Our superlative list includes special and limited-release bourbons, along with some unique expressions for whiskey drinkers craving variety.
When it comes to purchasing the best bourbons, some drinkers are totally content buying the same bottles they love over and over again—and they’ll likely be happy with the results. But while you’ll find many of the same expressions sitting on the shelves of your local liquor store or listed on your favorite online retailer each and every time you look, the whiskey world is always shifting and changing, and new expressions are always being released.
This brings us to one important question: What makes a great bourbon in 2023? Paul Hletko, founder and Master Distiller at FEW Spirits in Evanston, IL, has a pretty good idea.
For Hletko, the hallmark of a great bourbon is a balance of flavors. “I like some spicier bourbons, but it needs to have balance—fruitiness, sweetness, or something other than just corn and oak,” he says.
While there's no one particular trend guiding distillers or bourbon drinkers, most of us are craving some variety.
Related: The 25 Best Whiskey Bottles to Buy for Whiskey Lovers in 2023
“This is especially true with whiskey drinkers,” says Hletko.
And while the big names are continuing to crank out noteworthy, award-winning expressions, craft bourbons are on an upswing as drinkers seek out bold new expressions.
“Now that smaller grain-to-glass distillers are releasing incredible whiskeys, more and more people are looking past legacy distillers and engaging with smaller brands that make their own whiskeys—and make them really well,” adds Hletko.
While we’re only three months into 2023, many great limited release, seasonal release, special release, annually released, and new, exciting expressions have already hit the shelves. Even better, with nine months left of 2023 and each and every one filled with high-quality, nuanced bourbon releases, there are plenty more exceptional new discoveries to come. Keep scrolling to see some of the best new bourbons out there and others we can’t wait to soon try.
Best Bourbons to Drink in 2023
1. Woodford Reserve Historic Barrel Entry
Just released this winter, Woodford Reserve Historic Barrel Entry is an expression every bourbon fan should seek out. Rather than being added to the barrel at the standard 125 proof, this history-espousing whiskey opts for the 100-proof threshold common in the 1800s. Bottled at precisely 90.4 proof, it carries complex aromas of caramel apples, charred wood, and vanilla. The palate is loaded with coffee and candied orange peels. In short, this is one elegant, transportive whiskey that'll take you (way) back with each sip.
[$300; woodfordreserve.com]
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2. Barrell Bourbon Batch 034
Barrell doesn’t bother labeling its expressions with unique, whimsical names. Instead, this no-nonsense, top-shelf whiskey opts for a simple numbered system. The recently released Barrell Bourbon Batch 034 is a blend of six-, eight-, 10-, and 15-year-old straight bourbon whiskeys that were distilled and matured in Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. This blending of different mash bills and ages results in a highly complex, nuanced whiskey with notes of cinnamon sugar, peppery rye, candied orange peels, sweet vanilla, caramel, and charred oak.
[$115; barrellbourbon.com]
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3. Garrison Brothers Guadalupe 2023
If you haven’t yet tried one of Garrison Brothers’ Guadalupe releases, now's your chance. This indulgent dessert whiskey begins as straight bourbon that's fully matured before being added to former port casks for finishing. The bold, rich, fruity wine barrels impart added flavors of clover honey, dried cherries, ripe berries, dark chocolate, creamy vanilla, and woody oak. It’s a sweet, complex whiskey that deserves to be sipped slow after a heavy meal.
[$300; garrisonbros.com]
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4. Old Elk Cognac Cask Finish Bourbon
Old Elk—a brand that seems to release nothing but standout expressions—has deservedly gained a ton of new fans over the last few years. Its Old Elk Bourbon Cask Finish Series releases are true to form—specifically, its Cognac Cask Finish. This high-proof, mature bourbon whiskey spent an extra 10 months finishing in French cognac casks. With notes of dried fruits, fresh leather, vanilla, butterscotch, and gentle wintry spices, it’s the perfect whiskey for fine brandy connoisseurs looking to get their foot in the whiskey door.
[$95; oldelk.com]
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5. Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Bardstown Bourbon Company honors the bold origins of whiskey with its new Kentucky Straight Bourbon, touting a high-rye (36 percent) mash bill and six years of maturation in charred American oak barrels. The result is a mix of classic, sweet vanilla and oak with cinnamon and peppery rye spices. The perfect combination of sweet, spice, and fruitiness, this one is sure to warm you up on cold nights.
[$45; bardstownbourbon.com]
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6. Cedar Ridge Port Cask Finished Bourbon
As Iowa's first whiskey distillery since Prohibition, Cedar Ridge consistently proves that superior bourbon can be found well beyond those traditional Kentucky headquarters. Released every February, the brand's Port Cask Finished Bourbon is aged in charred American oak barrels before being finished in Estate port wine barrels. This results in a complex, rich, 94-proof whiskey with notes of dried cherries, toasted vanilla beans, caramel, oak, and wintry spices.
[$60; cedarridgewhiskey.com]
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7. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B523
When it comes to underrated, surprisingly well-priced bourbon, it’s tough to beat Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Named for the former Baptist minister who some believe invented bourbon when he decided to age his corn whiskey in charred barrels, the brand releases its popular barrel-proof bourbon a few times per year. Each one is slightly different than its predecessor. Batch B523 will be released in May. While they're all uncut, unfiltered, and barrel-proof, the recipe, barrel, and overall flavors vary every time. That’s what makes each new release so exciting.
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8. Stellum Equinox Blend
Set to be released in June 2023, Stellum Equinox Blend #1 is a blend of sourced whiskeys layered together to create a single, nuanced expression, alongside some seasonal themes. The first bottle—featuring notes of maple candy, candied orange peels, charred wood, vanilla, caramel, and cracked black pepper—was released to pay homage to the vernal equinox. Stellum's highly anticipated new expression, arriving for summer solstice, is sure to receive an equally warm reception.
[$100; stellum.com]
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9. Booker’s Bourbon “The Lumberyard Batch” 2022-06
Booker’s Bourbon “The Lumberyard Batch” 2022-06 is the brand's second whiskey to pay tribute to its legendary founder Booker Noe’s time spent working at a lumber yard before turning to distilling. (Fun fact: He's credited with coining the phrase "small batch.") While the recipe and flavor profile will evolve somewhat between these batches, the last release featured strong flavors of toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, caramel, charred wood, and cinnamon. “The Lumberyard Batch” 2022-06 is slated for a July release.
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10. Yellowstone 2023 Limited Edition Bourbon
Must we really wait until August to try Yellowstone’s 2023 Limited Edition Bourbon? As with other annual (and seasonal) releases, each Yellowstone version is slightly different and equally sublime. The 2022 release featured a blend of seven-, 15-, and 16-year-old bourbons that were finished in Marsala Superiore casks. The result was a bold, rich whiskey with notes of toffee, oak, dried cherries, and candied orange peels. If this is any indication of what's in store for 2023, guaranteed we're in for a masterfully crafted bourbon.
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from Men's Journal https://ift.tt/8srxfQz
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