The 10 Most Memorable (and Best) Whiskies of 2025 You Can Actually Find

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Looking for the best whiskies of 2025 you can actually track down? This year’s list focuses on bottles that made a lasting impression — the pours that surprised, inspired, or redefined what great bourbon and rye can be. Each release is memorable for more than just its score, and every one is priced under $180.

Why This Isn’t Just Another “Best Whiskies of 2025” List

My annual Top 10 list first came about to commemorate my “Cake Day” on Reddit (basically, a birthday for when you created your account). So every November 9th, I celebrate by posting my Top 10 “Most Memorable” bottles from the last 12 months. My list isn’t like other reviewers or publications because I don’t rank them solely on the rating they earned. I rank them based on how memorable they stuck in my mind. I can recommend this year’s William Larue Weller or Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition to any enthusiast, but it’s not like they can just go out and find one to buy at retail price.

Inaccessible bottles makes this hobby unenjoyable sometimes, but you are expected to put in a little work to obtain some good ones. There are also the under-recognized bottles that might be so experimental that most people write them off before they ever get a sip. My list aims to identify those bottles and let you know that if you haven’t tried something you see on this list, you’d do yourself a favor to do so right after you read it.

What Makes a Whiskey Truly Memorable

How would I quantify a memorable bottle? I typically begin making a list of new whiskies that surprised me throughout the year. Sure, any bourbon or rye whiskey can be excellent or even flawless, but there’s nothing memorable about them if they taste similar to the batches that came before them. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with the ones that are consistently great, but my list rewards new recipes, blending techniques or finishing barrels to achieve something that stands out among so many similar whiskies.

How do I narrow down such a large field of competitors? Here’s my list of rules:

My 5 Simple Rules for Choosing the Best Whiskies of 2025

Here are a set of self-imposed rules I came up with a few years ago. They really haven’t changed, but here they are again:

1. No highly allocated bottles – I’m specifically talking about BTAC, Pappy, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition, King of Kentucky, William Heaven Hill… you get the idea. If it’s a highly allocated, I won’t include it. The only exceptions are if it’s available at the distillery gift shop. I believe that levels the playing field for an average enthusiast to score a bottle. Technically, Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition could be included in my list since the distillery now does a big release. But the reason why it can’t is due to the second rule…
2. Cannot be over $180 retail – Two years ago I raised my maximum retail price from $150 to $180 due to inflation. I feel like inflation has kind of held steady over the last 12 months, but producers are realizing people aren’t buying as much anymore, so they’re either lowering prices or keeping them sane, I’m going to keep the $180 cap as a result. I’m not going to apply secondary market valuations into this number, just know that if it has a retail price anywhere in the United States under $180, it can make the list. That’s not to say that I pack the list with $150-180 bottles though, the average price per bottle on this years list is $91, up $1 per bottle from last year’s average. Even more surprisingly, I have two bottles priced at a measly $55.
3. Obtainable for the average enthusiasts (with a little bit of work) – A bottle can be hard to find if its production was limited, but the average enthusiast should be able to see these bottles on this list and know that with a little work (friends, contacts, business trips near Kentucky) or a little luck, they could purchase them if they were in the right place at the right time. I will also count any bottle that was available at the distillery gift shop as obtainable. Unfortunately, many distilleries don’t do this anymore.
4. No single barrels – The bottles you see here were all batched. My reasoning is that a memorable bottle should be able to be explored by as many palates as possible. I will make an exception to “runs” of single barrels. This has been known to happen from time to time with brands like Four Roses or Russell’s Reserve.
5. It has to be released in the last 365 days (November 2023 to November 2024)… give or take –  My first “Cake Day Roundup” (which is what I call this list on Reddit) in 2019 was a hodgepodge of bottles that I really liked that year.  Only a handful were actually released from 2018 to 2019.  I decided to add this rule while writing my second year’s ‘Roundup because I wanted the list to be relevant.  Bottle distribution is not uniform from state to state, but if it came out in the last year, there was a chance you could still find one. My hope is that people can read my Top 10 list and be able to actually find a majority of the bottles on this list.

With that being said, let’s get into the list!

The Top 10 Best Whiskies of 2025 (You Can Actually Find)

10. Remus Repeal Reserve IX

Remus Repeal Reserve was a late addition to the list, taking the spot over Barrell Craft Spirits 12 Year French Oak Finished Bourbon. Most Remus releases are fairly predicatble. They highlight a note or two over the others and call it a day. But Remus Repeal Reserve began to the slow march of change last year when it bumped up the proof to 102. This year’s version sees the proof jump again – this time to 104 – but that’s not what makes this year’s release unique.

After tasting this bottle multiple times, I was convinced of two things: 1. someone had poured a couple drops of Sherry in the bottle or 2. I was going crazy. I could not get past this rancio profile note that seemed to be on the nose and palate. After a few sessions, I threw caution to the wind and wrote my review anyway. I thought people were going to laugh at me but then I started to hear testimony from others about the same thing. Then Ian Stirsman commented on my review on Reddit with the following tidbit:

“Excited to see you called out the rancio note. It was my goal with series IX to make it a completely different profile than the last few releases. The rancio notes originate from two batches we had ageing in the basement of E Rickhouse, that had really strong earthy, umami, damp wood characteristics. E Rickhouse is built into the banks of tanners creek and the basement is almost a dunnage style of maturation environment. The batches had to be used at low inclusion rates but I think they give Repeal IX a really unique profile.“

So I wasn’t going crazy after all! The final result was a bourbon that was as unique as it was delicious. If you’re the adventerous type that love something truly new to experience, look no further. Also, if you were ever curious about Rickhouse E – or any of the MGP warehouses – I wrote a short article laying out maps of their main campus and identifying each warehouse. Give it a read if you get the chance.

Read the Remus Repeal Reserve IX review here

9. Old Fitzgerald 7-year-old Bottled in Bond Bourbon

I’m generally not impressed with most mid-shelf Heaven Hill products. I mean, they’re usually a great value and can be enjoyed by both new and experienced enthusiasts, but they don’t surprise me with anything new or interesting to comment on. I assumed that would be the case when I saw the new, more accessible Old Fitzgerald BiB label drop on the TTB website.

But I was wrong. Old Fitzgerald surprised me first with its mouthfeel. It’s thicker and more viscous than I recall even some of the 8, 9 and 10-year Old Fitz decanters being. The barrel influence was also much stronger than I would have expected for a product of this age – or even a few years older. I know they didn’t sneak any older barrels in here (because of the BiB rules), but it almost tastes like they did. A+ to the crew who selected the barrels for the inaugural batch.

At $53, this is one of the more affordable bourbons on my list. That price coupled with the rating I gave it (7.4/10) may not seem it’s in elite territory, but the whole package impressed me in more ways than one. Heaven Hill could have phoned it in with this release and instead chose the high road. I hope the quality remains for years to come.

Read the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bottled in Bond Bourbon review here

8. Bardstown Bourbon Company High Wheat Bourbon

Damn, another wheated bourbon on the list already? Is this whole list going to be wheated bourbons? While Bardstown Bourbon Company rolled out with their High Wheat Bourbon in August of last year, I didn’t get a chance to try it until after my 2024 Top 10 list came out. So this is one of those instances where it might seem I’ve selected a bottle that doesn’t fit into the guidelines, but I assume most people in the United States didn’t get their first chance to try it before 2025 either.

Bardstown Bourbon Company already makes a wheated bourbon, so what’s so special about this one? I would say because of all the unique ways it was made. There was a low barrel entry proof of 108 followed by the bottling proof of 106. The quantity of wheat (39%) is also extremely high. And 6-years-old is nothing to sneeze at either. This is practically a full proof wheated bourbon with impressive flavor to boot.

But I’m not here to talk about specs, I already did that in my review. What I will say impressed me was how well the floral notes (but not exactly the same kind of floral that rye whiskies have) and light-body made me think of a certain style of dusty bourbon back in the day. No, I’m not saying that all (or even most) dusty bourbon had this style, but I’ve had a few that did (Willett made one that’s similar in the 1960s/70s and some low-proof National Distillers had that note, too) and it was always so interesting. After more time with this bottle, I started to realize this actually excited me more than I originally thought. It’s a breath of fresh air in the wheated bourbon landscape.

Read the Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Bourbon review here

7. Eagle Rare Aged 12 Years Bourbon

Ugh, I hate that Sazerac has a product that made this list. But if I had to say one nice thing about Eagle Rare 12, it’s that since its introduction, Eagle Rare 10 seems easier to find on the shelves. I just want this craze to be over.

Actually, I don’t have one nice thing to say about it, I had many in my review. Eagle Rare 12 met all of my expectations and then some when I tasted it. It’s easily twice the bourbon that Eagle Rare 10 is – and I’m not sure why. It only has 2 more years in a barrel and 5 extra proof points, yet it’s noticeably richer, oilier, has way more oak influence and lots of oxidized fruits. When I first saw it, it felt like a cash grab, but dammit, it’s worth it.

I think part of the reason it’s so much better than Eagle Rare 10 is because the 12 year is a batched product. And while those who love single barrels are vowing to never read another word from me again, I believe that the industry is almost giving us better batched products than single barrel releases these days. What I just said is an article for another day, but I’m also starting to see enthusiast fatigue when it comes to so many single barrels – they can be too risky. So I guess I have to admit that Eagle Rare 12 got it right.

Read the Eagle Rare Aged 12 Years Bourbon review here

6. Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Chocolate Whisper Redux

I am not a fan of chocolate malted rye. Woodford Reserve’s Chocolate Whisper Redux does not contain chocolate malted rye in it. But it was influenced by a unique bourbon distilled back in 2013 that did have chocolate malted rye in it and the collection tank wasn’t properly rinsed out. This influenced the next batch in a unique way.

Honestly, with how much coffee and chocolate influence this bourbon has, I’d have thought it did have chocolate malted rye in it. Thankfully, it avoids the mint that comes along with using that type of grain which leaves the chocolate and coffee notes free to run amok. Also, the 12 years in a barrel and the near-Hazmat proof have certainly helped improve this product in the eyes of enthusiasts as well.

Whereas Chris Morris would never have given us both things at once (proof and age), Elizabeth McCall seems to be listening to enthusiasts and Woodford Reserve is better for it. And if you want a bourbon that tastes like it was finished in a chocolate barrel, this is the one to get.

Read the Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Chocolate Whisper Redux review here

5. Old Forester The 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey

I have tried Old Forester President’s Choice Rye Whiskey this year and – wow – it’s a stunner. There is so much to love about it. But President’s Choice is outside of the price range I set for this list. Luckily there exists an alternative that has just as much age but less proof: Old Forester The 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey. I want to start with the fact that I genuinely had this bottle on my Top 10 list from the moment I first tried it earlier this year. And after tasting the OFPC rye, I concluded that everything I loved about it could still able to be found in The 117 Series BiB Rye – albeit in a less powerful way (20+ proof difference will do that, after all).

This 117 Series release was the first true double-digit rye whiskey release from the Brown-Forman Distillery that showed us what they were capable of. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that it’s even better than a lot of its competitors. I’m looking at you Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey and Jim Beam. Now if only they can figure out how to make it more of a nationwide release, everyone could experience it for themselves.

Read the Old Forester The 117 Series: Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey review here

4. Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 1 (Seguin Moreau Barrels)

At face value this doesn’t seem like there should be much in the way of an exciting new bourbon inside this bottle. It’s standard MGP high-rye bourbon (LBSV) that was aged in a new charred oak cask. So what? The fancy name invited us to look closer. Seguin Moreau is a cooperage headquartered in France who makes casks primarily for wine and cognac to age in. But during the great barrel shortage of 2015/16, bourbon producers were willing to buy any casks they could find. That led to more than a couple producers able to land some shipments of Seguin Moreau barrels.

At first thought, I thought they were the 60 gallon, French Oak variety, but later learned they were just American white oak and the volume was just 53 gallons. The finer details read that their staves were air-seasoned for 24 months prior to being toasted and given a light char. All of those specs (combined with 9 years of aging) produced an MGP-style of bourbon that was still heavy and robust, but had all of the rough edges smoothed out.

This was an elegant-tasting bourbon bursting with refinement. I hope that this isn’t the only release they’ll do with these barrels – it’s good enough to make this a permanent addition to their lineup. Unfortunately, as of late 2025, many stores still have these available. Most have them deeply discounted it (my bottle was $60) which might make enthusiasts believe it’s not good if it’s not moving. But that’s the whiskey landscape in a nutshell in 2025. Unless it has the clout behind it like BTAC or Birthday Bourbon, it’s going to sit on shelves. But now you know, so stop ignoring it and go get one.

Read the Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 1 (Seguin Moreau Barrels) review here

3. Bomberger’s Precision Fine Grain Bourbon

I have included a Bomberger’s release on previous Top 10 Most Memorable lists more than any other label. I don’t know what it is about this unassuming bottle, but there’s always a lot to like. Plus, they tweak the bourbon just enough each year to keep enthusiasts like me hungry to try the next one. Maybe Michter’s knew that, so they decided to roll the dice on making a new subset of Bomberger’s – the Precision Fine Grain version.

Using French Oak from various cooperages, the traditional Michter’s mash bill took on a new and interesting form with a huge oak influence. This tasted years older than it actually was. In reality, this is just the bourbon component to Shenk’s (which often uses French Oak finished bourbon for half of the blend). But they recognized its greatness and bottled it by itself. By doing so, they revealed a side of Michter’s that I previously haven’t seen before. I hate putting this bottle on the list because even though the MSRP was $140, the secondary market (the only place you can find one) is still above $400. It’s awesome, but I’m not sure if it’s worth going to the secondary for. Also, many states got their allotment late so it might not be too late for you.

Read the Bomberger’s Precision Fine Grain Bourbon review here

The Final Two

Here we are, down to the final two whiskies. On one side is Jack Daniel’s oldest age-stated whiskey they’ve ever produced. On the other is the first truly new style of whiskey that Maker’s Mark has ever produced. Jack Daniel’s struck first with a very early release (it came out in January) and after the first sip, I opened up my notebook to a new page, wrote “Whiskies of the Year, 2025″ at the top followed by “1. JD14” under it. I was so certain this was going to be one of the best tasting whiskies I would have all year. As the year went on, my list filled up very slowly. So many whiskies were either too expensive or just slightly tweaked versions of existing whiskies (i.e. kind of boring).

Then August came and introduced me to something totally unexpected – a wheat whiskey from Maker’s Mark. Up until that point, the only experience I had with a wheat whiskey was Heaven Hill’s Bernheim version (weird, grassy) and MGP’s version which I only had when it was much younger. I was interested in trying Maker’s Mark new whiskey, but held no high expectations. After all, anything new they made in the past always tastes like, well, Maker’s Mark.

But Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey definitely broke the mold. It’s like the old guard at Maker’s – who had protected their image for decades – had loosened their grip just enough to allow true experimentation to peak through. We now know that Maker’s has created multiple versions of wheat whiskey (currently only 2, but I’m curious if there aren’t others). The 2025 version sees both of them blended together to create something totally new and shockingly delicious. This is one of the only wheat whiskies that I’m a fan of.

For 8 solid months this year, nothing could top Jack Daniel’s 14. In fact, my notes had a short entry next to JD14 that says “JD14 is to 2025 what Russell’s Reserve 15 was to 2024.” I told anyone that listened that this version of Jack was the most non-Jack bottle they’ve ever made. Part of me wondered if it hadn’t even gone through the Lincoln County Process – it was that rich and oily. It was a joy to drink and makes me genuinely excited to experience the next few years of what will surely be amazing continuations to this series.

This is why I’m awarding Jack Daniel’s 14 Year… the runner up to this year’s top spot on my Top 10 Most Memorable Whiskey list.

I know what you’re saying – this guy makes no sense at all. How can he have a bottle in mind for 9 of the 12 months that this list gets tallied just to give it to a lowly wheat whiskey? Plus, the JD14 earned an incredible 8.9/10 compared to Maker’s 8/10. Why doesn’t the Jack automatically win? The answer lies in the title of this list. To me, it’s not about ratings and scores and comparisons, it’s about first impressions and second impressions and impressions that burned themselves into my mind. And while I loved Jack Daniel’s for everything it was and the fact it was so much different from other JD products, there was this underdog fighter that came out of nowhere to impress me with its unique twist on a classic brand.

Read the Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Old Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey Review here

Read the Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey (2025) Review here

Final Thoughts on the Best Whiskies of 2025

Some of the reason that might have factored in to why I was so enamored with the Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey might have been that Maker’s seems like this sleeping giant, stuck in its old ways and unwilling to budge on their processes. And when they have bent just a little bit to the whims of the market, we got products that are just slight variations of their standard stuff.

Up until 2025, Maker’s Mark DNA Series was the most experimental and risky product they gave to us. That all changed this year with this wheat whiskey. I still think about its balance, it’s fruitiness and its rich flavor – all without having that kind of astringent note that most Maker’s products are known for. And all it seemingly took was to leave corn out of the mash bill, haha. Who knew!?

If you haven’t experienced Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey yet, do it. It will change your mind about wheat whiskey and it might just change your mind about Maker’s Mark. Even if corporate tells them to shut down their experimental department forever, at least we all got to see a tiny glimpse into their potential if only for a brief moment of time. But I think this wheat whiskey is only the beginning and I’ll no longer look at Maker’s Mark the same again.

See last year’s picks: Best Whiskies of 2024 (Top 10 List)

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Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Whiskies of 2025

How were the best whiskies of 2025 selected?

Each whiskey on this list was chosen for being memorable, accessible, and priced under $180. Rather than focusing purely on review scores, I selected bottles that stood out for their flavor, originality, and lasting impression throughout the year.

Are these whiskies still available to buy?

Most of the bottles listed here are obtainable with a little effort — whether that’s visiting distillery gift shops, checking well-stocked retailers, or calling in a few whiskey-fan favors. The goal of this list is to highlight bottles you can actually find, not just dream about.

What price range do the 2025 whiskies fall into?

All bottles featured retail for under $180, with an average price of about $91. That mix of value and quality proves that memorable whiskey experiences don’t have to break the bank.

Why is this list called “Most Memorable” instead of “Best”?

“Most Memorable” reflects the whiskeys that made a lasting impression — whether through bold new recipes, creative blending, or unique flavor profiles. These are the bottles I’ll remember long after 2025 is over.