Smokey Joe's · Fraser, MI
225+ bourbons, ryes and American whiskeys on our shelves right now, every one at Michigan state minimum. Each bottle has the proof, mash bill when it's known, tasting notes, and what it drinks like. Family owned on 14 Mile since 2019.
01 · On the shelf
Everything here is on the wall at state minimum. Prices are for in-store purchase and can change when the state updates its price book. Call to make sure a bottle is in stock before you drive over.
223 bottles
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY · Mash: High-rye
Same high-rye recipe as the Small Batch, bonded at 100 proof. More oil and more spice. One of the best bonds on the wall.
Nose: caramel, cherry, oak. Palate: thick toffee, pepper, cinnamon. Finish: long, spicy.
Drinks like: Line it up against Old Fitzgerald 7 or Heaven Hill 7 BiB.
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY · Mash: High-rye
Barreled at 125 and bottled at 125. Jim Murray named it World Whisky of the Year in his 2020 Whisky Bible. Dark, oily and hot, so add a splash of water.
Nose: dark caramel, cherry, charred oak. Palate: toffee, chocolate, cinnamon. Finish: long and hot.
Drinks like: If you hunt Stagg Jr. or drink Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, this belongs on your shelf.
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY · Mash: High-rye
Each bottle comes from one barrel, so it varies a little. Usually more fruit and oak than the Small Batch.
Nose: cherry, caramel, leather. Palate: brown sugar, baking spice, oak. Finish: medium-long.
Drinks like: Fans of Four Roses Single Barrel or Eagle Rare should try it.
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY · Mash: High-rye
Barton's high-rye mash makes this one of the spicier bourbons for the money. Rich, a little nutty, never boring. 750, liter or handle.
Nose: caramel, vanilla, toasted nuts. Palate: cinnamon, brown sugar, dried fruit. Finish: warm rye spice.
Drinks like: If you like Bulleit or Old Forester 100, this is a step up in flavor.
2XO, Kentucky · Mash: 18% rye bourbon
Dixon Dedman's 2XO. Finished in a second American oak barrel. Rich and oaky.
Caramel, oak, vanilla.
Drinks like: Woodford Double Oaked lane, a little more spice.
2XO, Kentucky · Mash: 18% rye bourbon
Finished in French oak. Spicier and drier than the American Oak.
Cocoa, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Maker's 46 is the closest comparison.
2XO, Kentucky
Limited 2XO blend at 104 proof. Rich and fruity.
Cherry, caramel, oak.
Drinks like: A collector's bottle.
Angel's Envy, Louisville, KY
Bonded Angel's Envy at 100 proof, distilled at their Louisville distillery. A limited release.
Caramel, oak, spice.
Drinks like: If you like Angel's Envy, see what their own distillate tastes like.
Angel's Envy, Louisville, KY
Bourbon finished in port wine barrels. Sweet and fruity.
Raisin, caramel, vanilla.
Drinks like: The finished bourbon everyone knows.
Angel's Envy, Louisville, KY
Bourbon aged across three types of oak. Rich and spicy.
Caramel, oak, baking spice.
Drinks like: Woodford Double Oaked drinkers will like it.
Bardstown Bourbon Company, Bardstown, KY · Mash: Kentucky bourbon plus Indiana rye finished in Amrut casks
Blend of Kentucky bourbon and Indiana rye, aged 8 to 14 years. The rye spent 18 months in casks from Amrut, the Indian single malt distillery. Fruity and spicy.
Dried fruit, malt, cinnamon, oak.
Drinks like: A rare one. If you like High West or Barrell blends, try it.
Barrell Craft Spirits, Louisville, KY · Age: Blend of 5, 6, 7 and 10 year
Barrell blends sourced barrels at cask strength. Batch 32 mixes 5, 6, 7 and 10 year bourbon. It's fruity, herbal and a little weird in the best way. For the guy who's tried everything on the main shelf.
Nose: cherry, fennel, cedar. Palate: cinnamon roll, caramel, ginger. Finish: crisp, raspberry and anise.
Drinks like: If you liked a Barrell batch before, this one leans fruitier.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY · Mash: High-rye
Light, easy and spicy. The bottle for someone who wants bourbon without the burn.
Nose: peppermint, honey. Palate: light rye spice, vanilla. Finish: short and clean.
Drinks like: If you like Old Grand-Dad, same mash bill at a softer proof.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY · Mash: High-rye
Ten-year Basil Hayden bourbon. Still 80 proof, so it's easy, but the age adds oak and dried fruit.
Nose: oak, caramel. Palate: dried fruit, rye spice, vanilla. Finish: medium, dry.
Drinks like: A gentle, older bourbon for the Basil Hayden fan.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY · Mash: Brown rice in the mash
Brown rice in the mash, finished in a toasted barrel. Light and sweet with a toasted marshmallow vibe.
Toasted sugar, vanilla, light oak.
Drinks like: If you like Basil Hayden but want it a bit sweeter.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY
Bonded Buffalo Trace juice at 100 proof for around twenty dollars. Hard to beat for an everyday pour or a cocktail.
Nose: toffee, cherry. Palate: caramel, cinnamon, oak. Finish: warm.
Drinks like: A cheaper alternative to Buffalo Trace with more punch.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY
Single barrel Benchmark at 95 proof. Each barrel is a little different, and most lean rich and fruity.
Nose: dark fruit, vanilla. Palate: caramel, oak, spice. Finish: medium.
Drinks like: Single barrel Buffalo Trace juice for the price of a basic bourbon.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY · Mash: Buffalo Trace Mash #1
Buffalo Trace's value line, made on the same low-rye mash as Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare. Small batch, 90 proof, under twenty bucks.
Caramel, vanilla, light brown sugar.
Drinks like: If you can't find Buffalo Trace, this is the same mash for less.
Budget straight bourbon at 90 proof. Simple and sweet.
Drinks like: Fill-in for Evan Williams or Jim Beam.
B.R. Distilling, Memphis, TN
Barrel proof bourbon finished with cherry wood. Fruit and oak with a lot of heat at 120.
Cherry, dark caramel, oak.
Drinks like: For someone who likes Rare Breed and wants something different.
B.R. Distilling, Memphis, TN
Barrel proof bourbon with a honey barrel finish. Not a sweet flavored whiskey. The honey shows up on the nose and finish.
Honey, caramel, cinnamon, oak.
Drinks like: High proof, sweet nose. Fans of Penelope Barrel Strength will like it.
Kentucky whiskey from the Boondocks label. Caramel and oak up front with light spice on the back.
Drinks like: Middle of the road. Grab it if Elijah Craig or Knob Creek is your usual.
Single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon at 94 proof. Simple but tasty.
Caramel, cinnamon, oak.
Drinks like: Single barrel Kentucky bourbon for under $35. Evan Williams Single Barrel is the comparison.
Bulleit Distilling Co., Shelbyville, KY · Mash: High-rye
Ten-year Bulleit. Rounder and oakier than the regular, still dry and spicy.
Nose: oak, vanilla, dried fruit. Palate: caramel, pepper, toasted nuts. Finish: long and dry.
Drinks like: If you like Russell's 10, try this side by side.
Bulleit Distilling Co., Shelbyville, KY · Mash: 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley
High-rye, dry, and spicy. The bar-rail bourbon in a lot of places for a reason. 750 or handle.
Vanilla, nutmeg, light oak, pepper.
Drinks like: If you like Old Forester 100, this is drier.
Bulleit Distilling Co., Kentucky
Limited Bulleit bourbon made with malt smoked over mesquite wood. Light smoke over the usual Bulleit spice.
Light smoke, caramel, pepper.
Drinks like: Liked Longbranch's smoke? This is a step further. Makes a great smoky Old Fashioned.
Calumet Farm, Kentucky
Small batch Kentucky straight bourbon named after the Kentucky horse farm. Soft and easy.
Caramel, vanilla, light oak.
Drinks like: Basil Hayden drinkers looking for something a little richer.
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY · Mash: High-rye
Barton high-rye bourbon, bonded. It doesn't carry an age statement, but it drinks older than most bonds. Rich and nutty with plenty of spice.
Nose: caramel, roasted nuts, oak. Palate: toffee, cinnamon, dark fruit. Finish: long and peppery.
Drinks like: If you like 1792 Bottled in Bond, this is its older-tasting cousin.
Coppercraft Distillery, Holland, MI · Age: Blend of 4+ yr Coppercraft and 9+ yr Indiana bourbon
Holland, Michigan blend. They mix their own 4-year bourbon with 9-plus-year sourced Indiana bourbon. The old stock brings the depth and the young stuff brings the punch.
Nose: brown sugar, cocoa, pineapple. Palate: caramel, baking spice, a little ginger. Finish: medium, peppery.
Drinks like: Sits between Old Forester 100 and Four Roses Small Batch Select in style.
Coppercraft Distillery, Holland, MI · Age: Blend of 4+ yr house and older sourced bourbon
Small batch straight bourbon at 97 proof. Corn-forward and sweet, with more heat than the proof suggests.
Nose: vanilla, sweet corn, light oak. Palate: cinnamon, honey, crisp fruit. Finish: warm.
Drinks like: If you drink Elijah Craig Small Batch, this is a Michigan bottle in the same lane.
Detroit City Distillery, Eastern Market, Detroit · Mash: 68% corn, 27% rye, 5% roasted barley malts
Made in a former Eastern Market slaughterhouse with Washtenaw County corn and rye. High-rye and aged with hand-smoked Michigan oak, so there's a light campfire note. A real Detroit bourbon.
Nose: toasted pecan, caramel. Palate: vanilla, smoked oak, candied almond. Finish: rye spice, orange peel, pink peppercorn.
Drinks like: If you like Four Roses Small Batch Select's spice, this is the Detroit version with some smoke.
New Holland Spirits, Holland, MI · Mash: High-barley mash
New Holland ages bourbon in new oak, then finishes it in the barrels that held their Dragon's Milk stout. The high barley gives it a malty, bready feel. Easy drinker at 80 proof.
Nose: butterscotch, fresh bread, roasted malt. Palate: stone fruit, chocolate malt, oak. Finish: short and sweet.
Drinks like: If you drink Dragon's Milk stout, you'll like this. Fans of Jefferson's Ocean or other finished bourbons, too.
New Holland Spirits, Holland, MI · Mash: 70% corn, 25% malted barley, 5% rye
No beer barrels on this one. It's plain bourbon made to Bottled-in-Bond rules. The heavy barley gives it a lighter, fruitier profile than most bonds.
Nose: pear, honey, light oak. Palate: caramel, butterscotch, brown sugar. Finish: roasted almond, leather.
Drinks like: A different take on bonded. Try it next to 1792 BiB or Old Fitz.
Mash: Kentucky bourbon plus 6-year wheated MGP bourbon
Blend of Kentucky bourbon and six-year wheated bourbon from Indiana. Sweet and easy.
Honey, caramel, bread.
Drinks like: Maker's Mark drinkers will feel at home with the wheated side of this blend.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY · Mash: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Heaven Hill's go-to small batch. Rich and oaky for a low-rye bourbon. The bourbon guy's everyday bottle. 750 or liter.
Nose: vanilla, caramel, toasted oak. Palate: brown sugar, nutmeg, a little orange. Finish: medium, oak and spice.
Drinks like: If you like Knob Creek 9 or Wild Turkey 101, keep this one around too.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY
Small batch Evan at 90 proof. A little richer than the Black Label for a couple bucks more.
Vanilla, toffee, light oak.
Drinks like: A step up from Black Label, about the same lane as Jim Beam Black.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY · Mash: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
America's number two bourbon for a reason. Cheap, consistent, and tastes like bourbon. The 1.75 comes in the America 250 bottle.
Caramel, vanilla, light oak, a little mint.
Drinks like: Same family as Jim Beam White but a little richer.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY
The white label. Bonded Heaven Hill bourbon for around twenty bucks. Bartenders love it for a reason.
Nose: caramel, peanut. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon. Finish: warm, medium.
Drinks like: Under $22 and it holds up next to Old Grand-Dad Bonded or Benchmark Bonded.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY
The cheapest straight bourbon on the wall. Light and simple. Built for mixing.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY
Vintage dated, single barrel, and usually around eight to ten years old. One of the best values in bourbon and it isn't close.
Nose: honey, apricot, oak. Palate: caramel, cinnamon, orange peel. Finish: medium, clean oak.
Drinks like: Drinks like a $60 bottle. Try it against Eagle Rare.
Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, KY
Lux Row's budget straight bourbon. Sweet corn and caramel. Easy mixer at a good price.
Drinks like: Fill-in for Jim Beam or Evan Williams.
Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: OBSV recipe (high-rye, delicate fruit yeast)
The OBSV recipe, single barrel at 100 proof. Spicy, fruity, and very consistent.
Nose: cherry, plum. Palate: spice, caramel, oak. Finish: long.
Drinks like: Fans of Eagle Rare and 1792 Single Barrel should try it.
Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: OESQ recipe (low-rye, floral yeast)
A limited single recipe release. OE is the lower-rye mash and Q is their floral yeast. Lighter and more floral than the standard OBSV.
Floral, honey, pear, light spice.
Drinks like: If you like the Four Roses Small Batch, see what one recipe does.
Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: Blend of 4 of their 10 recipes
Four of Four Roses' ten recipes blended together. Fruity, spicy and soft at 90 proof.
Nose: ripe fruit, honey. Palate: caramel, baking spice. Finish: smooth.
Drinks like: Drinks like a fruitier Woodford for less money.
Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: Blend of 6 recipes, non-chill filtered
Six recipes, non-chill filtered, at 104 proof. Rich and spicy. A favorite with bourbon guys.
Nose: cherry, cinnamon. Palate: caramel, dark fruit, pepper. Finish: long.
Drinks like: If you like Russell's Single Barrel, this is in the same league.
Straight bourbon put into a second new oak barrel and bottled at 99 proof. Sweet and woody, heavy on dessert notes.
Nose: dark caramel, toasted oak. Palate: brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon. Finish: long, oaky.
Drinks like: Woodford Double Oaked fans, this one goes harder on the oak.
Garrison Brothers, Hye, TX · Mash: 74% Texas corn, 15% red wheat, 11% malted barley
One barrel at a time, same wheated Texas mash. Richer and oakier than the Small Batch.
Dark caramel, dried cherry, oak, cocoa.
Drinks like: If the Small Batch is your speed, this is the upgrade.
Garrison Brothers, Hye, TX · Mash: 74% Texas corn, 15% red wheat, 11% malted barley
Texas Hill Country wheated bourbon. The heat down there ages whiskey fast, so it's dark and oaky for its age. Big brown sugar and cornbread.
Nose: cornbread, caramel, toasted oak. Palate: brown sugar, vanilla, cocoa. Finish: warm and dry.
Drinks like: Wheated like Maker's but way bolder. Try it next to Balcones if you've had it.
Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY · Mash: 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley
Owensboro high-rye bourbon at 117.3 proof, from the old Green River distillery that came back to life in 2016. Barrel proof without the barrel proof price.
Nose: caramel, pepper. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, oak. Finish: long.
Drinks like: A cheaper alternative to Rare Breed. Same kind of heat, more caramel.
Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY · Mash: 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley
Commemorative bottle for the U.S. Army's 250th birthday. Different mash from the regular Green River, a little lower rye, and bottled at 111.1 proof.
Caramel, oak, pepper.
Drinks like: Great gift for a veteran. Drinks like a sweeter Green River Full Proof.
Gypsy Spirits, Petoskey, MI
Northern Michigan straight bourbon from Petoskey, made from Michigan-grown grain. Light and easy at 80 proof.
Drinks like: A local pick for the Jim Beam or Evan Williams drinker.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY · Mash: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
Seven years old and bonded. A classic Kentucky profile, heavy on caramel and oak with nothing fancy going on.
Nose: caramel, peanut, oak. Palate: toffee, cinnamon, vanilla. Finish: long, dry oak.
Drinks like: Basically an older Evan Williams BiB. Put it next to Old Fitz 7 BiB.
Horse Soldier, Somerset, KY · Mash: 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley
Wheated bourbon at barrel strength, 110 proof and up. Rich and hot.
Caramel, cinnamon, oak.
Drinks like: Larceny Barrel Proof fans should try a different wheater.
Horse Soldier, Somerset, KY · Mash: 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley
Wheated small batch at 95 proof. Soft and sweet.
Honey, caramel, bread.
Drinks like: Soft wheater like Larceny, a little higher proof.
Horse Soldier, Somerset, KY · Mash: 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley
Founded by the Green Berets who rode horses into Afghanistan after 9/11. High-rye, 30% rye, at 87 proof. Easy sipper with real spice.
Caramel, pepper, oak.
Drinks like: Gift for a veteran or anybody who likes Bulleit.
Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville, MI
Bourbon finished in imperial stout barrels. Dark and roasty, with coffee and chocolate notes. Easy to sip at 86 proof.
Nose: cocoa, roasted malt. Palate: coffee, caramel, oak. Finish: bittersweet chocolate.
Drinks like: Side by side with Dragon's Milk Beer Barrel, this one is darker.
Bourbon aged on a ship crossing the ocean. The motion and the salt air make it rich and a little briny.
Caramel, salt, dark fruit.
Drinks like: Fun gift. Nothing else on the shelf like it.
Older blend than the Very Small Batch. Richer and oakier.
Caramel, oak, vanilla.
Drinks like: Comparable to Woodford, a little older tasting.
Jefferson's Reserve finished in old rum casks. Sweet, with molasses and tropical fruit.
Molasses, banana, caramel.
Drinks like: Angel's Envy Rye drinkers: same rum finish idea, on bourbon.
Soft blend of bourbons at 82.3 proof. Easy and sweet.
Caramel, vanilla, light oak.
Drinks like: Basil Hayden drinkers: same soft, low-proof feel.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Seven years old for under twenty-five bucks. Richer and oakier than Jim Beam White. A sleeper on this wall.
Nose: caramel, oak. Palate: brown sugar, vanilla, light spice. Finish: medium.
Drinks like: Close to Knob Creek 9 in profile, a lot cheaper.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
They pull whiskey trapped in the barrel wood and blend it back in. Woody and bold for the price.
Oak, vanilla, a little pepper.
Drinks like: For the Jim Beam drinker who wants more oak.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Beam aged twice, the second time in a fresh charred barrel. More oak and caramel than the white label.
Toasted oak, caramel, vanilla.
Drinks like: A cheap way to get some of the Woodford Double Oaked style.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
A lighter Jim Beam bourbon built for mixing and easy drinking. Think mixer, not sipper.
Drinks like: If plain Jim Beam is your drink, this is the softer version.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
The world's best-selling bourbon. Four years old, light and sweet. Highball whiskey. 750, liter or handle.
Vanilla, corn, light oak.
Drinks like: If you drink Evan Williams Black, same idea.
Kentucky Bourbon Distillers / Willett, Bardstown, KY
Willett family label at 101 proof. Old-school, dry and spicy.
Caramel, oak, cinnamon.
Drinks like: Wild Turkey 101 people, this is the same proof with a drier, older-school profile.
Jos. A. Magnus & Co., Washington, DC
Bourbon finished in oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and cognac casks. Dark fruit and sweet spice.
Raisin, fig, caramel, oak.
Drinks like: If you like Angel's Envy, this is richer.
Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks, MI · Mash: 70% corn, 25% wheat, 5% rye (organic)
Grain-to-glass wheated bourbon from the old Featherbone corset factory over on the west side of the state. Young and grainy in a good way. It tastes like a craft bourbon, not a Kentucky copy.
Nose: cornbread, peanut, caramel. Palate: nutty, cereal-sweet, light spice. Finish: short and warm.
Drinks like: If you like Maker's Mark and want to try something made in Michigan, start here.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Nine years old at 100 proof. Nutty, oaky and full. The classic Beam small batch.
Nose: roasted peanut, caramel, oak. Palate: brown sugar, vanilla, light char. Finish: long and dry.
Drinks like: If you like Elijah Craig Small Batch, Knob is its Beam counterpart.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Single barrel Knob at 120 proof. More of everything, especially peanut and heat. Store picks of this are worth chasing.
Nose: peanut, dark caramel, oak. Palate: toffee, cinnamon, char. Finish: long and hot.
Drinks like: Booker's-style heat at a better price.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY · Mash: Wheated (68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley)
Heaven Hill's wheater. Soft, bready and sweet. A lot of people start here and stay.
Nose: fresh bread, butterscotch. Palate: caramel, honey, light spice. Finish: soft, medium.
Drinks like: If you like Maker's Mark, try this. If you can't find Weller, it's the next stop.
Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, KY · Mash: 70% corn, 16% red winter wheat, 14% malted barley
Red wax, wheated, soft. One of the easiest bourbons to recommend. 750 or handle.
Nose: caramel, vanilla. Palate: soft wheat, honey, baking spice. Finish: smooth.
Drinks like: If you like Larceny, you'll like Maker's.
Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, KY · Mash: Wheated
Regular Maker's finished with seared French oak staves. More vanilla and spice, same soft wheat.
Nose: vanilla, caramel. Palate: baking spice, toasted oak. Finish: longer than regular Maker's.
Drinks like: Step up from Maker's. Pair it with Woodford Double Oaked.
Michter's, Louisville, KY
Small batch, rich and oaky. A very nice gift bottle.
Caramel, vanilla, stone fruit, oak.
Drinks like: If you like Woodford, Michter's is a step up.
Middle West Spirits, Columbus, OH · Mash: Wheated
Columbus, Ohio distillery that makes everything in-house. Their wheated bourbon is soft and bready, with more grain character than the Kentucky wheaters.
Nose: honey, fresh bread, vanilla. Palate: caramel, baked apple, soft wheat. Finish: gentle oak.
Drinks like: If you like Larceny or Maker's 46, this is a craft wheater worth trying.
Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, Nashville, TN · Mash: High-rye (corn, rye, malted barley)
Nelson's Green Brier in Nashville batches its best high-rye barrels into this one at 107.8 proof. Rich, spicy and dessert-like for the price.
Nose: cherry, maple, mint. Palate: caramel, allspice, hazelnut. Finish: cocoa, cherry cobbler.
Drinks like: Four Roses Small Batch Select is the closest thing on the wall.
Willett / Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Bardstown, KY
Willett's high proof small batch at 114.3. It doesn't carry an age statement but drinks old. Dark fruit, leather and a lot of heat. Add a splash of water.
Nose: dark cherry, oak, leather. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, dried fruit. Finish: long and drying.
Drinks like: Booker's and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof fans are the target here.
Willett / Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, Bardstown, KY
Willett's budget label. Simple and sweet.
Drinks like: Fill-in for Evan Williams or Jim Beam.
Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
Willett-distilled, 101 proof. Rich, with a little fruit and spice.
Caramel, cherry, oak.
Drinks like: A lower-priced way to taste Willett's own distillate.
IJW Whiskey Co., Kentucky · Mash: Wheated
Wheated cask strength bourbon at 116.6 from IJW Whiskey Co. (the Bondstone people). Sweet and hot. Orange, apple and honey. Strong value for a barrel proof wheater.
Apple, orange, vanilla, honey.
Drinks like: Larceny Barrel Proof is the closest comparison, for a few bucks less.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY · Mash: Wheated
Heaven Hill's wheated recipe, aged seven years and bonded, in the decanter bottle. Rich and soft, with nice age on it.
Nose: honey, caramel, baked bread. Palate: toffee, cherry, oak. Finish: long and soft.
Drinks like: If you like Weller 12 or Larceny Barrel Proof, look here.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY · Mash: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Old Forester at 100 proof. One of the best Old Fashioned bourbons for under thirty.
Banana bread, cinnamon, caramel.
Drinks like: Goes toe to toe with Wild Turkey 101, with more banana and less pepper.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY
Whiskey Row series. Batched from barrels out of three different warehouses, a nod to the first batch George Garvin Brown put together. Soft and fruity.
Nose: honey, orange. Palate: caramel, banana, oak. Finish: medium.
Drinks like: Good gateway into the Whiskey Row series.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY
Bonded Old Forester. More oak than the 100 proof and a little richer.
Nose: caramel, banana. Palate: cinnamon, vanilla, oak. Finish: long.
Drinks like: Sits next to 1792 BiB nicely.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY
115 proof and very dark. Chocolate, cherry and caramel. Many people say it's the best in the Whiskey Row series.
Nose: dark chocolate, cherry. Palate: caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon. Finish: long.
Drinks like: Drinks above its price. Fans of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof will like it.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY · Mash: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
The original Old Forester. Banana, caramel, easy drinking.
Banana, caramel, light spice.
Drinks like: Good Jim Beam alternative with a bit more character.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY
Made for the Kingsman movie. Pulled from the warmer warehouse spots. Rich and spicy.
Caramel, cinnamon, banana, oak.
Drinks like: Between Old Forester 100 and 1920.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY · Mash: High-rye
High-rye Beam bourbon, the same mash as Basil Hayden. Cheap, spicy and old-school.
Drinks like: Basil Hayden's mash at about half the price.
Cathead Distillery, Jackson, MS · Mash: High-rye
Cathead's high-rye bourbon from Jackson, Mississippi. Plenty of spice and red fruit at an easy 90 proof.
Pepper, caramel, cherry.
Drinks like: A Southern alternative to Bulleit.
Distilled at Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY
The official Peaky Blinders bourbon, distilled at Green River in Kentucky. Easy 90 proof pour.
Caramel, vanilla, light spice.
Drinks like: Great gift for a fan of the show.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
High-rye bourbon finished in French oak at 104 proof. Richer and spicier than the Toasted.
Cocoa, pepper, caramel.
Drinks like: Maker's 46 drinkers, this is a bigger version.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 82% corn, 8% wheat, 7% rye, 3% malted barley
Penelope at barrel strength, around 114 proof depending on the batch. Wheat-forward and sweet, with real heat behind it.
Caramel, honey, cinnamon.
Drinks like: Larceny Barrel Proof fans should try this.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 75% corn, 15% wheat, 7% rye, 3% malted barley
Penelope's original. Four grains (corn, wheat, rye and barley) at 80 proof. Light, sweet and very easy. Good for someone new to bourbon.
Honey, vanilla, light spice.
Drinks like: Basil Hayden drinkers will like it.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
High-rye bourbon finished in toasted barrels, 100 proof. Dessert in a glass: marshmallow and caramel.
Marshmallow, caramel, vanilla.
Drinks like: Woodford Double Oaked lane, sweeter.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, 3% malted barley
Same four-grain mash as Project X, bottled at 95 proof. Soft and sweet with a little spice from the rye.
Honey, caramel, bread.
Drinks like: Larceny or Maker's drinkers, try this next.
Sazerac, Kentucky
Budget Kentucky straight bourbon from Sazerac. Light, simple, fine for mixing.
Drinks like: A cheaper alternative to Jim Beam for Cokes.
Rabbit Hole Distillery, Louisville, KY · Mash: 70% corn, 10% malted wheat, 10% malted barley, 10% honey malted barley
Louisville four-grain bourbon with honey malt in the mash. Sweet, bready and fruity.
Honey, baked bread, pear, light spice.
Drinks like: Different than most. Try it if you like Penelope.
Rabbit Hole Distillery with Blackened (Metallica)
Collaboration with Metallica's Blackened whiskey. Cask strength bourbon blend finished in calvados (apple brandy) casks. Fruity and big.
Baked apple, caramel, oak, spice.
Drinks like: For the Metallica fan who likes bourbon. A good gift.
RD1 Spirits, Lexington, KY
Bourbon finished in French oak. Spicier and drier, with chocolate.
Cocoa, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Maker's 46 is the go-to comparison, a little higher proof.
RD1 Spirits, Lexington, KY
Their straight bourbon. Classic caramel, vanilla and spice at 98 proof.
Caramel, vanilla, oak, spice.
Drinks like: Old Forester 100 drinkers, try this one next.
RD1 Spirits, Lexington, KY
Bourbon finished in oak and maple barrels. Sweet, a little maple on the finish, not syrupy.
Maple, caramel, toasted oak.
Drinks like: A step up from Knob Creek Smoked Maple.
Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, KY · Mash: Wheated
Wheated bourbon at 100 proof for about twenty bucks. Sweet, bready and punchy.
Honey, caramel, bread, a little cinnamon.
Drinks like: A cheaper road to the Weller style. Great for Old Fashioneds.
Lux Row Distillers, Bardstown, KY · Mash: Wheated
Rebel's wheated recipe with six years on it, bottled at 100 proof. More oak and more depth than the regular Rebel 100.
Nose: caramel, baked bread, cherry. Palate: toffee, honey, oak. Finish: long and soft.
Drinks like: If you liked Weller Special Reserve but want something older, try it.
Mash: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
Straight bourbon with 21% rye. Easy and spicy at 92 proof.
Caramel, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Close to Bulleit.
Redemption bourbon finished in cognac casks. Dried fruit and soft spice.
Raisin, apricot, caramel.
Drinks like: Angel's Envy drinkers should try a cognac finish instead of port.
Mash: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
36% rye. As spicy as a bourbon gets before it's almost a rye.
Pepper, mint, caramel.
Drinks like: Old Grand-Dad and Basil Hayden have the same high-rye feel. This one is spicier.
Mash: 51% corn, 45% wheat, 4% malted barley
45% wheat. Very soft and bready for 96 proof.
Bread, honey, caramel.
Drinks like: If you like Maker's, this has more wheat.
Redwood Empire, Graton, CA
Sonoma County bourbon from Redwood Empire, blended from barrels aged 4 to 14 years. Rich but not heavy, with cherry and caramel.
Caramel, cherry, oak.
Drinks like: Woodford Reserve drinkers looking for something different.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: High-rye
Ten-year Wild Turkey at 90 proof. Polished and oaky, with orange and vanilla.
Nose: vanilla, orange, oak. Palate: caramel, honey, light spice. Finish: smooth.
Drinks like: If you like Eagle Rare, try this one.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: High-rye
Non-chill filtered, single barrel, 110 proof. Bourbon nerds hunt store picks of this.
Nose: cherry, caramel, oak. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, leather. Finish: long.
Drinks like: A step up from Kentucky Spirit. Booker's or Rare Breed fans will like it.
Bottled in Napa Valley, CA · Mash: About 70% corn, with rye and wheat
Blend of 5, 7 and 8 year Kentucky and Tennessee bourbons, finished in Napa cabernet barrels. Soft with cocoa and red fruit.
Cocoa, mocha, red fruit, baking spice.
Drinks like: Angel's Envy fans: same idea, finished in wine barrels, but with red wine instead of port.
Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., Lexington, KY
Lexington-made bourbon from the folks behind Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Easy and sweet.
Caramel, vanilla, light oak.
Drinks like: Fill-in for Maker's or Basil Hayden.
Traverse City Whiskey Co., Traverse City, MI
Their sweetest bourbon recipe, finished briefly in charred Brazilian amburana casks. Amburana is loud wood. Think cinnamon cereal and pastry spice. Not for oak purists, but people who like it love it.
Nose: cinnamon toast, clove, vanilla. Palate: sweet spice, brown sugar, pecan. Finish: long cinnamon.
Drinks like: Had an amburana finish before and liked it? Grab this one.
Traverse City Whiskey Co., Traverse City, MI · Mash: 71% corn, 25% rye, 4% malted barley
Their flagship. A high-rye recipe at an easy 86 proof. Simple, clean, and fair priced for a Michigan bourbon.
Nose: caramel, cocoa, cake batter. Palate: vanilla, baking spice, light fruit. Finish: short, a touch of oak.
Drinks like: Drinks a lot like Bulleit. Good for an Old Fashioned.
Valentine Distilling, Ferndale, MI · Mash: High-rye
Ferndale's own. Named after Hazen Pingree, Detroit's mayor in the 1890s. A high-rye bourbon with real age on it, a little more oak and spice than most Michigan bottles.
Nose: caramel, cherry, oak. Palate: rye spice, brown sugar, vanilla. Finish: medium, dry oak.
Drinks like: For the Wild Turkey 101 or Four Roses drinker who wants to support a Metro Detroit distillery.
Shankar Distillers · Age: 8 to 10 years, single barrel
Single barrel, barrel proof straight bourbon released for America's 250th. Eight to ten years old at 116 proof. Big oak, dark sugar, lots of heat. A strong number at this price.
Nose: dark caramel, oak, cherry. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, leather. Finish: long and hot.
Drinks like: For the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Booker's drinker.
Barton 1792 Distillery, Bardstown, KY
An old Kentucky favorite. Cheap, honest Barton bourbon with more flavor than the price says.
Peanut, caramel, a little corn and spice.
Drinks like: Under $16 and it beats a lot of $25 bottles. Try it against Evan Williams Black.
WhistlePig, Shoreham, VT
WhistlePig's bourbon. Six years at 100 proof. Rich and spicy.
Caramel, pepper, oak.
Drinks like: Old Forester 100 drinkers will feel at home.
Widow Jane, Brooklyn, NY
Ten-year Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana bourbon blended in Brooklyn and cut with limestone mine water from Rosendale, NY. Rich and smooth.
Caramel, orange, cherry, oak.
Drinks like: If you like Russell's 10, try this side by side.
Widow Jane, Brooklyn, NY · Mash: 80% heirloom Baby Jane corn, 10% rye, 10% malted barley
Bourbon made from their own heirloom corn. Sweet and soft with lots of corn.
Sweet corn, honey, caramel.
Drinks like: Different. Fans of Penelope or Larceny will enjoy it.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: High-rye
The standard. High-rye bourbon at 101 proof, low barrel entry, heavy char. Big flavor for not much money.
Nose: caramel, orange, pepper. Palate: brown sugar, vanilla, baking spice. Finish: long and spicy.
Drinks like: If you like 1792 Small Batch, this hits harder.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
Lighter Wild Turkey for mixing. Same recipe, lower proof.
Drinks like: If 101 is too much, start here.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: High-rye
Single barrel Wild Turkey at 101 proof. Each bottle is its own barrel. Usually more fruit and more oak than standard 101.
Nose: cherry, honey, oak. Palate: caramel, orange, spice. Finish: long and warm.
Drinks like: Russell's Single Barrel's softer brother.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
Matthew McConaughey's bottle. Wild Turkey filtered through American oak and Texas mesquite charcoal. Softer and a little smoky.
Vanilla, light smoke, caramel.
Drinks like: For someone who likes Gentleman Jack's smoothness.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY · Mash: High-rye
Barrel proof Wild Turkey, blended from six, eight and twelve year stocks. Probably the best barrel proof value on this wall.
Nose: orange peel, caramel, pepper. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, oak. Finish: long, peppery.
Drinks like: For the Booker's or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof drinker.
Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
The pot still bottle. Sweet and fruity.
Honey, citrus, caramel, light spice.
Drinks like: Good gift bottle. If you like Basil Hayden, this is fuller.
Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY · Mash: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
Brown-Forman's polished bourbon. Rich and balanced, with chocolate and dried fruit. 750 or liter.
Nose: dried fruit, vanilla, toffee. Palate: cocoa, caramel, spice. Finish: smooth.
Drinks like: If you like Maker's Mark, this is drier and more spice-forward.
Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY
Woodford finished in a second barrel that's heavy toasted and lightly charred. Sweet, oaky, dessert-like.
Nose: dark caramel, honey. Palate: toasted oak, chocolate, vanilla. Finish: long and sweet.
Drinks like: Maker's 46 is the closest cousin. Double Oaked is sweeter and heavier.
Woodinville Whiskey Co., Woodinville, WA
Washington bourbon finished in port casks. Rich and fruity.
Plum, caramel, chocolate.
Drinks like: Angel's Envy Port fans, this one is darker and less sweet.
10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co., Colorado
Colorado rye from a brand named after the Army's 10th Mountain Division, the WWII ski troops. Light at 86 proof.
Pepper, honey, light oak.
Drinks like: Templeton drinkers, this is about the same weight.
Angel's Envy, Louisville, KY
Rye finished in Caribbean rum casks. Sweet, molasses-y and spicy.
Molasses, pepper, caramel.
Drinks like: Unique. Iron Fish Rum Cask is the Michigan version.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY · Mash: Kentucky and Canadian rye with a touch of port
Kentucky rye blended with Canadian rye and a splash of port. Dark fruit and a little sweetness. Easy sipper.
Plum, dark cherry, soft rye spice.
Drinks like: Fans of Crown Royal will like this.
B.R. Distilling, Memphis, TN · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Memphis-made straight rye at 93 proof. Bright and spicy.
Pepper, mint, citrus, caramel.
Drinks like: Plays well in a Manhattan, like Rittenhouse.
Distilled at MGP, Lawrenceburg, IN · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
MGP's classic 95% rye. Dill, mint and pepper. Makes a solid Manhattan. 750 or liter.
Dill, mint, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Same juice style as Templeton and many other sourced ryes.
Heaven Hill, Bardstown, KY · Mash: 51% rye, 35% corn, 14% malted barley
Barely-legal rye at 51%, so the corn keeps it sweet. Great for people who think rye is too sharp.
Nose: honey, pepper, caramel. Palate: sweet corn, cinnamon, light rye spice. Finish: smooth.
Drinks like: Sweeter than Bulleit Rye, close to Old Forester Rye.
Mash: High rye (95%+)
Straight rye at 90 proof. Classic sourced-rye profile: mint, pepper, a little dill. Mixes well.
Mint, black pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Same style as Bulleit Rye.
Frey Ranch, Fallon, NV · Mash: 100% winter cereal rye (estate grown)
Ground-to-glass rye from a Nevada farm family that grows every grain. All rye, no corn, no barley. Bready, earthy and spicy without the dill.
Nose: rye bread, honey, pepper. Palate: cinnamon, dark chocolate, citrus. Finish: dry and long.
Drinks like: Rye guys who like New Riff or Pikesville should grab one.
Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Owensboro rye at 95 proof. Dill, mint and pepper.
Dill, mint, pepper.
Drinks like: Bulleit Rye style, a few proof points higher.
Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville, MI
Rye finished in Caribbean rum casks. The rum rounds off the edges and adds some molasses and tropical fruit.
Nose: banana, molasses, rye spice. Palate: brown sugar, pepper, vanilla. Finish: warm.
Drinks like: If you like Angel's Envy Rye, this is the closest thing on the Michigan shelf.
Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville, MI
Farm distillery up near Crystal Mountain. They finish rye in barrels that aged Michigan maple syrup. The maple shows up on the nose more than the palate, so it isn't sweet like a flavored whiskey.
Nose: maple, toasted oak, rye bread. Palate: pepper, brown sugar, vanilla. Finish: dry spice.
Drinks like: Easier and less sweet than Knob Creek Smoked Maple. A good gift bottle for a Michigan rye fan.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN · Mash: 70% rye, 18% corn, 12% malted barley
Jack's rye, bonded and charcoal mellowed. Spicy but round. 700ml bottle.
Pepper, banana, caramel, dill.
Drinks like: Old Forester Rye and Bulleit Rye drinkers should pick one up. It's cheap for a bond.
Straight rye at 88 proof. Light and spicy.
Pepper, vanilla, light dill.
Drinks like: Templeton or Bulleit Rye fans, this is lighter.
Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks, MI · Mash: 60% rye, 40% wheat (organic)
Their flagship. The 40% wheat softens the rye, so you get spice without the dill-pickle bite some young ryes have. Good Manhattan rye.
Nose: rye bread, honey, mint. Palate: soft pepper, vanilla, baked grain. Finish: gentle spice.
Drinks like: Drinks softer than Rittenhouse or Old Forester Rye. Fans of wheated ryes will like it.
Kentucky Owl, Bardstown, KY · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Kentucky Owl's rye at 100.8 proof. Spicy and sweet.
Pepper, mint, caramel.
Drinks like: Rittenhouse fans, this is the same proof with a sweeter finish.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Ten-year rye at 100 proof. Deep, dark rye with lots of oak, baking spice and cocoa.
Nose: oak, clove, dark sugar. Palate: cocoa, cinnamon, pepper. Finish: long.
Drinks like: If you like WhistlePig 10, this is a strong alternative for less.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Beam's rye with real age on it. More oak than the young ryes, still plenty of spice.
Nose: rye bread, oak, vanilla. Palate: pepper, caramel, clove. Finish: dry spice.
Drinks like: Between Rittenhouse and Russell's 6 Rye in style.
Michter's, Louisville, KY
Single barrel rye at 84.8. Gentle and sweet for a rye.
Pepper, citrus, caramel.
Drinks like: Sazerac Rye drinkers will like it. Soft rye, not a pepper bomb.
New Riff Distilling, Newport, KY · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted rye
Bonded rye from Newport, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. 95% rye, 5% malted rye, no corn, no barley. Earthy, bready and spicy. Rye nerds rate it highly.
Rye bread, pepper, cinnamon.
Drinks like: Rittenhouse fans looking for an upgrade.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY · Mash: 65% rye, 20% malted barley, 15% corn
Lots of malted barley in the mash, so it's sweet and bready for a rye. Great in a Manhattan.
Banana, cinnamon, rye spice.
Drinks like: Sweeter than Bulleit Rye.
Kentucky Peerless Distilling, Louisville, KY
Louisville rye, double oaked and barrel proof (usually right around 109.5). Rich, oaky, and sweet for a rye.
Nose: dark sugar, oak. Palate: cinnamon, toffee, pepper. Finish: long.
Drinks like: If you like Woodford Double Oaked, this is the rye version.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
95% rye finished in toasted barrels at 100 proof. The toast adds caramel and marshmallow on top of the spice.
Toasted sugar, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Sazerac Rye drinkers, this is sweeter.
Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Classic 95% rye. Dill, mint and pepper. Good cocktail rye.
Dill, mint, pepper.
Drinks like: Same lane as Bulleit Rye.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
Six-year rye from Wild Turkey. Balanced, spicy and fruity. Underrated.
Pepper, orange, rye bread, caramel.
Drinks like: A smoother sipper than 101 Rye.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
Single barrel rye at 104. Rich, spicy and herbal.
Pepper, mint, clove, dark sugar.
Drinks like: If you like Rare Breed Rye, this is more refined.
RY3 Whiskey
Seven-year rye aged in Hungarian oak and finished in Tokaji wine casks. Single barrel, cask strength. Sweet wine notes on top of rye spice.
Apricot, honey, pepper, oak.
Drinks like: If you like finished ryes like Angel's Envy Rye, this is the next step.
Sagamore Spirit, Baltimore, MD · Mash: Blend of two rye mash bills
Maryland-style rye from Baltimore, blended from a high-rye and a lower-rye mash. At 123 proof it's a lot of whiskey. A few drops of water open up the fruit.
Nose: orange peel, clove, honey. Palate: pepper, dark sugar, mint. Finish: long and hot.
Drinks like: Rare Breed Rye drinkers, this one runs hotter and fruitier.
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY
The rye that the New Orleans cocktail is named after. Buffalo Trace's rye is soft for a rye, with candied spice and citrus.
Nose: clove, anise, orange. Palate: pepper, vanilla, light candy. Finish: clean spice.
Drinks like: Smoother than Bulleit Rye. Use it in a Sazerac or a Manhattan.
Distilled in Indiana, bottled in Templeton, IA · Mash: 95% rye, 5% malted barley
Iowa's Prohibition-era rye brand. Indiana 95% rye at a soft 80 proof. Light and a little sweet for a rye.
Pepper, caramel, a touch of dill.
Drinks like: Gentler than Bulleit Rye. Good first rye.
Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, Americus, GA
Georgia rye finished with toasted French oak spirals. Silky for a rye.
Vanilla, pepper, caramel.
Drinks like: Sazerac Rye fans: soft and silky like that.
Thirteenth Colony Distilleries, Americus, GA
Georgia rye from Americus, bottled at cask strength (recent batches over 120). Big pepper and dark sugar.
Pepper, caramel, oak.
Drinks like: Rare Breed Rye drinkers will be right at home.
Traverse City Whiskey Co., Traverse City, MI
Bottled at whatever proof came out of the barrel. Our bottle is 58.9% ABV. Less pepper than their regular rye and more oak.
Nose: allspice, black pepper, sage. Palate: rich oak, dark sugar, rye spice. Finish: long and drying.
Drinks like: For the Pikesville or Rare Breed Rye drinker who wants a Michigan bottle.
Uncle Nearest, Shelbyville, TN · Mash: 100% rye
100% rye at 100 proof from the brand named for Nearest Green, the man who taught Jack Daniel to distill.
Pepper, rye bread, caramel.
Drinks like: Frey Ranch and Woodinville fans: another all-rye mash.
Valentine Distilling, Ferndale, MI · Mash: High-rye (about 95% rye)
Ferndale rye on a high-rye mash. Classic dry, peppery rye style. Mix it in a Manhattan.
Nose: dill, mint, pepper. Palate: rye bread, baking spice, light caramel. Finish: dry.
Drinks like: Same family as Bulleit Rye or Templeton, with a Detroit-area name on it.
WhistlePig, Shoreham, VT · Mash: 100% rye
The bottle that put WhistlePig on the map. Ten-year rye at 100 proof. Rich and spicy.
Caramel, pepper, orange.
Drinks like: Knob Creek 10 Rye is the comparison. WhistlePig is drier.
WhistlePig, Shoreham, VT
WhistlePig's FarmStock rye in a Michigan edition. Includes rye grown on their Vermont farm.
Pepper, honey, mint.
Drinks like: A great Michigan gift.
WhistlePig, Shoreham, VT · Mash: 100% rye
100% rye at 96.56 proof. Made for cocktails.
Pepper, mint, citrus.
Drinks like: Rittenhouse or Wild Turkey 101 Rye for cocktails, all-rye mash.
WhistlePig, Shoreham, VT · Mash: 100% rye
Single barrel PiggyBack rye. Each barrel is a little different.
Pepper, caramel, oak.
Drinks like: If you like PiggyBack, try a single barrel.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
Classic Kentucky rye at 101 proof. Spicy and sweet. Great Manhattan rye.
Pepper, clove, caramel, orange.
Drinks like: Rittenhouse is the usual comparison. This one is a little sweeter and rounder.
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, KY
Barrel proof rye at 112.2. Big spice, mint and dark sugar.
Nose: mint, pepper. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, clove. Finish: long.
Drinks like: If you like Pikesville, this is close.
Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
Willett's own rye, cask strength, small batch. Big spice, mint and dark sugar.
Nose: mint, pepper. Palate: dark sugar, cinnamon, clove. Finish: long.
Drinks like: If you like Rare Breed Rye, this is a big step up.
Woodinville Whiskey Co., Woodinville, WA · Mash: 100% rye
Washington rye made from 100% rye. Spicy and earthy.
Rye bread, pepper, cinnamon.
Drinks like: Frey Ranch and New Riff are the comparisons. Pacific Northwest grain.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Jack filtered through charcoal twice. Softer and smoother than Old No. 7. Detroit Lions bottles in stock.
Drinks like: Old No. 7 feel a little rough? This is the smoother pour.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Bonded Tennessee whiskey at 100 proof. Banana and caramel with a lot more weight than Old No. 7. 700ml bottle.
Banana, caramel, oak, spice.
Drinks like: A great value. Put it next to Old Forester 1897.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN · Mash: 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley
Charcoal-mellowed Tennessee whiskey. Banana, caramel, a little char. 750, liter or handle.
Drinks like: Everybody knows it. Mix it with Coke.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Single barrel Jack aged in heavy toast, light char barrels. Sweeter and oakier, with a lot of caramel.
Caramel, toasted oak, banana, brown sugar.
Drinks like: The bourbon guy's Jack Daniel's.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Single barrel Jack, pulled from the top of the barrelhouse. Way richer than Old No. 7.
Nose: banana, caramel, oak. Palate: toffee, vanilla, spice. Finish: long.
Drinks like: If you like Jack but want it better, buy this.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN · Mash: Blend of bonded rye, bonded Tennessee whiskey and bonded malt
Blend of three bonded whiskeys: rye, Tennessee whiskey and American malt. Spicy and malty. 700ml bottle.
Rye spice, malt, honey, banana.
Drinks like: Unique. Try it if you like High West or blended ryes.
Peg Leg Porker, Nashville, TN
Tennessee straight bourbon, bonded, released for America's 250th. From Carey Bringle, the Nashville barbecue guy.
Caramel, oak, light spice.
Drinks like: For the Tennessee whiskey guy who wants a bonded bottle.
Uncle Nearest, Shelbyville, TN
Single barrel Tennessee whiskey finished in a toasted barrel, bottled at barrel proof.
Toasted oak, caramel, brown sugar.
Drinks like: Like Jack's Heritage Barrel at barrel proof. Big toasted sugar.
Made in Mexico
Mexican whiskey from the Adictivo tequila folks, aged about five years and finished in their tequila casks. Light, with a little agave.
Drinks like: For the tequila drinker who's curious about whiskey.
Heaven Hill, Louisville, KY · Mash: Wheat-majority straight wheat whiskey
Not bourbon. Wheat is the main grain. Barrel proof, usually well over 115, and seven to nine years old. Sweet like a wheated bourbon but with more grain and a creamy texture.
Nose: honey, toasted bread, vanilla. Palate: caramel, cinnamon, cream. Finish: long and warm.
Drinks like: Old Fitzgerald and Larceny Barrel Proof fans: same Heaven Hill wheat family, turned up.
Bespoken Spirits
American whiskey finished with toasted and charred oak staves. 100 proof.
Toasted oak, caramel, vanilla.
Drinks like: Fun one to try next to a normal barrel-aged bourbon.
Bulleit Distilling Co., Kentucky · Mash: 100% malted barley
American single malt from Bulleit. Malty and fruity, a little oak. Not a bourbon.
Malt, honey, pear, light oak.
Drinks like: Closer to a light Speyside Scotch, like Glenlivet 12, than to bourbon.
Budget American blend. Light, mixes with anything.
High West Distillery, Park City, UT · Mash: Bourbon, rye and peated Scotch blend
Bourbon and rye blended with peated Scotch. Smoky, sweet and spicy. Nothing else like it.
Smoke, honey, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: For the Scotch drinker who wants to try American whiskey.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN · Mash: 100% malted barley
100% malted barley, charcoal mellowed, finished in oloroso sherry casks. Drinks like a sherried Scotch with a little Jack in it.
Raisin, dried fruit, malt, toffee.
Drinks like: Scotch guys who drink Macallan Sherry Oak will get it right away.
Journeyman Distillery, Three Oaks, MI · Mash: 100% wheat, cask strength
Cask strength version of their Buggy Whip Wheat, straight from the barrel with no water added. Technically a wheat whiskey, not bourbon. Sweet, bready and hot, so add a few drops of water.
Nose: honey, fresh bread, orchard fruit. Palate: sweet grain, caramel, pepper heat. Finish: long and spicy.
Drinks like: If you like Bernheim Barrel Proof, this is the Michigan version of that idea.
Michter's, Louisville, KY
Aged in used bourbon barrels, so it isn't bourbon. Soft, caramel-heavy and easy.
Caramel, butterscotch, light oak.
Drinks like: For someone who wants smooth and sweet.
Redwood Empire, Graton, CA · Mash: Blend of 4-12 yr bourbon and 3-5 yr rye
California blend of bourbon and rye. Easy and sweet.
Caramel, pepper, vanilla.
Drinks like: Whiskey War and Traveller are in the same blended-whiskey lane.
J. Rieger & Co., Kansas City, MO · Mash: Bourbon, light whiskey and rye, plus 15-yr oloroso sherry
Blend of bourbon, light corn whiskey and rye, with a little 15-year oloroso sherry mixed in. That's the old Kansas City way. Nutty and fruity.
Raisin, nuts, caramel, light spice.
Drinks like: Nothing else on the shelf quite like it. Crown Royal drinkers usually like it.
Buffalo Trace Distillery with Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton's Blend No. 40 from Buffalo Trace at full strength, 121 proof. The regular Traveller is 90 proof and easy. This one isn't.
Nose: caramel, cherry, oak. Palate: brown sugar, cinnamon, char. Finish: long.
Drinks like: Cut it with a splash of water and it drinks a lot like a hot Buffalo Trace.
Virginia Distillery Co., Lovingston, VA · Mash: American single malt
Their core American single malt. Malty and fruity.
Malt, pear, honey.
Drinks like: Their straight-up single malt. Easy for someone who drinks Glenlivet 12.
Virginia Distillery Co., Lovingston, VA · Mash: American single malt
American single malt finished in casks from a craft brewery. Malty and rich at 100 proof.
Malt, chocolate, dark fruit.
Drinks like: If you like Dragon's Milk Beer Barrel Bourbon, this is the single malt version of the idea.
Virginia Distillery Co., Lovingston, VA · Mash: American single malt
American single malt finished in cider casks. Green apple and malt.
Apple, honey, malt.
Drinks like: Lighter Scotch drinkers, like Balvenie or Glenlivet, will feel at home.
Virginia Distillery Co., Lovingston, VA · Mash: American single malt
American single malt finished in port casks. Dark fruit and malt.
Plum, malt, chocolate.
Drinks like: Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban fans, this is the American version.
High Bank Distillery, Columbus, OH · Mash: Blend of one high-rye and two bourbon mash bills (MGP)
Ohio blend of three MGP mash bills, one high-rye and two bourbons. Technically a blended whiskey, not a bourbon. It won Best Blended Whiskey at San Francisco three years running. Smooth and sweet with some pepper.
Nose: gingersnap, vanilla. Palate: caramel, allspice, light pepper. Finish: smooth, medium.
Drinks like: Same camp as Redwood Empire Lost Monarch or Traveller. Easy, sweet, a little spice.
Woodford Reserve Distillery, Versailles, KY · Mash: 52% wheat, 20% malted barley, 20% corn, 8% rye
Not a bourbon. Wheat is the main grain. Light, bready and fruity.
Banana, honey, cereal.
Drinks like: If you like Bernheim, this is a softer version.
Sazerac
Black cherry whiskey. Mix with cola.
Sazerac
Sweet blackberry whiskey. Shots, lemonade, or over ice.
Sazerac
Honey whiskey for under twelve bucks. Sweet and easy.
Sazerac
Peach whiskey, light and sweet. Iced tea is the move.
Sazerac
Fireball with apple. Think candy apple with a cinnamon kick.
Sazerac
You know it. Cinnamon, sugar, heat. Detroit Lions bottles while they last.
Sazerac
Fireball's premium small batch. Still cinnamon, but smoother and less candy-like than the regular.
Garrison Brothers, Hye, TX
Their bourbon infused with Burleson's Texas wildflower honey. Sweet, but it still tastes like real bourbon underneath.
Drinks like: Way better than the usual honey whiskeys.
Green River Distilling Co., Owensboro, KY
Green River bourbon finished with honey. Sweet but not syrupy.
Cooper Spirits Co.
Straight rye with raw honey, navel orange, rock candy and bitters. Basically a bottled Old Fashioned base. Pour it over a big cube.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Jack with green apple. Great with ginger ale.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Jack with blackberry. Fruity, not too sweet.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Jack with cinnamon liqueur. Less sugary than Fireball.
Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, TN
Jack with honey liqueur. Sweet and easy. Shots or over ice.
James B. Beam Distilling Co., Clermont, KY
Knob bourbon with smoked maple flavor. Sweet maple first, light smoke after. Good in coffee or over ice.
Noble Cut Distillery, Gahanna, OH
Apple whiskey from a small Columbus-area distillery. Crisp apple, a little cinnamon. Mix it with ginger ale.
Noble Cut Distillery, Gahanna, OH
Cherry whiskey, sweet and fruity. Try it with cola.
Noble Cut Distillery, Gahanna, OH
Ohio-made maple whiskey. Sweet but still tastes like whiskey. Over ice or in coffee.
Noble Cut Distillery, Gahanna, OH
Dessert in a bottle. Salted caramel over a whiskey base. Good chilled as a shot.
Bourbon blended with coffee liqueur. Sweet and coffee-forward. Good in coffee or over ice.
James B. Beam Distilling Co.
Jim Beam infused with black cherry. Sweet and fruity. Cola, ginger ale or Sprite.
Sazerac
Southern Comfort at 100 proof. Same flavor, more kick.
Sazerac
Whiskey liqueur with fruit and spice. Classic party bottle.
Traverse City Whiskey Co., Traverse City, MI
Same bourbon as the XXX, with Michigan tart cherries and cherry concentrate added. It tastes like whiskey with a little cherry, not the other way around. A local favorite.
Drinks like: If Red Stag is too sweet, try this one instead.
Traverse City Whiskey Co., Traverse City, MI
Their bourbon with peach added. Fruity but not candy-sweet. Great over ice in summer or with iced tea.
Drinks like: Better than most peach whiskeys if Crown Peach is too sweet for you.
Von Payne Spirits
Blended whiskey with black currant. Dark fruit up front, smooth finish. Pretty bottle, good gift.
Nothing matches that. Try another word, or request the bottle and we'll try to get it.
02 · Limited
Allocated bottles come in a few at a time and usually don't make it to the shelf for long. We don't list them here because they move too fast. The best way to get a shot at one is to get on the drop list. We'll let you know when something lands.
03 · Our barrels
Single barrels we tasted and picked ourselves. When these bottles are gone, that's it. More picks are on the way.
Old Forester Distilling Co., Louisville, KY · Mash: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
We picked this one. A single barrel of Old Forester at 100 proof, and you won't find this exact barrel anywhere else. Ask us how it tastes next to standard Old Forester 100.
Drinks like: If you like Old Forester 1897 or 1920, this sits right between them.
Penelope Bourbon · Mash: 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, 3% malted barley
Our own barrel. Penelope's four-grain wheated bourbon finished in cognac casks. Dried fruit and soft spice. Only here.
Drinks like: Angel's Envy fans, this is the cognac version.
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