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Distiller's Top Spirits of 2024

From bourbon and single malt whisky to aged rum and tequila, we tasted some incredible spirits this year! Here were our Top Spirits of 2024!
Dec 13, 2024
  • 15
    93
    Crafted by Master Blender David McCabe and Master Blender Emeritus Billy Leighton, this bottling features a triple-distilled single pot still whiskey which has been aged for 18 years in a combination of ex-bourbon, oloroso sherry, and cream sherry casks with a small portion aged in ruby port barrels. In addition to being the first 18 year-old expression from Redbreast, it is also the first bottling to incorporate cream sherry casks in its production. Available globally beginning September 2024, Redbreast 18 Year is a permanent addition to the brand's portfolio. (SRP $249.99)
  • 14
    93
    Introduced in February 2024, this release is one of two bottlings in The Botanist Islay Cask Matured Gin Range. The Botanist Gin — made with 22 wild, hand-foraged Islay botanicals — is produced at Bruichladdich on Islay so the brand was able to experiment with over 300 cask types found across their warehouses. With this Rested Gin bottling, Head Distiller Adam Hannett selected 15 different types of American and European oak casks from a variety of regions for the "resting" period of at least six months. Availability will be found at retailers and on-premise accounts in select markets. (SRP $49.99)
  • 13
    94
    Triple Oak joins the brand's Signature Series which also includes the Port Wine Barrel finished bourbon released in 2011 and Caribbean Rum Cask finished rye released in 2013. It's made from a blend of three oak-finished bourbons with the followings types of barrels: Hungarian oak (Hungary), Chinkapin oak (Kentucky), French oak (France). Bottled at 46%, this is an ongoing release with availability nationwide beginning October 2024 with an early release exclusively at the distillery in downtown Louisville on September 14, 2024. (SRP $74.99)
  • 12
    94
    The Double Double series from Dewar's features a blended Scotch whisky crafted by master blender Stephanie Macleod which is aged in a "four stage aging process." Aged a minimum of 21 years, the components in the blend have been aged, blended together, then aged again before a final finishing in the Japanese Mizunara oak casks. Available nationwide beginning February 2024. (SRP $149.99)
  • 11
    94
    This is the third limited edition overproof plata tequila release from Tequila Ocho, and at 108 proof (54% ABV) it's the highest proof to date. Puntas refers to a thin cut in the distillation process taken from the end of the heads and the beginning of the heart. Traditionally, this cut is set aside for the distiller to enjoy with their friends and family. The agaves were harvested Rancho Mirandillas, a field named after the Highlands town in eastern Jalisco that it neighbors. This additive-free tequila is available nationally as of August 2024 with the US getting 3,500 cases. (SRP $74.99)
  • 10
    94
    This extra-aged cask strength rye from Old Overholt was barreled in autumn 2012 and aged for 11 years in a four warehouses in Clermont, Kentucky. Bottled without filtration at 107.4 proof, it's available nationwide in limited quantities beginning fall 2024. (SRP $99)
  • 9
    94
    Five Origin Select is an aged rum made from rums sourced from five Caribbean nations — Trinidad, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Guyana. Included in the blend is Guyanese rum aged 11-15 years which were distilled on the lauded Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still. Bottled at 92 proof, there is no added sugar, coloring or flavoring in its production. Released in February 2024, this is a permanent addition to the portfolio. (SRP $64.99)
  • 8
    94
    Hendrick's Grand Cabaret is the fifth release in the brand's Cabinet of Curiosities series crafted by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie. Here, she was inspired by stone fruit spirits, eaux de vie, peach schnapps and cherry liqueurs which were fashionable in Paris in the early 1900s. Availability in the US begins March 2024. (SRP $39.99)
  • 7
    95
    With the 13th annual Cask Strength Bourbon — and just the second for Master Distiller Owen Martin — Angel's Envy has incorporated Tawny Port finished bourbon with the traditional Ruby Port finished bourbon. This marks the first time the brand has used a Solera Method by creating a continuous aging process. Bottled at a cask strength of 118.8-proof (59.4% ABV), just 23,196 bottles will be available nationwide beginning December 2024. (SRP $229.99)
  • 6
    95
    True Story is a whiskey brand launched by Wes Henderson, co-founder of Angel's Envy and Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee. This bottling consists of Kentucky straight rye whiskey aged 5-8 years in charred new American white oak barrels that was then finished in Brazilian Amburana wood as well as oloroso & PX wine casks for 2-12 months. Bottled at 100 proof, availability begins October 10, 2024 at select retailers in Kentucky and Tennessee and via the brand's website. (SRP $69.99)
  • 5
    95
    This is the second of three limited edition 2024 releases for this expression. Made with a traditional mash bill recipe, this Kentucky straight bourbon is matured a total of 11 years and 2 months. It is bottled non chill-filtered and uncut at 130.6 proof. Available beginning May 2024. (SRP $74.99)
  • 4
    95
    The 2024 release for Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is set for April 2024. As with most recent releases, the barrels were selected by Master Distiller Dan McKee, along with Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson. Also, like the rest of the Michter's whiskeys supplies are allocated due to the high demand. (SRP $185)
  • 3
    95
    The 17th edition of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon features four different bourbon recipes (out of ten available) aged 12-20 years. The recipes are as follows: 12 year OBSV (35% rye, delicate fruit yeast); 15 year OESK (20% rye, slight spice yeast); 16 year OESF (20% rye, herbal notes yeast); 20 year OBSV (35% rye, delicate fruit yeast). The bourbon was crafted by Master Distiller Brett Elliott and is bottled at 108.2 proof without chill-filtration. Approximately 16,680 hand-numbered bottles will be available at the brand's visitor centers in Kentucky beginning September 14, 2024 and at select retailers nationwide in September 2024. (SRP $220)
  • 2
    95
    The Heritage Collection is an annual spring release with each whiskey in the series featuring one of six traditional American whiskey mash bills produced by Heaven Hill. For the 2024 release, the distillery has selected an 18 year-old Kentucky straight bourbon with a mash bill recipe of 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye. The batch was made from 133 barrels that were filled in December 2005 and matured on the 3rd floor of rickhouse 1I. Limited availability begins nationally in March 2024. (SRP $299.99)
  • 1
    97
    This annual release from Russell's Reserve features an extra-aged Kentucky straight bourbon aged 15 years. The barrels for this year's batch were selected by Bourbon Hall of Fame legend Eddie Russell, Master Distiller for Wild Turkey and his team. It's bottled without chill-filtration at barrel proof of 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV). Available throughout the US and Asia beginning July 1, 2024. (SRP $250)
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