Considered one of today the world of whiskey goes to cease giving us the embarrassment of riches we’ve develop 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 all the time the case, we reviewed a ton of whiskey this yr – greater than 400 totally different bottles, by my rely – and selecting out our ten favorites was an extremely tough job. So, we didn’t. As an alternative, we picked 20 – which you’ll take into account 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, properly, we goal to please. Once more, we are attempting laborious to prioritize availability and worth with these picks, however a case was made for no less than one unicorn on the listing, and if you wish to yell at somebody about that, I’ll offer you their electronic mail tackle.
We’ll reveal one or two prime picks every day for the subsequent 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 picks? Try our vacation buying information. When you’re getting ready for the large reveal, be at liberty to bask in a few of our earlier prime 10 whiskey lists: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017. You may as well search a number of shops at wine-searcher to search out the most effective 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!
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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 identify actually means “two instances oak”) is a daring and dangerous however successful enterprise: In the event you’re right into a sweeter, caramel- and vanilla-forward bourbon, this will 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 participating 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 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR] -MU
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 bold launch ever – by far. Completed in an enormous vary of Spanish wine casks, adopted by further getting old in reused single malt casks, the whiskey has a depth of taste and complexity that’s remarkable on this 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 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR] -CN
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