The Prime 20 Whiskeys of 2024

December 21, 2024

5

One in every of as of late the world of whiskey goes to cease giving us the embarrassment of riches we’ve turn into accustomed to, however for now, the prepare continues to be rolling alongside unabated, and it looks like each week we see a brand new whiskey that we’re falling in love with.

As is at all times the case, we reviewed a ton of whiskey this yr – greater than 400 totally different bottles, by my depend – and choosing out our ten favorites was an extremely troublesome activity. So, we didn’t. As an alternative, we picked 20 – which you’ll be able to think about as 10 favorites and 10 runners-up, in the event you’d like. All of them deserve a spot in your bar, however in the event you’re going to bend our arm and pressure us to select our absolute faves, effectively, we goal to please. Once more, we are attempting onerous to prioritize availability and worth with these picks, however a case was made for a minimum of one unicorn on the listing, and if you wish to yell at somebody about that, I’ll offer you their e mail tackle.

We’ll reveal one or two high picks every day for the following week, dropping our #1 choice and the 11-20 picks on the finish on Saturday, December 21. Test again for updates, and blissful holidays!

Need extra alternatives? Take a look at our vacation buying information. When you’re making ready for the large reveal, be happy to bask in a few of our earlier high 10 whiskey lists: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017. You can even search a number of shops at wine-searcher to search out the very best costs on all these merchandise and extra.

Agree, disagree? Love us? Hate us? Pontificate right here or on social (we’re even on BlueSky now!) and tell us what you suppose!

1. Barrell Bourbon Cask End Collection: Ice Wine – By my depend we’ve reviewed greater than 50 totally different whiskeys out of Barrell’s clearly insane mixing operation, and right here we have now it: The perfect of the lot. This restricted version sees a fancy mix of bourbons from 4 states completed in ice wine casks – one thing that I don’t suppose we’ve ever seen within the 17 years that Drinkhacker has been up and working. The sweetness from this distinctive wine makes for a showstopper, one thing akin to caramel apples, apple cider doughnuts, and vanilla all wrapped up with a wealthy and immersive base whiskey that will in all probability be simply as pleasant with no ending by any means. At simply $85 a bottle (and even much less in some outlets), I don’t suppose you’ll discover a extra fascinating whiskey in the marketplace proper now – a minimum of whereas provides final. Take into account this your closing warning – with our wholehearted encouragement – to seize one. 106.52 proof. $85 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

2. Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet – Ice is a little bit of a theme on this yr’s listing (spoiler, possibly) – however earlier than we get to that, sure, I do know what you’re saying… Johnnie Walker? Blue Label? Actually? Actually. If you happen to’ve slept on JW’s roughly annual particular editions of Blue Label, you’ve been lacking out on a few of the greatest blended Scotch whiskies you should purchase. Ice Chalet begins with inventory from JW’s greatest distilleries and even consists of some Brora barrels within the combine, the vanity being that every one the distillation runs have been performed through the winter. I don’t know the way a lot that issues, however the outcomes communicate for themselves, with the completed product showcasing seasonally applicable apple-cinnamon character, orange blossoms, and sandalwood. Blue Label releases are sometimes unique and downright bizarre, however the light, fruity, and buttery Scotch is nothing wanting a hug-worthy crowd pleaser. The distinctive carrying case (a puffy coat of kinds for the bottle) is its personal speaking level. 86 proof. $280 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

3. Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson B – It seems that we are able to now look ahead to annual releases from the Fort Nelson campus, which is an effective factor as a result of these rickhouses are apparently holding a few of Wild Turkey’s greatest bourbon. The inaugural launch from Camp Nelson C simply barely missed our 2022 Prime 10 listing, however the newest from Camp Nelson B earned a high spot with ease. Boldly woody and fruity in equal measure and perfected with a splash of water, it bested even the buzzy Russell’s Reserve 15 Years Previous. 120.2 proof. $300 -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

4. Gold Spot Generations 13 Years Previous – Gold Spot was a standout when it debuted in 2022 as the latest shade within the Spot Whiskeys vary, incomes a place on our Prime 10 listing. A brand new Gold Spot, subtitled Generations, launched this yr distinguished by a bit extra age and 16 months of ending in Valpolicella Riciotto wine casks which have imparted elegant notes of contemporary berries and citrus that completely complement the road’s trademark Irish pot nonetheless spice. The uncommon instance of a sequel being simply pretty much as good, if not higher, than the unique. 92 proof. $190 -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

5. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 – Maker’s Mark used to make a giant deal about how its whiskey was “completely aged” at across the 7 yr mark, and that if it was aged longer, it could be too outdated and overly woody. Effectively, somebody’s consuming crow over in Loretto, as a result of the operation has been turning out a few of its greatest whiskey ever with the Cellar Aged collection, now in its second yr, showcasing a mix of 12- and 13-year-old inventory that will have beforehand been thought of, maybe, undrinkable. It’s implausible stuff, even higher than the 2023 Cellar Aged, showcasing loads of wooden, for positive, but additionally plenty of fruit, vanilla, and a giant almond nougat notice. It’s not simply “cellar aged,” in fact, it’s additionally cask energy, and at practically 120 proof you get the total pressure of all the things this juicy, holiday-friendly whiskey has to supply. If you happen to see it, you want it. 119.3 proof. $300 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

6. Excessive Wire Jimmy Crimson Wheated Bourbon 7 Years Previous – Charleston’s Excessive Wire has turn into a well-kept secret on the planet of craft spirits, however what’s hidden at midnight ultimately involves gentle. Whereas the overwhelming majority of American whiskey makes use of #2 yellow dent corn, Excessive Wire focuses on heriloom Jimmy Crimson corn with this launch. (Excessive Wire isn’t alone: Nonetheless Austin makes a Jimmy Crimson bourbon that nearly made our listing, too.) Bottled at a well-known 107 proof, Excessive Wire is a wheater to be reckoned with. The nostril is an attractive stability of candy molasses, purple apples, and tobacco. Wheat shines on the palate as Golden Grahams breakfast cereal leads. Wheaters distilled by Buffalo Hint have pushed the hype prepare for years, however Excessive Wire has one thing to say about going ahead. It’s not simply top-of-the-line “craft” whiskeys of the yr, it’s top-of-the-line whiskeys we tasted, interval. 107 proof. $120 -JK

7. Little Ebook Blended Whiskey Chapter 8: “Path Not Taken” – Beam’s Little Ebook collection (at all times a wild mix of one thing or different) has by no means been wanting fascinating, however with this eighth installment of the whiskey line, Little Ebook lastly hits its stride. Six of the seven whiskeys within the mix are ryes, plus a high-rye bourbon aged 18 years. What distiller Freddie Noe has performed is handle to take a few of the grassiness out of a normal rye and infuse it with a brisker, natural high quality earlier than lastly taking a visit into sweeter climes. It’s a knockout – and each higher and cheaper than the newest Little Ebook iteration, The Infinite, although that launch can be fairly charming. 118.2 proof. $150 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

8. Bardstown Bourbon Firm Collaborative Collection: Silver Oak – BBCo. launched a pair of spectacular Collaborative Collection releases this yr, and it was truthfully a tossup between this bottle and the Amrut launch that noticed a portion of whiskey completed in single malt casks from India’s Amrut Distillery. This wasn’t the primary (or second) time BBCo. teamed up with a high Napa producer for a wine cask-finished launch, however it’s by far the very best we’ve tasted, owing absolutely to the standard of the Cabernet within the ending cask but additionally the cautious, complicated mixing of six very totally different bourbons. 108 proof. $140 -DB [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]

9. 2XO The Kiawah Mix – 2XO made a splash when it launched in 2023, and all eyes have been on grasp distiller/blender Dixon Dedman and the standard of every succession of his releases ever since. Dedman’s concerted give attention to char and oak (the title actually means “two occasions oak”) is a daring and dangerous however successful enterprise: If you happen to’re right into a sweeter, caramel- and vanilla-forward bourbon, this might not be your jam. However in the event you’re into oak, the Kiawah Mix exemplifies the palate-opening journey into the layered profiles of wooden tones that you just didn’t know you wanted. Right here we have now complexity, subtly partaking bitterness, and grip – although don’t fear, a dense caramel vanilla overtone is current, replete with the edgy adornment spice and dusty cacao powder. 104 proof. $90 -MU [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]

10. Balcones Cataleja – Texas whiskey could be a divisive expertise, however I don’t know the way anybody couldn’t fall in love with Balcones’ Cataleja (“spyglass” in Spanish), its most formidable launch ever – by far. Completed in an enormous vary of Spanish wine casks, adopted by further growing old in reused single malt casks, the whiskey has a depth of taste and complexity that’s extraordinary on the planet of single malt. Orange peel, raisins, and figs are all immersive – and amplified by unique flavors starting from candy tea to tobacco to saffron. Texas purple it ain’t. 118 proof. $100 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]