We've Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. These Are the Best in the World
There's a lot of great whiskey out there. Over the past decade or so, the number of varieties among the best whiskey brands has exploded, presenting tipplers with a mind-boggling array of options. You can now drink bourbon that’s aged entirely on the ocean, top-rated rye, or Japanese single malts that beat Scotch in blind taste tests.
Certain whiskey trends have also become more prevalent. There are bottled-in-bond expressions from new and established distilleries; bourbon, ryes, Irish whiskey, Scotch finished in every type of cask you can think of; more focus on the oft-ignored art of blending; and the rise of American single malt, which will be getting its own legal definition any day now.
These days, it’s no hyperbole to say that there’s a good whiskey for everyone, no matter what your preferred flavor profile is. It seems that even within strictly defined categories, there’s still room for innovation from brands and distilleries with a creative mindset.
All this poses a serious—if highly welcome—dilemma: What the hell should I drink?
Fear not: Men’s Journal is on the case. In addition to putting our own taste buds to work, we recruited top experts from the wide world of whiskey—bartenders, restaurateurs, distributors, writers, awards judges, and more—who have collectively sampled thousands of bottles. Somehow, we narrowed them down to these 50 best whiskeys, most of which can be found at any good liquor store and none of which fail to please.
So whether you’re looking for a sophisticated weekend sipper to enjoy on the rocks, the best whiskey to gift, a budget bourbon for a cocktail party, or a Scotch for hot toddies, we’ve got the perfect bottle for you. Without further ado, meet the standout whiskeys of 2024.
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Related: The Best Spirits to Sip, Mix, and Savor Right Now
Best Bourbon: William Larue Weller
"William Larue Weller might be the bottle I get buried with and, hopefully, I emptied that bottle,” says Peter Nolan, owner of Permission Whiskey & Service Co. in Houston, TX. An endorsement like that means this whiskey doesn't come cheap—bottles go for thousands. Men's Journal contributor Christopher Friedmann called it "one of the holy grails of American whiskey," as it topped our list of the best bourbons.
The rare whiskey, made by Buffalo Trace Distillery, offers fragrant scents of caramel corn, leather, plums, toffee, and tobacco. The palate is sweet (think marshmallow, salted almonds, nougat, figs, and dates) and finishes smooth as hell, leaving a flavorful sweetness on the palate.
The price point for William Larue Weller is simply too high for most folks, so we also included a pair of less expensive offerings from the same distiller on this list. Keep an eye out for Buffalo Trace's flagship bourbon, which sells for under $30, and W.L. Weller 12, which runs a couple hundred.
Best Scotch Whisky: Glenfarclas 25-Year-Old
Friedmann named Glenfarclas Aged 25 Years the best Scotch whisky of 2024. Based in Speyside, Scotland, Glenfarclas has been family-owned since 1865, now helmed by the sixth generation. "The distillery continues to produce some of the world’s most prized whiskies," Friedmann wrote. "Of all its delicious offerings, this one continues to impress the most."
The whisky is aged solely in oloroso sherry casks, delivering marmalade, honey, coffee, sherry, and nuts on the nose. Sherry, along with oak, lead the rich palate, which is followed by a dry finish of malt, smoke, and dark chocolate. It's a classic that earns contemporary nods, evidenced by its gold medal at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Best Canadian Whisky: Canadian Club 15-Year-Old Sherry Cask Invitation Series
“This is new and my clear favorite,” says Davin de Kergommeaux, founder of the Canadian Whisky Awards and writer of the upcoming book Canadian Whisky: The Essential Portable Expert. Men's Journal contributor Stinson Carter named Canadian Club 15-Year-Old Sherry Cask Invitation Series the best Canadian whisky of 2024, explaining that the bottle is basically Canadian Club 12-Year that's undergone a second aging in oloroso sherry casks, adding a layer of complexity. Despite that involved process, its widely available, well-priced, and has a low enough ABV to enjoy with just a single large cube.
Best Irish Whiskey: Redbreast 12
Carter, who penned our best Irish whiskey roundup, called Redbreast 12 "an exquisite whiskey for all cases—whether sipping neat, on the rocks, or mixing in cocktails like an old fashioned, where the whiskey is the star." It's made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills, and matured in bourbon barrels with oloroso sherry oak butts. The result is a full-flavored whiskey with spicy, fruity aromas and notes of toasted wood.
Best Japanese Whisky: Yamazaki 12-Year
Yamazaki 12-Year is a renowned expression distilled at Japan's oldest malt whisky distillery, Yamazaki Distillery. The meticulous aging process requires quite a few casks, including American, Spanish, and mizunara oak
Men's Journal contributor Austa Somvichian-Clausen, who wrote our best Japanese whisky article, describes it as follows: "Amber-hued, it presents a smooth and honeyed sweetness along with prominent notes of red berries, dried apricots, and a touch of mizunara oak spice."
Kate Boushel, beverage director of Atwater Cocktail Club, loves Yamazaki 12-Year in a classic Japanese highball. "The light salinity of the soda really complements the warm, nutty, and buttery palate, which evolves into a long, lightly spiced ginger finish that carries a little further thanks to the carbonation,” she told Men's Journal.
Best Cheap Whiskey: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Buffalo Trace needs no introduction. After all, the distillery produces some of the most sought-after bourbons on the planet, including George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare, and the ever-elusive Pappy Van Winkle. But as Men's Journal contributor Brad Japhe warns in our best cheap whiskeys roundup, "sleep on this flagship offering at your own peril," because this bourbon shines as bright as the marquee names for a fraction of the price.
Often found under $30, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a rich, complex bourbon, offering hints of vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit. "The smooth finish lingers on the palate," the distillery's website promises. "This will never change." We certainly hope not.
More Whiskey We Love
Melissa Kirschenheiter
No rust belt residue can be found on this ridiculously smooth 94-proof small-batch Watershed Bourbon from Ohio. It’s incredibly drinkable, with hints of butterscotch. Bold notes remind you it spent four years in heavily charred American oak barrels, and was given a final finish in apple brandy casks. This spelted bourbon—which means it's made with a mash bill of corn, rye, wheat, malted barley, and spelt—proves that craft bourbon need not hail from Kentucky.
Melissa Kirschenheiter
There's a good reason why Mellow Corn has become such a popular whiskey among mixologists across the country, with notes of ginger candy and vanilla. Mike Shain, general manager at New York City's Porchlight, calls it "funky stuff" on its own, but you'll cut it some slack as soon as you see what it can do in cocktails. Mellow Corn really opens up when combined with other ingredients.
Related: The 15 Best Scotch Whiskies of 2024
Why You Should Trust Us
As distilleries bottle new celebrity whiskeys every week and unveil their oldest bourbon yet for the second time this month, it becomes harder and harder for enthusiasts to keep up.
Men's Journal has covered whiskey since our inception in 1992. Our editors and writers boast decades of experience in the liquor business. We taste, test, savor, and review every last sip of the best (and worst) beers, wines, whiskeys, gins, tequilas, and everything in between—all to serve our audience with informed takes and refined opinions.
While our writers and editors are experts in their own right, we also interview bartenders, restaurant owners, liquor distributors, contest judges, and other thought leaders in the industry. You can find a full list of our expert contributors below.
Meet our experts: Nick Blue, executive chef at Brasserie by Niche; Kate Boushel, beverage director of Atwater Cocktail Club; Seth Brammer, beverage director at Filament; Davin de Kergommeaux, founder of the Canadian Whisky Awards; Stinson Carter, Men's Journal spirits contributor; Brendan Dorr, beverage director at B&O Brasserie; Jonah Flicker, Men's Journal spirits contributor; Christopher Friedmann, Men's Journal spirits contributor; St. John Frizell, owner of Fort Defiance; Anna Hezel, Men's Journal and Lucky Peach contributor; Brad Japhe, Men's Journal spirits contributor; Bridget Maloney, general manager of The Sexton; Jack McGarry, owner of The Dead Rabbit; Paul McGee, beverage director at Chicago Athletic Association; Julia Momose, head bartender at Green River; Peter Nolan, owner of Permission Whiskey & Service Co.; Phil Olson, bar manager at Longman & Eagle; Nicholas Pollacchi, acquirer of rare spirits and owner of The Whisky Dog; Ben Rojo, bartender at Angel's Share; Jaya Saxena, author of The Book of Lost Recipes; Mike Shain, general manager at Porchlight; Eric Simpkins, beverage director and partner at The Lawrence; Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Men's Journal spirits contributor; Tommy Tardie, owner of The Flatiron Room; Bill Thomas, owner and whiskey curator at Jack Rose Dining Saloon; G. Clay Whittaker, Men's Journal spirits contributor.
How We Choose the Best Whiskey
There are thousands of whiskeys out there across numerous different categories. As such, it requires hours of research and numerous bottles to nail down the criteria that separates the best from the rest.
For example, Men's Journal contributor Stinson Carter looked for "... whiskies with intriguing flavor profiles that manage to deliver what they claim" when researching the best Scotch. For our best cheap whiskey round-up, Men's Journal contributor Brad Japhe set hard ground rules: "Bottles had to be full of flavor, easy to enjoy on their own or in classic cocktail form, and they had to offer an undeniable value—namely, a price point below $50."
Our writers ask similar questions about every dram they sip, getting to the very heart of the brown liquor they research for dozens of hours. The result is our highly curated lists of bottles that stand above competitors in multiple characteristics. We can't wait for you to dig in.
How Should I Drink Whiskey?
If you want to drink whiskey like a pro, don't fret. And definitely don't overthink it.
"No matter how inexperienced you are with whiskey, there's no need to be intimidated," Flicker says. "Trust your palate, because there's no right or wrong when it comes to taste,"
Flicker recommends gathering bottles from a few different categories to sample. Consider getting proper whiskey glasses, like a Glencairn glass, as this helps with nosing and tasting, but don't get too precious. "Ignore the experts who have a ritualized method of tasting," he adds. A lot of that is just for show.
"The most important thing is to nose and sip each whiskey individually, drink a little water in between to clear your palate, and add a little water or ice to your whiskey if you prefer."
Once you let any preconceived notions fall away, the real enjoyment begins.
"Often a whiskey will surprise you and bring something unexpected to your tasting experience," Flicker explains. "Mouthfeel is important—some whiskeys are too thin, while others are creamy or oily (in a good way)."
Proof is a factor as well. "There's nothing wrong with 80 proof, the minimum required strength to be considered whiskey, but seasoned whiskey drinkers often enjoy higher-proof or even cask-strength whiskeys because these are less diluted (or undiluted) with water and therefore deliver a richer flavor."
Related: The Best Bourbons of 2024 to Drink Neat or as a Highball
