The 6 Best Bottled-in-Bond Whiskeys, According to Bartenders
The 6 Best Bottled-in-Bond Whiskeys, According to Bartenders
If you’re the kinda guy who likes his bourbon straight-up, no BS, and actually tastes like something, then bottled-in-bond is your jam. These are the real deal – at least 4 years old, exactly 100 proof, made by one distiller at one distillery in one season. No cutting corners. I got turned onto these hard a few years back when a bartender in Louisville poured me a Heaven Hill BiB after a long day – man, it hit different. Ever since, these are the bottles I reach for when I want something solid. Asked a bunch of bartenders coast to coast what they’re pouring these days, and here’s the six that kept coming up.
Heaven Hill 6-Year Bottled-in-Bond
This big 7-year-old (yeah they went one better) is still the king for a reason. Huge blast of caramel, vanilla, and that classic Kentucky hug on the chest. It’s got enough corn sweetness to keep things friendly but the rye spice kicks in late and keeps it interesting. At around forty bucks it’s stupidly good – half the bar pros I know keep a handle of this behind the stick for themselves after shift. Buy it now!
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Don’t let the goofy label fool ya – this high-rye beast (27% rye mashbill) drinks way above its price tag. Cinnamon Red Hots, oak, leather, and a little orange peel on the back. It’s got that old-school bazooka flavor some of the new stuff just doesn’t have anymore. Perfect for dudes who grew up drinking Beam and want something with more balls.
Henry McKenna 10-Year Bonded
The one that ruined everyone when it won “World’s Best Bourbon” a few years ago. Rich toffee, baked apple, dark cherry, and a long oaky finish that just won’t quit. Yeah it got harder to find and the price crept up, but when you crack one open on a cold night with the game on, you’ll forget you paid sixty bucks for it.
Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof Bonded
Okay, not bourbon, but every bartender said “you can’t do a BiB list without Rittenhouse.” This Pennsylvania-style rye is spicy as hell – black pepper, dill, cocoa – and makes the best damn Manhattan you’ll ever have at home. If you like your whiskey to punch you in the face (in a good way), grab this one.
Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
The sleeper hit nobody saw coming. Came back a couple years ago as a legit BiB and bartenders lost their minds because it’s cheap as chips and drinks smooth. Light caramel, peanut brittle, a little mint, super easy sipper at 100 proof. Great for mixing or just throwing back neat while you’re grilling steaks.
Mellow Corn Bonded
Yeah, corn whiskey, and yeah, it’s awesome. Sweet creamed corn, vanilla, a little funk – tastes like liquid cornbread in the best way. Bartenders love pulling this out to mess with people who think they’re too cool for it, then watch ‘em buy a bottle. Fifty-fifty with a beer back is a move, trust me.
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