The Best Bourbons of 2023 to Drink Neat or as a Highball
There have never been more great bourbon options in bars and liquor stores. But America's whiskey boom that put bourbons on every corner of the map only came around over the last decade or so. In fact, “the most highly sought-after whiskey is only around 20 years old in its inception,” says Bill Thomas, owner of Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C. Buffalo Trace’s Antique Collection first arrived in 2000 and Old Forester’s Birthday Bourbon came out two years later in 2002.
Whiskey has “grown tremendously since the old days,” adds Thomas. “When I got into it, there were only the big 10 heritage distilleries, pretty much in Kentucky.” It was either Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Four Roses, Barton, Heaven Hill, or Maker's Mark, he says. Willett was still an independent bottler without stills, and Julian Van Winkle worked out of Hoffman Commonwealth Distillery as an independent bottler.
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Back in 2006, there were only 75 distilleries across the entire United States. Today, there are over 2,230, and 752 of them make whiskey. Things have changed quickly, and finding good bourbon has actually gotten harder. But with my own experience with hundreds of bourbons, plus an assist by two spirits experts, we narrowed it down to our best overall bourbon of 2023, William Larue Weller Bourbon. It's uncut, unfiltered, and hand-bottled at barrel proof for a well-composed smooth, sweet finish.
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Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve written about wine and spirits for over a decade. My work has appeared in Men’s Journal, Wine Enthusiast, InsideHook, Spirited, Liquor.com, and Travel & Leisure. I have tried nearly every bourbon on this list—my liquor cabinet has grown big enough to literally have its own storage unit—and ones I haven’t sipped were recommended by other bourbon experts.
In order to build this list, I spoke with two experts who have tasted thousands of different bottles of bourbon over the course of their careers and own bourbon bars of their own: Peter Nolan, owner of Permission Whiskey & Service Co. in Houston, Texas, and Bill Thomas, owner of Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C., which houses over 2,500 different bottles of whiskey.
“Being a Kentuckian, I love bourbon made in a classic style, no skimping on the quality, the aging,” says Nolan. “I like whiskey with a backbone. Not only the market, but the true style of bourbon has been diluted recently.”
That sentiment is shared by Thomas, whose experience stretches back decades. Overall, a lot of whiskeys we ended up choosing came from those famed distilleries—the ones you hear collectors talking about. But many also were chosen based on value and versatility.
What We Look for When Choosing the Best Bourbon
When looking for a great bourbon, Nolan starts at “the source of the grain, but also the lineage of the distillery family—what else they’ve made that [he] may know about.” Still, even he can be stirred by appearances. “Also, I can’t help but be a little bit of a bottle hoe,” he says. “I like the labels.”
Bill Thomas also looks first at the producer to find a great whiskey, “Our big line at Jack Rose is 'Trust the producer,'” he tells me.
Great bourbon—in many cases—has good genes. There are a few newer bourbons, however, that continue to prove that great whiskey can come from anywhere.
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Best Overall Bourbon: William Larue Weller
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“William Larue Weller might be the bottle that I get buried with, and, hopefully, I emptied that bottle,” says Nolan. One of the holy grails of American whiskey, a bottle of this stuff doesn’t come cheap—we’re talking close to $2,000. Still, even those lucky enough to try thousands of different whiskeys hold it in the highest regard. Weller substitutes wheat for the traditional rye grain, a production method pioneered by W.L. Weller. It is uncut, unfiltered, and hand-bottled at barrel proof.
On the nose, William Larue Weller offers aromas of caramel corn, new leather, plums, light toffee, and pipe tobacco. The palate delivers marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs, and dates, leading to a well-composed smooth, sweet finish.
Best Bourbon Under $50: Breckenridge Bourbon
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Made from yellow corn, green rye, malted barley and aged for a minimum of three years, Breckenridge Bourbon can be enjoyed in just about any cocktail as well as neat or on the rocks. What makes the award-winning whiskey unique is that it’s made with snowmelt water from the Rocky Mountains.
The liquid is a deep, honey amber and offers aromas of butterscotch, candied orange and apple. The palate delivers dark chocolate and brown sugar, alongside notes of vanilla and white pepper.
Best Bourbon Under $100: Rowan’s Creek
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Coming from the always reliable Willett Distillery, Rowan’s Creek is the first bottle to come to mind when Thomas thinks about his favorites under $100. This bottle comes in at just under $56, making it a real winner when looking for a show stealing American whiskey that doesn’t break the bank. Sporting an ABV of just over 50 percent, it is made from a blend of four mash bills: 72 percent corn, 17 percent rye, 15 percent malted barley; 79 percent corn 7 percent rye, and 15 percent malted barley; 52 percent corn, 38 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley; and 65 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, and 15 percent malted barley.
The nose delivers layers of caramel and vanilla on top of herbs and floral notes. The palate begins oily, but finishes dry and offers sweet caramel and vanilla flavors along with some more floral notes. The finish finds oak and a lingering spiciness and it pairs well with smoked meats and salty snacks.
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Best Value Bourbon: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
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When it comes to value, there’s nothing quite like Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, “I sell the shit out of it,” says Thomas. “I love selling it. I love looking at people and going, ‘this bottle is under 20 bucks.’ At under 20 bucks, if you wanna sip it, if you want to throw in a rock, it'll hold up,” he says. “If you want to put it in a cocktail, put it in an old fashioned, put it in a sazerac, rock it out. I mean, that's just a great value.”
Bottled at 100 proof, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond can do just about anything. It offers aromas of caramel, vanilla, oak, and barley. The palate delivers layers of citrus, vanilla, and black pepper. The finish is warm, long, and dry.
Best Splurge Bourbon: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel
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“I have always loved Elmer T. Lee as a great bourbon to hide out in my home bar,” says Nolan. “Something about the story of Elmer, the legacy, and some of the crazy stories we’ve experienced ourselves while drinking it.” Made from the slightly higher-rye mash No. 2, which is also used for Rock Hill Farms, Blanton’s, Hancock’s Reserve, and Ancient Age, Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel isn’t easy to find in the U.S., so spotting a bottle, or even a pour, is a treat, and definitely worth the splurge—it’ll cost you around $300 for a bottle.
On the nose, it offers notes of clove, vanilla, and old leather. The palate delivers fruit, honey, and vanilla alongside a touch of spiciness. The finish is long and warm.
Best Bourbon For Cocktails: Maker’s Mark 46
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“At Permission Whiskey & Service Co, our go-to is Maker’s 46,” says Nolan. “That’s our house oldie.” We’re also huge fans of this classic whiskey, which is versatile enough to make just about any cocktail. Maker's Mark 46 still uses the same recipe as it did when it was created by Bill Samuels Jr., back in 1958. The whiskey is aged for approximately six years with special seared French oak staves. It's a balanced whiskey offering toasty aromas of French oak, caramel, and banking spice. The slightly sweet palate delivers layers of rich vanilla and baking spices.
It’s that blend of slightly sweet and rich flavors that makes Maker’s versatile enough to be used in most cocktails. The complexity and balance provides an additional depth that stands up without overwhelming.
Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof
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As Men’s Journal notes in its “Best Bourbons for an Old Fashioned” article, Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof is the place to go when building an old fashioned. Orange zest, cinnamon, and burnt sugar are the signature tasting notes of Old Grand-Dad 114 Proof. A few drops of water and muddled sugar help dial down the heat to form a cocktail as accessible as it is memorable. “A high-proof bruiser can be great in an old fashioned,” says Aaron Goldfarb, author of Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits . “OGD 114 fits the bill nicely," as its rounded edges are enhanced by the addition of sugar, yet it’s sturdy enough to shine through the center of the preparation with big, bold cinnamon and spice notes. "It's an economical pour to boot."
More Bourbons We Love
Best Small Batch Bourbon: Michter's US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
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You’ve probably seen a Michter’s product around at this point. It made appearances in shows like Billions and quickly became one of the most recognizable names in the bourbon world. But, in good news, it’s not just another marketing gimmick. “I think the term “small batch” has gotten pretty twisty, but Michter’s has always been solid,” says Nolan.
Bottled at 91.4 proof, Michter’s US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a true small batch bourbon that is batched in a holding tank sized to fit a maximum of 20 full barrels. It offers rich caramel flavors with balanced vanilla, alongside notes of stone fruit, smoke, and an oaky finish.
Best Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon: Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch
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"I’m a huge fan of Colonel Taylor,” says Nolan.”[It tastes] like the core of Kentucky. I have this idea that back in the day—when it wasn’t scarce—it would be a standard for nice dinners at home or visiting with friends. I just want to play poker and drink Taylor.” Tracing its history back to the Civil War, when Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor, Jr. purchased O.F.C. Distillery—known today as Buffalo Trace Distillery—Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch matured inside warehouses that are over a century old.
The palate is soft and smooth, delivering flavors of caramel corn along with notes of butterscotch and licorice. The finish adds additional hints of pepper and tobacco.
Best High Rye Bourbon: Wilderness Trail High Rye
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In Thomas’ eyes, Wilderness Trail makes some of the world’s best bourbons, and his favorite is their High Rye. He says the Kentuckians behind the distillery are yeast and bacteria experts. “One's a mechanical engineer, one's a PhD in plant pathology, microbiology. They make all the yeast that's in some of the big brands. They're basically scientists that set it off in that corner of the market and then opened up a distillery and just hit it out of the park. Their whiskey is just phenomenal.”
Wilderness Trail High Rye features a mash bill of 64 percent corn, 24 percent wheat and 12 percent malted barley—one of the highest ratios of wheat used in a bourbon made in Kentucky.
Best Wheated Bourbon: W.L. Weller Special Reserve
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Both Thomas and Nolan point to Weller Special Reserve when talking about their favorite bourbons. “Weller is my ‘leather jacket’,” says Nolan. “Always fits and I feel cool in it.” Known as “The Original Wheated Bourbon Whiskey,” Weller Special Reserve substitutes in wheat for bourbon's usual rye grain, giving it a smoother, softer, more-rounded taste. The nose delivers caramel, while the palate offers notes of honey, butterscotch, and a soft woodiness. The finish is smooth, delivering a unique note of sweet honeysuckle.
Bottled at 90 proof, Weller Special Reserve is also another one of the great all-around bourbons. It’s great sipped neat or enjoyed in a cocktail and also happens to be one of the best selling whiskeys at Permission Whiskey in Houston.
Best Bourbon From Outside Kentucky: High Wire Jimmy Red Bourbon
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“When I think about one of the few distilleries outside of Kentucky that's tops, it would be High Wire,” says Thomas. And his personal favorite is the Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Hailing from South Carolina and made from 100 percent Jimmy Red corn, this whiskey matures for two years in char 3.5 American oak barrels and is recommended enjoyed neat or with one good cube of ice. The creamy palate offers flavors of graham cracker, cinnamon, and maple, making it a warm, structured bourbon perfect for cooling weather.
If you’re looking to make a cocktail, it’s an excellent base for an old fashioned, a boulevardier, or even a mint julep.
Best Texas Bourbon: Still Austin “The Musician” Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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“I’m going to give a nod to my boys over at Still Austin—Texas Strong—for making a mean bourbon, one of the only from Texas that I say deserves a lot of credit,” says Nolan when asked about his favorite high-corn bourbon. At 70 percent corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent malted barley, Still Austin’s “The Musician” is one of the few bourbons to come from outside Kentucky that still delivers that great corn flavor. That’s because they use the kind of white corn that make Austin's tortillas famous.
On the nose, it offers aromas of pineapple, toasted coconut, and s'mores. The palate delivers cinnamon, brown butter and almonds, leading to a finish filled with tropical fruit, toffee, and baking spices. Even better, if you’re looking for a Texas bourbon with an even bigger kick, Still Austin unveiled a bottled-in-bond release earlier this year.
Best Ultra-Aged Bourbon: Eagle Rare 25
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Ultra-aged bourbon is somewhat of a newcomer to the American whiskey landscape. Not long ago, general knowledge suggested limiting aging to 6 to 8 years, or else risking turning the whiskey into a vanilla and oak bomb that no one would enjoy. But advances in warehouse climate control have led to more whiskey makers testing the tides of age and doing so successfully. Many of the most successful bottlings come out of—to no one’s surprise—the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Its most recent super-aged bottling is the Eagle Rare 25 and it’s a sterling example of what can be done when good whiskey is aged well.
Matured in the new climate-controlled Warehouse P, master distiller Harlen Wheatley and his team were able to push whiskey originally intended for the brand’s annual Eagle Rare 17 release another 8 or so years. Unfortunately, they only made 200 750ml bottles of this beaut (that run for $10,000 a piece), but hopefully, this leads to future 30, 40, or even 50 year releases like we already see in the Scotch world.
Best Finished Bourbon: Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series Vol. V
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“I’m not the biggest on post-production and finishes,” says Nolan. “But in general I defer to a hearty, barrel-proof or high-proof bourbon. No funny business, no strings attached.” And that’s exactly what Heaven’s Door Bootleg Series Volume V is, a high-proof, hearty whiskey that can stand up to the flavors of cask aging. It comes in at 114 proof, and is plenty hearty after maturing for a total of 18 years. Aged in Spanish Vermouth Rouge casks, the bourbon offers rich, complex aromas of dark fruit with hints of all spice and subtle vanilla undertones. The palate delivers delicate notes of caramel, honey, and vanilla, leading to a lingering finish
A tribute to Dylan's Bootleg Series of unreleased music, the Heaven’s Door collection of whiskeys offers rare and unreleased expressions with special blends and barrel finishes. Each bottle is adorned with one of Dylan's original paintings on a hand-crafted ceramic bottle. On the fifth edition, you’ll find "No Vacancies" (2019) from The Beaten Path collection.
Bourbon vs. Whiskey
Like squares and rectangles, all bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. But what makes bourbon, bourbon? It comes down to five factors:
- First off, it must be made in America. However, it doesn’t need to be made in Kentucky, yet 95 percent of it is.
- Second, bourbon must be made with at least 51 percent corn. After that, mash bill recipes can feature rye or wheat or malted barley, or even more corn. Other whiskeys, like single malt Scotch—which comes from 100-percent malted barley—can be made from other mash bills.
- Third, it must be aged for a minimum of two years in new charred oak barrels. Other whiskeys can be aged in a variety of different types of casks, from sherry to port to red wine and beyond.
- Fourth, the whiskey cannot enter the barrel at higher than 125 proof (62.5 percent ABV), and cannot be bottled at less than 80 proof (40 percent ABV).
- Finally, nothing but water can be added to bourbon, and even then it can only be used to lessen the proof when necessary. Some other whiskeys add color and flavor to their final product.
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