Awesome Whiskey

Oaklore Distillery’s co-founders made a $12 million investment, betting big on the potential of North Carolina’s whiskey. While still a regional brand, Oaklore is gaining notice for superior limited releases like their Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Four Grain Bourbon, barrel aged in the Piedmont Region, where it benefits from more consistent weather than Kentucky.

The world’s best-selling Canadian whisky gets frisky with the limited-edition Crown Royal Chocolate Whisky. It’s a chocolatey indulgence with hints of caramel and toffee, lingering notes of dark cacao and Crown Royal’s velvety smoothness. Whisky and chocolate pairs in unexpected ways, easing into grapefruit juice, lemonade and cola cocktails.

With the motto “Serve honorably. Drink honorably,” it’s clear that Four Branches Bourbon takes its job seriously. Four veterans from the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force joined forces to found Four Branches Bourbon to honor fellow service members and share profits with charities including Folds of Honor and CIA Office Memorial Fun.

Asobu’s double-walled stainless steel sleeve keeps your whiskey and other cocktails chilled, while protecting your hand from the cold. The sleeve’s rubber insert slides securely over a standard rocks glass, which is included in the package. Available in black, silver, white, or woodgrain finishes.

Memphis-based Blue Note is bringing back its Honey Cask Bourbon with 1,800 bottles hitting select markets and online. The three-year-old whiskey is finished in American oak barrels that first aged bourbon, then honey, before being reused to impart a rich sweetness. The spirit packs a 70/21/9 corn-rye-barley mash bill and packs a punch at 113.86 proof.

We’ve enjoyed rediscovering two famed Scotch Whisky distilleries through their signature expressions: Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Perfectly Balanced and Glen Scotia 10-Year-Old. Loch Lomond’s exceptional quality helped the distillery clinch the title of 2024 Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year in the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Named Bourbon of the Year and Best Small Batch Bourbon at the 2024 Ascot Awards, Smokeye Hill’s Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey is uncut, unfiltered, and unmatched. Made from a unique mash of heirloom blue corn, yellow corn, rye and malted barley, this 5-year-old has come a long way from moonshine past.

Built on a loyal following of those in the know, today Redbreast is the world’s most awarded Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey. Made at the Middleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, for nearly 200 years, Redbreast has perfected the quintessential style of Irish whiskey making. Matured for 12 years in bourbon and sherry casks.

Elevate your cocktail game with this elegant gift set. This mixology kit includes two weighty Truman glasses, a gold jigger, sleek picks, single-serve mixers, cherries, dried orange slices, and whiskey-infused caramel popcorn – all in a gift box. Upgrade with the Halo Cocktail Smoker for smoky sophistication – and be sure to grab a good bottle of bourbon or rye.

Whisk(e)y’s biggest players are Scotland, Ireland, Kentucky, and Japan. New York is now getting some well-earned attention thanks to Great Jones Distilling Co., the first whiskey distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition. Great Jones Bourbon reflects the brand’s commitment to local sourcing and regional character.

Between the fabulous weather we are immersed in and all the special events (golf and otherwise) peppering the horizon, now is the perfect time to take a beat and enjoy your favorite libation with these handmade glasses. All the tactile dimples found on these cups make a memorable bachelor party present. Bonus: they can be personalized too.

These whiskey tumblers from Manready Mercantile have a polymer treatment that makes them look like they’ve been dipped in hot wax. Hand-dipped in Houston, Texas, the set of four 11 oz. glasses makes a great gift for any whiskey aficionado. Available in black or orange, though the latter is currently sold out. Hand wash only.

The creators of the excellent The Art of Mixology focus on their favorite ways to incorporate bourbon and whiskey into cocktails. After learning the basics of shaking, stirring, layering, and muddling, you’ll find dozens of drink recipes, from timeless classics to unique modern drinks. Like gin, rum, or other spirits? Check out the complete book series.

Bring new depth and dimension to your whiskey with this spirit-enhancing gift set. The kit includes various types of oak, herbs, and spices to infuse your whiskey with, along with two bottles for mixing and six stainless steel whiskey stones for ice-free chilling. They also make infusion kits for gin and vodka.

Inspired by the “Sur Lie” French winemaking process, Redemption Whiskey’s unique Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey starts with their pre-Prohibition rye mash bill with 95% rye content. Then, it breaks from whiskey-making norms, adding flavorful “whiskey lees,” leftover bits that come off the still during distillation, into the barrels before aging.

If you’ve never tried a Maryland-style rye whiskey, there’s no better place to start than with Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey with baking spices and fruit notes. It’s a meticulously crafted spirit with a harmonious blend of high and low rye mash bills, making it a sound choice for sipping neat or mixing cocktails.