These Are the Best Whiskeys to Sip Neat—and Our Top Choices Might Surprise You
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a shot at your local dive bar, but throwing back an ounce or two of whiskey all at once means you’re missing out on its nuances and complex flavors. To really enjoy this genre of spirits, focus on the best sipping whiskeys—and take your time drinking them.
While not every bottle qualifies as a great sipper, many of them are, and considering the vast number of distilleries, brands, and bottles available today, you have plenty of options. The best whiskey to sip comes down to your own preferences and budget. This list will help you sort through the smoothest, most flavorful bottles across all whiskey categories.
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Best Sipping Whiskeys at a Glance
- Best Sipping Whiskey Under $50: Buffalo Trace Bourbon
- Best Sipping Whiskey Under $100: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon
- Best Sipping Whiskey Over $100: Colonel E.H. Taylor's Straight Rye
The Best Sipping Whiskeys Under $50
1. Buffalo Trace Bourbon
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One of the best bang-for-your-buck bourbons on the market, this American classic has gone relatively unchanged for nearly 200 years. Buffalo Trace is a contender for the best sipping whiskey for beginners It's affordable and packs great flavor.
[$22; totalwine.com]
2. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
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You're a traditionalist, and you don't like to diverge from tried-and-true classics. If that sounds like you, then you can't go wrong with Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Pour yourself a glass—it's great neat or on the rocks.
[$29; totalwine.com]
3. Bulleit Bourbon
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Bulleit Bourbon has become an American classic in only a short time. Thomas E. Bulleit, Jr. started Bulleit as an homage to his great-great-grandfather, who made a rye whiskey back in the mid-1800s. With its complex flavor profile, including notes of vanilla and honey, it's another affordable go-to for sipping.
[$39; totalwine.com]
4. Ardbeg Wee Beastie Single Malt Scotch
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Ardbeg is an Islay-based Scottish distillery with multiple expressions that are perfectly suited to fireside sipping. In our opinion, the best option is Ardbeg Wee Beastie. This non-chill filtered expression might have only been aged for five years, but the bold, smoky, dark chocolate, vanilla, and slightly fruity flavor is heightened by its maturation process in a combination of ex-bourbon and oloroso sherry casks.
[$41; thewhiskeyexchange.com]
5. Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
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Not only is Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon a great sipping whiskey, but it comes with an interesting story: It's distilled and aged on the same Nevada ranch where all the grains are grown and the barley is malted. It’s known for its bold flavors of candy apples, vanilla beans, orange peels, caramel, and light spices. The finish is warming and filled with oak and peppery spice.
[$43; totalwine.com]
6. New Riff Kentucky Straight Rye
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There's a lot going on with New Riff Kentucky Straight Rye, but it all works well as sipper. The mash bill of 95 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley is bottled in bond (i.e. it’s a potent 100 proof), non-chill filtered, and matured for a minimum of four years. Its high-rye content gives it a nice mix of sweet vanilla, butterscotch, oak, and a bold kick of spicy, cracked black pepper.
[$50; totalwine.com]
7. Balcones Brimstone Whisky
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A name like Brimstone should clearly telegraph what you’re getting yourself into with this fiery bottle. Unlike the single malt expressions from Islay in Scotland, this Texas-made whisky is smoked using Texas scrub oak. The result is a complex whisky with notes of pipe tobacco, candied orange peels, herbal tea, and bold, oaky smoke. The finish is warm, dry, smoky, and well-suited for relaxed sipping.
[$50; totalwine.com]
Related: We Tasted Hundreds of Tequilas. These Are the Best for Sipping Neat
The Best Sipping Whiskeys Under $100
1. Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon
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Instead of blending multiple barrels of bourbon together, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve bottles each barrel individually, which means no two bottles taste exactly the same. Aged for nine years, this sipping whiskey offers great flavor—it's certainly worth the wait.
[$52; totalwine.com]
2. Green Spot Irish Whiskey
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If you believe Irish whiskey can only be enjoyed in March, you’re really missing out on some amazing expressions. One of our favorite sippers is Green Spot Irish Whiskey. While it doesn’t have an age statement, this expression is known to be a blend of pot still whiskeys matured between seven and 10 years. Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, refill bourbon casks, and sherry casks, it’s a perfect mix of spice, fruity sweetness, and bold, rich oak.
[$55; totalwine.com]
3. Laphroaig Quarter Cask
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If you prefer scotch over bourbon and rye, then Laphroaig's Quarter Cask is a path you might want to venture down. Laphroaig is known for making some of the most peat-heavy, smokiest single malt whiskeys in the world. The Quarter Cask spends time in smaller oak barrels for even more pronounced flavors.
[$60; totalwine.com]
4. Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon
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If you’ve never tried Widow Jane, now's the time. Proving that “sourced” doesn’t need to be a bad word, Widow Jane 10 is a blend of bourbons from Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky that's produced in New York City. Blended in five-barrel batches and non-chill filtered before being proofed with locally sourced mineral water, it’s known for its complex, well-balanced flavor profile featuring almond cookies, vanilla beans, candied orange peels, and rich oak.
[$64; totalwine.com]
5. High West Campfire Whiskey
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A blend of Scotch, bourbon, and rye whiskeys, the name says it all. High West Whiskey Campfire might be the closest you can get to drinking the smell of campfire.
[$70; totalwine.com]
6. Lagavulin 16 Single Malt Scotch
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When it comes to classic, peat-smoked single malt Scotch whiskies, it’s pretty difficult to beat the appeal of Lagavulin 16. Matured for 16 years in oak casks, this rich, memorable whisky is continually rated as one of the best that Islay has to offer. It's a true peat monster known for its flavors of salted caramel, oaky wood, vanilla, baking spices, and a healthy dose of brine and campfire smoke.
[$75; totalwine.com]
7. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
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This potent, highly-awarded bottle clocks in between 65 and 66 percent ABV—but fear not, the high proof doesn't cost points in flavor. The cask-strength whisky featuring a mash bill of 100 percent rye is bold, rich, and robust. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye is highlighted by flavors of caramel candy, toasted vanilla beans, cinnamon sugar, and warming peppery rye.
[$77; totalwine.com]
Related: 11 Best Añejo Tequilas for Sipping and Mixing
The Best Sipping Whiskeys Over $100
1. Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye
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Rye whiskey has made a strong resurgence in America, and Colonel E.H. Taylor's Straight Rye is a big reason for that. Offering a spicier flavor profile than the classic American bourbon, a rye will give you a little bit of extra bite with each sip.
[$258; flaviar.com]
2. Midleton Very Rare
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This annual release is one of the best Irish whiskeys you can get your hands on. It’s produced at the Midleton Distillery, where other popular brands like Jameson and Redbreast are also distilled. Midleton Very Rare is a pricey blend of carefully selected well-aged grain and pot still whiskeys. The 2023 vintage, created by master distiller Kevin O’Gorman, has more traditional and lighter pot still whiskey styles in the mix than past years, resulting in an elegant blend that’s excellent for sipping. Try a few vintages side-by-side if you’d like to see how they compare.
[$250; totalwine.com]
3. Glenmorangie Signet
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Glenmorangie Signet has a unique flavor profile inspired by coffee. Some of the whisky in the bottle was distilled from chocolate malt—a type of heavily roasted barley that brings out flavors of chocolate, espresso, and dark fig. Signet was aged in a combination of casks, including bourbon, sherry, and virgin oak. The resulting whisky is super flavorful and unlike anything else you might have tried from Glenmorangie. Among single malt scotches, it’s a standout.
[$260; costplusliquors.com]
What Makes a Good Sipping Whiskey?
A few key factors distinguish the best sipping whiskeys from other varieties. A sipping whiskey is generally aged longer, for at least four to five years, which smooths out the flavors and adds layers of complexity.
Although the term “smooth” is overused when describing whiskeys, in this case, it actually means something: A younger whiskey can be harsh on the palate, but a few extra years of maturing in oak barrels often mellows out those unpleasant notes. Of course, if you keep whiskey in a barrel for too long, it can become overly tannic and oaky (this is particularly true when it comes to bourbon).
While price isn’t an accurate indicator of a whiskey’s quality, you’ll likely pay a bit more for a good sipping whiskey. That $20 plastic bottle on the bottom shelf of the liquor store is not going to be a good sipper.
Categories of Sipping Whiskeys
When looking for a good whiskey, consider the main varieties and the key attributes that define each style.
Bourbon is made from a mash bill of at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak containers (virtually always barrels). Bourbons often have a pleasant sweetness, and the charred oak barrels impart flavors of vanilla and caramel.
Rye is made from at least 51 percent rye. For sipping, look for a 95 percent rye whiskey—these varieties offer bolder, spicier flavors that really capture the character of this style.
Blended Scotch is made from a combination of malt and grain whisky distilled and aged in oak barrels in Scotland. Some brands, like Dewar’s, are made of whiskies from up to 40 different distilleries. These bottles often have a smooth, creamy sweetness similar to bourbon.
Single-malt Scotch is made from 100 percent barley at one distillery in Scotland and aged for at least three years. These bottles typically have more sharply defined, nuanced flavors than blended Scotch.
Japanese whiskies generally follow the traditions of Scotch, and they come in both blended and single-malt varieties. They’re usually drier, smokier, and peatier than American styles.
Irish whiskey comes in a few different styles. The most common is blended whiskey, but a better sipping option is single pot still whiskey made from malted and unmalted barley at one distillery. This whiskey is unique to Ireland and often has bright notes of fruit and spice.
There are a few other key terms to know in addition to the varieties above. Barrel-proof whiskey means no water has been added before bottling (a miniscule amount is legally allowed). These bottles are the closest to tasting whiskey right from the barrel that most people will get.
Bottled-in-bond means the whiskey is 100 proof and at least four years old. The higher proof and longer maturation time indicate that it will likely offer a more flavorful sipping experience.
What’s the Best Sipping Whiskey for Beginners?
There’s no one whiskey that’s best for beginners, and trying to pick one bottle can be overwhelming for those not familiar with the whiskey market. For beginners, a good rule of thumb is to look for a familiar brand and then go a level up from that brand’s base offering. For example, skip the Jim Beam White Label and try Jim Beam Black instead.
What Whiskey is the Smoothest?
A smooth sipping whiskey has picked up notes of vanilla, caramel, and stone fruit from its time inside a barrel without becoming overly tannic. Whiskey must be a minimum of 80 proof, but for maximum smoothness and taste, look for something in the 90 to 100 proof range—that means less water has been added to dilute the whiskey’s flavor.
Irish whiskey is generally considered smooth, with a fruity flavor profile that very rarely contains any smoke. The majority of single-malt Scotch, despite what many people believe, is also not smoky. Of course, whiskies from the Islay region of Scotland are known for their high levels of peat, and there are smoky whiskeys to try from Ireland, Japan, and even some bourbons and American single malts—all of which are great for sipping if you enjoy smoky flavors.
Finally, bourbon’s inherent sweetness and vanilla notes means this type of whiskey is fantastic when sipped on its own.
Is Jameson a Sipping Whiskey?
Regular Jameson Irish Whiskey is a crucial half of the classic beer and shot combo, and it works well there, but it’s not exactly the best sipping whiskey. For the best tasting experience, try another expression from this distillery: Jameson Black Barrel is a lovely neat pour, and Jameson 18 is a well-aged Irish sipping whiskey.
Is Jack Daniel’s a Sipping Whiskey?
The same goes for Jack. Go ahead and sip Old No. 47 if you like—its sweet banana notes might be just what you’re looking for. But we’d recommend something else from the same brand: Give the Single Barrel expression a try, and if you’re willing to shell out some cash for Jack Daniels’ new 10- or 12-year-old Tennessee whiskeys, you’re in for a treat.
Those are just a few ideas—read on to learn more about the best sipping whiskeys available now. You might just find your new favorite bottle.