8 American Whiskeys To Be Sipping This Holiday Season

8 American Whiskeys To Be Sipping This Holiday Season

American whiskey, a cornerstone of the nation's spirits heritage, embodies a diverse and robust category of distilled delights. Renowned for its versatility, American whiskey encompasses various styles, including bourbon, rye, and Tennessee whiskey, each with distinctive production methods and flavor profiles. Bourbon, often characterized by its sweet and full-bodied nature, must be made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Rye whiskey, boasting a spicier character, primarily features a majority of rye grain in its mash bill. Tennessee whiskey, famous for its charcoal filtering process known as the Lincoln County Process, imparts a smooth and mellow character. With a rich history and a commitment to innovation, American whiskey continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide, offering a spirited journey through the heart of American craftsmanship. Shop American Whiskey.

Few American Whiskey

Capturing the essence of the Republic, FEW's American Whiskey harmoniously combines Bourbon, Rye, and malt whiskey infused with cherrywood smoke. The initial sip offers an approachable experience, with notes of graham cracker and honey at the forefront, complemented by a savory rye spice beneath. A delightful interlude of tart cherry emerges in the middle, while a subtle wisp of smoke contributes to the overall texture. The journey concludes with a nuanced finish featuring hints of white pepper and honey. This versatile whiskey is ideal for sipping neat, showcasing its intricate layers, or can be enjoyed in a refreshing American Whiskey Mule. Notably recognized, it was voted Best American Blended Whiskey at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards. Buy now for $49.99.

Balcones Lineage American Single Malt

Lineage is meticulously crafted to harmonize the distinct methodologies of malted barley and maturation inherent in both the Scottish Single Malt Tradition and the innovative landscape of American Whisky. This unique spirit is distilled from a blend of Scottish Golden Promise and malted barley grown in Texas, subsequently undergoing aging in both new and virgin oak casks. In doing so, Lineage not only pays homage to traditional methods but also propels the category forward by embracing and celebrating American provenance. With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 47.0%, Lineage stands as a testament to the fusion of time-honored practices and a forward-looking approach, creating a whiskey that bridges the gap between two rich traditions. Buy now for $44.71.

291 American Whiskey

Crafted in the pre-Prohibition style, Our American is a whiskey meticulously distilled in a copper pot still. Aged for under a year in toasted American white oak barrels, this brief maturation imparts a fruit-forward profile, accentuating the whiskey's vibrant character. The use of a copper still adds a distinctive touch, culminating in a finish reminiscent of freshly cut leather. Positioned as a perfect choice for summer sipping, Our American promises a refreshing and nuanced whiskey experience that beautifully balances the influence of the aging process and the craftsmanship of the distillation. Buy now for $51.99.

Cooperstown Select American Blended Whiskey

This exceptionally distinctive American blended whiskey is crafted exclusively from locally sourced New York State grains, patiently maturing in meticulously chosen oak barrels. Comprising 100% American whiskey, it undergoes a subtle and expert blending process, resulting in a perfected expression. A finishing touch involves aging it with French Oak for up to a year, imparting a remarkably soft and graceful character to the whiskey. Whether savored neat or over ice, it promises a truly unique sipping experience. Noteworthy accolades include 91 Points, deemed "Liquid Gold" by Jim Murray's Whisky Bible in both 2020 and 2019. With an ABV of 45.0%, this whiskey stands as a testament to the artistry of American distillation. Buy now for $59.99.

Westward American Single Malt Whiskey

Crafted in Portland, Oregon, exclusively from 100% malted barley, this whiskey stands as an exemplary representation of the American Single Malt style. The production process involves fermenting the barley with an ale yeast, followed by distillation in a double pot still. Subsequently, the whiskey undergoes maturation in new charred American oak barrels. The aromatic profile is dominated by malted nuts and honey, setting the stage for a palate rich with notes of cinnamon porridge and spices derived from the barrel aging process. The spirit strikes a harmonious balance between sweetness and well-spiced elements, akin to an oatmeal cookie, leading to a prolonged and satisfying finish where the distinctive ale yeast shines brightly amid a medley of flavors. Buy now for $79.00.

Balcones Texas Single Malt Whiskey

Situated in Waco, Texas, the Balcones Distillery, under the guidance of innovative distiller Chip Tate, is renowned for crafting premium, artisanal spirits that honor America's whiskey tradition. Their Balcones Texas Single Malt Whisky distinguishes itself through a unique maturation process. Distilled from malted barley like other single malts, the whisky undergoes aging in various barrels of distinct sizes and woods, culminating in a finish within large barrels crafted from diverse woods. This meticulous approach aims to enhance the natural flavors of the malted barley, preventing the wood extraction from overshadowing the spirit. By methodically rotating the whisky, nuanced characteristics emerge, influenced by the type and size of the barrels and the duration of maturation. The resulting spirit boasts a complex profile, featuring integrated notes of pralines, vanilla, brown sugar, and caramel that transform into ripe pear, citrus fruit, and raisin. The lingering finish is characterized by a delightful toasted malt essence, complemented by oak and spice. Notably, Balcones Distillery received several prestigious awards, including World Whiskey Distillery of the Year 2012, US Craft Distillery of the Year 2012, and the Icons of Whisky Award for Craft Whiskey Distillery of the Year 2012. Buy now for $69.99.

BENDT No. 5 American Blended Whiskey

BENDT No. 5 American Blended Whiskey marks a groundbreaking achievement as the inaugural fusion of five unique small batch Texas whiskeys, each meticulously distilled, aged independently, and harmoniously blended under one roof in Lewisville, Texas. Noteworthy for being one of the few female distillery founders and whiskey blenders in the United States, Natasha DeHart, co-founder of BENDT Distilling Co., is redefining the landscape of blended whiskey, steering it away from neutral or flavored whiskey-based spirits. With an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 41.5%, BENDT No. 5 stands as a testament to innovation and craftsmanship within the American whiskey industry. Buy now for $29.99.

Barrell American Vatted Malt Whiskey

Introducing an innovative creation from Barrell, the American Vatted Malt stands as a unique blend of American Single Malts sourced from various distillers across the nation. Barrell carefully selected and blended these limited whiskies to achieve a harmonious balance of contrasting flavor profiles. The inaugural release of American Vatted Malt is the culmination of years of effort, featuring components from emerging distilleries that had not previously engaged in trading or selling bulk whiskey. The sourcing and blending process involved collaboration with a group of small, independent producers, with some contributors opting to remain anonymous. Among the core partners are Balcones Distillery in Waco, Texas, Hamilton Distillers Del Bac in Tucson, Arizona, MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Harvest Distillery in Valatie, New York, Santa Fe Distillery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Kings County Distillery in Brooklyn, New York. As a nascent category, American single malt producers showcase notable creativity, drawing inspiration from local environments and regional traditions to craft distinctive whiskeys. The technical challenge of uniting a diverse array of components, ranging from the tang of Southwestern mesquite smoke to the sweet creaminess of malted barley and the contrast of briny coastal peat with the warm vanilla character of toasted oak, underscores the complexity of this blend. The resulting American Vatted Malt offers a rich, multi-faceted experience, unveiling layers of flavor for the discerning drinker. Buy now for $79.99.