The 9 Best Whiskeys We Tasted In November 2023
It’s hard to believe the penultimate month of 2023 is drawing to a close. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we’re now on the cusp of the festive season. November was an incredible month of exciting whiskey releases with comforting, soul-warming spirits, perfect for helping us get through autumn’s chill as we segue into the last month of the year.
We taste so many whiskeys here at Whiskey Raiders, but these nine spirits were true knockouts. The following nine whiskeys are the best we tasted in November 2023, ranked from great to the best.
The 9 Best Whiskeys We Tasted In November 2023
9. Penelope Rio
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An adventurous whiskey from the MGP-owned Penelope Bourbon, Penelope Rio was finished in honey and Brazilian Amburana barrels, which is an unusual combination. Amburana finishing was a major whiskey trend in early to mid-2023 thanks to its bold, very noticeable impact on whiskey.
Rio is the latest offering within the brand’s Cooper Series, which Penelope claims takes its whiskeys “on a world tour” by finishing its spirits in “unique casks from around the world.”
This whiskey is bottled at 98 proof, and it is a great one to try if you want to get a taste of popular Amburana finish.
The nose promises plenty of sweetness, with toffee, honey and pound cake. There’s also plenty of spices like cinnamon. Those who love their whiskeys on the sweeter side will probably fall hard for this offering from Penelope, and the palate has plenty of cookie dough and pound cake qualities. This sweet whiskey finishes with heavy toffee, pound cake and honey.
Jay West, Whiskey Raiders’ Chief Spirits Critic, describes Penelope’s “weird beast” of an offering as perfect for folks who want to shake things up. Feel free to watch our latest video on Penelope Rio below:
8. Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII Bourbon
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Repeal Day is coming up on Dec. 5, and what better way to celebrate the end of Prohibition than with this series of blended bourbons from the Indiana-based distilling powerhouse, MGP? This isn’t the first time this month we’ve given Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII Bourbon a shout-out — we also featured it as one of the 7 Best Whiskeys to Serve on Thanksgiving.
Remus Repeal Reserve is made in honor of Repeal Day, and the latest release marks the seventh edition. This 100-proof blended bourbon consists of 2007 bourbon with 21% rye in the mashbill (6% in the blend), 2013 bourbon with 21% rye in the mashbill (26%), 2013 bourbon with 36% rye in the mashbill (26%), 2014 bourbon with 21% rye in its mashbill (21%) and 2014 bourbon with 36% rye in the mashbill (21%.)
West called this offering, “possibly the best Remus yet.” If there could only be one word to describe Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII, it would be “layered.”
With subtle complexity, it hosts a rich nose that features aromas of drizzled brown butter and caramel. Just a hint of fruit shines through there, and the palate gives way to more of that brown butter goodness with a bit of nougat and tobacco. Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII concludes beautifully with more buttery goodness, coupled with baking spice, almond and pepper. If you’re interested in giving Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII a whirl, you can pick one up from Total Wine.
This gorgeous pour has a suggested retail price of $100 and will keep you warm during the chilly winter months.
7. 15 STARS Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon
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15 STARS is a relatively new brand and was founded in April 2022. This rising star (see what we did there?) from Kentucky takes its name as an homage to the Bluegrass State. Kentucky was the 15th state, and the Star Spangled Banner displayed 15 stars. 15 STARS is inspired by Kentucky’s rich history and the fact that it is bourbon’s spiritual home.
This 10-year-old expression is finished in sherry-seasoned casks and was bottled at Bardstown Bourbon Co. as part of its contract distilling and bottling features.
15 STARS has collected more than its fair share of its own accolades this year, and this bourbon in particular won Best Bourbon of 2023, Best Finished Bourbon of 2023 and a Double Gold Medal at the 2023 New York World Wine and Spirits Competition. With a suggested retail price of $179 and a proof of 115, this sherried beauty definitely lives up to the hype from this sleeper of a bourbon brand.
If you’re the type of person who is already missing the cranberry sauce from last week’s Thanksgiving dinner, give this bold, red berry-driven, spicy bourbon a try!
15 STARS Sherry Cask finished bourbon has plenty of winter berries on the nose, coupled with some honey and toffee. On the plate, picture red cranberries, interwoven with cherry berry spice. The red berries carry throughout the finish, which additionally hosts a bit of oak and ginger.
6. Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023
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Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023 is definitely a cult favorite, and the brand has had quite the year.
In early November, Michter’s made history as the first American brand to be crowned Drinks International’s World’s Most Admired Whiskey. Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Toasted Barrel Finish Rye 2023 hosts a suggested retail price of $120.
In order to make this expression, Michter’s finishes its US*1 Kentucky Straight Rye in a custom toasted barrel. The barrel is made from wood that was air-dried for two years prior to being toasted to the distillery’s specs.
With an ABV of 54.5%, this whiskey has loads of pleasant, creamy sweetness.
On the palate, there’s more honey and marshmallow softness, making Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Rye a dessert enthusiast’s drink of choice. The rye finishes with toasted marshmallow and maple, making it perfect for fireside sipping.
5. Clermont Steep American Single Malt Whiskey
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Clermont Steep is the James B. Beam Distilling Company’s first foray into the red-hot American Single Malt category, which is taking the whiskey world by storm. This whiskey is composed of 100% malted barley and was distilled and aged at Beam’s facilities in Clermont, Kentucky.
The brand uses its “jug yeast” to kick off fermentation, and this 47% ABV whiskey hosts a relatively affordable suggested retail price of $60. A versatile crowd-pleaser with a sweet, brown sugar-driven nose with big punchy whiffs of caramel, this single malt delivers an attractive level of heat on the palate, coupled with tobacco, honey and praline. This American Single Malt finishes beautifully with layers of vanilla bean, cream, and tobacco.
Clermont Steep is undoubtedly an impressive first attempt from James B. Beam Distilling at the American Single Malt Category and is well worth dipping into if you’re curious about hopping on the trend. This readily available offering can be purchased at Total Wine.
4. Barrell Craft Spirits S1B62 Private Release Armagnac Finish
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Barrell Craft Spirits S1B62 Private Release Armagnac Finish is liquid decadence was the Whiskey Raiders Bottle of the Month Club bottle in November.
If you’re looking for the ultimate indulgence this winter, look no further than this blend of 8- to 14-year-old American whiskeys finished in an Armagnac cask. This offering from Barrell Craft Spirits is bottled at a cask strength of 65.4%.
With a nose that strikes the perfect balance of old and fresh, this cerebral and powerful whiskey offers up aromas of grapes, honey and apple interlaced with baking spices and candied ginger. The Armagnac interplays beautifully with the spirit, and on the palate this whiskey is dangerously easy drinking. Expect raisins and blackberries harmoniously laced with maple and brown sugar on the palate. The lengthy finish is rich and tilts toward the savory end of the spectrum with tobacco smoke.
Elegant and powerful, this whiskey can be purchased from ReserveBar.
3. K.LUKE Blended Bourbon Small Batch Barrel Strength Batch 5
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Ahh, K.LUKE. A bourbon brand that today is an under-the-radar gem, and tomorrow — a unicorn? Given the press this family-owned bourbon brand has received of late, it’s very possible.
Since we’re discussing unicorns and bourbons that are hard to find, K. Luke’s Blended Bourbon Small Batch Barrel Strength Batch 5 is a great substitute if you’re looking for George T. Stagg Bourbon from the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, and if you’re interested in finding other substitutes for this year’s offerings — check out this list.
As for K.LUKE, this small-batch blend of Kentucky and Indiana bourbons clocks in at a barrel-strength 119.4 proof, and just 738 bottles are available. With a nose of sweet oak, maple and what West refers to as “gobs of toffee,” it’s clear the hype on this whiskey is earned at first sniff. On the palate, picture autumnal flavors of tobacco, sweet cream and apple butter. This powerful and bold bourbon finishes on a savory sweet note with salted caramel and brown butter.
With its higher proof, K. LUKE Batch 5 is a big, bold bourbon that has a suggested retail price of $115. In August, we featured K. LUKE as one of ipirts 5 Best Whiskeys That are Available and Fly Under the Radar in a video on our YouTube channel, which you can watch below:
2. Found North Batch 008
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This offering from the sublime Canadian whiskey brand Found North is wild in the best possible way.
A well-aged, cask-strength release, this whiskey includes components from 18 to 26 years aged in a combination of Madeira, new American, ex-bourbon and Hungarian oak barrels. With a mashbill of 87% corn, 12% rye and 1% malted barley, Found North Batch 008 clocks in at a massive 124.4 proof and is no shrinking violet.
The nose is a symphony of berry and tobacco, coupled with caramel, cream, honey and pepper loaded with big oak and sweetness. West describes the mouthfeel as “opulent,” with plenty of sweet buttercream, raspberries, and strawberries. Those strawberry and raspberry qualities linger all the way to the finish of Found North Batch 008, accompanied by a bit of buttercream.
This offering hosts a suggested retail price of $170 and is “a show from start to finish,” according to West. Found North’s latest whiskey definitely makes an impression — quite possibly strong enough to make our year end top 10 list.
1. WhistlePig Boss Hog X: The Commandments
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WhistlePig wowed again last month with its 10th offering within The Boss Hog Series. The Commandments is a Canadian rye whiskey finished in experimental barrels from the Vermont-based distillery.
The first barrel contained a spirit WhistlePig distilled from rye and whey infused with resins from Boswellia and Commiphora trees.
According to the National Library of Medicine, Boswellia has been used in incense for religious ceremonies and medicines due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The second finish was in craft mead casks — a wild combination without a doubt, but this 53.9%-ABV spirit definitely works.
One the nose, West describes clover honey, cider and black tea with a nice pleasantly acidic bite. The palate is a rich combination of clover honey, lemon, lime and pine. The rye adds a bit of spice, and there’s a pleasant floral quality to this whiskey. WhistlePig’s The Commandments finishes with lemon, honey, sweet cream and oak. If you want to learn more about this delightfully bonkers whiskey, check out our video below:
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