whiskey

Teeling Whiskey Unveils Limited-Edition 15-Year-Old Single Grain Finished in Ex-Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc Casks

April 16, 2023 By Dustin Scoggins

Teeling Whiskey has announced the launch of Teeling 15-Year-Old Irish Single Grain, a limited edition Irish whiskey distilled predominantly from corn.

Triple distilled from a recipe of 95% corn and 5% malted barley, Teeling 15 Year Old Irish Single Grain was initially matured in ex-bourbon casks, followed by a secondary maturation in ex-Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc White Wine casks, before being bottled at 50% ABV with no chill filtration.

Teeling 15-Year-Old Irish Single Grain is described as having aromas of “light citrus, grapefruit, delicate green apple, and honeysuckles.” The palate exhibits “fresh and zesty peppers with honeydew melon, vanilla sweetness, and hints of pear,” concluding with a “drying” finish with “lingering subtle fruit notes.”

Teeling 15-Year-Old Single Grain will initially be available in Ireland at the Teeling Whiskey Distillery, The Celtic Whiskey Shop, and select Irish retailers at a recommended retail price of €110.00 for a 70 cL bottle. A rollout to international markets across Asia and Europe will follow over the next few months.

About Teeling Whiskey
Teeling Whiskey is a bold revival of Dublin’s legendary distilling heritage, founded by brothers Jack and Stephen Teeling—descendants of a family crafting Irish whiskey since 1782. In 2015, they opened the Teeling Distillery in the heart of the Liberties, the city’s historic “Golden Triangle” of whiskey-making, marking the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years. With a phoenix rising from a pot still as their emblem, Teeling embodies innovation while honoring tradition, bottling at a robust 46% ABV with no chill-filtration for maximum flavor, and earning over 650 international awards to become the world’s most awarded Irish whiskey brand.

The lineup dazzles with unconventional flair: the flagship Small Batch blends malt and grain finished in rum casks for sweet tropical notes; the vibrant Single Malt draws from five wine cask influences for a fruit-forward symphony; the spicy Single Pot Still revives Dublin’s classic style with virgin oak; and rarities like peated Blackpitts or ultra-aged Vintage Reserves (including multiple “World’s Best” winners) push boundaries. Perfect for neat sipping, cocktails, or tours at the buzzing distillery—Teeling is leading the Irish whiskey renaissance with character in every pour!

For more information visit: https://www.teelingwhiskey.com/us/en/

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Breckenridge Distillery Announces Ultimate Whiskey and Beer Collaboration With Breckenridge Brewery

November 22, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

BRECKENRIDGE — Breckenridge Distillery, the ‘World’s Highest Distillery,’ and Breckenridge Brewery return this season for the second-ever Buddy Pass, a unique barrel-exchange program to create a limited-edition Imperial Stout Cask Finish Whiskey and a Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout Beer. After selling out last year’s inaugural limited release in Colorado, Buddy Pass has expanded nationwide, entering 10 new markets and will hit retailers starting Oct. 24.

Buddy Pass is a unique collaboration between two iconic Colorado brands that allows you to sip the best of barrel-aged beer and beer-aged whiskey. The collaboration begins with Breckenridge Brewery’s Imperial Oatmeal Stout beer aged in Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon barrels to imbue boozy flavors from the whiskey barrel. After the beer is sufficiently aged, the barrels are returned to Breckenridge Distillery where they are filled once again with the distillery’s award-winning whiskey and aged again for about a year.

The whiskey, Breckenridge Distillery’s Imperial Stout Cask Finish Whiskey, highlights notes from the Imperial Oatmeal Stout resulting in a 114.7 proof spirit dark and sultry with notes of cinnamon and oak and a light background of fresh orange zest and chocolate. Smooth abundant caramel and dark chocolate hit the palate first as a dry matured oak and bold cinnamon spice follow and ride out for a long dry, spicy finish. The whiskey has an ABV of 57.35% and an MSRP ranging from $49-$60, depending on the market.

The beer, Breckenridge Brewery’s barrel-aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout, is a quintessential “big beer.” With a velvety mouthfeel, this beer is meant to be sipped, not slammed. The Imperial Oatmeal Stout imparts notes of dark chocolate-covered cherries, espresso, and toffee; its time in the Breckenridge Distillery’s high-rye bourbon barrels imparts hints of caramel sweetness that take it to the next level.

Buddy Pass is a bold, boozy brew that is meant to be shared. The subsequent spirits and suds are a perfect marriage between the two treasured craft brands that both beer and whiskey lovers alike will enjoy.

Buddy Pass 2022 will be available in Colorado, Chicago, Southern California, Texas (Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio), New York City, South Florida, Upstate New York, Arizona, New Jersey, Atlanta, and the greater Washington D.C./Maryland/Delaware area. When both products are purchased together in the following markets, buyers can receive a $10 rebate: Southern Florida, Southern California, Arizona, Chicago, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York.

About Breckenridge Distillery
Founded in 2008, Breckenridge Distillery is the “World’s Highest Distillery” widely known for its award-winning blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye mash American-style whiskey. As one of the most highly awarded craft bourbons in the U.S., Breckenridge Bourbon is proudly a 3x Icons of Whisky and 5x winner of Best American Blended winner at the World Whiskies Awards by Whisky Magazine and a 4x winner of Colorado Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition. Most recently, Breckenridge Gin and PX Sherry Cask Finish Whiskey received Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2021, Breckenridge Gin was named the World’s Best Compound Gin at the World Gin Awards by Gin Magazine.

The Breckenridge Distillery is more than award-winning spirits, offering an immersive guest experience. Dine at their award-winning restaurant, enjoy show-stopping cocktails, learn about their highly awarded spirits with an in-depth tasting, and get an inside look at their active production facility. New to the distillery, guests have the opportunity to blend their own whiskey as they learn the inner workings of whiskey production.

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About Breckenridge Brewery
Breckenridge Brewery opened its doors in 1990 in the ski town of Breckenridge, Colorado. What started as a small brewpub has grown into one of the largest breweries in the U.S. The original brewery still serves its craft beer and delicious pub fare at a high altitude. The production brewery outside of Denver sends beer to 49 states and offers tours, dining, and a welcoming Colorado beer garden experience. With a focus on balanced, approachable, and interesting beer, the brewery’s portfolio contains classics like Vanilla Porter, Avalanche Amber Ale, Agave Wheat, Strawberry Sky, and Hop Peak IPA, along with a variety of specialty beers that include seasonals, barrel-aged beers, the Brewery Lane Series, and a nitrogen-charged canned series.

Visit www.breckbrew.com for more information.

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Willamette Valley Vineyards Enters Craft Spirits Industry with Release of Willamette Whiskey

February 4, 2022 By Dow Scoggins

Turner, Oregon – Willamette Valley Vineyards, a leading producer of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, sells out of its inaugural, limited release Willamette Whiskey. The hand-crafted, small batch rye whiskey was aged in new American oak for six years, then blended down to a bottle strength of 100 proof. The winery’s top customers were offered an inaugural special price for Willamette Whiskey of $50. A second release is scheduled this winter.

Willamette Valley Vineyards Founder and CEO Jim Bernau said with the growing popularity of whiskey he is not surprised by how quickly this initial limited release of Willamette Whiskey sold out.

“The first release was snatched up in less than a few hours,” Bernau noted. “We encourage Oregon Rye Whiskey lovers to contact the winery as soon as possible to get on the waiting list for future batches of this special craft spirit.”

Willamette Valley Vineyards plans to continue to experiment in craft spirits with plans to use its barrels for special finishing in the future. The winery will be offering additional limited batches to subscribers and will feature Willamette Whiskey at its new Tasting Room & Restaurants, where permissible, coming soon in Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, Bend and Vancouver, WA.

Willamette Whiskey pays tribute to the people of Carlton, Oregon, who for 91 years enjoyed the building first known as W.A. Howe’s General Merchandise store.

Willamette Valley Vineyards now owns the lot where the store’s building — nicknamed “the Old Cabin Tavern” owing to an interior constructed of hand-hewn timber — served as a general store, a hotel, and Carlton’s first bank, with a parlor and speakeasy supper club in the basement. Built in 1904, it was destroyed in a fire on April 18, 1995.

This release heralds the beginning of the winery’s efforts to rebuild the Carlton property with a brick clad Willamette winery and distillery facility, rising in the lost structure’s place.

Willamette Valley Vineyards partnered with Portland-based Rose City Distillery to produce Willamette Whiskey. The winery’s goal was to partner with a local distiller.

For information on how to order future whiskey releases, please contact Willamette Valley Vineyards at (800) 344-9463 or visit: https://www.wvv.com/Willamette-Whiskey.

Willamette Valley Vineyards:
Founded in 1983 by Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir while serving as stewards of the land, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from a bold idea into one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All of the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Impact Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe programs.

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Jack Daniel’s releases Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey

September 7, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

LYNCHBURG, Tennessee — The Jack Daniel Distillery announces the release of Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey, the brand’s first 10-year aged-stated whiskey in more than 100 years. The limited-availability product, which will become an annual release, celebrates the modern whiskey-making expertise of the Jack Daniel Distillery while paying tribute to the brand’s past.

“Over the last decade, we’ve been experimenting to craft a product that would properly honor the whiskey Jack Daniel was bottling at the end of the 1800’s,” said Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller Chris Fletcher. “All of us at the Jack Daniel Distillery are thrilled to release an age-stated whiskey for the first time in over 100 years to be enjoyed by all.

This product has been hand-crafted by our distillery team in Lynchburg over the last 10 summers all while keeping up with the growing demand for Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey around the world. This 10-year-old whiskey celebrates our modern-day whiskey making, while also paying tribute to our founder and history. It is a special time for us all.”

Fletcher evolved the distillery’s previous aged methods by maturing Jack Daniel’s iconic Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey in oak barrels that were relocated throughout the barrelhouse to extend the aging process over the past ten years. The result is a more complex, hand-crafted whiskey with a rare flavor profile. Bottled at 97 proof—a first for the Jack Daniel Distillery—Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey features notes of dry fig and raisin laced with oak on the nose, warm butterscotch alongside soft fruit and smoke on the palate, and an incredibly long finish with sweet tobacco and spice.

The 10-Year-Old bottle design is also inspired by the brand’s history, featuring a hand-drawn iteration of the original cartouche that appeared on Jack Daniel’s aged-stated bottles a century ago.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey 10-Year-Old retails for $70 in a 750mL size with the first batch hitting shelves in limited quantities in early September across the United States. Visit www.jackdaniels.com for more information.

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New Spirits Brand, Bahnbrëcker, Helmed By Texas Musician Randy Rogers, Launches World’s First Hefeweizen-Style Whiskey

September 7, 2021 By Dow Scoggins

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — Country star Randy Rogers and co-founders Eric Chase, Cary Schindler, Ash Wineinger, Michael Devers along with spirits-industry veteran Steve Luttmann, are excited to announce the launch of their new spirits brand, Bahnbrëcker, based in New Braunfels, TX. Bahnbrëcker will enter the marketplace with Slow River Blend, the first-ever Hefeweizen-style whiskey. Slow River Blend will be available in bars, restaurants and liquor stores throughout Texas and for nationwide shipping starting September 15, 2021. For more information visit Bahnbrecker.com.

Bahnbrëcker, derived from ‘trailblazer’ in German, is a nod to the company’s hometown of New Braunfels, TX, and to the spirit of ingenuity found in the early pioneers of Texas. Slow River Blend is handcrafted from Texas and Midwestern wheat macerated with lemon peel and clove. The notes of lemon, clove, caramel and vanilla are reminiscent of a Hefeweizen-style beer. This is an unpretentious, easy drinking whiskey with a smooth finish. Bahnbrëcker is a truly craft spirit made with only real ingredients and is completely “WONF-free” (i.e. no “With Other Natural Flavors”).

“We wanted to create something that the people who came before us in this great community of New Braunfels would be proud of,” said Co-Founder Randy Rogers. “I think you’re going to find that this craft whiskey distinguishes itself from others. Slow River Blend gives you this aroma, it gives you this flavor of the lemon and the clove blended with your whiskey that creates this Hefeweizen taste, this Hefeweizen spirit that is the spirit of New Braunfels.”

Bahnbrëcker Slow River Blend will be available throughout Texas at all Total Wine & Spirits and Skip’s locations, and other locations starting September 15, 2021 for a suggested retail price starting at $37.99 per bottle. It will also be available for nationwide shipping starting September 15, 2021. While this marks the first Bahnbrëcker product to date, the company has plans to expand with additional spirits offerings in the future.

For more information on Slow River Blend and to stay up-to-date with Bahnbrëcker, visit www.bahnbrecker.com.

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Old Overholt Rye Whiskey – The Oldest Brand of Whiskey in America

December 7, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

(Photo courtesy of West Overton Village and Museums)

Old Overholt, said to be America’s oldest continually maintained brand of whiskey, was founded in West Overton, Pennsylvania, in 1810. This whiskey is a rye whiskey distilled by A. Overholt & Co., currently a subsidiary of Beam Suntory, which is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings of Osaka, Japan. It is produced at the Jim Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. It is one of the most commonly available straight rye whiskies in the U.S., where it is available at most liquor stores. It is aged for three years and bottled at 80 proof. A four-year Bottled In Bond, 100 proof version was released in late 2017. Old Overholt has been called a “foundation stone of American whiskey” because of its long history.

The History of Old Overholt
Henry Oberholzer (Anglicized to “Overholt”), a German Mennonite farmer, moved to West Overton, Pennsylvania, on the banks of Jacobs Creek in Western Pennsylvania in 1800. His family came from the area of Germany which specialized in distilling “korn”, or rye whiskey, and Henry took up the tradition.

In 1810, Henry’s son Abraham Overholt (1784–1870) took over the management of the distillery and made it into a business. By the 1820s, the distillery was putting out 12 to 15 gallons of rye whiskey per day. Abraham grew the company rapidly; by 1843, Baltimore newspapers were advertising Overholt’s “Old Rye”; at that time, only the very few top distilleries were advertised by name. By 1859, Overholt incorporated his business as “A. Overholt & Co.” He operated out of a new distillery building that was six stories high, 100 feet long, and which could produce 860 gallons per day.

In 1881, Abraham’s grandson Henry Clay Frick took over the company. As one of the country’s wealthiest people, the distillery was a sentimental side-business for Frick. Frick took on Andrew Mellon and one Charles W. Mauck as partners, each owning one-third of the business.

In 1888, Mauck adopted the name “Old Overholt” as the official name of the company, adding a picture of Abraham as the logo. Around that time, the company started selling its product in bottles instead of barrels. By 1900, Old Overholt became a national brand. In the early years of the 20th Century, Old Overholt became one of the largest and most respected whiskeys in the country.

Frick died in December 1919, and left his share to Andrew Mellon. This ended family ownership in the company.

Modern History of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey
In the modern era, Old Overholt—America’s oldest continually maintained whiskey brand, established in 1810 as a classic Pennsylvania straight rye—has endured dramatic shifts while riding the rye revival wave. After surviving Prohibition with medicinal permits and becoming the sole nationally distributed straight rye by the 1960s amid declining popularity, the brand was acquired in 1987 by James B. Beam Distilling Co. (now part of Suntory Global Spirits), moving production from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. Once a bottom-shelf staple, Old Overholt has seen a renaissance since 2020 with non-chill filtration for richer flavor, higher-proof variants like the 114-proof and Bottled-in-Bond (100-proof, 4-year), cask-strength limited releases (including 10- and 11-year expressions), and heritage nods such as the Pennsylvania-inspired A. Overholt Monongahela Mash—delivering bold spice, caramel, and oak notes ideal neat, on the rocks, or in classic rye cocktails like the Manhattan.

The Complete History of Old Overholt Rye Whiskey: Click Here The Rise & Fall of America’s Oldest Whiskey

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Beloved Local Bourbon Brand “O.K.I.” Returns to Tri-State

May 1, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

— Two local entrepreneurs, Chad Brizendine and Jake Warm, have acquired the beloved local bourbon brand O.K.I. from New Riff Distilling. O.K.I.’s first single barrel releases are set for bottling at cask strength and release in Northern Kentucky this fall, just in time for bourbon enthusiasts’ busiest time of year.

Paying homage to O.K.I.’s roots and name [Ohio. Kentucky. Indiana], O.K.I. will maintain its sourcing strategy of 36 percent high rye bourbon from Lawrenceburg, Indiana for its launch. As part of its acquisition, O.K.I. will update its brand story and packaging, focusing more on the rich bourbon heritage of the entire region dating as far back as pre-Prohibition.

Warm’s family has been integral to local bourbon history for decades. He shared: “My great grandfather, Jake, built the iconic Seagram’s warehouse at the Lawrenceburg distillery in the 1930’s. At the time, it was the world’s largest whiskey maturing warehouse. I’m very proud that our first O.K.I. barrels will be aged in the same buildings my family built 90 years ago.”

Brizendine added, “95 percent of the world’s bourbon supply comes from the tri-state region of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, and we’re very proud of that.* We look forward to working with distilleries across the region to source bourbon and rye for future O.K.I. releases.”

Stay up to date on all things OKI Bourbon and the Fall 2020 release on Facebook: www.facebook.com/okibourbon

About OKI Spirits LLC
Local Cincinnati-based whiskey entrepreneurs Chad Brizendine and Jake Warm are co-owners of OKI Spirits LLC. Brizendine was co-founder and Warm an early investor in George Remus Bourbon, acquired in 2016 by MGPI. OKI Spirits will operate from its Cincinnati, OH headquarters and specialize in highly curated single barrels of Bourbon and Rye whiskey.

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Buffalo Trace Distillery Announces Kosher Whiskey Release

April 28, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

FRANKFORT, KY – Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing what it believes to be the first authentic Kosher Whiskey, under the guidance of the Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc-Kosher). Buffalo Trace began working with cRc in 2010. The new whiskey is available in three styles, Kosher Rye Recipe Bourbon; Kosher Wheat Recipe Bourbon; and Kosher Straight Rye Whiskey. The three Buffalo Trace Kosher Whiskies will be starting shipping from Buffalo Trace after Passover ends on April 16, 2020.

Kosher law mandates that whiskey should not be owned or consumed by Jews during Passover. In 2012 the cRc oversaw the sale of new American Oak Kosher barrels in a contract of sale to a non-Jewish executive, Buffalo Trace Distillery President Mark Brown, where they were filled with whiskey and put away in specially marked “Kosher whiskey” barrels to age.

Once the whiskey reached its desired age earlier this year, the bottling lines at the Distillery were flushed completely beforehand to ensure the whiskey was not exposed to any non-Kosher spirits. This allocated whiskey will be released after Passover ends this year on April 16. Bottles will sell through wholesalers and retailers before Passover begins again in 2021.

“This is a milestone in the spirits industry to produce a truly Kosher whiskey,” said Mark Brown, owner of the Kosher barrels at Buffalo Trace. “We know Kosher products are very important to the Jewish community as well as a broader audience, we are fully committed to ensuring that the entire chain of custody remains Kosher so the purchaser has 100% confidence this is a Kosher whiskey.”

“We’re excited that our partnership which we began ten years ago has come to fruition,” stated Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, kashrus administrator Chicago Rabbinical Council, “Our members have shown great interest in the prospect of being able to enjoy a Kosher whiskey. We are very happy Buffalo Trace has taken the steps to make sure this happens.”

The new Buffalo Trace Kosher Whiskey line is limited, but it will be an annual release each year after Passover. The labels depict both Buffalo Trace Distillery logo and the cRc-Kosher logo. Each expression of Buffalo Trace Kosher Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $39.99 per 750ml bottle.

About Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee. Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 35 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Its Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr. Four Grain Bourbon was named World Whiskey of the Year by “Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible 2018” and its William Larue Weller and Thomas H. Handy Sazerac were named 2nd and 3rd finest whiskeys in the world, respectively, in the “Jim Murray Whiskey Bible 2020.” Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 1,000 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. To learn more about Buffalo Trace Distillery visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com.

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Rite Aid Launches Eastside Distilling’s Redneck Riviera Whiskey to 521 Locations

April 16, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

PORTLAND, Oregon – Eastside Distilling, today announced expanded distribution for its Redneck Riviera Whiskey to 521 Rite Aid stores throughout the state of California. The initial shelf sets by Rite Aid marks a significant milestone in the development of the brand as Rite Aid becomes the first retailer in the drug store segment to begin carrying the product. The Rite Aid shelf sets are expected to be placed in the month of May for the start of the busy summer season.

“We are very excited to be able to offer the Rite Aid customers Redneck Riviera American Blended Whiskey, a small batch whiskey with vanilla honey smoothness and a subtle oak finish,” said Eastside Distilling’s President, Robert Manfredonia. “We greatly appreciate Rite Aid’s commitment to Eastside Distilling and the Redneck Riviera Whiskey brand as they become the first distribution for the brand into the drug store segment which is usually reserved for fully mature bellwether brands. At just 24 months old now, this is a huge win for the Redneck Riviera Whiskey brand and Eastside Distilling.”

Redneck Riviera Whiskey is a joint collaboration between Eastside and John Rich, the multi-platinum country-music artist and one-half of the award-winning duo Big & Rich. John Rich and Eastside have taken to heart the Folds of Honor mission and have been active advocates on behalf of the foundation, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through the sale of Redneck Riviera Whiskey. Since 2007, the Folds of Honor Foundation has carried forth this singular, noble mission – to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. Their motto says it best: “Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy.” Redneck Riviera Whiskey is currently available in 48 states.

For more information on Redneck Riviera Whiskey, please visit redneckriviera.com.

About Eastside Distilling
Eastside Distilling has been producing high-quality, award-winning craft spirits in Portland, Oregon, since 2008. The Company is distinguished by its highly decorated product lineup that includes Redneck Riviera and Granny Rich Whiskey, Azuñia Tequilas, Burnside Whiskeys and Rye, Hue-Hue Coffee Rum, and Portland Potato Vodkas. All Eastside spirits are crafted from natural ingredients for quality and taste. Eastside’s Craft Canning subsidiary is one of the Northwest’s leading independent spirit bottlers and ready-to-drink canner.

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10 of the Best Bourbons for $40 and Under – 2026

January 1, 2020 By Dow Scoggins

Here are 10 of the best bourbons and American whiskeys available for $40 or under (based on average U.S. retail prices as of early 2026). These selections draw from consistent expert recommendations, blind tastings, and value lists — offering excellent quality for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Prices fluctuate by region, but these reliably fall in the budget range and earn widespread praise for flavor and accessibility.

Buffalo Trace (~$25-35)
Smooth and balanced with notes of caramel, vanilla, and light fruit. This flagship from a legendary distillery offers remarkable complexity for the price — ideal for beginners or everyday sipping.

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond (~$15-25)
Rich honey, vanilla, and oak from Heaven Hill — a bottled-in-bond standout that punches far above its weight. It’s sweet, smooth, and an unbeatable mixer or sipper.

Old Forester 100 Proof (~$25-35)
Caramel-forward with spice and fruit — bold yet approachable. This high-proof rye-influenced bourbon excels in cocktails or neat.

Wild Turkey 101 (~$25-35)
A classic high-rye bourbon with bold spice, vanilla, and oak. At 101 proof, it delivers big flavor without overwhelming heat — a longtime favorite for its punch and versatility.

Elijah Craig Small Batch (~$30-40)
Deep toffee, oak, and spice notes — often praised for its maturity and balance. A go-to for those seeking richer flavors on a budget.

Four Roses Small Batch (~$30-40)
Floral, fruity, and spicy from blending multiple recipes — elegant and complex. It’s a versatile crowd-pleaser that stands out in tastings.

Larceny Small Batch (~$25-35)
A wheated bourbon with soft vanilla, butterscotch, and bread-like sweetness — smooth and approachable, perfect for wheat bourbon fans.

Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select (~$35-40)
Rich with dried fruit, cocoa, and spice — well-crafted and layered. It edges the limit but delivers premium taste affordably.

Knob Creek 9 Year (~$30-40)
Full-bodied with peanut, oak, and caramel — aged longer for depth. A robust, no-nonsense sipper from Beam.

High West American Prairie Bourbon (~$30-40)
A blended bourbon with honey, caramel, and vanilla — supports prairie conservation. This non-Kentucky option adds variety and easy-drinking appeal.

These picks emphasize reliable shelf staples that consistently rank high in value assessments. Availability varies, so check local stores. Cheers!

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