Which bourbon should i buy

This bourbon shows great depth and complexity for its 45 percent ABV and is a true grain-to-glass gem. Every year, the brand pulls barrels from that lot, with this being the second of nine planned releases. A bold, flavorful whiskey, the nose offers dark fruits and nuts, while the palate delivers dark chocolate, black pepper, and oak. This four-grain Kentucky bourbon includes three malted secondary grains in its mash bill. Batched in lots of no more than 15 barrels, it has a rich, vibrant, fruity character.

Banana and caramel aromas give way to a black pepper- and toffee-rich palate, with a stream of golden honey woven throughout. Four Roses utilizes six of its 10 proprietary recipes for this flagship offering. It is classically bourbon in character, with no shortage of vanilla, caramel, and rich oak notes. There are layers and nuance too, with a scent of jasmine tea on the nose, and ripe berries and rich spice on the palate.

The 52 percent ABV is barely noticeable and its profile continues to evolve with time in the glass. The profile has a distinct nutty character — a hallmark of Beam distillates — and a rich dark chocolate and cherry pie core.

The high proof emerges on the palate but only serves to highlight and intensify its flavors. The four heirloom grains included in this small batch Colorado bourbon are milled, cooked, fermented, distilled, and aged on site — resting a minimum of three years in oak before release. The vibrant character of the grains is complemented by an undercurrent of toasted oak and ripe berries. This is an enjoyable departure from traditional styles of bourbon and a must-try for those looking to expand their horizons.

It is well rounded and places on the lighter end of the spectrum without lacking concentration. There are surprising signs of maturity given its age, with leather and savory tobacco notes intertwining with sweet oak and butterscotch.

This small-batch Beam Suntory release turns to age over proof in the numerical race. Dark chocolate, peanuts, orange peel, and toasted oak comprise just a fraction of the notes present in its generous profile. This is the definition of a must-buy bottle.

This is high-octane bourbon and about as big as it gets on the ABV front. The intriguing aging process for this bourbon sees it cross the equator four times and visit five continents during a lengthy ocean voyage. This bourbon is fruit-forward and floral with a warm, lingering finish. This lauded Heaven Hill release delivers everything you want from a single barrel, bottled-in-bond bourbon.

The lively nose offers fruit, oak, and light spice. The proof is in the pudding, and the bourbon world has taken notice. High demand and not-so-high supply means they could be tough to find sooner than later. Today's Best Deals. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Two Creatives on Their Journeys to Sustainability. Chandler Bondurant. Only of these bottles were produced, so be prepared to pay top dollar on the secondary market.

And be sure to insist on the individually numbered letter of authenticity included with each bottle sold. Photo: Courtesy of PM Spirits. A delicious blend of 20 different casks of eight-year-old whiskey that offers multifarious flavors highlighted by maple syrup, coconut, cloves, and dark fruit.

The follow up, Mic. Photo: Courtesy of Heaven Hill. Whiskey lovers tend to speak of the old Stitzel-Weller Distillery in hushed, reverential tones. John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 Year Old contains wheated bourbon gleaned from 12 barrels produced at old Stitzel-Weller that had been designated for use in Old Fitzgerald.

The John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve offers a host of tastes that go great together, from cocoa to lemon to banana cream pie. The finish is lengthy and refined. A few years back, Heaven Hill released a miniscule amount of mL bottles. Photo: Courtesy of Woodford Reserve. In the early s, Woodford County Distillery owner Oscar Pepper and master distiller James Crow pioneered key bourbon-making processes such as sour mashing, copper pot distillation, and charred oak cask maturation.

The homestretch lolls pleasantly, offering sweet butter and a hint of cool lemon custard. Be forewarned—finding a bottle is darn near a mission impossible. The result is a well-balanced, mocha-tinged whiskey that coats the palate with sweet and spicy goodness.

It has a medium-length finish with a touch of cedar and tart lemon. Beam, who passed away in January , endeavored to make classic Kentucky bourbon. Photo: Courtesy of Maker's Mark. They made one whiskey, one way. In bourbon circles, this was a seismic event, and more than a few skeptics were ready to pounce.

Boy, did legendary distiller Bill Samuels Jr. Photo: Courtesy of Tuthilltown Spirits. Introduced in , Hudson Baby Bourbon is the first whiskey produced in New York since Prohibition and is the first commercially available bourbon ever to hail from the Empire State.

Made with locally sourced corn at the Tuthilltown Spirits distillery in the Hudson Valley, the whiskey is aged in charred new American oak barrels, which imparts a strong, smoky wood quality. It makes for an ideal maiden voyage for unseasoned adventurers. Photo: Courtesy of Willett Family Estate. Though it weighs in at a hefty Pear, cocoa, and cherry are among the more prominent flavors. In , when he was just 25, oenophilic phenom Dave Phinney founded Orin Swift Cellars and promptly turned it into a behemoth on the strength of powerful Zinfandel-driven wines such as The Prisoner.

What goes into the non-traditional black bottle is a lively spirit boasting an array of pleasantries including vanilla bean, maple and baked apple flavor. The initial sweetness gives way to the bite of citrus zest and barrel char, creating great balance and complexity. Photo: Courtesy of Michter's. This complex spirit is possessed of an array of cascading flavors including black cherry, honeysuckle and pecans.

Yes its potency grabs your attention, but its composure is what leaves a lasting impression.