12 Best Bourbons And Other Whiskeys To Use In Your Whiskey Cocktails

12 Best Bourbons And Other Whiskeys To Use In Your Whiskey Cocktails

While the whiskey sour's simplicity may lead some to overlook it, we believe its classic recipe offers a perfect canvas for creativity and experimentation. Adding egg white creates a creamy, frothy texture that enhances the drink's profile, but alternatives like aquafaba can also be used. Fresh ingredients are key to a superior cocktail experience. Furthermore, varying the base spirit, such as trying different bourbons, can drastically alter the drink's flavor profile, offering endless possibilities for unique and delicious variations of this timeless classic. Shop whiskeys!

Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace bourbon stands out as an ideal choice for crafting a classic whiskey sour. With its rich history and well-balanced flavor profile, characterized by sweet caramel, molasses, and vanilla notes, Buffalo Trace provides a perfect canvas for the cocktail's citrusy elements to shine. Its nuanced hints of dark fruits and oak add depth to the drink, complementing the lighter flavors. While not explicitly listed in the recipe, a few dashes of Angostura bitters can enhance the cocktail's complexity by harmonizing its sweet, tart, and spicy components. However, given the fluctuating price of Buffalo Trace, it's wise to consider its affordability, especially if you plan to use it frequently in cocktails. Buy it now for $28.99.

Elijah Craig Bourbon Small Batch

Elijah Craig Small Batch bourbon is undoubtedly a standout choice for crafting a classic whiskey sour. Named after a pioneering figure in bourbon history, this award-winning expression boasts a rich and complex profile that lends itself perfectly to cocktails. With its slightly higher proof, Elijah Craig Small Batch offers a robust mouthfeel and a touch of heat, balanced by pronounced sweetness. Its flavors of golden honey, creamy marzipan, and oak are a delightful complement to the citrusy notes in a whiskey sour, while its extended barrel-aging adds depth with hints of smoke. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails like old fashioneds and mint juleps, Elijah Craig Small Batch shines. For an added layer of complexity, a few dashes of Angostura bitters can enhance the overall drinking experience. Buy it now for $22.99.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Wild Turkey 101 Rye stands out as an exemplary choice for those seeking a bolder and spicier cocktail experience, particularly in whiskey sours. While bourbon and rye share some common characteristics, such as sweetness and fruitiness, the legal distinction between them results in notable flavor differences. Rye whiskey, including Wild Turkey 101 Rye, must contain at least 51% rye in its mash bill, leading to a pronounced spice and citrus profile. Despite its high corn content for a rye, Wild Turkey 101 Rye boasts robust rye spice notes that cut through its vanilla and cereal-grain sweetness. This complexity is further enhanced by the whiskey's aging process in heavily charred barrels, yielding a smooth yet dynamic spirit that elevates any cocktail it's used in, particularly the classic whiskey sour. Buy it now!

Rittenhouse Rye

Rittenhouse Rye is a perennial favorite among cocktail bartenders and American whiskey enthusiasts alike, thanks to its ability to amplify rye characteristics while maintaining balance. Despite its relatively low rye content in the mash bill, Rittenhouse Rye boasts intense flavor profiles that complement cocktails without overpowering them. Its sweetness unfolds with nuances of candied toffee, maple syrup, and peanut, accompanied by a robust spice profile featuring nutmeg, cinnamon, and sweet peppers. Bottled at 100 proof, it packs a punch that elevates any cocktail it graces. While classic Angostura bitters are a popular choice for whiskey sours, experimenting with alternatives like Peychaud's bitters can unlock new dimensions of flavor, with its pronounced orange, anise, and candied cherry notes blending seamlessly with Rittenhouse Rye. Affordable and versatile, Rittenhouse Rye is a staple bottle for both cocktail mixing and sipping neat or on the rocks, ensuring it remains a beloved choice for whiskey aficionados everywhere. Buy it now!

Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Woodford Reserve stands out among classic bourbons for its rich and complex flavor profile, making it a versatile choice for cocktails. While it shares the sweet characteristics of other bourbons like Buffalo Trace and Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve boasts deeper, more indulgent notes of dried fruit, toffee, and dark chocolate. Additionally, it offers a unique balance of leathery, tobacco-spice undertones alongside complex citrus flavors of oranges and lemon. While it excels in cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Woodford Reserve also lends itself to creative twists like the New York Sour, where its mature flavors harmonize beautifully with dry red wine. By selecting a wine that complements either the sweet and fruity or leathery, spicy notes of the bourbon, you can tailor the cocktail to your taste preferences and create a truly memorable drinking experience. Buy it now for $33.99.

Maker's 46 Bourbon Whisky

Maker's Mark 46 offers a compelling twist on the classic Maker's Mark bourbon, making it an excellent choice for elevating cocktails like the whiskey sour. Aged longer than the standard expression and infused with specially seared French oak staves, Maker's Mark 46 boasts a smoother profile with enhanced barrel character, along with prominent notes of vanilla and baking spice from the staves. What sets Maker's Mark apart is its unique mash bill, which includes red winter wheat instead of rye grain, resulting in a creamy mouthfeel that perfectly complements cocktails featuring egg white for a velvety texture. Launched in 2010 as the first new expression from Maker's Mark in over half a century, Maker's Mark 46 has quickly become a favorite among whiskey enthusiasts and cocktail aficionados alike, adding depth and complexity to any libation it graces. Buy now for $41.99.

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Jameson Irish whiskey offers a delightful twist on the classic whiskey sour, bringing a smooth and approachable character to the cocktail. Triple-distilled for exceptional smoothness, Jameson's mellow profile makes it ideal for those seeking a well-balanced drink where the whiskey plays a supporting role. Its creamy texture and subtle flavors of vanilla, dried fruits, and toasted oak, derived from aging in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, add depth to the cocktail without overpowering it. While Jameson lacks the sweetness of corn-based American whiskeys, it pairs wonderfully with both lemon and lime juices, allowing for flexibility in crafting the perfect balance of citrus. To enhance Jameson's fruity notes, consider incorporating orange-flavored bitters to elevate the cocktail's complexity. With Jameson as the foundation, the whiskey sour becomes a sophisticated yet approachable libation, perfect for any occasion. Buy it now!

J&B Rare

In the realm of Scotch whisky, the Speyside region stands out for its diverse array of distilleries and whisky styles, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and profiles. Among these, J&B Rare emerges as a notable choice for crafting a whisky sour that showcases the essence of this renowned whisky-producing region. A blended Scotch whisky, J&B Rare epitomizes the art of blending, delivering a harmonious fusion of malted barley character, subtle citrus notes, and a gentle smokiness, complemented by nuances of toffee, honey, dried fruit, and oak. This well-rounded profile makes J&B Rare a versatile and accessible option for elevating your whisky sour experience. While staying true to the classic recipe, subtle adjustments can accentuate the distinctive flavors of this Scotch-based cocktail variant. A touch of salt enhances perceived sweetness, counteracting any bitterness and adding depth to the drink's flavor profile. Additionally, experimenting with homemade Earl Grey tea syrup can elevate the herbal notes of J&B Rare, amplifying the citrus accents and creating a truly captivating sensory experience. Buy it now!

Auchentoshan Three Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Auchentoshan's Three Wood expression, with its triple-distilled heritage and maturation in a trio of casks, epitomizes the distinctive character of Lowlands Scotch whisky. Rich with notes of butterscotch, toffee, and dark chocolate, complemented by a medley of fruit flavors, this whisky offers a refined smoothness that pairs elegantly with the sharpness of lime juice in a classic whisky sour. Whether savored neat or mixed into cocktails, Auchentoshan Three Wood promises a sophisticated drinking experience for whisky aficionados seeking complexity and depth. Buy it now!

Suntory Toki

Venturing into Japan, we encounter a whisky culture influenced by Scotch traditions yet imbued with a distinctive delicacy unique to the region. Despite a delayed international recognition, Japanese whiskies have swiftly gained acclaim, with offerings ranging from rare, high-end bottles to younger, more accessible expressions. Suntory's Toki exemplifies the latter category, offering a balanced and refreshing profile ideal for a lighter, citrus-forward whisky sour. As a creation of the pioneering company that introduced Western-style whisky to Japan, Toki inherits its predecessors' craftsmanship while presenting a modern twist with vibrant citrus notes and subtle spiced fruit undertones. This refreshing character makes Toki an excellent choice for those seeking a whisky sour that is both flavorful and approachable, providing a delightful Japanese twist to this classic cocktail. Buy it now!

Nikka Days Blended Whisky

Nikka's Days whisky, a blend of single malt and grain whiskies from their Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, offers a distinct Japanese twist on the classic whisky sour. With fresh floral notes and crisp orchard fruits reminiscent of Speyside Scotch, Days provides a milder yet flavorful base for experimentation. Enhance the cocktail's complexity by incorporating ginger syrup for spice and texture, and yuzu juice for a unique aromatic touch and grapefruit-like tartness. Pair with elderflower bitters to elevate the drink's floral qualities, creating a refreshing and nuanced whisky sour experience with a Japanese flair. Buy it now!

Laphroaig 10 Year

Using Laphroaig 10 Year as a base for a whisky sour offers a bold departure from the norm, with its intense peatiness, earthy smoke, and medicinal notes. While it may be too overpowering on its own, blending it with a milder Scotch like J&B helps balance the flavors. Adding ginger syrup or incorporating ginger into the cocktail provides a spicy twist, reminiscent of the Penicillin cocktail, while also enhancing the complexity. For those who enjoy the aroma of Laphroaig but find its taste too strong, a spritz of the whisky on top of the cocktail adds a subtle peaty essence without overwhelming the palate. Buy it now!