Founded in: 1820 (though the brand didn’t create its first commercial blend until 1865) You don’t have to spend hundreds on fancy bottles to drink excellent Bourbon. The Bourbon was named after Evan Williams who, in 1783, opened Kentucky’s first commercial distillery along the Ohio River. Smooth and easy-drinking with hints of vanilla and honey, this is a whiskey that will be hard to put down. Unfortunately, it’s also really expensive, which is why you should stick with the superb 12 Year until that big bonus check comes in. Age/Age Statement: Though not required, many distilleries display their whiskey offerings with the amount of time they’ve spent ageing. It uses hand-selected barrels for the ageing process and has a smooth flavour to match. This process removes the bitter tannins, allowing for a smoother flavour once the mixture has been added. A solid entry point to new-world whiskey. If you don’t want to spend hours at the nearest liquor store, grab a bottle of Glenfiddich and be done with it. Some of the blended elements featured are aged for more than 30 years, resulting in a truly premium, yet lesser-spotted drink. And for all the seasoned sippers out there—surely you can always use a refresher. Available aged in Bourbon and Sherry Casks as well. These are the 50+ whiskey brands that every fan and novice needs to be aware of when walking into a bar. Region: Islay The sweetness and finish of this Bourbon is often regarded as being superior to any other Bourbon on the market. Rare and expensive. The liquid needs to be distilled to no more than 160 proof and entered into the barrel at 125 proof. Region: Speyside Region: Campbeltown A number of Chivas Regal’s top-shelf entries have taken home major awards, including Gold and Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Hence, Scotch is whiskey from a technical perspective. 15 Best Irish Whiskey Brands 11 Best Japanese Whisky Brands 20 Best Bourbon Whiskeys. We expect more great things from this veritable newcomer. Lower end Crown Royal whiskeys also available, slightly more expensive than Canadian Club but a better drop for the aficionado. The price: It’s understandable that you’d rather spend more money on a whiskey to sip rather than one to mix into cocktails or an Old Fashioned. Royal Salute – The upper crust of Chivas Regal’s collection, making incredibly fine and expensive whiskey blends from malts ranging from 21 to 50 years. And, of course, there are those who’ve known all along how to get the most from America’s favourite spirit. Founded in: 1897 Blended and flavoured with Cinnamon, generally drunk by people who have little to no regard for their vocal cords. Founded in: 1881 While originating in Dublin, Ireland, the world now looks forward to tasting this potion. The rareness of this prized bourbon is most evident in its beguiling and complex nose. Learn more about the terms and distillery processes to understand what goes into making a delicious bottle. It’s easy to get lost down the rabbit hole of Bourbon technicalities and terminologies. The mixture is then heated, to break down the structure of the grains, which produces fermentable sugars. The grains are coarsely ground and added to water. Founded just one year before Lagavulin was this similarly smoky and no less extraordinary neighbour. Best-known expression: The Classic Laddie. And while you’re digging, check out this in-depth article about single malt Scotch whisky and how it gets made. Founded in 1840 by two brothers, this distillery was one of the pioneers of Scotch single malt which has resulted in worldwide popularity today. Call us biased, but we just can’t get enough of that peaty Islay malt. This allows a faster rate of evaporative losses and a considerably shorter maturation period than that required with the larger barrels commonly used in Scotland. Blanton’s is nothing if not a satisfying whiskey and the Single Barrel Bourbon is an excellent example of just that. William Larue Weller (2017 release) was crowned the 2019 World Whisky of the Year as part of Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection. Owned by the same company that also owns Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Bailey’s and Guinness. But the challenge of sourcing a bottle – or paying around $100 for a pour in a bar – is worth the hype. Stocks can also be limited. The entry-level white label enjoys solid reviews and won Gold at the San Francisco Spirit Awards though, making it a preferred alternative to other cheap brands in terms of taste for many. Best tasting Bourbon: 1792 Single Barrel Reserve (93.7 proof) 6. Master Distiller Elmer T. Lee released Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon in 1984, at a time when the Bourbon industry appeared to be on a downward slope. It’s a small-batch Bourbon designed to be enjoyed straight. Under the supervision of legendary Master Distiller Jim McEwan, this Islay-based brand underwent a complete overhaul back in 2001. 50% ABV, very strong, very dry, but regarded as delicious too. Wild Turkey is another premium brand that’s been distilling whiskey for more than 100 years. It’s almost impossible to go wrong with anything Pappy Van Winkle so, if it’s proving tricky to get your hands on the 23 Year release, the 15 Year and 20 Year are also top contenders. However, it’s the term used for whiskey that’s been produced in select numbers, on a limited basis.Sour Mash: The most common mixture of crushed malt and grain meal, “sour mash” means adding some of the already used mash into a fresh batch for fermentation. A 50mL shot bottle of the 21-Year-Old will set you back $15, for a little perspective. King of the Japanese indie whisky makers is Ichiro Akuto and his Chichibu Distillery. To qualify as Bourbon, the grains must feature at least 51% corn. When only the biggest flavour explosion will suffice, accept nothing less than The GlenDronach Parliament 21 Year Old. Far more versatile by comparison, Laphroaig consistently surprises with new releases and annual collaborations. Glenmorangie also offer a range of whiskeys aged in bourbon casks and “finished” used for things like port, sherry and sauternes. Coming in at around $30.99 for a 750ml bottle, Bulleit Bourbon is nothing if not price savvy. The next step differentiates Bourbon from whiskey. They must be distilled in their entirety by a single distiller in a single American distillery within the course of a year. Best-known expression: 14 Year. One look at the rich red colour of The Glendronach Original 12 Year and you’ve already got sherry on the mind. A multi-award winner for a reason, Eagle Rare is an outstanding bourbon that’s been aged in oak for over 10 years. It won several taste competitions over the past decade and works well as a versatile spirit. 4.5L cradles of Chivas 12 are also available for about $350 a pop, if you prefer to take a more Costco-inspired approach to your scotch. At the top of the line is Johnnie Walker Blue, which might very well be the smoothest whisky we’ve ever tasted. This whiskey is hard to come by, so aim to get your hands on the 2015, 2016 or 2017 release. Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey Founded in: 1830 11 Best Japanese Whisky Brands All are made of selected single malt and grain whiskeys from both Suntory distilleries. Not many Bourbons can say they’ve crossed the seas during the ageing process. Distilled deep in Australia’s Barossa Valley, making a range of younger whiskeys that range from 8 to 14 years old. And what is Scotch whisky, exactly? Another single malt made by Suntory in the Hakushu distillery, but much lighter in colour and livelier in flavour. Last but not least, here’s an intensive guide to peaty whisky, which isn’t an official “type” per se, but nevertheless exists in a category all its own. The one, the only: Lagavulin. With notes of caramel, vanilla, raisins and a hint of charred oak, it’s safe to say that Four Roses’ Single Barrel Bourbon is a crowd-pleaser. This Bourbon is nothing short of a collector’s item and the 2019 release consisted of only 277 bottles. Read our earnings disclaimer to learn more. It’s a smooth and subtle whiskey with fruity essences throughout. Small-Batch: There are no legally-defined parameters as to what “small-batch” actually means. Their Three Wood offering is lovingly matured in bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks that brings a distinct mellow and fruity flavour to the palate. For instance, Scotch whisky can be either chill-filtered or non-chill-filtered. Best budget Bourbon: Evan Williams Black Label (86 Proof). It is masterfully crafted by using product from only 1 single barrel and no blending from others. Everyone knows them. Bib & Tucker Bourbon is their most famous offering, but it’ll set you back more than most. Why did we put Caol Ila on the list? With an easy-to-sip flavour and trademark spicy finish, Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is nothing if not artfully aged. When it comes to drinks, education is key. It comes in at $47.99, narrowly skimming the $50 bracket with no satisfaction spared. The Oriloff of bourbons. Just kidding—we have nothing against all you peat-haters out there.