Bourbon is a rich and endlessly fascinating world to explore. While the legal framework defines what bourbon must be, distillers continue to find creative ways to produce an extraordinary range of flavours and styles, including wheated, Bottled-in-Bond, and high-rye.
Some drinkers are just beginning to explore bourbon, some are comfortable in their chosen styles, and some are looking for something to surprise them. The good news is that there is a wide range of bourbons out there to suit every taste, budget, and occasion.
With this exploration in mind, I have put together a list of 25 bourbons to try in 2026, no matter where you are in your bourbon journey.
5 Starter Bourbons
Woodford Reserve, 43.2%/45.2%, $30
It is hard not to start here. If you are new to bourbon, Woodford Reserve is an excellent entry point. There is a reason it sits in speed rails across bars worldwide. Expect rich caramel, vanilla and gentle spice that cut through the sweetness. It is reliable, versatile and enjoyable neat, long, on ice or in cocktails. A true all-purpose bourbon.
Maker’s Mark, 45%, $22
Let us introduce wheated bourbon. Maker’s was my first wheated bourbon and it remains important to me. I have visited the distillery and selected Private Select barrels there. Wheat in place of rye creates a softer, creamier profile, often with chocolate and coffee notes. It is a superb neat pour with plenty of history and personality behind it.
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, 50%, $20
Our first Bottled in Bond entry, and one of the most affordable ways to experience the style. Produced by Heaven Hill, this bottle forms part of the distillery’s foundation. It delivers a long finish packed with sweet, nutty caramel flavours, all at 50% ABV and an accessible price. Versatile, historic and excellent value.
Michter’s US*1 Bourbon, 45.7%, $40
Michter’s has become a staple on many drinkers’ shelves in recent years. The US*1 Bourbon is mellow, sweet and easy-going compared to some rivals. Expect vanilla bean, milk chocolate, soft rye spice and a touch of oak for balance. A refined, approachable bourbon with genuine character.
Knob Creek Small Batch 9 Year Old, 50%, $36
If you want more age and power in your glass, Knob Creek delivers. The return of the nine-year age statement has been widely welcomed. This is a warming, sweet and spicy style, with aromas of pecans, maple syrup and rye spice. Tobacco notes add depth. It is bold, charismatic and satisfying.
5 Great Value Bourbons
Wild Turkey 101, 50.5%, $23
It would be impossible to leave this out. Wild Turkey 101 remains one of the best value bottles available anywhere. At 50.5% ABV, it offers sweet waffle, caramel and subtle earthy undertones. It is versatile, dependable and deserves a place on every bourbon shelf.
Very Old Barton 100 Proof, 50%, $15
A 50% ABV bourbon for under $20 still feels remarkable. Very Old Barton 100 Proof is packed with brown sugar sweetness, wood spice and subtle hints of dill and green herbs. It is versatile, affordable and often overlooked.
Mellow Corn, 50%, $20
Technically a corn whiskey rather than a bourbon, due to its mash bill and use of used barrels, but too good to ignore. Bottled in Bond and full of sweetness and creamy texture, it is superb neat or on ice. In cocktails, it excels. High ABV, bold flavour and a low price make it a powerful addition to any bar.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream, 45%, $30
A newer name from California, Pipe Dream blends whiskeys aged between four and twelve years. Expect sweet vanilla, sticky pecans and toasted oak. It offers an alternative to the major brands, with distinctive artwork and growing recognition. A distillery worth watching.
Evan Williams Single Barrel, 43.2%, $35
Vintage-dated rather than age-stated, each release varies slightly. What remains consistent is its mellow, easy-drinking style. Warm, balanced and comforting, it suits both celebratory and reflective pours.
5 Great Wheated Bourbons
Maker’s Mark 46, 47%, $38
A more intense take on classic Maker’s, finished with French oak staves. Rich maple, coffee, chocolate and sticky date notes dominate, with a hint of dried fruit complexity. Fuller, bolder and consistently impressive.
Larceny Barrel Proof, 62%+, $49
The standard Larceny is good. The barrel proof version is exceptional. Without water, it delivers sweet oak, vanilla, tobacco, hazelnut and chocolate intensity. Add water and candied fruit notes emerge. Powerful yet surprisingly nuanced.
Green River Wheated Bourbon, 45%, $30
An affordable and impressive wheated option. Sweet caramel, chocolate and maple define the palate, with a finish that lingers longer than many in the category. It also makes an excellent Manhattan.
Ben Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-in-Bond, 50%, $60
Distilled, aged and bottled entirely on site in Missouri. The wheat softens the profile, while Bottled in Bond credentials add structure. Peaches, cinnamon, toffee and cocoa shine through. A well-made and characterful release.
Bardstown Bourbon Co Bottled-in-Bond, 50%, $40
Another fully in-house production. This expression offers cherry and apricot on the nose, with an oily, decadent texture. It is a bourbon that lingers and rewards revisiting.
5 High-Rye Bourbons
Blanton’s Single Barrel, 46.5%, $130
Though its rye content sits around 13%, it remains an important inclusion. Blanton’s carries hype and price, but it delivers classic orange caramel and Crepe Suzette character, with sweet citrus and rich sauce-like depth. A modern icon.
Four Roses Single Barrel, 50%, $45
Four Roses excels with higher rye mash bills. The Single Barrel expression is versatile and consistently well priced. It offers layered spice, sweetness and structure, making it excellent neat or in cocktails.
Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond, 50%, $25
With 27% rye in the mash bill, this is bold and expressive. Sweet vanilla sponge cake aromas lead into oak and earthy rye spice. The finish softens back into frosting-like sweetness. Big flavour at a modest price.
Bulleit 10 Year Old, 45.6%, $37
The ten-year expression elevates Bulleit’s high-rye style. Mature oak, dry spice and pronounced rye character define the finish, balanced by caramel and vanilla sweetness. A more refined version of a familiar profile.
Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 45%, $30
With 21% rye in the mash bill, this leans into mint and herbal spice. The palate balances that freshness with butterscotch, cinnamon and toasted oak. A confident and increasingly respected distillery release.
5 Big Guns for a Special Day
George T. Stagg, 60%+, $800+
Once widely available at retail, now fiercely sought after. Deeply coloured and intensely flavoured, it offers dark fruit, oak and powerful spice. A celebratory bottle if you can find it.
William Larue Weller (BTAC), 60%+, $1,125+
My favourite bourbon. Wheated, cask strength and layered with complexity. High ABV enhances rather than overwhelms. Alcohol acts as a flavour amplifier, much like salt in food. A masterclass in balance and power.
Maker’s Mark Private Select, 50%+, $100+
I was fortunate to help select some of the first British Private Select barrels. The ability to customise stave combinations creates remarkable diversity, from intensely powerful to fruit-led and dessert-like. If you see one, try it.
Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old, 53.5%, $700+
My favourite Van Winkle expression. Ten years old, wheated and bottled at a satisfying strength. Sweet wheat, toasted cereal, milk chocolate and oak define it. It deserves greater availability and lower prices.
Parker’s Heritage Collection 8th Edition, 13 Year Old, 63.4%, $1,249
A memorable release. Even after years in a sample bottle, it retained vibrant chocolate orange character. Deeply integrated and beautifully composed. A reminder that some exceptional releases fade quietly into history.
Read the full article at 25 Must-Try Bourbons For 2026 (From Value Buys to ‘Big Guns’)
