Ditch Major Brands for Craft Whiskey

Ditch Major Brands for Craft Whiskey

Tired of the same old big brand whiskeys? Step into the world of craft distilleries, where unique flavors and innovative techniques reign supreme. Craft whiskeys offer a diverse array of profiles, from single malts to creative blends, each telling its own story. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, these selections will elevate your whiskey experience.

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.

Garrison Brothers Small Batch Bourbon

Garrison Brothers, founded in 2006 (though production may have begun earlier), is one of the first distilleries outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon. Each bourbon expression is made from a sweet mash bill and aged in the Texas heat, which results in multiple aging seasons per year, and a bourbon that is darker, richer, fuller, and bolder than most others on the market.The bourbon itself is amber-crimson, handcrafted from a sweet mash of premium, #1 food-grade corn, soft red winter wheat from local farms, and two-row barley. Garrison Brothers doesn't source whiskey from elsewhere and never will. This bourbon is made – from corn-to-cork – in Hye, Texas, one barrel at a time. Buy it now!

High West Bourbon

Blended by the craft wizards at High West in Utah, this one's around 35 bucks and mixes straight bourbons for a light, vanilla-forward taste with cedar and citrus hints. It's easy to drink and versatile, whether straight or in a mixer, without feelin' watered down. The mountain vibe adds a cool factor, and it's great for those who want somethin' different but familiar. Stock this for when you wanna switch things up without spendin' big – it's like a breath of fresh air in your glass. Buy it now!

Kings County Peated Bourbon

Kings County Distillery, honored as the Distillery of the Year by the American Distilling Institute, holds a distinctive place in the world of spirits. Pioneering the revival of distillation in New York since 2010, they stand as the state's first distillery post-Prohibition. Their commitment to passion, innovation, and craft is not just a slogan but a way of life, evident in every facet of their operation. The emphasis on quality and simplicity is evident in their uniquely packaged Bourbons, Whiskies, and Moonshine, housed in medicinal-style flasks adorned with typewriter-written labels, emphasizing that it's the flavor inside that matters most. Among their remarkable offerings, the King's County Peated Bourbon is a standout. A Bourbon at its core, it takes a bold twist with barley from Scotland malted and dried over peat smoke, reminiscent of traditional Islay practices. The result is an unparalleled flavor profile, marrying the smokiness of a Single Malt with the youthful vibrancy of Bourbon—a testament to Kings County's innovative approach to crafting distinctive spirits. Buy it now!

FEW Spirits Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Small-batch and bold, this one’s all about vanilla, toffee, and a cherry pop. It’s brash in the best way—kinda like that loud cousin who’s always a blast. Buy it now!

Widow Jane Decadence 2023 Edition

Embark on the enchanting journey of Widow Jane Distillery, where aerospace engineer Daniel Preston and chocolate expert Vince Oleson craft exceptional whiskey in the heart of New York. Originally a chocolate factory, their distillery now produces award-winning spirits using GMO-free ingredients and renowned limestone mineral water from Rosendale mines. The Decadence 2023 Edition, a 10-year-old bourbon finished in Crown Maple syrup barrels, offers a delightful fusion of vanilla, burnt sugar, and cinnamon bar flavors at 91 proof. Widow Jane's commitment to quality has earned them numerous gold medals in spirits competitions, making their whiskey a distinctive and captivating choice. Buy it now!

Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch

Coming from way out in Wyoming, this small batch bourbon uses local grains and mountain water, giving it a unique clean profile with notes of toffee, dried fruit, and a subtle earthy spice that sets it apart from the Kentucky crowd. It's aged in their extreme weather swings, which speeds up the wood interaction for richer vanilla and oak flavors without needing decades in the barrel. Around 88 proof, it goes down real smooth, making it ideal for sipping slow on a chilly evening or pouring over ice with the fellas. Not as common on shelves back east, but if you spot it, grab one – it's proof that great bourbon ain't just a Kentucky thing. Buy it now!

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey

This is a clean, classic style bourbon that almost anyone can enjoy. Woodinville keeps things simple, and it shows in the taste. It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and easy to pour for company. If you’re recommending a craft whiskey to someone who usually drinks familiar brands, this one won’t scare them off. Buy it now!

Blue Run Ember Bourbon

This limited Kentucky straight bourbon blend clocks in at a hefty 128.8 proof but drinks smooth, crafted specially for winter with big char and wood spice that warms without burnin'. Hits of orange burst, dry cinnamon, honey, cocoa, floral jasmine, and earthy oak make it a bold yet velvety pour that'll chase away the chill on the darkest nights. Buy it now!

Blue Note Juke Joint Bourbon

Crafted in Memphis with a nod to the blues, this unfiltered straight bourbon delivers a thick, viscous body full of sweet corn, vanilla, allspice, apricot, pear, and oaky warmth. Aged just right near the river, it builds gentle heat with fruity and spicy layers that linger, turnin' a frosty night into somethin' cozy and satisfying. Buy it now!

Ben Holladay Bottled in Bond Soft Red Wheat Bourbon

Soft red wheat makes this one silky smooth, with floral and apple spice vibes. It’s like a chill day in the orchard—easygoing but packed with flavor. Buy it now!

Westland American Single Malt

Westland is a solid recommendation for folks who like depth but don’t want anything smoky or over the top. It’s smooth, balanced, and has a nice richness that feels right for slow sipping. This is one of those craft whiskeys that feels well made from start to finish. It works great for someone who enjoys whiskey neat and actually takes their time with a glass. 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!

New Riff Bottled in Bond

New Riff is doing things the old-fashioned way in Northern Kentucky, and it shows in the final product. They use a high-rye mashbill, age their bourbon for at least four years without chill filtering, and bottle in bond at 100 proof. Their single barrel program is where things get really good though - you can find picks from various retailers that highlight different flavor profiles from their rickhouses. The distillery is transparent about their processes and aging, which is refreshing in an industry that sometimes plays things close to the vest. You're getting a bourbon that tastes like bourbon should - bold, spicy, with plenty of oak character and none of the artificial sweetness some brands add. 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!

Koval Single Barrel Bourbon

The Koval Single Barrel Bourbon adheres to the mandatory mashbill requirement, with a minimum of 51% corn. However, it deviates from the conventional addition of rye or wheat by incorporating millet, a primary cereal from Asia and Africa. Millet, known for being a gluten-free ancient grain, shares a historical association with the spirits industry, particularly in Nepal, where it has been revered as a preferred libation for an extended period. Buy it now for $49.99.

Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey

Dave Pickerell, with a distinguished career that includes graduating from West Point Military Academy, exemplary service, and earning a master's degree in Chemical Engineering, spent thirteen years at Maker's Mark Bourbon. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Kentucky Distillers Association and was a member of the Distilled Spirits Council. In 2006, he embarked on an independent venture, transforming a 200-year-old farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley into Hillrock Farm and Distillery—a "farm-to-bottle" estate producing exceptional whiskies. The Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey, aged for a minimum of six years using the Solera method, boasts an "average age" far older due to the unique aging process. Finished in Oloroso Sherry casks, this whiskey undergoes a meticulous and costly process that imparts a complexity unmatched by other methods, making it truly special. Buy it now!

Hudson Whiskey NY Bright Lights Big Bourbon

Hudson Whiskey's journey began serendipitously in 2001 when Ralph Erenzo, initially planning a rock-climbing ranch, pivoted towards whiskey after facing neighborhood resistance. Seizing the opportunity presented by the acquired grist mill and the surrounding farm, Erenzo, along with his partners, inadvertently established the first distillery in New York since Prohibition. Two decades later, Hudson Whiskey boasts a collection of awards and a refined core lineup featuring the recently updated Bright Lights Big Bourbon. This expression is a testament to traditional craftsmanship, with a high-corn mash bill (95% corn, 5% malted barley), a minimum three-year aging process in new oak barrels, and a bottling strength at the favored 46% ABV. The modern aesthetic of the bottles and labels complements the old-school charm of the whiskey, delivering a warm and sweet profile accentuated by caramel notes. Buy it now!

WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye

Looking for a rye whiskey to savor slowly? WhistlePig’s PiggyBack features a 100% rye mash bill aged for six years, delivering citrus hints and robust peppery spice without overwhelming aggression—all at a more accessible price point compared to previous WhistlePig rye expressions beloved in the industry. With a higher ABV of 48.28%, it’s ideal for enjoying over a large ice cube. If neat is more your style, a few drops of water can enhance the experience, revealing nuanced flavors like grapefruit zest and cardamom. Buy it now!

Journeyman Silver Cross American Whiskey

Originally bestowed as a golf medal during the early years of the British Open, the Silver Cross evolved into a symbol of friendship, tradition, camaraderie, and spirited competition. This whiskey pays homage to the roots and future of the great game, with one percent of proceeds dedicated to golf's improvement. Silver Cross, a 90-proof spirit, excels in cocktails and stands out on its own. Enhance its flavors with a drop or two of water. A blend of Rye, Wheat, Corn, and Barley in equal parts, aged in small casks, this whiskey offers a remarkable mouthfeel and body. With sweet caramel for bourbon enthusiasts, spicy rye, malty barley, and a smooth wheat finish, Silver Cross caters to whiskey lovers. Certified Organic, Gluten-Free, and Kosher, it boasts tasting notes of complexity, cola, cocoa, chocolate, spice, fruit, a long finish, hints of wood and smoke, and malty biscuits, all at 45.0% ABV. Buy it now for $45.99.

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!

Chattanooga Whiskey 111

Tennessee's Chattanooga Whiskey is proving that you don't need to be in Kentucky to make world-class bourbon. Their cask strength 111 offering showcases their high-malt mashbill, which includes malted barley in a higher percentage than most bourbons use. This gives it an almost scotch-like character in terms of complexity, while still being unmistakably bourbon. At 111 proof, you get plenty of flavor without needing to add water, though a few drops can really open it up. These folks are innovating while respecting tradition, and the maltiness brings out notes of honey, graham cracker, and toasted nuts that you won't find in your typical bourbon. Buy it now!

Old Dominick Huling Station

From Memphis, Tennessee, Old Dominick's Huling Station small batch brings southern smoothness with a high-corn mash that delivers buttery caramel, vanilla, and light fruit upfront, backed by gentle spice and oak. It's got that easy-drinking vibe without being too sweet or bland, finishing clean and warm. Proofed around 90-something, it's perfect for casual pours whether you're kicking back watching the game or sharing with buddies. Not your typical Kentucky juice, but that's what makes it stand out – real underrated for how balanced and tasty it is at the price. Buy it now!

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon

Out of Nevada, this farm-to-glass craft bourbon from Frey Ranch surprises with its smooth delivery of brown sugar and butterscotch, backed by estate-grown grains that bring out clean corn sweetness and a touch of rye pepper. It's got a full-bodied feel with hints of dried fruit and oak rounding things out, ending nice and long – a standout for guys looking to branch out from Kentucky stuff while keeping that rich, sweet profile intact. Buy it now!

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