Best Small Batch Bourbons Aged Up to 10 Years in 2023

Best Small Batch Bourbons Aged Up to 10 Years in 2023

In the fiercely competitive world of bourbon, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) and the New York World Spirits Competition (NYWSC) stand as premier showcases of excellence. In 2023, these esteemed events witnessed a record-breaking influx of entries in the bourbon category, with over 500 submissions. Reflecting the bourgeoning landscape of craft distilleries, the bourbons showcased a remarkable array of quality and diversity, showcasing innovative approaches to grain selection, maturation environments, and cask finishes. With the number of bourbon producers soaring from a handful in 2009 to approximately 1,000 today, bourbon enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, offering a wealth of superb expressions to elevate any home bar.

Colonel E. H Taylor Jr Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, 50% ABV

Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Bourbon pays homage to its namesake with a blend of seven-year-old barrels carefully selected from the sixth floor of a Kentucky warehouse. Bottled in Bond at 100 proof, this bourbon offers distinctive notes of oak and dried fruit. Initially sweet flavors transition into hints of salted caramel, butterscotch, and orange, leaving a lingering finish. Packaged behind a vintage label and canister reminiscent of bottles from over a century ago, each bottle of Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Bourbon embodies the tradition and legacy of its namesake. Buy it now!

Wilderness Trail, High Rye Bourbon, 50% ABV

Our small grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys are presented in Small Batch format, comprising up to 12 barrels per batch, all stemming from a single fermenter. This approach allows us to capture the full essence of complex notes from multiple barrels originating from the same distillate. To offer enthusiasts of our Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon an opportunity for a comparative tasting experience, we've chosen to release the Small Batch Bourbon as a Bottled in Bond expression. Buy it now!

Broken Oak, Small Batch Bourbon, 50% ABV

Mystic Farm and Distillery presents an exceptional offering with their Broken Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey, showcasing the esteemed craftsmanship of this North Carolina distiller. Bottled at 47% ABV and presented in a 750ml bottle, this high-quality bourbon whiskey is celebrated for its distinctive character and represents one of the finest expressions of the craft in North Carolina. With its discernible style and commitment to excellence, Broken Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey stands as a testament to the artistry of Mystic Farm and Distillery. Buy it now!

Traverse City Whiskey, Barrel Proof Bourbon

Traverse City Whiskey presents its Limited Edition release, Barrel Proof, crafted from select whiskey barrels to offer unparalleled flavor. Bottled at full barrel proof, this pure and uncut whiskey is designed to be savored in life's simpler moments, providing a smooth and rich drinking experience however you choose to enjoy it. Buy it now!

Rabbit Hole Distillery, Raceking Founder’s Collection, 54.9% ABV

Introduced as part of the Founder's Collection series in 2020, the Rabbit Hole Founder's Collection Raceking Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey stands as a rare and exclusive offering. With only 1,365 bottles available, this release features a unique mash bill incorporating chocolate-malted wheat and chocolate-malted barley alongside corn, rye, and malted barley. Bottled at varying cask strength exceeding 109 proof, Rabbit Hole Raceking promises a distinctive flavor journey perfect for Easter celebrations and beyond. Characterized by chocolate-forward notes, complemented by caramel, subtle citrus, toasted oak, sweet cinnamon, and cereal undertones, it embodies the essence of a classic bourbon whiskey with a metaphorical "rabbit hole" of depth and complexity. Buy it now!

Blue Run Spirits, Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 59.7% ABV

Blue Run Trifecta Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a meticulously crafted small-batch whiskey that exemplifies the art of blending premium base whiskey with the nuanced flavors of older "wood heat" whiskeys. Starting with a foundation of expertly distilled six-year-old whiskey, comprising less than half of the final blend, Blue Run Whiskey Director Shaylyn Gammon enhances depth and complexity by incorporating two whiskeys aged in the upper levels of their rickhouses. These select barrels, known for their intense "wood heat," contribute rich flavors and aromas, resulting in a bourbon of exceptional balance and character. Buy it now!

K Luke Whiskey Company, Straight Bourbon, 59.7% ABV

This blend is a harmonious fusion of mash bills featuring up to 36% rye sourced from both Kentucky and Indiana, resulting in a meticulously balanced composition of straight bourbon whiskies. Bottled at barrel strength and left non-chill filtered, this expression preserves the whiskey's full-bodied character and robust flavors, offering a bold and unadulterated drinking experience. Buy it now!