10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in October 2025

Every month, we sort through dozens of new releases (and older ones that are new to us!) to highlight the whiskeys that stood out the most. It’s a great way to remind ourselves — and share with you! — what’s been the greatest of the latest in the whiskey world. October was a splendid month of whiskey — one of 2025’s best, for sure — ranging from some of the year’s best rye whiskeys to complex single malts to deep, sweet bourbons to (!) the world’s oldest whisky.

As always, these whiskeys are ranked by their Critics’ Scores — The Daily Pour’s aggregated number that averages our own house score with the rankings given by the internet’s most trusted reviewers. When necessary, ties are broken by 1) our house score, 2) the number of aggregated reviews, 3) alphabetical order.

Here’s the list, ranked from 10 to 1.

10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in October 2025

10. Sagamore Spirit 10-Year Rye Whiskey

Released in September, Sagamore Spirit’s first 10-year-old rye marks a milestone for the Maryland distillery. Priced at $79.99, it’s the oldest age-stated whiskey in the brand’s lineup — and one of its best.

The nose bursts with soft butterscotch, candied orange, clove and allspice. On the palate, it’s balanced and warm, mixing gingerbread, cherry and tiramisu with rye-driven spice. The finish lingers with clove, nutmeg and marshmallow fluff. Complex yet approachable, this rye offers an impressive harmony of oak, spice and sweetness — and feels like a steal at the price.

Click here to read our full review.

9. Westland Garryana American Single Malt Aged 10 Years

Westland’s Garryana series has long celebrated the Pacific Northwest’s native oak, Quercus Garryana, but 2025’s 10-year-old edition sets a new benchmark. The Seattle distillery’s oldest age-stated whiskey to date, this 100-proof malt was matured in a mix of Garryana, Pedro Ximénez sherry, rum and bourbon casks, with just 4,600 bottles released, retailing for $149.99 a pop.

The result is beautifully balanced: bright notes of tangerine and peach meet espresso, oak and graham cracker richness. The finish shifts to darker tones of coffee, tobacco and vanilla bean. It’s a reminder that American single malt continues to evolve — and that Westland remains at the forefront.

Click here to read our full review.

8. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon (2025 Release)

Maker’s Mark continues to prove that age can suit wheated bourbon beautifully. The third annual release of its Cellar Aged expression combines bourbon aged 11 to 14 years, with the 14-year component marking the oldest known whiskey ever blended by the distillery. Bottled at 112.9 proof and priced at $175, it’s rich, spicy and unmistakably Maker’s.

Sweet aromas of custard and caramel lead into layers of cocoa, anise and gingerbread. The finish leans darker — think coffee grounds, fudge and cinnamon — without tipping into bitterness. It’s an elegant, dessert-forward pour that showcases what careful long aging can bring to a classic recipe.

Click here to read our full review.

7. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release: Tanyard Hill Rye

Jack Daniel’s latest Special Release pushes rye whiskey to its limits. Drawn from barrels aged atop the distillery’s historic Tanyard Hill, this cask-strength Tennessee rye varies by barrel — ours clocked in at a fiery 145.9 proof.

Despite the power, the whiskey is layered and expressive. Clove, espresso and black cherry dominate the nose, while the palate explodes with cinnamon, sassafras, buttercream and dark fruit. The long, spicy finish mingles coffee, dark chocolate and fig. Intense but beautifully balanced, it’s a standout hazmat whiskey that cements Jack Daniel’s rye program among the country’s best.

This whiskey clocks in at No. 7 based on its Critics’ Score, an aggregated number that averages out reviews from trusted critics across the internet, but it would be a good bit higher if this was a subjective list solely based on our in-house review.

Click here to read our full review.

6. Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Aged 10 Years (2025)

For the 2025 edition of its annual Limited Edition release, Yellowstone brought together bourbon from Kentucky’s Limestone Branch and Indiana’s Ross & Squibb Distillery. The 105-proof blend, built from three mashbills, highlights both distilleries’ strengths.

It opens with sweet aromas of butterscotch and crème brûlée before revealing soft spice and bright fruit. The palate brings cherry, raspberry and smoked oak, while the finish turns dry with hints of coffee, cacao and vanilla custard. A deft blend of sweetness and spice, it’s one of the most rewarding and balanced releases in Yellowstone’s series to date.

Click here to read our full review.

5. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Cask No. 53.469 “The Ultimate Nuance”

This limited Islay single malt from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society lives up to its name. Aged 10 years in a refill ex-bourbon hogshead and bottled at 57% ABV, “The Ultimate Nuance” reveals a softness that’s rarely found in a high-proof peated scotch.

Sweet butter and sugar cookie aromas mingle with smoke and sea air. The palate strikes a graceful balance between peat, pear and vanilla wafers, while the finish brings honey, mesquite and marzipan. It’s a standout example of precision blending — an Islay whisky that invites both peat lovers and skeptics alike.

Click here to read our full review.

4. Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E

The latest entry in Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse series showcases barrels pulled exclusively from the fifth floor of Camp Nelson E — and it’s the highest-proof Russell’s Reserve yet at 128. Bottled at cask strength and priced at $300, this bourbon brims with the distillery’s signature richness.

Luxardo cherry, browned butter and caramel cake leap from the glass. The palate follows with pecan pie, oak and crème brûlée, leading to a long finish of espresso beans, raisin and peach pie. Deep, flavorful and impeccably structured, it’s a powerhouse that’s just the latest of Wild Turkey’s hot streak.

Click here to read our full review.

3. King of Kentucky (2025 Release)

Brown-Forman’s crown jewel returned this fall with another towering statement. The 2025 King of Kentucky is a 17-year-old single-barrel bourbon selected from just 63 barrels, bottled between 124 and 135 proof and priced at $399.

Despite its strength, the whiskey is remarkably smooth. Cherry cola, buttercream, gingerbread and almond come through on the nose, while the palate layers dry oak and spice with caramel, root beer and chocolate-covered cherries. A drop of water teases out candied orange and cocoa powder. It’s a beautiful, bruising bourbon that rewards patience — and perhaps a drop or two of water to explore further flavors (after tasting neat, of course).

Click here to read our full review.

2. Gordon & MacPhail 85-Year-Old Glenlivet

The oldest known whisky ever bottled, Gordon & MacPhail’s 85-year-old Glenlivet is a historic release distilled in 1940 and bottled in May 2025. Only 125 handblown decanters exist, each priced at £125,000 ($168,500), and proceeds from the first bottle’s Christie’s auction will benefit American Forests.

For all its age, this single malt is astonishingly vibrant. Aromas of smoked wood, cardamom and brown sugar lead to flavors of orange sherbet, lemon peel and melting butter. The finish winds through dark chocolate, charred mango and tobacco. It’s a masterclass in time, balance and restraint — a once-in-a-lifetime whisky in every sense.

Click here to read our full review.

1. WhistlePig The Boss Hog XII: Feather & Flame

WhistlePig’s latest Boss Hog release might be its most adventurous yet. Finished in barrels seasoned with pulque curado — a blend of agave, cacao and Mexican chiltepin, guajillo and pasilla peppers — Feather & Flame pushes rye whiskey into thrilling new territory. Bottled between 52.4% and 54.2% ABV, it retails for $599.

The nose brings gingerbread, chili powder and vanilla pastry cream. The palate follows with butterscotch, clove, pepper and dill, delivering a spicy burn unlike any other whiskey on this list. It finishes long and sweet, with maple, nutmeg and a whisper of heat. Daring, delicious and wholly original, it’s the Boss Hog at its finest — and a clear contender for Rye of the Year.

Click here to read our full review.

Final Thoughts

October 2025 was a remarkable month for whiskey, blending innovation with tradition. From WhistlePig’s chili-spiced experiment to Gordon & MacPhail’s record-breaking relic, these releases show just how diverse and daring the whiskey landscape is. Whether you crave high-proof rye, perfectly aged bourbon or smoky single malt, this phenomenal month offered something worth savoring.