18 Standout Bourbons Not From Kentucky

18 Standout Bourbons Not From Kentucky

The common misconception that all bourbons must hail exclusively from Kentucky has long overshadowed the burgeoning world of exceptional bourbons crafted beyond the state's borders. While Kentucky undoubtedly holds a revered status in bourbon production, an increasing number of distilleries across the country are challenging this regional stereotype. From Texas to New York and beyond, these distillers are passionately embracing the art of bourbon-making, infusing their creations with unique regional characteristics and pushing the boundaries of tradition. As the craft distillery movement gains momentum, the diversity of flavors and profiles emerging from these non-Kentucky bourbons challenges preconceived notions, showcasing that exceptional bourbons can be found throughout the United States, offering enthusiasts a broader and more nuanced appreciation for this iconic American spirit. Shop bourbon whiskey.

Hirsch The Horizon Straight Bourbon Whiskey

In 1974, A.H. Hirsch envisioned a bourbon that would set the gold standard for thoughtful American whiskey, and now, Hirsch is reintroducing Hirsch Selected Whiskeys with a new expression: The Horizon Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This exceptional blend combines two straight bourbons distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, with detailed batch specifications provided on each bottle's back label for enthusiasts. The blend comprises 94% from a traditional mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley aged for a minimum of 4 years, while the remaining 6% is from a "high rye" mash aged for 6 years for added complexity. Bottled at 92 proof, The Horizon is meant to be savored neat or on the rocks, continuing the legacy of Hirsch's legendary bourbon. Buy it now!

Black Button Distilling Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Introducing our classic Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey blend, now available in a straight-from-the-barrel strength edition. Uncut, this bourbon offers a distinct flavor profile with a nose of citrus and vanilla, a smooth butterscotch palate, and a finish highlighted by a touch of woody spice. Even at cask strength, this whiskey maintains its status as an easy-drinking favorite, staying true to the essence of Black Button Bourbon. Bottled at 55.1% Alc./Vol., and proudly distilled and bottled by Black Button Distilling in Rochester, NY. ABV: 58.0%. Buy it now!

291 Colorado Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Experience America's native spirit, meticulously crafted the Colorado Way® with 291 Colorado Bourbon Whiskey. This single-barrel bourbon offers captivating notes of vanilla, cherry, and spice. Distilled from a bourbon sour mash in copper pot stills, aged in American White Oak deep char barrels, and finished with toasted Aspen Staves, it pays homage to tradition from grain to barrel to bottle. Honored with a San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold and the American Whiskey Master award in 2019, this exceptional whiskey boasts a robust 100 proof or 50% ABV. Buy it now!

Denning's Point Distillery Beacon Bourbon

Introducing our meticulously handcrafted Beacon Bourbon, a medium-rye masterpiece crafted from New York State grains and matured for over four years in premium charred white oak barrels. This timeless spirit begins with enticing notes of vanilla and oaky spice, concluding with subtle hints of cinnamon, maple, and dark fruit. With an impressive ABV of 50.0%, Beacon Bourbon is perfectly enjoyed neat, over ice, or as a key ingredient in artful cocktails. Buy it now!

Rock Town Single Barrel Bourbon

Rock Town Single Barrel Bourbon is a high-quality small batch spirit crafted through double distillation from a mash bill featuring 82% Arkansas corn, 9% Arkansas soft red winter wheat, and 9% malted barley. Distilled, aged, and bottled at the Little Rock, Arkansas distillery, our bourbon boasts a rich and complex flavor developed through aging in air-seasoned, new charred oak barrels. We proudly source our corn and wheat from local Arkansas farmers. This cask-strength bourbon is available for purchase, including options for barrel picks and private bottlings. Buy it now!

Asbury Park Distilling Company Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey

Crafted with pride from start to finish in New Jersey, this Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey is a true testament to local craftsmanship and dedication. Made exclusively from New Jersey-grown corn and grain, this bourbon represents a commitment to quality and supporting local agriculture. The small-batch production ensures attention to detail, and with only 1000 bottles released twice a year, each one is a limited and sought-after expression of the region's rich flavors. Secure your bottle now to experience the distinctive taste of 100% New Jersey-produced bourbon, a unique and limited offering that embodies the spirit of the Garden State. Buy now!

DIGITS Bourbon

Explore DIGITS, a Tennessee-born bourbon whisky aged for five years and boasting a robust 92 proof, stands as a testament to the artistry of American whiskey craftsmanship. The nose is greeted with inviting aromas of vanilla, complemented by the richness of brown sugar, and subtle hints of spice. The palate offers a delightful interplay, starting with a touch of sweetness that gracefully transitions into bold notes of cinnamon and caramel. The finish is a testament to smoothness, delivering an overall elegant and legendary experience. With an impressive 46% alcohol by volume (ABV), DIGITS is a distinguished expression of Tennessee bourbon, embodying years of meticulous aging and flavor development. Buy now!

Sourland Mountain Spirits Bourbon

Handcrafted with care in New Jersey, this charming baby bourbon showcases the distinctive smoky char derived from meticulously selected New American Oak barrels. Offering a symphony of flavors, the tasting notes dance with elements of vanilla, caramelized honey, earthy tobacco, star anise, and black pepper. Whether sipped neat or incorporated into your favorite whiskey cocktail, this locally distilled, aged, and bottled bourbon promises a delightful and nuanced experience for aficionados seeking a touch of Jersey craftsmanship in their spirits. Buy now!

Redemption Cognac Cask Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey

The Redemption Cognac Cask Finish seamlessly blends French luxury with the essence of pre-Prohibition 'rye-forward' whiskey, offering an opulent whiskey experience. Collaborating with Ferrand Cognac, a distinguished Cognac producer, Master Blender Alan Kennedy utilized authentic Pierre Ferrand Cognac casks to refine our acclaimed High Rye Bourbon. The outcome is an exceptional whiskey characterized by sophisticated and robust flavors, harmoniously complemented by a comforting sweetness and Redemption's distinctive 'rye-forward' finish. The mashbill comprises 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley, contributing to the whiskey's distinctive profile. Buy now for $69.99.

Three Chord Bourbon Strange Collaboration

The Strange Collaboration is a distinctive blend featuring bourbon, aged between 2 to 6 years, chosen for its low fusel oil content and light body. This bourbon undergoes a three-month finishing process in French Oak pinot noir casks from the Strange Family, culminating in a bottled product at 99 proof. The outcome is an exceptional bourbon expression, boasting a high proof and a light body, accompanied by subtle notes of pinot noir both in the aroma and the finish. Whether savored neat or as a key component in a cocktail, this unique creation promises a memorable drinking experience. Buy now for $54.99.

Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon

Presenting a more intense and distinctly "metal" iteration of our cherished Straight Bourbon, this variant is meticulously crafted from a carefully chosen blend of premium barrels and boldly bottled at a robust 118 proof for a truly invigorating experience. Demonstrating masterful artistry, our skilled distillers skillfully melded strength and nuance into a stunning spirit. The aromatic profile unfolds with notes of brandied cherries paired with freshly muddled mint, reminiscent of an old-fashioned blackberry cobbler with a biscuit crust, and concludes with the comforting aroma of cinnamon toast enveloped in brown butter. Buy now for $38.99.

Oak & Eden Bourbon

The name pays gracious homage to both the perfection of the Creator who breathed His unique spirit into us - and the wood that infuses our other favorite spirit with its complex flavor. We boldly build upon our whiskey's unrivaled taste by adding a twist - a hand-placed, seasoned and toasted spire of wood that imparts a unique and aromatic finish to every bottle. The spire perfects our creation, imbuing a deeper, richer taste and producing a truly inspired whiskey. We hope it will inspire you to create, too. Buy now for $51.99.

Luckenbach Road Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Luckenbach Road Whiskey stands as a premium craft-distilled spirit, drawing inspiration from deep-seated family ties in the Texas Hill Country. Embracing an authentic Farm-to-Bottle ethos, this award-winning whiskey is meticulously fashioned from the finest ingredients, with a keen focus on achieving a harmonious flavor profile. Through a commitment to detail and sustainability, each bottle encapsulates the distinct richness, depth, and complexity of local flavors. Guided by a family recipe, this whiskey not only pays homage to history but also culminates in a smooth, enduring finish, ensuring a truly exceptional drinking experience. Buy now for $48.99.

Laws Four Grain Straight Bourbon Cask Strength

Dedicated to the discerning palate of our fellow whiskey enthusiasts, we meticulously curate and blend a variety of Four Grain Bourbon barrels with a specific focus on showcasing their remarkable character and intensified flavors. The result is a Cask Strength bottling that allows the distinct qualities of the bourbon to shine through at a higher proof. The mashbill, comprising 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom barley, and 10% heirloom rye, contributes to the unique and well-balanced composition of this exceptional whiskey, ensuring a bold and flavorful experience for the most astute whiskey connoisseurs. Buy now for $92.99.

Saint Liberty Bertie's Bear Gulch Bourbon Whiskey

Saint Liberty Whiskey pays homage to the unspoken tales of trailblazing Prohibition-era bootleggers and seamlessly blends them with exceptional craft whiskies from across the nation. Our inaugural bootlegger spotlight falls on Bertie Brown, a woman of remarkable courage and resolve. Originating from Missouri, Bertie ventured into the Montana Territory in 1898 as a young, independent African American woman, determined to forge her own path. In tribute to Bertie, we present a distinctive 4-year Texas bourbon sourced from Central Texas, which undergoes meticulous refinement in Montana, where it is proofed with the same pristine Rocky Mountain Water that Bertie would have utilized a century ago. Whether enjoyed neat, over ice, or as the foundation for your favorite whiskey concoction, Bertie's Bear Gulch Bourbon is a fitting companion for any occasion. Its opulent and intricate layers evolve with each sip, maintaining a smooth character and concluding with a subtle hint of smokiness. Buy now for $57.99.

Blackland Bourbon Whiskey

Blackland's small-batch bourbon not only pays homage to the rich legacy of American bourbon but also presents a completely unique expression. It is skillfully crafted through a blend of 80% four-year-old craft Bourbon sourced from Minnesota and 20% young bourbon whiskey meticulously produced from grain to glass at Blackland Distillery in Fort Worth, Texas. This combination results in a bourbon that captures the essence of tradition while introducing distinctive elements that set it apart. Buy now for $47.99.

Redemption Bourbon Whiskey

Meticulously developed, this Bourbon is an artful creation designed to accentuate the timeless essence of the finest bourbon flavors, embodying the true spirit of "America's Native Spirit." Aged for a minimum of 2 years, it is bottled at 84 proof, striking a balance that allows its character to shine. The carefully curated mash bill consists of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley, contributing to the distinctive and well-rounded profile of this exceptional spirit. Buy now for $29.99.

Infuse Spirits Broken Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

Broken Barrel Bourbon presents a distinctive blend of corn, rye, and barley, achieving a perfect equilibrium for infusion. Following a meticulous six-month aging process in Kentucky, where the bourbon's quality is assured, the spirit is transferred to steel tanks. Here, the batches undergo our unique OAK BILL, consisting of new French oak, ex-bourbon barrel, and a combination of sherry cask staves. The result is a bourbon that is not only rich, complex, and layered but also exquisitely beautiful. Broken Barrel ventures into unexplored territories, and we embrace this unconventional approach wholeheartedly. The OAK BILL breakdown includes 40% French Oak Staves, 40% Ex-Bourbon Cask Staves, and 20% Sherry Cask Staves, adding to the bourbon's distinctive character and depth. Buy now for $48.49.