Most disciples of whisky (note whiskey in the U.S. carries an ‘e,’ unlike its overseas counterparts) consider the below requirements to be the so-called “Five Commandments of Bourbon,” but ‘suggestions’ or ‘amendments’ is probably a more apropos term—as I was reminded while preparing for this year’s list of the best bourbons to try in 2023.
- It must be aged at least two years in charred, white-oak oak barrels.
- It must contain 51 percent corn mash.
- In-barrel liquid must not exceed 125 proof.
- It must be bottled at at least 80 proof.
- It Must be made in the U.S.
The truth of the matter is that bourbon is always changing based on the demands of the times. Take for example the testy question of denomination; despite over 90 percent of hooch being made in Kentucky, the Bluegrass state is no longer the sole resource of the good stuff. Now places as diverse as Indiana, Minnesota, Texas, Nevada, and even California are getting in on the Bourbon Game.
While the exact location of where Bourbon got its start in the U.S. is up for debate, we know that East of the Mississippi American whiskey was beloved by the founding fathers and everyday farmers alike. In fact, this caramel-color elixir was such an important part of the colonial and post-Revolutionary period that Alexander Hamilton’s Distilled Spirits Tax of 1791 was among the first pieces of legislation passed by the newly formed U.S. government—a move that gave rise to the famous Whiskey Rebellion of 1794.
Throughout the 1800s, production migrated westward, where limestone-rich water and the wood from the mighty White Oak were to be found in abundance, introducing the drink to new populations along the way. The spirit survived during Prohibition and came roaring back in the thirties once the ban on booze was lifted. Now fast forward to the 2020s and we find ourselves again in what many consider to be another pivotal period in the evolution of Bourbon. With a plethora of niche distilleries making exactly the kind of bourbon they want to make, pushing the envelope on both process and source ingredients, it’s fair to say that the entire sector is in the midst of something of a boozy Renaissance.
It’s within this period, where the Bourbon industry is undergoing so much innovation and change, that we find ourselves assembling Worth’s list of best bourbons to try in 2023. From small batch to up-and-comers to wallet busters, consider this a top-shelf review of bourbons distilled from all over the U.S. that will appeal to everyone from the casual whiskey appreciator to those with most refined noses and palates.
Without further ado, here is Worth’s list of the best Bourbons to try in 2023:
Limited Edition 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $60 / 750mL / ABV 62.5%
There should be no real surprise that 1792’s Full Proof made our list after its performance at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 (and the ridiculous amount of awards that have come before). Made by the oldest fully-operating distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky—Barton 1792 Distillery (established in 1879)—this bourbon boasts a deep and smoky taste, superbly balanced with sweet vanilla and notes of caramel according to the Tasting Alliance.
Bespoken Spirits Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $46.99 / 750 mL / ABV 47%
There’s a lot to like about the Californian newcomer Bespoken Spirits. Co-founder Martin Janousek holds a PhD in Material Science and ran the company and product distillation out of a garage in Silicon Valley for 6 years. The company’s sustainable practices should be properly recognized: the company uses less than 3 percent of the wood, 1 percent of the energy and a fraction of the water required by traditional barrel aging. This is because of Bespoken’s proprietary “ACTivation technology” used in their wood treatment, a scientific process that allows Bespoken to tailor their product’s maturation to any number of minute specifications.
Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $53.99 / 750 mL / ABV 46%
Minnesota-based O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. was birthed from the collaboration among two industry heavyweights, world-renowned Master Distiller Brian Nation and Keeper’s Heart Liquid Collaborator and Adviser David Perkins.The liquid is a blend of Irish and Bourbon whiskeys that when brought together create a wonderful hybrid of a spirit: the sweetness of Irish Grain, the richness of Irish Pot Still and the spiced, candied palate of American Bourbon.
Keepers Heart Bourbon + Irish Whiskey’s nose consists of sweet, candied scents of caramel and pecans, and hits the palette with broad notes of peppered spice, vanilla malt, and cocoa.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
MSRP: $32 / 750 mL / ABV 47%
It’s no small feat to be known as “the Father of Bourbon.” Born in 1789, Elijah Craig became the first distiller to age his whiskey in new charred oak barrels. There are arguments as to how the technique was discovered, whether by accident or on purpose, but nonetheless, it changed the bourbon world forever as it became one of the requirements in the distillation process.
Elijah Craig describes their Small Batch as the one “that started it all.” Its distinctive spice and smokey flavors and deep chestnut honey hue come from the 8-12 years aged in Level 3 charred oak barrels. It is balanced and comforting—reminiscent of a fatherly experience.
Off Hours Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $46.99/ 750 mL / ABV: 47.5%
Last summer, Off Hours Bourbon made Worth’s list of best whiskeys and bourbons due to the company’s laid back attitude in regards to the normally stuffy whiskey culture. Off Hours still retains that bad-boy image, letting their product do all the talking. As we sampled this complex blend, we were overwhelmed by its almost dessert-like qualities. Aged in American white oak barrels for over 5 years in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Off Hours is smooth and balanced with aromas of creamy vanilla, hints of nutmeg and toasted pecans, rich notes of cinnamon and a silky finish of lingering honey. We can say with total confidence that veterans and newcomers will fawn over their glass of Off Hours Bourbon.
“Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve’” 20 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $5,131 / mL 750 / ABV 45.2%
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve is bottled by the Old Van Ripple distillery and it sits at our number one spot for being the creme-de-la-creme of beautiful, storied bourbons. It’s pricey—but worth every drop. (One can find the 20 year aged whiskey for around five Gs, but the heavy price is worth the purchase.) The Frankfurt, Kentucky-based distillery has been producing top-shelf whiskey for close to a century, its founder Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle having a hand in prohibition-era production before starting a business that has remained in the Van Winkle family for three generations.
The bourbon is aged for 20 years before being bottled at 90.4 proof, with a palette consisting of smooth citrus notes with hints of sherry, dried fruits and vanilla. Drink straight.
Stellum Bourbon
MSRP: $55 / 750 mL / ABV 57.49%
This is a cask-strength bourbon with an emphasis on contrast. Spicy, then sweet with one sense, sweet, then spicy with another. The nose is initially intense as clove and allspice leap from the glass, and time reveals the subtlety of creamy macadamia, light tobacco, and green apple to round off the explosive experience.
In the mouth, this bourbon melts onto the palate with decadent hints of vanilla, marshmallow, and cotton candy. But, it transforms once again, only emphasizing the spice notes of black and cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and baked apple supported by apricot and underripe blackberry.
This contrast carries into the finish as the spice continues, only to be left with a lingering sense of golden honey. If you want a more subtle, less contrasting experience, add a couple of drops of cool water to subdue the peppery notes, and sweeten the cinnamon while bringing the apples to the front.
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Whiskey
MSRP: $60/ 750 mL / ABV 50%
Tucked away just east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range on 1,500 acres in Northern Nevada, stands the Frey Ranch Distillery. The family that maintains the land and distillery come from a long line of Nevadan farmers, over 165 years now and counting. The folks at Frey Ranch are doing their ancestors proud, too, as Frey Ranch Distillery is one of a handful of companies in the world to grow 100 percent of its whiskey grains on-site. Frey Ranch is unique in that they have knowledge accumulated over five generations of farming, which has led to Frey Ranch having complete control over the malting, milling, mashing, distilling and maturing of the grains—resulting in a whiskey born of complete balance and flavor. Frey Ranch is an exceptional bourbon—and one that doesn’t break the bank but can still shine among its peers in your home bar. It has a nose of oak and citrus with hints of sweet honey and vanilla. That vanilla is apparent on the palette, and is coupled by a caramely, fruity note with an undertone of oak and dry hay.
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey with 4 Markham Marquis by Waterford Double Old Fashioned Glasses
MSRP: $114.99 / 750mL (+ $50 for crystal glass engraving) / ABV: 46.5%
Uncle Nearest 1884 is the most recent award winning whiskey to come from the Tennessee based distiller, joining the already award-winning Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey line-up of Uncle Nearest 1820 and Uncle Nearest 1856. Together, these three ultra-premium whiskies have garnered more than 125 awards since launching in July 2017, including two “World’s Best” by World Whiskies Awards, “Top 5 Whiskies in the World,” by Cigar & Spirits Magazine, “Chairman’s Trophy, Platinum and Double Gold” by SIP Awards and “Best American Whiskey.” Uncle Nearest 1884 also comes with the option to customize your own bespoke crystal glasses. Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch is a sweet spirit, a palate of caramel, vanilla, mild cinnamon and brown sugar that finishes with a splash of spice and heat.
Oak and Eden In-Bottle Finished
MSRP: $59.99 / 750 mL / ABV 45%
Launched in 2018, Texas-based distillery Oak & Eden employs a wholly unique technique of in-bottle finishing with a five inch oak spire. The patented finishing process enables the brand to create custom bottles and infusions that have won awards and distribution in over 15 thousand stores across 39 states.
Oak and Eden’s bourbon is a remarkably smooth combination of corn, rye and barley. Once distilled, the bourbon is aged in new American Oak barrels producing a rich, deep yet sweet spirit. For the Finished Whiskey Bourbon, Oak and Eden has collaborated with Marker Cellars winery to infuse the Markers Cellars’ Cabernet Sauvignon with Oak and Eden’s award-winning Bourbon. Combining sweet Bourbon with rich, deep cabernet and French Oak spires produces a smooth whiskey filled with sweet notes of coconut, vanilla and honey.
