Best Bourbons to Drink in 2023

This Whiskey is named after a “double agent” who operated on both sides of the law during the Prohibition era, who was also named King of the Bootleggers. It is a perfect blend of high-rye Bourbon aged more than five years that should be a staple in any Bourbon lover's home bar.

It’s a secret weapon that will throw any Bourbon snob for a loop.

 

MORE BEST BOURBONS OUTSIDE KENTUCKY:
- Noble Oak Double Oak Bourbon Whiskey
- Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey
- Koval Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
- Widow Jane 10 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Breckenridge Bourbon Flaviar Blend 2019

Nobody ever wants to look like a beginner, but it takes time and practice to build your palate to where you can appreciate the subtle nuances of a well-aged Bourbon or handle the power of a barrel-proof one.

Just like you don’t start college in a 400 level course, you shouldn’t start a Bourbon hobby without first learning about, and drinking, the essentials recommended by Flaviar Members. 

 

Not only is the Buffalo Trace signature Bourbon beloved by its fans, but it’s also delicious and not overly-priced.

The Whiskey has a classic mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. It is also aged at least eight years and bottled at 45 percent ABV. All that means the Bourbon is rich and you’ll enjoy every sip.

For many Bourbon fans, Buffalo Trace is their “go-to” daily drinker, and we think it would be hard to make a better choice.

“My favorite sub $50 bourbon period. Great for sipping, mixed drinks, or cocktails. Slight burn, but lots of fruity sweet notes.!” -Trent

 

MORE BEST BOURBONS FOR BEGINNERS:
- Smooth Ambler Contradiction Bourbon
- Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon
- 1792 Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Although the threat of Bourbon shortage has helped drive up the prices, there are still many affordable Bourbon bottles under $50 - so you can turn a nightcap into a night you’ll (hopefully) never forget.
 

MORE BEST BOURBON UNDER $50:
- Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
- Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey
- FEW Cold Cut Bourbon
- Wild Turkey 101

While prices for Bourbon have increased significantly, you can still find a delicious whiskey without breaking the bank. Here are delicious Bourbons that all stay under $100.
 

 

This Bourbon was created by legendary master distiller Lincoln Henderson who decided to finish the whiskey in used port casks. This additional step in the aging process gave the Whiskey a delicious twist and broke new ground.

 

“Smooth as can be. Have yet to meet anyone, even non-bourbon drinkers who haven’t appreciated this spirit..” - Mitch

MORE BEST BOURBON UNDER $100:
- Bulleit Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon
- Angel’s Envy Bourbon Whiskey 

One of the best reasons to be a Flaviarista is access to Spirits that are made only for Members – and sometimes by Members. Meet Flaviar’s private bottlings.
 

Say Howdy to Flaviar’s first own Bourbon! A bottle of Corn Trooper is for everyone who loves Bourbon and wants to try something new and genuinely American.

Corn Trooper is a blend of seven straight Bourbons connecting seven distillers from seven different states, each bringing something unique to its character.

If you are looking for something to amplify your Bourbon experience, Corn Trooper is your go-to dram.


Not only Corn Trooper is Member’s favorite, it also received Gold Medal at San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021.

 

“Very smooth and easy to drink with a bourbon kick at the end. Many friends who love bourbon love it. Well done, Flaviar!” - Adam

 

 

A number of different Whiskey brands make so-called small batch Bourbon, which is usually made in small lots. These Whiskeys allow the distiller to highlight unique and special flavors in a Spirit and offer a fascinating experience for drinkers.

 

Colonel Edmund Haynes Taylor was one of the founding fathers of modern Bourbon. So if you are going to name a product after the man, you better be prepared to stand up and represent.

And this fine Bourbon does not disappoint. 

 

“Lives up to the hype! First trying tonight and was wowed. Incredibly smooth while maintaining premium flavor. The finish is fantastic - cinnamon red hots!” - Shay

 

MORE BEST SMALL BATCH BOURBON: 
- Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea Voyage 24 Bourbon Whiskey
- Michter’s US*1 Small Batch
- Four Roses Small Batch Select
- Noah’s Mill Small Batch Bourbon
- Jefferson’s Reserve Very Old Small Batch Bourbon

Whiskey is usually diluted with water before it’s bottled, following distillation and maturation in casks. Cask strength or Barrel strength, means the Whiskey is bottled straight from the barrel without adding any water.

 

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon, named Whisky of the year 2017 by Whisky Advocate, is an experience of Bourbon in its purest form, uncut and straight from the cask.

Get two bottles: one to share with your seasoned friends and one for yourself alone. Let your first sip be straight and taste the magic, then add a few drops of water and fine-tune the flavor.


 

“Been a fan of Elijah Craig for years. Tried this for the first time the other day and it’s possibly the best bourbon I've ever sipped. Definitely a must try.” - Marc

 

MORE BARREL-STRENGTH BOURBON:
- Booker’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon (63.25%)
- Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Bourbon
- Booker’s Teresa’s Batch 2019-01

It’s time to consider the Bourbon world’s “one-of-a-kind” experience: the single barrel.

A Bourbon made using single barrels, providing a higher range of variation in flavor and the chance at specific, unique characteristics. Single Barrel Whiskey is arguably the purest expression of a Bourbon’s character that money can buy. 
 

From hardboiled detective Philip Marlowe to hardcore Spirits aficionados in our Family, the Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon keeps blowing our collective minds.

Our member Jason said this was the bottle that started it all for him, while Greg simply says, “It’s fn awesome.” We couldn’t have said it better, Greg.

“One of my absolute favorite bourbons. Great mix of fruit and spice with just a hint of dark chocolate. Rich, complex, and deeply satisfying.” - Alex

 

MORE SINGLE BARREL BOURBON:
- Blanton’s Original Single Barrel
- Knob Creek Single Barrel
- Jim Beam Single Barrel Reserve

If there is one thing anyone should pair with a well-crafted Bourbon, it’s good food. 

Indulge in multiple Bourbon and food pairings. Your breakfasts and other meals will never be the same again.

 

When it comes to combos of tradition, quality, and originality, it doesn’t get much better than this. If you’re a Bourbon fan, you’ll surely appreciate all the subtle flavor nuances that develop because of the “double oaked” procedure plus the tradition and craftsmanship that come with this prestigious brand.

 

“Good drink that’s inexpensive. Strong cherry flavor which is nice” - Nathaniel

 

OTHER BEST BOURBON TO PAIR WITH FOOD:
- Freeland Spirits Bourbon
- Old Forester Signature Bourbon 100 Proof

- Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
- Angel’s Envy Bourbon Whiskey

Another way to enjoy Bourbon is in cocktails. If you search the interwebs for Bourbon cocktails, the most popular are the classics Mint Julep, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned, which wouldn’t have survived the century if they weren’t good.

What makes a Bourbon perfect for cocktails? It's a mix of smoothness, affordability, and how the Bourbon balances with traditional cocktail ingredients.
 

Old Forester is the ‘well’ Bourbon for most of the bars in a city (Louisville) surrounded by Bourbon distilleries.

Buying either the Classic 86 Proof edition or The Single Barrel will prove to be an excellent start to a solid Bourbon foundation.


 

“I give this a very high rating because it is my daily driver. It is cheap and a good quality bourbon with a taste I enjoy neat and as I said , it’s my go to. Always a dependable product.” - Daniel

 

OTHER BEST BOURBON FOR COCKTAILS:
- TX Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Widow Jane 10-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Wild Turkey 101
- Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
- Basil Hayden’s Bourbon

If you want to try Bourbon that not only can be mixed to make great long drinks and cocktails but which are fabulous to sip, read on.

 

Rabbit Hole decided to take their lovely Bourbon, age it in American oak barrels with an alligator char (that’s the No.4 intensity where a barrel is exposed to ridiculous levels of heat for 55 seconds until its interior has the rough texture of alligator skin).

Then (yes, there’s more), they move the already outstanding Spirit and put it in ex-PX Sherry casks for a lovely sweet and dark finish.

It’s decadent, it’s snazzy, and it’s downright unbelievable. It’s time to dive into the rabbit hole, baby.

“Insanely flavorful! Sweet, decadent, and you just can’t have only one glass in a sitting. The first time I had it, my reaction was just “WOW”!!! I will always have this stocked in my bar!” - Jeffrey

 

OTHER BEST BOURBON FOR SIPPING:
- Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
- Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Bourbon
- Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey

With all due respect to their elders (we’re looking at you, Kentucky), young industry mavericks aren’t afraid of tinkering with tradition and boldly innovating so that other brands stand up and take notice.

The next craft Bourbon is taken from The Top Shelf, a collection of our members’ favorites. 

 

A high-rye Bourbon from The World’s Highest Distillery. The first thing that a Bourbon fan might notice is that this is a blend, but don’t let that throw you.

They mash and distill a lot of Bourbon in-house and blend it with other high-rye, straight Bourbons from Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky.

What's the secret of the superior texture? According to the founder, it’s all about the pure, mineralized, snow-melt water they have in abundance and use for distillation and proofing.

 

“I really love the flavor, and the finish really surprised me. After looking at the Flavor spiral, I also noticed spicy notes and sweet flavor. I will definitely get a bottle.” - Robert

 

Try this Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey in Flaviar Welcome Box. La grande entrée into the world of fine Spirits. Only good Spirits are captured inside, plus a concrete coaster and some useful info.

 

OTHER BEST CRAFT BOURBON:
- Bond & Lillard Straight Bourbon Whiskey Batch No.2
- FEW Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Kings County Straight Bourbon
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey
- New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon

If you still cannot decide on your next favorite, we suggest joining a club of Spirits connoisseurs. Flaviar Members get access to private bottlings, special editions, and rare gems.



Noobs or pros, Flaviaristas also learn new stuff through tasting and content (masterclasses, videos, articles, School of Spirits, tasting webinars, etc.)

 

As a Flaviar Member, you will get to pick full-size bottles and themed Tasting Boxes, take advantage of unlimited free shipping on qualifying orders, access The Vault full of the one-percenter drams, join free tasting events, earn perks through referrals, and have the best community that rates and review at the fingertip.