Reach Beyond Bourbon with These Other Great Liquors

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When it comes to choosing a liquor to drink, whether you're unwinding in the evening, celebrating with friends, mixing up cocktails for a party, or tailgating before a game, you probably have a few standbys that you don't vary much from.

I certainly do: bourbon. It's the one drink that I tend to gravitate toward over most others.

That's because it's great! Bourbon is endlessly versatile in cocktails, from winter drinks to summer sippers, from light shaken drinks to seriously stiff stirred ones.

Truth be told, though, most of the time if I'm going to sip on an adult beverage, I'll pour a bit in a glass and simply enjoy it neat, or on the rocks.

And while bourbon is, and likely always will be, a wonderfully simple and elegant way to unwind, there are a lot more drinks out there that are worth pouring into a glass and sipping on, while reading a book or hanging out on the porch.

Here are five that I'm finding particularly worth my while this time of year. If you like, check one out. If you're a bourbon fan, I think you might like it.

Got a favorite drink? Tell me about it in the comments below!

Bearface Canadian Whiskey

Being that it's made of 100% corn, this Canadian whiskey is more bourbon-like than not. But it's still not overly sweet. I found it well-balanced, with just the right amount of vanilla, and at 85% ABV, it's not kick-your-teeth-in strong. It's great over ice.

Bruichladdich Scotch

Let's start with the hard bit: It's pronounced "Brook-laddy." Make no mistake, this is Scotch, and I'm well aware that bourbon lovers aren't always fans.

But as Scotches go, it's just about as good an intro as you can get. It's very smooth and easy to drink, with no smokiness. (This is an "unpeated" Scotch.) It tastes a bit like salty air from a sea breeze and smells a bit like walking near the shore right after a fresh rain. If you're looking for something you won't regret buying, I think you'll like this.

Laird's Applejack

Applejack — technically a brandy, as it's made from fruit — is a pure joy to sip on when it's cold out.

The mild proof means it's very easy to sip on, and the apple flavoring that comes through makes this taste like a tiny, concentrated cup of apple cider. Which is more or less what it is.

Japanese Nikka Whisky

Japan's whiskies have been surprising and delighting adventurous whiskey fans for a short while now, and Nikka is one of the best-known and regarded of the bunch.

Though many Japanese whiskeys taste more like Scotch, this coffey-still distilled whiskey (which contains no coffee) is made mostly from corn, giving it plenty of sweetness while also offering a good bit of cinnamon and citrus. It's incredibly well balanced.

You could serve some to a buddy and they'd think you just poured them the best bourbon they'd ever tasted.

Cognac Park Cognac

Cognac can quickly get very expensive, but this terribly drinkable bottle shows that it certainly doesn't have to be, to be good.

If you're a bourbon drinker looking to branch out, I think you'll feel right at home with the sweet apple-and-vanilla flavors, and the creamy texture. But there's a touch of floral scents and some complexity that I think you'll find intriguing.

Or you could just drink it. It tastes great.

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