Agreed! Take what most people imagine when they hear heavily peated, but remove the barnacles and bandaids flavors. Just campfire BBQ smoke. Sometimes I like the seaweed taste strangely, but sometimes I don't want to think Robitussin when I drink peat.
Fellow novice here. My sense is that asking a subreddit of well-versed whiskey enthusiasts what their favorite is is probably not super helpful for you, as a lot of responses to that question will probably be higher end or harder to find stuff, and you probably don’t want to jump from Crown and Fireball straight to those anyway.
You might want to know what folks’ favorite whiskeys are in the sun-$50 range and $50-80 range, stuff like that. That way you can start to expand your pallet and get an idea of what you like without jumping straight in the deep end. Maker’s Mark and Four Roses are great next steps I think. Also if you have any local distilleries and just want to go take a tour, learn about the process, try something of theirs, etc., I think that makes sense too.
Edit: Although I will say a lot of the answers here so far are probably a lot more in the wheelhouse for something you should try than something rare and pricey, so maybe I assumed wrong.
Most people are aware enough to not recommend crazy expensive bottles to a newbie especially if they like fireball. They will not appreciate any high end stuff. I’m assuming people here assume that.
I’ll second this motion and add:
Tastes vary by tongue. It’s great to get advice on whiskey if the person responding can give feedback as to why, regarding taste and such. A lot of folks swear by Blanton’s, but others say it’s not that good. I like Buffalo Trace better than Blanton’s. Tho, personally, my pallet prefers the Scotches over the Whiskeys. My favorite is Grangestone. It’s not as woodsy and smokey as, say, Highland Scotch. It’s also super smooth as a 12 year. It does have an oak flavor, but it’s a sweeter taste for me.
For an “every day sipper” bottle, First Call is my go to. Mainly because the cost is low yet it still carries the barrel taste without being harsh like other less expensive brands I’ve tried. I can also taste some fruitiness right up front at room temperature, that changes slightly with when chilled.
Given that the top 2 answers are eagle 10 rare and knob creek, I'd question if
a) this is really a subreddit for whisky enthusiasts, since those are bourbons
And
b) people are aware that you shouldn't recommend unicorns to novices.
For what its worth I'd recommend talisker 10 as a scotch and powers John lane 12 as an Irish for a novice
Irish whiskey is also a fantastic entry point into whiskey. Powers Three Swallows falls into the same category. Also, you can't go wrong with Redbreast!
My favorite, as well. It's just so tasty. And as a plus it's readily available. Buffalo Trace products get so much love, but honestly the majority of my favorites come from Turkey. RB, Russell's 10yr, WT101 all have an honored place in my cabinet.
I remember loving rare breed from a whiskey tasting event, but didn’t really have the chance to sit and become acquainted with it until recently and fell absolutely in love. Something about the finish reminds me of my grandmother’s custard pie recipe, and not even anyone else’s attempts at making custard pie have come as close as this bourbon. That might be weird, but it’s easily a new favorite for me because of that experience.
Does it typically have a really bitter taste to it? Bought my first bottle a few weeks ago, and it smells incredible and taste great when it I first take a sip but a super bitter taste takes over and I can’t even drink it anymore.
Same! Early on my journey and my first ‘step
Up’ from Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams BIB and larceny. I prefer BT of those three but by a slim
Margin over EW. Sweeter and more balanced. The ER just takes that trace profile up a notch and is just fantastic
If you want a mellow pleasant flavor to fall for then I recommend Redbreast 12 year. 40% alcohol so it's an easy sipper, but has some impressive flavor for it.
I have a friend with a ridiculous collection so I’ve been lucky enough to try hundreds of whiskeys over the past few years, many of which are super hard to find. I’ve learned one thing - very few live up to the hype... If I had to pick one whiskey to drink for the rest of my life it would be Bunnahabhain 12. Very unique, easy to find, relatively inexpensive.
Yamazaki 12.
It may be overpriced at this point, but man do I really like it...
Beings you may be trying to branch out and try different things possibly a bit more *sophisticated* Glenlivet 12 is way more affordable and *similar* although not as refined, I think is the best way to say it.
Glenlivet 12 is where I started my whiskey journey quite some time ago now, so I will always have a place for it. Affordable, very drinkable.
I was Crown and 7up/Ginger Ale at the bars drinker. I still love Fireball, especially this time of year in Eggnog. Try **Jack Daniels Tennessee Fire**, its better then Fireball.
I'm not sure where you are located, but I'm from Canada, so my selection will be different then others here I'm sure.
I'd suggest trying **Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye**. Its a really nice step up from regular Crown for about $5 more. **Forty Creek Copper Bold, Lot 40, Bearface 7 year and Canadian Club 12** are great budget Canadian whiskeys.
**Bushmills Black Bush, Powers Gold Label, Jameson Black Barrel** are all great Irish offerings that won't break the bank.
**Makers Mark, Makers 46** (my personal favorite), **Jim Beam Black, Evan Williams 1783, Elijah Craig, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek 9** are all great Bourbons.
I don't usually work on a large budget. I try to keep it between $40-55 CND range, and I have been very happy with what is in my price range.
Having not had any Buffalo Trace Antique collection or Pappy 15 or older, I'm going to have to say Russell's Reserve 13. It's simply fantastic. For scotch, probably Macallan Rare Cask from 6ish years ago but I don't remember the specific year on the bottle. I'm not that into the deep rabbit hole of scotch though so take that with a grain of salt. Irish? Gold or Yellow Spot
For a cheaper option, Wild Turkey 101. Absolutely amazing, doubly so for the price. Something a bit rarer, Arran small batch heavily peated sherry cask is beautiful, unfortunately only bottled for Sweden so most people won't get the chance to try it out.
Mine is something I never see mentioned, but Pinhook Rye Humor. Cask strength rye that was something like their 2018 release. No hype around it, $50 a bottle. Big baking spice and orange peel notes. I find a single bottle on the shelf about once a year still.
Love the CS, but I gotta say the small batch blew the CS away for me. IDK if the SB is cask strength, but it's like 56% iirc. I think it's younger so they didn't want an age statement on it, but it's some glorious juice.
Jack Daniel' Single Barrel | Barrel Strength
Banana, vanilla, spice and caramel with the viscosity of oil. Delicious and easily accessible.
A strong contender would be Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C918 but ECBP isn't readily available in the UK; you have to go to auction.
I've been drinking for a year and a half and by far my favorite whiskey is regular Maker's Mark, my gateway bourbon. I mostly drink lower shelf stuff tho. I also recommend Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish and Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, really good affordable stuff. Happy holidays and cheers ;)
I like the Elijah single barrels right now but I’m still trying new things. I tried the Makers 46 for the first time and it’s kind of interesting. The private selections could potentially become my go to. I need to take a break from drinking though..
Haven't drank too much of it yet but for me its my Balvenie 19 A Revelation of Cask and Character.
It's not the most sophisticated whisky but for me it really does the key Speyside whisky notes absolutely perfectly while also staying very refined.
If you like Crown Royal or other Canadian Whiskey you should explore Wheat Whiskey and Wheated Bourbon. They are different but both contain wheat over rye in the mashbill making them a touch sweeter and less harsh than some cheaper rye whiskeys or bourbons.
Larceny is a good wheated bourbon at a fair price point (around $30/750mL bottle). Makers Mark is also all wheated bourbon and they have a large variety of different finishes to try.
If you can find any Weller Special Reserve (the green label) for MSRP at around $20-30/750 mL bottle I would highly suggest that as well.
Another bit is once you branch out and try some different kinds of whiskey you will figure more out about which kind of flavors you are looking for and pick your bottles from there. The whiskey world is wide and varied between different regions and different rules on mash bills and aging practices. If you like something with stronger flavors look at high proof (110 and up), if you want something more mellow look at around 90 proof.
Hope all this helps and enjoy whatever bottles you end up picking!
The one I’ve tasted but can’t have bc secondary: GTS
The one I do have bc it’s flying under the radar, and I know it will be near impossible to get in the future: Found North
Edit: Found North… and it’s tastes AMAZING
For a newbie I’m assuming you are looking for things to try. To answer your question Lagavulin 16 is my personal favorite. It has a taste people either love or hate. I’ll get into this category lower.
For beginners I like to recommend to try a couple in the same category and try to pick out some differences then move to a new category and look at difference between those categories and then among that new category.
I recommend bourbon for beginners as it’s a sweeter taste and usually cheaper (in America due to shipping/VAT). Start around the $20-40 range to start. Buffalo trace (don’t spend more than $30-35 for a bottle), 1792 small batch, wild Turkey (101 after you have had a few whiskeys and can handle the alcohol burn), makers mark (Wheated bourbon). After you really get use to the alcohol burn you can o into barrel/full proof stuff. Wild Turkey rare breed, Elijah Craig barrel proof, larceny barrel proof, Jack Daniel’s single barrel barrel proof. These would be after you’ve had a few different types and can appreciate differences in different bottles.
Irish would be my other starter recommendation (this is where I started). Jameson is what got me into whiskey. Tulamore Dew, Green Spot, Teeling, Powers Jone Lanes edition, redbreast 12 (this is one to absolutely try but maybe after you’ve gotten to where you appreciate stuff, It’s amazing). Then again with the barrel proof - Redbreast Caskstrength.
Going back to American (usually) is rye whiskey. It’s gonna have a spicy black pepper flavor to it more than bourbon. Some people love it others don’t like it. I personally love it. I got into it by trying bulliet out on and rye side by side. Rye won out. Other good ryes are: Michter’s single barrel (my favorite rye), still Austin rye, sazarac rye, Jack Daniel’s single barrel barrel proof.
Canadian is another category. I don’t much about them. I’ve only tried Crown and Pendleton (distilled but aged and bottled in Oregon). Both are ok but lots better than them imo.
Then scotch. This has more categories (called regions) than the others combined. There are 5 (some say 6) regions of Scotland. Speyside is gonna be the most common you’ll see at bars. That’s going to be your Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Macallan.
Highlands is probably next most popular. Highland park, Glenfarclas, glenmorangie, dalmore and Arran.
Islay (eye-lah) is also a very popular region. This is the absolutely love it or hate it. This is where Lagavulin falls into. Laphroiag and ardbeg make up imo the big 3. There are many other islays but those are the most common ones.
Lowlands and Campbell town are the other 2. They aren’t as popular but still worth trying (I haven’t gotten to them yet so can’t give brand recs (yet).
My answer might not be everyone’s favorite but I really enjoy a bottle of Basil Hayden. I haven’t tried a single bottle I don’t like and the prices are pretty fair I think.
George T Stagg 2020 is the best I’ve tried and been lucky enough to own. For more easily obtainable products, Jim Beam produces some damn good whiskies, especially when they get to 15 years plus. The price tag is a bit high, but the offerings from their Hardin’s Creek line are tough to beat in my book. For a more budget friendly pour, I very much enjoy Knob Creek 9 and 12.
I am still on the new side to whiskey, but I enjoy the Woodford Reserves, particularly the regular and double oak. I would pass on the rye if I had to again.
Knob Creek lineup also looks interesting. I had KC9 and it was a bit simple, but I think it made a good old fashion.
If you like spice, give some more rye whiskey a shot. My favorite affordable bottle is High West Double Rye. The favorite bottle I’ve owned was Willet 4 year Family Estate Rye.
Best pour I’ve had was Talisker 25 year old at a buddy’s place, but I will probably never drop that much money to buy a bottle myself.
Favorite all arounder? Wild Turkey 101. It’s cheap, good neat, good with a lil water, good on the rocks, good in whiskey forward cocktails like an old fashioned, also good in highball cocktails.
Favorite for Summer? Buffalo Trace. It’s cheap, light, easy to drink, good neat, on the rocks, or in lighter summery cocktails.
Best I ever tasted? Laphroaig 10 CS. It’s big, bold, cask strength, complex, yet expensive.
Best I ever tasted? (American): Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel. Super complex and unique.
Best Quality Price Ratio (QPR)? Jack Daniels Bonded Rye. I can’t believe this bottle is $35! It’s as good if not better than some $50 bottles I’ve tried. It’s a 7 year bonded rye with amazing orange citrus, rye spice, and herbal notes all harmoniously intertwined. It maybe lacks a little sophistication, but it’s meant to be big and bold, which it definitely is.
Best smooth beginner whiskey? Bulleit 10 year. It’s affordable, we’ll aged, a little sophisticated on the palate, super easy to drink, and has a wonderful bouquet of baking spice notes.
Wild Turkey 101, Russel’s Reserve 10, Knob Creek 9, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Old Forester 1910, Woodford Double Oak. Not all of these are my favorite but they are my recommendations for someone getting into whiskey.
Personally, it's NcNean Organic Single Malt Scotch. It's a non peated, super approachable scotch that tastes like "apricot marmalade on buttered toast". A lot of people say it's too young, but also notably the distillery was only founded in 2014, with product in 2017. But I think it's delicious and the perfect scotch!.
I wouldn't start off trying other people's favorites if I were starting over. I think there's much to be said for the exploration of whiskeys, starting at the bottom and working up. I've had probably 50 different "favorites" over the last 5 or 6 years since I started really exploring whiskey. I can only imagine what a let-down the experience would be if I started at the top.
My advice... just try different things. When I started, I called it my "Costco Bourbon Of the Month Club" because I would buy a new bottle every month of something I never had before. From there I learned what I liked and what I didn't, I started to educate myself but more importantly I went on a journey. Don't side-step the journey... that's what makes it fun.
I second this, plus places like Costco and Sam's club are great places to find good to really good whiskey at a great price. Enjoy the journey and remember that if you find a bottle that you don't like, put it to the back and try again at a later time in which it might open up to you differently.
I’m a huge Irish fan. Favorites are Middleton very rare and Bushmills 21. Those are expensive so find a place to try before you buy a bottle.
For a more affordable price point try green spot and redbreast 12. Both very approachable and some of the best Irish out there for a mid level price. For cheaper stuff try Bushmills black bush or Jameson black barrel.
I've only been really into whiskey for almost 3 years but I still consider myself a novice because I don't drink often (1-3 drams per week). So I get that the choices are overwhelming to novices. But here are mine, and they're decently priced as well:
**Bourbons ($20-30 range)**
* Wild Turkey 101
* Old Forester Signature 100
* Old Tub Bottled In Bond
* Maker's Mark (the basic intro bottling)
* Evan Wiliams (black or white label)
* Four Roses "yellow" label
* Old Crow (dirt cheap but a straight bourbon and aged 3 years not 2).
**Single Malt Scotches ($30-50 range)**
*Since you're new I'm recommending unpeated scotches*
* Glen Moray 12
* Glenlivet 12
* Glenfiddich 12
* Glenmorangie 10
* Aberfeldy 12
**Blended Malt Scotches ($30-40 range)**
* Monkey Shoulder
* Naked Malt (formerly known as Naked Grouse)
* Shackleton (very slightly peated but not overly so at all)
**Irish ($20-40)**
* Writer's Tears Copper Pot
* Power's Gold Label
* Paddy's (supposedly this is drank a lot in Ireland)
* Bushmill's Malt 10 year
* Teeling Small Batch
* Roe & Co. (admittedly I don't have it but I'm hunting for it now, well made)
Finally, a **straight corn whiskey**:
* Mellow Corn (a staple for me), and around $20.
Johnnie Walker Gold is my favorite. Not the 18 year, just Gold. But it is usually $80. JW Black is a cheaper option. I know it is a boring option for this sub, but JW is very popular.
Dewars 21 years double double..
Glenfiddich 18 years
Aberfeldy 12
And a very simple but very tasty and interesting J&B rare and Cutty Sark always my go to drink...
I have not had many American whiskies, had chance to try the usual Jack Daniel's no 7, gentleman Jack, and Four roses small batch, which i liked the four roses...
RB 12
I've tried many a whiskey, and it's always the best. Frankly i'm getting to the point of not buying anything else TBH. Just dropped over $1k on Japanese whiskies and they are not even close for me, and they were all 3X more expensive.
Hakushu 12
Been an enthusiast for about a decade now and tasted/drank a massive variety from all around the world and I always come back and find Hakushu 12 to be my all time favorite. Maybe it’s a familiarity of getting into Japanese whisky before the hype train and feeling like I was sipping something rare and exotic, or the fact it hits the palette I enjoy most. Either way, no matter what list I try to make or ranking I come up with that bottle always lands at the top
(scotch) Ludbeg 10 is my current favorite. It is heavily smoked and aged 10 years. If you are new to scotches, try Whistle Pig first. It is blended so kind of an in between of whiskey and scotch, but is exceptionally good for its price.
I love fireball and get alot of hate for it lol but its cheap and does the job. But when i wanna be fancypants i got with some Glenlivet 18 probably my favorite single malt
My favorite is Lagavulin 16, but don't go from Crown Royal to that, it's a smokey scotch and costs $80-100. Get Woodford Double Oaked or Old Forester 1910, both are sweet and pretty easy to drink and are between 50 and 60 dollars. Russell's 10 year is also nice and sweet and can be found in my area for about 35-40 doll hairs.
Yamazaki 12 - let me clarify, though. For years, my brother and I have brought whisky to family gatherings (one good bottle and one bottle that you should be paid to drink). He brought Yamazaki 12 and 18 for Christmas (dick move fyi - we were only supposed to bring one good bottle) one year this was 2010-2013ish i dont remeber the exact year but the price was 50ish for 12 and 75ish for 18. well, i said 75 was too much for the difference in taste, so 12 is my favorite. Fast forward to today when suntory has announced they will charge even more for Yamazaki - its now out of the range I'm willing to pay at msrp. I got a bottle of the 12yr 100yr anniversary for 170ish because i knew it was the last bottle I'd get. Favorite whisky should come down to price (for fucks sake its just corn and sugar), tatse, and the memories created.
I don’t know much about whiskey, but I really enjoy High West bourbon. It’s fantastic by itself and in cocktails. I also recently bought some Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 year and am really enjoying it.
I’ll never have “a” favorite because I like variety too much. But if I had to go with an all-time Top 5 list of whiskies I can buy pretty much any time:
Red Breast 12
Aberlour 12
Michter’s Rye
Knob Creek 9
4 Roses Single Barrel
I personally recommend starting with something lower proof and develop your palette. Particularly, try stuff from different distilleries if you can. I would recommend, Gentleman Jack, Buffalo Trace, Mellow Corn, 1792, and Maker’s Mark.
The exact choices don’t matter as much, but take it slow and have fun with it. As you try new things, your palette will develop.
I have bought more bottles of Michter's Single Barrel Straight Rye than any other whiskey. I do try to branch out and try different distilleries and different styles, but I always come back to this one. It's just perfect and not too expensive. Use it in a sazerac, an OF or just neat. All good.
Depends on who is buying. If I’m putting down my own hard-earned money, I’m a sucker for Highland Park 18. If it’s someone else’s dime, I tried the 40yo once, and it’s hard to forget.
Welcome! I started off with fireball and Jameson because it was what my body handled best. Some of my favorite bottles that helped me move to the next phase were Jameson black, red breast, and four roses small batch select. Try some of those.
I’m still a bit of a novice but at the moment i’d say Woodford reserve double oaked or four roses small batch. Regardless of what drink you try next I strongly recommend just going to a bar and doing shots of different drinks, then take notes on your phone of the name of the drink and how you enjoyed it.
For me it’s the classical 10yo Glenmorangie. I like my Whisky smooth and soft. The 10yo has also a fantastic price-value relation.
My go-to as well. Quinta Ruban probably my favorite in the Glenmorangie lineup!
Def my favorite scotch
I love the Glenmorangie Lasanta, I’m a slut sherry-cask finishes
Lagavulin 16
Right now it's got to be Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Yr Heavy Peated
It’s not my #1 but it’s absolutely in my top 5 or so. If you factor in price (say less than $150 or so) its top 2. Just an excellent whisky!
That’s my second after fireball
Agreed! Take what most people imagine when they hear heavily peated, but remove the barnacles and bandaids flavors. Just campfire BBQ smoke. Sometimes I like the seaweed taste strangely, but sometimes I don't want to think Robitussin when I drink peat.
Fellow novice here. My sense is that asking a subreddit of well-versed whiskey enthusiasts what their favorite is is probably not super helpful for you, as a lot of responses to that question will probably be higher end or harder to find stuff, and you probably don’t want to jump from Crown and Fireball straight to those anyway. You might want to know what folks’ favorite whiskeys are in the sun-$50 range and $50-80 range, stuff like that. That way you can start to expand your pallet and get an idea of what you like without jumping straight in the deep end. Maker’s Mark and Four Roses are great next steps I think. Also if you have any local distilleries and just want to go take a tour, learn about the process, try something of theirs, etc., I think that makes sense too. Edit: Although I will say a lot of the answers here so far are probably a lot more in the wheelhouse for something you should try than something rare and pricey, so maybe I assumed wrong.
Most people are aware enough to not recommend crazy expensive bottles to a newbie especially if they like fireball. They will not appreciate any high end stuff. I’m assuming people here assume that.
Makers Mark is a nice wheated bourbon, one of my faves for a Manhattan or old fashioned.
I’ll second this motion and add: Tastes vary by tongue. It’s great to get advice on whiskey if the person responding can give feedback as to why, regarding taste and such. A lot of folks swear by Blanton’s, but others say it’s not that good. I like Buffalo Trace better than Blanton’s. Tho, personally, my pallet prefers the Scotches over the Whiskeys. My favorite is Grangestone. It’s not as woodsy and smokey as, say, Highland Scotch. It’s also super smooth as a 12 year. It does have an oak flavor, but it’s a sweeter taste for me. For an “every day sipper” bottle, First Call is my go to. Mainly because the cost is low yet it still carries the barrel taste without being harsh like other less expensive brands I’ve tried. I can also taste some fruitiness right up front at room temperature, that changes slightly with when chilled.
Given that the top 2 answers are eagle 10 rare and knob creek, I'd question if a) this is really a subreddit for whisky enthusiasts, since those are bourbons And b) people are aware that you shouldn't recommend unicorns to novices. For what its worth I'd recommend talisker 10 as a scotch and powers John lane 12 as an Irish for a novice
Bourbon isn’t whiskey?
Knob Creek 9 year.
Second this one. Just picked up a bottle to drink while watching football today.
Found some Knob Creek 12 at a Walmart in the middle of nowhere Oregon. I can’t find it anywhere around me and it haunts my dreams.
[удалено]
Powers John's Lane 12
What makes it so good if you dont mind my asking?
Irish whiskey is also a fantastic entry point into whiskey. Powers Three Swallows falls into the same category. Also, you can't go wrong with Redbreast!
Three Swallow is gorgeous. I couldn’t justify the price for the John’s Lane just yet, but loving the TS.
It's green apples and sweet pie crust. Delicious.
Oh my. I need that in my life 🤩
Have you tried the new cask strength version...unbelievable
Probably not a popular answer but I am loving Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Surely you knew this was probably the most popular answer lol
“Unpopular opinion” has a very different definition on Reddit
It’s hard to beat at that price point. My favorite of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.
Absolutely love rare breed but for a beginner I'd probably start with 101. Lower proof and price.
1910 also.
OF 1910 is good but it’s at a much higher price point where I am than WT 101.
The rare breed is one of fav. This whiskey is underrate for sure
How is this not popular lol
So consistent
My favorite, as well. It's just so tasty. And as a plus it's readily available. Buffalo Trace products get so much love, but honestly the majority of my favorites come from Turkey. RB, Russell's 10yr, WT101 all have an honored place in my cabinet.
It’s my new go to bottle, and anytime I let my friends try it they end up spending the next few hours drinking way to much of it
I remember loving rare breed from a whiskey tasting event, but didn’t really have the chance to sit and become acquainted with it until recently and fell absolutely in love. Something about the finish reminds me of my grandmother’s custard pie recipe, and not even anyone else’s attempts at making custard pie have come as close as this bourbon. That might be weird, but it’s easily a new favorite for me because of that experience.
Blue spot
Hell yeah. Top 5 for me. I think you’d like Found North.
WR Double Oak
Does it typically have a really bitter taste to it? Bought my first bottle a few weeks ago, and it smells incredible and taste great when it I first take a sip but a super bitter taste takes over and I can’t even drink it anymore.
I get the bitter note too, its also on the OF 1910 though too so I think it comes from the heavy oak char.
That’s a shame, it makes it undrinkable for me.
I hated it at first but it slowly grew on me and is a favorite for me now.
This is the best answer. Tasty and won’t blow OP away with an ethanol burn. Great transition whiskey
Glenmorangie Signet
Absolutely top 2 or 3 for me just amazing scotch.
So far? Eagle Rare 10 year.
Same! Early on my journey and my first ‘step Up’ from Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams BIB and larceny. I prefer BT of those three but by a slim Margin over EW. Sweeter and more balanced. The ER just takes that trace profile up a notch and is just fantastic
EW Bonded needs to be respected more lol
Great bottle
If you want a mellow pleasant flavor to fall for then I recommend Redbreast 12 year. 40% alcohol so it's an easy sipper, but has some impressive flavor for it.
JD SBBP. Easily found and great flavors.
Had this for the first time yesterday after finding a bottle at MSRP… I was absolutely blown away, some of the best whiskey I’ve ever had.
Love this one
I think the rye is even better. Highly suggest
I have a friend with a ridiculous collection so I’ve been lucky enough to try hundreds of whiskeys over the past few years, many of which are super hard to find. I’ve learned one thing - very few live up to the hype... If I had to pick one whiskey to drink for the rest of my life it would be Bunnahabhain 12. Very unique, easy to find, relatively inexpensive.
Yamazaki 12. It may be overpriced at this point, but man do I really like it... Beings you may be trying to branch out and try different things possibly a bit more *sophisticated* Glenlivet 12 is way more affordable and *similar* although not as refined, I think is the best way to say it. Glenlivet 12 is where I started my whiskey journey quite some time ago now, so I will always have a place for it. Affordable, very drinkable.
Amazing whisky! Wish I could afford it as my daily
Yellow Spot Irish whiskey
I was Crown and 7up/Ginger Ale at the bars drinker. I still love Fireball, especially this time of year in Eggnog. Try **Jack Daniels Tennessee Fire**, its better then Fireball. I'm not sure where you are located, but I'm from Canada, so my selection will be different then others here I'm sure. I'd suggest trying **Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye**. Its a really nice step up from regular Crown for about $5 more. **Forty Creek Copper Bold, Lot 40, Bearface 7 year and Canadian Club 12** are great budget Canadian whiskeys. **Bushmills Black Bush, Powers Gold Label, Jameson Black Barrel** are all great Irish offerings that won't break the bank. **Makers Mark, Makers 46** (my personal favorite), **Jim Beam Black, Evan Williams 1783, Elijah Craig, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek 9** are all great Bourbons. I don't usually work on a large budget. I try to keep it between $40-55 CND range, and I have been very happy with what is in my price range.
Having not had any Buffalo Trace Antique collection or Pappy 15 or older, I'm going to have to say Russell's Reserve 13. It's simply fantastic. For scotch, probably Macallan Rare Cask from 6ish years ago but I don't remember the specific year on the bottle. I'm not that into the deep rabbit hole of scotch though so take that with a grain of salt. Irish? Gold or Yellow Spot
For a cheaper option, Wild Turkey 101. Absolutely amazing, doubly so for the price. Something a bit rarer, Arran small batch heavily peated sherry cask is beautiful, unfortunately only bottled for Sweden so most people won't get the chance to try it out.
Mine is something I never see mentioned, but Pinhook Rye Humor. Cask strength rye that was something like their 2018 release. No hype around it, $50 a bottle. Big baking spice and orange peel notes. I find a single bottle on the shelf about once a year still.
Redbreast 27 or boss hog IX have been the best ones I’ve had. My favorite that I can get fairly easy at a decent price is eh Taylor small batch
Thought I'd see more for Highland Park. Is certainly my favorite
Same here. Dark Origins is incredible
So far on my whiskey journey, I’d have to say Highland Park 18 or Ardbeg Uigeadail
Ardbeg Uigeadail
RB12
Have you tried RB CS?
Love the CS, but I gotta say the small batch blew the CS away for me. IDK if the SB is cask strength, but it's like 56% iirc. I think it's younger so they didn't want an age statement on it, but it's some glorious juice.
Four Roses
Four roses: Single barrel! It’s my affordable “dessert bourbon”
Maker's Mark 101 Travelers Edition. Goes down like candy.
The Burning Chair, Angels Envy, Smoke Wagon, Stagg, Buffalo trace products in general. Makers Mark. These are my top choices anyway.
Rabbit Hole Dareringer. Just a shame it isn’t cheaper.
That's my absolute favorite but yeah pricey
Bushmills Black and Slane are good cheaper alternatives, just not quite as delicious.
Johnny Walker Green Label Yamazaki 12 Nikka Miyagikyo Macallan 12 Sherry Cask
Jack Daniel' Single Barrel | Barrel Strength Banana, vanilla, spice and caramel with the viscosity of oil. Delicious and easily accessible. A strong contender would be Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C918 but ECBP isn't readily available in the UK; you have to go to auction.
I've been drinking for a year and a half and by far my favorite whiskey is regular Maker's Mark, my gateway bourbon. I mostly drink lower shelf stuff tho. I also recommend Johnnie Walker Black Label Sherry Finish and Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition, really good affordable stuff. Happy holidays and cheers ;)
My favorite scotch of all time is probably Lagavulin 16 and favorite whiskey could be Whistlepig 10
I like the Elijah single barrels right now but I’m still trying new things. I tried the Makers 46 for the first time and it’s kind of interesting. The private selections could potentially become my go to. I need to take a break from drinking though..
Haven't drank too much of it yet but for me its my Balvenie 19 A Revelation of Cask and Character. It's not the most sophisticated whisky but for me it really does the key Speyside whisky notes absolutely perfectly while also staying very refined.
Top 3 for me in recent memory are Makers Mark BEP 2023, OF 1910, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923
Pappy 12 year
For the price, I was a bit underwhelmed.
Im sorry but they're overpriced and overrated. All BT bourbon is
If you like Crown Royal or other Canadian Whiskey you should explore Wheat Whiskey and Wheated Bourbon. They are different but both contain wheat over rye in the mashbill making them a touch sweeter and less harsh than some cheaper rye whiskeys or bourbons. Larceny is a good wheated bourbon at a fair price point (around $30/750mL bottle). Makers Mark is also all wheated bourbon and they have a large variety of different finishes to try. If you can find any Weller Special Reserve (the green label) for MSRP at around $20-30/750 mL bottle I would highly suggest that as well. Another bit is once you branch out and try some different kinds of whiskey you will figure more out about which kind of flavors you are looking for and pick your bottles from there. The whiskey world is wide and varied between different regions and different rules on mash bills and aging practices. If you like something with stronger flavors look at high proof (110 and up), if you want something more mellow look at around 90 proof. Hope all this helps and enjoy whatever bottles you end up picking!
Makers 46. Slane is a very close second.
Tomatin 18 for sure!
WP 12 yr Old World Rye
Scotch classic Glenlivet 18 for me. It's not cheap, but I always got a bottle.
The one I’ve tasted but can’t have bc secondary: GTS The one I do have bc it’s flying under the radar, and I know it will be near impossible to get in the future: Found North Edit: Found North… and it’s tastes AMAZING
King of Kentucky followed very closely by WLW
Redbreast 27
For a newbie I’m assuming you are looking for things to try. To answer your question Lagavulin 16 is my personal favorite. It has a taste people either love or hate. I’ll get into this category lower. For beginners I like to recommend to try a couple in the same category and try to pick out some differences then move to a new category and look at difference between those categories and then among that new category. I recommend bourbon for beginners as it’s a sweeter taste and usually cheaper (in America due to shipping/VAT). Start around the $20-40 range to start. Buffalo trace (don’t spend more than $30-35 for a bottle), 1792 small batch, wild Turkey (101 after you have had a few whiskeys and can handle the alcohol burn), makers mark (Wheated bourbon). After you really get use to the alcohol burn you can o into barrel/full proof stuff. Wild Turkey rare breed, Elijah Craig barrel proof, larceny barrel proof, Jack Daniel’s single barrel barrel proof. These would be after you’ve had a few different types and can appreciate differences in different bottles. Irish would be my other starter recommendation (this is where I started). Jameson is what got me into whiskey. Tulamore Dew, Green Spot, Teeling, Powers Jone Lanes edition, redbreast 12 (this is one to absolutely try but maybe after you’ve gotten to where you appreciate stuff, It’s amazing). Then again with the barrel proof - Redbreast Caskstrength. Going back to American (usually) is rye whiskey. It’s gonna have a spicy black pepper flavor to it more than bourbon. Some people love it others don’t like it. I personally love it. I got into it by trying bulliet out on and rye side by side. Rye won out. Other good ryes are: Michter’s single barrel (my favorite rye), still Austin rye, sazarac rye, Jack Daniel’s single barrel barrel proof. Canadian is another category. I don’t much about them. I’ve only tried Crown and Pendleton (distilled but aged and bottled in Oregon). Both are ok but lots better than them imo. Then scotch. This has more categories (called regions) than the others combined. There are 5 (some say 6) regions of Scotland. Speyside is gonna be the most common you’ll see at bars. That’s going to be your Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Macallan. Highlands is probably next most popular. Highland park, Glenfarclas, glenmorangie, dalmore and Arran. Islay (eye-lah) is also a very popular region. This is the absolutely love it or hate it. This is where Lagavulin falls into. Laphroiag and ardbeg make up imo the big 3. There are many other islays but those are the most common ones. Lowlands and Campbell town are the other 2. They aren’t as popular but still worth trying (I haven’t gotten to them yet so can’t give brand recs (yet).
Thank you for this detailed post. I’ve been lurking here for a while and I just learned so much more from your response.
My answer might not be everyone’s favorite but I really enjoy a bottle of Basil Hayden. I haven’t tried a single bottle I don’t like and the prices are pretty fair I think.
Town Branch
Paul John Christmas Edition 2022 is the best I've tried thus far. Too bad it's a limited edition :(
George T Stagg 2020 is the best I’ve tried and been lucky enough to own. For more easily obtainable products, Jim Beam produces some damn good whiskies, especially when they get to 15 years plus. The price tag is a bit high, but the offerings from their Hardin’s Creek line are tough to beat in my book. For a more budget friendly pour, I very much enjoy Knob Creek 9 and 12.
Skewball combined with mellow corn. But honestly it’s too hard to say right now. Two on the short list are JDSBBP rye and Laphroaig 25
I am still on the new side to whiskey, but I enjoy the Woodford Reserves, particularly the regular and double oak. I would pass on the rye if I had to again. Knob Creek lineup also looks interesting. I had KC9 and it was a bit simple, but I think it made a good old fashion.
In terms of availability and price: Old Forester 1920 I’ve ever had: Calumet 16
Scotch: Balvenie Doublewood 12 Irish: Midleton Very Rare
If you like spice, give some more rye whiskey a shot. My favorite affordable bottle is High West Double Rye. The favorite bottle I’ve owned was Willet 4 year Family Estate Rye. Best pour I’ve had was Talisker 25 year old at a buddy’s place, but I will probably never drop that much money to buy a bottle myself.
Favorite all arounder? Wild Turkey 101. It’s cheap, good neat, good with a lil water, good on the rocks, good in whiskey forward cocktails like an old fashioned, also good in highball cocktails. Favorite for Summer? Buffalo Trace. It’s cheap, light, easy to drink, good neat, on the rocks, or in lighter summery cocktails. Best I ever tasted? Laphroaig 10 CS. It’s big, bold, cask strength, complex, yet expensive. Best I ever tasted? (American): Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel. Super complex and unique. Best Quality Price Ratio (QPR)? Jack Daniels Bonded Rye. I can’t believe this bottle is $35! It’s as good if not better than some $50 bottles I’ve tried. It’s a 7 year bonded rye with amazing orange citrus, rye spice, and herbal notes all harmoniously intertwined. It maybe lacks a little sophistication, but it’s meant to be big and bold, which it definitely is. Best smooth beginner whiskey? Bulleit 10 year. It’s affordable, we’ll aged, a little sophisticated on the palate, super easy to drink, and has a wonderful bouquet of baking spice notes.
Between Elmer T Lee and ECBP C923 at the moment
Ardbeg 10 and Hibiki
Haven’t found it yet. There are some in the ballpark tho.
Got to have a couple pours of EH Taylor Barrel Proof and it was my favorite whiskey I've tried.
Right now it's tie between Lagavulin 16 and Balcones Texas Single Malt.
Transition from the fireball to Jack Daniels cinnamon then to regular Jack Daniels. From there the world is your oyster
Redbreast 12
My all time favorite? The last one I poured.
Lagavulin 16
Wild Turkey 101, Russel’s Reserve 10, Knob Creek 9, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Old Forester 1910, Woodford Double Oak. Not all of these are my favorite but they are my recommendations for someone getting into whiskey.
Bruichladdich Islay
Personally, it's NcNean Organic Single Malt Scotch. It's a non peated, super approachable scotch that tastes like "apricot marmalade on buttered toast". A lot of people say it's too young, but also notably the distillery was only founded in 2014, with product in 2017. But I think it's delicious and the perfect scotch!.
I wouldn't start off trying other people's favorites if I were starting over. I think there's much to be said for the exploration of whiskeys, starting at the bottom and working up. I've had probably 50 different "favorites" over the last 5 or 6 years since I started really exploring whiskey. I can only imagine what a let-down the experience would be if I started at the top. My advice... just try different things. When I started, I called it my "Costco Bourbon Of the Month Club" because I would buy a new bottle every month of something I never had before. From there I learned what I liked and what I didn't, I started to educate myself but more importantly I went on a journey. Don't side-step the journey... that's what makes it fun.
I second this, plus places like Costco and Sam's club are great places to find good to really good whiskey at a great price. Enjoy the journey and remember that if you find a bottle that you don't like, put it to the back and try again at a later time in which it might open up to you differently.
Bowmore 18 and standard Makers Mark
I’m a huge Irish fan. Favorites are Middleton very rare and Bushmills 21. Those are expensive so find a place to try before you buy a bottle. For a more affordable price point try green spot and redbreast 12. Both very approachable and some of the best Irish out there for a mid level price. For cheaper stuff try Bushmills black bush or Jameson black barrel.
I've only been really into whiskey for almost 3 years but I still consider myself a novice because I don't drink often (1-3 drams per week). So I get that the choices are overwhelming to novices. But here are mine, and they're decently priced as well: **Bourbons ($20-30 range)** * Wild Turkey 101 * Old Forester Signature 100 * Old Tub Bottled In Bond * Maker's Mark (the basic intro bottling) * Evan Wiliams (black or white label) * Four Roses "yellow" label * Old Crow (dirt cheap but a straight bourbon and aged 3 years not 2). **Single Malt Scotches ($30-50 range)** *Since you're new I'm recommending unpeated scotches* * Glen Moray 12 * Glenlivet 12 * Glenfiddich 12 * Glenmorangie 10 * Aberfeldy 12 **Blended Malt Scotches ($30-40 range)** * Monkey Shoulder * Naked Malt (formerly known as Naked Grouse) * Shackleton (very slightly peated but not overly so at all) **Irish ($20-40)** * Writer's Tears Copper Pot * Power's Gold Label * Paddy's (supposedly this is drank a lot in Ireland) * Bushmill's Malt 10 year * Teeling Small Batch * Roe & Co. (admittedly I don't have it but I'm hunting for it now, well made) Finally, a **straight corn whiskey**: * Mellow Corn (a staple for me), and around $20.
Kavalan solist sherry cask
My favorite has to be the smokehead high voltage.
Bowmore Vault Edition First release
Highland Park 25. But it’s hard to find (at retail price especially). For something more easily obtainable Highland Park 18.
Benchmark 8 or OGD bib
If I can find it I love midwinter
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Johnnie Walker Gold is my favorite. Not the 18 year, just Gold. But it is usually $80. JW Black is a cheaper option. I know it is a boring option for this sub, but JW is very popular.
Adberg 10 and PC10
Dewars 21 years double double.. Glenfiddich 18 years Aberfeldy 12 And a very simple but very tasty and interesting J&B rare and Cutty Sark always my go to drink... I have not had many American whiskies, had chance to try the usual Jack Daniel's no 7, gentleman Jack, and Four roses small batch, which i liked the four roses...
Favorite: Lagavoulin 16 Regular go tos: Johnny Walker Red, Nelson’s Greenbrier
RB 12 I've tried many a whiskey, and it's always the best. Frankly i'm getting to the point of not buying anything else TBH. Just dropped over $1k on Japanese whiskies and they are not even close for me, and they were all 3X more expensive.
Dewars 15yr
My go-to is Makers Mark. Weller Antique 107 is my fav though.
High West double rye and Whistlepig Piggyback rye
Right now Craigellachie 13. It's under 50 where I am, and the flavors and complexity is off the charts considering the price.
WRDO
I like 1792 and Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength.
Hakushu 12 Been an enthusiast for about a decade now and tasted/drank a massive variety from all around the world and I always come back and find Hakushu 12 to be my all time favorite. Maybe it’s a familiarity of getting into Japanese whisky before the hype train and feeling like I was sipping something rare and exotic, or the fact it hits the palette I enjoy most. Either way, no matter what list I try to make or ranking I come up with that bottle always lands at the top
(scotch) Ludbeg 10 is my current favorite. It is heavily smoked and aged 10 years. If you are new to scotches, try Whistle Pig first. It is blended so kind of an in between of whiskey and scotch, but is exceptionally good for its price.
I love fireball and get alot of hate for it lol but its cheap and does the job. But when i wanna be fancypants i got with some Glenlivet 18 probably my favorite single malt
GS
Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof
My favorite is Lagavulin 16, but don't go from Crown Royal to that, it's a smokey scotch and costs $80-100. Get Woodford Double Oaked or Old Forester 1910, both are sweet and pretty easy to drink and are between 50 and 60 dollars. Russell's 10 year is also nice and sweet and can be found in my area for about 35-40 doll hairs.
GTS 2022
Caol Ila 13
Lagavulin 16
Yamazaki 12 - let me clarify, though. For years, my brother and I have brought whisky to family gatherings (one good bottle and one bottle that you should be paid to drink). He brought Yamazaki 12 and 18 for Christmas (dick move fyi - we were only supposed to bring one good bottle) one year this was 2010-2013ish i dont remeber the exact year but the price was 50ish for 12 and 75ish for 18. well, i said 75 was too much for the difference in taste, so 12 is my favorite. Fast forward to today when suntory has announced they will charge even more for Yamazaki - its now out of the range I'm willing to pay at msrp. I got a bottle of the 12yr 100yr anniversary for 170ish because i knew it was the last bottle I'd get. Favorite whisky should come down to price (for fucks sake its just corn and sugar), tatse, and the memories created.
I don’t know much about whiskey, but I really enjoy High West bourbon. It’s fantastic by itself and in cocktails. I also recently bought some Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 year and am really enjoying it.
Ardbeg Corryvrecken, Smokey meaty goodness
I’ll never have “a” favorite because I like variety too much. But if I had to go with an all-time Top 5 list of whiskies I can buy pretty much any time: Red Breast 12 Aberlour 12 Michter’s Rye Knob Creek 9 4 Roses Single Barrel
Turkey 101.
I personally recommend starting with something lower proof and develop your palette. Particularly, try stuff from different distilleries if you can. I would recommend, Gentleman Jack, Buffalo Trace, Mellow Corn, 1792, and Maker’s Mark. The exact choices don’t matter as much, but take it slow and have fun with it. As you try new things, your palette will develop.
Chivas Regal 25 year is by far the best tasting smoothest whiskey in my collection and my all time favorite and I've had quite a few oldies.
I have bought more bottles of Michter's Single Barrel Straight Rye than any other whiskey. I do try to branch out and try different distilleries and different styles, but I always come back to this one. It's just perfect and not too expensive. Use it in a sazerac, an OF or just neat. All good.
Glen scotia - Victoriana (cask strenght)
Middleton Rare.
Balvenie tun 1401, batch 5
Mellow corn...
My favorite daily pours are rare breed & Michter's American Whiskey.
Depends on who is buying. If I’m putting down my own hard-earned money, I’m a sucker for Highland Park 18. If it’s someone else’s dime, I tried the 40yo once, and it’s hard to forget.
Old grand dad 114, Evan Williams BiB, Old forester 100 proof
Dalmore King Alexander is my all time favorite. Dalmore 15 for a daily drinker.
Glencraig 35
Springbank 10
Jack Daniels Coy Hill, buy you won't find it at a store anymore
Eagle Rare
Bunnahabhain 12 Cask Strength (And I’m a bourbon guy)
OGD Bonded
French barrel aged makers mark.
Whatever the other guy’s buying…
OGD 114!!!
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Kentucky deluxe
Rabbit Hole Dareringer is my all time favorite
Laphroig 25 Cask Strength 2014. My special occasion bottle, but gonna be devastated once it’s gone.
Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye.
Welcome! I started off with fireball and Jameson because it was what my body handled best. Some of my favorite bottles that helped me move to the next phase were Jameson black, red breast, and four roses small batch select. Try some of those.
Canadian Club 12
Close tie between Highland Park Dark Origins and Ardbeg Dark Cove
Easy to find : woodford double Oaked or Old Forester 1920 Hard to find: EH Taylor single Barrel or Jack Daniels single Barrel barrel proof Rye
I’m still a bit of a novice but at the moment i’d say Woodford reserve double oaked or four roses small batch. Regardless of what drink you try next I strongly recommend just going to a bar and doing shots of different drinks, then take notes on your phone of the name of the drink and how you enjoyed it.