The 24 Best Whiskey Brands You Need To Add To Your Bar Cart
You're going to want these bottles.
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Attention all self-respecting whiskey drinkers: You don’t have to be a velvet jacket-wearing, cigar-smoking, library-lounging cad to be knowledgeable about the brown stuff. We asked experts for their takes on which whiskey brands are tops for a range of price ranges and for recommendations on the smoothest, easiest-to-drink bottles on the market. Whether you prefer Scotch, Japanese single malt, or Kentucky bourbon, we've got the perfect whiskey for your next relaxing, post-dinner drink.
Looking to take your fully-stocked bar for a test drive? Try one of these whiskey cocktail recipes or treat yourself to one (or more!) of these ultimate gifts for whiskey lovers. But first, some need-to-know info about this essential liquor:
What Is The Difference Between Whiskey And Whisky?
Let's settle this age-old debate: whiskey vs. whisky. Whiskey that hails from America and Ireland is spelled just like that—with an "e." When the booze hails from anywhere else in the world—like Japan or Scotland—it's spelled "whisky," without an "e."
Whiskey can generally be separated into two categories: straight and blended. Straight whiskey (a.k.a. single-malt whiskey) only contains whiskey from a single distillery using a single malted grain. Blended whiskeys on the other hand, can contain a number of whiskey products from different distillers and distillation periods, as well as other flavorings.
In America, there are three kinds of whiskey. That's bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and rye whiskey—each with its own distillation process, ingredients, and, of course, taste. If you prefer something sweet, try bourbon, which has been aged for at least two years in oak barrels and contains at least 51 percent corn in its "mash bill" (the blend of grains that form the whiskey). You might enjoy bourbon in a classic mint julep or a ginger lime whiskey sour.
Tennessee whiskey is also sweet, aged in oak barrels for at least two years, and contains at least 51 percent corn. However, this liquor is made specifically in Tennessee (hence the name) and must go through what's called the Lincoln County Process, which includes a filtering process using sugar maple charcoal. This makes it good for simple, classic cocktails like a Jack and Coke.
Last but not least, you have rye whiskey, which is also generally aged in oak barrels, but by law, it must contain at least 51 percent rye. This gives it a light, spicy flavor that's perfect for a Big Apple Manhattan.
Our Top Picks
How We Picked These Products
We consulted cocktail experts (as well as a few whiskey lovers on the Delish team) to learn about their favorite whiskey brands and what can take a bottle from “just okay” to rich and robust. After reviewing their recommendations and expert reviews, as well as gauging factors like price, availability, consistency of output, and flavor profile, we’ve determined that these are the best whiskey and whisky bottles you can buy in 2023.