The Best Craft Bourbons For Around The Campfire
Sip Under The Stars: Craft Bourbon Around The Fire
There's something almost elemental about sipping bourbon beside an open fire — the warmth of the flames, the smoky air, and the slow, contemplative rhythm of the outdoors have a way of making every sip feel more intentional. Craft bourbon, in particular, thrives in this setting, where its complexity and character can be appreciated without distraction. Unlike large commercial distilleries, craft producers typically work in smaller batches, often sourcing local grains and experimenting with unique aging techniques that result in bold, distinctive flavor profiles. When choosing a bourbon for the campfire, you'll want to look for expressions with enough body and depth to stand up to the sensory experience around you — think notes of caramel, toasted oak, dried fruit, and warming spice. The craft bourbon scene has exploded in recent years, with distilleries from coast to coast pushing the boundaries of what American whiskey can be, making it an exciting time to explore beyond the familiar labels.
Best Craft Bourbon: Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
In the realm of craft distilleries, not all succeed in producing exceptional whiskey, but Frey Ranch in Nevada stands out with both creativity and innovation. Their five-year-old, grain-to-glass bourbon exemplifies the excellence of the old guard. Crafted from a four-grain mashbill featuring corn, rye, wheat, and barley, this bourbon, bottled at 90 proof, showcases the complexity and rich flavors synonymous with top-tier whiskey. Frey Ranch proves that dedication to quality and a commitment to craftsmanship can yield outstanding results in the world of craft distillation. Buy it now!
Woodinville Port Finished Bourbon
From Washington state, this straight bourbon gets extra time in ruby port barrels from Portugal's Douro Valley, adding a rich, fruity layer to their already solid five-year-old spirit. You pick up jammy berries, candied cherries, dried plums, chocolate-covered fruit, and a touch of spice that makes it thick and cozy, perfect for slow sippin' when the wind's howlin' outside. Buy it now!
FEW Bourbon
Here's where craft distilling gets real interesting. FEW Spirits operates out of Evanston, Illinois – literally the birthplace of the Temperance movement – in what used to be a chop shop down a back alley. Talk about poetic justice. Founder Paul Hletko started this operation in 2011 as the first distillery in the area since Prohibition got repealed, and he's been making grain-to-glass whiskey ever since. The standard FEW Bourbon runs you about $40 and uses 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley, all sourced locally. The rye percentage is higher than your typical bourbon, which brings more spice to the party alongside the vanilla and caramel you'd expect. This stuff has picked up awards at the Whiskies of the World competition and earned gold medals for its bold, spicy profile. What makes it stand out is that Chicago-style twist – it's got more attitude than your standard Kentucky bourbon, with a richer mouthfeel and complexity that comes from their unique fermentation process. The smaller barrel aging also concentrates the flavors faster, so you're getting more bang for your buck in terms of taste development.
Bootlegger New York Craft Bourbon
Bootlegger Whiskey, hailing from the Do Good Distillery in Roscoe, New York, embodies the spirit of its name, paying homage to the city's historical association with bootlegging. Mashed, distilled, and bottled on the outskirts of New York City, the Do Good Distillery is no stranger to crafting high-quality spirits, including Vodka, Gin, and Bourbon Cream. Bootlegger New York Craft Bourbon stands out as a testament to the state's grandeur, exclusively using locally grown corn. The pot-distilled Spirit undergoes maturation in new charred oak barrels of varying sizes, aging until deemed perfect by the distillers. Unfiltered through anything but a cotton mesh, this gluten-free and kosher-certified Bourbon showcases the uniqueness of New York, giving enthusiasts yet another reason to love the city that never sleeps. Buy it now!
Breckenridge Bourbon
Aged for two to three years, it is made from malted barley, green rye, and yellow corn. Despite its youth, this Award Winning Whiskey achieves a depth of taste with a blend of vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors that fade into a fruity, spicy finish. Buy it now!
Bingham's Bourbon Black Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Bingham's Bourbon is a small-batch, handcrafted Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey made by Ryan Bingham, a Grammy and Oscar winner and star of Yellowstone. Using only the best maize, rye, and barley from nearby Texas farmers, this ultra-premium spirit is painstakingly made from grain to glass. Each batch is aged in classic American White Oak barrels and is subjected to the harsh climate of the state, where intense heat, high humidity, and sharp temperature fluctuations give the bourbon a unique Texas "terroir" that gives it a deep, rich character that is exclusive to the area. The end product is a spirit that perfectly embodies the harmony of robust flavors, smoothness, adaptability, and unwavering quality that Bingham had long sought. Buy it now!
Bluegrass Distillers/Toasted Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Introducing our Toasted Oak Bourbon, crafted from our signature Mash Bill #1 comprising 75% yellow corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Barrel-aged for a minimum of three years, this bourbon offers an enticing aroma of toast, vanilla, and baking spice. Upon tasting, expect a sweet entry with delightful layers of cinnamon, maple, and nutmeg. The finish is characterized by notes of marshmallow, oak, vanilla, culminating in a tantalizing toffee essence. Finished in lightly toasted white oak barrels for at least 21 days, our Toasted Oak Bourbon delivers a light yet peppery profile with aromatic hints of butterscotch and spice. Buy it now!
Barrell Bourbon
In the contemporary bourbon landscape, the negative connotations associated with "blended" have vanished, thanks to producers like Barrell Craft Spirits, which adeptly source and blend whiskey from diverse origins to create a product greater than the sum of its parts. The recently released Batch 35 of Barrell Bourbon exemplifies this approach, comprising straight bourbon whiskeys sourced from Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky, spanning six to thirteen years of aging. Bottled at a robust cask strength of 117.5 proof, this blend stands as one of the finest bourbons in the market today. Buy it now!
Pinhook Vertical Series Bourbon War 6 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Pinhook Whiskey's Vertical Series Bourbon War is more than just a spirit—it's a story that intertwines the worlds of horse racing and bourbon-making. Born out of the restored Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, this bourbon pays homage to the racehorse Bourbon War, known for his impressive performances in prestigious races like the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Just like the horse, each batch of Pinhook Vertical Series Bourbon War is unique, evolving over time as it matures in barrels. The 6 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey offers a sensory journey with its rich aromas of brown sugar, licorice, and toasted almond, leading into flavors of smoke, honey, black cherries, cloves, and Tahitian vanilla. It's a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of Pinhook Whiskey and a delightful exploration of how whiskey evolves with age. Buy it now!
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Wheated Bottled-in-Bond
This 100-proof wheater is the cozy sweater of bourbon right now. Soft baked apple, vanilla cream, and that classic wheat sweetness come through loud and clear, but there’s enough rye spice in the mashbill to keep it from getting too fluffy. The finish hangs around forever with cinnamon and caramel – perfect for slow sipping while you’re pretending to watch the game but really just staring at the fire. New favorite for sure.
Fox & Oden Double Oaked Straight Bourbon
They take good bourbon and stick it in a second heavily charred barrel – the result is stupid rich. Dark caramel, baker’s chocolate, old leather, and that pipe tobacco note that makes you wanna grow a beard just holding the glass. Hundred bucks feels fair when it drinks this luxurious. The bottle he’ll brag about to his buddies for months. Buy it now!
Kings County Peated Bourbon
Brooklyn again, but this one’s for guys who love Islay scotch on the down-low. Sweet corn up front, then that smoky punch that lingers like your ex’s perfume. Perfect for sipping while pretending you’re rugged.
Peter E Hart Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Peter E Hart Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a distinguished spirit known for its deep, rich flavors. This bourbon undergoes a unique double oaking process that enhances its complexity, offering notes of dark chocolate, toasted oak, and spice. Ideal for those who enjoy a robust and full-bodied bourbon experience. Buy it now!
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