These Are The 15 Smoothest Whiskeys To Drink Straight
Whiskey (or whisky, depending on where it's from) is a spirit steeped in romance and history. For centuries, drinkers have enjoyed many versions of this distillate once dubbed "aqua vitae," a Latin phrase meaning "water of life." Over the years and across the continents, whiskey has evolved into a category that includes so many different styles that it can be hard to keep up. But boiled down to basics, every whiskey is crafted by fermenting and distilling grain (either a single type of grain or a mixture), and then aging it for a period of time, typically several years in wooden barrels.
While some whiskeys are made for mixing, others are best sipped unadulterated. But how can you know which is which? There's plenty of subjectivity when it comes to spirit style preference, but generally, if you're looking to drink whiskey straight, you want something smooth. That means every element of the whiskey should be in balance, with no harsh or extreme edges. By scouring ratings and reviews across the web, as well as taking into account our own professional and personal experiences with these spirits, we've put together this list of the smoothest whiskeys to help you choose wisely when you're in the mood to sip. There's a variety of styles and price points here to please anyone's budget and palate.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky
Named for 19th-century Scottish grocer and liquor salesman John Walker, Johnnie Walker is the most widely distributed scotch whisky brand in the world by a significant margin. The Johnnie Walker line designates different types of whiskies across its branding with color-coded labeling, with the Johnnie Walker Blue Label recognized as the line's premium blend. Aged for a minimum of three years in oak casks, Johnnie Walker claims it handpicks its scotch whisky from one in 10,000 casks.
Blue Label maintains the smoky quality that scotch whiskies are known for without overpowering the other elements of its robust flavor profile. With delicate flavor notes of hazelnut and dark chocolate, Blue Label is one of Johnnie Walker's best whiskies: It's a superior sipping scotch. Johnnie Walker Blue Label has a 40% ABV and retails for $250 for a 750ml bottle or $500 for a liter-size bottle.
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
The state of Kentucky has a long history with bourbon, an American whiskey made from a grain mixture with a majority composition of corn and aged in charred oak casks. While many bourbon brands claim their history and respective family traditions in the recipe and distillation process, Buffalo Trace is one of the world's oldest bourbon distilleries in operation since 1805. In addition to serving as the main distillery for Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace distillery also produces its eponymous bourbon brand, with whiskeys aged for at least two years.
Consistently awarded the distinction as one of the best bourbons in the world, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon offers the vanilla flavoring and sweetness that helps set bourbon apart from other whiskeys. Buffalo Trace has a silky taste, a deceptively varied flavor profile, and a delicate finish best appreciated when drunk solo. Buffalo Trace has an ABV of 45% and retails for $35 for a 750ml bottle, making it one of the best bourbons on shelves for a relatively affordable price.
Michter's Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Years Old
It can be challenging to find a smooth rye suitable for sipping, particularly if you're new to the world of whiskeys. By definition, this style must be made from a mash that's at least 51% rye, which tends to have a spicier, more rustic flavor profile than other grains. Michter's Single Barrel Straight Rye, which has been aged for at least 10 years, exhibits an elegance and smoothness that puts it in the top tier of rye whiskeys. The spice notes that rye is known for are present but subtle, and complemented by layers of fruit, honey, and sweet oaky flavors like vanilla and caramel.
Production of this rye is small, making it hard to find sometimes, and the price reflects its rarity. It retails anywhere between $200 and $300 for a standard 750ml bottle, making it a purchase suitable for collectors and serious rye whiskey fans. It clocks in at 46.4% ABV.
The Hakushu 12-Year Single Malt Whisky
Inspired by Scottish whisky, Japanese distillers began creating their localized variation of the liquor in the early 20th century: In 1923, the Suntory Distillery opened and is now the oldest to carry this tradition in Japan. Produced in the lush mountains outside of Kyoto, one of Suntory's popular whisky brands is its Hakushu aged single malt whisky line. With whiskies available at the 12 and 18-year mark, the Hakushu 12-year bottle provides a much more subtle and smooth drinking experience than its more mature counterpart.
Recognizable by its short-nosed green bottle, Hakushu 12-year has a noticeably herbal flavor profile, befitting its arboreal origins, with detectable notes of basil, mint, and green tea. The 12-year has a subtle smokey quality on the finish, with the whisky offering a more crisp drinking experience with its fresh notes. Hakushu 12-Year Japanese Whisky has an ABV of 43% and retails for $190 for a 750ml bottle, providing one of the more unique whiskies to come out of Asia.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Based out of the Scottish island of Islay, Laphroaig provides one of the most authentic Scotch whisky lines in the world, with a history of Scottish whisky distillation since 1815. The Laphroaig Quarter Cask changes up the company's typical distilling tradition, utilizing American oak for a two-barrel aging process: The second barrel being a quarter-sized cask, true to the whisky's name. The smaller cask allows the whisky to have more contact with the wood during its maturation process. The American oak provides a unique flavor, contrasting with the rest of Laphroaig's line.
Laphroaig has a reputation for offering smokey scotch whisky. Those qualities remain in the Quarter Cask. However, the subtle sweetness from the American wood used in its maturation process tempers the smokiness. This distinction makes Laphroaig Quarter Cask much more palatable than its counterparts and provides a smoother and more nuanced drinking experience that gives its flavor notes room to breathe. Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky has an ABV of 48%. A 750 ml bottle retails for $76 and stands among Laphroaig's most accessible scotches.
Balcones Baby Blue Corn Whiskey
Baby Blue from Texas distiller Balcones is truly unique. It was the state's first whiskey produced after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Baby Blue was also the first whiskey on the market to be made entirely from blue corn, which gives it a distinctive personality, even when compared with other corn whiskeys. The roasted corn flavor is quite pronounced and layered, coming across as buttered popcorn, masa, and grilled corn cobs. This whiskey is on the sweeter side, with lots of caramel and vanilla notes, and its richness gives it weight and smoothness on the palate which balances out some of its more aggressive flavors.
For fans of sweeter and corn-heavy styles of bourbon, Balcones Baby Blue is a great bottle to branch out to. It's not always easy to find, but it is on the affordable side, priced around $45 for a 750ml bottle. The ABV for this whiskey is 46%.
Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year
With its commitment to quality and affordable price, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has become one of the most rapidly growing whiskey brands in the United States, with a robust line of bourbons and ryes. Among Bulleit's best whiskeys is the Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year, aged in charred white oak barrels and offering a mellower flavor profile than its counterparts across the rest of Bulleit's whiskey line. With a 68% corn grain mix, the bourbon maintains a sweet quality throughout the drinking experience without overshadowing its layered flavor notes.
Deceptively smooth, the Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year has notes of vanilla and dried fruit, as its prolonged maturation creates a rich finish. The 10-Year stands a clear cut above Bulleit's already impressive line, with heightened complexity sure to please even the most exacting whiskey enthusiasts. Bulleit Bourbon 10-Year has an ABV of 45.6% and retails for $50 for a 750ml bottle, making it one of the best buys for the sheer value readily available.
The Yamazaki 12-Year Single Malt Japanese Whisky
The flagship Japanese whisky brand from Suntory Distillery in Kyoto is Yamazaki, which specializes in a line of aged single malt whiskies. Yamazaki whisky has a grain mix composed of barley and pure mineral waters naturally found in the forests outside of Kyoto. Across the Yamazaki line, the 12-year single malt provides a rich, silky premium whisky without breaking the bank, in contrast to the significantly more expensive variants with longer maturation rates.
This whisky should be savored at a deliberate pace to appreciate its complexity. Yamazaki has a tart and fruity flavor profile with notes of cranberry and citrus. The spicy nuances surface at its finish, with detectable hints of cinnamon and ginger at its tail. Yamazaki 12-Year Single Malt Whisky retails for $193 for a 750ml bottle, with the liquor possessing a 43% ABV, giving curious drinkers a taste of Japan's finest in locally distilled spirits.
Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask
The Balvenie is one of the Speyside region's best-known Scotch producers, with a line of whiskies that show off the brand's exceptional craftsmanship and innovative spirit. Its Cask Finishes collection is a series of whiskies that go through the brand's traditional Scotch barrel aging routine and then finish the maturation process in distinctive types of wood to add another layer of unique flavor. The Caribbean Cask bottling takes its smooth and elegant 14-year single malt whisky and gives it a pop of tropical West Indies flair.
If you've had the pleasure of enjoying some of the best barrel-aged rums out there, you'll recognize some of the aromas and flavors present here, like mango, passionfruit, coconut, orange peel, and warm spice. The sweet, rich vanilla finish and creamy texture add to this whisky's smoothness. The Balvenie describes its finish as "soft," so you'll find this whisky smooth and drinkable at every point in the tasting process. The ABV is 43% and a 750ml bottle retails for around $100.
Westland American Single Malt
Westland is a company based in Seattle that produces single malt whiskies inspired by those of Scotland. Despite having only been around since 2010, it has made quite a splash in the American craft distilling scene with its unique style, which brings together old-world tradition and a new-world pioneering spirit. There are five types of malted barley in the mix here, including a local Washington crop. The focus on local ingredients and use of American oak barrels allows this smooth-sipping whiskey to express a sense of place and celebrate its location of origin, just like a Scotch, even though its flavor and drinking experience are very different.
The maltiness is very pronounced in this whiskey, bringing beer to mind, like an amber or brown ale. Sweet oaky and fruity flavors along with a rich and silky mouthfeel contribute to its smooth sensation. There's a subtle background note of smoky peat, which feels like an homage to this whiskey's inspiration. Westland's American Single Malt retails for about $60 for a 700ml bottle, and its ABV clocks in at 46%.
Redbreast 12-Year Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey
One of the most traditional Irish whiskeys is single-pot still distillation whiskey, which distills malted and unmalted barley together in a pot still. Redbreast has been one of the longest-running single-pot still Irish whiskey brands on the market. From its initial Dublin distillery in the 19th century, it led Ireland's whiskey boom. The Redbreast 12-Year maintains this historical tradition with a modern twist as it matures its whiskey in a two-stage aging process in bourbon and sherry casks.
Redbreast's double cask maturation process leads to a subtly sweet and smooth drinking experience with a full-body flavor profile. The sherry cask gives the drink robust notes of spice and fruit, with a rich finish and silky mouthfeel befitting its single pot still distillation origins. Redbreast 12-Year Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey has an ABV of 40% and retails for $72 for a 750ml bottle, combining old-world traditions with modern sensibilities.
Jameson Black Barrel Triple Distilled Irish Whiskey
Jameson is one of the most prominent Irish whiskey brands worldwide, selling millions of cases around the globe annually and offering a healthy variety of whiskeys. The smoothest drinking experience offered by Jameson without venturing into the distiller's premium or flavored whiskey lines is Jameson Black Barrel. As the name suggests, Black Barrel is aged in double-charred wood barrels and made from, as with the rest of the Jameson line, local barley in Ireland and water from the Dungourney River.
Black Barrel has a baseline vanilla flavor that carries from the whiskey's nose through its finish, with only a faint harshness to the aftertaste, compared to many whiskeys. Black Barrel can give cocktails an extra kick above the standard Jameson Irish Whiskey but stands perfectly solo as a solid straight-drinking liquor. With a 40% ABV, Jameson Black Barrel retails for $43 for a 750 ml bottle or $51 for a liter-size bottle.
Virginia Distillery Co. VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky
After moving to Virginia in the 1970s, Irish immigrant Doctor George G. Moore brought his passion for scotch-style whiskies and founded the Virginia Distillery Company in 2011. The company distills Midwestern barley in large copper stills from Scotland, synthesizing the American heartland and classic European whisky traditions. The distillery's Port Cask Virginia Highland Whisky is the best marriage of these two styles, blending aged scotch whisky with Virginia single malt whiskey and aging for an additional 12 months in port casks.
This blended whisky has dark chocolate and toffee notes in its flavor profile, while the peat base of the scotch whisky comes through for a smokey quality in the finish. The Port Cask Virginia Highland is the whisky that most visibly presents the Virginia Distillery Company's propensity to combine techniques and spirits into smooth and effective blends. The Virginia Distillery Company Port Cask Virginia Highland Whisky has an ABV of 46% and retails for $54 for a 750ml bottle.
West Cork 8-Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey
One of the newer Irish whiskey distilleries to rise on the global market is West Cork Distillers, founded in 2003 and steadily growing to become one of the largest wholly Irish-owned distilleries in operation. While branching out to produce gin and vodka, the company's single-malt Irish whiskey remains the crown jewel in the line. West Cork Distillers has grown significantly and offers its flagship whiskey in over 70 countries worldwide. The West Cork 8-Year Single Malt is matured in bourbon casks, giving the whiskey a sweeter flavor profile and smooth finish.
The West Cork Single Malt has surprisingly fruity hints, with citrus and green apple notes, with vanilla and butterscotch notes detectable in its finish. A silky and warm drinking experience, the single malt encapsulates what makes Irish whiskey so popular worldwide, with subtly modern flourishes added to the mix. The West Cork 8-Year Single Malt has an ABV of 40% and retails for $40 for a 750ml bottle, making it one of the more affordable quality whiskeys on this list.
Crown Royal Fine Deluxe
Crown Royal's Fine Deluxe is a blended whisky, which is typical of the Canadian style of the spirit. Blended whiskies are often smooth, and this one is no exception. As the blender takes the best distillates from various grains and ages and melds them together to create the brand's signature style, they can ensure there are no harsh edges and create a perfectly balanced product. This makes Crown Royal Deluxe a consistently great sipper, and an excellent example of Canadian whisky.
It's not the most complex whisky, with rather typical flavors of fruit and vanilla. But what it lacks in complexity, it makes up for in consistency and balance. On the very low end of the ABV spectrum, Crown Royal Deluxe is only 40% alcohol by volume, so you won't feel much of a burn as you drink it. This also gives it a lighter body and delicate texture and makes it easy to drink without dilution. It's quite affordable as well, retailing for around $30 for a 750ml bottle.
Methodology
Before deciding which whiskeys to include in this list, we had to define what "smooth" means in terms of spirit consumption. There are many factors that go into producing whiskey that can add or detract from its smoothness. The alcohol content is a major one — while some cask strength and overproof whiskeys can be enjoyed straight, they generally have an intense burn or heat that makes the drinking experience somewhat rough. Thus the whiskeys included here are all under 100 proof. Mashbill (the types of different grains used), distillation type, and aging length and process also contribute to a whiskey's smoothness, so these factors were looked at as well.
We considered professional and amateur ratings and rankings from across the web, from spirits publications to whiskey enthusiast blogs, awards, and customer ratings and reviews from notable retail sites. In addition, some personal and professional experience in working with and tasting these products came into account when deciding which whiskeys to feature.