7 Of The Best New Bourbons On The Market

7 Of The Best New Bourbons On The Market

Earlier this year, spirits expert and author Fred Minnick questioned if the Bourbon Boom was over, noting on his video blog that many liquor companies are prioritizing Wall Street demands over consumer preferences, resulting in new products that aren't selling well. Despite this, the bourbon industry is thriving, though small distilleries face challenges without consumer support. On a positive note, there are numerous new bourbons on the market, with both individual producers and major brands introducing novelties and leveraging larger advertising budgets. Notably, bourbon distillers now use the term "ground to glass," similar to "farm to table" in the food industry.

Jeptha Creed Distillery Six Year Wheated Bourbon

Released earlier this month, this whiskey features a blend of 75% Bloody Butcher corn, 20% malted wheat, and 5% malted barley, aged for six years and bottled at 93 proof. Joyce Nethery, the master distiller, holds a Master’s degree in engineering and has 15 years of experience as a process engineer in industrial-scale distillation. Before founding the distillery with her husband Bruce in 2016 on a 1,000-acre farm in Shelby County, KY, she also taught high school chemistry and physics. Buy it now!

Barrel Craft Spirits Cask Finish Series: Mizunara

This limited-release expression is a blend of bourbons aged 6, 7, and 9 years from Indiana, 8 and 14 years from Kentucky, and 8 years from Tennessee. It is further aged for one and a half years in Japanese Mizunara oak casks and bottled at cask strength (116.42 proof). The mash bill consists of 76% corn, 20% rye, and 4% malted barley. Buy it now!

Jefferson’s Tropics

Jefferson’s founder, Trey Zoeller', having investigated maturation techniques and environments with his Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage Series, was convinced that climate could affect the maturation process more than the mash bill or barrel itself. Jefferson's Tropics Aged in Humidity depends on year-round intense heat and humidity. He found it in Singapore shipping nine containers with a combined capacity of 720 barrels of fully matured Kentucky straight bourbon to Singapore in July 2019, where they were exposed to the climate for 18 months. The result is a bourbon of rich flavor and unabashed caramelization caused by the heat cooking the wood’s sugar. It was bottled in Kentucky at a high 104 proof. Buy it now!

Savage & Cooke Howling Mob Bourbon Whiskey

Owned by Napa Valley winemaker Dave Phinney, this distillery, named California Bourbon Distillery of the year at the New York International Spirits Competition, is located on historic Mare Island and opened in 2018. “The heirloom corn we get from nearby Winters, California is the perfect example,” he says. “It makes these bottled in bond whiskeys so special. It was a long wait, but with each new release, we see how our patience paid off.” This spring he released two new bottled in bond bourbons in very limited supply. Howling Mob ($95), with just 31 barrels at 100 proof, using 93% corn and 7% malted barley, and Bloody Butcher ($99), made from 44 carefully selected barrels, to become an annual release. These are a California-style whiskey, full-bodied but not overpowering and aimed at a sophisticated audience. Buy it now!

Casey Jones Total Eclipse Bourbon

This four-grain bourbon is crafted from 70% corn, 19% wheat, 10% rye, and 5% malted barley, each aged for a minimum of two years in a four-char white oak barrel. Produced in small batches at 100 proof, it is distilled using a hybrid pot still designed by long-time producer A.J. Jones, who founded the distillery in 2014. The bourbon features a fine nutty quality and creaminess, with a hint of sweetness and a pleasing finish. Named after this year's eclipse, it was declared the "Official Spirit of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse" by Senator Whitney Westerfield on the Kentucky Senate floor. Buy it now!

Blue Note Premium Small Batch

Blue Note may not be a household name yet, but this emerging Memphis bourbon distillery is making waves in the industry. Established in 2014, it has swiftly expanded its reach across 14 states, earning recognition as the city's oldest distillery. Their Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey, bottled at 93 proof (46.5% ABV), offers a delightful sensory experience. Maple syrup and butterscotch notes greet the nose, leading to a palate reminiscent of freshly baked blondie bars. Subtle hints of candied orange add complexity, making this bourbon a standout choice at an attractive price point—a welcome departure from the traditional Kentucky offerings. Buy it now!

Brush Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Many bourbon producers depend on others’ distilleries for maturing barrels of whiskey. Brush Creek selects from hundreds from Kentucky, Indian and Tennessee, transferring them to its “barrel barn” to continue to age until four to twelve years. Since Brush Creek began in 2019, in Saratoga, Wyoming, they’ve waited till now for their first release, at 94 proof. In the future they plan on having their own on-site distillery. Buy it now!