15 Best Whiskeys to Start Your Collection, According to Industry Pros

The world of whiskey can be daunting, especially if you’re just starting the process of putting together a collection. One of the few universal rules is that you should buy what you love, but beyond that, things can get confusing. Do you want to focus on American spirits or ones produced elsewhere? Is bourbon more your thing, or will a rye-focused collection provide more pleasure? Or, do you want to dip a toe into the deep waters of single-malt Scotch whisky?

“Whiskey as a category can be intimidating for the novice spirit drinker or someone who wants to begin a collection,” notes Jonathan Adler, beverage director of Shinji’s in New York City. “The best way to begin, in my opinion, is to always start with a couple of different styles of whiskeys that won't break the bank so you can choose for yourself what you enjoy the most.”

We asked experts around the country for their advice on what to consider purchasing, and how to enjoy those precious bottles once they’re in their new home on your whiskey shelf. This is what they had to say, with 20 total to kick-start your collection.

Starter whiskeys to use in classic cocktails

1792 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

This is a “brilliant and overlooked [member] of the much-sought-after Buffalo Trace (Sazerac) collection, from their sister distillery,” explains Codi Reilly, co-owner of The Twisted Tail in Philadelphia. “The simple classics are great for at-home cocktails, and ensure that the base spirit still shines through. I am partial to making an Old Fashioned or a Sazerac with the 1792.” 

Blue Note Juke Joint

At approximately $40, this is a great value, coming in at 93-proof with notes of allspice and oak on the nose accompanied with vanilla, allspice, and apricot on the palate,” says Tony Nguyen, bar manager at the Hen House in Memphis. “It has a lingering finish with pear and vanilla notes. This whiskey can be enjoyed in multiple ways from having it neat or on a large rock. It is also very versatile in cocktail applications, working well in Old Fashioneds, New York Sours, Paper Planes, and Mint Juleps.”

Broken Barrel Whiskey Company

David Mandell, co-founder and CEO of Whiskey House of Kentucky, believes that Broken Barrel Whiskey Company produces some of the most exciting whiskies on the market. “I’m a big fan of high-proof whiskies, especially in cocktails, and the Broken Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon at 115 proof makes a powerful Manhattan. As always, I like it up.”

Elijah Craig Small Batch

“This bourbon is such a quintessential representation of what bourbon should be,” notes Michael Haggerty, general manager of Ripplewood Whiskey + Craft in Ardmore, PA. “The vanilla, nutty, and caramel notes balance each other very well, and you won’t break the bank making it your go-to frequent purchase. It works just as perfectly as a neat pour as it does in an Old Fashioned.” 

Four Roses Small Batch Select

This “six to seven-year-old, 104-proof bourbon has apricot, raspberry, and vanilla notes that shine with a large cube and [the] orange essence of a freshly peeled orange,” enthused Aaron Thompson of Brother Wolf in Knoxville, Tennessee. “This is arguably the greatest Old Fashioned bourbon out there.”

High n' Wicked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I'd choose [this whiskey] because of its high rye mashbill,” explained Martin "Marty" Tomas, whiskey educator at Seven Grand San Diego. “It's among the highest in rye content on the market, giving it a balance of sweetness and spice that sings through the spirit-forward aromatic cocktails that our Seven Grand community loves…The balance of sweetness and spice in the High N’ Wicked Bourbon is ideal for Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and their variations.”

Starward Nova Single Malt

“Australian whiskey is quite unknown among even seasoned spirits drinkers, but the delicious liquid that Starward distillery, located in Melbourne, is producing definitely deserves a place in anyone's collection,” recommends Adler. “Their Nova has been aged completely in ex-wine casks sourced from the Barossa Valley, and the flavor of dark grapes, cherries, light smoke, and wood make this the perfect dram to sip on its own or in a Manhattan.”

Starter whiskeys to use in highballs

Basil Hayden Small Batch Collection

“The lower proof point of Basil Hayden makes it the perfect introductory bourbon for the new fan,” notes Mark Rucker, one of only five Masters of Bourbon in the world and founder of the popular podcast The Bourbon Life. “Coupled with a higher rye content to give it a little spiciness, Basil Hayden is good either neat or on the rocks, but truly shines in a refreshing cocktail, like a highball. Add a lemon twist and you have the perfect summertime drink.”

Kanosuke Single Malt

“Japanese whisky demand has boomed over the last 10 years globally, making way for new exciting distilleries like Kanosuke, located in Kagoshima on the island of Kyushu,” Adler says. “This is the definitional Japanese whisky style with a price point much more reasonable than other bottles you'd find at a similar quality. Wonderful malted notes from the barley with high citrus tones make this perfect for a classic whisky highball.”

Starter whiskeys to sip neat or on the rocks

Balcones Cataleja Texas Single Malt Whiskey

“Cataleja commemorates Balcones' 15th year of distilling whisky in Texas,” explains Jon Holecz, vice president of The WhiskyX. “Crafted from 100% Golden Promise malted barley, it undergoes initial aging in refill casks before being transferred to a variety of retired Sherry Solera puncheons: Moscatel, Amontillado Dulce, Oloroso, and Palo Cortado.”

Glenmorangie 'The Lasanta' Single Malt 12-Year Sherry Cask Finish

“For the newer whisky collector and connoisseur, Scotch is usually thought of as something blended like Johnnie Walker or smokey like a Laphroag,” Adler observes. “This offering from Glenmorangie showcases a completely different flavor profile due to the secondary aging in Sherry casks. There is a subtle sweetness with dried red fruits, chocolate, and toffee that makes this Highland Scotch an amazing gateway sipper for Scotch newbies. I truly enjoy this neat with a little bit of water.”

Powers Irish Rye Whiskey 

This is “one of the most unique releases of an Irish whiskey in years,” notes Brett Esler of Murray’s Tavern in Austin, Texas. “It boasts a 100% rye mash bill that has never been done before and is beautifully balanced…it's versatile enough to work both in citrus-forward cocktails as well as spirit-forward cocktails. It can easily be enjoyed neat or on the rocks.”

Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey

Terrence Tompkins, chief operating officer for Downtown Spirits and Esquin, both in Seattle, loves the whiskeys of Uncle Nearest: “The history of the brand and the juice they make are both incredible,” he says. He likes the single barrel on its own, “With a big ol’ fancy cube.”

Woody Creek Distillers William H. Macy Reserve Straight Rye Whiskey

“Woody Creek Distillers, a distillery out of Colorado, makes fantastic whiskey, and is making waves across the bartending and spirits community as it is now available in over half the states,” Adler points out. “This rye offers a great alternative to a traditional Kentucky-style American whiskey, boasting notes of coffee, dark fruit, and a subtle earthy spice. This is definitely a sipper worthy of a large rock.”

Widow Jane The Vault Series

“The Widow Jane Vault Series presents a collection of the most ancient and elusive whiskeys, aged for at least 15 years through meticulous blending in limited batches,” explains Holecz, of The WhiskyX. “These spirits undergo a distinctive final finishing in air-seasoned casks at Widow Jane’s Red Hook rickhouse, imparting unparalleled depth of flavor…Every year, a new wood variety is carefully selected from diverse regions and air-seasoned to varying degrees.”