Friends occasionally ask me what are my favorite whiskies. I have many favorites, depending upon my mood. Sometimes I want a bourbon, other times a smoky Islay malt, a spicy rye, a creamy Irish Single Pot Still, a sweet and fruity Speyside, a funky Campbeltown, a sherry-finished and mildly smoky Islands whisky, or a light and grassy Lowlands Scotch. I hope that the list below provides you with some great choices.

NOTE: For basic information on different types of whisk(e)y, please refer to Whisk(e)y 101.

Click on any whisk(e)y below to see its rating. The numbers in parenthesis are Alcohol By Volume (ABV).

Bourbon:

• Old Grand Dad 114 (57%)  $25
• Henry McKenna 10 Yr Single Barrel Bottled In Bond (50%) $35
• Willet Pot Still Reserve (47%) $40
• Angel’s Envy Bourbon (43.3%) – Port finished. $50
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel (50%)  $55
• Old Forester 1920 (57.5%)  $60
• Blanton’s Single Barrel (46.5%)  – This was my favorite bourbon for years.  $60
• Elijah Craig 12-Yr Barrel Proof (63-68%, varies by year)  $60-70
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof (62-67%, varies by year)  $75-90
  

Rye:

• High West Double Rye (46%)  $30
• Lot 40 100% Rye Pot Still (43%) $40
• Pikesville Straight Rye (55%)  $45
• Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye (52%) $60
• Redemption Rye 8-Yr (60-62%, varies by year)  $90
• Angel’s Envy Rye (50%) – Rum finished.  $95
• High West Midwinter Night’s Dram (49.3%) – Luscious, dessert-friendly rye  $100

Irish:

• Powers Johns Lane 12-Yr (46%) – A great, delicious example of Single Pot Still  $65
• Redbreast 15-Yr (46%)  – Higher-end Single Pot Still  $90
• Midleton Very Rare (40%) – Delicious, fine-tuned blend (primarily barley).  $120-200 (Varies by release)
• Redbreast 21-Yr (46%) – Amazing. Best Single Pot Still I’ve tasted. $230-299

Single Malt Scotch:

• Ardbeg 10-Yr (46%) – Islay: Smoky, but smooth $45
• Glenfiddich Fire & Cane (43%) – Speyside: Unusual whisky with light peat, sugar & cinnamon notes $50
• Glenkinchie 12-Yr (43%) – Lowlands: Smooth and easy  $60
• Glenallachie 12-Yr (46%) – Speyside: Smooth, honey and chocolate $60
• Glenfarclas 105 (60%) – Speyside: Cask strength… punch in the nose with alcohol and fruit $70
• Ardbeg Uigeadail (54%) – Islay: Smoky, but also raisins and plums  $75
• Lagavulin 16-Yr (43%) – Islay: Smoky with dried fruits. The definitive Islay whisky.  $75
• Laphroaig Cairdeas (50-55%, varies by year) – Islay: Smoky; creative use of finishing casks $80-90
• Highland Park 18-Yr (43%) – Islands:  Exceptional balance with light peat and gentle sweetness.  $130
• Springbank 18-Yr (46%) – Campbeltown: Spectacular! A complex, smooth, full-bodied whisky, bursting with flavor.  $180
• Glenmorangie Signet (46%) – Highlands: Delicious & full-bodied, but overpriced  $190

Cheers! / Slainte! / Kanpai!