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In February 2023, in honor of the distillery’s 225th anniversary, Highland Park launched a 54-year-old expression that was priced at $54,000. Little doubt, it was glorious. However far costlier than most common whiskey lovers may afford.
When contemplating ideally suited “sipping whiskeys,” you’ll probably consider coveted, splurgy bottles which might be reserved for particular events or presents. However with a class as huge and wealthy as whiskey, there are many bottles to select from that may be savored all yr lengthy, and are nonetheless inexpensive.
You’ll find nice sipping bourbons, single-malts, and large daring ryes for means, means lower than that 54-year-old—not least amongst them, the wonderful Highland Park 12-year-old, listed beneath. Extremely-aged and ultra-expensive expressions have their place, however the next bottles are each stellar and inexpensive. — Ray Isle
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon ($45)
Meals & Wine / Frey Ranch
The Frey household has been farming in Northern Nevada since 1854 however is a relative newcomer within the American craft distilling world. Since launching in 2020, nonetheless, they’ve positioned themselves as ones to observe, creating glorious grain-to-bottle whiskey, grown and distilled on their household farm.
This bourbon is their flagship bottling utilizing a four-grain mashbill of sustainably grown non-GMO corn, winter cereal rye, winter wheat, and two-row barley (malted in-house). Although solely aged for 5 years, the liquid belies its age, with mature notes of toasty oak, caramel, stone fruit and complicated baking spices coming by means of. Sip this one neat or over a big dice of ice. — Prairie Rose
WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye ($41)
Meals & Wine / WhistlePig Whiskey
Searching for a rye whiskey to slowly sip and savor? WhistlePig’s PiggyBack has a 100% rye mash invoice, is aged six years, and gives a touch of citrus and numerous peppery spice with out ever changing into aggressive. All of that is additionally at a considerably cheaper price level than earlier WhistlePig rye expressions, which were business favorites.
The upper ABV (48.28%) makes this whiskey an ideal candidate for a big rock to sip over. When you desire your whiskey neat, add a couple of drops of water to open it up, and uncover the brand new flavors and spices that emerge like grapefruit zest and cardamom. — R.I.
Westward American Single Malt ($60)
Meals & Wine / Westward Whiskey
This Portland, Oregon-made whiskey model is a pioneer within the American single malt class.
Westward’s flagship expression, begins out like a Scotch whisky and is made with 100% malted barley, however makes use of Pacific Northwest two-row barley, which is then fermented with American ale yeast. The liquid is then double-pot distilled and aged like a bourbon, in new charred American oak barrels. The result’s a particular profile of caramel, honey, candied orange peel, roasted nuts and cocoa — an excellent sipping whiskey yr spherical. — P.R.
Highland Park 12-Yr-Previous Viking Honour ($60)
Meals & Wine / Highland Park
Scotch whisky is the last word sipping dram. For these not as accustomed to the class or intimidated by smoke, Highland Park is a improbable entry level. The peat affect is lighter, floral, and extra fragrant than the acidic or chemical sort of flavors that emerge from Islay scotch manufacturers.
A part of this Orkney, Scotland–primarily based distillery’s core line, Highland Park 12-Yr-Previous, has lengthy been one of many nice overachievers within the single malt world, an exquisitely balanced mixture of heather-honey, refined peat smoke, and sherry cask notes. — R.I.
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky ($75)
Meals & Wine / THE NIKKA WHISKY DISTILLING Co., LTD
Japanese whiskies could be profound, and their costs have risen accordingly. (Yamazaki 18, a steal again in 2012 at about $130, now runs round $1,000 a bottle.)
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky just isn’t solely far more inexpensive than its single malt counterparts, it has confirmed to be versatile sufficient to work in cocktails in addition to sipped by itself. This blended Japanese whisky is made primarily from corn and aged in ex-American oak, making this bottling a superb alternative for the American bourbon fan. — R.I.
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