10 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in April 2025 — Ranked

From Texas rye to Japanese elegance, here are the top 10 whiskeys that stood out last month.

We spent April 2025 doing what we do best: sniffing, sipping and taking way too many tasting notes. This month’s standout pours came from an eclectic variety of locations — Kentucky, Texas, Utah, Ireland, Japan, New York — with more than a few surprises. Some were new releases, some were legacy whiskeys we finally got around to tasting. But all of them earned a spot on this list.

We’re counting down from No. 10 to No. 1. Spoiler: it was a big month for rye.

10. Bushmills Private Reserve 12 Year Old Tequila Cask Finish ($74.99)

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This 12-year-old single malt from the world’s oldest licensed distillery spent its final stretch in tequila barrels, and while the nose is a knockout — rich, sweet and agave-kissed — the palate doesn’t quite keep pace. Still, it’s an enjoyable pour with solid balance and a distinctive profile. We just wish it had a bit more oomph.

9. Garrison Brothers Lady Bird ($179.99)

(Photo: Garrison Brothers)

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Honey, leather and tobacco lead the way in this powerful Texas bourbon that was infused with honey and finished in Cognac XO barrels. It’s sweet and decadent but still carries enough spice and tannin to stay grounded. 2025’s is one of Garrison Brothers’ best batches of Lady Bird to date.

8. Booker’s 2025-01 ‘Barry’s Batch’ ($99.99)

(Photo: Booker’s Bourbon)

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The first Booker’s release of the year is a bruiser — full of butterscotch, cherry, fudge, peanut brittle and tobacco. It’s big, bold and brimming with classic Beam character. If you like your bourbon loud and rich, this one’s for you.

7. Lost Lantern “Opulent Orchard” Rye ($100)

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Apple brandy barrels bring a wave of orchard fruit to this 114.9-proof rye, which was produced by New York Distilling Company and selected by the Vermont-based independent bottler, Lost Lantern. Think caramel apples, custard, chocolate, espresso and spice. It’s not the most layered pour on this list, but it’s a wildly flavorful one.

6. Still Austin Bottled in Bond Rye ($79.99)

(Photo: Still Austin)

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Still Austin made a small but clever tweak to its aging process for 2025’s Bottled in Bond rye release, lowering the barrel proof gradually before bottling. The result? A more refined, fruit-forward rye that still delivers plenty of Texas spice. It’s one of the most compelling 100% rye whiskeys we’ve tasted in a long time.

5. Bushmills Private Reserve 10 Year Old Amarone Cask Finish ($59.99)

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Red wine cask finishes are hit or miss, but this one is a hit. Bushmills’ 10-year-old single malt picks up raspberry, mango, candied nuts and tobacco from the Amarone casks. It’s bold, fruity, spicy and beautifully balanced — a steal at $60.

4. High West Bourye ($124.99)

(Photo: High West)

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High West’s 2025 Bourye is a deeply satisfying blend of aged rye and bourbon. It bounces between vanilla and baking spice, citrus and dark fruit, leather and oak. This perfectly executed hybrid is equal parts complexity and charm.

3. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series ‘The Keepers Release’ ($74.99)

(Photo: Maker’s Mark)

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Soft, sweet and dangerously drinkable, this limited-edition Maker’s honors the distillery’s barrel rotation team with a profile that leans into marshmallow, caramel, cherry and maple — balanced by just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting.

2. The Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Year Old (Average Price: $1,050)

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This is not a new bottle, but it was new to our tasting table in April, and it blew us away. Rich and malty with sherry fruit, tobacco, umami and citrus, this Japanese single malt is deeply complex, subtle and contemplative. It’s pricey but damn good.

1. Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye ($120)

(Photo: Michter’s)

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No surprise here — Michter’s takes the top spot with a show-stopping barrel-strength rye. 2025’s batch hits all the right notes: crème brûlée, apple bake, gingerbread, cherry, toasted marshmallow and spice, all wrapped in syrupy, tannic richness. From nose to finish, it’s just an outstanding whiskey.

Final Thoughts

This was one of our most eclectic tasting months in recent memory — and one of the best. From a smartly tweaked Texas rye to a Japanese icon and a red wine-finished Irish whiskey that punches above its price point, the list shows just how diverse and exciting the whiskey landscape is in 2025.

Now, on to May.