The 6 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in May 2024

Springtime is about to segue into summer, and as this shoulder season draws to a close, we wanted to take a moment to share six whiskeys that captured our attention during the month of May.

There was no shortage of impressive releases this month and it’s always a challenge to choose the top whiskeys. This month’s list — though short and sweet — features no shortage of great offerings.

From a whimsical wheat whiskey suited for summertime campfire sipping to a blue corn bourbon guaranteed to impress to ultra-smoky scotches, check out the six best whiskeys we reviewed in May 2024.

The 6 Best Whiskeys We Tasted In May 2024, Ranked

6. WhistlePig CampStock Limited Edition Wheat Whiskey

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WhistlePig is no stranger to creative, wildly wacky and wonderful whiskey releases; this wheat whiskey is no exception.

The Vermont-based brand announced this wheat whiskey as part of its collaboration with Solo Stove this month, and the blend of Indiana wheat whiskey (85%) and WhistlePig rye (15%) was finished in Solo Stove-toasted barrels. WhistlePig CampStock Limited Edition Wheat Whiskey clocks in at a modest 86 proof and hosts a suggested retail price of $74.99.

CampStock can be purchased from WhistlePig as a solo bottle or as part of the limited-edition Campfire Kit, which also includes a WhistlePig-branded Solo Stove Mesa XL and Solo Stove Whiskey Barrel Firewood. The kit is priced at $199.99.

With a sweetly spicy nose composed of raisin bread, rye spice and confectioner’s sugar, CampStock has a palate bursting forth with buttercream, clove and rich cinnamon. CampStock finishes with a toasty, dessert-driven conclusion and a whisper of cinnamon spice, making it the perfect option for fireside summer sipping.

5. Five Lions Ledaig 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

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This scotch whisky was distilled at Tobermory in June 2007 and spent time aging in a first-fill Madeira cask for 11 years. It was selected by the independent bottler, Five Lions, in July 2018 at cask strength and hosts an ABV of 57.8%. Typically, bottles of Five Lions Ledaig 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky can be purchased for between $100 and $200.

If smoky whiskies are your thing, the Five Lions Ledaig 11 Year Old Single Malt Scotch is sure to delight. With plenty of ash and sweet fruits, the nose on this dram will transport you to a summertime barbecue. On the palate, picture honey, lingonberry and cherry. The whisky finishes with pepper, plum syrup and almond.

This is a beautifully powerful scotch with balanced smoke and fruit from the wine finishing process.

4. The Old Malt Cask “Hebridean Mulligan” 23 Year Old K&L Wines Exclusive

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Just 202 bottles exist of The Old Malt Cask “Hebridean Mulligan” 23 Year Old K&L Wines Exclusive. This whiskey can be purchased from anywhere within the $100 to $200 range and hosts an ABV of 59%.

This scotch was chosen by K&L Wines and Hunter Laing’s bottler line, The Old Malt Cask and the whiskey is composed of 23-year-old Ledaig distillate with a touch of 23-year-old Talisker teaspooned in. The whisky dates back to 1997 and it was drawn from a refill hogshead.

With a nose of honey, almond, pepper and a bit of minerality, this scotch segues into a palate full of toffee, white grape and light smoke. It finishes with toffee, ash, char and minerality, with a throughline of white grape that cascades throughout the pour.

3. Still Austin Bottled In Bond Blue Corn Bourbon

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This release debuted from Still Austin in November, and this blue corn bourbon was inspired by the “endless winter night sky,” yet this characterful bourbon is delectable enough to be enjoyed all year long.

With a fascinating mashbill composed of 26% blue corn, 25% white corn, 44% rye and 5% malted barley, this whiskey spent four years aging before it was bottled at 100 proof, per Bottled In Bond rules.

Picture silky creamed corn, honey and caramel on the nose of the pour, with a good whiff of smoky char. The glass gives way to tobacco, raisin, honey and tobacco with plenty of peppery spice. Still Austin Bottled In Bond Blue Corn Bourbon finishes beautifully with pastries, honey and pipe tobacco.

The best news is that this offering from Still Austin hosts a relatively affordable suggested retail price of $80. It can be found at retailers like Total Wine or ReserveBar.

2. Maker’s Mark Private Selection Topflight S2B13

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This barrel pick bourbon was crafted by the folks over at Maker’s Mark. It was distilled from Maker’s hallmark wheated mashbill and matured in barrels with 4 Seared French Cuvee Staves, 2 Maker’s Mark 46 staves and 4 Roasted French Mendiant staves, which make this one special bourbon. This offering from Maker’s Mark has a proof of 109.1 and you can pick a bottle up from ReserveBar for $80.99.

Many people in this world like to drink their dessert, and if you happen to fit within that category then this is the bourbon for you. This bourbon hosts a nose drizzled with brown butter, cinnamon, sugar-dusted French toast and cocoa. The syrupy palate is a symphony of sweet and savory, with nougat, cinnamon, and brown butter to add some opulence.

The lingering finish has plenty of sweet cream, clove and cracked pepper. We picked this release for a reason: It’s a total knockout.

1. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph

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There’s a reason why Wild Turkey named this latest Master’s Keep expression “Triumph” — because this rye whiskey is exactly that.

This rye whiskey was released in May, and there’s a sweet and touching story behind it. Triumph was made after Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller Eddie Russell found out his son had a soft spot for rye. Russell’s son liked rye whiskey before it was cool, back when other brands wouldn’t dare to make the stuff. When other distilleries were shelving the idea of making rye whiskey completely, Eddie Russell decided to lay down a cask for 10 years, partially because he knew his son loved rye so much. He named this whiskey “Triumph” to celebrate rye whiskey’s return to the spotlight.

Triumph has a suggested retail price of $275 and is bottled at 104 proof. With plenty of bold spices and an herbaceous grassy quality on the nose, you know it’s going to be a bold and bright pour at first whiff. The palate hosts a moderate and opulent mouthfeel filled with toffee, honey, freshly cracked pepper and a spearmint. The incredibly powerful finish lingers on and on, and it shows that Wild Turkey can really knock it out of the park.

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