Elijah Craig’s Barrel Proof whiskey is uncut, straight from the barrel, and without chill filtering. You’ll get bold, intense aromas of pine needles, roasted wood, and spice, followed by nuts, honey, and caramel. Powerful flavor notes include brown sugar, spice, mint, peanuts, and corn. The mouthfeel is quite thick but balanced, and the finish and aftertaste is bitter, dry, and full.

Known as the “Father of Bourbon”, Reverend Elijah Craig was the first distiller to age whiskey in new charred oak barrels – perhaps due to an accidental fire, perhaps due to residue from old sugar barrels. This was back in 1789, during a time when enslaved people helped Craig and his mission to create and distill the best bourbon. Today, the brand recognizes this and is on a mission to learn these laborer’s identities and roles, along with how they contributed to bourbon and the legacy they left behind.

Region: Kentucky | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Caramel, Butterscotch | ABV: 60.5%

2. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Maker's Mark Cask Strength is bottled at barrel proof and nonchill filtered, ranging from 108 to 114 proof depending on the barrels. It’s surprisingly smooth and retains the signature, front-of-palate flavors of Maker's Mark with prominent vanilla and rich oak notes. You’ll get cinnamon, orange, honey, oak, wheat, caramel, dried fruit, clove, and chocolate notes on the nose. Then, try it and notice oaky, spicy, and grassy flavors of nut, honey, orange, cinnamon, clove, grain, and vanilla. The cask-strength bourbon finishes with notes of dried grass, spice, caramel, oak, peanut, honey, apricot, and orange.

Region: Kentucky | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Nut, Cinnamon, Allspice, Fruit, Molasses | ABV: 55.5%

3. Baker's 7 Year Bourbon

Baker’s 7 Year Bourbon ages for a minimum of seven years to extract the notes of vanilla trapped within the charred oak. There is no batching or mixing – each bottle is filled from one singular barrel. This means inside each bottle is a big, bold bourbon, full of tiny subtle details that change from barrel to barrel. As far as flavor notes go, you’ll smell a potent, nutty aroma, followed by spice, vanilla, and caramel. Once you sip, you’ll notice spiced vanilla, burnt caramel, peppercorn, and rye spice. There is a sweet, syrupy taste, too, balanced with the strong alcohol. The bourbon finishes medium-length with oak, nut, and vanilla, followed by a dry warmth.

Region: Kentucky | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Char, Cherrywood, Fennel, Spice | ABV: 53.5%

4. Aberlour 12

This 12 year-old expression is a fine example of how the distinctively crisp, citrus character of Aberlour’s new distillate is deftly softened by double cask maturation. Traditional oak and seasoned sherry butts are both used to great effect, as the mellowed spirits are combined to deliver a subtly balanced flavor. You’ll notice light, fresh aromas of fruit, including kiwi, grapefruit, and gooseberry, honey, and flowers. Then, once you get a taste, notes of honey, dried fruit, oak, vanilla, and cinnamon envelop the drink’s syrupy body. It finishes medium-short with a bit of bitterness balanced with some sweet notes.

Region: Scotland | Tasting Notes: Fruit, Chocolate, Spice | ABV: 40%

5. Aberfeldy 12

Aged in several cask types, including some re-charrd and refill ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, Aberfeldy 12 Year Old single malt Scotch whisky is a honeyed dram. It offers scents of tropical fruit like coconut, kiwi, and banana, floral, malt. and shortbread. On the palate, this mild-bodied Scotch brings tastes of vanilla, more tropical fruit, spices, vanilla, and a hint of smoke. Then, the top-quality Scotch finishes quickly and sweetly, with some nutty, charcoal, bitter flavors.

Region: Scotland | Tasting Notes: Butter, Apple, Dried Fruit, Citrus, Oak, Spice | ABV: 40%

6. Craigellachie 13 Year Old Single Malt

Craigellachie 13 Year Old is one of three Craigellachie 2014 bottlings. This single malt has a robust, full, smoky character and evokes a classic bonfire night: aromas of oozing toasted marshmallows, fire-roasted pineapples and baked apples studded with cloves, with the tang of cordite lingering in the background. You’ll also get popcorn on the nose, an oily, BBQ, berry, and nutty flavor on the palate, and a soft, sulphury finish with apple and baking notes.

Region: Scotland | Tasting Notes: Malt, Charred Pineapple, Berries, Nuts | ABV: 46%

7. Glenfiddich 15 Year Old

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera Reserve single malt Scotch whisky is created with a technique pioneered by the distillery’s Malt Master and matured in American bourbon, virgin oak, and Portuguese sherry casks. Its warm, spicy flavors are then transformed with the alchemy of the Solera Vat. On the nose, you’ll get notes of citrus, including orange, sherry, wood, and a bit of smoke, while tasting notes include raisins, sherry, spice, and fruitcake. The Scotch finishes with sweet fruit, spice, raisin, and oak.

Region: Scotland | Tasting Notes: Sherry, Oak, Marzipan, Ginger, Cinnamon | ABV: 40%

8. Redbreast 12 Year Old

In this signature bottling, honey-amber golden hued Redbreast 12 boasts the flavor complexity and distinctive qualities of single pot still Irish whiskey – which the brand has been perfecting for over a century. The numerous awards earned since the brand’s 1991 relaunch speaks volumes about its whiskey. Matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style blends malted and unmalted barley into soft, creamy, fruity and spicy flavors, making it a satisfying yet easy drink. The 12 Year offers aromas of fruit including peach, raisin, and dried mango, along with vanilla bean, honey, and caramel. Smooth and slick nutmeg, hazelnut, pepper, crackers, and spicy tasting notes come up, followed by a neat, dry finish.

Region: Ireland | Tasting Notes: Hazelnut, Cracker, Spice | ABV: 40%

9. Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey

Uncle Nearest is the country’s quickest-growing whiskey brand. Created in 2017 to honor Nearest Green, the first-known African American master distiller and a huge contributor to the industry, the brand has won over 450 awards and 50 Best in Class honors for its product. 1856 is a blend of the brand’s premium aged whiskey. Caramel in color with a beautiful deep golden hue, you’ll get baled hay and pumpkin seeds on the nose with subtle notes of ripe stone fruit and caramel corn. The spirit is bold and spicy upfront, then mellows with sweet caramel and maple – like biting into an oatmeal raisin cookie. The finish is long and rich, lingering pleasantly sweet on the palate with notes of vanilla after the spice dissipates.

Region: Tennessee | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Cocoa, Pepper, Vanilla, Almond, Tobacco | ABV: 50%

10. Starward Nova Single Malt Australian Whisky

A double Gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Awards 2022, Melbourne, Australia’s Starwood distillery’s signature single malt whisky offers mild, malty, sweet, and nutty scents of grape, pomegranate, and frosting. You’ll taste dry tannins along with similar aroma notes, plus berries, port, malt, grain, and slight balsamic vinegar. The spirit finishes medium and dry with chocolate and more tannins. Starwood is all about staying local and using everything local to their advantage – including the weather that brings flavor forward, ingredients from nearby farmers and makers, and Australian wine barrels for elemental aging.

Region: Australia | Tasting Notes: Honey, Cinnamon, Fruit, Nut | ABV: 41%