American Single Malts That Will Have You Reaching For More
American Single Malts That Will Have You Reaching For More
American whiskey has long been synonymous with bourbon and rye, but there's a quieter revolution happening that's turning heads across the spirits world. American single malts — made from 100% malted barley and distilled at a single distillery — are carving out their own identity, blending the craftsmanship of Scotch tradition with the bold, experimental spirit that American distillers do best. The results are as diverse as the country itself, with coastal distilleries producing briny, maritime expressions while mountain and desert makers lean into rich, terroir-driven profiles you won't find anywhere else. If you haven't explored this category yet, you're in for a seriously rewarding discovery. These bottles make a compelling case that America's best whiskey might not be bourbon after all.
Balcones Single Malt Whiskey (96 Points)
A distinctive malt whisky style influenced by a strong feeling of place and hundreds of years of distillation history. Enjoyed on the rocks, it has a lingering toasty malt profile with sautéed pears and luscious fruit. winner of the SF World Spirits Competition's double gold medal. Buy it now!
Westland Distillery Sherry Wood American Single Malt
Seattle's Westland Distillery is doing something special with American single malt, and their sherry cask-finished expression proves that the Pacific Northwest knows a thing or two about whiskey. This craft operation uses locally grown barley and finishes their spirit in Spanish sherry casks, which gives it this rich, almost wine-like quality that's different from anything coming out of Kentucky or Tennessee. The sherry influence brings dried fruit flavors like raisins and figs, along with nuts and dark chocolate notes that make it feel luxurious. Bartenders who carry it say customers are often surprised by how much depth a relatively young American whiskey can have when the distiller really knows what they're doing with cask finishing. There's a slight salinity to it that some people pick up on, probably from the coastal climate where it's aged. It's not cheap, but you're supporting a craft distillery that's genuinely pushing boundaries and creating regional character in American whiskey. This is perfect for those evenings when you want something contemplative that rewards slow sipping. Buy it now!
Yellowstone American Single Malt
Made entirely of malted barley and expertly matured in brand-new, charred American oak barrels, Yellowstone American single malt whiskey fills the palate with aromas of honey, dates, and spiced pear before finishing with a robust wood and cinnamon finish. Buy it now!
Courage & Conviction Signature Malt - American Single Malt Whisky
Our flagship American Single Malt whisky embodies the spirit of our founder's guiding principle: "have the courage of your convictions." A manifestation of our passion for Virginia and our vision to redefine American whisky, this 100% malted barley whisky is aged for a minimum of four years. Maturing in former Sherry, Bourbon, and Cuvée European red wine 'STR' casks, it marries the expressions into our flagship offering. Alternatively, savor the individual profiles in our Bourbon Cask, Sherry Cask, and Cuvée Cask offerings. With notes of caramel, butterscotch, and evolving palate hints of bright red fruit, raspberry, cocoa, barrel spice, and vanilla, our flagship American Single Malt finishes exceptionally smooth and creamy. Notably, it has received acclaim, including 96 Points from Wine Enthusiast (2021) and Gold awards from Ascot, John Barleycorn, and SIP Awards in 2021 and 2020. The ABV stands at 46.0%, rounding out a remarkable whisky experience. Buy it now for $74.99.
Triple Eight Distillery 15 Year Old The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt
The Triple Eight Distillery 15 Year Old The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt, awarded Platinum, boasts tasting notes of stewed and dried fruits, dark chocolate, vanilla, honey, coconut, and spice, available for purchase at $499.99. Situated on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, Triple Eight Distillery has been crafting The Notch single malt since 2000, marking one of the earliest endeavors in American single malt whiskey production. Distilled from Maris Otter heirloom malted barley, this 15-year-old expression reflects the island's distinct character, shaped by its varied climate and sea air exposure. The barrels experience fluctuations between cool and moist and hot and humid weather, enhancing oak interaction. The Notch also pays tribute to Islay, Scotland, with Co-founder Dean Long drawing inspiration from Bowmore Distillery’s batch distillation process after consulting with their former production manager. Buy it now!
Westward American Single Malt Whiskey - Cask Strength
Cask Strength highlights our rich, locally malted barely, the tasty lager made in-house, and the recently charred American Oak barrels that have been perfectly matured in Oregon—the right place to produce a whiskey of world-class quality. Buy it now!
Copperworks 11 Year Old American Single Malt
This is the “I’ve had everything” guy’s kryptonite. Eleven years in oak gives it ridiculous depth – dried stone fruit, cocoa, subtle smoke, and a long, warm finish that keeps you going back to the glass. Seattle-made, small batch, and flat-out sophisticated without being snooty. Hand it over and watch him get real quiet… that’s the sound of respect. Buy it now!
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.
Cedar Ridge The Quintessential American Single Malt Whiskey
Made by hand using only pure malted barley. Cask-finished and aged in American oak. Then carefully wed and grew up with methods developed over a decade. With its flawlessly complex and rich flavor, this single malt defines the American Standard. Buy it now!
Copperworks American Single Malt Whiskey
Crafted from 100% malted barley, aged for 30 months in brand-new American oak barrels, and thrice distilled. subtle scents of black tea and honey. mouthfeel that is smooth. Toffee and burnt orange flavors give way to leather and black pepper. @ 104 proof in bottles. It's delicious to drink neat. Buy it now!
Westward American Single Malt
Portland represent. Toasted barley gives it banana bread baked in an oak forest vibes. Fruity, spicy, creamy – killer on the rocks while you’re burning steaks. Buy it now!
Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey
Made from hand-selected grains of 100% American barley, Clermont Steep is a 5-year-old Malted Barley American Single Malt. Aged in custom-made, brand-new oak barrels that have been Level 1 charred and toasted, allowing for the emergence of confectionery sweetness in fewer years. Buy it now!
Stranahan's Sherry Cask Single Malt Whiskey
Learn about Stranahan's Sherry Cask Single Malt, which is made entirely of malted barley and matured in barrels of Oloroso Sherry. Enjoy its 47% ABV honey, cherry, and fig nuances. Savor Colorado craftsmanship's deep flavor! Buy it now!
Balcones Texas Single Malt Finished in Rum Casks
This Texas craft distillery has been putting out some seriously impressive whiskey, and their rum cask-finished single malt shows why small producers are worth paying attention to. Balcones makes their whiskey from scratch in Waco, and they're not afraid to do things differently than the big Kentucky operations. The rum cask finish on their single malt adds layers of molasses, caramel, and tropical fruit that work surprisingly well with the malty base. You'll pick up flavors of toasted coconut, brown butter, and even a little bit of smoke that lingers on the finish. Bartenders who stock this say it's a conversation starter because most folks don't expect this kind of quality and creativity from a Texas distillery. It's got character and punch at around 100 proof, so it definitely makes its presence known in a glass. This is the kind of bottle you bring out when you want to show someone that craft whiskey isn't just marketing hype – there's real innovation happening at smaller operations across the country.
Few Single Malt
Crafted in the Evanston area of Chicago, Illinois, FEW Single Malt Whisky is a distinctive creation made from a blend of unsmoked and cherry-wood-smoked malted barley. This unique combination imparts nuanced notes of smoke and sweet spice to the whisky, creating a flavor profile that is both complex and enticing. FEW Single Malt Whisky captures the essence of its locale, offering a flavorful and characterful expression that reflects the artistry and innovation of the Evanston distillery. Buy it now for $68.99.
Bulleit Single Malt American Whiskey
Bulleit's pioneering spirit and commitment to exceptional whiskey craftsmanship shine through in their latest innovation: Bulleit Single Malt Whiskey. Embracing the American Single Malt category with their distinctive approach, this whiskey reflects Bulleit's dedication to quality and innovation. Crafted with a specially curated malt barley strain and aged in white oak barrels, it offers a complex yet welcoming aroma of sweet vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, delicate flavors of red fruit and pear emerge, leading to a smooth finish with hints of oaky caramel and subtle cocoa. Bulleit's sustainability values are evident in the recycled glass bottle, further enhancing the experience of this exceptional whiskey. Buy it now!
Brother Justus Single Malt Whiskey
Minnesota’s Brother Justus distillery recently introduced a lineup of four whiskies: a traditional single malt, a cold-peated single malt, a silver whiskey, and a cask strength Founder’s Reserve. For summer sipping, the traditional single malt shines brightest. Bursting with fruity and floral aromas with a subtle hint of cereal grain, this light-bodied whiskey is surprisingly viscous, delivering rich malted flavors and notes of under-ripe strawberries. It’s an easy, refreshing pour even in warm weather, making it an ideal summer whiskey. The silver whiskey, while less impressive neat, adds depth and character to clear-spirit cocktails like white negronis and daiquiris, offering a heavier body while preserving the bright, summery flavors.
Swift Single Malt Texas Whiskey (95 Points)
Made in Texas using Scottish malted barley, this single malt has a light gold color in the glass with a vanilla, apple, and pear scent. Together with a hint of cocoa blended with the vanilla and a somewhat smoky, charred aroma, these notes reverberate on the mouth. It feels smooth and greasy. Buy it now!
New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey
Years of dedication culminate in the release of this new whiskey from New Riff. The spirit within the bottle is a harmonious blend of single malt whiskeys crafted from 100% barley mash bills, including Golden Promise, Maris Otter, Chevallier heirloom barley, and Scottish peated barley malt. These whiskeys are meticulously aged for seven to eight years in a diverse array of casks, including new charred oak, de-charred toasted oak, red wine casks, Portuguese brandy casks, classic sherried oak casks, and more. The result is a complex and nuanced expression that reflects the culmination of years of expertise and innovation. Buy it now!
Stranahan's Cask Strength 54.59% ABV Single Malt Whiskey
Master Distiller Rob Dietrich personally chose this bottle of Stranahan's Rocky Mountain Single Malt. Each barrel is distinct and produces whiskey of king cask strength. Buy it now!
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