The Finest Tasting Bourbons For Underneath $100, Ranked (2024)
Right here’s the rub: there are a lot of nice bourbons priced beneath $100.
Perhaps you’re seeking to splurge on your self, or maybe you’re searching for the right bottle to present to the bourbon lover in your life, however both method, the choices are virtually limitless if you wish to discover a very nice bourbon for lower than a Benjamin Franklin. Because of the rise in bourbon’s reputation, it additionally doesn’t matter whether or not you’re searching for one thing tried and true or a brand-new bottle, there’s really one thing for everybody.
Now, with all that mentioned, we’ve bought a full accounting of the most effective bottles beneath $100 under, however that doesn’t imply all of them might be proper on the century mark. It must be no secret by now that worth isn’t essentially the one indicator of high quality, so although a few of these bourbons will price you far lower than a C-note, relaxation assured that these are all bottles that you have to be proud to seek out within the wild and add to your cart, whether or not it’s to fulfill your personal curiosity or put a smile on another person’s face.
Eventually, it’s time to seek out out the most effective bourbon to purchase for lower than $100!
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20. Frey Ranch Farm Energy Uncut Bourbon
ABV: 62.15%
Common Worth: $80
The Whiskey:
Frey Ranch Distillery, tucked away within the mountains of Nevada, is a relative newcomer to the American whiskey world, however they’ve been farming since 1854. All of that agricultural know-how finds its method into the bottle as they make the most of their very own sustainably grown grains in every of their merchandise, placing almost 170 years of expertise on full show of their farm-to-glass bourbon.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Leather-based and cinnamon bark come roaring out of the glass because the spectacular proof on this whiskey makes itself recognized vis-a-vis its burly aromas. Buttery pastry notes and a sweetness paying homage to port wine add refinement to the affair, with custard and torched blood orange elevating it as properly.
Palate: The interaction of grain – with corn pudding enjoying the function right here – with tropical fruit, tobacco leaf, black tea, and clove is mesmerizing in each sip. You’ll want to suck your enamel as an invite for toasted almonds and overripe dates to hitch the celebration.
End: The end showcases a fragile steadiness – although this whiskey is something however delicate – the place leather-based, dates, and massive black pepper vibes all declare equal floor and cling to the roof of your mouth for expensive life.
Backside Line:
Consider it or not, Frey Ranch Distillery has been round for almost 20 years, having been based in 2006. Time has wrought a degree of experience coupled with high-quality grains to provide a strong bourbon loaded with strong taste notes and a silky mouthfeel that you just’ll need to expertise repeatedly, making this the most effective bottles of bourbon you should buy for beneath $100.
19. New Riff 8-12 months Bourbon
ABV: 50%
Common Worth: $68
The Whiskey:
New Riff, out of Northern Kentucky, is a extremely regarded craft distillery that’s more and more including age-stated merchandise to their lineup. This new 8-year expression includes a mash invoice of 65% Corn, 30% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The aroma of apple cider with mint sprigs punctuates the air round this glass and leaves simply sufficient room for well-oiled leather-based to make an impression, too. It comes throughout as a decrease proof when nosing it blindly, however solely as a result of the ethanol presence is mild — the flavors it carries are wealthy.
Palate: Instantly you’re struck by how well-structured this bourbon is. The mouthfeel is even-keeled and the flavors in every sip are surprisingly well-behaved. Chocolate-dipped raspberries, notes of flan, and barely overcooked caramel corn every take their flip to bop throughout the palate, by no means disturbing each other.
End: The end is the place that caramel corn notice and a little bit of honeyed oak shut the ceremony. The end is medium in size however excessive in pleasantness.
Backside Line:
When New Riff first burst onto the scene with glorious 4-year-old whiskey, the business rejoiced…after which they seemingly stalled out, with 4-year whiskey turning into their default for a spell. It seems that they had been merely biding their time to launch some really particular bourbon with the next age assertion.
18. Knob Creek 12-12 months Bourbon
ABV: 50%
Common Worth: $70
The Whiskey:
Knob Creek 12-12 months Bourbon is the extra mature model of the broadly accessible Knob Creek 9-12 months Small Batch. Bottled on the identical proof from the identical inventory of barrels, the 12-year model presents a well-age various to an absolute bourbon basic.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: On the nostril, you get a number of the signature hazelnut qualities that Jim Beam is famously recognized for, however with extra oak, brown sugar, and honeyed black tea, this expression cranks up the depth in addition to the refinement.
Palate: As soon as on the palate, this bourbon delivers on the promise of the nostril by providing basic Jim Beam bourbon notes with a depth of richness that the 9-year small batch solely scratches the floor of. There’s a contact of lemon zest atop the prototypical caramel, hazelnut, and wealthy oak notes, plus a surprisingly strong texture that grips the sides of the palate whereas gently coating the center of it.
End: The end is medium to lengthy with extra hazelnut notes joined by black pepper and brown sugar, with nutmeg and clove following shortly thereafter. It closes with some vanilla wafer sweetness earlier than gently receding and welcoming a second sip.
Backside Line:
Knob Creek 12-12 months Bourbon is 2024’s finest commonly accessible Knob Creek expression, due to a mix of spectacular age and wealthy, balanced taste. For those who completely need to spend $100 on bourbon, it’s robust to do higher than this one, and the most effective half is you’ll preserve $30 in your pocket for gasoline to the liquor retailer.
17. Barrell Bourbon Batch 36
ABV: 57.22%
Common Worth: $85
The Whiskey:
Barrell Bourbon has been hitting house runs with its barrel-proof bourbon collection, and with this recent label redesign gracing its newest launch, it’s trying to make use of that recent look to usher in an much more spectacular new chapter. This cask-strength mix of straight bourbon whiskey options 9-year bourbon from Kentucky, 7.5, 8, and 10-year bourbon from Indiana, plus some 8 and 15-year bourbon from Tennessee.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Crimson apples, salted caramel, and an intriguing radicchio notice come by way of on the nostril. Given a while to relaxation, this bourbon additionally develops some juicy plum with a contact of leather-based and clove. That is remarkably well-balanced, and the aroma of orange rind comes by way of as properly.
Palate: The juicy orange taste comes by way of on the palate together with some chocolate truffle mud and a steely midpalate, paying homage to touching your tongue on silver glassware. A little bit of shiny cherry additionally bursts at midpalate with some candy doughiness just like the candy gooeyness of a kouign-amann pastry.
End: The end is flush with orange citrus notes that come throughout as candy with out the slight tartness that may, at instances, be off-putting. All through the prolonged send-off, there’s loads of caramel with a contact of thyme, and all of it comes throughout as somewhat outlined, rewarding, prolonged savoring.
Backside Line:
Earlier this 12 months, Barrell’s Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch 36 positioned within the prime three of our “finest new bourbons to purchase this summer season” checklist, and it’s remained excessive on our radar ever since. Frankly, this is among the finest batches of barrel-proof bourbon the model has ever launched, and for lower than $100, it’s a complete deal.
16. Angel’s Envy Bottled In Bond Cask Energy Bourbon
ABV: 50%
Common Worth: $55 (375ml)
The Whiskey:
Angel’s Envy Cask Energy Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a distillery unique that showcases unfinished Angel’s Envy whiskey for the primary time ever. Much more exceptional is the truth that by way of cautious getting older and mixing, this bourbon meets the entire Bottled In Bond necessities with out requiring water for proof, making it a barrel-proof Bottled In Bond bourbon, considered one of if not the first available on the market.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Cherries, leather-based, and molasses rise out of the glass at first in a tightly fused ball that bounces from nostril to nostril with brown sugar and wheat bread becoming a member of as properly. There’s additionally a definite oak undertone to go along with some milk chocolate, cardboard, and stewed rhubarb, making for a particularly expressive and spectacular nostril.
Palate: Brown sugar, allspice, raspberry jam, and leather-based are essentially the most instantly recognizable flavors on the palate, however what’s most spectacular is that at the same time as you’re teasing these notes aside, you get a glimpse of a a lot bigger complete. That is a particularly multi-layered pour, full of flavors you’ll want prolonged consideration to get midway by way of appreciating.
End: The end sees hazelnuts, raspberry jam, and allspice taking turns on the wheel because it gently pulses over your tongue, hanging on for expensive life earlier than leaving your palate after a prolonged interval.
Backside Line:
It’s time to essentially go searching! This distillery unique is the primary ever Angel’s Envy product to hit the market that isn’t completed. It additionally carries the distinctive distinction of being each cask energy and bottled in bond, a primary for the bourbon world and such a brilliant cool element that it’s value including this one to your purchasing checklist for that alone.
15. Bardstown Bourbon Firm Origin Sequence Excessive Wheat
ABV: 53%
Common Worth: $50
The Whiskey:
Bardstown Bourbon Firm’s Origin Sequence, based in 2023, started with three preliminary entrants, however this new 6-year-old Excessive Wheat Bourbon marks the lineup’s first official enlargement. By combining a low barrel entry proof with a excessive proportion of wheat (39%) within the grain recipe, the model sought to extract the utmost quantity of wooden sugars.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The aroma of this Origin Sequence Excessive Wheat Bourbon begins with a ton of crème brûlée and strawberries earlier than a contact of oak, wheat funk, and caramel comes by way of. There are additionally a number of dashes of clove and lemon zest to spherical issues out.
Palate: As soon as on the palate, the strawberries and custard notes play a significant component because the remarkably creamy texture of the liquid coats your palate and finds each nook of the mouth. Mellow oak tones, vanilla frosting, and flaky pastry flavors additionally improve the bourbon.
End: The end right here is surprisingly prolonged, with the strawberry notice going from ripe berries to the dried selection as a contact of nutmeg creeps in and the light oak vibes fuse with honey.
Backside Line:
Bardstown Bourbon Firm already has a wheated bourbon of their Origin Sequence, and it’s a rock-solid possibility that has its justifiable share of admirers amongst those that have tasted the well-received lineup. That mentioned, this Excessive Wheat Bourbon is completely gorgeous, and never solely does it one-up its wheated bourbon predecessor, nevertheless it additionally blows the remainder of the stellar Origin Sequence out of the water. For half 100, this can be a nice pick-up.
14. Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Wheated Bourbon
ABV: 60.5%
Common Worth: $100
The Whiskey:
Heaven Hill’s Grain To Glass collection emphasizes the import of grain varietals in whiskey and the model’s dedication to household and high quality. With this inaugural fleet of releases, they partnered with two family-owned corporations and sought the best non-GMO corn varietals for bourbon manufacturing.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The aroma of cinnamon and blackberry jam is so inviting on the nostril that it feels nearly foolhardy to maneuver past them — it smells so instantly attractive. Pushing previous that preliminary rush of aromas, one finds candy oak, mocha, some slight salinity, and a faint petrichor notice, making for an intriguing mixture of scents.
Palate: This bourbon is instantly dense, which pairs properly with the jammy taste profile because the blackberries from the nostril morph into sugar-sweetened raspberries, a little bit of ethereal custard, and freshly floor cinnamon. At midpalate is the place you’ll discover an explosion of oak and black pepper, which give this whiskey the impression of being aged for about 9 years earlier than the flavour of hazelnuts and chocolate truffle mud mark the transition to the end.
End: On the end, there’s a contact of vanilla ice cream with mint sprigs that pairs properly with the persistent raspberry jam notes. It’s medium-to-long in size, and that prolonged journey helps elevate one’s appreciation of the density of the liquid and the depth of every taste notice.
Backside Line:
Once I first had the pleasure of attempting this bourbon alongside Heaven Hill’s bigwigs whereas being serenaded by a dwell band in one of many distillery’s Cox’s Creek rickhouses, I used to be of two minds: one, certainly that is glorious bourbon, and two, certainly the setting elevated the expertise. Now, with a possibility to revisit the liquid in a sterile surroundings, I’m optimistic the previous is true, however I’ve doubts concerning the latter. This bottle slaps in any setting, and getting it for $100 flat looks like stealing.
13. Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Tender Crimson Wheat
ABV: 61.35%
Common Worth: $75
The Whiskey:
Holladay Distillery in Weston, MO, is an exquisite vacation spot the place a brand new era of bourbon makers are casting the dye for an unbelievable future. With Grasp Distiller Kyle Merklein steering the ship, Holladay is placing out two glorious 6-year bourbons from a rye-based and a wheat-based mash invoice. For this Rickhouse Proof expression, they’ve chosen to showcase the latter at full octane, with out dilution.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Smoked caramel, darkish chocolate, and stewed pink apples give this one a very autumnal vibe, with clove and a few nice barrel char and oak tones tying all of it collectively.
Palate: Smoked caramel makes it to the palate together with quite a lot of vanilla and nougat, whereas darkish chocolate performs a supporting function from the wings. The dense oak and barrel char notes are actually the skeleton that holds this all collectively, although, and permits the sweeter notes to face tall with a number of shakes of clove thrown in for good measure.
End: The end provides a candy impression of cooked apples and caramel, which helps to curtail the warmth and heighten one’s enjoyment. One different factor that helps is it sticks round for a very long time, affording you the chance to savor it till the final drop.
Backside Line:
Ben Holladay’s Bourbon is having fun with a ton of essential acclaim as the most effective younger craft distilleries available on the market at this time, and that repute is well-earned. For those who aren’t already including bottles of Ben Holladay Bourbon to your liquor cupboard, then there’s no higher time than Bourbon Heritage Month to begin exploring considered one of the most effective non-Kentucky bourbon manufacturers in the entire land.
12. Weller Vintage
ABV: 53.5%
Common Worth: $59
The Whiskey:
Outdated Weller Vintage, or Weller 107 because it’s generally known as, is the second expression in Buffalo Hint’s Weller lineup. With an estimated age vary of about seven years, it shares a grain recipe, warehouse location, and proof level with Outdated Rip Van Winkle.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril on Outdated Weller Vintage is befitting of its packaging as candied pink apples and honey mix with smooth pastry notes, a contact of honey, allspice, and butterscotch.
Palate: On the palate, these candied apple notes obtain a formidable depth, nearly mimicking the flavour of apple cider as waves of caramel, mellow oak, and milk chocolate come crashing in. The well-balanced whiskey is aided by a viscous mouthfeel underlined by a prickly infusion of ethanol, black pepper, and tart apple cider vinegar.
End: For its closing phrase, Weller Vintage presents a more energizing notice of stone fruit and Rainier cherries, dipped in milk chocolate and shutting with vanilla ice cream. The end is medium-length however substantive, permitting sufficient house for every taste notice to have its say earlier than tapering away.
Backside Line:
Outdated Weller Vintage is very wanted for current beneath the halo of the Pappy Van Winkle lineup and William Larue Weller wheated bourbon, however the fact of the matter is that this could be essentially the most versatile and underrated whiskey within the Weller portfolio. Be forewarned: this isn’t the best bottle on the checklist to seek out beneath $100, but when you are able to do so, it’s a stellar bottle that received’t disappoint.
11. 4 Roses Small Batch Choose Bourbon
ABV: 52%
Common Worth: $60
The Whiskey:
4 Roses Small Batch Choose makes use of six of the model’s ten recipes(OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, and OESF) for a novel mix concocted by Grasp Distiller Brent Elliott and ages the liquid for six to seven years earlier than batching, evenly proofing, and bottling all of it up.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: On the nostril, 4 Roses Small Batch Choose presents cola nut, shiny pink cherries, black pepper, nutmeg, and clove with some oak and caramel tones following behind these preliminary prime notes. It’s strong and alluring with a stunning baking spice presence that shows a ton of steadiness.
Palate: 4 Roses Small Batch Choose hits the palate with a full-bodied richness that coats your tongue and sends you mining your style buds to find the flavour of jammy cherries, nutmeg, black pepper, and honeyed black tea. The feel would rely as its defining high quality if it weren’t for the spectacular steadiness of the flavors ever-so-slightly outperforming the viscous mouthfeel.
End: The lingering end is the place you’ll discover vanilla extract, raspberries, brown sugar, and a light-weight mint notice — which reminds you that this can be a strong 4 Roses bourbon.
Backside Line:
4 Roses Small Batch Choose is such an important possibility to purchase beneath $100. As a result of it tends to get missed when of us are searching for bottles beneath $50 and handed over for pricier bottles once they’re feeling spendier you may not have this one in your radar, however that should change at this time.
10. Remus Repeal Reserve Sequence VIII
ABV: 50.5%
Common Worth: $99
The Whiskey:
For this 12 months’s Remus Repeal Reserve Sequence VIII, Ross & Squibb blends three completely different bourbons. 9% of the mix is a 2007 bourbon (17 years outdated) with a 21% rye mash invoice, 24% is a 2014 bourbon (10 years outdated) with the identical rye content material, and 67% is a 2014 bourbon (10 years outdated) with a 36% rye content material mash invoice.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: This bourbon unfurls with aroma notes of pine, crème brûlée, and caramel, with pecans, leather-based, and black pepper following carefully behind. It’s a multi-layered nostril that punches above its weight and attracts you in deeply from the outset.
Palate: Maple sweet and Fig Newtons greet the palate with the primary sip after which introduce vanilla, oak, brown sugar, and milk chocolate at mid-palate. Remus Repeal Reserve Sequence VIII has a bit of warmth and a strong texture that coats the palate and can have you double-checking the proof level whereas it grabs maintain of your tongue and makes a incredible, forceful impression.
End: The end is lingering with date syrup, black pepper, and leather-based, becoming a member of a recent inflow of vanilla extract on the again finish.
Backside Line:
Remus Repeal Reserve Sequence VIII is a wonderful course correction for this collection, which has produced uneven outcomes since its universally beloved fourth version. Whereas this one delivers a number of the wealthy oak notes present in that earlier iteration, it additionally brings some enjoyable new taste to the fore within the type of pine whereas balancing the leather-based and chocolate notes introduced on by the 17-year-old whiskey within the mix.
9. Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon
ABV: 54%
Common Worth: $75
The Whiskey:
Pursuit United’s Double Oaked Bourbon is the newest line extension from Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil, the blokes behind the world’s hottest bourbon podcast, Bourbon Pursuit, and one of the crucial well-received upstart whiskey manufacturers in the previous few years: Pursuit United. The dynamic duo put collectively this mix after which subjected it to secondary maturation utilizing customized 36-month seasoned French oak medium-toasted staves.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: With an preliminary whiff of butterscotch and marshmallow notes, this whiskey instantly provides off campfire vibes because the lighter, candy notes management the general impression of the nostril.
Palate: With one sip, Pursuit’s Double Oaked Bourbon confirms the nostril’s suspicions because the campfire vibes proceed due to honeyed graham cracker, marshmallow, and butterscotch with a contact of grilled peach and youthful oak bringing all of it collectively.
End: The end does deliver a bit extra stone fruit notes whereas cinnamon and vanilla custard carry by way of, giving it reasonable size with a stunning candy and spice steadiness.
Backside Line:
Make no mistake: Kenny and Ryan are as dedicated to their craft as anybody within the business, and the rising star of their portfolio, this Double Oaked Bourbon, is prepared for its close-up. With a value that is available in properly shy of $100, it’s an important possibility on this worth vary.
8. Maker’s Mark Cask Energy Bourbon
ABV: 54.5%%
Common Worth: $60
The Whiskey:
Maker’s Mark Cask Energy Bourbon is the absolutely amplified, small-batch model of one of many best-selling whiskeys on the planet. Launched in small batches, with their figuring out codes discovered on the entrance label, this expression showcases Maker’s Mark in its purest type.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: On the nostril, this whiskey begins with loads of honeysuckle and toffee earlier than the sweeter notes break rank and permit oak, pink berries (suppose shiny cherries and ripe raspberries), and a mix of oak and leather-based to rise out of the glass.
Palate: The primary sip of Maker’s Mark Cask Energy is a revelation, resplendent with extra pronounced pink berry and caramel flavors than the nostril at first indicated. These flavors are far-reaching, with a refinement that rewards chewing the whiskey and permitting the viscous liquid to seep deep after which deeper nonetheless into your palate.
End: For the prolonged end, Maker’s Mark Cask Energy presents a recent cavalcade of accenting notes, starting from vanilla and mellow oak to clove, orange blossom, and truffle honey. It’s a posh and charming technique to shut this strong, elegant bourbon.
Backside Line:
Maker’s Mark Cask Energy is definitely the most effective bourbons at any worth level; frankly, not sufficient individuals understand it. Whereas normal Maker’s Mark enjoys ubiquity at bars and liquor shops, this barely harder-to-find providing tends to fly beneath the radar regardless of its unbelievable high quality. Let that be the case no extra.
7. Wild Turkey Uncommon Breed
ABV: 58.4%
Common Worth: $60
The Whiskey:
Wild Turkey Uncommon Breed was initially launched as Wild Turkey’s (actually Jimmy Russell’s) response to the launch of Jim Beam’s Booker’s. Launched at a time when high-proof bourbon was much less en vogue, it displays Jimmy’s prescience in predicting the market’s future.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Honeysuckle, shiny pink cherries, and cinnamon rolls delight the senses as soon as Uncommon Breed tumbles into your glass. Given a while to sit down, you’ll discover well-aged oak, clove, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and toasted almonds all elevate the aroma profile of this bourbon.
Palate: The flavors on this bourbon are wealthy and well-developed, with every of the nosing notes coming by way of on the palate. These flavors are bolstered by a little bit of cooked apple and pie shell for a strong but clearly outlined cavalcade of notes with a spry texture that deceptively coats your palate after a number of sips.
End: Prolonged and lingering, the end on Uncommon Breed is balanced and scrumptious because it deftly combines sweetness and spice — leaving you questioning which one will final the longest. The reply is usually the spice.
Backside Line:
Uncommon Breed is ceaselessly cited as a restricted version whiskey hiding in plain sight, and that repute is properly earned. With a taste profile that brings an abundance of pink berries, vanilla, and baking spice, Wild Turkey Uncommon Breed has a fascinating mixture of mature taste, delicate steadiness, and stern pressure that makes it a world beater.
6. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey
ABV: 64.60%
Common Worth: $70
The Whiskey:
Some bourbon lovers could be stunned to see Jack Daniel’s on this checklist, nevertheless it’s time to allow you to in on two open secrets and techniques within the fanatic group. One: Jack Daniel’s meets all the necessities to be known as a bourbon. Sorry, not sorry. Even their Grasp Distiller says so himself. Two: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof is among the finest values within the bourbon world, able to going toe-to-toe with classics like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof in blind tastings.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril on this one blasts you with overripe bananas, orange zest, maple sweet, and wealthy oak for a pleasant medley that feels dessert-like with a boozy punch.
Palate: On the palate, the flavour of banana bread mingles with caramelized orange wheels and maple sweet for a melange that you may’t assist however roll over your tongue and chew. The caramel and vanilla rise to the highest whenever you maintain it in your palate, as does a contact of barrel char and a faintly smoky notice that eludes detection whenever you focus your senses on it however tickles the periphery whenever you let or not it’s.
End: The end is medium-length and reintroduces the vanilla pod, oak, and cooked orange notes because it fades off of your tongue with one ultimate flourish of black pepper spice.
Backside Line:
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Whiskey is yet one more bottle with “restricted version” high quality sitting proper beneath of us’ noses. A part of the rationale for that’s Jack Daniel’s ubiquity, which makes individuals suppose this bottle is like the remainder of the JD vary, and a part of it’s inexperience as they chase flashy new expressions from distilleries with a fraction of the know-how. If this bottle isn’t one you commonly search out, change that at this time.
5. 2XO Icon Sequence: The Sneakerhead Mix
ABV: 52%
Common Worth: $100
The Whiskey:
The Icon Sequence from 2XO has been chugging alongside properly, with 4 earlier restricted version blends garnering excessive reward. Now, the newest version is hitting cabinets, and it’s known as the Sneakerhead Mix to honor Grasp Blender and model founder Dixon Dedman’s love of sneaker tradition.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: This bourbon is instantly evocative of cherry tarts, leather-based, and milk chocolate on the nostril. Sadly, the leather-based is extra of the strong, well-aged Chesterfield type and fewer of Jordan XI’s vinyl-like patent leather-based aroma.
Palate: Upon getting a possibility to sip the Sneakerhead Mix, you’ll notice the entire aroma notes surviving on the palate, they usually’re joined by a gently pulsing black pepper spice presence that glues the entire well-aged bourbon notes of stewed black cherries, chocolate, and leather-based, collectively. The mouthfeel is satisfyingly full-bodied, providing loads of room for these refined flavors to blossom and sprout.
End: On the end, it’s the notes of leather-based and cherry that stand out, and people are joined by a contact of tobacco leaf and smoked mint sprigs for an fascinating savory and candy steadiness that lingers lengthy after every sip.
Backside Line:
2XO has been releasing some quietly underrated blends for some time now, nevertheless it’s no exaggeration to say that the Sneakerhead Mix is the most effective work they’ve achieved to date. Whereas the Gem of Kentucky collection of single barrels have been bruisers within the wider world of bourbon, on the $100 mark, the Icon Sequence is delivering killer worth with high-quality liquid as well.
4. Kings County Barrel Energy Bourbon
ABV: 66.3%
Common Worth: $99
The Whiskey:
Kings County is New York Metropolis’s oldest distillery and all that have is dropped at full bear with their Barrel Energy Bourbon. For his or her premier undiluted providing, the model makes use of a few of their oldest barrels that are aged between 4 and seven years.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: Inexperienced grape pores and skin and brown sugar are putting at first, however wait…there’s extra. Enter the custard with lemon zest, black pepper, nutmeg, Brazil nuts, and honey so as to add to the depth.
Palate: The flavour of corn pudding, honey, and golden raisins splash throughout the palate, including stunning levity to the dense and darkish liquid within the glass. It coats your palate directly and beckons the again of your tastebuds to discover extra as every sip slowly dissipates.
End: The end is extremely long-lasting, and it’s there that you just’ll discover extra baking spices and barrel char to corral these sweeter prime notes.
Backside Line:
It’s well-known by now that Kings County produces bourbon that may punch above its weight on the nationwide scene. If extra individuals had been to attempt the most effective of their bourbon — and these barrel-strength releases are undoubtedly among the many better of their bourbon — subsequent to a few of Kentucky’s heavyweights, it might be extra well-known that Kings County can maintain its personal.
3. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch B524)
ABV: 65.3%
Common Worth: $85
The Whiskey:
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is commonly heralded as the one finest worth in all of bourbon. Why? As a result of it’s a constant product, launched thrice a 12 months, that clocks in at full barrel energy and aged for at the least 11 years. This 12 months’s “B” Batch, B524, was aged for 11 years and two months.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: My preliminary nosing notes say, “That is simply dope.” I hope that begins to elucidate what’s occurring right here. The aroma of buttery croissants and cinnamon reaches the nostril, together with some hazelnut unfold, sticky toffee, and honey brioche buns.
Palate: The palate finds earthy toasted almond notes coming along with decadent darkish chocolate and extra buttery, flaky, croissant flavors. Excuse my French, however ache au chocolat ain’t bought shit on this. The feel is well-fused and oily, which causes it to stay to your enamel regardless of the high-octane proof level, which makes this one harmful pour.
End: The end is fairly prolonged and introduces a little bit of walnut meat, hazelnut, and some shakes of clove and nutmeg to the palate. All in all, it’s a very satisfying send-off.
Backside Line:
Merely put, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is among the finest bourbons available on the market, price be damned. After a strong however polarizing “A” batch earlier this 12 months, Elijah Craig is again on its “A” sport for 2024’s second launch, making it one of many premier barrel-proof bourbons to search out proper now.
2. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
ABV: 55%
Common Worth: $75
The Whiskey:
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is among the quintessential bourbons available on the market at this time. The model was first launched in 2013 on the heels of Wild Turkey’s success with Russell’s Reserve Small Batch. Non-chill filtered and at all times proofed to 55% ABV, this launch options each a basic launch and personal barrel alternatives.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: This whiskey opens with a wealthy interaction of thick cherry syrup and vanilla ice cream with honey, white pepper, clove, and oak aromas, and it noses as the most effective rattling desserts Lawrenceburg, KY, can supply.
Palate: Cola nut, Luxardo cherries, and French vanilla hit the palate first earlier than this wealthy bourbon invitations white pepper and a few faint barrel char notes to hitch them. Because the liquid travels to the again of your palate, it begins bringing peanut brittle, black pepper, oak, and a faint inexperienced apple taste to the fore.
End: The medium-length end has cooked pink apple and cinnamon, with restrained barrel char having the ultimate say.
Backside Line:
Look, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrels are nearly universally superior. You may go to your native liquor retailer and inquire about the usual model of this providing, or you possibly can go the additional mile and search out single-barrel alternatives from of us whose palate you belief. Both method, you’re positive to hit on a winner.
1. Fortuna Barrel Proof Bourbon
ABV: 60.73%
Common Worth: $100
The Whiskey:
Fortuna Barrel Proof Bourbon is the top of the revived Fortuna model from Uncommon Character. At all times aged for at the least seven years, the bourbon is sourced from an undisclosed distillery in Kentucky and blended in three-to-five barrel tons.
Tasting Notes:
Nostril: The nostril opens with boozy cocktail cherries, cinnamon bark, wealthy oak tones, and even a touch of mocha. After a wave of the hand, because the liquid tumbles round your glass, aerating it should reveal additional aromas of butterscotch, black pepper, cacao nibs, and strawberry jam.
Palate: The nosing notes supply a strong roadmap for what follows on the palate as blackberry jam replaces the strawberries discovered on the nostril whereas cinnamon, almond extract, dense oak, and sticky toffee run rampant on the tongue. The feel is strong and presents a fullness that permits every taste to current itself distinctly, revealing its spectacular richness.
End: The end is long-lasting and introduces clove, freshly grated ginger, and black pepper for one ultimate baking spice sizzle earlier than the syrupy black cherry notes go away a candy ultimate impression.
Backside Line:
Fortuna Barrel Proof entered the market with a splash, instantly difficult the supremacy of a number of cask-strength stalwarts on this checklist. Now, almost a 12 months after its introduction to the market, it’s grow to be clear that it isn’t simply newbie’s luck that warrants its place within the dialog. Fortuna Barrel Proof Bourbon is our most extremely beneficial bottle to purchase for beneath $100 for 2024.
