Flavored whiskey can be divisive in the whiskey world, as some whiskey enthusiasts prefer the more natural expressions of this spirit, while others love the many different creations you can craft with flavored whiskey. Whether you are new to the world of flavored whiskeys or an enthusiast looking for the next best thing, you are likely wondering about the best flavored whiskey around today.
Our guide gives you an overview of flavored whiskey, including how to choose the best flavored whiskey, where to buy this liquor, and the general expected costs you might encounter. Read on to learn more about the best flavored whiskeys on the market.
What You Need to Know About Flavored Whiskey
Flavored whiskey is whiskey blended with natural or artificial flavors to create a distinctive blend of whiskey flavors and add sweetness or spiciness. One of the most popular flavor additions to whiskey that most people have heard of is cinnamon, though peanut butter and espresso flavors are becoming increasingly popular in the flavored whiskey world.
It’s important to note that there are many different varieties of flavored whiskey, and it can be difficult to choose between them all. Additionally, some types of flavored whiskey are not even whiskey at all due to the added ingredients that deviate from the standard and modernly accepted whiskey recipe. It’s always important to check the manufacturer’s details and bottle labeling for in-depth information about the bottle you purchase.
Flavored Whiskey: An Overview
Flavored whiskey is, true to its name, a whiskey flavored with either artificial or natural (or a combination of both) flavorings to create a certain flavor in the whiskey. Popular choices for flavored whiskeys embrace the smokiness and spice of this base liquor, enhancing it with notes of cinnamon, peanut butter, espresso, and even fruits like apples.
Among whiskey enthusiasts, flavored whiskey can be a somewhat controversial topic, as the added sugar and flavorings in some brands of flavored whiskey end up completely overpowering the whiskey taste. Some flavored whiskey varieties may not even be considered true whiskey and might be classified as a flavored and sweetened whiskey substitute.
However, whiskey labeling can be confusing, and the U.S. Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) (the organization in charge of alcohol whiskey labeling) has not updated or clarified whiskey labeling requirements regarding flavored whiskey.
Flavored whiskey appears much like regular whiskey, though the bottles will typically feature different colors and occasionally pictures of what the whiskey is supposed to taste like. This drink is not perceived as a classic type of liquor, though whiskey by itself is a timeless classic due to the added sugar and flavorings. Rather, flavored whiskey is often seen more like a newcomer’s drink or something for individuals who prefer sweetened liquors of the robust and bold flavors of regular whiskey.
How to Choose the Best Flavored Whiskey?
Choosing the best flavored whiskey depends on a few different factors, including how sweet a whiskey is, the types of flavors the whiskey may capture, and the price point of the whiskey. All of these are very important to consider as you start to think about the type of flavored whiskey you are interested in.
In general, flavored whiskeys can be broken up into a few different categories: spice, like cinnamon; sweet, like peanut butter or honey; bold and robust, like espresso; and fruit, like cherry or apple.
Additionally, you will want to keep in mind the ingredients of a flavored whiskey and the proof of the whiskey, something that can tell you how strong the alcohol in your chosen product is. These details should be available on the bottle or on the manufacturer’s website for your review.
What Does Flavored Whiskey Cost?
Flavored whiskey can have a wide price range because there are many options on the market today. On average, you can expect to pay between $20 and $100 for a decent bottle of flavored whiskey. Certain notable brands or limited-edition releases of flavored whiskey may be more expensive than generic cinnamon and apple-flavored whiskeys.
Where Can You Buy Flavored Whiskey?
Flavored whiskey is available in a variety of places, and you can most likely purchase a flavored whiskey at your local liquor store. If you are having trouble finding a certain type of flavored whiskey or are interested in a more unique brand, you can shop online or through a store like Speakeasy.
When visiting bars and restaurants, you may not find a huge variety of flavored whiskeys outside of apple, honey, and cinnamon varieties. Most bars and restaurants will carry these, and more upscale cocktail bars might have a wider range of flavored whiskey.
The Best Flavored Whiskeys
Below, we give you an overview of our favorite flavored whiskeys on the market today. All of these options provide robust flavors and plenty of variety if you are looking to spice up your whiskey shelf with something new.
Scandalust Cinnamon Whiskey
MSRP: $33.99
Proof: 80 proof
Tasting Notes: Spicy cinnamon, robust whiskey
Our Rating: 5 stars
Scandalust Cinnamon Whiskey is a deviation from other types of cinnamon whiskeys on the market in that it doesn’t use sugar or additives to craft its flavor. Instead, this liquor is made from whiskey and cinnamon, and that’s it. This brand is great for those who love cinnamon whiskey but don’t want their drink to be too sweet, and the unique bottle design is perfect for displaying on your shelf. However, if you are looking for a sweeter flavored whiskey, this may not be the best choice for you.
Pros:
- No sugar or additives
- Great for those who don’t want their flavored whiskey too sweet
- Unique bottle design
Cons:
- Not the best choice for those who want a sweet cinnamon whiskey
Jameson Cold Brew
MSRP: $27.99
Proof: 70 proof
Tasting Notes: Roasted coffee, nuttiness
Our Rating: 4 stars
Jameson Cold Brew features a rich flavor profile of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and whiskey. The aftertaste has the signature heated bite of cold brew, and the combination of flavors makes for an overall bold and robust experience. Many enthusiasts also note that this flavored whiskey packs a lot of punch for a good price.
This brand’s coffee-flavored whiskey is likely not the best choice for those who aren’t true cold brew coffee enthusiasts, as the roasted coffee flavor is very bold, and it can be a little more difficult to find this brand in the liquor store.
Pros:
- Rich flavor profile featuring roasted coffee
- Delivers a pleasing aftertaste
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- Not a great choice for those who don’t enjoy coffee
- Can be hard to find in liquor stores
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Smoked Maple Whiskey
MSRP: $34.99
Proof: 90 proof
Tasting Notes: Smoked hickory, maple, vanilla, caramel
Our Rating: 5 stars
Knob Creek’s Kentucky Straight Smoked Maple Whiskey is an outstanding addition to any flavored whiskey lover’s arsenal, and this brand packs quite a punch into its flavored whiskey. The Smoked Maple Whiskey comes in at 90 proof, making it more boozy with a strong whiskey flavor. The maple notes aren’t too sweet, and there are distinct undertones of smoked hickey, vanilla, and caramel that give this a complex flavor profile.
However, some may find this whiskey too strong in terms of alcoholic content and whiskey aftertaste.
Pros:
- Unique and complex flavor profile
- Maple notes are not too sweet
- Higher proof than other flavored whiskeys
Cons:
- May be too strong for some in both ABV and aftertaste
Crown Royal Salted Caramel Flavored Whisky
MSRP: $29.99
Proof: 70 proof
Tasting Notes: Sweet caramel, hints of salt
Our Rating: 4 stars
Crown Royal Salted Caramel Flavored Whisky is a fan favorite, and for good reason. This perfectly balanced whiskey features sweet and rich caramel and just a hint of salt and bold whiskey flavors, leaving it melting in your mouth. This liquor is perfect for mixing into desserts or crafting a decadent cocktail, though some may find the caramel flavor far too sweet to drink a lot of this liquor at once.
Pros:
- Perfectly balanced and sweet caramel notes
- Great for mixing into desserts or cocktails
- Made by Canada's top-selling whiskey brand
Cons:
- Flavor tends to be very sweet
Fantastic Flavored Whiskey
