Whiskey Enthusiasts are always looking for the next great bottle of whiskey. We want to find a delicious bottle that is easy to find and doesn’t break the bank. The decision can be overwhelming with the dozens of upstart whiskey brands sourcing their product from a handful of the same distilleries to whatever new celebrity-branded whiskey hitting the market. Luckily, Drinks International releases an annual list of the Best Brands. The current edition is the Best Brands of 2023.
Understanding how Drinks International generates the list helps to understand their methodology. Drinks International scours various establishments that have appeared in recent Best Bar lists. From the Top 500 Bars to other worldwide and regional awards, Drinks International selects 100 bars to participate in their surveys. They provide a detailed survey about each bar’s spirit purchasing habits. From there, they compile a list of the Best Brands sought by these upscale bars.
To understand why a bar might purchase a specific brand, it usually boils down to economics. Owners and managers want to provide their customers with premium spirit options. Having good liquor results in tastier cocktails, which is, in turn, going to drive sales and allow businesses to generate a greater profit margin. It is all about finding excellent spirits at a reasonable price. Below, we rundown the Best Brands of 2023.
1. Maker’s Mark
Unsurprisingly, Maker’s Mark made the top of the list. Maker’s Mark has always been our go-to when we walk into a bar and aren’t sure what to order. It is easy to pick out the red wax-dipped bottle. Maker’s Mark is one of the first “good” whiskeys many tried as they began their exploration with the spirit. Even at a dive bar, we usually can get Maker’s Mark. The wide availability and brand recognition landed this bottle at the top of the Best Brands of 2023. A Maker’s Mark bottle will likely run around $25, making this a pleasant and affordable option. Bonus points for being a wheated bourbon, which seems to be all the rage these days.
2. Bulleit
Coming in second on the list is Bulleit Bourbon. Bulleit is a high rye bourbon in which 28% of its mash bill is comprised of rye. It’s got a little spice and clocks in at 90 proof, so it offers a decent bang for the buck. We were surprised that Bulleit made it to number two on the list. However, we regularly see it for about $35 in our area. It has a reputation as a premium yet affordable whiskey.
3. Michter’s
Michter’s is one of those brands with a cult following, but it continues to become more of a mainstream brand. The Small Batch expression runs around $45-$50 in our area. That’s steep for those looking for a more affordable, premium pour, especially when there are equally pleasant whiskeys for $15 to $20 less. Michter’s was named The Most Admired Whiskey in 2023 by Drinks International, so it might be worth revisiting in 2024. Although it is unlikely to replace your daily drinker, it is worth sharing as a gift or having around if you want a nice bottle to share with friends. I’d almost guarantee that they haven’t tried this one.
4. Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is another brand with massive name recognition and is well-known by many bourbon enthusiasts. Woodford Reserve made some waves last year when they hired Elizabeth McCall as their Master Distiller. It’s more proof that Women and Whiskey (and the Wilderness) go together. Woodford Reserve is also the official whiskey of the Kentucky Derby. If you haven’t tried Woodford Reserve in a Mint Julep, you’re missing out. It is the perfect pairing. Want to try a delicious Mint Julep variation? Check out the recipe for our Blueberry Mint Julep here.
5. Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace ranked number five on the Best Brands of 2023 list. Considering that BT distributes a lot of other well-known whiskeys, such as Weller and Pappy, it isn’t a surprise that BT makes the list. In certain areas of the country (I’m looking at you, Texas), stores can’t keep it in stock. We think BT is a perfectly adequate whiskey. However, I have yet to understand why people buy dozens of bottles. If you see this selling for over $19.99 a bottle, pass. However, the best bars have also figured out that wealthy Texans will pay a premium for Buffalo Trace anything.
6. Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey is another well-known brand that made the list of the Best Brands in 2023. Wild Turkey is another high-rye bourbon that has a touch of spice and a pleasant vanilla flavor. It retails for about $20 a bottle. However, don’t let the price fool you. The 101-proof bottle is excellent in cocktails, on ice, or straight up. If you haven’t checked out our review of Wild Turkey, you can find it here. You might like it enough for it to become an affordable daily drinker.
7. Jim Beam
Jim Beam is among many bars and restaurants’ most common well brands. It is hard to miss the white label with the distinct vanilla and oak taste. As long as people keep searching for affordable and quality whiskeys, expect Jim Beam to remain in the top 10. We often see Jim Beam on sale for under $20 a bottle, so it earns bonus points for keeping us under budget.
8. Jack Daniel’s
Jack and Coke, please. In an iconic black-label bottle, it is widely recognized and available everywhere, and as soon as you taste it, you know exactly what it is. Although Jack Daniels continues to produce premium expressions, such as the Triple Mash expression, which we enjoyed so much, the iconic black label will likely be on this list for years.
9. Rittenhouse
We were shocked by the appearance of Rittenhouse on this list. However, we should give it much more credit. They produce an excellent, bottled-in-bond rye whiskey that is both affordable and delicious. Rittenhouse Rye also makes an excellent cocktail mixer for those spirit-forward cocktails. That is a combination that is hard to beat. Check out our review of Rittenhouse Rye here.
10. Four Roses
Four Roses rounds out the top 10 of the Best Brands of 2023. Four Roses is well-received for its premium offerings, such as its single barrel and small batch offerings. However, the good ol’ Yellow Label is a pleasant, drinkable bourbon retailing for about $20. Whether you put it in a cocktail or enjoy it straight up, it is another bourbon that deserves consideration for a spot on your shelf.
Closing Thoughts
The American Whiskeys above were all named the Best Brands of 2023 by 100 of the top bars in the US. If you are just getting started with your personal whiskey collection, this list is a great place to begin. All the brands on this list are readily available at liquor stores throughout the US. You won’t have to spend hours searching, leaving more time to enjoy these spirits.
We recommend adding a few or all of these bottles to your collection. These spirits are versatile and can be enjoyed neat or in a delicious cocktail. If you need more cocktail ideas, check out our Whiskey Page. For those who might be starting a whiskey shelf or those who just need to restock a few staples, give these a try in 2024.
Happy Exploring!
