The Best American Whiskeys Of 2023, Ranked

uproxx | ZACH JOHNSTON | December 12, 2023

[Excerpt]

2023 saw the release of some genuinely fantastic bottles of American whiskey that fell in between the classic styles of bourbon, rye, and American single malt. As a result, American whiskey was one of the most exciting corners of the U.S. whiskey industry in 2023. The beauty of the American whiskey movement is the space allowed distillers and blenders to experiment and play with whiskey as a whole.

It’s exciting! Making it sort of the perfect time to rank the best American whiskeys of 2023.

For this list, I’ve compiled 30 great American whiskeys of 2023 that helped define American whiskey as a category. These whiskeys are often blends of straight bourbon and ryes, wheat whiskeys, malt and bourbon blends, and unique mash bills (recipes). While all of these American whiskeys are high in quality, I did rank them and since this category is so broad, there aren’t as many throughlines as with straight bourbon or American single malt.

The depth and breadth of the flavor profiles are what sets these whiskeys apart from each other. Because truly there is a lot of variation at play. But that just means that there are more options for you to find and enjoy throughout the next year!

…

#22. Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend Straight Whiskies Finished in Port, Sauternes, Sherry, and Rum Barrels

ABV: 55.85%
Average Price: $129

The Whiskey:

This new blend from Old Elk mixes their six-year-old high-malt bourbon with six-year-old Old Elk rye and six-year-old Old Elk wheat whiskey. That straight whiskey was then finished in a combination of port, sauternes, sherry, and rum barrels before batching and then bottling as-is.

Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: Honey cut with cinnamon sticks and clove buds drives the nose towards bruised peaches and pureed apricot over a hint of orange that’s just kissed with salt and black pepper.

  • Palate: Some more honey touches the tip of your tongue as a sense of tangerines and honeydew leads to more of that black pepper with a light sense of woody winter spice and vanilla oils.

  • Finish: A dash of fresh dragonfruit arrives late and accents the black pepper sharpness with a deep but fresh fruitness cut with more dark winter spice and a touch of rummy funkiness.

Bottom Line:

This is a fruit bomb that’ll work wonderfully with citrus-forward cocktails. It also works as a sipper over rocks if you’re looking for deep fruitiness in your whiskey.

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