20 Best Whiskeys to Try Before You Die

20 Best Whiskeys to Try Before You Die

In this article, we'll explore the 20 best whiskeys you should try in your lifetime. Whether you savor the sharp bite of single malt or prefer the smooth, woody notes of a blended Scotch, the allure of whisky is undeniable. Its rich aroma has the power to rejuvenate even the most weary souls. Much of whisky's appeal stems from its deep-rooted tradition. Crafting whisky is an ancient art with a history spanning centuries. Its origins trace back over a thousand years ago when distillation techniques made their way from mainland Europe to Ireland and Scotland through traveling monks. In the absence of vineyards and grapes, Scottish and Irish monasteries turned to fermenting grain mash, marking the beginnings of modern whisky distillation.

Hibiki 21

Hibiki 21 stands as a quintessential representation of Japanese whisky opulence under the esteemed Suntory banner. Like its Hibiki counterparts, this expression is crafted from a blend of spirits aged in various cask types, including American oak, Spanish Olorosso sherry, ex-bourbon, ex-wine, and the illustrious Japanese Mizunara oak barrels, renowned for their rarity and expense. Designed to appeal to the discerning Japanese palate, Hibiki 21 exudes a remarkable finesse with its intricate floral profile, reminiscent of tea. However, its scarcity and premium price tag in the US underscore the challenges of meeting the soaring demand for Japanese whisky, a trend that has persisted for nearly a decade. Indeed, Hibiki 21 embodies the essence of Suntory's craftsmanship and continues to captivate aficionados worldwide, making every moment a celebration of Suntory Time. Buy it now!

Green Spot

Green Spot, a distinguished non-age statement Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, epitomizes the essence of tradition and craftsmanship. Crafted from pot still whiskeys aged between seven and ten years, it undergoes maturation in an assortment of new and refill Bourbon casks, along with sherry casks, to achieve its remarkable complexity and depth of flavor. As part of the esteemed Pernod Ricard family since 1988, Green Spot embodies a rich legacy deeply rooted in the heritage of Irish whiskey, offering enthusiasts a timeless expression that honors the essence of its origins. Buy it now!

King of Kentucky 2021

King of Kentucky is a yearly unveiling of a single barrel collection, showcasing a barrel-strength, minimally-filtered proof presentation, with each release and every barrel possessing its distinct characteristics. The 2021 edition of King of Kentucky, the fourth installment of the label, underwent a maturation period of 14 years, culminating in a robust proof exceeding 130. Buy it now!

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C923

This exceptional release in the Elijah Craig lineage, aged for 13 years and 7 months and boasting a strength of 133 proof, exemplifies the bold flavors achieved through charred oak barrel aging. Elijah Craig, known as the 'Father of Bourbon,' pioneered this technique, transforming clear whiskey into a rich amber spirit with deep wood-infused flavors, creating the bourbon we know today. Buy it now!

Jack Daniel’s Coy Hill Single Barrel

Named after the highest-elevated rolling hill on the Jack Daniel Distillery property, this rare high-proof release honors the art of whiskey-making and highlights how barrel house location, extreme weather, and maturation conditions produce exceptional whiskey flavor. Buy it now!

Johnnie Walker Blue Label

Johnnie Walker's Blue Label stands as the epitome of excellence in blended whisky, representing a golden era when scotch held sway. Praised as "close to perfection" by Whisky Advocate and dubbed the "Cristal of the blended whisky world" by Whisky Exchange, its reputation as a must-try whisky endures from its heyday to the present day. Buy it now!

Blanton's The Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey maintains its tradition by aging in Warehouse H, just as it did over 50 years ago. Each bottle is sourced from a single barrel, carefully hand-selected based on its unique flavor profile. With a nose of apple, cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel, this bourbon offers a sweet palate with hints of peaches, pears, and dried apricots. Finishing with notes of cinnamon, baking spices, maple syrup, and molasses, Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon has earned numerous accolades, including the Chairman's Trophy at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Jim Murray's Whisky Bible has even dubbed it "liquid gold." Buy it now!

Aberlour A’bunadh

Aberlour A'Bunadh, meaning 'the original' in Gaelic, is a meticulously handcrafted whisky that showcases a rich and intricate flavor profile characterized by luscious notes of moist raisins and homemade fruit cake. Bottled at cask strength, this Speyside gem is renowned for its robust and full-bodied character, delivering an authentic and unadulterated tasting experience. As part of the Chivas Brothers portfolio, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, Aberlour stands as one of the leading Scotch Single Malt brands, celebrated for its commitment to quality and tradition. Each batch of A'Bunadh is carefully crafted to uphold the brand's legacy of excellence, making it a prized choice among whisky enthusiasts seeking bold and intense flavors. Buy it now!

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish

Laphroaig's 10-year-old single malt, enriched with a finishing touch in oloroso sherry casks, offers a luxurious and smoky profile. Its aroma evokes hints of TCP, Manuka honey, clove, and smoked bacon mingling with leather and pine tar. On the palate, indulgent flavors unfold, including treacle, wax, toffee, and dark chocolate, accompanied by notes of maple syrup, pine needles, and chestnut honey, all enveloped in rich peat smoke. Buy it now!

Booker’s Rye 13 Years Old

This award-winning rye pays tribute to Booker Noe, the legendary master distiller for Beam brands and founder of their Small Batch Bourbon Collection. Distilled in early 2003, Booker’s Rye is among the last barrels laid down by Noe. At 136 uncut-proof, this rye whiskey is rich, remarkably robust, and offers nuanced complexity and exceptional balance for such a powerful spirit. Buy it now!

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year Old

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year is an exceptionally scarce and exclusive bourbon, painstakingly produced through generations of distilling mastery. This distinguished whiskey is meticulously crafted using intricate and costly distillation techniques, followed by a lengthy 23-year maturation period, with each barrel hand-picked from the heart of the warehouse. It stands as a truly remarkable and unique spirit, best savored in its purest form – neat – to fully appreciate its exceptional qualities. Buy now for $6,499.99.

Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Oak Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Renowned as a classic Speyside distillery, The Macallan consistently crafts a singularly sweet and smooth single malt, distinguished by its richness and complexity derived from meticulous aging in ex-sherry casks sourced from Jerez. The infusion of sherry imparts distinctive wood spice and dried fruit notes to the delectable spirit, resulting in a timeless Speyside expression. Widely regarded as one of the finest among the 12-year-olds available, The Macallan stands as a testament to the distillery's commitment to excellence and the artistry of sherry cask maturation. Buy it now for $104.99.

Nikka From the Barrel

Nikka From The Barrel embodies the essence of blended whisky, capturing the full spectrum of flavors and richness derived directly "from barrels." Established in 1934, Nikka has emerged as a powerhouse in the world of whiskey, celebrated for its diverse range of single malt and blended offerings. Operating two distilleries, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, Nikka has solidified its position as one of the most popular whiskey brands globally. Through expert craftsmanship and dedication to quality, Nikka continues to captivate whiskey enthusiasts with its exceptional expressions. Buy it now!

The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak

Crafted as part of Macallan's esteemed Sherry Oak Range, this 18-year-old expression undergoes maturation in meticulously selected sherry seasoned oak casks sourced from Jerez. The result is a whisky characterized by a full-bodied palate boasting mature oak, ginger, and raisin notes, harmonized by its natural light mahogany hue. Renowned for its exceptional quality, Macallan has established itself as a producer of some of the most coveted and opulent whiskies worldwide. Its rare and aged offerings often command staggering prices at auctions, cementing the brand's status as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity in the realm of whisky. Buy it now!

Michter's 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Described by the distillers as having deep notes of vanilla, toasted almonds, cinnamon, a generous dash of crushed pepper, and a subtle hint of orange citrus, this 10-Year whiskey from Michter's has received a stellar rating of 99. Despite its limited stock and high demand, Michter's president, Joseph J. Magliocco, foresees a promising future as the brand expands its Springfield Farm to cultivate more estate-grown grain for distillation. This impressive whiskey presents a complex profile with aromas of sassafras, ginger, and apricot kissed with maple syrup. The taste experience is characterized by a mouthfeel reminiscent of sunflowers bathed in honey and peach nectar, followed by a resonating resin quality on the mid-palate, while sandalwood and saffron butter notes carve an enticing path through the flavor profile. Buy now for $299.97.

Lagavulin 16 Year Old 

Matured in oak casks for a minimum of 16 years, this highly coveted single malt boasts the distinctive peat-smoke essence synonymous with southern Islay whiskies. However, it also presents a complexity marked by richness, dryness, and silkiness, elevating it to an unparalleled drinking experience. Lagavulin stands as one of Islay's oldest distilleries, revered globally for its deeply smoky and peaty expressions. Revered by whisky enthusiasts, Lagavulin Single Malt has played a pivotal role in converting countless individuals to whisky aficionados and remains a steadfast favorite among malt connoisseurs worldwide. Presently, the brand is under the ownership of Diageo. Buy it now!

Redbreast 27 Year Old

Crafted through maturation in Bourbon, sherry, and ruby port casks, Redbreast 27 stands as the oldest permanent addition to the esteemed Redbreast lineup. With a robust 53.6% ABV, this whiskey offers a bouquet rich in tropical fruits, orange zest, vanilla bean, toffee, oak, and berries. Its palate delights with a harmonious blend of fruity and spicy notes. As the best-selling single pot still whiskey globally, Redbreast epitomizes the essence of this traditional style of Irish whiskey craftsmanship. Buy it now!

W. L. Weller 2022

The 2022 release of William Larue Weller is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 124.7 proof, showcasing aromas of toasted coconut, butterscotch, and caramel, with hints of mint, dark cherry, and molasses. Buy it now!

Yamazaki 18 Year Old

Crafted with meticulous care, around 80% of the award-winning Yamazaki 18 Year Old single malt undergoes maturation in sherry butts, infusing it with rich and complex flavors. The remaining portion of the whisky ages gracefully in American and Mizunara oak casks, contributing additional layers of depth and character. Launched in 1992, this expression represents a harmonious fusion of fruit, oak, and subtle smoky notes, captivating whisky enthusiasts worldwide. As Suntory's flagship single malt whisky, Yamazaki hails from Japan's esteemed first and oldest malt distillery, showcasing the pinnacle of Japanese whisky craftsmanship. Buy it now!

George T. Stagg 2022

George T. Stagg, a prominent figure in the bourbon industry during the Gilded Age of Bourbon in the 19th century, established one of America's most influential distilleries. His legacy lives on in the limited-production George T. Stagg Bourbon whiskey, released as part of Buffalo Trace Distillery's esteemed 'Antique Collection' series. The 2022 edition of this exceptional bourbon comprises barrels aged for over 15 years and 5 months, resulting in a robust and intense flavor profile. With a potent proof of 138.7, this bourbon embodies the rich history and unparalleled craftsmanship synonymous with the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Buy it now!