We’ve picked out some beauties from across the pond that are so cheap you’ll think we forgot to convert the price from dollars to pounds!
The United States tends to do everything bigger so it’s no surprise that, when it comes to American whiskey, we’re pretty spoilt for choice. But with so many options it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to picking up the finest bottle of bourbon or rye whiskey. That’s why we’d like to help out. This selection is full of some of our favourite expressions and the best part is, they all cost less than £50. Perfect, really, if you’re still on the lookout for presents…
Jim Beam Double Oak Gift Pack with 2x Glasses
As it’s Christmas time we thought we’d kick things off with a terrific little gift set from Jim Beam! It not only includes a bottle of the delicious Double Oak bourbon, which was initially matured in freshly charred American oak barrels before being moved over to a fresh set of freshly charred American oak barrels, but also two very swanky looking branded tumblers. Perfect for enjoying with a pal (potentially virtually). Isn’t that what this season is all about?
What does it taste like?
Full-bodied vanilla, milk chocolate, a kick of cardamom, fruity malt and charred oak toastiness.
A classic example of what a Kentucky straight bourbon should be, this is the kind of bourbon you need to have in your home bar. The award-winning core Buffalo Trace expression is a personal favourite of mine thanks to its incredible value, delicious taste and versatility, which has also made it a go-to for many bourbon lovers over the years. It’s also a great one for beginners if you’re new to the category.
What does it taste like?
Spicy and sweet with caramel, creamy toffee eclairs, hints of cinnamon, rum spice, cereal sweetness, brown sugar, toffee apple, sweet oak, custard, oily espresso beans, a touch of chocolate-covered raisins and toasty wood.
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon
The official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and the only bourbon which is triple-distilled in copper pot stills, Woodford Reserve is a firm favourite of American whiskey fans for good reason. It’s also notable for being made with a mash bill that features a high percentage of rye (72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt) and for having the lowest proof upon entering the barrel, which creates a creamy, refined and full-bodied whiskey that’s delicious neat and in an Old Fashioned.
What does it taste like?
There are notes of honey, leather, a touch of cocoa, a little smoke, toasty oak, vanilla cream, butterscotch, espresso beans, winter spice, cereal sweetness, plenty of rye, ground ginger, almond oi and a little rum.
You can’t have a round-up of American whiskey without a great rye bottling and this is one truly tasty rye whiskey. It’s a category that’s synonymous with the cocktail and, while you might have enjoyed some of these serves with bourbon, the likes of the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned and the Sazerac were all created with rye whiskey. It seems fitting, then, to recommend an expression that was named for the Sazerac Coffee House in New Orleans, the birthplace of the famous cocktail.
What does it taste like?
Sweet with spices and stem ginger in syrup, orange zest, freshly ground black pepper, Seville orange marmalade, allspice, peanut butter, toffee and barrel char develop later on.
Black & Gold 11 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey
Bourbon with an age statement is not something you see much of, neither is bourbon from Tennessee for that matter. But Black & Gold is no ordinary bourbon. This showstopper was distilled from a corn-forward mash bill, (84-8-8, corn-rye-barley) and aged in slowly-charred barrels to create a rich, complex and slightly savoury profile, with enough of that classic American oak sweetness to keep it honest. As the bottle says, “Fire made it good”.
What does it taste like?
Dense vanilla, toasted brown sugar atop apple pie, gingersnaps, cinnamon sticks, caramelised nuts, cask char, earthy cigar box, a touch of maple syrup, forest floor richness and chocolate sweetness.
The classic Maker’s Mark is an all-time favourite for any sound-of-mind bourbon lover, but today we thought we’d draw your attention to the brand’s first line extension since the ’50s. Maker’s 46 is essentially the original bumped up a notch, with a bolder, spicier profile that was attained by inserting seared French oak staves into the barrels (with the stave profile “number 46” – thus the name). We can confirm it worked a treat.
What does it taste like?
Dense vanilla, toasted brown sugar atop apple pie, gingersnaps, cinnamon sticks, caramelised nuts, cask char, earthy cigar box, a touch of maple syrup, forest floor richness and chocolate sweetness.
Corn Whiskeys are one of the oldest styles of American whiskey and for a good while, they took a backseat and had to watch as their cousin bourbon stole the show (the difference between the two is that the mash bill for corn whiskey must be at least 80% corn, whereas for bourbon it’s 51% , if you were wondering). Recently, however, their production has enjoyed a renaissance and one of the finest examples is this beauty, which is not only the first Texan whiskey, but the first whiskey to be distilled from blue corn! If you want to understand this historical style and what all the fuss is about, then this is a great place to start.
What does it taste like?
Soft vanilla, candied peel, caramelised bananas, toasted oak, dark caramel, baked apple, salted apple, baking spices and a little creamy cereal sweetness.
We love a bit of Rebel Yell, almost as much as Billy Idol, and it was hard to pick out a favourite from its range. But, given you don’t often see bourbon finished in toasted French oak barrels which previously held wine for six months, we thought this made for an interesting inclusion. Expect dark fruits, spice and chocolate galore.
What does it taste like?
Cherry jam, cinnamon swirls, mocha, treacle toffee, vanilla sponge, caramelised nuts, very dark chocolate, cooked plum, grated nutmeg, golden syrup and toasty oak spices, with a touch of espresso and forest fruits.
James E. Pepper 4 Year Old – Ale Cask Finish (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Another one for fans of intriguing cask finishes, this is a rye whiskey that spent some time in barrels that used to hold delicious ale. Distilled by the fabulous James E. Pepper and bottled by our good friends at That Boutique-y Whisky Company, this is the perfect dram for those who want to explore the spirit beyond bourbon.
What does it taste like?
Fudge, toasted barley. floral honey, malty vanilla notes, dense brown sugar, buttery corn, sawdust, oak spice, orange zest and black peppercorn.
From one of the finest old school bourbon distilleries around comes a collaboration between master distiller Eddie Russell and Matthew McConaughey. You might know him from such films as Dallas Buyer Club and Magic Mike. This bottling has more than star power though, thanks to its production process, which entailed filtering eight-year-old Wild Turkey whiskey through charcoal made of both Kentucky white oak and Texas mesquite. Which is where Russell and McConaughey are from, respectively. Pretty neat, huh?
What does it taste like?
A sweet blend of buttery caramel, creamy vanilla, orchard fruits, lemon zest, smooth toffee and honey lifted by spicy notes of nutmeg, black pepper and drying oak.
