The Best Sweet Bourbons to Try (Wheated, High-Corn & More)
Written by Taster's Club Internal Team | Published August 2026
First of all, if you already know you’re looking for your next beautifully sweet bourbon, congratulations. Having a definitive style you know you like among the different types of whiskies is helpful.
To speed up the process and help you find a sweet bourbon, our experts here at Taster’s Club have curated some of the top bottles available in our bottle shop, along with excellent choices for beginners, intermediate explorers, and connoisseurs. Let’s jump in!
What is a Sweet Bourbon?
While all bourbon has some sort of sweetness, which comes from the 51% corn requirements, there are certain types of bourbon that have a deeper sweetness.
The first is wheated bourbon. These bottles use wheat as the second grain which softens the sip, helping to further develop the corn on the palate, which is where the sweetness develops.
The second is high-corn bourbon, which leans on even more corn to push the sweetness through the entire nose, palate, and finish.
Both styles give you that rich caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla notes, without the bite, like a Bottled In Bond or high-rye bourbon may present. That makes them perfect for new drinkers and anyone with a sweet tooth.
A Bourbon Adventure For Every Level
A Taster’s Club Bourbon Subscription transforms any occasion into an extended celebration, delivering carefully chosen bourbon whiskies every month.
A Bourbon Adventure For Every Level
A Taster’s Club Bourbon Subscription transforms any occasion into an extended celebration, delivering carefully chosen bourbon whiskies every month.
The Best Sweet Bourbons to Try for All Levels
Here is our curated list of the best sweet bourbons, picked for every skill level and chosen for story, flavor, and craft. You’ll definitely be on your way to a sweet sip by the end of this list.
Best Wheated Bourbons
As we discussed earlier, wheated bourbons are both smooth and sweet. Here are our favorites.
Maker's Mark
Maker's Mark makes it to the top of the list as a wheated bourbon because it’s extremely consistent, approachable, and perfect for the beginner who wants something beautiful. What makes this bottle truly stand out is that it’s basically the bottle that started the wheated bourbon. On top of all that, the red wax seal makes it stand out from all the other bottles on your home shelf.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, soft vanilla, caramel, and freshly baked bread. The palate is gentle and round, with honey, toffee, and a touch of ripe fruit. It all comes together for a smooth, easy finish with just a whisper of oak.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.0% | 750ml
Purchase Maker's Mark
Larceny Small Batch
Larceny Small Batch uses a wheated recipe of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. What sets it apart on this list is how much sweet wheated flavor it packs in for one of the lowest prices. Additionally, each small batch blends about 100 barrels aged six to twelve years, making it perfect for both beginners and intermediate explorers who want a deeply sweet bourbon.
Tasting Notes: The nose opens with strong butterscotch and honey. On the palate, you’ll find deeper notes of butterscotch that intertwine with brown sugar, caramel, and baking spice. It finishes medium and very smooth.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 46.0% | 750ml
Purchase Larceny Small Batch
W.L. Weller Antique 107
W.L. Weller Antique 107 is a widely celebrated wheated bourbon that’s often referred to as a pioneer of the wheated bourbon category. This bourbon was originally introduced in the mid-20th century to honor William Larue Weller, a bourbon innovator. Its 107 proof adds boldness for a complex yet approachable experience. Designed for the sweet bourbon connoisseur because of this sip's incredible depth.
Tasting Notes: This opens on the nose with aromas of fresh-baked bread and subtle floral undertones. On the palate, you'll taste toffee, vanilla, and hints of dried apricots. The finish is medium-long and pleasant.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 53.50% | 750ml
Purchase W.L. Weller Antique 107
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Straight Bourbon
This 7-Year-Old expression is the brand's new signature bottling, which is a connection with the diamond decanter series for a more accessible year-round release. Made on Heaven Hill's wheated mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, it's bottled at 100 proof under Bottled-in-Bond standards. It's a perfect pick for the beginner exploring wheated bourbon who wants something more extraordinary than the others listed.
Tasting Notes: The nose offers warm graham crackers, honey, and light citrus over baking spice. The palate is rich and viscous with fresh bread, brown sugar, and cinnamon, finishing long with a sweet honeyed note that fades to soft oak.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 50.0% | 750ml
Purchase Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Straight Bourbon
Penelope Wheated Bourbon
Penelope crafts their bourbon with deep attention to detail, producing a whiskey that is both inviting and sophisticated. This expression is approachable enough for newcomers, offering a smooth and easy-drinking profile, yet layered with complexity to engage seasoned whiskey enthusiasts. This bottle works well for a sweet sip, or to elevate your bourbon cocktails.
Tasting Notes: Rich aromas of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, and subtle spices greet the nose. The palate is smooth and balanced, with creamy vanilla, warm cinnamon, honey, and a touch of orange zest. It finishes with lingering sweet spice, oak char, and gentle warmth.
Region: Indiana, USA | ABV: 47.50% | 750ml
Purchase Penelope Wheated BourbonBourbon Lovers, This Is Your Club
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Bourbon Lovers, This Is Your Club
Join the club that brings you expertly selected bourbons you won’t find on every shelf. Discover something new every month.
Best High-Corn Bourbons
High-corn bourbons create an even sweeter experience than bourbons that sit at only 51% corn. Here are the top choices for any whiskey drinker.
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace is a must for any beginner or intermediate explorer. The history of this bottle is incredible, coming from a distillery with over 200 years of history. It uses the low-rye Mash Bill #1, which lets sweet corn really come through for a sweeter experience. On top of that, this is one of the most awarded bourbons, and for good reason. Perfect for an introductory sip or in cocktails.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, you’ll find that classic vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel, which fully develops on the palate with even more caramel, toffee, and light spice. It all leads to a clean finish.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.0% | 750ml
Purchase Buffalo Trace
Eagle Rare 10 Year
Eagle Rare 10 Year comes from Buffalo Trace and uses the same low-rye recipe as its famous sibling. The one thing that truly sets it apart on this list is time, as it goes through a patient 10-year aging process that creates a smooth and robustly sweet sipping bourbon. This bottle is geared towards the intermediate explorer to connoisseur because of its depth, and one of our top sipping bourbons we recommend.
Tasting Notes: Get ready for a nose that presents a complex blend of toffee orange peel, herbs, and honey. On the palate, you'll discover bold notes of leather, toasted oak, and rich cocoa. Finally, it concludes with a dry and lingering finish.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.0% | 750ml
Purchase Eagle Rare 10 Year
Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon
This top bourbon under $50 is corn-forward but keeps a signature backbone of rye and malt, making it a bit more diverse than some of the other high-corn bourbons we’ve recommended. What makes it stand out from the others here is its rare use of small copper pot stills, which most bourbons never touch. That method helps build a blend of more than 200 flavor notes, so every sip feels rich. It’s sweet but also has the depth of a classic bourbon, perfect for the intermediate explorer.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, you’ll begin with vibrant citrus and warm cinnamon, complemented by hints of dried fruit and spice. The palate opens with layers of richness with cocoa, toffee, and a touch of oak. The finish is long with lingering notes of spice.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.20% | 750ml
Purchase Woodford Reserve
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Elijah Craig Small Batch is a corn-forward bourbon that is blended from a small batch of barrels for a steady taste. It’s aged 8 to 12 years and achieves a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and depth. This makes it a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts. On top of all that, it’s one of our top-recommended small-batch bourbons; a truly beautiful sip.
Tasting Notes: This drink invites you with an aroma of vanilla bean, caramel, and subtle hints of spice. Its flavor profile is rich and complex with nutmeg features, toasted oak, and hints of sweet brown sugar. The finish is warm with a lasting touch of smoke.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 47.0% | 750ml
Purchase Elijah Craig Small Batch
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch is a tribute to George Garvin Brown, who created Old Forester and made it America's first bottled bourbon. What makes it stand out is that the distilling team hand-picks barrels from three different warehouses, each a different age and proof, then batches them together. It’s a perfect high-corn bourbon that’s approachable and accessible.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, you’ll find a diverse range of notes, including apple, mandarin orange, and silky honey. On the palate, you'll find sweet bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel, and nutmeg spice. It finishes clean and smooth with a light touch of honeysuckle and oak.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 45.0% | 750ml
Purchase Old Forester 1870 Original BatchHigh Corn Whiskey
While technically not a bourbon, this is a bonus bottle of whiskey we wanted to add. It’s beautifully sweet and worth a shout-out as it’s not a super popular recommendation.
MB Roland Straight Corn Whiskey
MB Roland Straight Corn Whiskey is a bit of a different take, a more boutique brand that comes from a small family distillery. Their Straight Corn Whiskey is the odd one out on this list, because it is a true corn whiskey, not a bourbon. It uses 95% local white corn and rests at least two years in used bourbon barrels. What makes it unique is that it’s bottled uncut for a robust but sweet profile.
Tasting Notes: On the nose, sweet cornbread, honey, and soft floral notes. The palate is rich and oily, with caramel corn, vanilla, and warm baking spice. It finishes long and sweet, with a gentle touch of oak from the used barrels.
Region: Kentucky, USA | ABV: 54-59% | 750ml
Purchase MB Roland Straight Corn WhiskeyHow to Elevate Your Bourbon Experience
One of the best ways to find top sweet bourbons, for yourself or as a gift, is to let an expert do the picking. That is exactly what you get with the Bourbon of the Month Club from Taster's Club.
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Every month, you get a hand-selected bottle that shows off the wide world of bourbon. Each shipment comes with digital tasting notes and background info, so you learn as you sip.
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Choose a 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month plan and shape it to fit the person you are shopping for. It makes a thoughtful gift that keeps giving all year long.
Other Pay as You Go Options
We also offer month-to-month plans, so you can pause, change, or cancel anytime with no long-term commitment. It is truly the best way to discover your next favorite sweet bourbon.
Discover Other Amazing Bourbon Guides From Taster's Club
Make Every Month a Bourbon Adventure
At Taster’s Club, pursuing the best bourbon whiskey becomes an exciting adventure, check out our extensive bottle shop, or if you want a more personalized bourbon whiskey experience, join our Bourbon Club!
Make Every Month a Bourbon Adventure
At Taster’s Club, pursuing the best bourbon whiskey becomes an exciting adventure, check out our extensive bottle shop, or if you want a more personalized bourbon whiskey experience, join our Bourbon Club!
