10 Expert-Approved Bourbons You Need to Try

10 Expert-Approved Bourbons You Need to Try

Are you in the market for your next purchase? Explore our carefully curated list of the top 10 bourbon whiskeys, each highly rated by critics and enthusiasts alike. These selections have been ranked based on the latest data from a renowned wine and spirits search engine for the year 2024. Discover the finest bourbons that have captured the attention and acclaim of experts, ensuring you make an informed and satisfying choice for your next bottle.

Elijah Craig 18-Year Bourbon

Elijah Craig 18-Year Bourbon, from the Elijah Craig Distillery in Kentucky, established in 1789, is a 90-proof bourbon priced between $300 and $550. Its flavor profile includes notes of cherries, vanilla, fudge, pecans, oak, and sweet honey.

George T. Stagg Bourbon

George T. Stagg Bourbon, crafted at Buffalo Trace Distillery founded in 1775, originates from Kentucky and is proofed at 115. Priced between $1,000 and $1,500, this bourbon offers a rich flavor profile featuring notes of coffee, oak, spices, vanilla beans, and chocolate fudge.

Four Roses Single Barrel

This Single Barrel from Four Roses presents a slightly proofed variation of their renowned OBSV recipe. The OBSV recipe is characterized by a delicate fruit yeast and a high-rye mash bill. Specifically chosen from the north side of Warehouse P—a cherished location for Four Roses' single barrel enthusiasts—this selection highlights the significant impact that barrel position and warehouse conditions can have on the whiskey's flavor profile.

Elijah Craig Bourbon Small Batch

The Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon stands out as a remarkable value, offering an exceptional experience for bourbon enthusiasts. The inviting bouquet opens with delightful aromas of honey, sweet corn, vanilla, and brown sugar, setting the stage for what unfolds on the equally luscious palate. This bourbon strikes a perfect balance, combining boldness with smoothness, as flavors of honey, vanilla, and molasses take center stage, complemented by a subtle dry oakiness. Whether savored neat or with a touch of water, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon delivers a memorable and satisfying drinking experience.

Evan Williams Single Barrel

Evan Williams Single Barrel has remained an underrated gem since its inception in 1983, offering a vintage-dated selection of the finest barrels from the warehouses. Master distillers Craig Beam and his late father, Parker, meticulously handpick these barrels until only the best remains. Despite being bottled at a lower proof, perhaps deterring some, its quality shines through, especially when enjoyed neat. With recent releases like the 2009 vintage, it's evident that Evan Williams Single Barrel continues to uphold its legacy, a testament to Parker's enduring pride.

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old

Indulge in the exceptional flavor of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year, a bourbon like no other. Skillfully produced with a distinctive wheated-recipe and aged for a remarkable 15 years in deep-charred, heavy oak barrels, this whiskey promises an unparalleled and singular experience. Embrace the opportunity to savor the distinct and highly coveted essence of Kentucky's most sought-after bourbon.

Angel’s Envy

Angel’s Envy stands out as one of the most renowned and readily accessible cask-finished American whiskey brands. The primary offering involves a bourbon aged for four to six years, culminating in a finishing period of up to six months in ruby port wine barrels. This process imparts a rich hue and syrupy hints of candied fruit to the whiskey. While numerous cask-finished bourbon options abound, beginning with a brand that boasts over a decade of expertise is a solid choice for enthusiasts.

Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof

The inaugural Larceny Barrel Proof release of 2024 embodies a timeless character. Inside the bottle, you'll find a harmonious blend of six- to eight-year-old bourbons sourced from the wheated bourbon barrels at Heaven Hill. These carefully selected barrels were batched and bottled in their pure, unaltered form, delivering an authentic and unadulterated expression of the whiskey within.

Heaven Hill 7 Year Old Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Heaven Hill introduced their 7-year-old Bottled-in-Bond flagship bourbon in June 2019, following the retirement of their renowned 6-year-old bourbon. This whiskey quickly gained acclaim, earning 92 points and securing the #4 spot on Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2019. Described as "explosive, bold, and buttery," it offers a rich array of flavors including honey-roasted peanuts, caramel, chocolate, corn muffins, licorice, and cinnamon. Notes of savory herbs, cloves, white pepper, tobacco, and earthiness add complexity, while well-integrated oak, sweetness, and spice deliver balance and length. Praised for its exceptional quality and approachable price, this bourbon offers pure bliss to whiskey enthusiasts.

Four Roses Small Batch

The Four Roses perfects the marrying art of mingling multiple Bourbon recipes, our Master Distiller has expertly selected four original and limited Bourbons at the pinnacle of maturation. The result is a perfectly balanced small batch Bourbon that unveils a mellow symphony of rich, spicy flavors complemented by sweet, fruity aromas and nuanced notes of sweet oak and caramel. The finish is soft, smooth, and pleasantly long-lasting. Best enjoyed straight up, on the rocks, or with a splash, this exceptional Bourbon boasts a proof of 90 and an alcohol/volume of 45%.