2024 was an up and down year for American whiskey. Multiple businesses reported struggles, some filed for bankruptcy and FTC lawsuits could reshape the distribution pipeline.
The sad part is that while some are hurting, this could be the most exciting year of American whiskey in my lifetime.

On Friday at 7 p.m. EST on a YouTube Livesteream, I will taste the best of the best to determine my favorite of the year.

American single malts now have federal mandates and smaller distillers — like Ben Holladay, Union Horse and Whiskey Acres — are out-tasting the likes of Blanton’s. And there are blenders, like Dixon Dedman and Nancy Fraley, absolutely dominating my palate with their 2XO Sneakerhead and Still Austin Tanager respectively.

Don’t overlook Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, Brown-Forman and MGP, all of whom have several contenders this year.

I am seeing things like Knob Creek 18 Year and Remus Repeal 8 on regular shelves again instead of behind glass cases or in the manager’s section. A down market does have its upsides, I suppose.
That said, this has been an amazing year for whiskey. After tasting more than 600 American whiskeys, this is my Top 100, which I am currently tasting in blind flights for Club Marzipan and will taste the finals on a livestream Friday.

How did these make the list?

The whiskeys must excite me. They must offer something to the American whiskey world that I find fantastic and or innovative. This is my list, and my list alone. You can absolutely see what trends I support and don’t support by what’s on this list.

Blind Bourbon LIVE Winners. Any product that wins a Blind Bourbon LIVE is automatically entered into my Top 100. Blind Bourbon LIVE is voted on by the attendees. I do not vote.

ASCOT High Scores. Anything that received a high score from me in the ASCOTs gets an entry.

Club Marzipan and YouTube reviews pushed several into this year’s list.
Club Marzipan fan favorites. Two products made the list, because my Club Marzipan members loved them.

Punches above its weight! There are products in here that are super expensive. And if they’re on this list, that means I would, yes, personally buy them and in fact have. But if there’s a $40 product that tastes better than most $200 bottles, you better believe its here. That’s punching above your weight!

And just general tastings. I actually entered one product into the list after just sipping it with friends.
As usual, no single barrels are considered, but I will reveal in a separate tasting, my top single barrels of 2024.

The Contenders

Note: 102 actually make the list this year.

2024 Boulder Cask Strength
Proof: 128.4 proof
Price: $85
Why It’s Here: For the third year in a row, this incredibly complex Colorado cask strength bourbon brings it. This year, it’s seven years old!

291 Colorado Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Aspen Staves, Small Batch
Proof: 101.7 proof
Price: $75
Why It’s Here: This was one of my personal high scores at the ASCOT Awards.

2XO The Sneakerhead Blend, 104 Proof
Proof: 104
Price: $99.99
Why It’s Here: Dixon Deaman is one of the greatest blenders of our time, and he has walked the fine like of sweet oak and balance here. I love this blend!

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength 2024
Proof: 124.6
Price: $279.99
Why It’s Here: Among the port finishes, Angel’s Envy always stands atop the crowd. This is my favorite of theirs in a long time.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Amrut
Proof: 110
Price: $169.99
Why It’s Here: This release is a beautiful example of how Indian whisky barrels can enter the American whiskey fray.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Collab Series Bourbon Lore
Proof: 112.5
Price: $169.99
Why It’s Here: This is the best Collab release from BBC, one that, I believe, is fit for true old school bourbon palates like me.

Barrell Batch 36
Proof: 114.44
Price: $79.99
Why It’s Here: This is crazy reminiscent to Barrell Batch 11, which won San Francisco and was the batch screamed “marzipan.”

Barrell Mizunara Finish
Proof: 116.42
Price: $96.99
Why It’s Here: I am in love with Mizunara finishes and this is my fave of the year.

Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof 6 Year Old Bourbon
Proof: 120.1 Proof
Price: $66.99
Why It’s Here: This distillery is putting Missouri bourbon back on the map.

Bluegrass Elkwood Reserve 9 Year
Proof: 120
Price: $149.99
Why It’s Here: I tasted this on a Club Marzipan livestream and it absolutely wowed me.

Bomberger’s 2024
Proof: 108
Price: $134.99
Why It’s Here: Truthfully, my Club Marzipan members propelled this one onto the list. When I asked them what bottles I should consider that I had left off, they suggested Bomberger’s. So I gave it another taste, and I see why it’s a fan favorite.

Booker’s 2024-3
Proof: 131
Price: $99.99
Why It’s Here: Cornbread and jalapeno city.

Booker’s 2024-4
Proof: 125.8
Price: $99.99
Why It’s Here: Delicious!

Brothers Bond Regenerative Grain
Proof: 95
Price: $59.99
Why It’s Here: Regenerative agriculture is important to future farming models, and this is one of the first to bring attention to it!

Brothers of the Leaf Batch 2, Straight Bourbon Finished in Toasted Oak French Oak
Proof: 116.2
Price: $95.99
Why It’s Here: One of my favorite toasted products of the year.

Bulleit 10 Year Rye
Proof: 91.2
Price: $48.99
Why It’s Here: I don’t get why anybody likes the 12 year over this 10 year Bulleit rye. It’s exceptional and an incredible example of Indiana rye.

Bywater Four Grain Bourbon
Proof: 93
Price: $48.99
Why It’s Here: This was my highest score of a particular flight at the ASCOTs. It’s quite tasty!

Cedar Ridge Distillery ‘The QuintEssential’ Special Release – Portside
Proof: 92
Price: $56.99
Why It’s Here: When I tasted this blind at the ASCOTs, I wrote: “yummy.”

Chattanooga Whiskey Founders Blend, 100 Proof
Proof: 100
Price: $55.99
Why It’s Here: I love this distillery for so many reasons and this may be the greatest thing they have ever put out. Simply exceptional and loaded with chocolate flavors.

Cock of the Walk Proprietors Reserve Lot 3
Proof: 112.1
Price: $150.99
Why It’s Here: Big and bold, but not overpowering. I really like how the finish lingers.

Copper Fox Pot Distilled Chestnut American Whiskey
Proof: 96 Proof
Price: $65
Why It’s Here: This is the most innovative whiskey on my list, using real distilling techniques versus adding flavoring packs. From their website: “64% corn, 27% in-house hand malted barley, and 9% oats; all 100% Virginia grown. Double pot-stilled to between 150 and 160 proof, then aged in used bourbon barrels infused with a proprietary blend of new and used toasted oak & chestnut wood.” Oh, and it tastes beautiful, with each grain expressing itself!

Crater Lake Reserve Rye
Proof: 96
Price: $33.99
Why It’s Here: Winner of Blind Bourbon Oregon

Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego, Sherry and Cognac Finish
Proof: 95.8
Price: $80
Why It’s Here: This is simple as good as it gets for a 2-barrel finish. The back and forth between fruit and spice is next level!

Elijah Craig A124
Proof: 119
Price: $79.99
Why It’s Here: This was a high score of mine at the ASCOT Awards.

Epoch Reserve Maryland Straight Rye
Proof: 100
Price: $45.99
Why It’s Here: I remember tasting this in the early rounds of the ASCOT Awards and was wowed.

Forbidden Batch 3
Proof: 96
Price: $134.99
Why It’s Here: This is one of the best whiskeys Marianne Eaves has created.

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch
Proof: 108.2
Price: $220
Why It’s Here:

Garrison Brothers 2024 Laguna Madre (YouTube Review)
Proof: 101
Price: $399.99
Why It’s Here:

George T. Stagg
Proof: 136.1
Price: $149.99
Why It’s Here:

Green River Full Proof
Proof: 117.3
Price: $49.99
Why It’s Here: Club Marzipan fan favorite!

Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Finished in PX Sherry Barrels
Proof: 116.8
Price: $89.99
Why It’s Here: Best barrel finish rye of ASCOT Awards

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye
Proof: 123.2
Price: $99.99
Why It’s Here: Grainy yet spicy. Loved it.

Heaven’s Door Homesick Blues, Minnesota Wheated Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 122.7
Price: $81.99
Why It’s Here: When I found out this was one of my high scores at the ASCOT Awards, I blurted out, “well, this is the best Heaven’s Door I’ve had yet.” Excited to see how this one finishes!

High West Bottled in Bond Rye
Proof: 100
Price: $79.99
Why It’s Here: High West, known for its blends, brings it with a Bottled-in-Bond rye that’s absolutely a contender. I love the fact we are seeing more bottled in bonds from houses like High West. I definitely want to encourage more of that.

Hooten Young Rye
Proof: 93
Price: $64.99
Why It’s Here: This rye is so complex with so little proof that has me rethinking my opinion that the best whiskeys of today are cask strength. At 93 proof, it punches far above its weight and could very well place in Top 10 of this tasting.

J. Mattingly 6-Year Double Staved, 119 Proof
Proof: 119
Price: $120
Why It’s Here: I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did. But with each sip, I found myself saying out loud, “wow, just wow.” It’s got all the positives of oak with none of the bitterness I hate.

James E. Pepper Decanter
Proof: 105.4
Price: $52.99
Why It’s Here: Returning to the Top 100, James E. Pepper’s Decanter line is arguably the best bang for the buck of this entire list.

Jefferson’s Ocean Double Barrel Rye
Proof: 96
Price: $75.99
Why It’s Here: I’m really in love with Double Oaked ryes, and this is an elite pour.

Keepers Heart Irish + American
Proof: 110
Price: $28.99
Why It’s Here: Cross whiskey blends are becoming more fashionable. And it’s time I start rewarding those doing it right. Keepers Heart Irish + American is delicious and a trendsetter!

Kentucky Peerless Small Batch Rye
Proof: 107.6
Price: $109.99
Why It’s Here: This was my highest rye score in the ASCOTs.

Kings County 7 Year Bottled in Bond
Proof: 100
Price: $134.99
Why It’s Here: As craft distillers go, few do it better than Kings County. And this 7 year bottled in bond is a tribute to bourbon lovers everywhere.

K.LUKE Batch 10
Proof: 120.2 proof
Price: $109.99
Why It’s Here: You will be hard pressed to find a better blender in the country right now than K.LUKE.

Knob Creek 18 Year
Proof: 100
Price: $159.99
Why It’s Here: Fan friggin’ tastic!

Larceny A124
Proof: 124.2
Price: $79.99
Why It’s Here: Winner of three Blind Bourbons this year and my highest bourbon score at the ASCOT Awards.

Larceny C924
Proof: 125.1
Price: $69.99
Why It’s Here: I don’t think it’s as good as A124, but I can’t think of 99 other American whiskeys that taste better than this one. It was one of the last ones in, but that caramel bomb note could pose a major threat if my palate is seeking sweeter notes that night.

Lasso Motel Cognac Cask Finish
Proof: 100
Price: $74.99
Why It’s Here: When I saw this I was pretty dismissive based on its packaging, but this is why we don’t judge a whiskey by its label. It’s about the taste, and holy wow, did it bring a level of complexity that I don’t often get from Cognac finishes.

Lawrenceburg/Larrikin Bourbon Company 10 Year Rye Whiskey Batch 1
Proof: 122.3
Price: $99.99
Why It’s Here: Herbal candy all day.

Leopold Brothers 8 Year Bourbon
Proof: 110
Price: $64.99
Why It’s Here: This is how I imagine the 1800s bourbon tasted like. Rich and sweet, but you can still taste the grain.

Liberty Pole Peated Rye Batch 6
Proof: 111.4
Price: $64
Why It’s Here: I scored this super high on Club Marzipan; I am a sucker for a good Peated Rye.

Little Book Chapter 8
Proof: 119.3
Price: $249.99
Why It’s Here: This is the best Little Book that I can recall.

Lost Lantern Far Flung
Proof: 126.6
Price: $100
Why It’s Here: One of my highest scores in Club Marzipan.

Lythgoe 9 Year 4 Grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Founders Collection, 94 Proof
Proof: 94
Price: $89.99
Why It’s Here: Named after the Queen of the Bootleggers, who is in my book Whiskey Women, I can’t stop thinking about how complex this is at 94 proof. Definitely punches above its weight!

Maker’s Mark Cellar Age
Proof: 115.7
Price: $229.99
Why It’s Here: I tasted this at a charity fundraiser, not a tasting setting, and I got chills on the back of my neck. But last year, I ranked this far lower than I thought when I tasted blind. Will that happen again? Blinds never lie.

Michter’s Cask Strength Rye
Proof: 110.4
Price: $90ish
Why It’s Here:

Michter’s Toasted
Proof: 86
Price: $109.99
Why It’s Here: This is the only toasted line that I consistently love. Pure balance.

Middle West Cask Strength Bourbon Batch 1 Michiloneon Reserve
Proof: 95.2
Price: $46.99
Why It’s Here: Scored it a 91 on Club Marzipan

Middle West Straight Wheat Whiskey Batch 1, 125.1 Proof
Proof: 125.1
Price: $49.99
Why It’s Here: This is the best wheat whiskey I’ve tasted all year. But please note wheat whiskey is different than wheated bourbon.

Milam & Greene Triple Cask A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies
Proof: 94
Price: $54.98
Why It’s Here: Wowed me at the ASCOTs

Nashville Barrel 7 Year Bourbon
Proof: 115.62
Price: $64.99
Why It’s Here: Similar to the Top 5 Finisher from last year.

Nashville Barrel Company Small Batch Rye
Proof: 100
Price: $61.99
Why It’s Here: Won best Blend of Straight Ryes at ASCOTs

New Riff 8 Year Bourbon
Proof: 100
Price: $86.99
Why It’s Here: Rich and layered in vanilla.

New Riff 8 Year Rye
Proof: 100
Price: $69.99
Why It’s Here: How rye was meant to be.

New Riff Winter Whiskey Bottled in Bond (Malted Oat and Chocolate Malt)
Proof: 100
Price: $74.99
Why It’s Here: I am a sucker for oats.

OH Ingram River Aged Flagship
Proof: 100
Price: $83.99
Why It’s Here: Damn, its’ complex, but I love how they actually age this on a river, similar to the old days of transporting bourbon.

Old Elk Distillery Wheated Bourbon – 8 Year
Proof: 106.1
Price: $96.99
Why It’s Here: One of my highest scores at the ASCOTs

Old Line Single Malt Double Oak: Sherry Cask and Virgin Oak
Proof: 100
Price: $65
Why It’s Here: Something about the fruit in this one that just makes me want another pour.

Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Rye
Proof: 100
Price: $49.99
Why It’s Here: Love this bottled in bond rye. Coming from a small distiller!

Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Bourbon
Proof: 107
Price: $200+
Why It’s Here: Fell in love with this one. See Instagram LIVE review.

Old Stubborn Batch 1 (YouTube Review)
Proof: 123.8
Price: $250
Why It’s Here:

Pacific Coast Spirits 6 Year California Wheated Bourbon
Proof: 114
Price: $90
Why It’s Here: Delicious. I also think it’s important to reward a craft distiller making very good bourbon right now and legit competing for the best.

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year
Proof: 107
Price: $500+
Why It’s Here: This is my favorite of the Van Winkle lineup and the best 15-year in several years. While I know it’s not gonna be a popular pick, it’s too good to leave off.

Parker’s Heritage 14 Year Malt
Proof: 107
Price: $170
Why It’s Here: In a word, complex. Winner of Blind Bourbon New Jersey

Peerless Double Oak Batch 18
Proof: 108.7
Price: $88.99
Why It’s Here: Can you say caramel?

Penelope Cask Strength 4 Grain Batch 19
Proof: 114
Price: $64.99
Why It’s Here: Just a everything you want in a 4-grain bourbon: rich and layered with each grain and a touch of sweetness. This is a personal favorite that I picked up on a whim at a liquor store and went back for another.

Pinhook Cask Strength 5 Year (Club Marzipan Review)
Proof: 118.2
Price: $53.99
Why It’s Here: One of my highest reviews on Club Marzipan this year.

Ponfeigh, Westsylvania Rye
Proof: 117
Price: $85
Why It’s Here: I reviewed this on Club Marzipan and it became a house pour not long after.

Preservation Pot Distilled Wheated Bourbon (Cask Strength and Unfiltered)
Proof: 100
Price: $149.99
Why It’s Here:

Pursuit United Double Oak Rye
Proof: 108
Price: $79.99
Why It’s Here: Sweet and spicy.

Rabbit Hole Boxergrail 8 Year Cask Strength Rye, 103.8 Proof
Proof: 103.8
Price: $300
Why It’s Here: Rather earthy, and I like that.

Rare Perfection 8 Year Lot 4, Bourbon Craft Collection
Proof: 129
Price: $199.99
Why It’s Here: Loved this. Rare Perfection is a brand that’s won a lot of people over in recent years, but this pour harkens back to how whiskey used to be, in my opinion.

Remus Gatsby
Proof: 115
Price: $279.99
Why It’s Here: Complex

Remus Repeal 8
Proof: 101
Price: $119.99
Why It’s Here:

Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Proof: 117.2
Price: $250
Why It’s Here: Winner of Breaking Bourbon’s whiskey of the year, and I like it, too.

Savage & Cooke American Whiskey Finished in Zin Barrels, 113 Proof
Proof: 113
Price: $44.99
Why It’s Here: I didn’t see myself falling in love with a Zin finished whiskey this year. But here we are: Savage & Cooke has shown me the light and delivered a chocolate, syrupy flavor profile that I want to pair with a crispy duck.

Sazerac 18 Year
Proof: 90
Price: $124.97
Why It’s Here: Absolutely complex.

Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 100
Price: $62.99
Why It’s Here: One of my high scores at the ASCOT Awards.

Smokeye Hill Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Proof
Proof: 131.4
Price: $84.99
Why It’s Here: Winner of Best Bourbon at the ASCOT Awards. Nice rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, baking spice and oak on the palate. Finish is long and spicy but not hot for a 131 proof whiskey. Delicious

Smooth Ambler Contradiction Rye Batch No. 56
Proof: 105
Price: $35.99
Why It’s Here: Always one of my favorite rye blends.

Starlight Distillery Carl T. Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey (Best Craft, ASCOTs)
Proof: 100
Price: $44.99
Why It’s Here: Winner of Best Craft ASCOT Awards

Still Austin Tanager
Proof: 98.4
Price: $149.99
Why It’s Here:

Stranahans 12 Year Single Malt
Proof: 94.6
Price: $144.99
Why It’s Here: One of the category leaders of the American single malt category, Stranahans sets the bar with this 12 year malt.

The Magi Blended Rye
Proof: Varies
Price: $149.99
Why It’s Here: Blended rye can be tough to taste. Sometimes they’re not balanced and the components just don’t settle. This is far from that. It’s quite lovely and sings a tune of herbs, sweetness and spice.

Proof and Wood Tumblin’ Dice Straight Rye Whiskey, Curated Small Batch
Proof: 116.4
Price: $80
Why It’s Here: Rich and earthy undertones of leather and tobacco add to the whiskey’s richness, with a nutty palate with hints of almond or walnut. Oak imparts a vanilla underbelly and the finish lingers nicely. Delightful.

Union Horse Bottled in Bond Bourbon
Proof: 100
Price: $62
Why It’s Here: So, I was shopping for bourbon when in Oklahoma and saw this bottle. I was like, yeah, let me give it a crack. I tasted it and was blown away at how rich and buttery it was. Buttered corn and pepper heaven!

Very Olde St Nick Straight Outa Bardstown 10 Year Kentucky Bourbon
Proof: 131.6
Price: $200+
Why It’s Here: This is reminiscent of the early cask strength bourbons that helped bring bourbon back.

Weller Millennium
Proof: 99
Price: $7,500
Why It’s Here:

Whiskey Acres 7 Year
Proof: 107
Price: $72.99
Why It’s Here: One of my highest scores in Club Marzipan

Wild Turkey 8 Year “Jimmy Anniversary” 101 Proof
Proof: 101
Price: $45.99
Why It’s Here: Any whiskey honoring the great Jimmy Russell deserves to be on this list. Just so happens the whiskey’s pretty darn good!

Willett 8 Year Wheated
Proof: 108
Price: $259.99
Why It’s Here: A delicious wheater that offers hints of almond butter and pumpkin bread.

Woodford Reserve
Proof: 90.4
Price: $30
Why It’s Here: Winner of Big 12 Blind Bourbon

Last night, I served as entertainment for the Big 12 athletic administrators and educated the ADs and presidents on bourbon. In their Blind Bourbon taste off, they picked in a tight vote: 1) Woodford Reserve; 2) TX Bourbon; 3) Weller Special Reserve; 4) Four Roses Single Barrel.… pic.twitter.com/pY9aiTZEPC

— FredMinnick (@FredMinnick) May 30, 2024

Woodford Reserve Batch Proof 119.5 Proof
Proof: 119.5
Price: $164.99
Why It’s Here: Meaty!

Woodinville 8 Year Cask Strength
Proof: 100
Price: $134.99
Why It’s Here: Yelawolf and I nearly downed an entire bottle hanging out one weekend. This is probably the only whiskey that’s made my Top 100, because I was hanging out with some buddies and just drinking it instead of giving it a proper review. Perhaps, that’s the greatest compliment I can give.

Woodinville Founders Find
Proof: 107
Price: $129.99
Why It’s Here: Winner of Best Other Whiskey at ASCOT Awards and it was my favorite whiskey at the the competition. Founders Find had my vote for Best in Show. It did not win, however.

Almost made it: Cold Zero, Four Branches Rum Cask Finish Black Ops, Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Bourbon, Stranahan’s Red Could Peak, Westward American Single Malt, Stagg, Old Fitzgerald 10 Year, Wiliam LaRue Weller, Woodford Toasted, McTavish Bourbon finished in Scotch casks, EH Taylor Barrel Proof Rye and Monk’s Road Toasted Rye.

Disclosures