It’s a beautiful time to be a whiskey enthusiast. The spirit is now more diverse, popular, and delicious than ever. With the increased rise of mixologists, whiskey has gained prominence in many famous cocktails. This article has outlined a list of twenty whiskey varieties you should add to your list. So, whether you are a seasoned whiskey drinker or a newbie to the spirit, there is something for you. Get adventurous and try something new to find your new whiskey favorite!

1. Johnnie Walker Blue Label 

Arguably one of the top premium Scotch spirits on the globe, to most whiskey enthusiasts, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is a reliable drink that’s always fashionable. Its producers (House of Walker) state that of every 10,000 casks in their storage, only one or two will be deemed suitable to make this blend. Additionally, many of these casks originate from distillers which are no longer operating. Therefore, this is a rare and exclusive treat. The drink is mellow and soft, with vanilla, sherry, and honey notes. You can take the Johnnie Walker Blue Label on the rocks or neat, accompanied by a juicy piece of stake.

2. Wild Turkey Rare Breed 

You can’t have a whiskey favorites list without this gem. Made in Wild Turkey, this barrel-proof whiskey doesn’t always get the recognition that others in its category do. However, it’s a classic drink that will capture your taste buds and leave you wanting more. The drink is a blend of expertly bottled twelve, eight, and six-year bourbons. Its proof usually varies depending on the particular batch, though it mainly falls between 112 to 120. It’s strong, though not overpowering. It’s a wonderful bourbon you can sip on and even reduce its strength slightly by adding water. Although after one or two tastes, you’ll realize there is no need for water due to its exquisite complexity.

3. Glenfiddich 21-Year-Old

The Glenfiddich distillery is well known for its Speyside spirit, and this bottle is full of the brand’s exclusive oak notes and cereal grains. Master producer Brian Kinsman places a finishing touch on the 21-Year-Old by adding fruity flavors like banana, mango, and lime. The result is a soothing whiskey that opens softly on your palate and then explodes with a peppery feel accompanied by ginger and smoke on a long, warming finish. It’s a whiskey favorite everyone will love.

4. Four Roses Small Batch Select, another Whiskey Favorite

The Four Roses Small Batch Select easily stands out from the numerous bourbons produced in different states. This whiskey is unique because its distillery produces ten unique recipes, five varying yeast strains, and not one but two mash bills. To make the Small Batch of this whiskey favorite, the distiller picks six recipes, all aged for a minimum of six years, and mixes them to make a quality bourbon. This 104-proof spirit is an ideal choice to use in cocktails and straight sipping.

5. Talisker 25 Will Soon Be Your Whiskey Favorite

The Isle of Skye is a magnificent place to visit in Scotland, and the Talisker distillery in that area produces an equally spectacular single malt spirit. A windswept, briny, and rugged whiskey with lots of flavors. Talisker 25 has a pronounced yet soft peat than the other Islay products, which it gets after 25 years of aging inside European and American oak casks. You’ll also get smoke tendrils wrapped around ripe tropical, caramel, and vanilla fruit notes, giving the strong drink more elegance. At 91.6% proof, the Talisker packs some heat, though it’s a drink you should try out.

6. Russel’s Reserve Rye

In the Rye spirit world, there are two popular styles of distillation. The first is spicy whiskey made using a 95%rye mash bill, and the second is “Kentucky style,” which uses a mash bill slightly exceeding the legal requirement of 51%rye. The six-year-old Russell’s Reserve whiskey falls into the second category. It’s a fantastic drink to make a Manhattan cocktail with oak, caramel, and vanilla notes accompanied by black pepper hints. If you don’t want to go through all that trouble, you can pour this whiskey favorite into a glass, add a couple of ice cubes and take it plain.

7. The GlenDronach Port Wood.

Often when you mention cask-matured sherry single malt, people only think about the Macallan. A classy drink, but if you have never tasted The GlenDronach, you will be pleasantly shocked. Their Port Wood product has extra flavors obtained courtesy of a long secondary maturation process inside port pipes after a few years of aging in Olrosso and PX sherry casks. The whiskey brings a little spice, dark chocolate, and grape notes to your plate. It’s a drink you will always want to revisit, especially in winter.

8. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Every time you hear the term barrel proof, it means that the distiller never added any water to the spirit before bottling. Therefore, it’s like you are sipping directly from the barrel. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a product of Heaven Hill Distillery, which prides itself on releasing affordable and dependable bourbon. However, this is a premium version you should add to your shelf. Hill distillery usually releases it three times a year, and it can have a proof starting at 118 up to a staggering 136. If you want to feel the heat, you can take it neat, but add some ice or water to relax the whiskey.

9. Compass Box The Story of The Spaniard

Compass Box is a reputable brand known for sourcing and blending whiskeys from different distilleries and providing transparency about their processes. Sometimes non-disclosure agreements prevent manufacturers from outlining everything. The Spaniard is an impressive release born after the marriage of spirits from distilleries such as Glendullan, Deanston, Glen Elgin, and Highlands Bend, primarily aged in sherry casks.

10. Redbreast 15-Year-Old

Over the recent years, Irish whiskey has immensely gained popularity with bottles from internationally acclaimed brands such as Jameson at the front. However, if you want something unique that will give you a superior experience, get yourself the Redbreast 15-Year-Old. It’s another whiskey favorite to add to your sipping list. This “single pot still” drink produced at Middleton (the distillery that also produces Jameson) has rich vanilla, dried fruit, and some spice notes. It’s slightly more complex than its older sister though you’ll find it easier to sip either neat or on the rocks.

11. Jack Daniel’s, the Original Whiskey Favorite

In early 1950, Frank Sinatra carried a Jack Daniels bottle to the stage and proclaimed it the “nectar of the Gods.” Yes, he was exaggerating, but this mellowed Tennessee spirit was the first fully registered distillery in the United States. Over the years, the company has worked hard to maintain its iconic status. The newly released Jack Daniels Triple Mash Blended Whiskey results from a marriage between a couple straight bottled in bond spirits. These are 60% Tennessee Rye, 20% Tennessee whiskey, and 20% American malt. It’s debatably the most versatile and affordable spirit in the market.

12. Master Blend Edition Batch 005

The Master Blend Edition is the first spirit completely distilled, aged, then bottled by new entrant Uncle Nearest. You will be shocked to learn that Uncle Nearest, a black-owned whiskey company, wasn’t even in existence five years ago. However, today it’s among the fastest-growing whiskey brands in United States of America.

13. The Classic Whiskey Favorite, Jim Beam Black

Another whiskey favorite is Jim Beam Black. It’s not easy to find a drink with a slightly high ABV, a couple of years of aging, and numerous notes that will light your palate that’s affordable. That’s precisely what Jim Beam Black is. This whiskey’s producer Jim Beam launched in 1795m ranks as the globe’s top-selling bourbon. Numerous generations of the Beam family have run the company. Additionally, the distiller has used a similar yeast strain since the senate lifted the ban in 1933.

14. Aberfeldy 18 Cote Rotie Wine Cask Finish

Aberfeldy, nicknamed “the Golden Dram,” is internationally known by spirit enthusiasts for its seasoned honey notes. Their 18-year-old limited edition whiskey, a product of master distiller Stephanie Macleod, will wow your taste buds. This whiskey favorite is aged for almost twenty years in bourbon barrels, refill, and rechar casks. Afterward, the distiller allows the spirit to age inside Cote Rotie wine casks for a few months. Sipping this drink, you will enjoy vanilla and honey notes nicely mixed with berries and tannin picked from wine casks.

15. The Macallan Triple Cask Matured 18 Years Old

Formerly called “Fine oak 18 years old,” this whiskey favorite has earned legendary status in the single mat category. It’s a product of different spirits aged inside varying oak casks: American oak, European oak, and ex-bourbon barrels. Of the numerous expressions the Macallan has released, the Triple Cask reveals the company’s true identity. Adorned by numerous notes, this scotch is exceedingly elegant and smooth. Some of the dominant flavors it contains include nutmeg, wood smoke, and vanilla. You can enjoy it neat or with toasted marshmallows.

16. Buffalo Trace, a Whiskey Favorite

Arguably one of the globe’s best bourbon whiskeys, Buffalo Trace will give you a taste of excellence. For over two centuries, the company has produced high-quality whiskey, earned an award as the best distillery, and even launched a cigar line. Most people know the distillery for producing legendary drinks like WL Weller and Pappy Van Winkle. Buffalo Trace is a worthy spirit in all senses; it has a sweeter finish courtesy of its low rye content that pairs well with soda. Aaron Shuttleworth, a whiskey expert in Sydney, says that Buffalo Trace is not only a quality spirit but also a result of years of dedication.

17. Aberlour A’Bunadh

For years, the people at Aberlour have practiced a tradition of pouring a bottle of whiskey into River Spey to mark the start of the salmon fishing period. This creamy, full-bodied expression is a design of Aberlour’s esteemed founder and master crafter James Fleming. The company produces a single batch at a time and then lets it mature in sherry casks. It’s 122 proof and contains mixed spices such as citrus zest and praline. You will also feel lots of dark chocolate and ginger notes. Since its introduction in 1997, Aberlour A’Bunadh has built a solid cult-like following thanks to its consistency.

18. George T. Stagg

Stagg is also a Buffalo Trace product. Fun fact; Buffalo Trace was previously known as George T. Stagg Distillery. However, this whiskey favorite falls in the distillery’s antique collection side. It’s over fifteen years old, is uncut unfiltered, and comes at 144.8 proof. The whiskey ranks similarly with Pappy Van Winkle regarding inflated prices and limited supply.

19. Double Eagle Rare Bourbon, a Whiskey Favorite

Here is a bourbon brand that’s won almost all the awards in the spirit world. Though it’s tough to find and expensive, you will love its versatile and comprehensive notes if you can get one.

20. Angels Envy Tawny port-finished bourbon.

Co-founded by Wes Henderson and his father in 2011, this family-run distiller found in Louisville makes small-batch whiskeys quickly gaining traction. Their recent release, Tawny Port -finished bourbon, is rich with expertly balanced vanilla, lavender, and fruity notes.

Conclusion About Finding Your Whiskey Favorite

Variety is the spice of life; now you have a comprehensive list of quality, classic whiskey favorites you can try out. Feel free to reach out for more information and always rely on Distillery Nearby to help you find best distillery tours near you.