Contents
Best Bourbon Selections
Top-Rated Bourbons in 2024
Here’s a roundup of the most talked-about bourbons to get your taste buds hopping in 2024. Check out these top picks:
| Bourbon | Age | Flavor Profile | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon | 5 years | Ancho pepper, truffle, cream soda | $60 |
| Green River Full Proof Bourbon | 5-7 years | Dark fruits, caramel cream candy, brown sugar, oak | $50 |
| Booker’s The Reserves | 8-14 years | Golden Grahams, chocolate, toasted almond, toasted oak | $130 |
| Elijah Craig Small Batch | NA | Full-bodied with rich flavors | NA |
| Maker’s Mark Cask Strength | NA | Intense, robust | NA |
Got a thirst for more? Peek at our best bourbon brands.
Noteworthy Bourbon Recommendations
- Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon:
- A 5-year-old brew with a mix of 36% red corn, 34% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% barley. This bad boy hits you with ancho pepper, truffle, and cream soda tones, offering a big ol’ slice of Texas flavor without smacking you in the face with oak (Breaking Bourbon).
- Green River Full Proof Bourbon:
- Green River’s blend of 5-7-year-old bourbons struts its stuff, flaunting dark fruits, caramel cream candy, brown sugar, and smooth oak. At $50, it’s like scoring that last biscuit at Granny’s Sunday dinner.
- Booker’s The Reserves:
- Beam swung for the fences with this 8, 9, 10, and 14-year-old combo. Think Golden Grahams, chocolate, toasted almond, and oak. At $130, it’s fancy enough to have your pinky out.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch:
- Hailing from Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, this bourbon has Reverend Elijah Craig’s blessin’ on it. It’s snagged some fancy medals like Double Gold in the San Fran showdowns.
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength:
- This barrel-proof Maker’s Mark punches with an intense, hearty flavor. Straight outta Loretto, Kentucky, it’s collected a bunch of shiny awards, including Double Gold in San Francisco (Forbes).
For all the delicious details, check out our bourbon tasting notes.
Get these top picks on your shelf and see your bourbon world turn up a notch. If you’re feeling adventurous, hit up our guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for some distillery magic.
Distilleries Across Regions
If you’re all about bourbon, taking a peek into where your favorite bottle of joy comes from can be just as fun as sipping it. Across the US, you’ll find distilleries offering laid-back vibes and some mighty fine bottles. We’re gonna dive into some standout spots in Kentucky, along with some up-and-coming craft joints, to give you a solid idea of where top-notch bourbon magic happens.
Prominent Kentucky Distilleries
Kentucky is basically the heartbeat of whiskey. With the hit Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the state flaunts some of the finest distilleries around. A few spots you should check out include:
| Distillery Name | Location | Notable Products |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Trace Distillery | Frankfort, KY | Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Eagle Rare |
| Angel’s Envy Distillery | Louisville, KY | Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Angel’s Envy Rye |
| Four Roses Distillery | Lawrenceburg, KY | Four Roses Single Barrel, Four Roses Small Batch |
| Heaven Hill Distillery | Bardstown, KY | Elijah Craig, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond |
Plunge into the action with tours and tastings and soak up the rich history and skill that craft these amazing bourbons. Curious about flavor notes and ratings? Our bourbon tasting notes got you covered.
Emerging Craft Distilleries
The bourbon business is alive and kicking beyond Kentucky, with little distilleries popping up and spicing things up. These indie places often play around with offbeat ingredients and aging methods. Check out these up-and-comers:
| Distillery Name | Location | Notable Products |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Whiskey | Kirby, WY | Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch, Double Cask |
| Charbay Distillery | Napa Valley, CA | Whiskey R5, Whiskey S |
| Balcones Distillery | Waco, TX | True Blue, Baby Blue Corn Whiskey |
Take Wyoming Whiskey, for one – its Double Cask, finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, is turning heads (USA Spirits Ratings). Over at Charbay, they’re flipping things with their “hoppy whiskey,” while Balcones is making waves with its True Blue whiskey.
California and Texas are showing up strong in the craft whiskey scene, thanks to names like Charbay and Balcones. They’re not just putting out top-rated bourbons but also shaping the wide world of American whiskey.
For those thirsty to know more, swing by our bourbon barrel aging guide to dive into these cool methods craft distilleries are stirring up. And if you’ve got a friend who’s into bourbon, our bourbon gift ideas will give you some slick pointers to spread the joy.
Unique Bourbon Offerings
Checking out some unique bourbon choices? You’ll find all sorts of surprises and twists. Distilleries are always mixing it up to delight bourbon fans with flavors they’ve never tasted before.
Creative Bourbon Expressions
These bourbons are like the artists of whiskey, showing off the wild side of distilling. They’ve got flavors and combinations that’ll tickle your taste buds.
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Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon: New for 2024, this 5-year-old delight is made from red corn, white corn, rye, and barley. Get ready for a taste bomb with hints of ancho pepper, truffle, and cream soda. It’s a real Texan treat without drowning in oak or alcohol punch-ups. You can check it out on Breaking Bourbon.
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Green River Full Proof Bourbon: This gem is a blend that gives you a smack of dark fruits, caramel candy, brown sugar, and a rich finish. All for just $50! It’s a smooth ride from start to finish.
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Booker’s The Reserves: Beam’s big release in 2024! High-proof action with flavors of Golden Grahams, chocolate, toasted almond, and oak. It’s a mixer of 8, 9, 10, and 14-year-old bourbons, bringing old Booker’s Bourbon to another level.
| Bourbon | Tasty Ingredients/Flavors | Age | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Still Austin Bottled in Bond | Red corn, white corn, rye, barley, ancho pepper, truffle, cream soda | 5 years | $ |
| Green River Full Proof | Dark fruits, caramel candy, brown sugar, rich oak | Blend | $50 |
| Booker’s The Reserves | Golden Grahams, chocolate, toasted almond, oak | 8-14 years | $$ |
Experimental Aging Techniques
Distilleries are like mad scientists, trying all sorts of tricks with aging to craft standout bourbons. These experiments turn up flavors you won’t forget.
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Woodinville Straight Bourbon Aged 8 Years: This one’s a standout, thanks to a knack for picking just the right barrels, adjusting the mix, and aging like a pro. The result? A perfectly balanced taste explosion that’ll stay with you.
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Chattanooga Whiskey Co. Bottled in Bond Bourbon: A mix of malted wheat and barley in its mashbill, this bourbon is a testament to the company’s taste-bud-blowing trial and error. It’s packed with rich flavors that scream innovation (Breaking Bourbon).
Want a deeper dive into this aging magic? Check out our article about bourbon barrel aging.
| Bourbon | Aging Experiments | Shining Features |
|---|---|---|
| Woodinville Straight Bourbon | Barrel tweaks, mashbill variety, skilled aging | Spot-on balance, unforgettable taste |
| Chattanooga Bottled in Bond Bourbon | Malted wheat, malted barley mashbill | Packed with rich, attention-grabbing flavors |
These one-of-a-kind bourbons are the result of some serious dedication and out-of-the-box thinking. Bourbon fans, these bottles are calling your name!
For more fun ways to enjoy bourbon, check out our guides on bourbon cocktail recipes and popular bourbon cocktails.
Bourbon Tasting Experiences
Tasting Profiles and Reviews
Checking out the profiles of top-rated bourbons gives you a sneak peek into what makes each one uniquely tasty. Here’s the lowdown on some highly praised bourbons that grabbed attention in 2024.
Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon
Dropped in 2024, this 5-year-old drink is whipped up with a funky mix of 36% red corn, 34% white corn, 25% rye, and just a pinch of 5% barley. It’s like sipping on ancho pepper, truffle, and cream soda—capturing the Texas vibes without being all oaky and strong-armed (Breaking Bourbon).
| Bourbon | Age | Mash Bill | Taste Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon | 5 years | 36% red corn, 34% white corn, 25% rye, 5% barley | Ancho pepper, truffle, cream soda | Breaking Bourbon |
Green River Full Proof Bourbon
Green River’s Full Proof Bourbon lets your taste buds wander with its blend of 5-7 year old browns. Dark fruits, caramel candy, and brown sugar take the lead, rounding off with a nice oak finish—all for just 50 bucks.
| Bourbon | Age | Notes | Finish | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Full Proof Bourbon | 5-7 years | Dark fruits, caramel candy, brown sugar | Rich oak | $50 |
Curious about other swanky bourbon contenders? Have a look at our scoop on the best bourbon brands.
Flavors and Aromas Discovery
To really get what bourbon’s all about, you need to get into its flavors and aromas. This liquor’s personality depends on stuff like the mash bill, how long it chills out, and what kind of barrel it’s aged in.
Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon
Blanton’s is like the granddaddy of single-barrel bourbons, hitting shelves back in 1984. It’s snagged a bunch of shiny awards, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
| Bourbon | Awards | Aroma | Taste Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon | Double Gold, Best Single Barrel Bourbon | Vanilla, dried fruit, and caramel | Nutmeg, cloves, and honey |
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old
This one comes from the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is famous for being smooth and complex, scoring top marks like a Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits (Forbes).
| Bourbon | Age | Awards | Aroma | Taste Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Rare 10 Year Old | 10 years | Double Gold, Best Bourbon | Toffee, orange peel, herbs | Honey, leather, oak |
Want to geek out on bourbon details? Check out our section on bourbon tasting notes.
These tasty profiles and top-tier reviews show why these bourbons stand a cut above the rest. If you’re ready for a sip, these tasting adventures might surprise you with their rich-as-heck flavor stories. Swing by a tasting session and see how deep you can dive into the world of bourbon.