Certainly one of nowadays the world of whiskey goes to cease giving us the embarrassment of riches we’ve turn out to be accustomed to, however for now, the practice remains to be rolling alongside unabated, and it looks as if 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 completely different bottles, by my rely – and choosing out our ten favorites was an extremely troublesome process. So, we didn’t. As a substitute, we picked 20 – which you’ll be able to think about as 10 favorites and 10 runners-up, if you happen to’d like. All of them deserve a spot in your bar, however if you happen to’re going to bend our arm and pressure us to choose our absolute faves, properly, we purpose to please. Once more, we are attempting arduous to prioritize availability and worth with these picks, however a case was made for a minimum of one unicorn on the checklist, and if you wish to yell at somebody about that, I’ll offer you their electronic mail handle.
We’ll reveal one or two prime 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 joyful holidays!
Need extra alternatives? Take a look at our vacation purchasing information. Whilst you’re getting ready for the large reveal, be at liberty to take pleasure in a few of our earlier prime 10 whiskey lists: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017. You can even search a number of shops at wine-searcher to seek 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 assume!
1. ???
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
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 previous and overly woody. Properly, 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 sequence, now in its second yr, showcasing a mix of 12- and 13-year-old inventory that might have beforehand been thought-about, maybe, undrinkable. It’s improbable stuff, even higher than the 2023 Cellar Aged, showcasing loads of wooden, for certain, but in addition numerous fruit, vanilla, and a giant almond nougat observe. It’s not simply “cellar aged,” after all, it’s additionally cask power, and at almost 120 proof you get the complete pressure of all the things this juicy, holiday-friendly whiskey has to supply. For those who see it, you want it. 119.3 proof. $300 [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
6. Excessive Wire Jimmy Pink Wheated Bourbon 7 Years Previous – Charleston’s Excessive Wire has turn out to be a well-kept secret on the earth of craft spirits, however what’s hidden at the hours of darkness ultimately involves gentle. Whereas the overwhelming majority of American whiskey makes use of #2 yellow dent corn, Excessive Wire focuses on heriloom Jimmy Pink corn with this launch. (Excessive Wire isn’t alone: Nonetheless Austin makes a Jimmy Pink bourbon that nearly made our checklist, too.) Bottled at a well-recognized 107 proof, Excessive Wire is a wheater to be reckoned with. The nostril is a phenomenal steadiness of candy molasses, pink apples, and tobacco. Wheat shines on the palate as Golden Grahams breakfast cereal leads. Wheaters distilled by Buffalo Hint have pushed the hype practice 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 E book Blended Whiskey Chapter 8: “Path Not Taken” – Beam’s Little E book sequence (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 E book 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 accomplished is handle to take a number of the grassiness out of an ordinary rye and infuse it with a more energizing, 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 E book iteration, The Infinite, although that launch can also 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 prime Napa producer for a wine cask-finished launch, however it’s by far the most effective we’ve tasted, owing certainly to the standard of the Cabernet within the ending cask but in addition the cautious, advanced mixing of six very completely 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 concentrate on char and oak (the title actually means “two instances oak”) is a daring and dangerous however successful enterprise: For those who’re right into a sweeter, caramel- and vanilla-forward bourbon, this might not be your jam. However if you happen to’re into oak, the Kiawah Mix exemplifies the palate-opening journey into the layered profiles of wooden tones that you simply didn’t know you wanted. Right here now we have 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 is usually a divisive expertise, however I don’t understand how 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 extra growing older in reused single malt casks, the whiskey has a depth of taste and complexity that’s extraordinary on the earth 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 pink it ain’t. 118 proof. $100 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
11. ???
12. ???
13. ???
14. ???
15. ???
16. ???
17. ???
18. ???
19. ???
20. ???
Extra reporting by Drew Beard, Jacob Kiper, and Monica Uhm.