The 20 Best Whiskey Brands You Need To Add To Your Bar Cart

Crafted by the oldest whiskey distillery in New York City (which you can even visit), Kings County Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey offers a robust flavor with sweet notes of butterscotch, fruit, and vanilla. The viscous, almost oily mouthfeel might be a turn-off to some, but we think this complex, yet well-balanced liquor is sure to impress whether you’re gifting a bottle to someone else or want to add a bit of spice to your home bar setup.

“I got my brother [Kings County Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey] and he loved it,” says Julia Smith, Director of Video here at Delish. “The design feels sleek, [and it] looks good on a bar cart.”

Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, so we can confirm your assumption: This stuff is good. Each bottle of the classic Kentucky bourbon carries more than 200 tasting notes from "bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit and floral." The company is also committed to eco-friendly practices, like recycling, composting, and land restoration.

This bottle is another favorite Lennon-Simon’s (he’s a self-described “huge fan of Woodford”), and he even has a tradition with his college best friend of exchanging bottles on their birthdays. Pro tip: If you want to take a page out of Lennon-Simon’s book, ReserveBar offers $50 custom engravings for special occasions.

True whiskey aficionados are sure to be impressed with this full-bodied beverage, which features a nose of brown sugar, molasses, and toffee. This is followed by notes of cinnamon, clove, roasted corn, and a hint of spicy rye with a balanced finish of candied fruit, fig, and walnut finish. Hillrock explains that the term “Solera” refers to the process in which a small amount of whiskey is removed from a stack of barrels over a period of time and replaced with new whiskey. No barrel is ever fully emptied, so the end result is a gradual increase in age and complexity.

As our Senior Food Producer June Xie’s “personal favorite,” she was quick to sing Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey's praises, saying, “the high-proof combined with the pronounced flavors of fruit and spice make this whiskey seemingly melt and evaporate in your mouth while giving you a flash tasting menu experience reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s three-course dinner gum in alcohol form.”

One of our video editors, Zach Lennon-Simon, is obsessed with Koval Bourbon, and it’s not difficult to see why. The mashbill (which is the recipe of grains used to produce a whiskey) of this bourbon is unusually low in corn at 51 percent. The result is a somewhat sweeter bourbon, with notes of honeyed papaya and peppered apricot.

“When I was a door guy at a bar in Massachusetts, all my shift drinks were Koval,” says Lennon-Simon. “‘Koval’ is Yiddish for ‘forges ahead,’ which was meant to honor the [owner's] grandfather for starting his life over when he immigrated to America.” It’s good to note, though, that all of Koval’s whiskeys are bottled as single-barrel, which may cause slight variations.

The Johnnie Walker portfolio offers a wide range of whiskey options, each with its own color that indicates the whiskey's price and age. As one of their more expensive bottles, the flagship Blue Label is a blend of only the rarest of Scotches, though the brand doesn’t provide an exact age for the whiskies in the bottle. Bobby Leonardo, head bartender of N.Y.C. homestyle Thai restaurant Wayla, praises this classic Scotch for being smooth with a hint of peat, orange, dark chocolate and ginger.

"[The] flavors come only from one of every 10,000 casks that has the exceptional quality, character, and flavor to deliver a remarkable taste,” he noted. If you’d prefer something a little lighter on your wallet, Johnnie Walker Black Label is also a favorite of our Director of Motion Graphics, Vineet Sawant.

It’s not just Ron Swanson who considers Lagavulin 16-Year-Old Scotch Whisky to be “the nectar of the gods”⁠—Nick Offerman (a.k.a. the real-deal Ron Swanson) once said of the scene in which his character visits the Lagavulin distillery: “If you go back and look at a lot of that stuff, you might see a tear rolling down my face.”

What’s more, Offerman loves Lagavulin so much that the brand and he collaborated to create his own “Offerman Edition” bottling. Needless to say, when somebody loves whisky this much, you’re inclined to listen, but if that’s not enough to sway you, Lagavulin’s impressive attention to detail and meticulousness will. The distillery ages each of its whiskies to perfection, and this 16-year-old bottle, which is intensely smoky and peaty, clocks in as a fan favorite.

Whether you enjoy this rich, pungent Scotch whisky by yourself or in the company of esteemed guests, we think Ron says it best: “Prepare to experience true freedom and bliss.”

In New York City, Manhatta's head bartender Cameron Winkelman says Wild Turkey 101 Rye is his go-to.

“Being 101 proof and a Kentucky style of rye, the flavors of pepper and spice add the perfect balance and strong back bone to any cocktail," he said. "It’s bold enough to stand apart in delicately layered cocktails, and complex enough to enjoy straight on its own.”

With a slightly earthy taste that’s perfect for traditional cocktails like a classic Manhattan, Wild Turkey 101 Rye's intricate, multifaceted flavor makes it a bar cart staple (though you might want to stock up, because it can be tricky to find at times).

Aged for three years and boasting a mashbill of 75 percent corn, 15 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, it’s no wonder that Jodie Battles, Beverage Director for Boston area restaurants Toro, Coppa, and Little Donkey, and her colleagues chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonette, consistently look forward to the yearly release of Pinhook’s Flagship Bourbon.

According to Battles, “the intention behind Pinhook Flagship releasing new vintage bourbons each year is to highlight the best of their barrels at that time.”

This uncommon approach is what Battles loves about Pinhook and its bourbon, and we think you will, too! This bottle has a nose of candied pecans, cloves, wet stone, and orange peels, with a palate of tropical fruit and caramel that leads to an almond and cinnamon finish. This may be underwhelming for some, but for the average bourbon drinker, the nuanced taste of Pinhook’s Flagship Bourbon is sure to be a hit.

You’re sure to savor the smooth taste of The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is another top pick for Battles. Finished in casks previously used for Caribbean rum, Battles loves “how this adds another layer of depth to the flavor of the whiskey, which is best served neat.”

Sporting notes of vanilla, nutmeg, toffee, and rum-soaked raisins, you may not have been a Scotch drinker before, but The Balvenie Caribbean Cask Scotch might make you a convert (unless you’re not a rum fan).

Are you a whiskey lover searching for redemption? James MacInnes, Liquor Boss at Miami's Klaw Restaurant, swears by Redemption Straight High-Rye Bourbon for cocktails.

“When it comes to whiskey, there is a bottle for every occasion. Sometimes you need a steadfast bottle that isn't going to break the bank, but still has enough character to shine through cocktail formatting," MacInnes shared. "The above normal [amount] of rye grain in the mash bill allows the spirit to work with, but not be eclipsed, by accompanying flavors.”

And it certainly is a high rye content⁠—36 percent, in fact. It may lack a bit of depth, but if you’re the type who can never have too much rye, you just might fall in love with this bottle’s subtly sweet, slightly spicy flavor.

With a gentle and sweet flavor that’s nicely complemented by some complex spiciness, Rittenhouse Rye is the go-to for many a bartender thanks to its versatility. But this smooth whiskey isn’t just a favorite of pros—Hearst Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Business Development Daniel Fuchs calls Rittenhouse Rye “a great value for a bottled-in-bond whiskey."

“It just works better in an old fashioned or a Manhattan than bourbon," he said. "The spiciness balances out the sweeter elements.”

Though its wide appeal may make it too simple for whiskey lovers seeking a challenge, this is still a solid, versatile bottle that will satisfy most palates (especially in our Apple Cider Old Fashioned).

For mixologist Simon Sebbah of American Bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, Laphroaig Quarter Cask's "buttery, fruity and cigar smoke notes can be exploited in many ways⁠—neat, on the rocks or just a few drops in a cocktail.”

It's perfect for Scotch newbies, and tasters will note a chocolatey, peaty nose followed by a somewhat spicy caramel and chili pepper-infused palate. Sips end with a smoky, sweet finish. But be sure to keep an eye out and grab a bottle of this single-malt Scotch if you see it, because its availability is hit-or-miss.

Cardinal Spirits Straight Rye Whiskey may not be able to solve all your problems, but it’s worth a shot! Our Assistant Food Editor, Justin Sullivan, recommends this rye whiskey as “a good budget option,” and we certainly agree. Straight out of Bloomington, Indiana, this inexpensive bottle offers a unique taste similar to a wheated bourbon, but is relatively weak in terms of spice (despite the label touting its “smooth and spicy” flavor). Still, if you want to stock your bar without breaking the bank, Cardinal Spirits is a solid choice.

Whereas other inexpensive options may be a bit overpowering, the mild Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey hits the spot with its warm and rich flavor. As Master Cocktail Craftsman at The Bar at The Spectator Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, Allen Lancaster recommends reaching for this bottle for a variety of reasons.

“If you want to find something flavorful for a better price and also be able to find [it] on the shelves, Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey is hands down my go-to," he said. "With a high mash bill, this is one of the more approachable ryes available, and one I use often at The Bar. It has the classic spice notes of a rye but is rounded out with the caramel and stone fruit sweetness from the corn and malted barley.”

Black pepper and summer fruit are up front, with notes of caramel and warming spices in the middle, and vanilla and butterscotch on the back end. It’s not the most complex rye whiskey on the market, but the Elijah Craig still offers solid middle-shelf quality.

Old Forester 100 Proof Signature Bourbon delivers richness and good flavor (though you may find there’s a slightly bitter aftertaste). Robert Little and Chad Urban, restaurateurs and chefs behind the New York City neighborhood spots Chez Nick, and Leroy's, swear by this bottle.

“In the Double Derby from Leroy's, we like to make it with a higher proof bourbon [like] Old Forester 100," they shared. "The high-proof alcohol with the mix of passionfruit, gentian, and lemon makes for an amazingly refreshing bourbon cocktail.”

Tasters will note an oaky nose with hints of cherry and sweet caramel, a somewhat thin mouthfeel, and an average finish of black pepper and clove.

Many booze brands slap "small batch" on their bottles, but Michter's means it: A maximum of twenty full barrels are produced in each run. This particular bourbon is touted as mellow and earthy, with notes of rich caramel and stone fruits, making it a tad too sweet for an old fashioned, but great for something like a Werther's hot toddy.

Joey Smith, Bar Director of New York City's Chez Zou, loves this liquor, saying, “Michter's Bourbon is an American whiskey steeped in history and is one of the best ‘bang for your buck’ products on the market.” Though it also “drinks pretty good neat,” Smith is sure to include it in one of Chez Zou’s signature cocktails, the Banana Danse.

“We use lush tropical flavors of banana, coconut, and chocolate to complement the whiskey’s natural sweetness and cardamom bitters to interplay with aromatic notes of vanilla and baking spices.”

For some Tennessee whiskeys, it can be tough to taste the sugar maple charcoal filtration process, but that’s not the case with the George Dickel Rye Whiskey, which was named Best Buy in 2019 by Wine Enthusiast. Just take it from Noah Manksar, bartender at Colonia Verde in Brooklyn, New York.

“The George Dickel distillery is known for chilling its juice before filtering it with sugar maple charcoal, a signature step in the production of Tennessee whiskeys," he said. "Dickel says the cooler temperature makes the final product smoother—and that's true for their rye, which has a mash bill of 95 percent rye grain and 5 percent malted barley. With a great mix of rye spiciness, nuttiness and some vanilla sweetness, it's lovely to sip on its own or mix into an old fashioned or Manhattan.”

Boasting a traditional flavor, you’ll note hints of clove and cinnamon in your first sip and a spicy and composed (albeit somewhat short) finish with the taste of black pepper.

Looking for a flavorful high-proof bourbon that won’t break the bank? Allow us to introduce you to Evan Williams. A longtime fan of Evan Williams Bourbon, Sullivan says this straight Kentucky bourbon is the “best well whiskey for simple cocktails or shots.”

The finish is somewhat sweet with slight notes of menthol, which may be a turn-off for some bourbon drinkers, but this surprisingly smooth bottle offers plenty of complexity. Plus, Evan Williams is one of the top-selling bottled-in-bond whiskies, meaning it has been aged and bottled according to U.S. Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits regulations.

They say with age comes wisdom. So by that token, it should be no surprise that Powers—a nearly 230-year-old whiskey maker—knows how to make a killer bottle of Irish whiskey. The style of the Gold Label is called single pot, meaning it's a mixed mash of malted and unmalted barley distilled in a pot still. You'll get notes of cinnamon and pepper on the nose; nutmeg, vanilla, and orchard fruits in the palate; and woodsy, honey flavors on the finish.

This is the best option for an introduction to Irish whiskey⁠—one reviewer on Flaviar noted, "Very smooth, but not complex at all... I will recommend Powers Gold Label for the beginner—but don't expect your money's worth with this blend." Furthermore, if an age statement is important to you, it’s good to note that you won’t find one on this bottle.

Don’t let the initial sticker shock deter you⁠—we promise Kujira Ryukyu 12 Year Whisky is worth the investment if you’re passionate about Japanese whisky. But we’re not the only ones: Sergio Campos, general manager at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen in Scottsdale, Arizona, swears by this stuff.

“Kujira Ryukyu 12 Year is everything you want in a Japanese whiskey. It’s elegant, complex, floral and very easy to drink. Kujira is not commonly known in the states and made from 100% long indica rice," he said. "The sherry cask finish makes Kujira Ryukyu 12 Year a great summer sipper.”

We don’t disagree, but with notes of jasmine, caramel, and toffee, don’t be surprised if you want to sip this smooth, sweet whisky all year round.