14 Bourbons To Pair With BBQ

14 Bourbons To Pair With BBQ

It’s officially BBQ season, and while beer is a staple at barbecues, don’t overlook pairing your next plate of barbecue with bourbon. Bourbon and barbecue pairings work just as well as those with beer, and with higher ABV, you might enjoy it even more. The biggest dilemma is deciding what bourbon to bring. You want to share the good stuff but not necessarily your top-shelf bottles with everyone. You also don’t want to come empty-handed or with generic bottles that betray your whiskey enthusiast status. To help, we’ve put together a list of the best bourbons for cookouts that strike a balance of being readily available, high-quality, and relatively affordable. These selections will ensure you bring a great bottle to share with friends, both the ones you love and the ones you can barely tolerate.

Four Roses Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Novice)

Four Roses Bourbon, with its symphony of floral and fruity notes, emerges as an exemplary candidate for a sweeter highball. This bourbon stands out with its unique blend that is composed of 10 recipes, each contributing to its rich and mellow character. Sippers of Four Roses are greeted with a gracefully intertwined bouquet of ripe pear, crisp apple, and sweet honey. This intricate profile is the result of careful selection of grains and yeast, as well as meticulous aging that reflects the brand's commitment to quality and complexity.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Mid)

Buffalo Trace Bourbon, a distinguished American spirit, offers a bold profile with layers of vanilla, caramel, and spice. In a highball, the bourbon's depth is enhanced by bubbly soda water, resulting in a robust yet refreshingly sophisticated cocktail.

Maker's Mark Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Novice)

Maker's Mark Bourbon, with its reputation for balanced taste and exceptional smoothness, is a superb choice when it's time to make a highball. This bourbon is distinguished by its soft, yet rich flavor profile that features the comforting sweetness of caramel and the smooth, familiar warmth of vanilla. These flavors come together to create a bourbon that is both flavorful and mellow, making it a versatile choice for a wide variety of cocktail creations, including the classic highball.

Wild Turkey 101 (Whiskey Level: Mid)

The Wild Turkey 101 embodies both potency and flavor, showcasing the legacy of the Ripy Brothers who began distilling on Wild Turkey Hill in Kentucky in 1869. Their flagship product, Wild Turkey, soared to become the distillery's best-seller, prompting a name change in recognition of its success. Following various changes in ownership, the Campari Group, based in Italy, now oversees operations, producing a diverse range of Bourbons under the renowned Wild Turkey brand. As one of the world's most recognized Bourbon brands, Wild Turkey 101 stands out as America's #1 selling premium Bourbon. Aged in deeply charred barrels with a #4 "alligator char," it derives its complexity and depth of flavor that has garnered a devoted following across generations. Distinctively bottled at "101 proof" (50.5% ABV), the whiskey's name reflects its remarkable complexity and power, leading to consistent acclaim with numerous gold medals awarded over the years. Notably, Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey became the brand ambassador and art director for Wild Turkey last year.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Mid)

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.

Old Forester Bourbon 100 Proof (Whiskey Level: Mid)

The Old Forester Bourbon 100 Proof is a testament to the bourbon craftsmanship, offering robust and inviting aromas that beckon bourbon enthusiasts. The bouquet unfolds with notes of rich vanilla, dried roses, warm baking spices, and the sweetness of corn. This bourbon stands as a classic representation of the genre, providing a full and satisfying experience for the discerning palate. The accolades it has received, including the 2020 Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the 2019 Gold at Whiskies of The World, and the Gold at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge in the Straight Bourbon, 10 Years and Younger category, underscore its exceptional quality and appeal among connoisseurs.

Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Mid)

This Michter’s Bourbon is crafted from a meticulously chosen mashbill showcasing top-tier American corn, Michter's US1 Bourbon undergoes a maturation process that extends beyond eight years, reaching optimal perfection. This genuinely small-batch bourbon is meticulously curated, usually consisting of no more than two dozen barrels per batch, eliminating the possibility of blending imperfections and demanding excellence from each barrel. Embodying the essence of Kentucky's Bluegrass State, Michter's US1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon offers a nuanced, mellow, and earthy profile, capturing the true spirit of its origin.

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond (Whiskey Level: Novice)

This genuine American bourbon adheres to strict regulations, being bottled in bond, ensuring its high quality and authenticity. With a robust 50% ABV, it boasts vibrant and fruity notes of peach, raspberry, and dried apricot, offering a refreshing and flavorful experience with every sip.

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond (Whiskey Level: Novice)

Evan Williams, a renowned bourbon brand hailing from Kentucky, boasts a diverse portfolio encompassing various bourbons, flavored whiskeys, and liqueurs. Among its esteemed offerings is the Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, affectionately known as the Evan Williams White label, which debuted in 2012. Sharing its mashbill with several other esteemed Heaven Hill brands, this bourbon holds the prestigious designation of Bottled in Bond (BiB). Meeting stringent criteria, BiB bourbon must originate from a single distillation season and distiller at a solitary distillery, undergoing maturation in a federally bonded warehouse for a minimum of four years under government supervision. Bottled precisely at 100 proof, the BiB label mandates clear identification of the distillery and bottling location.

Jim Beam 7-Year Black Label Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Novice)

The new and improved Jim Beam Black Label, released in 2024, is the result of tireless tinkering from Master Distillers Fred and Freddie Noe. This long-standing Jim Beam expression now features an age statement and a slightly altered flavor profile, designed to optimize the distillery’s 7-year-old bourbon profile.

Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Expert)

This Nevada gem packs a punch at 62.15% ABV, and it’s straight farm-to-glass goodness. I tried this at a buddy’s BBQ last summer, and it hit me with big cinnamon and leather vibes right off the bat. It’s got this buttery, sweet kick—like custard with a splash of tropical fruit—that makes every sip feel like a party in your mouth. Totally worth snagging for $80 if you wanna flex some unique flavor.

Ben Holladay Bottled In Bond Soft Red Wheat Bourbon (Whiskey Level: Expert)

Coming outta Missouri, this 50% ABV bourbon is smooth as heck for just $52. It’s got this creamy, fruity thing going on—think pears and honey with a spicy clove twist. I cracked a bottle open during a chill night with my crew, and we couldn’t get over how it lingers with vanilla and oak. Perfect for newbies or pros who want something tasty without breaking the bank.

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (Whiskey Level: Mid)

This bold and elevated version of our beloved straight bourbon combines strength and finesse, bottled at an impressive 118 proof. Made with a mash bill of 70% white corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley, this 100% Texas spirit captures the essence of craftsmanship. Aged for at least two years, it boasts a complex profile with a nose of brandied cherries, muddled mint, blackberry cobbler, biscuit crust, and cinnamon toast. The palate delivers grilled peaches, balsamic vinegar, butterscotch pecan pie, and dark brown sugar, while the finish highlights rye spice, nutmeg, and clove. Recognized with Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2022 and 2023, this 116-proof (58% ABV) bourbon is a true powerhouse, offering a rich and unforgettable tasting experience. 

Woodinville 8 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Whiskey Level: Expert)

55% corn, 35% rye, and 10% malted barley are proudly used to create this genuine grain-to-glass bourbon. Before being put into private barrel rooms to age for eight years, the grains were carefully mashed and distilled in the beautiful Woodinville distillery.

Bib & Tucker Double Char Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (Whiskey Level: Expert)

The inspiration for creating a new, ideally matured bourbon with savory smoky undertones and an incredibly smooth finish came from the era when most food was cooked over an open flame and the flavor it produced. In the Tennessee hills, we first aged this for six years in fresh American oak, and then we aged it once more in a second, deeply charred barrel. The smooth, rich, and vibrant flavor of Bib & Tucker Double Char is produced by this twice-barreled bourbon. Double Char is first matured for six years in a brand-new white American oak barrel, and then it is aged for at least five months in a second barrel that has been charred and smoked. Bib & Tucker Double Char's delicious smokey aromas and incredibly smooth finish are produced by this special double char technique. Our whiskey doesn't contain any artificial flavors, colors, or ingredients.