10 Best Sipping Whiskies To Try On Your Next Whiskey Tour

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Sipping whiskey is the kind of drink many enjoy during whiskey tastings for its smoothness and easy finish on the palate and the throat. Not just any bourbon makes for the best sipping whiskey. A certain level of precision, craftsmanship, and of course, unique flavors come to play.

In the spirit of welcoming new palates into the delicate hobby of whiskey tasting and collecting, we’ve compiled some of the best sipping whiskey any new whiskey lover or enthusiast should try.

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Our Top Pick

1. Bulleit Bourbon

The Underdog of the Century
Proof: 90

One of America’s staples, Bulleit Bourbon, is a long-time coming and has been around since the mid-1800s. Thomas E. Bulleit Jr. created this concoction as a tribute to his great grandfather that later evolved into a fine choice for celebrations and a go-to bar drink.

Bulleit Bourbon is best used for cocktails like a Whiskey Sour and an Old Fashioned in a quirky copper mug . This sipping whiskey has hints of cinnamon, peaches, floral vanilla, brown sugar, and nutmeg. The palate is quite delicate, which starts off light, then a punch of sour cherry candies begins to set in. The barrel char is quite buttery and leads to a spicey medium finish with touches of rye and summer flowers.

2. Collingwood Whiskey

Canada’s Maple Pride
Proof: 80

Collingwood Whisky is distilled in Canada and aged in barrels for up to three years. This blend is matured separately and includes no minimum percentage of rye-grain whiskey. It is an excellent sipping whiskey to introduce to colleagues and friends with its sweet notes of honey, fruits, and flowers.

Notes include apple cider and cinnamon, as well as maple sugar and licorice. The texture is thin and leans more on the bitter side that resembles unsweetened dark chocolate. The finish highlights a blend of oak, corn, and honey that is rich and is a testament to Canadian whiskey flavors.

3. Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye

A Whiskey Comeback with a Dark Finish
Proof: 50

Another promising rye variety is the Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye which has made a comeback in the US. With notes that bring out more spices, this old-fashioned sour mash variety is made of no-corn rye with a 50 proof that makes for a long yet spicey finish. Flavors include pepper, chili powder, barrel spices, and even chocolate for a decadent touch.

This best sipping whiskey lets you appreciate the cinnamon, dark fruits, and candy sweetness that will spike your palate to want more. This whiskey rye was the revival no one saw coming, and for less than $85, it’s a bang for the buck.

4. Glenmorangie Signet

The Bougie Bet with Chocolate Malt Barley
Proof: 46

The Glenmorangie Signet is a labor of love made with distilled chocolate malt barley. It’s known for its dark, roasted, and bitter flavors. Of the Scotch variety, this sipping whiskey type has a 46 proof and boasts hints of orange, vanilla, and even ginger for an incredibly unique selection of ingredients.

Many avid fans of the Glenmorangie Signet find it relatively smooth with a medium finish that is both satisfying without leaving an “ethanol” burn on the tongue. Maturation of this sipping whiskey is done with Sherry and new charred oak casks that blend rich flavors with a toasty surprise.

5. Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Striking Buttery Goodness
Proof: 50

A budget-friendly whiskey doesn’t always have to taste cheap. The Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is much more extensive than standard bottles and boasts unique sweet yet rich flavors. Touches of wood and caramel make this bourbon pop and create room for the sweet scent of maple sugar you would enjoy in a rocks glass.

Charred in an American Oak barrel, this straight bourbon is one of the best sipping whiskeys thanks to its mash bill of at least 51% corn and 50 proof. Nosing this bad boy will give you sweetness and spice with aromas of melted salty butter on toast.

Palatability is full, boasting dark chocolate and charred oak. It finishes with a long yet dry touch of nutty oils and vanilla spice that Kentucky’s finest folks could not get enough of.

6. Cù Bòcan Scotch Whiskey by Tomatin

Chocolate Concoction with a Berry Punch
Proof: 92

Cù Bòcan is another best sipping whiskey on the list with its butterscotch aroma and malty chocolate taste with hints of citrus zest. Nosing this whiskey will give you notes of espresso beans, red apples, and shortbread. The palate is scattered from cloves to cinnamon, orange peel, and sweet vanilla custard, creating a symphony of sweetness.

This sipping whiskey is aged in Black Isle Brewery Imperial Stout beer in Scotland. It beams with notes that bring a fruity aroma that creates a rich and lightly peated single malt that is hard to match.

7. Westland Peated Whiskey

Campfire Nostalgia with a Salted Caramel Finish
Proof: 80

When it comes to smoky single malts, this best sipping whiskey is of the American single malt variety that features smoky flavors accompanied by peated, malted barley and phenol hints.

Distilled at Westland distillery in the US, this peated whiskey drink is not exactly the go-to of many whiskey lovers or bargoers. However, it’s beginning to pick up some steam thanks to its American twist of the Scottish single malt. The smoky flavors give off a nostalgic campfire with piney smoke upon nosing and hints of butterscotch, ripe pear, and salted caramel.

Medium-bodied, its palate is ashy with a mild tongue burn that slowly reveals dark chocolate truffles and dark roast coffee beans. The long finish might be worth the deep inhales, but with chocolate dominating the coffee grounds and oaky tannins, this sipping whiskey might be your new drink for special occasions.

8. Sazerac Rye

Bittersweet Fruity Punch
Proof: 90

Kentucky’s pride, Sazerac Rye, has a whopping 90 proof and is aged in new charred barrels. It boasts a balance of barrel spices and gentle herbal notes that make nosing a unique start. The finish is medium and has a bittersweet taste with a fruity punch.

Sazerac Rye is one of the best sipping whiskeys on the list due to its consistent yet flavorful taste and smell. Its scintillating aroma gives off a clove, vanilla, anise, and pepper. It also has candied spices, citrus, and even sweet pops of licorice for a sweet finish.

The Sazerac Rye was rightfully declared as the winner of the Beverage Testing Institute and the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition.

9. Old Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond

Toasted Oak Tradition with a Leather Touch
Proof: 100

A staple in sipping whiskey tours, Old Heaven Hill plays around with sweet citrus hints. Expect a pleasing aroma from this whiskey, thanks to its rye spice, butterscotch, and mint notes. Nosing this liquor will make you linger on leather, brown sugar, and citrus, while the palate follows with caramel, toasted oak, green apple, cinnamon, and walnuts.

It’s a whiskey variety that’s more on the thin side, smooth and lightweight despite not being a marquee brand. Aged for at least four years, this sipping whiskey honors tradition with a stamp on the label that proudly says “Bottled in Bond.”

10. Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Not for the Faint of Heart
Proof: 96

A Scottish contender for the best sipping whiskey, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask draws a fine line between rye and bourbon. With its reputation for being peat-heavy and single smoky malt, it sat in smaller oak barrels for up to 5 to 11 years. Having 48 proof, a glass of Laphroaig Quarter Cask hits with a smoldering seaweed accompanied with briny notes of wood sweetness.

With a medium-bodied palate, sugarcane and vanilla extract will surprise you as your palate makes its way through the smokehouse fumes. This sipping whiskey’s finish is long and packs a punch with bitter spent wood lingering as it makes its way down your throat.

Sip and Slide

The best sipping whiskeys consist of flavors that work well together to create a symphony of solid tones with richness, sweetness, and vibrance in various aromas.

Tasted and proven by whiskey lovers worldwide, try our premium suggestion, the Glenmorangie Signet, for a more fitting celebratory liquor to sip on with your favorite people. Don’t forget to pair your sipping whiskey with the best whiskey glasses that highlight the liquor’s redeeming qualities.

So, do you know other best sipping whiskeys that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments section below.

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