Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022

Over the past few months, we’ve been lucky enough to sample some really great whiskeys. It got us thinking about which ones were our favorite. However, it is tough to compare different styles available at different prices. In Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022, you’ll find an allocated pick, a budget bottle, a beginner-friendly bottle, a blended whiskey, and a single malt.

The bottles in Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022 are not an all-inclusive list. In order to make the list, it had to be a bottle we tried and reviewed previously. We limited our selection to bottles we’ve reviewed and sampled between June and September 2022. Here is the list of Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022.

1. Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond: Best Allocated Bottle

It can be tough to get your hands on an allocated bottle of whiskey. I was very lucky to purchase Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond during a raffle earlier this summer. I was on the fence about purchasing this bottle since I could have selected Eagle Rare. However, after tasting the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, I knew I made the right decision.

Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond is a 7-year-aged bonded bourbon. It was a beautiful mixture of vanilla, oak, and caramel that was a delight to my taste buds. It was also reasonably priced at $60 for the bottle. Since this is an allocated bottle, you might have a tough time finding it. If you do find it, don’t hesitate to take it home. It is a stellar bourbon!

You can find our full review and tasting notes for Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond here.

2. Ezra Brooks 99 Bourbon: Best Budget Whiskey

Inflation over the past few years has taken a toll on our whiskey budget. As such, we are always on the lookout for quality whiskeys that run under $25. Even if inflation has pushed some bottles above the $25 mark, there are still a number of quality whiskeys available for under $25. The quality and price of Ezra Brooks 99 Bourbon are what led us to include it in Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022.

We loved the 99-proof bottling from Ezra Brooks. We found it to be a step up in terms of flavor compared to their standard 90-proof expression. The 99 is a caramel bomb that was delicious neat and superb in a number of cocktails. Even in pricey Colorado, I was able to pick up this bottle for under $25 out the door, making it an excellent budget selection.

You can find our full review and tasting notes of Ezra 99 here.

3. Uncle Nearest 1884: Best Beginner Friendly Whiskey

Next on Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022 is Uncle Nearest 1884. Uncle Nearest was hands down one of our favorite whiskeys we sampled during the summer. It is THAT good. Another perk to Uncle Nearest is that it is also an excellent bottle to share with new whiskey enthusiasts.

Uncle Nearest 1884 is sweet, complex, and smooth. There are so many flavors to discover with each sip. Whether you are a new enthusiast or if you have been enjoying whiskey for years, you’ll love Uncle Nearest 1884.

Check out our full review and tasting notes here.

4. Jack Daniels Triple Mash: Best Blended Whiskey

Jack Daniels is a polarizing brand in the whiskey world. Either you think they make great whiskey, or you’ll find some way to diminish their products. We happen to enjoy Jack Daniels, yet we were still blown out of the water by how delicious Jack Daniels Triple Mash Bonded whiskey turned out. It is an excellent bottle that makes Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022.

Jack Daniels Triple Mash is a blend of three bonded whiskeys: Tennessee Rye, Tennessee Whiskey, and American Single Malt. All three come together to produce a tasty whiskey. It is smooth, with a touch of spice. The vanilla, oak, and banana flavors I’ve come to associate with Jack were noticeable on the palate, yet more refined than Old No. 7. It is an excellent bottle that is sure to change your feelings about Jack. We suggest sharing with a friend without telling them what you poured to see what they really think.

You can find our full review and tasting notes of Jack Daniels Triple Mash here.

5. Canyonlands Confluence: Best Single Malt

Although many people think Scotch when you say single malt, it overlooks the fact that there are a number of distillers making excellent single malt whiskeys in the U.S. On Our Top 5 Whiskeys of Summer 2022, we had to add Canyonlands Confluence Single Malt to our list.

Canyonlands Confluence is made by Moab Distilling and required a trip to Utah to find. However, if you find yourself in the area, don’t pass up this unique whiskey made from 100% malted barley and Colorado plateau water. The unique mix of flavors with a touch of heat makes it an excellent sipping whiskey. It also drinks well on ice, perfect for those hot summer temps.

You can find out more information about Canyonlands Confluence here.

Final Thoughts

As summer winds down, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the bottles we listed above. We think they are some of the best bottles we’ve tried this summer and they are worth trying if you happen to see them in a store near you.

Happy Exploring!