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Distiller's Top 25 Spirits of 2023

From bourbon and Scotch whisky to aged rum, tequila, and liqueurs, we tasted amazing spirits all year long. Here are our favorite spirits for 2023, all ranked and reviewed!
Dec 24, 2023
  • 25
    93
    Cellar Aged is a new limited edition Kentucky straight bourbon release from Maker's Mark. Its creation begins with fully-matured Maker's Mark aged in traditional bourbon warehouses. Then the barrels are moved to a limestone whisky cellar for a further 5-6 years of aging. Mature barrels are selected, blended and bottled at cask strength. For this 2023 release, the bottling is a marriage of 11-12 year-old bourbon whiskeys. This annual limited edition release will be available in select markets around the world. The US gets its allocation September 2023. Then London, Munich, and select global travel retailers follow in October 2023. Tokyo & Singapore get their allocations in early 2024. (SRP $150)
  • 24
    93
    This is 12th Cask Strength Bourbon release from Angel's Envy and the first under the leadership of Master Distiller Owen Martin who joined the brand the previous fall. Noteworthy barrels were selected form their rickhouses to undergo further finishing in port wine barrels. For this 2023 release, there were 22,656 bottles produced each with an updated bottled design for the brand. Bottled at a cask strength of 118.2 proof (59.1% ABV), availability will extend to select retailers in all 50 states as well as the Angel's Envy Distillery in Louisville beginning December 1, 2023. (SRP $229.99)
  • 23
    93
    Indri is one of three distilleries in Northern India under the Piccadily Distillers umbrella. This single malt, named for the ancient Celtic word for "oak" (Drú), is matured in ex-bourbon barrels in a warm climate that is described as "sub-tropical". It is bottled at a cask strength of 114.4 proof with availability in the US beginning November 2023. (SRP $80)
  • 22
    93
    The tenth release in BBCo.'s Discovery Series is a blend of five straight bourbon whiskeys made from five different recipes. The bottling is primarily (86%) made up of Kentucky sourced bourbons with ages ranging from 6-13 years. The remainder consists of 10 year-old bourbons from Georgia and Tennessee. It's bottled at 57.12% ABV. There are approximately 3,500 9L-cases available at the distillery's gift shop and in 24 states nationally beginning June 2, 2023. (SRP $139.99)
  • 21
    93
    Cierto Tequila is a 100% additive-free tequila brand —"cierto" translates to "true" — featuring estate-grown agave from the Highlands of Jalisco. Master Distillers Enrique Fonseca and Sergio Mendoza, fourth and fifth-generation agave farmers, crafted the tequilas which were distilled at La Tequileña Distillery in the town of Tequila. Each bottling in the Private Collection portfolio is blended with aged tequilas sourced from the Fonseca private library. The Extra Añejo expression was aged primarily in French Limousin oak which formerly held wine & spirits including cognac and armagnac. Availability begins in select markets in the US in February 2023 with a wider national release throughout 2023. (SRP $279)
  • 20
    94
    Dalmore Select Edition 2005 (Bottled 2023) is an 18 Year old whisky release in The Dalmore's Vintage Collection. This limited edition whisky was aged in ex-bourbon casks and finished in a combination of Vintage 2005 Sherry and Matusalem casks. It is bottled at 49.3% ABV and has a suggested price of $499.99.
  • 19
    94
    The Buffalo Trace Prohibition Collection is the first of an expected annual limited edition, multi-bottle collection honoring whiskeys that were legally produced and sold at the distillery (then known as George T. Stagg Distillery) during Prohibition. This inaugural release features five Prohibition-era brands that had disappeared until now: Golden Wedding; Three Feathers; Walnut Hill; George T. Stagg Spiritus Frumenti; and this bottle, Old Stagg, an uncut and unfiltered barrel proof whiskey. Sold exclusively as a set of five 375ml bottles packaged in a custom wooden display case. (SRP $999.99)
  • 18
    94
    Oban The Soul of Calypso is one of eight bottlings for DIAGEO'S 2023 Special Releases collection which has a theme of "Spirited Xchange"— celebrating the journey of Scotch, countries and cultures around the world. Selected by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison, the whisky here was finished in Caribbean pot still rum casks. Bottled at 58% ABV, it's available in limited quantities in the US beginning October 2023. (SRP $140)
  • 17
    94
    Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson select fully matured barrels of the brand's US*1 Rye. Then each was transferred for finishing into a second barrel, made of special wood that was naturally air-dried and seasoned outdoors for 24 months and toasted, but not charred. The average barrel proof for these bottles is 108.9 (54.45% ABV) but will vary. Launching September 2023 in limited quantities. (SRP $120)
  • 16
    94
    Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon marks the 135th anniversary for the brand which launched in 1888. Crafted by master distiller Brent Elliott, the Kentucky straight bourbon is made from bourbons aged 12-25 years with varying mash bills and yeast recipes including: a 12-year-old and a 16-year-old OESV recipe; a 14- year-old OESK recipe; and a 25-year-old OBSV recipe. Launching September 15, 2023. (SRP $199.99)
  • 15
    94
    Like the Ferrand Dry Curaçao released in 2012, Maison Ferrand owner Alexandre Gabriel made this Yuzu Late Harvest Dry Curaçao in consultation with drinks historian David Wondrich. The yuzu fruit which was sourced from L'Agrumiste, a biodiverse orchard in the Mediterranean, was allowed to be harvested past its peak maturity in February rather than the fall. The whole yuzu fruit is macerated in grape spirit for a week and then distilled. Then the yuzu distillate is married with a touch of yuzu infusion, bourbon vanilla, brandy, and Ferrand Cognac. Availability for the US begins July 2023 nationwide. (SRP $35.99)
  • 14
    94
    Gaelic for "friendship," Cairdeas is an annual release created for the Friends of Laphroaig. The 2023 release was created with three-quarters of the single malt maturing in second-fill Madeira casks and the remaining quarter finished in first-fill port casks, the majority of which were white port. Created in 1994, the Friends of Laphroaig is a loyalty program for Scotch whisky fans across the globe. Laphroaig Cairdeas 2023 is bottled at cask strength of 52.3% ABV and is available for sale in the US beginning June 2023. (SRP $99)
  • 13
    94
    In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Yamazaki Distillery, The House of Suntory has released two new limited edition whiskies in spring 2023. Founded in 1923, Yamazaki is the first and oldest malt whisky distillery in Japan. This Yamazaki expression was aged for at least 18 years exclusively in Japanese Mizunara oak casks, a wood the brand first started experimenting with in the 1940s. This bottling is one of a collection of whiskies to be released in 2023. Available in select global markets within the US, UK, Europe and Asia beginning May 2023. (SRP $1,500)
  • 12
    94
    Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru Murcian Lemon is a celebration of the region of Murcia, Spain and its citrus fruits. Here sustainably sourced Murcian Fino lemons, mandarins, and sweet navel oranges are the focal point. Suggested serves include a Martini or a French 75, each garnished with a lemon twist, of course. Available in select markets as of February 2023 with a nationwide launch to follow in spring 2023. (SRP $34.99)
  • 11
    94
    Following an absence on the market since 2016, Benriach has returned a 16 year-old single malt to its portfolio in a new formulation. The Sixteen is a triple-cask matured whisky aging in ex-bourbon, sherry casks, and virgin oak. Bottled at 86 proof, it's available globally in select markets as of November 2022 with the US launch following in February 2023. (UK SRP £72/US SRP $115)
  • 10
    95
    Garryana is part of Westland's Outpost Range Collection, a limited edition series highlighting the provenance of the Pacific Northwest. This eighth edition continues to put a spotlight on Quercus garryana, a type of oak indigenous to the area. But other casks were used in its production including Washington State red wine (12%), first-fill ex-bourbon (5%), and Pedro Ximenez sherry butt (45%). There were six different types of barley used for this American single malt including Washington Select pale malt, pale chocolate malt, and golden promise among others. Only 7,380 bottles were produced and availability begins November 2023.(SRP $149.99)
  • 9
    95
    Barrels for the George T. Stagg Bourbon Fall 2023 release were filled in spring 2008 and were picked from barrels which matured in Warehouses C, I, K, L & M. It was bottled after 15 years and 4 months of aging at 135 proof without filtration. Availability begins in early October 2023 at select retailers with a suggested retail price of $124.99.
  • 8
    95
    This expression is a limited edition, additive-free tequila añejo that commemorates 20 years of Don Fulano. It was produced in 2023 from 100% blue Weber agave that was grown in Los Altos and harvested from three ranches in Jalisco: La Tuna in Arandas, planted in 2014; Milpillas Cerro in Atontonilco, planted in 2014; and El Maguey in Atontonilco, planted in 2008. Each harvest was also produced separately as follows, all distilled in copper pot stills: La Tuna agave, distilled in October 2021, matured in first-fill ex-Amontillado sherry butts for 1 year, 6 months. Millpillas Cerro agave, distilled in July 2021, matured in first-fill ex-Oloroso sherry butts for 1 year, 9 months. El Maguey agave, distilled in April 2014, matured in French oak ex-Burgundy casks for exactly 8 years. These were than blended in April 2023 and re-barreled in a combination of first-fill Amontillado and Oloroso sherry butts. It was bottled in July of 2023 at 44.4% ABV, with only 9,000 bottles available globally with 3,000 for the US. (SRP $199.99)
  • 7
    95
    Released to celebrate the House of Suntory's 100th anniversary, this 21 year-old Hibiki features a unique new blend created to honor the occasion. Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo and his team accentuated the influence of rare Mizunara oak for this centennial bottling. First released in 1989, Hibiki is Suntory's blended whisky brand featuring malt and grain whiskies from its Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita distilleries. This limited edition is available globally in select markets beginning September 2023. (SRP $5,000)
  • 6
    95
    The Malted Barley Series from Wolves Whiskey is an American single malt whiskey collection which varies the barley type, the barley source, the yeast, and the maltings for each release. All are distilled by Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic who used a small alembic pot still from Cognac to distill. Lot Two was distilled and barreled in 2012 using imported Irish malt and a California Ale. After 11 years of maturation, it was bottled and painstakingly hand labeled in bespoke sheepskin labels dyed matte black. Only 335 6-pack cases were produced. Availability begins August 31, 2023 to select retailers and e-commerce partners. (SRP $305)
  • 5
    95
    Hardin's Creek is a series of rare and unique whiskeys from James B. Beam Distilling Co. For the brand's Kentucky Series — a three-part bourbon series — the aim is to explore "Kentucky terroir" within the Beam Family distilling campuses of Clermont, Frankfort, and Boston. Each of the three Kentucky bourbons are 17 years-old and were distilled with the same mash bill. However, they were each aged in a different location. This Clermont expression is the first release to be available beginning June 1st 2023. The other bottlings will be released on August 1st and September 1st 2023, respectively. (SRP $169.99)
  • 4
    96
    William Larue Weller is an uncut and unfiltered wheated bourbon named for the man who is credited with using wheat instead of rye as the secondary flavoring grain in bourbon production. The Fall 2023 release was distilled in the spring of 2011 and was aged in Warehouses C, L, M, and N. It was bottled at 133.6 proof. Availability begins in early October 2023 at select retailers with a suggested retail price of $124.99.
  • 3
    96
    Talisker The Wild Explorador is one of eight bottlings for DIAGEO'S 2023 Special Releases collection which has a theme of "Spirited Xchange"— celebrating the journey of Scotch, countries and cultures around the world. Selected by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison, the whisky here was finished in a combination of white, tawny, and ruby port wine casks. Bottled at 59.7% ABV, it's available in limited quantities in the US beginning October 2023. (SRP $135)
  • 2
    97
    Master's Keep is a limited edition annual release from Wild Turkey. This Voyage bottling is a rum finished bourbon expression that was made in collaboration with Joy Spence, Master Blender for Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum. In detail, the rum barrels chosen for the finishing previously held 14 year-old pot-distilled Jamaican rum. Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell selected the 10 year-old bourbon barrels for this bottling. Bottled at 106 proof, this is available beginning July 2023 at select retailers. (SRP $275)
  • 1
    97
    Appleton Estate Legend is based on an original formula of the legendary golden rum that was the inspiration for the creation of a classic Tiki cocktail — the Mai Tai. When Victor 'Trader Vic' Bergeron first created the Mai Tai in 1944 at his bar in Oakland, California, he originally used J. Wray & Nephew 17 Year Rum. For this Legend rum bottling, Appleton Estate Master Blender Joy Spence referenced original manuscripts and formulas for this recreation. She used four very rare distillates aged a minimum of 17 years in Jamaica's tropical climate for this blend. Only 1,500 bottles are available for this one-time only limited release. Availability begins in June 2023 at select retailers in the US, Jamaica, the UK, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, and Hong Kong. (SRP $500)
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