With trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU escalating, the price of American whiskey—whether it’s bourbon, rye, or Tennessee whiskey—could be set to soar. If tariffs come into play, drinkers in Europe may find their favorite bottles significantly more expensive.

But don’t worry—great whiskey isn’t limited to the U.S. Whether you love the rich caramel notes of bourbon, the spice of rye, or the smoothness of Tennessee whiskey, there are excellent alternatives from around the world. Here are nine non-American whiskeys that offer similar flavors and styles, without the potential tariff-fueled price hikes.

Bourbon Alternatives

American bourbon is beloved for its rich sweetness, vanilla notes, and caramel depth—hallmarks of its new charred oak maturation. Fortunately, several global distilleries have mastered similar flavor profiles using innovative techniques. These alternatives deliver comparable taste experiences while potentially offering better value as tariff threats loom.

Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky (South Africa)

This award-winning South African gem has twice captured World’s Best Grain Whisky honors (2013 and 2018) at the prestigious World Whiskies Awards. Made from 100% corn and double-matured in first-fill bourbon casks, Bain’s delivers the silky toffee and vanilla sweetness bourbon lovers crave.

The James Sedgwick Distillery creation stands out for its exceptional smoothness and accessible price point of around €30. Expect rich American oak notes of coconut and sweet vanilla with a hint of spice—remarkably similar to premium bourbons at a fraction of the cost.

Readily available across Europe through whisky specialists and larger retailers, Bain’s offers an ideal entry point for those exploring bourbon alternatives.

Nikka Coffey Grain (Japan)

Nikka’s Coffey Grain whisky showcases how Japanese precision meets bourbon-style richness. Distilled predominantly from corn in traditional Coffey stills at Miyagikyo Distillery, this gold medal winner brings tropical fruit complexity to the familiar bourbon template.

Priced around €50, it offers notes of banana, coconut, and caramelized corn wrapped in a soft, sweet package with distinctive vanilla undertones. The whisky mirrors classic bourbon traits while adding Japanese elegance and balance to the experience.

Part of Nikka’s core range, this widely available alternative can be found in stores and online throughout Europe, making it a reliable substitute as American whiskey prices potentially climb.

Kavalan Solist Ex-Bourbon (Taiwan)

Taiwan’s globally acclaimed Kavalan Distillery offers perhaps the most intense bourbon-like experience outside America with its Solist Ex-Bourbon expression. This cask-strength single malt aged in fresh bourbon barrels delivers powerful vanilla, honey, and oak spice flavors that serious bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate.

Despite its strength, Kavalan maintains refinement with tropical fruit notes and a complexity that has earned it consistent gold medals at international competitions. At around €100 for the cask-strength version (or €70 for the 46% “Ex-Bourbon Oak”), it sits in the premium category.

Available through specialty whisky shops across Europe, this expression represents Kavalan’s remarkable ability to create world-class whisky in Taiwan’s challenging climate—proving excellent bourbon-style spirits can come from unexpected origins.

Rye Whiskey Alternatives

Rye whiskey’s distinctive spicy character, fruity undertones, and peppery kick have earned it a devoted following. For those looking beyond American shores, several international distilleries have crafted remarkable rye expressions that deliver that same robust profile—often with unique regional twists that expand the category’s boundaries.

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye (Canada)

This groundbreaking Canadian whisky made history in 2016 when Jim Murray named it World Whisky of the Year in his influential Whisky Bible—the first Canadian whisky ever to receive this honor. At 90% rye grain, Northern Harvest delivers authentic rye character in a surprisingly approachable package.

The Crown Royal expression showcases a gentle yet characterful profile with notes of oak, apple, and subtle vanilla on the nose, developing into classic rye spice, ginger, brown sugar and pepper on the palate. At approximately €30, it offers remarkable value for a world-class whisky.

Widely available across Europe in larger liquor stores and online retailers, this smooth Canadian rye works beautifully in cocktails while remaining complex enough for neat sipping.

Millstone 100 Rye (Netherlands)

Zuidam Distillers’ Millstone 100 Rye has dominated the category internationally, claiming World’s Best Rye honors for an unprecedented three consecutive years (2022-2024) at the World Whiskies Awards. This Dutch masterpiece follows the “triple 100” formula—100% rye grain, 100 months in new American oak, bottled at 100 proof.

The resulting whisky delivers intensely bold black pepper and baking spice notes balanced by fruity sweetness, vanilla, and rich oak. At around €50, critics have declared it superior to many prestigious American ryes in blind tastings, making it an exceptional value.

Despite its craft origins, Zuidam maintains strong distribution across Europe, making this award-winning rye accessible to those seeking authentic rye character without American price premiums.

Stauning Rye (Denmark)

Denmark’s Stauning Distillery has earned critical acclaim for its innovative approach to traditional whisky styles. Their rye expression combines floor-malted Danish rye and barley, distilled in pot stills and matured in virgin American oak—a distinctly Nordic interpretation of the American classic.

The whisky delivers the expected spicy rye kick and warming oak character, but with a surprising smoothness and balance that makes it remarkably approachable. Priced around €60, Stauning represents the premium craft segment but justifies its position through exceptional quality and unique terroir.

Increasingly available across Europe, particularly in Northern countries and the UK, Stauning offers whisky enthusiasts a genuine rye experience with Danish flair—look out for their special finishes like the vermouth-aged El Clásico for even more complexity.

Tennessee Whiskey Alternatives

Tennessee whiskey’s distinctive smoothness comes from the Lincoln County Process—filtering through sugar maple charcoal before aging. This creates that signature mellow character with subtle hints of maple, banana, and caramel. These international alternatives deliver similar smooth, rounded profiles without crossing the Atlantic.

Jameson Black Barrel (Ireland)

This exceptional Irish whiskey scored an impressive 98/100 and Gold Outstanding at IWSC 2021, along with a Double Gold and Best Irish Whiskey trophy. Its secret? A finishing process in deeply charred ex-bourbon barrels that mimics Tennessee whiskey’s charcoal mellowing.

Black Barrel delivers intense vanilla sweetness, nutty notes and warming spice—creating a profile remarkably similar to premium Tennessee whiskey but with Irish whiskey’s trademark smoothness. Expect creamy caramel, toasted oak and subtle fruit notes throughout.

Priced at approximately €35, this Midleton Distillery creation is ubiquitous across Europe—available in supermarkets, specialist shops and online retailers, making it perhaps the most accessible alternative on this list.

Glenfiddich 14 Year Old Bourbon Barrel Reserve (Scotland)

Originally created as a U.S.-exclusive release, the Glenfiddich 14 Year Old gold medal-winning Speyside single malt has found its way to European shores due to overwhelming demand. Aged in ex-bourbon casks before finishing in new charred American oak, it delivers what one judge called “a superb dram for lovers of both single malt Scotch and premium American whiskeys.”

The whisky offers a vibrant punch of vanilla sweetness alongside layers of toffee, oak, and fruit—Scotland’s sophisticated homage to Tennessee whiskey. At around €45, it represents excellent value from the world’s most awarded single malt distillery.

Glenfiddich’s robust global distribution ensures this expression can be found in larger retailers and online shops throughout the EU without much difficulty.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony (Japan)

From Suntory’s celebrated Hibiki range comes this masterfully crafted blend featuring malt and grain components aged in American oak, sherry casks, and Japanese Mizunara oak. Japan’s most highly awarded blended whisky delivers smooth, honeyed sweetness with elegant notes of orange peel, oak, and cocoa.

Hibiki Japanese Harmony (approximately €70) resonates with Tennessee whiskey enthusiasts through its easy-drinking nature and sweet oak finish—albeit with Japanese precision that eliminates any rough edges. Think honey, gentle spice, and a hint of charcoal-smoke finesse.

While broadly available across Europe in fine liquor stores and high-end supermarkets, this sought-after Japanese import can sell quickly. Look for it in airport duty-free shops, where Suntory offers a special ‘Master’s Select’ edition with a similar profile.

Exploring New Horizons

With potential tariffs threatening to drive up American whiskey prices, now is the perfect time to explore the wider whiskey world. These nine alternatives from South Africa to Taiwan deliver familiar bourbon, rye, and Tennessee whiskey styles while offering unique twists that expand your whiskey horizons.

What makes these alternatives particularly exciting isn’t just their value proposition—it’s their quality. Many have outperformed their American counterparts in blind tastings and international competitions, proving excellence knows no borders in today’s global whiskey landscape.

Whether you’re facing higher prices or simply curious about how other countries interpret classic American styles, these alternatives deserve space in your collection. As trade tensions continue, smart drinkers are discovering that great whiskey truly is a worldwide phenomenon—no passport required.

Which international whiskey will you try first?

Read the full article at Avoid Whiskey Tariffs: 9 Global Alternatives to Your Favorite American Brands