"Never delay kissing a pretty girl or opening a bottle of whiskey."
-Ernest Hemingway
So you say you're a bourbon fan? You want to drink the best, but already know there has to be at least 51% corn in the mash bill and that bourbon can be made anywhere in the US. We, like you, know a thing or two about "the good stuff" so we'll cut right to the chase. Which bottles are worth hunting for right now? We sat down for the month of September (which was bourbon heritage month for the record) to rank and explore 24 bourbons that have captured the heart and attention as whiskey worth writing about.
The Top 24 Bourbon Whiskeys to Buy Right Now in 2024:
A distillery once integral to the distribution of medicinal whiskey during prohibition, Green River Distilling Co. has gradually made its way back onto the whiskey scene since its revival in 2022. Expect oodles of gooey caramel popcorn, stone fruit, and baking spices with a creamy mouthfeel on this expression—Full Proof here, ringing in at 117.3 degrees. While the flavors do really well kicked up a notch, some stuck out like rocks in a field and were a bit jarring at times. Regardless, this pot-distilled whiskey will coat every nook and cranny of your mouth and leave you with a long-lasting Kentucky hug.
ABV: 58.65% // MSRP: $49.99
This yearly release from Buffalo Trace brings all the well-aged fruit, Dr. Pepper, and flashy bourbon tones you could ask for. While not-so-great as previous years releases (looking at you batch 9), this 131.1 proof bourbon boils down to something well worth drinking.
ABV: 65.55% // MSRP: $70
Boy oh boy, Four Roses has had a pretty meteoric return to glory. Often regarded as a gateway bourbon to many modern whiskey enthusiasts, this 108 proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey carries all the hyper-aged oak tones of leather, wood spice, crème brûlée, and other patisserie sweets they could pack into one bottle.
ABV: 54% // MSRP: $200
Stagg—hold the Junior. Since losing the youthful portion of its name, Stagg has struggled to capture the attention of old time bourbon purists in the same way it once did. The 24th release bears the new naming scheme in a royal coincidence at 24A. This 127.6 proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey offers up notes of dark mustard, patchouli, charcoal, and a distant, vague sweetness in a profile that beguiles and defies tradition.
ABV: 63.8% // MSRP: $70
Sticky dark caramel on the nose and warm orange cinnamon spice on the tongue make this a perfect pour for the cooler months. For those sensitive to proof, this Minnesota craft may hug a bit tight on the finish at 127.7 proof. Keep in mind this is a single barrel style release, so your mileage may vary with J. Carver unless you can manage to find this specific bottling from Two Souls Spirits. Overall, this release highlights Minnesota craft whiskey done well.
ABV: 63.85% // MSRP: $124.99
Although this 118.3 proof is on the younger end, it lacks absolutely nothing. Lemon lollipop, sugar cookie, blackberry, and red velvet cake all fold into a lovely oily mouthfeel. This Iowa craft distillery is quickly earning a name for themselves in the American single malt space, but don't sleep on their bourbon!
ABV: 59.15% // MSRP: $54.99
Hailing from California, this 116.8 proof bourbon blend is easily the best of Redwood Empire's newly expanded lineup. Delicate, creamy fruit lead the way before balanced Christmas spices land in the cozy comfort of a loving family dinner. This is not one to sleep on in lieu of the more 'in demand' brands.
ABV: 58.4% // MSRP: $65
Another mom and pop type of operation lands at number 17 on our best bourbon list; this is a whiskey nerd's bourbon through and through. With the blend ringing in at 116.4 proof, this bourbon delivers buttercream frosting, pear, and clover honey in distinct vibe that is reminiscent of working long days on a farm. Kudos to Jonathan Maisano for having the pluck to live out his passion.
ABV: 58.2% // MSRP: $110
The bottled in bond distinction this bottle bears means this is going to be your 100 proof distillery benchmark. Often a good place to start when exploring a new distillery, Chattanooga, a Tennessee whiskey distillery synonymous with craft, has been curating interesting whiskey projects since 2011. The 2019 BIB bottling offers strawberry sweetness, bursts of lemon, orange sherbet, chocolate frosting, and vanilla tootsie rolls for those brave enough to dive into its depths.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $52.99
This 2-year-old cask-strength bourbon from Still Austin will shock and surprise you. At 116 proof, expect a citrus-forward nose with a creamy and all-spice palate—think orange creamsicles during Christmas time. Do not let the young age turn you away! The team at Still Austin has harnessed the magic of Texas heat like true magicians. If you haven't ventured into Texas whiskey yet, let this be your introduction.
ABV: 58% // MSRP: $60.00
Unsurprisingly, Rare Character continues to dominate the whiskey landscape with bottle after bottle of great whiskey. While the brand is well known for their exceptional ability for finding and sharing the best single barrel expressions around, this 120.83 proof bourbon focuses in on blending. Combining cask strength Kentucky stocks to satiate the whiskey horde to is no simple task, but Chad Watson was up for the challenge. Fortuna barrel proof offers notes of white pepper, ginger, cherry cough syrup, white chocolate, blueberry parfait, and a sweet, milky latte vibe that make for an impeccably tasty sip.
ABV: 60.4% // MSRP: $100
Craft will one day be king again. Whiskey Acres sure has a good chance of leading the craft charge, leaning in on an heirloom corn varietal called blue popcorn. This 97 proof Illinois grown and distilled bourbon had my heart from the first time I sipped it. Luckily for you, they still make it today. Keep your eyes peeled for another release of this slept on gem some time in December 2024. We find grilled corn on the cob, honey, creamy caramel, green apple skins, and bubbly white wine. There is something for everyone in this bottle.
ABV: 48.5% // MSRP: $70
George T. Stagg is often considered one of the best yearly whiskey releases by whiskey enthusiasts near and far. Our own Nick Anderson considers himself to be a self-proclaimed "Stagg man" that even keeps a running list of every release he's ever tried in the "Stagg Hub". The 2023 bottling was a 15 year, 135 proof Kentucky straight bourbon just built for the fall season. Notes of cherry, red hots, sugar, citrus, and blackberry parfait make this a touch fickle compared to previous years, but still certainly good enough to seek out.
ABV: 67.5% // MSRP: $125
The much deliberated Generations was an expensive modern bottling from Wild Turkey. Fetching prices that one would expect to pay for something out of the 1980s stored in a museum grade storage unit, this 120.8 proof Kentucky straight bourbon blend was the culmination of three generations of Russell's picking barrels together. Expect to find effervescence galore here as tannic chokeberry, elderflower, cranberry, and grenadine introduce a wildly different take on the traditional Wild Turkey profile.
ABV: 60.4% // MSRP: $450
Releasing alongside the 10 year batch 03, this Tennessee whiskey is technically a bourbon, but not named as such on its label. Jack Daniel's is well known for sticking to their guns that they make Tennessee bourbon - even going so far as to intentionally change my group name (Mass Bourbon Alliance) on a recent barrel pick that I did. Despite all these shenanigans, Chris Fletcher and crew are producing some great whiskey these days. 107 proof bourbon packed full of flavor make this a whiskey lovers dream. We find nostalgic cherry coke, maple tones, buttered popcorn, and Goetze old-fashioned caramel creams all throughout this pour.
ABV: 53.5% // MSRP: $95
Here's a much-beloved 107 proof bourbon as you may have inferred from the name. With sweet dark fruits, Werther's caramels, and a cinnamon-spiced finish, this welcoming yet complex pour will surely be a crowd-pleaser for the well-seasoned whiskey enthusiast as well as those new to the scene. While these can be a challenge to find, we highly recommend seeking out a great single barrel if you can find it.
ABV: 53.5% // MSRP: $52.99
Despite Bomberger's usually getting all the attention from these under-the-radar Michter's releases, the 2024 bottlings of Shenk's have been amongst the finest we have tasted in a long time. Handily beating down this year's Bomberger's, we think it's high time Shenk's has a return to glory. A low proof certainly did not result in a lack of flavor here—fatty, resinous, and sweet tones aboundon on this dram. Marshmallow, chocolate, creamed corn, plum, gingerbread, and sugary raisin come together perfectly on this sour mash whiskey. While we stretched the definition of bourbon here to include this Kentucky sour mash whiskey, it's an interesting exercise in what constitutes a bourbon and distillers' choices in marketing. Read the full article if you'd like to properly nerd out with us.
ABV: 45.6% // MSRP: $110
Despite New York being known for their prominence in rye whiskey, it turns out the modern day Kings County Distillery is capable of great bourbon too. When Amongst the Whiskey founder Nick Anderson went to select one of the first 53 gallon single barrels ever selected from the location in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, this was the one bottle he took home. Candy shop nibbles, tart oak, angostura bitters, chocolate pudding, sweet cream, and sweet tart effervescence push this into the land of wonderful whiskey.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $124.99
This hyper-aged limited release from Michter's has become the stuff of legends. With just 415 bottles coming out of this particular batch, one can imagine why the world clamors to get ahold of some of this most rarified air. Having tasted it, we can tell you it offers plenty to be excited about. Pre-prohibition vibes lead the way before potent cherry garcia, cinnamon, black pepper, allspice, and tobacco tones swing through in spine-chilling-greatness. Good luck finding one of these sitting on a shelf near you.
ABV: 58.1% // MSRP: $1,500
This has been in many-a-discussion about being "bourbon of the year". Having drank through the entirety of one bottle and having dumped two further bottles into the AmongstTheWhiskey Infinity Barrel, we know where we stand on this one. 13 > 15, just saying. Despite that slight nuance, the 15 year bourbon that Wild Turkey put out is amongst some of their finest stocks. It's a tremendous 117.2 proof Kentucky straight bourbon that intrigues and seduces anyone with a taste for well-aged bourbon. Expect to find bodacious cherry, juicy strawberry, fresh raspberry, and whipped cream. This one will take you for a ride, so strap in if you're willing to fork over the price of admission.
ABV: 58.6% // MSRP: $250
Expect a complex aroma of cream-filled caramels with an oak-spiced barrel funk on the nose before angel food cake with mint and a hint of lemon dance on the palate. This 124 proof OESQ from Liquor Junction Amongst The Whiskey is a wonderful example of experienced palates hard at work. Yes, the letters and recipes can be intimidating, but the flavor profile inside this particular single barrel is anything but. Tried and true, the Four Roses private select program is thriving.
ABV: 62% // MSRP: $79.99
Distilled by the late Parker Beam, this Heritage Collection has long invoked the ire of whiskey enthusiasts quick to judge against the proximal 17 year release. Despite the drastic difference in flavor, this is a truly wonderful whiskey for those patient enough to sit with it a while. Much like a very, very special release later in this list, this is Bernheim distillate. It's powerful, moving, and potent in the mouth with a lingering combination of sweet, salty, and savory, like the meeting of crème brûlée and foie gras. Red currant jam, dark peach, cranberry, and tart amarena cherry all dance on the tongue. This has withstood the test of time dram after dram in blind tastings and beyond.
ABV: 60% // MSRP: $300
Bourbon. Just. Classic. Bourbon. Despite being a bold 129.35 proof, Brook Hill puts on a masterclass in balance and character. You're going to want to slow savor this one, as King's Leap is no slouch in the flavor department, but it doesn't play nice with others. While you won't find this one poured up at a booth at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, it's still Kentucky bourbon at its finest. Complex spice, bright vanilla, and silky caramel coat every bit of the mouth and esophagus if you sit with this one a while. Cherry pipe tobacco, shishito peppers hitting a cast iron pan coated in butter, roasted cashews from the bar at Willet, and a sliver of dark chocolate are all reminiscent of the good old days of bourbon. Hot tamales and vintage, dark cola tones complete a thoroughly enjoyable pour. The only trouble is trying to find one to taste for yourself.
ABV: 64.67% // MSRP: $250
A wheater at the top of the list?! Goodness gracious. There is no other pour that has stuck in the mind like this one. Distilled at the Bernheim Distillery—the same distillery that helped build the Pappy Van Winkle wheated bourbon craze—this 13 year wheater is all the rage this year. Demanding crazy valuations on secondary due to the high quality and Kentucky only distribution, this certainly lives up to the very, very special distinction on the label.
After the catastrophic fire at the Old Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in November 1996, Heaven Hill acquired the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville in April 1999. The barrels used for this release were produced in September 1999, emptied in March 2013 and bottled in February 2024. When these barrels were tested in 2013, it was decided that the taste profile at 13 years old was exceptional and it would be reserved for a special occasion, such as this 25th Anniversary Edition. Thirteen is also a lucky number for Heaven Hill, as the company filled its first barrel ever on December 13, 1935.
“The Bernheim Distillery became the lifeblood of Heaven Hill after the setback from the fire and has been ever since,” said Executive Chairman Max Shapira. “We are honored to have been able to continue the Old Fitzgerald legacy since that time and look forward to many more years of exceptional releases from Bernheim Distillery and from the Heaven Hill Springs Distillery set to open early next year.”
Expect to find vintage whiskey notes that just can't be reproduced today. Earthy clay, marshmallow, leather, and vanilla biscotti tones dance in the glass for as long as you want to spend with this pinnacle bourbon. You're either going to have to pay up, wait in a long line, or get really lucky to score one of these.
ABV: 50% // MSRP: $230
In Summary:
Best Bourbon Overall: Old Fitz VVS 13 Year ($230)
Best Readily Available Bourbon: Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength ($79.99)
Best Sub $50 Budget Bourbon: Green River ($49.99)
Best Splurge Bourbon: Brook Hill ($250)
Best Mixer Bourbon: Still Austin ($60)
Honorable Mentions: Michter's 10 year bourbon, Old Forester "Strawberry Krunch", Neeley Family Distillery 8 year air seasoned barrel aged bourbon, Liberty Pole Spirits wheated bourbon single barrel, Old Elk wheated bourbon, and Barrell bourbon batch 036.
Who says bourbon is dead? Not us. While the quality of most releases today feel like they are trending down while prices are trending up, there are still plenty of gems to be found from distilleries big and small. We hope you check out some of the brands mentioned here and certainly encourage you to leave a comment on what you consider to be your favorite bourbon down below!
Written by: The Amongst the Whiskey Team
&
Comments