The Best Bourbons for 2022

Bourbon is a type of whiskey made in the US that’s very popular down south. Not only does it originate from Kentucky, but the state’s distillers’ association produces 95 percent of the world’s supply. The spirit is matured in new, charred oak barrels for a minimum of two years and consists of a grain mixture of at least 51% corn. The remainder is typically wheat, rye and barley.

There are countless amazing bourbons to try, so we’ve compiled this list of the best bourbons for 2022 from our online bottle shop to help you out. And for an easy way to get your hands on them, you can give our Bourbon of the Month Club a try - which happens to be our most popular club with its many great options.

Best Overall Bourbon: Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

In 1888, Paul Jones Jr., who worked on Louisville, Kentucky’s “Whiskey Row”, created Four Roses. After a long road of being bought by Seagram in 1943, then taken off of the US market and becoming a hit in the European and Asian markets, Four Roses was bought again in 2002 by Kirin Brewery Co. From there, it fast became one of the most notable names in bourbon.

Tasting notes

On the nose, you’ll get notes of pear, dried spice, cocoa, vanilla and maple syrup. Following that, the mellow, full-bodied spirit brings hints of cherry and ripe plum to your palate. It finishes delicately long and smooth.

Why we recommend it

Award-winning Four Roses is deeply passionate about handcrafted quality, which shows in the smooth, mellow flavor the distillery is renowned for. See for yourself and get your bottle here.

Best Kentucky Bourbon: Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made to very precise standards that reflect the strength, care, flavor and patience of whiskey-making pre-prohibition. This includes aging in charred white oak barrels to fully draw out the spirit’s natural sugars.

Tasting notes

From this copper-colored spirit, you’ll get a striking oak, grain and nut aroma followed by a full-bodied, sweet, woody and slightly fruity taste and a rich, long finish.

Why we recommend it

This is an exceptional, full-bodied bourbon that’s superb neat or on the rocks with an ice cube or two. Give it a try by ordering your bottle right here.

Best Texas Bourbon: Garrison Brothers Small Batch Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Garrison Brothers makes their 100% locally sourced Small Batch Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the highest quality new American oak barrels under the 100-degree hot Texas sun. Why? So the spirit can absorb as much flavor as possible from the wood’s nooks and crannies. During the process, the bourbon gets sugar from the sap and takes on a beautiful aroma of butterscotch, nutmeg, and vanilla.

Tasting notes

This amber-crimson bourbon is fuller, darker and richer than nearly any other bourbon out there. Its full flavor tastes of:

• fruit,
• oak,
• whipped cream,
• butter, and
• angel food cake.

Why we recommend it

We love that this distillery stands behind all that’s rich and good about bourbon but without the bite. Their distilling process is a slow and low 14 hours, which masterfully preserves oils of the gourmet-grade corn, wheat and barley used in the spirit. You can get your hands on a bottle in our shop.

Best Straight Bourbon: Lonely Oak Distillery Steeple Ridge Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The deep amber-brown Lonely Oak Distillery Steeple Ridge Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged for at least two years and bottled at 51% ABV. Its mash bill is 72% wapsie valley heirloom varietal corn and 28% soft red winter wheat.

Tasting notes

Oak and spice aromas and tasting notes are at the forefront of this bourbon. You’ll also smell rye bread, dough, tobacco and dark chocolate and you’ll taste some cherry followed by vanilla, dark caramel and fruit.

Why we recommend it

Earling, Iowa’s Lonely Oak Distillery selects the finest small, charred American white oak barrels to age this premium, award-winning craft bourbon. They use only estate-grown grain and ensure each bottle and barrel are unique. Try yours today.

Best Bourbon Under $100: Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

As homage to the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery, Blade and Bow uses a unique Solera System aging process for its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that preserves some of Stitzel-Weller’s oldest whiskey stocks. What happens is the Solera liquid mingles with other whiskies aged and bottled at Stitzel-Weller and further ages in new charred American white oak barrels.

Tasting notes

You’ll get scents of fresh fruit along with tastes of pear, dried apricot and sweet roasted grain on the palate. The bourbon finishes with warm winter spices and charred oak.

Why we recommend it

We love this award-winner in a “New Fashioned” cocktail. Once you’ve ordered and received your bottle, mix 1-2 ounces with some elderflower liqueur, simple syrup and club soda, then garnish with orange slices and a brandied cherry.

Best High Proof Bourbon: Maker's Mark Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

This deep gold, 108-114 proof cask-strength Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Maker’s Mark really brings the strong flavors the brand is known for. The higher alcohol content helps present more of those rich, Maker Mark-signature oak, vanilla, caramel and spice notes.

Tasting notes

On the nose, you’ll get a big oak, vanilla and smoky charcoal aroma, while on the palate, rich and robust spice, smoke and vanilla come forward. The drink finishes long on the tongue's front with zero bitterness or roughness.

Why we recommend it

We absolutely love a single-barrel bourbon bottled without dilution or filtration. This gives a taste as close as possible to how the spirit came from the cask, which Maker’s Mark more than delivers on with this bottle. Get yours at our bottle shop.

Now that you have a sense of some of the top 2022 bourbons around, start your year off right by perusing our bottle shop for your next pick. Or, for an effortless way to get your hands on a top choice each month, sign up for our Bourbon of the Month Club.