Kentucky, Barrel Proof, Tennessee Straight, Bottled in Bond, Small Batch, Rye, Corn, Wheat, Old, and Young…the bourbon market has expanded. And distillers are working hard to meet the growing demand.

Here are 9 bourbon suggestions that span the infinite possibilities. Enjoy!

1. Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Whiskey gently pushes the envelope with their limited editions and their Master Blender’s Edition.  But their best is still their Straight Bourbon with its multiple awards, including Double Gold in 2018 from the World Wine and Spirits Competition. It also earned 96 points at the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, earning it an “Extraordinary Ultimate Recommendation.”

Heaven’s Door Straight Bourbon Whiskey is non-chill filtered and is distilled and aged in Tennessee. Tasting notes include vanilla and baking spices over toasted oak.

The Widow Jane

For Widow Jane, in Red Hook, NY, it is all about the water! Their “hard-yet-sweet” water comes from the Rosendale Mines of upstate New York. It’s filtered through limestone, which adds to the uniqueness of their whiskeys.

Their award-winning Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon is blended in five-barrel batches, proofed with mineral water, and non-chill filtered. The aroma is a blend of vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg, and cola with orange, cherry and almond notes, and finished off with hints of charred oak and spice.

The 10-Year Bourbon is excellent in classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned. In-house, it’s used in a Red Hook Derby made with bourbon, grapefruit, honey, and Peychaud’s Bitters.

2. One of the Best Barrel Proof Bourbons Out There

Heaven Hill Distillery’s Elijah Craig Barrel Proof  is, as they say, “Bourbon in its purest form.” It’s a combination of 78 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and 10 percent rye aged for 12 years in charred oak barrels. Proof varies by the release, as this is a barrel-to-bottle. Each release has a batch number with the proof and alcohol by volume for that batch.

Tasting notes vary from batch to batch. Caramel and toasted oak on the nose are fairly consistent, with other notes ranging from apples to graham crackers. The palate has burnt brown sugar or toasted marshmallow with secondary hints of cinnamon and butterscotch. It ends with a deep, warming finish filled with tobacco, leather, and oak flavors.

3. One of the Best Single Barrel

We’re back to Heaven Hill Distillery for the only 10-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Single Barrel bourbon. Its awards include Best in Show Whiskey and Best Bourbon in 2018, and Best Single Barrel Bourbon (up to 10 years) 2021 from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Bottled-in-Bond means this whiskey is the product of a single distillation season. But single barrel is one better--each bottle comes from an individual barrel. The Henry McKenna Single Barrel is not to be missed at 100 proof. It works great in cocktails or straight up.

4. One of the Best Bottled in Bond

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of the best Bottled in Bond bourbons on the market. It continues to be aged in the warehouse constructed by its namesake in 1881.

This 100-proof sipping bourbon has a complex nose filled with the scent of chocolate, vanilla, and toffee. Its middle game is smooth with a balance of spice and sweetness. The finish boasts hints of spice along with the continued flavors of vanilla and chocolate.

5. Aged Bourbon that is Worth the Wait

It isn’t easy to get your hands on a Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year. Batches are released yearly but sell out quickly. Many who do get a chance to taste call it sublime--a bourbon of epic proportions that is best enjoyed neat. This is not a whiskey to dilute with ice or water.

Tasting it is a complex experience that starts with hints of caramel, espresso, cherries, oak, sun-ripened apples, tobacco, and toffee with the barest ghost of chocolate and finishes long, sweet, and spicy.

6. Best Bourbon from the Big Easy

It’s about time Louisiana got a great distillery. Sugarfield Distillery is new--just opened in 2020--but they are starting to make waves with their Sugarfield Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Currently, they have two batches of single barrels (as of publication, Batch 1 has sold out) and a third batch that is a blend.

Their bourbon has the classic bourbon notes of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. Batch 2 has definite character with the addition of more oak notes. Currently, they are selling only in Louisiana. But if you happen to be near the Big Easy, it’s something to search for. 

7. Small Batch Bourbon from Wyoming 

Just like the bottle says, this is “A traditional bourbon, from an untraditional place.” When you think of Wyoming, bourbon might not be the first thing you think of. But Wyoming Whiskey is changing that with their award-winning spirits. Their Small Batch Bourbon has rated 95 points by Mark Gillespie from WhiskyCast and rated “A Whiskey Distiller to Watch” by F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.

Their Single Barrel runs a modest 88 proof but packs a flavorful punch. Aged in charred American oak, flavors of browned butter, caramel and baking spices predominate on the palate. Mouthfeel is as smooth as you would expect, with notes of vanilla bean, cinnamon and just a hint of mint.

8. And a Pipe Dream in California

Redwood Empire Distillery’s Pipe Dream Bourbon is a blend of bourbon aged between four and twelve years. It has a corn-heavy mash of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 4 percent malt barley. True to their love of the redwoods, a tree is planted for every bottle sold. Rooted to the land, they build sustainability into every part of their process and their products.

Their award-winning Pipe Dream Bourbon Whiskey is named for the world’s 14^th tallest tree. It boasts a rich and complex palate with notes of roasted pecan, vanilla and a black pepper finish.

9. East Coast, West Coast

Coast to coast, Bourbon distillers are making exceptional spirits with regional flair. These nine suggestions are just the beginning. When you’re able, expand and explore bourbons from distilleries across the country, both large and small.

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Cheers!