the years. Crafted from the brand’s Rendezvous Rye and clocking in at 98.6 proof, this rye whiskey tastes like Christmas in a bottle.

On the nose, there’s plenty of cherries, cracked pepper and toffee, which segue into a palate full of wintergreen spice, cherry cordials and ginger. The finish lingers on and on, with plenty of berries and spice.

High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12 costs $149.99 from the Park City distillery.

14. Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Years Old 2024

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Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Years Old hit the market in 2019 and immediately became a rye sensation.

Unfortunately, the whiskey’s fame was short-lived after the brand ran out of its original stocks. Fast forward to 2024, and Bulleit answered its fan’s prayers, by bringing back this value-oriented whiskey priced at $55.

With an ABV of 46% and an herbal nose full of tropical fruit, spearmint and butterscotch, this whiskey is ginger-driven and minty. Bulleit’s 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Years Old finishes with butterscotch and more tropical fruit like pineapple and mango.

13. Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #13 Twice Barreled Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey

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This whiskey dropped in July 2024 as part of Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series. It was distilled from a mashbill of 70% rye, 18% corn and 12% malted barley before being double-oaked and aged for 2.5 extra years in a new charred oak barrel.

The Tennessee whiskey brand’s 13th installment within the Distillery Series clocks in at 107 proof and has a suggested retail price of $41.99.

There’s fudge aplenty in this rye whiskey, and from nose to pour, expect thick rich chocolatey goodness kissed with black pepper and a little rye spice. Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #13 finishes with plenty of oak and cocoa.

12. Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye

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Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye is the first cask-strength rye released from Angel’s Envy. It is distilled from the classic mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley by the storied Indiana producer, MGP.

This whiskey hosts an ABV of 57.2% and a suggested retail price of $269.99.

With aromas of baking spice and brioche, coupled with toffee segueing into a sauternes-like palate with apple bake, this is an elegant take on rye whiskey. Angel’s Envy 2023 Cask Strength Rye finishes with white grape, baking spice and brioche.

11. Pinhook Tiz Rye Time Vertical Series 8 Year Rye 2024 Release

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Pinhook’s Vertical Series is all about the passage of time. For the series, the brand sourced a large collection of rye barrels from MGP and took them to Kentucky to age. Each year, Pinhook releases a new batch, one year older than the previous year’s. Bottled at 54% ABV, 2024’s release is a blend of 32 barrels.

With a rich nose that’s full of luscious vanilla bean frosting, milk chocolate and mocha, this is one decadent rye whiskey. The palate is viscous, with orange and anise, coupled with pine and peppermint tea. This whiskey finishes with marshmallow, ginger, and citrus candies.

Pinhook’s 2024 Tiz Rye Time Vertical Series 8 Year Rye whiskey costs $84.99 from the brand.

10. Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey 2024 (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)

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This year’s Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey clocks in at a hefty 127.2 proof, a bump from last year’s release within the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection.

This year’s Thomas H. Handy has a spicy and sweet nose that promises this rye is going to be a bruiser, coupled with a chewy and syrupy palate. Picture barrel char, rye spice and brown sugar segueing to a spicy-sweet finish with bold black pepper and waffle cone. There’s a kiss of blackberry, adding some fruity complexity to this potent and beautiful rye.

Though this rye has an MSRP of $149.99, expect to pay significantly more on the secondary market, as is the case with all BTAC releases.

9. WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut

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WhistlePig repeatedly proves that weird is wonderful, and that was no difference with its 2024 Boss Hog release. This rye whiskey was distilled by an anonymous producer in Canada and finished in seasoned barrels inspired by Thandai, a South Asian drink.

The Vermont whiskey brand seasoned the barrels with a rye whiskey infused with botanicals of saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, fennel, poppy and black peppercorn, then finished the rye whiskey after it initially matured in new oak barrels. It clocks in between 103.8 and 105.2 proof. It is on the pricier side, with a suggested retail price of $599.99.

With aromas of black tea, chai, honey, vanilla icing and a palate full of orange peel, vanilla, spice cake and some slightly medicinal cherries, this whiskey is a roller coaster ride in liquid form. The Juggernaut finishes with yuzu and toffee.

Wild? Yes. But worth it? Absolutely.

8. K. LUKE Whiskey Company Barrel Strength Toasted Rye Batch 3

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Rising star whiskey brand K.LUKE has shortly become a critical darling, with VinePair predicting offerings from this Kentucky non-distilling producer will soon reach “unicorn” status. If this rye is any indication, there might be some truth behind that bold claim.

This blended rye was made from eight barrels of Kentucky and Indiana rye, and it spent three months finishing in toasted barrels before it was bottled at 114.6 proof in May of 2024.

With a bold nose that highlights this rye’s complex bouquet of clove, herbal spice and toffee, this rye hits the balance of power and toasted oak in a perfect way. The oak is nicely integrated and adds a pastry-driven sweetness to the rye’s herbal and spicy profile. The finish lingers on and on, with rye spice dominating the pour.

Expect to spend around $110 on a bottle of this rare release.

7. Blackwood Toasted Rye

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Priced at $159 and distilled by an undisclosed Kentucky producer, Blackwood’s Toasted Rye was finished in three types of barrels: a new barrel with a medium toast, a char 4 barrel with toasted heads and a char 2 barrel with toasted heads. It has an ABV of 56.3%.

With a nose of ginger, peppercorn and cinnamon coupled with a ginger-driven palate with citrus notes, this full-throttle rye finishes with candied oranges, root beer and oodles of zingy ginger.

Spicy and oh-so-pretty, this rye puts newcomer Blackwood on the map of whiskey brands to pay attention to.

6. WhistlePig 10 PiggyBank Rye 2024

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As far as appearances are concerned, WhistlePig’s Piggy Bank Rye of 2024 is a winner. With a blinged-out 1-liter pig-shaped decanter, this rye whiskey oozes style and bar cart appeal. WhistlePig 10 PiggyBank Rye has an ABV of 55%, and this 10-year-old Canadian rye hosts delicious juice on the inside to boot.

The nose is decadent with cinnamon and sweet potatoes with marshmallow fluff. The palate is full of orange marmalade, sassafras and peppermint, coupled with a finish that features layers upon layers of marshmallow and citrus fruit.

This flashy rye whiskey sells for $299.99.

5. Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve Sweet Mash Rye 2024

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Indiana’s Hard Truth Distilling Company has earned itself a favorable reputation for its sweet mash whiskeys. This particular rye whiskey is a blend of three Hard Truth whiskey recipes: RW-4 caramel malt rye (50%), RW-6 malted rye (30%), and RW-3 chocolate malt rye (20%.)

This rye spent four years aging before it was bottled at 115 proof. It is priced at $89.99, and just 20 barrels were made, making this a rare find.

With a nose of vanilla and cherries, coupled with sassafras — this whiskey is dessert and brash spice. The palate is a heady mixture of oak, marshmallow, tobacco and more berries. This bold rye finishes with cocoa and gingerbread, coupled with a twist of orange candies for a little zing.

4. Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend

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The folks at Hard Truth are clearly on their A-Game, with not one but two rye whiskeys cracking the top five. This whiskey is liquid proof that Hard Truth is one of the more interesting under-the-radar brands on the market.

Hard Truth’s Barrel Finish Reserve was distilled from a mashbill composed of 94% rye and 6% malted barley before it was finished in a cornucopia of casks. This bold rye spent time finishing in cognac (31%), Pedro Ximenez Sherry (26%), Pedro Ximenez Brandy (17%) and sauternes (26%) casks.

With an ABV of 58.4% and a suggested retail price of $89.99, Hard Truth’s Barrel Finish Reserve has a wild ride of a nose. Picture powdered sugar, cherry pie filling and citrus.

The rich palate features espresso, buttercream frosting and rich cherry syrup. Hard Truth’s Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend finishes with cherries, dark chocolate and walnuts.

3. Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye (2024)

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We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a rye whiskey from Michter’s on this list. This cult brand was crowned “The World’s Most Admired Whiskey” by Drinks International for the second year in a row, and this release proves yet again that Michter’s has rightfully earned that title.

With a suggested retail price of $200 an ABV of 46.4%, this whiskey is one of the brand’s most limited-production whiskeys. The nose on this stunner leans away from herbaceous territory with plenty of pepper, brown sugar and brown butter.

The palate is full of fruit, apples and cherries with a spine of oak and baking spice. Michter’s 10 Year Old has an opulent texture — even with its lower proof. The finish is pure dessert, making this whiskey an absolute knockout.

2. Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey 2024 (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)

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The 2024 release of Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye Whiskey is arguably one of the more complicated and bold Sazerac rye releases in recent memory. With its hefty age statement and mellow proof of 90, this is a cerebral and layered rye that begs to be savored over a lengthy period.

Picture a peppery and minty nose that segues into a pleasant rye with rose water, mint, ginger and toffee. The finish is dynamic, with molasses, grassy herbal characteristics and a pingy bit of mint.

This whiskey hosts a suggested retail price of $149.99 — yet we all know how the secondary market can be for Buffalo Trace Antique Collection whiskeys. Expect to shell out quite a bit more.

1. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph

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Wild Turkey’s 2024 Master’s Keep “Triumph” is appropriately named, with its bold and characterful profile. The rye dropped in May 2024 and is the oldest age-stated rye whiskey in the history of the brand. It has a suggested retail price of $275 and a proof of 104.

This whiskey also has a touching story behind it, and it was crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell after he found out his son, Associate Blender Bruce Russell was a fan of rye whiskey — before it was popular.

The elder Russell laid down a cask a decade ago during a time when many distillers were pulling whiskey off store shelves. The brand named the whiskey “Triumph” to honor the recent rye renaissance and Wild Turkey’s commitment to making stellar rye.

With a bold and powerful nose, coupled with a palate that has toffee, grassiness, spice and mint, this is a classic and satisfying rye. The finish has a dessert-like quality with some waffle cone and maple, rounding out those bold punchy herbal qualities, making it a total winner — or should we say, a Triumph.

(Bottle images: Hard Truth Distilling Co.)

On Thursday, the Nashville, Indiana-based distillery Hard Truth announced the release of four limited-edition whiskeys: Barrel Finish Reserve 2024 Blend, Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend, Double Oaked Sweet Mash Rye and Maple Brûlée Rye.

Hard Truth says that these limited-edition releases probably won’t be easy to find but will be worth the hunt.

“Because we only utilized a handful of barrels for this release, they’re not easy to find,” Hard Truth Master Distiller Bryan Smith said in a news release. “But, your best shot at securing each bottle is to visit our distillery in Indiana.” 

Each whiskey places focus on the use of particular barrels, and Hard Truth says it worked with Independent Stave Company, Tonnellerie Baron, and Tonnellerie Moreau to determine the barrels to use and aging process for each expression.

Hard Truth Barrel Finished Reserve Collection: Barrel Finished Reserve 2024 Blend

Last October, Hard Truth debuted its excellent Barrel Finished Reserve Collection. That collection saw Hard Truth’s RW-1 mashbill (94% rye, 6% malted barley) finished in Cognac, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Pedro Ximénez Brandy and Sauternes barrels. This time around, Hard Truth has taken advantage of that collection, mixing the finished whiskeys together and rested the final blend on toasted Jupilles French Oak.

Composed of 31% cognac-finished rye, 26% Sauternes finished rye, 26% PX sherry-finished rye and 17% PX brandy-finished rye, this blend is Hard Truth’s homage to a cigar blend whiskey.

It’s bottled at a cask-strength 116.8 proof, aged at least three years and has a suggested retail price of $89.99. Only 11 barrels were produced.

Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserved Collection: Double-Oaked Sweet Mash Rye

This expression, too, is distilled from Hard Truth’s RW-1 mashbill. After being aged for at least two years, the whiskey was blended and then finished in separate new charred American white oak barrels, where they matured for another three-plus years.

Bottled at a cask-strength 106.9 proof, this rye has a suggested retail price of $69.99. Sixteen barrels were produced.

Hard Truth Master Distiller’s Reserve 2024 Blend

This is 2024’s rendition of Hard Truth’s annual Master Distiller’s Reserve. This release is a blend of three Hard Truth mashbills: Caramel Malt (50%) Chocolate Malt (30%) and Malted Rye (20%).

2024’s Master Distiller’s Reserve is aged at least four years and bottled at a cask-strength 115 proof. Twenty barrels were prpduced, and each bottle has a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve: Maple Brûlée Rye

For this expression, Hard Truth used a mashbill of 69% rye, 20% corn and 11% malted barley. After distillation, the whiskey was aged three-plus years in new, charred American white oak barrels and was then transferred to maple brûlée barrels for just over one additional year.

According to Hard Truth, these brûlée barrels, came from the Tonnellerie Moreau cooperage in Quebec, Canada. These special barrels are charred a second time after aging bourbon for 7-9 years and maple syrup for a year. They were used to age maple syrup at Bissell Maple Farm in Jefferson, Ohio.

After aging in the brûlée barrels, Hard Truth rested the rye on toasted Jupilles French oak for an amount of time Hard Truth simply describes as “briefly.” While the other three whiskeys were released earlier this month, Maple Brûlée Rye will debut Sept. 28.

More on Hard Truth Distilling Co.

Founded in 2015, Hard Truth has earned a reputation for its impressive rye whiskeys. Then, in February, Hard Truth proved it was more than a rye producer with the debut of its first three homemade bourbons. We were particularly fond of the Hard Truth Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon Bottled in Bond release, which scored an impressive Raided Score® of 90.

Hard Truth is known for its sweet mash whiskeys, the antithesis of the more popular style, sour mash. While sour mash whiskeys use backset left over from distillation of previous whiskeys, whiskeys made with the sweet mash technique start fresh each time.

“We make whiskey that excites us,” Smith said of the latest releases. “Receiving awards and recognition for our sweet mash whiskeys is great, but we know that, in order to establish Hard Truth as a true heritage American whiskey brand, we need to constantly innovate. I love it.”

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But what about the rest of America? Bourbon is “America’s native spirit,” after all, so there must be some other states making some pretty great bourbon, right? We’ve created a list of distilleries outside of Kentucky that prove great bourbon can be made anywhere.

15 Distilleries Making Great Bourbon Outside of Kentucky

California: Redwood Empire

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Though California’s Russian River Valley might be known for the wines it produces, there’s a fledgling whiskey brand making big waves nestled amongst the vines and conifers: Redwood Empire.

The brand dates back to 2015 and takes its name from the legendary trees that grace the region. Redwood Empire has planted a total of more than 1.5 million redwood trees to date with the non-profit For The Future.

Besides being a sustainable whiskey you can feel good about, Redwood Empire sources a mixture of California and Midwestern grains to make its whiskeys. According to the brand, the region’s moderate temperatures have a positive effect on its aging whiskeys.

Redwood Empire names its whiskeys after specific redwood trees, and we are very partial to the brand’s Pipe Dream Cask Strength Bourbon, which was a super solid release from the brand. Read our review of that bottling here.

Illinois: FEW Spirits

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Perhaps one of the most dynamic up-and-coming producers from the Midwest is FEW Spirits. In the Chicago suburb of Evanston, FEW was born in 2011. The grain-to-glass distillery was inspired by the fact that Evanston was one of the critical locations of Prohibition in the 1920s.

As far as its whiskeys are concerned, the folks at FEW are not afraid to bend the rules a bit. The distilling team at FEW is very versatile and makes fantastic American single malts and rich and chocolatey rye whiskeys, but we’re partial to FEW’s bourbons.

The brand is no stranger to experimenting with its whiskeys, like using cold brew coffee and black tea to cut them to proof. With limited-release bourbons that honor bands like the Flaming Lips and Smashing Pumpkins, this Illinois brand puts the “r” in rebellious.

For all you rebels out there — consider giving this indie whiskey distillery a try.

Indiana: Hard Truth Distilling Co.

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As far as Indiana whiskey goes, everybody thinks about MGP first and foremost, but Hard Truth is an under-the-radar brand that’s been garnering plenty of positive attention.

Hard Truth’s calling card is its sweet mash whiskeys, where the brand starts fresh with each batch and doesn’t use backset from previous whiskeys. Though Hard Truth laid the groundwork for its popularity with rye whiskeys, the brand’s recently released homemade bourbons are nothing to sneeze at.

Hard Truth released its first three bourbons made from its own distillate in February: Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bourbon, and Hard Truth Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon.

We fell pretty hard for Hard Truth’s Four Grain Bourbon, and its modest suggested retail price of $59.99 adds even more sweetness from a pricing standpoint. With a distinctive, savory cheesecake note coupled with cinnamon and cola on the palate, it’s impressive. If you want to read more on what we thought about it, you can check out our review here.

Iowa: Cedar Ridge Distillery

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Cedar Ridge has roots that date back to 2005, although the Quint Family has farmed and distilled within the area for generations. Jeff Quint, a farmer and distiller, founded the brand because he had aspirations for the state of Iowa.

Iowa is the No. 1 corn-producing state in the U.S., and Quint believed that the brand had the potential to make some incredible bourbons with that corn. Cedar Ridge unveiled its first whiskey in 2010 and is Iowa’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition.

Cedar Ridge has been included many times in collections from the independent bottler, Lost Lantern. The bottler is known for “shining a light” on lesser-known whiskey brands and regularly features Cedar Ridge in its collections. Cedar Ridge’s bourbons are a true snapshot of Iowa, and the brand uses 100% Iowa-grown corn.

Mississippi: O.H. Ingram

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Is there anything quintessentially more “Mississippi” than bourbon aged on the river itself? Orrin Henry “Hank” Ingram III comes from a long line of individuals who moved products down the Mississippi River. They started with logs, and then Orrin Ingram III decided to give whiskey a try.

The brand’s floating barrel houses “mellow” the juice as it drifts down the Mississippi River, providing the ultimate leisurely sipping experience. In its “fleet” are two bourbons: a straight and flagship expression. The brand’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey can be purchased from within the $60 to $100 range and features a wheated mashbill.

The bourbon is dessert-forward, with buttercream, pancakes and an easy-sippin’ light sweetness that will make you come back for a second pour. For the rest of our review, you can click here.

Missouri: Holladay Distillery

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Ben Holladay cemented its reputation as the oldest operating distillery with its original facilities in Missouri.

Holladay is outside of Kansas City in Weston, an area that was first discovered by Lewis and Clark — yup, those guys — in 1804. Fifty years later, Ben Holladay bought the site. Ben Holladay earned his fortune as the “Stagecoach King,” and he created the Overland Express stagecoach lines, which Wells Fargo ended up buying. Yet despite his fortunes, whiskey was his ultimate legacy.

Ben Holladay Bourbon is considered “real Missouri bourbon,” because everything in the whiskey from Missouri. Holladay is known for its flagship bourbon, soft red wheat bourbon, rickhouse proof bourbon and ancient cave collection bourbon.

We’re particularly partial to Holladay’s Soft Red Wheat Bottled In Bond, which serves as a great dupe for the uber-expensive Blanton’s Bourbon.

Nevada: Frey Ranch

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Grain-to-glass distillery Frey Ranch is having a moment. The brand stems from over 65 years of farming know-how passed down from the Frey family. All of the grains are grown on-site and distilled at the brand’s whiskey farm.

Frey Ranch’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey clocks in at a modest 90 proof and is considered a “true farm-to-table bourbon.” The sustainably grown grains are malted, distilled, matured for five years, and bottled at Frey Ranch in true “estate” fashion.

The mashbill is made of corn, winter cereal rye, winter wheat and two-row barley. This affordably-priced bourbon hosts a suggested retail price of $79.

Click here to read our review of Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

New York: Widow Jane

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Widow Jane takes its name from the Widow Jane Mines in Rosendale, New York. Based out of Red Hook, Brooklyn, the brand sources the limestone water it uses to cut its whiskeys to proof from those mysterious mines. The limestone-filtered mineral water serves as the brand’s calling card, as limestone was used to build the Empire State Building and the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

Widow Jane claims its bourbons offer a taste of New York in every sip. The brand uses heirloom corn varieties, like Baby Jane corn, plus malted rye and malted barley in its mashbills.

Perhaps the limestone water adds a certain signature to Widow Jane’s Bourbons, and its Lucky Thirteen hosts minerality aplenty in the pour. If you want to know what we thought about it, you can read our review here.

Ohio: Middle West Spirits

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Ohio is a short drive from Kentucky, and this state is capable of producing some mighty fine whiskey. For a true taste of the Ohio River Valley, look no further than Middle West Spirits.

This grain-to-glass whiskey brand is no stranger to experimenting with its bourbons — which is one of the reasons we love it so much. From sherry-finished bourbons to wheated bourbons, there’s something for every fan of America’s native spirit at Middle West. We were particularly partial to Middle West Spirits Sherry Finished Bourbon. Find our review here.

And honestly? It appears the fans are flocking. In January, Middle West shared that it completed a 75,000-square-foot building expansion set to multiply its production capacities by 10. We’re sure demand and acclaim will follow.

South Carolina: High Wire Distilling

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South Carolina Lowcountry-based distillery, High Wire Distilling, celebrates heirloom grains. Its bourbons are made with a rare corn species called Jimmy Red. This ruby-hued corn is the only grain featured in the brand’s flagship bourbon, which spends a minimum of two years in American oak barrels.

Jimmy Red was a popular grain used by bootleggers during Prohibition, and the varietal nearly went extinct until High Wire Distilling spearheaded its revitalization by featuring it in its bourbons.

The brand’s Jimmy Red Bottled in Bond Bourbon made the No. 7 spot for the 10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in June 2024 because of its dynamic flavors of cherry pie.

Tennessee: Jack Daniel’s

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Jack Daniel’s is a brand that needs no introduction. The Tennessee brand is known for its distinctively “mellowed” whiskeys, thanks to its charcoal filtering process.

Though the brand refers to its corn-based whiskeys as “Tennessee whiskey,” Jack Daniel’s meets all the legal requirements of bourbon and thus is eligible for this list. Tennessee whiskeys are bourbons that require an additional charcoal filtering processes — otherwise known as the Lincoln County Process. Essentially, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey is simply bourbon that was filtered through charcoal prior to being barreled.

Each bottle of Jack Daniel’s is filtered through sugar maple charcoal. Palates of the wood are burned three days a week and three times a day by the brand’s production team. After the embers cool, the charcoal is used to “slowly mellow” the brand’s whiskey.

Besides the brand’s signature whiskey, Jack Daniel’s offers extended-age releases like a 12 Year Old whiskey within its portfolio and if you want to know what we thought about it, you can read our review here.

Texas: Still Austin

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Still Austin’s whiskeys are simply works of art. Beautiful labels aside, the brand is known to experiment with distinctive mashbills of blue corn, red corn, and pretty much everything in between. These whiskeys are expertly crafted by the team led by Nancy Fraley, a legend in the whiskey world who has also worked with Smooth Ambler, Wyoming Whiskey, Joseph Magnus and more.

Still Austin’s Red Corn Bourbon is considered a “fan favorite,” and the inaugural release was so successful that the brand ended up bringing it back in June because of popular demand.

We’re particularly partial to Still Austin’s seasonal Bottled in Bond lineup. The summer release — the Red Corn Bourbon — is especially good. Check out our review here.

Virginia: A. Smith Bowman

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A. Smith Bowman is Virginia’s oldest distillery, with roots that date back to 1934. The historic distillery is based out of Fredericksburg, and the brand produces some truly incredible bourbons. So incredible, in fact, that the best bourbon we tasted in 2023 was from A. Smith Bowman — and if you want to check out our complete list, you can find that here.

A. Smith Bowman shares an owner with Buffalo Trace (Sazerac), and the Virginia distillery’s lineup includes Bowman Brothers Small Batch Bourbon, a Port Barrel Finished Bourbon, a Single Barrel Bourbon and a 10-Year Cask Strength Bourbon.

Though admittedly some of A. Smith Bowman’s bourbons are hard to find, they are well worth the hunt! The brand’s Cask Strength Bourbons are typically available via a lottery, and winners must visit the distillery in person to pick up the releases.

West Virginia: Smooth Ambler

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The team at West Virginia’s Smooth Ambler knows they aren’t from Kentucky, but they like it that way and they’re proud of it. Smooth Ambler’s whiskeys are made strictly from Appalachian know-how, yet the brand is also no stranger to blending bourbons from other states in its releases.

Smooth Ambler is best known for its sourced “Old Scout” releases, but its Contradiction Bourbon — a mix of sourced and homemade whiskey — isn’t half bad, either.

Wyoming: Wyoming Whiskey

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Wyoming Whiskey is defined by the land that surrounds it. Founders Brad and Kate Mead are ranchers and founded Wyoming Whiskey. They joined forces with David DeFazio, who helped them figure out how to get the brand off the ground.

The brand has a Small Batch Bourbon, Double Cask Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Strength Bourbon and special release bourbons. The brand celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022 with the release of its oldest whiskey at the time.

The release was called a “winner from tip to tail” at Bottle Raiders and earned a Raided Score® of 90 thanks to its luscious dessert character, tobacco and caramel on the palate. With a finish that’s lingering and rich, releases like that show that Wyoming Whiskey is a serious contender in the bourbon world.

Here at The Daily Pour, we do more than write about current events in spirit. We are the only media property reviewing spirits and aggregating the scores and reviews of other significant voices in the spirit world in one place. If you’re interested in getting a shot of spirit in your morning email, sign up for our Whiskey Deal of the Day Newsletter

This month’s list features a lot of sleeper brands you may not be familiar with. Be sure to check out the following 10 whiskeys, because we believe they might be the next big thing. Without further ado, here are the best whiskeys we tasted in June 2024.

The 10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in June 2024, Ranked

10. 2XO Whiskey The Kiawah Blend

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What better way to start our summery list than with a whiskey named after the favorite vacation spot of 2XO Whiskey’s founder, Dixon Dedman? 2XO Whiskey’s The Kiawah Blend is named for the South Carolina island, a tranquil vacation spot 25 miles away from Charleston.

The Kiawah Blend is part of Dedman’s Icon Series, in which each expression is named after something special in the prolific bourbon bourbon blender’s life. 2XO’s The Kiawah Blend hosts a suggested retail price of $99.99. It is a blend of two bourbons, which have 35% and 18% rye content in their mashbills. The majority of the blend features the higher-rye mashbill, and the finished product is bottled at 104 proof.

On the nose, picture fudge dusted with espresso and cinnamon. Fudge is a dominant player here, and carries out through the palate of this bourbon, with custard, toasted marshmallow and mocha. The whiskey finishes with cocoa, clove and luxardo. Consider this the perfect bourbon for chocolate lovers, and one sip transports you to an evening of making s’mores by a roaring campfire.

9. Hard Truth Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon Bottled in Bond

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Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon Bottled in Bond hit shelves in February, and it’s definitely a bourbon that will put this brand on your radar. The bottling is made with the brand’s calling card: a signature sweet mash process that uses fresh grains.

Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon Bottled in Bond is distilled from a mashbill of 78% corn, 9% rye,  9% wheat and 4% malted barley. This release clocks in at an ABV of 50% and is around 5 years old.

As far as the juice inside, get ready for a wild ride. On the nose, picture plenty of candy corn aromas, with espresso, nutmeg and a savory cheesecake throughline that segues into the palate. In addition to that creamy cheesecake goodness, the pour hosts flavors of blueberries, cinnamon, cola and clove.

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Four Grain Bourbon Bottled in Bond finishes beautifully with vanilla ice cream, black pepper and mocha — talk about complexity!

8. 15 STARS Vino de Naranja Bourbon Aged 8 Years

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15 STARS is an indie bottler whose star is definitely on the rise — see what we did there?

This 8-year-old bourbon was finished in a single cask that once contained Vino de Naranja, a sweet type of Spanish orange wine that’s not to be confused with the hipster juice popping up in bars of late. Vino de Naranja is made by macerating orange peels in white wine, and the finish gives this bourbon the vibe of an orange creamsicle on a hot day.

On the nose, picture orange ice cream, caramel, waffle cone and whiffs of orange blossom. The palate has plenty of vanilla cake, clove and rye spice, and that orange zest plays throughout. The bourbon finishes with a combination of creamy custard, cinnamon and cracked pepper.

Just 316 bottles of this 102.8-proof bourbon exist, and you can pick one up for $139.

7. High Wire Distilling Jimmy Red Bottled In Bond Bourbon

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Our next pick hails from South Carolina’s High Wire Distilling. This bourbon is composed exclusively of an heirloom varietal of corn called Jimmy Red. Jimmy Red was a favorite of bootleggers back in the day, and the corn nearly went extinct until it was revitalized.

The Jimmy Red Corn imbues the pour with plenty of cherry aromas. Think big cherry pie, coupled with powdered sugar, doughnuts, and wisps of cappuccino. The palate has plenty of big nutty almond notes, coupled with more cherries front and center. The bourbon finishes with more powdered sugar, buttercream and cappuccino.

Jimmy Red Bottled In Bond hosts a proof of 100 due to its Bottled In Bond status and can be purchased for $89.99 directly from the distillery. Just one sip, and you’ll be so glad someone saved this heirloom corn varietal from the verge of extinction.

6. Penelope Rio Batch 24-091 (2024)

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Amburana releases are always hit or miss, but this one from Penelope Bourbon definitely falls within the “hit” category.

The Brazilian wood usually used for maturing cachaça often imparts plenty of spice, though some fans in the anti-Amburana camp find it detracts from the whiskey due to its overpowering nature. Penelope seems to have struck the balance of using this trending wood in a way that doesn’t distract from the spirit inside.

2024’s release is the third year the brand released this bourbon, and it is distilled from a mashbill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye and 3% malted barley. It was finished in a mixture of honey and Amburana casks, so the hardwood doesn’t overpower. On the nose, there’s plenty of baking spice, brown sugar, icing and ginger. The ginger continues throughout the palate, and there’s plenty of spicy pepper with clove.

This bourbon finishes heavy, with plenty of maple, spices, ginger, tobacco and lingering cream. Penelope Rio Batch 24-091 has an ABV of 49% and can be purchased from anywhere within the $60 to $99 range, although it often winds up pricier than that on the secondary market.

5. Green River Single Barrel Full Proof Bourbon

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As far as dollar-for-dollar goes, Green River’s whiskeys are some of the better values around.

The brand’s rich history dates back to 1885. It is the 10th oldest licensed distillery in Kentucky and was resurrected in 2022. Since then, the brand has been knocking it out of the park with a series of killer releases.

This bourbon clocks in at 59.5% ABV, and you can pick up a bottle from anywhere between $60 to $99.99. A characterful whiskey from nose to finish, Green River’s Single Barrel Full Proof Bourbon is a great workhorse whiskey. There’s plenty of spice at first whiff and a palate full of cola, cherries and toffee. The bourbon finishes with oak, pepper and plenty of balance.

4. Old Potrero Single Barrel Reserve Rye Whiskey Whiskey Raiders x Top Flight Single Barrel Selection

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This single-cask, pot-distilled rye from San Francisco-based Old Potrero is big and bold,  leaning towards warm spices and dessert over herbaceous peppery rye spice. Old Potrero is a California whiskey brand that often flies under the radar, but this dynamic release is enough to make any whiskey drinker stop and take notice.

With a monster of a nose coupled with oatmeal cookie, toffee, espresso and cola, this rich whiskey promises to be a formidable one. On the palate, this darkly bold and rich whiskey is chewy and viscous coupled with plenty of espresso, cherry cola and salted caramel flavors. Old Potrero’s Single Barrel Reserve Rye’s finish lasts for eons, with vanilla bean and brown butter.

This single-barrel rye hosts a 65.16% ABV.

3. 15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon Private Stock Aged 8 & 15 Years

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15 STARS managed to nab two spots on our list for June, which is an impressive feat. If you haven’t tried any bourbons from the brand yet, you should.

This under-the-radar bourbon brand consistently knocks it out of the park with amazing releases, and this latest bourbon is no exception. If you’re a fan of big oak, you’re in luck — this offering from 15 STARS will be right up your alley. 15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon Private Stock Aged 8 & 15 Years has an ABV of 53.5% and can be purchased for $140.

The nose is big and bold, with plenty of brown sugar, bananas foster, cinnamon and cake batter. The pour presents plenty of strawberry candies, toasted marshmallows honey and just a bit of mint leaves. More marshmallows and cherries linger throughout the bourbon’s conclusion.

2. Rabbit Hole Mizunara Founder’s Collection 2024

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Perhaps one of the more luxurious releases of the month was Rabbit Hole’s Mizunara Founder’s Collection. This whiskey is considered one of the “rarest” whiskeys to release in Louisville, and less than 2,200 bottles exist. With an impressive age statement of 15 years, and a price tag that is north of $1,000, this whiskey is definitely a splurge.

Rabbit Hole’s Mizunara Founder’s Collection 2024 clocks in at 103.8 proof, and has a rich nose with plenty of  toffee, honey and pepper. The Mizunara oak finish adds plenty of spice and black tea. The palate is aromatic with sandalwood and tobacco layered over dates and figs. The finish is richly layered with cream and spices.

Striking, decadent and luscious, Rabbit Hole’s Mizunara Founder’s Collection is a glamorous whiskey that epitomizes liquid luxury.

1. Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 2024 18 Year Old

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With an 18-year-old age statement and a blisteringly high proof of 120, Heaven Hill’s Heritage Collection 2024 18 Year Old blew us away. The bourbon was distilled from a mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye and 12% malted barley, and it was drawn from 133 barrels filled in December 2005.

At first whiff, you know this 18-year-old bourbon is going to be big and powerful. Though there’s quite a bit of oak, it does not overpower. Instead, there are plenty of vanilla bean, cream, clove and ginger aromas. The palate is thickly rich with tobacco, cream, maple and a woody backbone. This whiskey hosts a suggested retail price of $300, though you’ll probably have to hunt for a bottle.

With a grippy finish that lingers forever, Heaven Hill’s Heritage Collection Bourbon is a stunning example of a high-proof, extended-aged bourbon that could achieve potential unicorn status in the future.

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Bourbon is more than just something to drink that tastes good — it brings people together. Bourbon stimulates local economies by providing jobs. In February, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear gushed over the fact that the state of Kentucky alone generated $9 billion in economic impact, all because of bourbon. The bourbon boom is real, and that’s because people love it.

But perhaps one of bourbon’s greatest virtues is just how versatile the spirit can truly be. For a whiskey to be classified as a bourbon, its mashbill must contain a minimum of 51% corn, it must be aged in new charred oak, distilled to no more than 160 proof and entered into the barrel at no greater than 125 proof. But once a distiller follows those rules? Anything is fair game. Mashbills, cask finishes and proof points vary, and those variables provide an incomprehensible number of options.

The following seven bourbons show a different side to this all-American spirit and extend well beyond Kentucky. From Indiana to South Carolina, these bourbons come from sleeper-hit brands that have a chance to be the next big thing.

7 Bourbons to Drink on National Bourbon Day

Whiskey JYPSI Explorer

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Country music fans might be familiar with singer Eric Church’s JYPSI whiskey brand. The second release from Church, Explorer is a blend of two 6-year-old bourbons. One is a low-rye bourbon distilled in Kentucky, and the other is a high-rye bourbon made in Indiana. With a proof of 103, Explorer was distilled from a mashbill of 66% corn, 30% rye and 4% malted barley. But perhaps the most interesting thing about Explorer is its finishing process.

Explorer was finished in a barrel with staves made of American oak from the Appalachian Mountains and French oak from the Forest of Tronçais. With pleasant oak that interplays beautifully with toffee and buttercream on the nose, and a structured palate that bursts forth with orchard fruit, baking spice and sugar to follow, JYPSI Explorer is a winner. Explorer finishes with more baked apple and spice, making it a pleasant bourbon to sip all year round.

Explorer also hosts a relatively affordable suggested retail price of $69.99.

Blue Run Trifecta

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Few brands have experienced a rise as meteoric as Blue Run Spirits. The brand is known for its limited releases housed in artful decanters with butterfly medallions on their necks. After Blue Run’s rapid growth, Molson Coors acquired the brand in August, marking the brewing giant’s first spirits acquisition. Trifecta is the first bourbon Blue Run released after the highly publicized acquisition.

This blend of 9-, 8- and 6-year-old bourbons was brought together under the stewardship of Blue Run Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon, whom the brand plucked from Wild Turkey. Trifecta stands out from Blue Run’s other offerings thanks to its age.

Dessert lovers will find Trifecta a swoon-worthy offering, with plenty of baking spice and honey on the nose. The palate is structured and balanced. With some pepper, apple butter, espresso and brown sugar, Trifecta is well-rounded. This bourbon finishes with sweet cinnamon and brown sugar.

Trifecta will be more of a splurge than the other whiskeys on this list and can be purchased directly from Blue Run for $179.99.

High Wire Distilling Jimmy Red Bottled In Bond

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High Wire Distilling Co. is based out of South Carolina, and its whiskeys are meant to capture a sense of place.

The brand focuses on implementing grains that were nearly lost to history in its mashbills, and such is the case for the brand’s Jimmy Red Bottled In Bond. The mashbill of this bourbon beauty is composed of 100% Jimmy Red Corn, and the whiskey was aged for four years before being bottled at 100 proof to meet Bottled In Bond regulations.

A richly gorgeous all-day sipper, Jimmy Red Bottled In Bond has cherry pie aromas on the nose, coupled with brioche and powdered sugar-covered beignets. The palate is chock full of cherries and almonds, with cornbread. The bourbon finishes with brioche, almond, powdered sugar and cappuccino.

This Bottled In Bond offering is a lovely, upgraded version of the brand’s flagship Jimmy Red Bourbon.

Jimmy Red Bourbon Bottled In Bond can be bought directly from Highwire Distilling for $89.99.

2XO Kiawah Blend

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We’re about to be heavy in the throes of summer, but what if you can’t take a vacation this year? 2XO Whiskey founder Dixon Dedman has a solution for that! He created this bourbon blend inspired by his favorite vacation spot. 2XO Kiawah Blend is named after Kiawah Island in South Carolina, which Dedman refers to as his “happy place.”

2XO is Dedman’s new project after he revived Kentucky Owl and sold it to Stoli.

This bourbon is part of 2XO’s Icon Series. Dedman names each whiskey within the series after something or someone important in his life. The Kiawah Blend is a mixture of two bourbons: one hosts a 35% rye content, whereas the other hosts a rye content of 18%. The higher-rye mashbill dominates this bourbon and was double-barreled before being finished for nine to 12 months in new charred oak barrels.

At first whiff, picture aromas of flan with cinnamon dust, soft oak, and espresso. The palate is a pleasant dance of fruit, toasted marshmallow and baking spice. 2XO Kiawah Blend finishes with oak, char, cocoa and clove. With a proof of 104, this bourbon hosts a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Hard Truth Four Grain Sweet Mash Bottled In Bond

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Hard Truth Distilling Co. is an up-and-coming distillery based out of Indiana known for its signature sweet mash technique. Hard Truth had already established itself as a producer to keep a major eye on thanks to its excellent rye whiskey releases, and now the distillery has begun releasing its first bourbons made with in-house distillate, including this one.

Hard Truth Four Grain Sweet Mash Bottled In Bond Bourbon is made from a mashbill of 78% corn, 9% rye, 9% wheat and 4% malted barley.

Per Bottled In Bond regulations, Hard Truth’s Four Grain Sweet Mash bourbon clocks in at 100 proof, and a bottle hosts a suggested retail price of $59.99.

With a nose of butterscotch, candy corn, nutmeg and a punchy, savory cheesecake vibe, you’ll know Hard Truth’s Four Grain Sweet Mash bourbon is something special at first whiff. The palate segues into blueberry cheesecake coupled with espresso and cola. The bourbon’s finish goes on and on, with plenty of vanilla ice cream, blueberries, cherries and pepper.

In short: don’t sleep on this one.

Shortbarrel Barrel Proof ReserveBar Single Barrel Bourbon Selection

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Shortbarrel is an Atlanta Brand that was founded by a group of bourbon aficionados who one day drunkenly bumped into a barrel broker after a day drinking session on a Sunday. The brand was created through what the Shortbarrel team refers to as “inspired intoxication.” You can’t make this stuff up.

This single-barrel, barrel-proof bourbon is delicious with a capital “D,” and it makes a memorable impression. The nose is big, bold and beautiful with sweet cream, vanilla bean, pepper and clove. On the palate, expect cherries, butter cream and tobacco. This characterful bourbon concludes with a decadent dessert-driven profile, loaded with toffee, tobacco and black pepper.

This barrel pick hosts a proof of 118.6 and can be purchased from ReserveBar for approximately $80.

15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon Private Stock Aged 8 & 15 Years

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15 STARS is an under-the-radar whiskey blender whose star is clearly on the rise. In April, the brand made our list for the 5 Underrated American Whiskey Brands You Need to Try in 2024.

This bourbon is a Private Stock release from 15 STARS, and it was bottled at none other than Bardstown Bourbon Co. The team at 15 STARS blended 8- and 15-year-old Kentucky bourbons, and it hosts an ABV of 53.5%. 15 STARS sells this bottle for $139.

If you’re a fan of classic, oaky bourbons — you have to pick up a bottle of this stuff. With a nose full of vanilla custard, bananas foster and peanut brittle, it’s clear there’s going to be a lot going on in this pour. The palate doesn’t disappoint and leads with bold sweet oak, strawberry candies, toasted marshmallows and an herbaceous kiss of fresh mint. 15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon finishes with marshmallow, cherry and char.

This offering from 15 STARS is a modern classic, and we look forward to see what’s in store for this brand in the future.

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Which of these whiskeys most skillfully uses the contentious Amburana cask?

No cask is more polarizing among whiskey enthusiasts than those made from Amburana, a tree native to South America and most common in Brazil. Amburana was a red-hot trend in whiskey in 2022 and particularly 2023, when it truly blew up.

Many love Amburana casks for the distinctively sweet flavors they impart upon whiskeys aged in them. While it’s hard to compare that special Amburana flavor to anything, tasting note most commonly associated with Amburana is a potent cinnamon. Some thoroughly enjoy Amburana-finished whiskeys, while others find the flavor overpowering and detracting from the taste of the whiskey.

One Reddit user described an Amburana-finished expression from Starlight Distillery in a way that sums up many drinkers’ opinion perfectly: “…although I liked it, it didn’t really taste like whiskey to me and I don’t know how much I could drink. It comes off like a flavored whiskey that tastes like a cinnamon roll with some smokiness.”

Whether or not you’re a fan of this contentious wood, one universal truth holds: Some Amburana-finished whiskeys are better than others. After all, the cask finish is merely one factor, not the end-all-be-all.

In this article, we’re going to compare and contrast two particularly interesting whiskeys. Both incorporate Amburana, yet they’re starkly different and unique.

One of these whiskeys is rabidly popular and hardly ever found on shelves in the wild: Penelope Rio. The other is a new competitor, released in late March by an extremely under-the-radar whiskey brand, Hard Truth.

About Penelope Rio

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Penelope Rio debuted in 2023, amid the Amburana craze and shortly after Penelope was acquired by MGP Ingredients. In an interesting twist, Penelope opted to finish Rio in not only Amburana but also in honey casks, adding a distinct tertiary cask. Upon its release, Rio received largely positive reception, with Breaking Bourbon dubbing it “unexpectedly wonderful” and Whisky Advocate calling it “Playful, simple, and delicious.”

As expected of an Amburana-finished whiskey, however, Rio was polarizing. In a review titled “Penelope’s New Bourbon Shows Why We Need to Stop Finishing Whiskey in Amburana Wood,” Robb Report wrote that the unpleasant Amburana flavor “bullies the whiskey’s inherent flavors away.”

Still, Rio certainly had an audience, and because of how slim its release run was, many who were hoping to taste it never got a chance to do so. Good news struck for that segment of whiskey drinkers in March of this year, when Penelope announced a second run of Rio would be hitting shelves.

The 2024 release was larger than the initial drop with an allocation of 5,000 cases, giving more drinkers a chance to taste this rare bottle.

Distilled from a mashbill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye and 3% malted barley, Penelope Rio is bottled at 98 proof. It has a suggested retail price of $89.99, but realistically speaking, you’ll be lucky to find this bottle in the wild for less than $200.

About Hard Truth Distilling Farmer’s Reserve

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Farmer’s Reserve is the second in a collaboration between the Indiana-based Hard Truth Distilling Co. and Mellencamp Whiskey Co., which was co-founded by Hud Mellencamp, the son of the famous American singer-songwriter, John Mellencamp. Each bottle in the series is decorated with artwork by John Mellencamp.

This whiskey is a blend of Hard Truth’s Chocolate Malt Rye and Sweet Mash Bourbon. The blend is rested on toasted amburana before being bottled at 106 proof.

Farmer’s Reserve has a suggested retail price of $69.99. The limited release went up for sale online at Seelbach’s but has since sold out.

Taste Test: Hard Truth Farmer’s Reserve Vs. Penelope Rio

When tasting these whiskeys side by side, their differences leap out much more than any similarities. When you lift the glass of Rio toward your nose, sweet amburana and honey smack you over the head, with lots of honey, praline and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. It’s an incredibly rich and waxy nose. The Farmer’s Reserve is more subtle, with sweet aromas full of custard, pecan pie, dark chocolate and ginger, plus a light minerality. It doesn’t approach the richness of Rio, but it’s more balanced, with more going on. The bourbon and rye work together in the blend to add complexity.

On the palate, Rio is heavy on the Amburana, which drives the car a touch more than I’d like it to. The honey is very prominent as well, and the two cask finishes interact nicely together — as long as you’re in the mood for something crazy sweet. Gobs of honey erupt on the palate, joined by Honeycrisp apples, almond extract and a kiss of cappuccino.

Farmer’s Reserve is much less sweet, with a warm, spice-laden palate. That Amburana Cinnamon Toast Crunch character is joined by chocolate shavings, some cracked pepper, a nice hit of oak, some lovely peppermint from the rye and a little bit of a caramel apple character, with some Granny Smith-esque acidity popping out amid the sweetness. The minerality from the nose returns on the palate, but it’s light and inoffensive — it works. The Amburana is impressively contained here; it’s utilized expertly. This pour has much more of a dark chocolate/mocha bittersweet character as opposed to the all-out onslaught of sweetness that Rio presents.

Penelope Rio’s finish is wildly long, hanging around seemingly forever with tons of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and gingerbread. Farmer’s Reserve finishes very differently. The rye is in control at the start of the finish, delivering mint, cinnamon and clove. The long finish continues with modest Amburana, lovely chocolate cake and oak.

The Verdict

Hard Truth Distilling’s Farmer’s Reserve is an expertly crafted rockstar from head to toe. It’s more of an everyday drinker than Rio; it can serve as a special-occasion pour, and it would be a delightful holiday dram, but it’s also not so sweet to the point that you’d struggle to sip it on an everyday basis.

Penelope Rio, on the other hand, is not a daily sipper for most drinkers. This is an incredibly rich whiskey, and you need to be in the right mood to drink it. It’s a dessert pour through and through and requires a major sweet tooth.

These whiskeys are both great examples of spirits that properly utilize and balance Amburana, but Hard Truth’s use of rye in the blend makes it a more interesting, versatile pour.

Penelope went a different route, opting for a barrage of sweetness, with a sweet spirit (bourbon) finished in two sweet casks. And that’s not necessarily a knock. Penelope was going for something entirely different than Hard Truth was, and it did a great job of delivering a delicious, rich bourbon for the sweet-toothers out there who clamor for it. There is undeniably a large sect of drinkers who will love this bottle.

Overall, though, I find Hard Truth’s approach more interesting, and Hard Truth Farmer’s Reserve is the winner for me over Penelope Rio. Its use of the Amburana is impressively restrained. You walk an incredibly fine line when you choose to finish a whiskey in Amburana, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better example of doing Amburana right than this bottling from Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey.

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Hard Truth it is ahead of schedule in breaking ground on a new rackhouse. (Photos: Hard Truth)

The Indiana-based distillery Hard Truth announced on April 16 that it is building a third rackhouse. This latest development was ahead of schedule for the brand but moved up due to recent growth.

“Building a complex of rackhouses on our 325-acre property has always been a long-term plan, but recent product introductions, sales successes and growth into new markets required moving up our construction schedule,” Hard Truth Partner and Master Distiller Bryan Smith said in a news release.

Smith cited sales as a primary reason for building the 14,000-square-foot warehouse. The warehouse is projected to have an 8,000-barrel capacity, and it should be finished by mid-July.

The brand broke ground on the new rackhouse, which is expected to be completed by mid-July.

Once the rackhouse is completed, Hard Truth’s capacity will increase by 20,000 barrels. The brand claims it will have grown from 400 barrels sold in 2023 to a projected amount of 4,000 barrels ready to enter the marketplace by 2028.

The brand additionally intends to build a stillage facility that it claims will highlight its sustainability efforts. The facility’s purpose is to “contain and process the spent grains” from distillation. The grains will then be used as fertilizer or food for livestock for farmers.

Hard Truth has a history of supporting local farmers. The the brand has released two whiskeys alongside the whiskey company of the son of the musician John Mellencamp called Farmer’s Reserve.

The whiskey was part of a series that implemented locally sourced ingredients. The whiskey brand and Mellencamp additionally launched the Grounded in Truth Initiative, a nonprofit that grants aid to those working in agriculture.

The brand’s campus offers a variety of guest experiences, which involve ATV tours, a tiki boat experience with rum cocktails, live music, cocktail classes and an overnight cabin experience.

“We like to say that we unite people through our exceptional spirits,” Hard Truth co-founder Jeff McCabe said in a statement. “From the start, our plan for Hard Truth has been to be an iconic, ever-growing distillery that is a Brown County, Indiana destination and a treasure forever. If you visit us today, you’ll see that we’re well on our way to making that happen.”

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