Best Whiskey of 2025 – So Far

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Update: The final roundup is live — see the Best Whiskies of 2025 (Top 10).

We’re more than halfway through 2025 and I decided to recap some of my favorite whiskies I’ve drank in the leadup to my annual “Most Memorable Whiskies” list I put out on November 9th. I’m breaking away from the norm by including everything from iconic dusties to powerhouse single barrels. This list includes bottles that left lasting impressions for their character, complexity, and unforgettable profiles.

I also decided to splurge a little bit by including some highly allocated bottles with price points over $180 which would typically be excluded from the year-end wrap-up. Think of this as a curated highlight reel of what’s made my year exciting so far.

Here are my top 5 standout reviews so far, each a bottle that earned its spot through sheer excellence.

1. Brook Hill 8 Year Old Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

This Rare Character selection proved to be one of the most engaging rye whiskeys of the year so far. It immediately opens with a spice-heavy nose filled with notes of pumpernickel, cinnamon, and saltwater taffy, evoking a savory-sweet profile that feels both grounded and unique. On the palate, it takes a sharp turn toward the confectionary with layered notes of peppermint bark, cherry licorice, baked fruits, and a delicate trace of barrel char.

The complexity only builds on the finish, where cacao nibs, menthol, and citrus peel create a refreshing and layered conclusion. There’s a richness here that belies its relatively unknown origins, with enough nuance to suggest a careful selection process and a high level of barrel maturity. It’s a standout value and a rye that combines firepower and finesse in equal measure.

–> SEE REVIEW FOR BROOK HILL 8 YEAR OLD SINGLE BARREL HERE

2. Stitzel-Weller Old Cabin Still Bourbon (Duck’s Unlimited Decanter, 1972)

It’s rare to find a decanter bourbon from the 1970s that drinks this well, but this Stitzel-Weller expression completely subverted expectations. The nose opens with deep, inviting aromas: Werther’s Originals, peppermint, fresh varnish, and zested citrus rind all swirl together with soft, dusty oak. The sensory profile is clearly aged, yet still vibrant, calling back to the legendary finesse of classic wheated mashbills from DSP-KY-16.

On the palate, flavors of tobacco, varnished oak, chocolate torte, and holiday fruitcake create a rich, nostalgic tapestry. Despite its low proof, the body maintains impressive structure and complexity. This pour was a sleeper hit in a blind Advent lineup and showed that dusty wheaters still hold magic when well-preserved and well-chosen.

–> SEE REVIEW FOR STITZEL-WELLER OLD CABIN STILL BOURBON HERE

3. Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond Bourbon (1958-1963)

There’s something magical about pre-1960s bourbon, and this Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond delivers on that reputation in spades. From the first nosing, a bouquet of orange creamsicle, cream soda, Juicy Fruit gum, and antique oak rushes in. The character is unmistakably vintage and full of surprising depth.

On the palate, it unfolds like a dessert cart of bourbon dreams: maple syrup-drenched waffles, candied nuts, and an evolving leathery depth that grounds the entire experience. It’s one of those rare bottles where history, craftsmanship, and flavor align to create something unforgettable. Each sip is a trip through time and tradition.

–> SEE REVIEW FOR OLD GRAND DAD BOTTLED IN BOND BOURBON HERE

4. Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon (National Distillers, 1981)

A legend in dusty bourbon circles, the 1981 Lot 7 release of OGD114 doesn’t just live up to the hype — it surpasses it. From the outset, the nose floods your senses with butterscotch, creamy vanilla, and traces of camphor and blueberry muffins. There’s an inviting richness that screams National Distillers at its peak.

The palate is decadent, with flavors of blackberry hard candy, aged oak, a whisper of varnish, and silky textures that roll across your tongue. The finish caps off the experience with candied fruits, buttery cream, and a firm oak spine. In many ways, it’s the blueprint for what makes vintage bourbon so cherished and why enthusiasts continue to chase Lot 7s.

–> SEE REVIEW FOR OLD GRAND DAD 114 BOURBON HERE

5. King of Kentucky Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon (2024 Release, Barrel 5)

When a King of Kentucky bottle shines, it shines, and this 2024 release from Barrel 5 is nothing short of majestic. The nose is an opulent wave of cherry cordials, caramel, seasoned oak, and subtle barrel spice. It sets expectations high and then proceeds to exceed them on the palate.

Tasting reveals a swirl of cinnamon-spiced cherries, blackberry jam, Thin Mints, and toasted vanilla wafers. It evolves beautifully with every sip, finishing on a crescendo of toffee, dark fruit preserves, and peppermint bark. It’s layered, expressive, and flawlessly composed — the rare kind of bourbon that redefines a year’s benchmark.

–> SEE REVIEW FOR KING OF KENTUCKY SINGLE BARREL HERE

Final Thoughts

Most bourbon enthusiasts follow the path of tasting through ordinary shelfers followed by a period of chasing modern allocated releases. Inevitably they’ll travel down the path of collecting and drinking dusties and realizing that these old classics have no equal in modern terms. Is that the path I’m on with a list like this? Perhaps. I know I’m not so special as to avoid these traps myself, haha.

As always, I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Which bottles have been your standouts this year? Which have surprised or disappointed? The hunt is half the fun, and I hope this list gives you a few ideas of what’s worth searching out. Cheers to the second half of 2025 — may it be as bold, rich, and rewarding as the first.