for bourbon fans, 15 of the best from the last 20 years

[Ken Gargett]

The 15 Best Bourbons of the Past 20 Years

Bourbons have become increasingly collectible. Here are the ones you need to stash away.

By Dan Dunn on September 18, 2018

There’s much to love about the world’s great Japanese, Scotch, and Irish whiskey distilleries. But when it comes to innovation, the wily bourbon producers in the United States have been leading the way for years. In Kentucky and beyond, purveyors of America’s native spirit have refused to let the excellence of their existing products stand in the way of coming up with new ones. And over the last decade and a half, a plenitude of incredible new whiskey with a mash bill of at least 51 percent corn and aged in charred new oak barrels—the house rules for a whiskey to be called a bourbon—has come to market, some from brand-new producers, others new expressions from venerated houses. Here are 15 of the best bourbon releases of the past 20 years.

 

 

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Four Roses

Al Young 50th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon from Four Roses

 

Released in June 2017 to commemorate Kentucky Distillers’ Association Hall of Famer Al Young’s 50 years of employment at Four Roses, this is as fine a tribute as you can get. A blend of four distinct proprietary recipes, the “Al Young,” as it’s affectionately known ($150), exhibits aromas of sweet caramel and floral honeysuckle. The palate offers fresh peach and apricot flavors, encompassing luxurious, warm fig and rich oak, with a hint of mint on the finish. It was originally priced at $150, but expect to pay significantly more on the secondary market.

Barrell Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Barrell Craft Spirits

Barrell Bourbon Batch 009

Barrell Craft Spirits was founded in 2013 and quickly became one of the most buzzed-about producers of American whiskey. Barrell Bourbon Batch 009 ($90) arrived in stores in 2016 and sold out everywhere virtually overnight. Today it can be acquired only on the secondary market. You are hereby advised to get some. Distilled in Tennessee and aged in Kentucky, it’s a 112-proof flavor bomb, offering everything from tropical fruit to thick clotted cream. This bourbon possesses a familiar warmth, like a favorite old blanket or pair of wool socks. The boundless finish is reminiscent of sweet buttered caramel corn.

 

Angel’s Envy Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Angel’s Envy

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Port Barrels

Legendary master distiller Lincoln Henderson released this Angel’s Envy cask-strength expression ($180) to great acclaim in 2012. It turned out to be his swan song. Henderson passed away in September 2013, leaving a legacy of artistry and innovation that will not soon be forgotten. The Port Barrel–finished whiskey is a magnificent testament to his abilities. After six years spent resting in new white American oak, the spirit was refined in 60-gallon ruby port barrels made from French oak and imported directly from Portugal. European influence aside, this is still the epitome of complex, bold Kentucky bourbon. The palate teems with flavors, from raisin to banana to rich dark chocolate. A clean and lingering finish offers a hint of Madeira that slowly fades. At 124.5 proof, it packs a serious wallop.

 

 

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Russell’s Reserve

Russell’s Reserve 1998

In 1998, before master distiller Jimmy Russell’s 45th anniversary at Wild Turkey (and assumed retirement), his son Eddie set out to create a fitting tribute to his father’s legacy. Enter Russell’s Reserve 1998 ($250). Ole Jimmy can still be found at the distillery today, but his “retirement whiskey” is another story. Just over 2,000 bottles of this 102.2-proof bourbon were released in 2015 and sold out immediately. Of course, when it comes to running down impossible-to-find bottles, there’s always a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy . . . just be aware that that guy will want some serious coin for this collector’s item. As with most bourbon this mature, it’s woody and a tad dry. But Eddie made sure to halt the aging process in time to retain the vibrant caramel, vanilla, and fruity notes for which Wild Turkey is so famous. Of course he did—his dad wouldn’t have it any other way.

High Wire New Southern Revival Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of High Wire Distilling Co.

High Wire New Southern Revival Straight Bourbon made with Jimmy Red Corn

Jimmy Red is a legendary moonshiner’s corn that had all but become extinct until a South Carolina farmer brought it back to life in the early aughts. By 2016 the folks at High Wire Distilling in Charleston, who felt that many of the “big boys” in the industry weren’t paying enough attention to the quality of corn used in the mash, were using Jimmy Red to make truly unique bourbon. The Jimmy Red Corn Straight Bourbon ($99) smells of nutmeg and toffee. The first sip is nutty, sweet, and mineralic. Swish it around a bit to unbind banana and butterscotch flavors. It boasts an extremely high oil content, yielding whiskey with an unusually creamy mouthfeel.

High West American Prairie Bourbon

Founded with a single 250-gallon still in Park City in 2006, High West has grown from a tiny operation to an internationally recognized brand for a simple reason: its excellent whiskey. American Prairie ($35) is a blend of straight bourbons aged from two to 13 years. Rich and earthy on the palate, it possesses pleasant notes of candy corn, honey nougat, and sweet corn bread biscuits, closing out with a flash of Granny Smith apple. Every purchase comes with a karmic boost, as well—High West donates 10 percent of profits from the sale of each bottle to the American Prairie Reserve, which is dedicated to protecting and preserving America’s natural resources.

Knob Creek Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Knob Creek

Knob Creek Limited Edition 2001

Part of the first wave of so-called “small batch” bourbons that now command the market, Knob Creek was introduced in 1992 by the late great Jim Beam master distiller Booker Noe. Booker ran the show at Beam for more than 40 years and did yeoman’s work to help revitalize the flagging bourbon industry in the 1960s and ’70s. In 2001, Booker retired and was replaced by his son Fred. This limited-edition expression, released in 2016, marked that historic passing of the torch. Knob Creek Limited Edition 2001 ($130) was offered in five batches, each with robust oak and char notes balanced by sweet vanilla and warm brown spices. The finish is long, rich, and glowing.

Mic.Drop. Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of PM Spirits

Mic.Drop.

Set aside any misgivings you might have about liquor named after a worn-out Internet meme, and just enjoy the delicious blend of 20 different casks of eight-year-old whiskey. This spirit offers multifarious flavors highlighted by maple syrup, coconut, cloves, and dark fruit. Mic.Drop. ($100) came out of nowhere in 2017 and now resides on the back bars of some of the country’s most prestigious drinking establishments. It’s easy to spot, too, with an eye-catching label designed by comic book artist Chris Batista. Word is that all 3,358 original bottles are spoken for, but fret not, for Mic.Drop.2 was just released on Sept. 1. Okay, maybe fret a little—there will be but 140 bottles, which will retail for $450 a pop.

John E. Fitzgerald Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Heaven Hill

John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 Year Old

Whiskey lovers tend to speak of the old Stitzel-Weller Distillery in hushed, reverential tones. Before being shuttered in 1972, the facility produced brands such as Larceny, Old Fitzgerald, Pappy Van Winkle, and Weller’s Cabin Still. John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve 20 Year Old ($300 for 375 mL) contains wheated bourbon gleaned from 12 barrels produced at old Stitzel-Weller that had been designated for use in Old Fitzgerald. The John E. Fitzgerald Very Special Reserve offers a host of tastes that go great together, from cocoa to lemon to banana cream pie. The finish is lengthy and refined. A few years back, Heaven Hill released a miniscule amount of 375 mL bottles. They claim that’s all they had, yet there are whispers—hushed and reverential—that a secret supply still remains.

Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection 2009 Seasoned Oak Finish

In the early 1800s, Woodford County Distillery owner Oscar Pepper and master distiller James Crow pioneered key bourbon-making processes such as sour mashing, copper pot distillation, and charred oak cask maturation. To be sure, they done good. Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection ($129) is the belated thanks they get. Were either still around to sample this rich amber-colored delectation, surely they’d revel in the 2009 Seasoned Oak Finish’s robust oakiness and spice, as well as the keen notes of fruit jam, toasted almond, and dark chocolate. The homestretch lolls pleasantly, offering sweet butter and a hint of cool lemon custard. Be forewarned—finding a bottle is darn near a mission impossible.

Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Jefferson’s Reserve

Jefferson’s Twin Oak Custom Barrel

Founded in 1997, Jefferson’s is committed to crafting innovative small-batch blends, as evidenced by its slogan “alchemy is everything.” The brand is definitely onto something, and the 2018 release ($80) may well be its most ambitious whiskey yet. For six years Jefferson’s worked with the Independent Stave Company to develop a proprietary flash-charred barrel made with grooved staves that allows for maximum exposure to oak at the peak of flavor. The result is a well-balanced, mocha-tinged whiskey that coats the palate with sweet and spicy goodness. It has a medium-length finish with a touch of cedar and tart lemon.

Parker’s Heritage Collection Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Heaven Hill

Parker’s Heritage Collection Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

This whiskey was created in tribute to Heaven Hill’s longtime master distiller, Parker Beam. Beam himself personally selected the barrels that were used for the Heritage Collection Cask Strength’s first edition, released in 2007. Beam, who passed away in January 2017, endeavored to make classic Kentucky bourbon. There’s no better example of stellar old-school hooch than this. It’s full-bodied, brimming with dried fruit flavor (figs and raisins) and possessing ample oak and tannins. Originally priced at $80, a bottle can now go for several thousand dollars on the secondary market.

Maker’s 46 Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Maker's Mark

Maker’s 46

Maker’s Mark bottled its first run in 1958 under the distinctive dipped red wax seal that was the brainchild of founder Bill Samuels Sr.’s wife, Margie. They made one whiskey, one way. Then, in 2010, Maker’s released 46 ($40), its first new expression in 50 years. In bourbon circles, this was a seismic event, and more than a few skeptics were ready to pounce. Boy, did legendary distiller Bill Samuels Jr. ever rise to the challenge. He intensified the natural flavor notes of classic Maker’s—the vanilla, caramel, and spice—and created a more complex, richer-tasting bourbon with a creamier mouthfeel and lengthier finish. There’s no bitterness. It’s eminently approachable and easy to enjoy.

Hudson Baby Bourbon

Introduced in 2006, Hudson Baby Bourbon ($50) is the first whiskey produced in New York since Prohibition and is the first commercially available bourbon ever to hail from the Empire State. Made with locally sourced corn at the Tuthilltown Spirits distillery in the Hudson Valley, the whiskey is aged in charred new American oak barrels, which imparts a strong, smoky wood quality. Beyond the char there’s a harmony of flavors, including vanilla toffee, pepper spice, and a bit of honey, raisin, and mint. It’s a eupeptic, buoyant whiskey that is easy to digest. It makes for an ideal maiden voyage for unseasoned adventurers.

Willett Family Estate Bourbon  Photo: Courtesy of Willett Family Estate

Willett Family Estate Bottled Bourbon

Willett Family Estate Bottled Bourbon was introduced in 2008 as part of the family’s Private Barrel Selection program and was an immediate hit with the professional drinking class, which includes critics, bartenders, and flat-out whiskey nuts. It’s an un-chill-filtered, barrel-proof, straight bourbon whiskey of unusual depth and complexity. Though it weighs in at a hefty 124.8 proof, Willett Family Estate Bottled Bourbon drinks surprisingly light. Pear, cocoa, and cherry are among the more prominent flavors. Bottles from the original release, which went for $100 at that time, go for upward of $4,000 now, if you can find them

[Cayman17]

Interesting. I’ve seen the Knob Creek 2001 at a bunch of places. From what I’ve read elsewhere, the general consensus is that it’s not worth the price tag. 

[Ethernut]

  On 9/23/2018 at 12:11 AM, Cayman17 said:

Interesting. I’ve seen the Knob Creek 2001 at a bunch of places. From what I’ve read elsewhere, the general consensus is that it’s not worth the price tag. 

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True.. VERY true...

 

[prodigy]

  On 9/23/2018 at 12:11 AM, Cayman17 said:

Interesting. I’ve seen the Knob Creek 2001 at a bunch of places. From what I’ve read elsewhere, the general consensus is that it’s not worth the price tag. 

Some of the batches are better than others. If you see batch 5, grab it. 1-4 are good, but there are better options. 5 is fantastic.

I have many in this list. The others are not possible to obtain. Al young, was a lottery item, and if you didn't win it's a 500$+ bottle. I love bourbon and I hate how many people pay 10x what it's actually worth just to say they have it!!!!!!

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[earthson]

And no Johnny Drum to be seen on the list.

[prodigy]

Russell's reserve 1998, sold out instantly....

Russels reserve 2002, sold out instantly....

 

Both were 200+$ bottles. Probably overpriced. Even if they weren't, you can't find them. If you do find them, they are 5x the price at release....

 

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[Ethernut]

  On 9/23/2018 at 12:35 AM, prodigy said:

Some of the batches are better than others. If you see batch 5, grab it. 1-4 are good, but there are better options. 5 is fantastic.

I have many in this list. The others are not possible to obtain. Al young, was a lottery item, and if you didn't win it's a 500$+ bottle. I love bourbon and I hate how many people pay 10x what it's actually worth just to say they have it!!!!!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 

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Or.. forget all that and pick up KC SB 120 for $39 and enjoy the heck out of it knowing it's very nearly in the same class all the time.. The "batch numbers" are known because someone said it was so.. doesn't mean their palate is your palate. Much of the pomp and circumstance of Bourbon is highly subjective. Highly...

 

Just like cigars.. the best bourbon in the world is not in the special releases. Its in everyday bottles (namely store picks). Its simply the special releases that get the attention. In Cigars, the best cigars in the world are dropped into regular boxes, all the time. They don't have double bands but they are there, ready to roll. 

[Gamehawker]

I am really amazed and surprised that Booker's 25th Anniversary is not on this list.

[prodigy]

  On 9/23/2018 at 1:16 AM, Ethernut said:

Or.. forget all that and pick up KC SB 120 for $39 and enjoy the heck out of it knowing it's very nearly in the same class all the time.. The "batch numbers" are known because someone said it was so.. doesn't mean their palate is your palate. Much of the pomp and circumstance of Bourbon is highly subjective. Highly...

That's like saying dont buy gran reservas, or RE's, or EL's because they cost more than regular production and the little increase in taste difference is not worth the cost. Its subjective, some people value the variety.

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[Ethernut]

  On 9/23/2018 at 1:28 AM, prodigy said:

That's like saying dont buy gran reservas, or RE's, or EL's because they cost more than regular production and the little increase in taste difference is not worth the cost. Its subjective, some people value the variety.

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I edited my post above to punctuate that point.. ? Most value the variety (till they dont and decide they want consistency instead). Of course, if one has an unlimited budget.. It's all purchasable all the time and easy to figure out for ones self.

 

[TNT009]

  On 9/23/2018 at 1:15 AM, prodigy said:

Russell's reserve 1998, sold out instantly....

Russels reserve 2002, sold out instantly....

 

Both were 200+$ bottles. Probably overpriced. Even if they weren't, you can find them. If you do find them, they are 5x the price at release....

 

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Just looked and found cheapest at $1200, Good Lawd.

  35 minutes ago, prodigy said:

 

 

 

 

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