The Best Bourbons Worth Pouring in 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, our team at The Bourbon Concierge is taking a look back at the bottles that defined the year. Some have long earned their spot on our shelves, while others were new discoveries — rare finds and special releases that reminded us why bourbon collecting is as rewarding as bourbon drinking.
Each bottle here tells a story. Together, they reflect how the best bourbons of 2025 balanced tradition with innovation, and why these pours are still on our minds heading into a new year.
Staff Favorites: The Bottles We Reached for Again and Again
When you spend your days surrounded by hundreds of labels, choosing a favorite is no small task. But these bottles are the ones our team kept talking about — the pours that never failed to impress, even after countless tastings.
A true classic that never disappoints. This 12-year expression of Wild Turkey embodies what makes heritage bourbons endure: balanced oak, caramel, and spice with a finish that lingers long after the last sip. It’s reliable, rich, and easy to love — everything a great bourbon should be.
Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year 107 Proof
Few bottles sparked as much conversation this year as the Van Winkle line, and for good reason. The Old Rip 10 Year sits perfectly between heritage and drinkability, with that smooth Stitzel-Weller lineage shining through every pour. Its wheated mash bill offers honeyed sweetness and spice in near-perfect harmony.
(Pro Tip: For a cocktail that complements any wheated bourbon, add a dash of Yellow Chartreuse — its herbal depth brightens the sweetness without overpowering the flavor.)
Best Rye Whiskey: Spice, Character, and Complexity
Rye whiskey had a strong year in 2025, with distillers leaning into full flavor and long finishes. These bottles stood out for their structure, spice, and the kind of character that keeps you coming back for another sip.
WhistlePig 15 Years Rye 750ml
WhistlePig’s 15-Year Rye was proof that patience pays off. Aged entirely on the distillery’s Vermont estate, it delivered caramel, oak, and peppery heat wrapped in a polished, luxurious texture. Every glass felt deliberate — a rye built to savor slowly.
Old Forester President’s Choice Rye
This single-barrel expression proved just how elegant rye can be. Behind the signature spice, layers of cocoa and vanilla smoothed into a finish that felt more decadent than fiery. It was a standout for collectors and connoisseurs alike.
Sazerac Rye 18 Years Old (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection)
A legend of the Antique Collection, the 18-Year Sazerac showed that maturity enhances rye’s intensity without dulling its spark. Its depth of oak and cinnamon brought an almost dessert-like warmth that made it one of the most memorable pours of the year.
Best Whiskey: Legacy and Craft from Beyond Bourbon
Not every standout came from Kentucky. These whiskies showcased craftsmanship that rivaled — and sometimes surpassed — even the most sought-after bourbons.
Michter’s 25 Year 2023 Release
A true benchmark of luxury. The 25-Year release elevated everything we expect from aged bourbon — the spice more refined, the sweetness more layered, the oak more harmonized. It remains one of the most captivating expressions in the Michter’s Legacy Series, and one of the most collectible releases of the past decade.
Michter’s 20 Year 2019
The Michter’s 20-Year was one of those rare bottles that managed to be powerful and graceful at once. Deep layers of toffee, oak, and tobacco met a silken mouthfeel that unfolded with every sip. It captured the essence of time: patient, complex, and unmistakably Michter’s.
Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask Single Malt Scotch
Finished in rum casks, this single malt brought bourbon drinkers an unexpected sweetness. Notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and tropical fruit gave it a round, inviting profile that crossed categories with ease.
Redbreast Tawny Port Cask Edition
This Irish whiskey stood out for its richness and complexity. The port finish gave it a velvety fruitiness layered with spice and oak — a perfect reminder that whiskey excellence isn’t bound by geography.
Best Wheated Bourbons: Smooth Talkers with Staying Power
The wheated bourbon trend continued strong in 2025, rewarding those who appreciate soft sweetness and slow, lingering finishes.
Old Fitzgerald 19 Year Decanter (Spring 2022 Release)
Every pour of Old Fitzgerald felt like opening a time capsule. With its classic decanter presentation and syrupy, buttery texture, it represented everything that makes vintage wheated bourbon worth the chase.
Weller CYPB (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon)
Created from fan feedback, CYPB turned out to be one of the most approachable yet luxurious expressions in the Weller lineup. The nose carried vanilla and crème brûlée, while the finish left a warm, balanced impression that confirmed its place among the best wheated bourbons on the market.
Larceny Barrel Proof
Though often hard to find, each batch of Larceny Barrel Proof delivered punch and elegance in equal measure. The high proof carried its caramel-and-spice backbone beautifully — bold, buttery, and completely satisfying.
New Bourbon Releases: The Bottles That Defined 2025
Every year brings a few new contenders that instantly feel iconic. These bottles captured the spirit of innovation while keeping one foot firmly planted in tradition.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year
The 13-Year Russell’s Reserve offered power and polish in equal measure. Dense with vanilla, cherry, and baking spice, it proved that Wild Turkey’s masters continue to push boundaries while honoring legacy.
Frank August Small Batch 100 Proof
This modern small-batch release showed what happens when sleek design meets old-school attention to detail. Clean, layered, and quietly confident, Frank August set a new bar for contemporary bourbon.
Michter’s 25-Year Bourbon 2023 Release
Still impossible to top. Each sip unfolded in waves — dried fruit, molasses, clove, oak — a symphony of aged flavor that reminded us why Michter’s remains a benchmark of excellence.
Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled American Single Malt
One of the most talked-about new whiskies of the year, Jack Daniel’s proved innovation isn’t limited to newcomers. Finished in Oloroso sherry casks, it delivered richness, fruit, and a touch of smoke that blurred the line between bourbon and scotch — in the best possible way.
A Toast to What Comes Next
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that “the best bourbon” is rarely about hype. It’s about connection — to craft, to story, and to the people who appreciate the details. Every bottle here reminded us that whiskey isn’t just something to collect; it’s something to share, savor, and remember.
Explore these and other rare releases at The Bourbon Concierge, where our team is always ready to help you find your next favorite pour.
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Preview Photo by Doug Brown
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