The Top Whiskies And Bourbons Of 2024 According To This Spirits Writer

It is a fine time to be a spirits lover as the world of offerings gets larger every year and this list is my attempt to compile a year’s worth of tasting bourbon and whiskey into the best or 2024. Indeed, it can be challenging to keep up with the numerous new expressions and new brands, hence this is not definitive or exhaustive list of top spirits, but rather a distilled (pardon the pun) list of the expressions that were most memorable to me. Some are quite rare and pricey while others are well under $50 and easy to find, despite the range on this list, all of them delivered on balance and depth.

SirDavis: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who has a passion for the balanced and elegant Japanese whisky expressions, partnered with Moët Hennessy to craft this delicious whisky. Moet wisely leveraged the whisky-blending genius of Dr. Bill Lumsden, one of the world’s most awarded Master Distillers (he’s the artisan behind Glenmorangie and Ardbeg), to work with Knowles-Carter on the expression. When you bring two people together who prize harmony and balance, the result is of course a marvelously elegant whisky with delicious silky notes of caramel, butterscotch and dark chocolate. It’s made from a unique blend of American grains, a mashbill of 51% rye and 49% malted barley. Knowles-Carter named SirDavis in honor of Davis Hogue, her paternal great-grandfather, who was a farmer and a moonshiner in the American South during Prohibition. $89

Johnny Walker Blue Label Ice Chalet: Extremes are the theme for this silky, deeply complex spirit–a blend of whiskies from some of Scotland’s highest elevation distilleries and from some of Scotland’s coldest winters. When whisky matures in very cold temperatures it influences the whisky’s flavor, lending even greater depth and character to the spirit. Master Blender Emma Walker and her team rounded up these select whiskies to craft Ice Chalet; the final blend brings those whiskies together in harmonious, balanced beautiful fashion. You could make a cocktail with this, but it’s far better enjoyed neat (maybe a dab of water) with a group of friends. $250

Stranahan’s Mountain Angel 10 Year: This Denver-based distillery continues to craft superior whiskey expressions at a range of price points, this one deserves special attention because it is frankly just delicious—and this beguiling whisky has the awards to substantiate that claim (Double Gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Platinum Medal at the Beverage Testing Institute). Luscious velvety notes of caramel, toffee, warm spices and honeycomb, it’s a singular single malt that should be in your collection. $119

Virginia Distillery Company Cabernet Cask Reserve Single Malt: Released in May of 2024, this single malt (from 100% malted American barley and Blue Ridge Mountain spring water) spent several years in first-fill ex-bourbon casks. It was then finished in a mixture of premium cabernet sauvignon barrels sourced from California and France. The final expression is richly hued with notes of dark chocolate, black fruits and cedar. For $44.99 this is a terrific rich and complex single malt.

15 Stars Three Kings Aged 11 Years: This Kentucky distiller works with a variety of heritage grains (baby black, red, whit and blue heritage corns), a range of different mash bills and aged stocks to blend flavorful and unique expressions… this one was awarded Best in Show/World’s Best Whiskey by the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition and for good reason. The palate brims with notes of honeycomb, vanilla, cedar, orange peel and allspice, and the texture is smooth and rich; it’s a superb sipper. $179

Traveller Whiskey: Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton partnered with Buffalo Trace and Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley to craft this beautifully balanced expression – it’s so smooth and pleasing on the palate it really it the ultimate house bottle—one you should always have on hand for a dram or for a cocktail. This whiskey makes everybody happy; it’s bottled at a civilized proof (90) and the palate has a delicious honey-toffee-caramel butterscotch profile. $39.99

Wyoming Whiskey National Park Series #4: This bourbon is a classic blend of corn, rye and barley and part of a limited-edition series from Wyoming Whiskey—to raise awareness and funds for the National Park system (word is they’ve donated close to $150,000 to Yellowstone Forever so far). I love the label and the mission behind it—not to mention the flavor profile—it’s medium-bodied with notes of coconut, ginger and chocolate the palate. $80