The 12 Best Bourbons to Drink in 2023

Best Overall Bourbon

Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon

View On Flaviar View On Caskers View On Minibar Delivery $88

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Honey, Vanilla

From Heaven Hill Distillery, this Henry Mckenna bourbon was named "Best in Show" at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and with good reason. Aged in oak barrels, this bourbon is the only extra-aged bottled-in-bond single barrel bourbon available and offers a smooth, sumptuous, structured flavor profile.

Xania Woodman, bar manager and lead bartender at O.P. Rockwell Cocktail Lounge & Music Hall, describes the 10-year-old bourbon as rich and buttery, "like butterscotch candy," but with an appreciable bite. And for all its attributes, the price point isn't as exorbitant as some other celebrated bourbons. “It just goes to show you,” says Woodman, “that an astronomical price doesn't necessarily indicate actual quality.” 

Best Bourbon For Beginners

Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey

View On Drizly $18 View On ReserveBar $37 View On Wine.com $29

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Cherry, Vanilla

The darling of the bourbon category in decades past, Maker's Mark has largely been eclipsed in the affections of today's generation of connoisseurs by a dizzying range of cult bottlings and hard-to-find special releases—but don't count out this modern classic just yet. This venerable "wheated bourbon" (a bourbon that uses wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye, resulting in a sweeter flavor profile) is delicious on its own, and also plays well in any classic whiskey cocktail.

The best part about Maker's Mark is the price—this bourbon punches way above its weight class. Expect to pay no more than around $30 a bottle, which is quite reasonable for something so versatile, complex, and well crafted.

Best Kentucky Bourbon

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

View On Drizly $37 View On Wine.com $35 View On ReserveBar $44

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Corn, Caramel, Crème brûlée, Apricot, Dark cherry, Pepper

Read Full Review: Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Woodford Reserve was named the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby” in 1999 but has been produced at their historic distillery in Versailles, Kentucky since 1812.

Our tasting panel all agree that Woodford Reserve is a versatile, high-quality bottling to sip or mix with. Our reviewers found the typical bourbon notes of corn, caramel, vanilla, fruit, and oak on the nose and palate.

Jeffrey Morgenthaler, bartender and co-owner of Pacific Standard in Portland, Oregon, calls it “an absolutely flawless bourbon, and one of the finest examples of American whiskey in the world today.” He also found Woodford to show more complexity than other whiskeys in its price range and emphasizes its excellent value.

Woodford Reserve may be a star in the Derby's Mint Julep, but this versatile bourbon shines in a variety of cocktails. Julie Reiner says this bottling is a “great mixing bourbon” and all of our reviewers suggest using Woodford in classic whiskey cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, and Boulevardier.

“There is no way in which Woodford doesn’t work,” says Morgenthaler. “[The] very best cocktail use for this whiskey is in an Old Fashioned, where the bourbon is allowed to shine.”

Best Wheated Bourbon

W.L. Weller Special Reserve

View On Drizly $19 View On Flaviar View On Caskers

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Baked apple, Allspice, Pepper, Cherry, Vanilla, Chocolate, Orange

Read Full Review: W.L. Weller Special Reserve Wheated Bourbon Review

W.L. Weller Special Reserve, distributed by Buffalo Trace Distillery, is a no-age-statement wheated bourbon that is a benchmark for the wheated bourbon category. It is also increasingly hard to find at the manufacturer's suggested price of $23.99. Because it’s produced in such limited quantities there tends to be considerable markups in retail making it difficult to source. If you are able to get your hands on a bottle close to the original price, however, our panel of reviewers all agree that W.L. Weller represents an incredible value.

“[It] really over-delivers at its original price,” says cocktail consultant Jacques Bezuidenhout. “The wheat makes for a nice, mellow sipper.” While Bezuidenhout also suggests cocktails like the Mint Julep, he notes that this bottling’s increasing collectability may make it best reserved for sipping neat or on the rocks. 

Related: The Best Bourbons for Beginners

Best Bourbon for Sipping Neat

Widow Jane 10-year Bourbon

View On Drizly $70 View On ReserveBar $73 View On Caskers

Region: Kentucky/Tennessee/Indiana/New York | ABV: 45.5% | Tasting Notes: Cherry, Light Char, Vanilla

Widow Jane meticulously sources its favorite bourbons from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana and blends them in five barrel batches in Brooklyn, N.Y. Its team wanted to add something that “had the intense taste of New York in each sip,” so it cuts that blend with limestone mineral water from the famous Rosendale Mines in upstate New York. The distillery’s signature 10-year-old bourbon presents a nose of nutmeg, cream, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon, and a palate that flirts with maple syrup, almond, cherry, and orange.

“My new favorite sipper, and one of the best bourbons I have ever tasted, hands down,” says Anthony Vitacca, an award-winning bartender based in California.

Related: The Best Bourbons Under $50

Best Bourbon for Cocktails

Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

View On Drizly $30 View On Wine.com $47 View On ReserveBar $50

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45.7% | Tasting Notes: Sweet corn, Peach, White pepper

Read Full Review: Michter’s US*1 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Michter’s is certainly not the cheapest bourbon you can find, but for a special-occasion cocktail made with premium ingredients, it's hard to imagine a better base spirit than their flagship US*1 bourbon. Aged somewhere between four and six years, it's not so barrel-dominated as to override your other ingredients—and it's bottled at a higher proof, which allows it to stand up to the addition of vermouth, simple syrup, citrus, or whatever other cocktail components you're reaching for.

During our review, our tasting panel unanimously agreed that Michter's is a great option for cocktails. “[It] will stand up to other spirits or liqueurs and still deliver its flavor,” says Jacques Bezuidenhout. 

Julie Reiner, co-founder of New York institutions Clover Club, Leyenda, and Milady’s, notes that it will make a great Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Mint Julep, or New York Sour.

“I would take the opportunity to explore how this bourbon performs in an Old Fashioned with just the right amount of sugar,” says Morgenthaler. “My guess is that it will transform into a different drink with a whole new level of appreciable spices and other complex flavors.”

Some really excellent older expressions are available, like the 10- and 25-year-old bottles, but your bank account will be grateful if you stick with the US*1 for your drink of choice.

Best Bourbon If You Can Find It

Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon

View On Drizly $15 View On Wine.com $170 View On Caskers

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Buttered popcorn, Honey, Tobacco, Burnt caramel, Vanilla

Read Full Review: Eagle Rare 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Eagle Rare 10-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is another Buffalo Trace bottling that is increasingly more difficult to source. Its $30 suggested price would be considered an excellent value, but the hefty markups by retailers can make it hard to find at that price point. According to our panel of reviewers, you just may want to shell out a few extra bucks on this bourbon lovers bourbon.

“This is a benchmark bourbon,” says Julie Reiner.

Both Reiner and Jeffrey Morgenthaler agree that Eagle Rare is a great choice for entry-level and experienced whiskey drinkers alike.

“[It’s a] very complex bourbon, but it is also approachable,” Reiner says. [It has] lots of sweet bourbon notes but a beautiful spicy finish.”

“Anyone who enjoys a classic bourbon will find something to enjoy in the beautiful, complex liquid within,” adds Morgenthaler.

Our reviewers each noted a full-bodied, rich palate paired with a long finish. “[The] finish is long and luxurious, with butterscotch lingering on the palate for quite some time,” says Morgenthaler

Jacques Bezuidenhout says this bottling would also fare well in highballs. “[It] has the richness and structure to stand in tall cocktails,” says Bezuidenhout.

Best Bourbon Under $50

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

View On ReserveBar View On Minibar Delivery $45 View On Totalwine.com

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa, Maple Syrup, Stone Fruit

Read Full Review: Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Review

One of Kentucky’s proudest and most tenured producers, Four Roses has been around since the 1800s. Its single barrel, launched in 2004, might be the strongest offering in its decorated portfolio thanks to an uncanny balance of potency (100 proof) with a rich smoothness resulting from spending 10 years in barrel. Aromas of maple syrup and vanilla on the nose give way to ripe stone fruit on the tongue. Straight-up or on the rocks, it presents a delicate and lengthy finish that’s surprisingly nuanced.

In our full bottle review of Four Roses Single Barrel, our reviewer notes that this expression uses one "yeast-mash-bill combo that produces a rich, fruity, spicy and thoroughly delicious bourbon." He goes on to note, "A lot of single barrels go for extremes, whether in proof or in flavor profile. Not so here. This is a totally approachable bourbon that’s easy enough for everyday drinking but complex and rich enough for special-occasion quaffing."

This bourbon has also earned a treasure trove of awards, including multiple golds and double golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Best Barrel Strength Bourbon

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

View On Drizly $30 View On Caskers View On Minibar Delivery $75

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 60-65% | Tasting Notes: Toast, Apple, Vanilla

Named after a Baptist preacher who famously founded a whiskey distillery in 1789, the Elijah Craig line from Heaven Hill distilleries was introduced in 1986, becoming an early player in the fledgling "craft whiskey" movement. The brand currently offers four different bourbons, including their high-octane, 12-year-old "single barrel" expression, which is one of McKay’s favorites. "It’s just delicious," he says, "and you don’t need to pour very much."

Best Estate Bourbon

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon

View On Drizly $48 View On Flaviar View On Wine.com $54

Region: Nevada | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Sourdough, Cinnamon, Dried banana

The term "estate" is well-known in the wine world: essentially, "estate wines" are those which are made by the same person (or family, or winery) who grew the grapes. But "estate spirits" aren't a familiar concept to most consumers, and for most of the last hundred years or more it's been basically impossible for someone in the US to purchase a bottle of whiskey that was (legally) distilled by the same small family operation that grew the grains. With the farm-to-glass movement in full swing, however, fascinating and nuanced spirits are now being produced by estate distilleries across the nation.

The Frey family has operated a farm in Nevada since 1854 (incredibly, before Nevada was even a state), but only recently began setting aside some of their grain to use in distillation. Raising their own grain means that the family can control every aspect of production, and their signature four-grain bourbon—featuring a mash bill of 66.6% corn, 12% malted barley, 11.4% rye and 10% wheat—is a study in complexity and terroir. Expect an intriguing nose bursting with cherries and sourdough, which leads into a rich palate featuring notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and dried banana.

Best Tennessee Bourbon

George Dickel Barrel Select

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Region: Tennessee | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Oak, Candied nuts, Vanilla, Wood smoke, Caramel, Citrus

George Dickel Barrel Select is made from a mash of 84% corn, 8% rye and 8% malted barley. After it is fermented and double-distilled, it is aged for 10-12 years. Once it's matured, the master distiller then selects 10 barrels to go through the sugar maple charcoal process—which makes this bourbon distinctly Tennessee.

This Tennessee-style bourbon is packed with caramel, toffee and corn on the nose and rich baking spices and sweet char on the palate. This could easily be a sipping bourbon or enjoyed over a large cube of ice. But with its warm rye spice notes, and luxurious mouthfeel can also stand up to intense cocktail ingredients like bitter amaro.

Related: The Best Whiskey Stones