Bourbon whiskey is an American classic that’s been around for over a century. A good bourbon whiskey has a smooth flavor, a hint of spice, and sometimes even a little sweetness. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried some top shelf bourbon whiskeys.
We cover what bourbon whiskey is, what you need to know about it before you buy it, as well as some of the best bourbon whiskey products. Read on to learn more about the best bourbon whiskey and how you can make the right choice.
What You Need to Know About Bourbon Whiskey
There’s nothing like sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying a smooth and spicy bourbon whiskey. It’s one of the few uniquely American whiskey options out there, so knocking back a glass of your favorite bourbon is even patriotic.
Still, bourbon whiskey is an acquired taste, so if you’ve never had a dark liquor before that’s something you need to keep in mind. That said, a good bourbon will blow you away if you sip it neat, on the rocks, or even with a splash of water to open it up.
While a good bourbon whiskey can impress you, a bad one will do the exact opposite and scar your palate. For this reason, we recommend looking for bourbon whiskey that’s made with high-quality ingredients in the mash bill, aged for at least one year, and aged in the right barrels for added flavors, spice, and smoothness.
Bourbon Whiskey: An Overview
Bourbon whiskey is a unique type of liquor that’s typically made in the United States. It’s one of the few liquors that’s native to the U.S. and it continues to be a staple of most liquor cabinets. Bourbon whiskey was introduced in Southern states, primarily Kentucky, during the 18th century and became popular during the 19th and 20th centuries. It has a distinctive amber color and was recognized as an official product of the United States in 1964.
What makes bourbon special is how it tastes. Unlike some other liquors, it has a spicy aftertaste that tends to linger. This warms you with each sip, but for some, it can be too overpowering. Plus, a bad bourbon whiskey will have too much spice or not enough flavor to balance the palate; this comes down to the mash bill and how it’s aged.
A good bourbon will have a mash bill that consists of corn, rye, and even wheat. Unlike some other liquors, bourbon tends to be a mix of a few grains, but corn-heavy mash bills tend to be common due to the prevalence of corn in the United States. For this reason, bourbons must have more than half of the mash bill as corn.
How to Choose the Best Bourbon Whiskey
When you’re looking for a good bourbon, there are a handful of factors you need to consider; it’s not just about liking the label on the bottle or reading the reviews. Ultimately, it needs to be a bourbon that works for you. To find the right fit, you need to evaluate the mash bill, length of aging, and the barrels it’s aged in. The manufacturer can also play a role.
The first factor to consider is the mash bill because it will determine the flavor profile of the bourbon whiskey. Bourbon should have a mash bill that’s mostly corn, with the best whiskey products having non-GMO corn.
While the mash bill should be at least 51% corn, the more corn in the mash bill the better; the best bourbon whiskeys tend to have closer to 75%-98% corn. Still, some bourbon can have hints of barley, wheat, and other ingredients to add additional spices and flavor notes.
The best bourbon whiskeys adhere to standards outlined in the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, which separates straight bourbons from blends. The aging process and the barrels that a bourbon is aged in can also influence its quality. Aim for a bourbon that’s aged for at least four years if you want something smooth enough to sip neat.
What Does Bourbon Whiskey Cost?
Bourbon Whiskey varies in price. On the low end, expect to pay around $40 for a good bottle of budget-friendly bourbon. On the high end, some bourbon whiskey can cost as much as $75 to $100. If you go for whiskey that’s aged for decades, the price can climb even higher.
Thankfully, most of the best bourbon whiskey can be found in the $40 to $75 range.
Where Can You Buy Bourbon Whiskey?
Bourbon whiskey can be found at your local liquor store, restaurant, or bar. Ultimately, anywhere that serves liquor is likely to serve at least one type of bourbon. In fact, most bars and restaurants will offer multiple types of bourbon.
That said, you can also find bourbon whiskey online with retailers including Speakeasyco.com. We have a collection of some of the best bourbon whiskey products money can buy. Plus, we ship to most states where shipping liquor is possible.
The Best Bourbon Whiskey
Most bourbon whiskey is meant to be enjoyed neat or with some ice. However, some more affordable options may be delicious in cocktails like a bourbon sour or bourbon old-fashioned.
While this gives you plenty of variety, it doesn’t make it any easier to decide on a bourbon whiskey. Learn more about the best bourbon whiskey below.
1. Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $55.99
Proof: 90
Tasting Notes: Oak, vanilla, banana chips, caramel, citrus
Our Rating: 5 stars
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a great choice when you’re looking for an affordable bourbon that you can sip without feeling guilty. While it doesn’t cost as much as some other barrel-aged bourbons, it has a high-quality flavor profile that will keep you coming back for more.
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made in Fallon, Nevada, and aged for at least five years. This is plenty of time for the oak barrels to add hints of spice, oak, and even vanilla.
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey is also smooth, made with non-GMO corn, and includes a mash bill that’s made with high-quality ingredients. While it has a corn-heavy mash bill that bourbon drinkers love, cereal rye, and winter wheat give this bourbon even more flavor.
Pros:
- Made with non-GMO corn
- More than just corn in the mash bill, which is great for people who prefer more flavor
- Affordable
Cons:
- Corn-heavy mash bill but the other ingredients might not be ideal for people who prefer a pure bourbon whiskey experience
2. Diggs Boys Bourbon
MSRP: $73.99
Proof: 93
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, oak, caramel, citrus
Our Rating: 4.5 Stars
Diggs Boys Bourbon is one we had to include on our list. It’s made with some of the best ingredients around and has a smooth finish that you usually won’t find in bourbon that costs less than $100. For this reason, Diggs Boys Bourbon is one of the best bourbon whiskey options if you’re looking for a solid budget-friendly sipping whiskey.
What makes Diggs Boys Bourbon unique is the mash bill. It’s made with high-quality ingredients with 75% corn, 4% barley malt, and 21% rye. If that wasn’t enough, the limestone-filtered water used during the distilling process gives it a hint of citrus you won’t find in other bourbon whiskey.
While Diggs Boys Bourbon is great, the notes of citrus might not be for everyone.
Pros:
- Corn-heavy mash bill gives it the perfect amount of spice
- Budget-friendly sipping whiskey
- Smooth and spicy
Cons:
- Subtle notes of citrus aid flavor but they’re not for everyone
3. Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $57.99
Proof: 92
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, oak, spice
Our Rating: 4 Stars
Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a good one that you won’t want to miss if you’re a fan of Southern-made bourbon. It’s distilled and bottled in Tennessee, so it has that Southern charm that many people look for in a high-quality bourbon.
What makes this bourbon whiskey special is how it’s made. Heaven’s Door uses a sour mash distillation process combined with non-chill filtered bottling. Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged for at least six years in new American oak barrels to add spice, earth, and hints of oak to the nose, palate, and finish.
While we love Heaven’s Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the only drawback is that it can come on too strong for some people, which doesn’t make it the best sipping whiskey for everyone unless you like a whole lot of spice.
Pros:
- Aged for a minimum of six years
- The sour mash distillation process paired with non-chill filtering gives you a consistent bourbon whiskey
- Aged in new American oak barrels
Cons:
- Comes on a bit too strong for some bourbon drinks, so it’s not always the ideal sipping whiskey
4. New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon
MSRP: $43.95
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Savory, spicy, oak, vanilla
Our Rating: 4 Stars
New Riff Distillery might be one of the new kids on the block, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make amazing bourbon whiskey. Their Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a testament to what an American bourbon should taste like.
It’s made with 65% non-GMO corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. This mash bill is aged for four years in 53-gallon charred and toasted American oak barrels. All New Riff Distillery whiskeys are made with a sour mash regimen that adheres to classic Kentucky distilling standards.
The only drawback to this whiskey is that it might be too strong for people who aren’t used to the spice that a good bourbon will bring.
Pros:
- Non-GMO corn
- Bottled in bond without chill filtration
- Classic Southern Kentucky bourbon
Cons:
- More spice and less balance than some other bourbon whiskey options
5. WhistlePig Piggyback 100 Proof Bourbon
MSRP: $52.99
Proof: 100
Tasting Notes: Sweet and spicy with hints of oak, vanilla, and citrus
Our Rating: 4 Stars
WhistlePig is one of the best when it comes to whiskey manufacturing. This 100-proof bourbon brings you a sweeter take on their flagship bourbon, so expect a subtle but welcome hint of sweetness with each sip. That said, it still has plenty of earthy and spicy flavor notes to balance that out.
WhistlePig is also no stranger to making bourbon the right way. The mash bill is mainly corn with a hint of rye. This mash bill is aged for six years in char #3 barrels, which adds even more flavor to an already delicious sipping whiskey. Plus, due to its hints of citrus, it’s perfect for bourbon sours and other mixed cocktails.
WhistlePig Piggyback 100 Proof Bourbon is delicious, but the citrus flavor notes aren’t for everyone.
Pros:
- Great for mixing in whiskey cocktails
- One of the most affordable 100-proof whiskeys that maintains a good flavor profile
- Sweet, savory, and spicy
Cons:
- The citrus flavor isn’t for everyone
Enjoy the Best Bourbon Whiskey Today!
Bourbon whiskey is an American classic that brings you a smooth and spicy taste you won’t forget. While a bad glass of bourbon is certainly forgettable, you won’t be disappointed by any of the bourbons that we covered here today.
Our list of the best bourbon whiskey offers a well-rounded group of bourbons with an option for everyone. Plenty of budget-friendly bourbons are available but we make sure that even those bourbons are smooth, spicy, and made with at least 51% corn.
Whether you’re new to bourbon or want to change things up, give some of the best bourbon whiskey you can find a shot today! You won’t be disappointed.
