


His work has appeared in many different national outlets, covering trends, new releases, and the stories and innovators behind the spirits. Jonah Flicker is an experienced writer who has been covering spirits and traveling the world visiting distilleries to taste and discover for years. This roundup was updated by Jesse Porter, who finds that keeping a bottle of whiskey on his desk next to his computer helps improve his overall workflow and thus writes it off monthly as a business expense.

For your more affordable whiskeys, explore the expansive world of whiskey cocktails: You can't go wrong with classics like the Old Fashioned, the Sazerac, or the Manhattan, but don't sleep on modern creations like the Paper Plane, the Gold Rush, or the Penicillin. Other countries typically (but not exclusively) make whiskey (or whisky) from malted barley, like Japan and India.Ī rich, high-proof whiskey loves a big, gorgeous piece of ice, while a more elegant whiskey will shine with just a few drops of water, or might even be best served neat. Single pot still is made in Ireland from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley. Single malt scotch is made in Scotland from a mash bill of 100% malted barley. In the U.S., whiskeys include bourbon (at least 51% corn), rye (at least 51% rye), and single malt (barley). Again, this depends on the country, but it could be anywhere from six months (or fewer) to 60 years.ĭifferent types of whiskey are made in different countries in fact, some can legally only be made in a particular country. After distillation, the spirit is typically put into oak barrels to age for a period of time. Depending on the country, this can mean single grains or a combination of barley (malted or unmalted), corn, rye, oats or others. Whiskey is a distilled spirit made from a mash bill of grain. Though it will vary depending on the barrels, the consistently strong flavors of oak and vanilla, complimented by the higher proof, make this an excellent sipping or mixing bourbon-and a great value for the price. Crucially, the high ABV (92 proof) also means that your cocktail will remain sturdy and satisfying, even after the ice begins to melt.įour Roses Single Barrel ( view at Drizly) is our editors' choice for the best overall whiskey. When expertly blended with sugar and bitters, the plush body from the corn intermingles perfectly with the herbaceous spiciness of the rye and leads to a truly bold and harmonious drink. So when it comes to choosing a "best-of," why not have your cake and eat it too? With a mash bill that includes 60 percent corn and a healthy 36 percent dose of rye, the High Rye Bourbon from Redemption Whiskey is about as close as you'll get to a best-of-both-worlds scenario. It's the age-old question: should you make your Old Fashioned with bourbon or rye? There are fine whiskies in each category that produce delicious Old Fashioneds-bourbon makes a rounder and sweeter drink, while rye gives you a spicier, leaner cocktail-and each has its adherents. Region: Indiana | ABV: 46% | Tasting Notes: Pepper, Mint, Ginger, Caramel View On Drizly View On ReserveBar View On Playful notes of plum and cherry segue into a malty, toasty, and tannic palate that might just be the perfect stepping-stone for that wine drinker who thinks they don’t like the hard stuff. The result is an 82-proof whisky with a fruitier, jammier nose than anything found in Scotland (or, for that matter, in the many nations whose distilling traditions are unabashedly Scottish in origin). For Starward, the first Aussie distiller to achieve widespread distribution in the US, that innovation has taken the form of a unique aging process: when it comes time to put their single-malt whisky into barrel, they skip the ex-bourbon or Sherry casks, and instead source ex-shiraz and cabernet barrels from local wineries. Australia is a relative newcomer to the craft spirits scene, but the absence of any long-standing distilling traditions in that country has led to some innovative approaches to establishing a regional style. If you’ve never tried an Australian whisky, you’re not alone. Region: Australia | ABV: 41% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Plum, Burnt orange
