The 12 Best Bourbons to Drink in 2023

Best Overall

Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon

View On Flaviar View On Caskers View On Minibar Delivery

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Caramel, Honey, Vanilla

From Heaven Hill Distillery, this Henry Mckenna bourbon was named "Best in Show" at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and with good reason. Aged in oak barrels, this bourbon is the only extra-aged bottled-in-bond single barrel bourbon available and offers a smooth, sumptuous, structured flavor profile.

Xania Woodman, bar manager and lead bartender at O.P. Rockwell Cocktail Lounge & Music Hall, describes the 10-year-old bourbon as rich and buttery, "like butterscotch candy," but with an appreciable bite. And for all its attributes, the price point isn't as exorbitant as some other celebrated bourbons. “It just goes to show you,” says Woodman, “that an astronomical price doesn't necessarily indicate actual quality.” 

Best Value

Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey

View On Drizly View On ReserveBar View On Wine.com

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Cherry, Vanilla

The darling of the bourbon category in decades past, Maker's Mark has largely been eclipsed in the affections of today's generation of connoisseurs by a dizzying range of cult bottlings and hard-to-find special releases—but don't count out this modern classic just yet. This venerable "wheated bourbon" (a bourbon that uses wheat as the secondary grain instead of rye, resulting in a sweeter flavor profile) is delicious on its own, and also plays well in any classic whiskey cocktail. The best part about it is the price—this bourbon punches way above its weight class. Expect to pay no more than around $30 a bottle, which is quite reasonable for something so versatile, complex, and well crafted.

Best for Sipping

Widow Jane 10-year Bourbon

View On Drizly View On ReserveBar View On Caskers

Region: Kentucky/Tennessee/Indiana/New York | ABV: 45.5% | Tasting Notes: Cherry, Light Char, Vanilla

Widow Jane meticulously sources its favorite bourbons from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana and blends them in five barrel batches in Brooklyn, N.Y. Its team wanted to add something that “had the intense taste of New York in each sip,” so it cuts that blend with limestone mineral water from the famous Rosendale Mines in upstate New York. The distillery’s signature 10-year-old bourbon presents a nose of nutmeg, cream, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon, and a palate that flirts with maple syrup, almond, cherry, and orange.

“My new favorite sipper, and one of the best bourbons I have ever tasted, hands down,” says Anthony Vitacca, an award-winning bartender based in California.

Related: The Best Bourbons Under $50

Best for Cocktails

Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

View On Drizly View On Wine.com View On ReserveBar

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 45.7% | Tasting Notes: Sweet corn, Peach, White pepper

Michter’s is certainly not the cheapest bourbon you can find, but for a special-occasion cocktail made with premium ingredients, it's hard to imagine a better base spirit than their flagship US1 bourbon. Aged somewhere between four and six years, it's not so barrel-dominated as to override your other ingredients—and it's bottled at a higher proof, which allows it to stand up to the addition of vermouth, simple syrup, citrus, or whatever other cocktail component you're reaching for. There are some really excellent older expressions available, like the 10- and 25-year-old bottles, but your bank account will be grateful if you stick with the US1 for your drink of choice.

Best Under $50

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

View On Drizly View On Minibar Delivery View On Totalwine.com

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 50% | Tasting Notes: Cocoa, Maple Syrup, Stone Fruit

One of Kentucky’s proudest and most tenured producers, Four Roses has been around since the 1800s. Its single barrel might be the strongest offering in its decorated portfolio thanks to an uncanny balance of potency (100 proof) with a rich smoothness resulting from spending 10 years in barrel. Aromas of maple syrup and vanilla on the nose give way to ripe stone fruit on the tongue. Straight-up or on the rocks, it presents a delicate and lengthy finish that’s surprisingly nuanced.

This bourbon has also earned a treasure trove of awards, including multiple golds and double golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Best Under $100

Noah's Mill Small Batch Bourbon

View On Flaviar View On Wine.com View On Caskers

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 57.15% | Tasting Notes: Allspice, Vanilla, Brûléed sugar

Pops of cinnamon and allspice leap out of this bourbon, flanked by mellow yeast, a little oak, and inviting vanilla. There are also flavors of toasted pecan and brûléed sugar, which merge into gentle notes of caramel and cream.

Formerly aged 15 years, Noah’s Mill is one of the Kentucky-operated Willett Distillery’s finest offerings. “This amazing bourbon is essentially cask-strength at 114.3 proof," says Vitacca, "but there's so much flavor in this bourbon that you don't realize you are sipping on such a high proof spirit. The burn is present, but it's a good burn.”

Related: The Best Rye Whiskeys

Best Barrel Strength

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

View On Drizly View On Caskers View On Minibar Delivery

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 60-65% | Tasting Notes: Toast, Apple, Vanilla

Named after a Baptist preacher who famously founded a whiskey distillery in 1789, the Elijah Craig line from Heaven Hill distilleries was introduced in 1986, becoming an early player in the fledgling "craft whiskey" movement. The brand currently offers four different bourbons, including their high-octane, 12-year-old "single barrel" expression, which is one of McKay’s favorites. "It’s just delicious," he says, "and you don’t need to pour very much."

Best Wheated

Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch

View On ReserveBar View On Minibar Delivery View On Totalwine.com

Region: Wyoming | ABV: 44% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Orange, Espresso

Wheated bourbons swap in more wheat on the grain bill, usually in place of more rye. The Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon presents a superior value compared to more famous names, is a robust 88-proof, and is versatile with food pairings including barbecued ribs, honey-garlic mushrooms, and even dessert. Aged five years in oak barrels, it's full of creamy vanilla and caramel elements accented by floral nectarine flavors.

“I’ve never been much of a fan of anything wheat...Hefeweizen beer, wheat bread, et cetera,” says Vitacca. “Until I tasted this—it blows away the competition.”

Related: The Best Bourbons for Beginners

Best Estate

Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey

View On Drizly View On Flaviar View On Wine.com

Region: Nevada | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Sourdough, Cinnamon, Dried banana

The term "estate" is well-known in the wine world: essentially, "estate wines" are those which are made by the same person (or family, or winery) who grew the grapes. But "estate spirits" aren't a familiar concept to most consumers, and for most of the last hundred years or more it's been basically impossible for someone in the US to purchase a bottle of whiskey that was (legally) distilled by the same small family operation that grew the grains. With the farm-to-glass movement in full swing, however, fascinating and nuanced spirits are now being produced by estate distilleries across the nation.

The Frey family has operated a farm in Nevada since 1854 (incredibly, before Nevada was even a state), but only recently began setting aside some of their grain to use in distillation. Raising their own grain means that the family can control every aspect of production, and their signature four-grain bourbon—featuring a mash bill of 66.6% corn, 12% malted barley, 11.4% rye and 10% wheat—is a study in complexity and terroir. Expect an intriguing nose bursting with cherries and sourdough, which leads into a rich palate featuring notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and dried banana.

Best Eco-Conscious

Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon

View On Drizly View On Garyswine.com View On Gopuff.com

Region: California/Indiana | ABV: 45% | Tasting Notes: Peanut, Vanilla, Apple

Named after the 14th tallest tree on the planet, Pipe Dream is built around a high-corn mash bill, is aged for four to 12 years, and emerges with maple aromas, complex roasted pecan flavors, and a nice golden hue. Besides its classic bourbon palate, you also get to enjoy the tasty benefit of helping the planet: For each bottle sold, the distillery plants a tree in partnership with Trees for the Future.

“Both myself and our company owner Derek Benham were raised with a strong appreciation of the outdoors,” says Head Distiller Jeff Duckhorn. “The location of our distillery, being directly in the Redwood Empire, combined with our passion for the outdoors made us want to honor a sense of place with our whiskey and embrace our roots.”

Best Kentucky Bourbon

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

View On Drizly View On Flaviar View On Wine.com

Region: Kentucky | ABV: 43.3% | Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Cinnamon, Oak

Each bottle of this Evan Williams bourbon lists the barrel numbers, the date it entered the barrel, and the date of bottling. One of Heaven Hill Distillery’s most-awarded whiskeys, this reasonably-priced single barrel is big, balanced, spicy and sweet, and enjoys a backbone of honey and citrus.

“It’s straightforward, flavorful, not heavy-handed, and terrific neat,” says Jeff Moses, a Charleston-based spirits entrepreneur. “I like it best when I have it with a meal like a barbecue or a rotisserie chicken.”