

With American whiskey, an age statement isn’t always required-it’s only required for liquid under four years old-but that hasn’t stopped a number of producers from releasing excellent aged whiskeys. The longer a spirit spends sleeping in wood, the more the wood will coax out flavors that aren’t immediately present after the distillation process. AgeĬonsider the age statement on the bottle: the time between the whiskey is poured into the barrel to the time it is removed and bottled. Learn more about the various whiskey styles in our comprehensive guide. Wheat will round out all of the above and soften any harsh flavors. Higher corn content will give a sweeter profile, while more rye in the mashbill will result in a big burst of spice. One of the best ways to grasp the final flavor profile of a spirit is the mashbill. While American whiskey all falls under one broader category, within the country, styles can vary wildly.

What to Look for in American Whiskeys Mashbill Region: Texas | ABV: 41% | Tasting Notes: Honey, banana, caramel It’s smooth but bold and will not get covered up by any mixer, making it an ideal whiskey cocktail foundation. The nose is filled with vanilla, oak, and pear, while the palate has a delicious honey, banana, and caramel profile. in Fort Worth, Texas, it took two years for the team to come up with the right combination for their 82-proof blend. Produced by Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. It is far more difficult than consumers think, so when you get a taste of something like TX Blended Whiskey, there is a chance to respect the artistry. Then, they have to do it again and again to replicate that taste in every subsequent bottle. Famous among Irish, Scotch, and Canadian whiskeys, master blenders must transform multiple types of whiskeys of various flavor profiles into one cohesive beverage that drinkers will enjoy. View On Drizly View On Flaviar View On Caskersĭistilling good whiskey takes skill and craftsmanship blending good whiskey takes an artist’s touch. Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Wood, toffee, apricot It’s priced competitively with other premium whiskeys, which makes it an ideal choice for classic rye whiskey cocktails, like the famous Sazerac. That leads into subtly sweet vanilla and honey notes before finishing off with a crisp, long bouquet of flavors. Rye is a spicy grain, a fact made apparent at the beginning of each sip. Bottled at 90 proof (45 percent alcohol by volume), it’s stronger than the average whiskey, and that also makes it more flavorful.

This whiskey is distilled from a mash bill that is 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. While that’s a nice whiskey, when you really want the spice of a straight rye whiskey, Bulleit Rye is the bottle to pick up. At 17 percent, the Kentucky distillery’s bourbon has more rye than most bourbons would dare to include in their mash bill. Region: Kentucky | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Mint, nutmeg, smokeīulleit is called "Frontier Whiskey," and it does have a rustic charm. As impressive as it is straight, Elijah Craig also makes some fine bourbon cocktails. The long finish is toasty and perfectly sweet, which brings you back for another sip. It is impeccably smooth and holds delicious notes of vanilla and caramel with a woody spice. This 94-proof whiskey is aged between eight and 12 years. Named for a reverend who was also among the pioneering bourbon distillers, it is produced by Heaven Hill Distillery in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country. It’s a perfect representation of this whiskey style and is reasonably priced so it can become a regular in anyone’s liquor cabinet. One that receives acclaim from whiskey drinkers of all tastes is Elijah Craig Small Batch. There are many well-known names in bourbon, and it’s fun to explore all the different brands. View On Drizly View On Minibar Delivery View On ReserveBarīy law, bourbon must be made in the U.S.
