50 Best Bourbons of 2025, Ranked

Welcome to our top-50 roundup of the best bourbons of 2025.

How the rankings work: These rankings are sorted by The Daily Pour’s Critics’ Score, a number calculated for each bottle by aggregating reviews from trusted critics across the internet and (when necessary) converting them to the 50-100 scale we use.

Taste is subjective, but by using this metric and aggregating multiple reviews, we aim to get as close as possible to objectivity. When ties in the Critics’ Score occur, they’re broken by our in-house score. If there’s still a tie, the whiskey with the most aggregated reviews gets the nod. In the rare case that there’s still a tie, we simply break it by using alphabetical order.

Eligible bottles are bourbons that 1) Were released in 2025 or the latter half of 2024, so long as they weren’t considered for our 2024 rankings (so we can give love to bottles released late in 2024 that we didn’t have the chance to taste until 2025), and 2) We had the chance to taste. If you’re shocked that your favorite bottle isn’t on this list, it may have been excluded because we regrettably didn’t have a chance to review it (looking at you, BTAC). Price is not considered in our personal rating system (which is factored equally into the aggregate scores), but some critics we aggregate may factor that in to their scores.

If you’re interested in learning more about any bourbon on the list, just click the link embedded in its name. If you want to see our 100 Best Whiskeys of 2025 list, check that out here.

Without further ado, let’s get into the best bourbons of 2025!

50. Remus Reserve Repeal Series IX

Nose: Big chopped peanuts note on the nose, plus buttered popcorn, cinnamon, pepper and leather

Taste: Very nice viscosity. Buttered popcorn note continues, joined by tea, tobacco, leather, cinnamon, brown sugar and lemon peel.

Finish: Cracked pepper and cinnamon lead the finish, joined by, once again, a big buttery note, as well as a big peanut oil note and vanilla bean, plus tobacco.

49. Abraham Bowman Oak Series: American Oak

Nose: Huge and rich on the nose: Brown sugar, heavy barrel char, pepper, ginger, heavy oak and orange peel.

Taste: Rich on the palate with tons of oak, pepper, char, honey, root beer, cocoa, and tobacco.

Finish: Long finish. The ethanol pops here a touch, but there’s so much richness going on. Heavy caramel, brown sugar, cola, root beer and sweet oak.

48. Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch 3

Nose: Deep and full of flavor. Cherry, cinnamon rolls, dark chocolate, cookie butter, bananas foster, mocha and taffy

Taste: Great viscosity on the palate, which is oaky and lovely. Cornbread, praline, cherry syrup, plenty of oak, caramel-drizzled brownies, espresso grounds, nougat, cinnamon, clove, tobacco and mint chip ice cream.

Finish: Oak and char lead the finish, followed by dark chocolate, crème brûlée, peanut brittle, pepper, cinnamon, blackberry jam and stewed cherries

47. Booker’s 2025-02 ‘By the Pond’

Nose: Dark and sweet on the nose, with confectioner’s sugar, cookie dough, icing and butterscotch pulling together a beautiful, dessert-heavy nose, which is coupled with a darker side: coffee grounds, dark chocolate, black cherry. These two profiles are joined by a bit of spice — gingerbread and a touch of anise — and some milled corn grain.

Taste: Oily mouthfeel with a pretty hefty amount of heat — but not too much. The pastry-forward profile from the nose is still here (buttercream, cornbread, peanut brittle) but takes a back seat to a fruitier profile of cherry, peach cobbler and orange peel. Bitter tannin, coffee and tobacco slice through the sweet notes to deliver a beautifully balanced pour.

Finish: The finish is long and satisfying: apple pie dusted with cinnamon and served a la mode, plus brown sugar, lemon oil, leather and tannin.

46. Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series ‘The Keepers Release’

Nose: Soft, sweet nose with praline, cherry cola, pancake batter, cinnamon, almond butter and shredded wheat.

Taste: The palate holds a moderate viscosity and delivers a beautiful soft and sweet profile with just enough oak to balance the sweetness. Honey, toasted marshmallow, caramel, fresh-baked bread, maple syrup, cola, cherry, nutmeg, browned butter, cashew.

Finish: The finish is delicate, long and evolving. A soft, fluffy vanilla madeleine note hangs around for a while, joined by a dab of cotton candy sweetness, followed by a touch of pepper and cinnamon, oak and some classic wheat character. It concludes with a bit of waffle cone and powdered sugar, joined by bitter tannin and oak.

45. Knob Creek Bourbon Aged 21 Years

Nose: Beautiful, sweet, rich nose full of Bavarian cream, maple donuts, caramel, Luxardo cherry, blueberries, cinnamon and tobacco.

Taste: Moderate viscosity, with notes of butterscotch, a good bit of oak, cinnamon, gingerbread, a lovely huge cherry note and some licorice.

Finish: Oak and tannin follows onto the finish, followed by cinnamon, mint, peanut brittle, dark chocolate and watermelon candies.

44. Old Forester 1924 10 Year Old

Nose: Oaky and sweet on the nose. Oak is the focus and is joined by rich butterscotch and vanilla bean, plus tannin and leather

Taste: Fairly viscous in texture, the palate follows the nose’s suit, remaining quite oaky with plenty of tannin and butterscotch. Chocolate-covered almonds, ash, cracked pepper and a kiss of clove join the party, along with a prickle of heat.

Finish: A sharp bite of oak kicks off a drying finish that’s medium in length, concluding with notes of almonds, vanilla and a touch of toasted cornbread.

43. Garrison Brothers Sonora

Nose: Big wheaty, grain-forward nose. Signature Garrison aromas mix with sweet cream and a huge leather note.

Taste: Satisfying, dry and leathery palate. Oak, tannin, melting butter, cinnamon, black tea, leather, walnut, brown sugar, grape leaves.

Finish: Very long, layered finish that opens with leather, followed by cinnamon and pepper, then vanilla and tobacco.

42. Starlight Distillery 10 Year Old Bourbon

Nose: Rich and inviting on the nose. Buttercream, peach rings, graham cracker, pleasant oak, lemon meringue.

Taste: Oily mouthfeel. Nicely oaky and really tasty with some heat. Milk chocolate, custard, strawberry, peach, cinnamon, clove.

Finish: Long finish. Dry tannin wicks the moisture out of the sides of your cheeks as the pour concludes with barrel char, cherry, malted milk balls, French toast, honey, walnut skin, a touch of mint and tobacco.

41. Old Forester The 117 Series 1910 Extra Extra Old

Nose: This bourbon is deep and sweet on the nose — so fragrant and powerfully sweet I might mistake it for a cask-finished bourbon (cognac, perhaps) — with notes of cola, vanilla, caramel, Luxardo cherry, sweet corn, sassafras and some baking spice.

Taste: Old Forester Extra Extra Old has a moderate mouthfeel and a sweet, delectable flavor profile built around an oaky spine, with some flecks of rye spice. Cornbread, cherry, banana peel, milk chocolate, gingerbread and cinnamon.

Finish: The finish kicks off with a spiced coffee note — think a latte topped with cinnamon dusting — and then transitions into a sweeter profile with maple candied pecans.

40. Lost Lantern 2025 Single Cask #6: Frey Ranch Bourbon

Nose: Tasty nose full of creamed corn, sweet cream, butterscotch, peach and cereal grains.

Taste: The palate is bright and rich, with green apple, pears, melting butter, brown sugar and honey.

Finish: Medium finish. Bright green apple and black cherry are followed by hay, cherry candies, apricot and raspberry.

39. Yellowstone Limited Edition Aged 10 Years

Nose: The nose is full of corn-heavy sweetness. Butterscotch, caramel corn, white chocolate chips and crème brûlée meet a bit of fruit — a nice raspberry filling note — and some powdered ginger.

Taste: The palate is soft, sweet and nuanced. Soft oak and spice — cinnamon, pepper and gingerbread — lead the way, soon followed by cherry and raspberry, which give way to crème brûlée, Demerara and smoked oak.terscotch, caramel corn, white chocolate chips and crème brûlée meet a bit of fruit — a nice raspberry filling note — and some powdered ginger.

Finish: The finish is long and dry. Cinnamon and clove pop up at first, and then dark coffee and cacao come through, mingling with raisin and dried cherry, which eventually give way to a softer, sweeter profile of vanilla custard and waffle cone.

38. Angel’s Envy Cask Strength 10 Year Old

Nose: Sweet, sticky port gently wafts out from the glass, surrounded by desserty and nutty notes: chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon toast. The port provides a plum note.

Taste: The palate is sweet and satisfying, delivering a delicious balance of oak, sweetness and port: Brown sugar, light tannin, strawberry candies, saltwater taffy, plum, cherry, fig, cinnamon, caramel, cracked pepper, sweet oak.

Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, leading with cocoa and toffee, followed by chocolate-covered cherries, salted caramel, cinnamon, tobacco, grilled apricot and a kiss of lemon balm.

37. Hardin’s Creek Warehouse G ‘The Owl’

Nose: Browned butter, almond croissant, orange zest, dried raspberries, maple, a touch of cherry, clove and some nutty Beam funk.

Taste: The palate is rich and layered, with a lovely mouthfeel. French toast slathered in maple syrup meets hazelnut, custard, cherry, more browned butter and bitter tannin.

Finish: A bit of heat on the finish, with fudge, espresso, tannin, cinnamon and peanut brittle.

36. Frey Ranch Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon Barrel #3016

Nose: Oak, maple, powdered sugar, cocoa, custard, orange peel, cinnamon, clove, waffle cone, honey, brown sugar, raisin bread.

Taste: Rich and flavorful with a viscous mouthfeel, a delicious flavor profile with a lot of heat. Leather meets a lovely combination of cinnamon and ginger and honey, plus nougat, oats, gingerbread, lemon oil and apple pie. Peanut brittle, blackberry, tobacco.

Finish: The finish is long, layered and very satisfying. It opens with cinnamon, tea and cocoa powder, then moves to oak and graham cracker plus more honey and golden delicious apples.

35. Woodinville 9 Year Bourbon

Nose: Decadent and rich on the nose, with cherry cordial, fudge, caramel, cream cheese frosting, oak, tangerine and some musky grape character.

Taste: Woodinville’s oldest bourbon yet is silky in viscosity and delicious in flavor. It’s rich and sweet, but that sweetness is spectacularly balanced by oak. The result is a lovely, rich palate of cocoa powder, caramel, tobacco, cashews, figs, cinnamon, clove and pepper, with a sharp bite of tannin that lives right in the sweet spot of providing balance to the sweet notes without getting too bitter or tannic.

Finish: Long, satisfying finish. Chocolate-covered walnuts, a big hit of tobacco and leather, dark chocolate, coffee grounds, some stewed cherries and a good bit of cinnamon.

34. Hardin’s Creek Warehouse W ‘The Beaver’

Nose: Gorgeous nose filled with plum, blackberry, sassafras, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and French toast topped with melting butter.

Taste: Quite oaky and very pleasant on the palate, with a great mouthfeel and a decadent profile that leads with butterscotch pudding and buttercream frosting. It reminds me of a nice, well-aged Knob Creek product. Oak mingles with black cherry, tannin, a touch of minerality, a bit of spice and tobacco.

Finish: That French toast note from the nose returns on the finish, joined by barrel char, tannin, cookie dough, cherry and banana cream pie. Light minerality remains.

33. Little Book The Infinite: Edition II

Nose: Beautiful nose. Rich vanilla milkshake is joined by oak, buttermilk, cinnamon, dark chocolate-covered cherries and candied ginger.

Taste: Awesome, viscous mouthfeel. The palate sees thick cherry syrup intertwined with cinnamon, sassafras, vanilla bean, butterscotch, tapioca lavender and loads of dry tannin and leather.

Finish: Chopped peanuts, espresso, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and char.

32. Jefferson’s Reserve Cask Strength Bourbon

Nose: Rich caramel. Very sweet and inviting on the nose with a hint of butterscotch and lots of cherry candy

Taste: This bourbon is so inviting and has such a wonderful mouthfeel. Lots of caramel, toasted marshmallow and cherry on the palate.

Finish: The finish is what really sets this whiskey apart from others. The sweet, oaky flavors from its eight years in a barrel really shine through here.

31. Larceny Barrel Proof B525

Nose: Sweet vanilla custard on the nose, along with graham cracker, golden raisin, madeleines, macadamia nuts and maple.

Taste: Velvety mouthfeel on the palate, which has a pleasant amount of oakiness to balance out the sweet flavor profile. There’s a huge peanut brittle note plus cola, black cherry, molasses, nougat, caramel, Red Hots, a touch of mint, sawdust, raisin and a slight minerality. There’s some heat here but not an overwhelming amount.

Finish: Long finish with tannin, soft oak, clove, cinnamon, leather, brown sugar, more cola, sassafras and marshmallow.

30. Penelope 2024 Estate Collection 9 Year Private Select Bourbon

Nose: Butterscotch, oak, cinnamon, lemon curd, caramel apple, sour cherry, vanilla bean and a prickle of heat.

Taste: Oak, caramel, cocoa, Honeycrisp apple, cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, watermelon candies.

Finish: That sweet watermelon candy note from the palate carries over onto the finish, joined by orange peel, cinnamon, tannin, Granny Smith apple and coconut milk.

29. Starlight Distillery Carl T. Huber’s Mizunara Reserve Bourbon

Nose: Strong, very inviting nose full of oak, Bavarian cream, apple bake, cinnamon, brown sugar.

Taste: Powerful and very oaky palate that delivers plenty of tannin and is quite astringent but tasty. Caramel, taffy, icing, black cherry.

Finish: Oak, tannin, a bit of minerality, butterscotch and cinnamon.

28. Penelope 2024 Estate Collection Single Barrel 10 Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Nose: Rich, lovely, sweet nose that delivers notes of cherry, powdered sugar, blackberry, butterscotch, oak, cherry cola.

Taste: Oak, tannin, cherry, lemon peel, butterscotch, cinnamon and fudge abound.

Finish: A long, rich, finish imparts fudge, buttery croissant, lemon candies, butterscotch, cinnamon, barrel char, oak and buttercream

27. Calumet Farm 18 Year Old Centennial Decanter Bourbon

Nose: Rich nose with a bit of heat. Crème brûlée and vanilla bean meet cashews, cinnamon, tobacco, cola, rose petals and faint green apple note.

Taste: The mouthfeel is pleasantly viscous with a nice chew to it. Plenty of oak is here as you’d expect from 18 years in the barrel. Crème brûlée is a prominent note here again, joined by leather, tannin, luxardo cherry, caramel apple, cinnamon roll, buttercream frosting and tobacco.

Finish: The finish is lengthy and winding, kicking off with a blast of woodspice — cinnamon, potpourri — quickly followed by a savory bacon fat note and then cherry, raisin, butterscotch and apple pie. It eventually concludes with brownie batter, tannin and leather. Vanilla bean hangs in the background throughout the finish.

26. Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

Nose: Gorgeous, well balanced nose. A big whiff of vanilla custard greets you, joined soon by candied orange, cinnamon, root beer, brûléed brown sugar, toasted oak, sweet cherry and tart raspberry.

Taste: Moderate mouthfeel. Powerfully oaky on the palate, with a big cherry cordial vibe. Other notes include cocoa powder, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, confectioner’s sugar and oak and tannin aplenty.

Finish: Cinnamon leads the finish, followed by tannin, leather, lots of drying, toasted oak and cherry.

25. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch B525

Nose: The nose is powerful but has light, fluffy, sweet and decadent notes galore. The most prominent note is Werther’s caramel candies, but it’s joined by much more: creamed corn, flan, pie crust, peanut butter, praline and cinnamon. Fruit notes evolve over time: Strawberries smothered in powdered sugar, luxardo cherry and plum.

Taste: Sweet and drying but very rich, with a chewy viscosity. There’s a good bit of heat, but it’s approachable and drinks below its proof. As I sip, oak and tannin leap out instantly, and then I’m taken to a full frozen custard experience: a scoop of vanilla in a waffle cone, topped with fudge and chopped peanuts. There’s also beignet, butterscotch, coffee grounds and a pinch of nutmeg. Following the nose’s suit, there’s a fruity side that opens up after a little time in the glass: Cherry sings loud, backed by raisin, apple fritter and black cherry.

Finish: A bit of heat on the finish, which opens with a bit of grainy cornbread and caramel corn, then crème brûlée, blackberry ice cream, waffle cone, tannin, oak, peanut and milk chocolate-covered cherry.

24. Garrison Brothers Cowboy

Nose: Shredded wheat, Vanilla, sea salt, buttered rolls, cinnamon rolls, bright cherry, raspberry, apple pie.

Taste: Wonderful thick viscosity. Dry and hot on the palate but quite sweet in flavor. Stewed cherries and plums, lots of leather, malted milk balls, frosting, big sugar cookies note, butterscotch, tobacco, tea.

Finish: Long finish that just keeps on going, with a good deal of heat. Butterscotch, leather, cinnamon, root beer, lemon peel, spiced apple cider, chamomile.

23. Remus Gatsby Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon

Nose: Huge orange blossom note, plus candied ginger, cinnamon, sassafras and banana cream

Taste: Spice-heavy blend of gingerbread, cinnamon and clove, accented by notes of cola, caramel and orange peel.

Finish: Big cola note on the finish, plus sassafras, coconut shavings, cocoa powder, orange zest and candied ginger.

22. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon

Nose: Rich, lovely nose. with big-time custard, caramel cake and orange peel

Taste: Beautiful bourbon with a great mouthfeel. Flavor-wise, it’s sweet and utterly delicious. Cocoa, oak, caramel, Demerara, chopped peanuts. Some baking spice joins the sweetness, as well: gingerbread, anise, sassafras.

Finish: Spice continues onto the finish, with cinnamon and clove giving way to a darker profile of coffee grounds, fudge and a bit of tannin.

21. 15 STARS Three Ports Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Nose: The nose has plenty of port, but the port doesn’t overwhelm. Butterscotch, strawberry jelly, caramel, red grape., leather, cinnamon, root beer, lemon peel, spiced apple cider, chamomile.

Taste: Tobacco, tannin and vanilla cake collide with heaps of grape-forward port influence.

Finish: The finish is long. It opens with port galore, some white wine-esque acidity as well as a buttery character that reminds me of a Chardonnay. After a while, soft and sweet notes come through: butterscotch, marshmallow, crème brûlée.

20. Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E

Nose: Browned butter wafts forth, meeting caramel cake and a deliciously potent Luxardo cherry note. There’s some subtle spice, as well: cinnamon, clove, sassafras

Taste: More Luxardo cherry here, joined by oak and tannin, crème brûlée, pecan pie, browned butter and plenty of sassafras.

Finish: The finish is long, opening with deep, dark cherry syrup, which is soon followed by dark chocolate covered espresso beans, cinnamon, golden raisin, peach pie, oak and tannin.

19. Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity Bourbon

Nose: Aromas of fresh-baked pastries: blueberry-white chocolate scones, fluffy pancakes with maple syrup, plus decadent sweet cream, butterscotch. Adding some spice to the sweet profile is some cinnamon and sassafras. There’s also a fruity side to the nose that presents with raspberry jam and blackberries. Other notes include leather, cappuccino and creamed corn.

Taste: This bourbon delivers a lovely, creamy viscosity. The palate opens with pancake batter, custard, cinnamon, pepper, tobacco and a nice serving of oak and tannin. From there, that jammier profile the nose hinted at bursts forth in full effect, bringing cherry, raspberry and blackberry. From here, it fades into a darker, more tannic profile, with plenty of barrel char and coffee grounds, plus returning tobacco.

Finish: The finish is extremely long, opening with buttercream frosting, caramel, flaky pastry and honeycrisp apples before slowly and subtly segueing into tannin and coffee grounds. This bourbon concludes with a lighter, fluffier profile or beignets covered in powdered sugar and a touch of Maraschino cherry.

18. Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

Nose: Rich, gorgeous nose full of waxy fruits and deep sweetness. Honeycrisp apple, apricot and blueberry pie filling meet mocha, molasses, confectioners’ sugar, tapioca and cinnamon.

Taste: Lovely viscosity with truly the perfect amount of oak on the palate. Crème brûlée, Demerara sugar, caramel, cherry, coffee grounds, cinnamon, anise, oak and tannin, frosting, tobacco.

Finish: The finish kicks off with spice — cinnamon, clove and peppercorns — plus more tobacco. Fruity flavors soon follow — cherry and honeycrisp apple, mostly — and then cocoa powder, a pinch of tea and a final pop of bubblegum.

17. Bomberger’s PFG (Precision Fine Grain) Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Nose: The nose is big, lovely, flavorful and rich — sweet with a subtle kick of baking spice. Filled with powdered sugar, crème brûlée, buttercream, cherry, almond, cinnamon and gingerbread.

Taste: The mouthfeel is moderate to rich in viscosity, and the flavor profile is rich and decadent. There’s plenty of cherry on the palate, plus cake batter, hazelnut, toasted oak, rich caramel apple, butterscotch, cinnamon, white pepper, candied ginger and clove.

Finish: This spectacular bourbon finishes long and leans more heavily into spice — cinnamon, clove, pepper and nutmeg — plus kicks in some tobacco, toasted oak, ash, peach, dried cranberry, cherry, tannin and sweet custard.

16. Old Forester President’s Choice Bourbon

Nose: The nose is rich, floral and sweet: Vanilla latte, soft oak, cherry, lavender, blueberry scones.

Taste: Much oakier on the palate than the nose suggested — more baking spice here, as well. Tobacco, clove, big oak, medicinal cherry, melted butter

Finish: Long finish. More clove and tobacco, plus toasted oak, coconut shavings, almonds, cocoa powder and fresh mint.

15. Doc Holliday 16 Year Old Cigar Blend Bourbon

Nose: Sweet, confectionary nose with brandied undertones. Butterscotch, praline, marzipan, cherry, fudge, plum and a touch of minerality.

Taste: Moderate mouthfeel — nice viscosity. Beautiful flavor profile. Cigar wrapper, plum, cherry, raisin, tobacco, a touch of lemon peel, cocoa, cinnamon and candied orange. Quite a bit of oak and tannin hangs around for the duration of the sip.

Finish: Some smoke and tobacco on the finish, plus butterscotch, red grape, apple, pepper, plenty of tannin and cherry candies.

14. Starlight Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon Barrel No. 16264

Nose: Warm, sweet and creamy on the nose, with notes of browned butter, licorice, toasted marshmallow, marzipan, apricot and apple cobbler.

Taste: Bright and tasty profile. Raspberries, peaches and cream, Golden Delicious apple and marshmallow fluff mingle beautifully with a perfect amount of oak and browned butter. On the back end, some spice kicks in, adding cinnamon and cracked pepper.

Finish: The finish is dry, leading with tannin followed by peppermint, cinnamon, fudge, espresso and nutmeg.

13. Still Austin Bottled In Bond Red Corn Bourbon

Nose: Sweet, rich and inviting on the nose: buttercream, crème brûlée, stewed cherries and plums, cinnamon, sassafras.

Taste: Moderate mouthfeel. Pleasantly oaky with graham cracker, butterscotch, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cherry, blackberry, fig and sassafras again.

Finish: Still rich and sweet on a long, full finish. Gingerbread, more butterscotch and cherry, browned butter and chocolate shavings. The finish concludes with oak and tannin.

12. Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Chocolate Whisper Redux Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Nose: Gentle, effervescent nose with heat that doesn’t bowl you over but is certainly present. Lush notes of peaches and cream, tangerine, browned butter, meringue and soft oak abound. A couple drops of water bring out baking spice notes — cinnamon and gingerbread — plus a sweet cake frosting note.

Taste: Plenty of heat on the palate and tons going on. Oak and tannin meet toffee, dark chocolate, cherry syrup, melon, peach, singed orange peel, raisin bread, plum, leather, tobacco, gingerbread and a distinctive smoky character — like smoked applewood.

Finish: A long finish with some heat. A big cherry note meets oak, pretzel, cinnamon, leather, ash, plum, tobacco, pepper, cocoa nibs, espresso beans, walnuts, cedar and a kiss of mesquite.

11. Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon

Nose: Pleasant, sharp nose: praline, black cherry, fudge, coffee grounds, powdered sugar, eggy custard, cinnamon.

Taste: This year’s batch of Bomberger’s has a nice mouthfeel and delivers a great balance of sweet and spice. Rich vanilla ice cream dances well with bitter oak. Cherry, gingerbread, sassafras, oak, cinnamon, marshmallow, pecan, cacao, caramel.

Finish: Toasted marshmallow, bitter tannin, chopped peanuts, brown sugar, banana nut muffins, tobacco.

10. Brown-Forman King of Kentucky

Nose: Rich, beautiful, smooth and sweet nose that doesn’t betray any hints of the high proof. Cherry cola, buttercream frosting, almonds, blueberry, sassafras, gingerbread and clove. A couple drops of water adds more fruits — peach, candied orange — and a cocoa powder note.

Taste: Nice thick viscosity on the palate. Pleasant dry oak and tannin meets vanilla, caramel, cherry cordials, cola, root beer, gingerbread, cinnamon, orange peel, leather and a big hit of clove. Once again, a couple drops of water adds more fruit (cherry, peach), plus lovely toffee, a touch of cookie dough and a big chocolate-covered almond note.

Finish: Spice-heavy finish with cinnamon, clove, tobacco, allspice, chocolate-covered cherries and candied ginger. The introduction of water really transforms the finish. Some of the spice (clove, most notably) remains, but it’s followed by oak, toffee and sugar cookie.

9. Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Series: Normandie Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish

Nose: On the nose, Normandie is bright, sweet, fluffy and rich, filled with Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious apples, plus a bevy of sweet rich notes: buttercream frosting, meringue, pie crust, melting butter, caramel, a dab of maple syrup and tiramisu. Cinnamon and clove balance out the sweetness, as does a touch of lime peel.

Taste: On the palate, it’s viscous and delicious. Browned butter, snickerdoodle, pecan pie and apple bake come together to form an exquisite Autumnal flavor profile. There’s also some Granny Smith apple, blackberry, cherry, clove and tobacco, as well as some rich desserty flavor; crème brûlée and caramel cake stand out.

Finish: The finish leads with more browned butter, plus cinnamon, beautiful apple sweetness, a touch of key lime pie. Tannin and a big hit of clove and tobacco offset the sweetness nicely.

8. Still Austin Tanager Cigar Blend Bourbon

Nose: Intoxicatingly beautiful and rich nose full of buttercream frosting, marzipan, a tinge of truffle oil, duck fat and tobacco.

Taste: Cherries, raspberry preserves and butterscotch mingle with cinnamon, leather, tobacco, lavender, candied ginger and strawberry taffy. Once again, that unusual hint of truffle character peaks through, as well.

Finish: Long and satisfying finish. Cinnamon, brown sugar, tobacco, Luxardo cherries, pepper, vanilla.

7. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon

Nose: Powerful oak meets lovely sweetness. Sweet butterscotch, salted caramel, graham cracker, cherry, lemon meringue pie and sweet cream merge with barrel char, cocoa powder, gingerbread, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Taste: The palate is rich, satisfying and layered, with a great viscosity and some friendly heat. Rye spice plays a big role, working alongside oak and sweeter corn-based notes. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, allspice, crème brûlée, molasses, apple pie, dried cherry, pomander, tannin, espresso and dark chocolate. After getting some air, the dried cherry note takes on more of a Luxardo cherry syrup character. There’s a playful fruity and floral character that comes through on the bottom of the tongue, delivering lemon oil and lavender.

Finish: The finish is long and layered. It opens with a nice fresh apple note, joined by rye spice: cinnamon, clove and sassafras. From there, it slowly evolves, bringing in vanilla ice cream and candied orange and then settling into a truly lovely profile that I’m happy doesn’t fade for quite some time: chocolate-covered cherries, apple pie a la mode, tobacco, coffee grounds and oak.

6. Abraham Bowman Oak Series: Hungarian Oak

Nose: Beautiful, confectionary nose full of maple, sweet cream, soft oak, cherry, cinnamon, fondant, gingersnap cookies and mint.

Taste: This bourbon has a wonderful, silky viscosity and plenty going on on the palate. Toasted oak, cherry cola, frangipane, burnt caramel, clove, anise, mint, tobacco, lemon curd, cinnamon leather.

Finish: The finish is medium in length, leading with a buttery texture, a big anise note and drying tannin, leather, maple, chopped walnuts, sassafras, cream, cigar wrapper and Milk Duds.

5. Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Old

Nose: Deep, rich nose with Luxardo cherry syrup, gingerbread, dark chocolate, crème brûlée, demerara, cinnamon, butterscotch, spearmint and a charred/smoky note, like a piece of meat smoked with a paprika dry rub. After some time in the glass, a big, beautiful banana bread batter note emerges.

Taste: A solid dose of heat opens the palate, which kicks off hot and aggressive with chili powder and cinnamon. After a moment, some sweet, delicious flavors develop alongside a consistent through-line of tobacco and oak: chocolate shavings, black cherry, hazelnut, coffee, peanut brittle.

Finish: A very long, layered finish opens dark and brooding, with ash, dark chocolate, espresso, smoke and tobacco. From there, it moves into a spicy profile, with cinnamon, nutmeg and red serrano pepper. After a few moments of spice, it segues into sweetness, with cherry candies, banana taffy and cake batter. The tobacco hangs around throughout.

4. Old Fitzgerald VVS 2025 Bottled-in-Bond 11 Years Aged

Nose: Sweet and delicious nose full of vanilla bean, coffee bean, oak, black cherry, fresh raspberries, cinnamon rolls and clove.

Taste: On the palate, this wheated bourbon is beautifully balanced. Toasted oak meets cornbread fresh out of the oven with browned butter melting atop it. Tannin intertwines with clove, cinnamon and sassafras. Black cherry and saltwater taffy add a fun, fruity profile, and there’s also a light, fluffy quality at play here that’s reminiscent of marshmallow fluff but with more of a honeyed sweetness. Big bubblegum vibe toward the back of the palate.

Finish: Long finish, which sees sweetness and oak interwoven with some baking spice. Browned butter is at play with soft oak and tannin, cinnamon and clove, apple pie, caramel, marshmallow, cookie butter and a bit of tea.

3. Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve: Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish

Nose: Bavarian cream meets banana pudding, eggy custard caramel, buttercream frosting, clove, tobacco, maple and cherry.

Taste: The palate is rich with plenty of oakiness and a bit of minerality. French toast, crème fraîche, drying tannin, blackberry pudding, cherry, root beer, clove and cinnamon.

Finish: Tannin hangs on during a long finish, sucking the moisture from your teeth. It’s joined by a big toasted oak vibe, plus melted butter, caramel, cinnamon, maple donut, clove, flan, heavy whipping cream and a touch of lingering minerality.

2. Redemption Whiskey 18 Year Old Bourbon

Nose: Deep, dark, rich and tantalizing on the nose. Dark chocolate, leather, toffee, chopped peanuts, gingerbread, maple syrup, cherry, espresso, powdered ginger and a touch of smoked meat.

Taste: Gorgeous and rich on the palate. It’s very oaky, tannic and dry but doesn’t reach over-oaked status. Crème brûlée, espresso, cherries, peanut brittle, vanilla ice cream topped with hot fudge, leather, cinnamon.

Finish: Leather and tobacco lead a long, slick finish, joined by oak and tannin, which are followed by luxardo cherry, lemon curd, cookie butter and dark chocolate, plus a bit of pepper and clove.

1. The Last Drop No. 37: 27 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery

Nose: On the nose, this expression is gorgeous and wildly rich, stuffed with deep salted caramel, hazelnut, strawberry syrup, Luxardo cherry, leather, tobacco, clove and gingerbread.

Taste: Very oaky, absolutely delicious. Dark chocolate, cherry cola, leather, tannin, apple pie, cinnamon, blackberry and a big tobacco note.

Finish: The finish is long, leading with cinnamon and nutmeg, then segueing into sweet caramel, mocha, frosting, cherry cordial and toasted oak.