Both took their names from the House of Bourbon, a European royal house of French origin. Bourbon & Bones is known for our extensive Bourbon & Whiskey selection. We've got the potion to get your night in motion. These can also include blends of other straight bourbons as well (much like the rules for what constitutes a single malt) as long as each batch comes from same-state distilleries.. Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon that’s stored in charred new oak barrels for at least two years. Unlike a number of more citric whiskeys, Basil Hayden’s carries tasting notes of dark fruit, walnut, cinnamon, and a touch of mint. Back in the days of yore (around the late 18th Century, specifically), Irish and Scottish immigrants brought distillation to Kentucky. “The location of our distillery, being directly in the Redwood Empire, combined with our passion for the outdoors made us want to honor a sense of place with our whiskey and embrace our roots.”. Ever wondered what the difference is between all those dark liquors? The act dictated that spirits must be the product of one distilling season from one distillery and bottled at 100 proof. Photo provided by Freemans. “I want smooth, I want tasty, and I want the ‘it’ factor; that’s what you get here.”, Read Next: The Best Whiskey Glasses, According to Experts, The 12-year-old Elijah Craig is one of McKay’s favorite. Even as craft distilleries spring up all over the States, Kentucky Straight Bourbon remains American whiskey’s classic incarnation, shaped by corn, white oak and an inimitable honeyed sweetness. If you tend to gauge the best bourbon whiskeys by how cool the bottles are (and who can blame you), Blanton’s is a must. The best way to find out, though, is to try for yourself! Drinking American Prairie bourbon is like sipping on rich and earthy goodness, with welcoming notes of honey, sweet corn bread biscuits, and a dash of Granny Smith apple. No, the federal standards governing the identity of bourbon dictate that it is a ‘distinctive product of the United States’ and that ‘the word “bourbon” shall not be used to describe any whiskey or whiskey-based distilled spirits not produced in the United States’. Best Overall: Henry Mckenna Single Barrel, Best Value: Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch, Best Kentucky Bourbon: Evan Williams Single Barrel, Best Barrel Strength: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Best Wheated: Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch, Best Eco-Conscious: Redwood Empire Pipe Dream, Best for Cocktails: Johnny Drum Private Stock, The 10 Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink in 2020, The 12 Best Bourbons Under $50 to Drink in 2020, The Best Cheap Alcohol of 2020, According to Bartenders, The 10 Best American Whiskeys Under $50 to Drink in 2020, 5 Bourbon Brands for the Beginning Bourbon Drinker, 10 Great Aged Bourbons and Ryes to Look For, The 12 Best Canadian Whiskies on the Market, The 11 Best Rye Whiskeys to Drink in 2020, The 15 Best Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to Drink in 2020, The 14 Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink in 2020, The 12 Best Irish Whiskeys to Drink in 2020, The 10 Best Añejo Tequilas to Drink in 2020. Mark C. Anderson has been covering adult beverages for more than 15 years across six award-winning publications and five continents. Despite it’s popularity, the spirit remains a mystery to many. As a bourbon aged for at least 10 years at its Kentucky distillery, Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is part of Buffalo Trace's flagship whiskey collection. Both Scotch and bourbon are satisfying on their own, but also go particularly well with spice. Recipes and more delivered to your inbox. Photo by Jackie Gebel. Photo by Nancy Borowick. This bourbon has also earned a treasure trove of awards including multiple golds and double golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. If you think they're all the same, think again. It's complex on the nose, with toffee, leather, honey, and citrus aromas, while the taste is nuanced with candied almonds and rich cocoa notes. Read on for the best bourbon whiskeys to keep at your home bar or give as a gift. Beneath a top that looks like a missing Monopoly game piece, this bourbon carries luscious notes of burnt sugar, orange peel, and cloves.