The Best Whiskeys For Your Home Bar in 2024

Wondering what the best whiskey for your home bar in 2024 is? When it comes to building the best home bar, there's nothing more important than high-quality whiskey. As diverse and versatile as whiskey is, there are a few ways to refine your search when it comes to selecting the best whiskeys for a home bar that will satisfy both cocktail connoisseurs and straight sippers in equal measure. Here, we break down the must-have styles and spirits for fitting out your collection, ideal for entertaining guests or enjoying in solitude.

The Perfect Old Fashioned - Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Call me old-fashioned... but when it comes to an after-dinner tipple, a good Old Fashioned can't be beaten. What makes a good Old Fashioned? That’s easy… A damn good bourbon whiskey. Good doesn't always necessarily mean expensive or hard-to-find though, a simple, flavorful, classic bourbon profile is what I look for when making this famous cocktail, and value-for-money is king. Buffalo Trace Bourbon is a staple in the whiskey world, known for its accessibility and versatility. Think caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice, the perfect recipe for a balanced, full-bodied Old Fashioned. Unmistakable bourbon flavors, yet approachable enough to be an essential addition to your home bar. It’s not reinventing the wheel and there are no prizes for recommending BT (its reputation exceeds itself), but as far as pound-for-pound drinkability and value are concerned - it’s simply too good to look past.

A Serious, Sophisticated Sipper - Elijah Craig 18

Great home bars need great neat sippers. You can’t always drink cocktails, and I don’t want to be concocting something from a recipe book or beating egg whites in a shaker every time I fancy indulging myself. Enter, the sipping bourbon whiskey. In the last few years, the in-vogue option for many enthusiasts has become something full proof, and while I tend to lean towards the upper end of this scale when it comes to my own palate and preferences, the truth is, cask-strength isn’t for everyone. For something sophisticated, ideal for sipping, and a whiskey that's not going to completely blow your head off, I’d recommend an Elijah Craig 18. So underrated, so well made and it drinks a touch above its weight when it comes to proof, all the while remaining exceptional value for an 18 year old bourbon produced by one of Kentucky’s powerhouses, Heaven Hill. For sipping at home and with friends, EC18 can’t be missed.

Manhattan? Yes you canhattan - Wild Turkey 101

When it comes to making a Manhattan, there’s a longstanding argument (largely amongst purists and spirits aficionados) for the use of rye whiskey rather than bourbon. This dates back to the cocktail’s inception and the preference for rye whiskeys in New York around the late 1880’s. I personally don’t care for this argument, and prefer a high-rye bourbon in my Manhattan, so will recommend one accordingly - if this makes you angry, tough luck - it’s my article. No, it’s not Blanton’s, which despite being “high rye” isn’t my preferred option for a cocktail. Enter Wild Turkey 101. Arguably an even better value bourbon that Buffalo Trace, WT 101 has everything you need and more for a punchy and well-layered Manhattan. It’s higher proof than many whiskeys in its price bracket, but exceedingly better quality, and that’s really all you’re after when mixing cocktails. In today’s bourbon scene, I feel Wild Turkey remains one of the most undervalued and underrated distilleries in Kentucky, and the classic 101 proof sits high on my list of accessible, versatile bourbon whiskeys that are absolutely non-negotiable when fitting out a home bar.

Highly Drinkable: Japanese Highballs - Suntory Hibiki Harmony

Not the most common cocktail these days due to the changing nature of American whiskey and the community’s appetite for heavy-hitting high-proof, but this summer, I’ve enjoyed a Japanese Highball as a refreshing change of pace. This might not be for everyone, but a lighter, more floral whiskey is always a good option for times when an understated bouquet is called for. Suntory’s Hibiki Japanese Harmony is an easy entry point into Japanese spiritmaking and this blended Japanese whiskey is accommodating and accessible. Not rare by any means, won’t break the bank (but won’t come cheap), and can be enjoyed neat as well as featured in a number of different cocktail styles, but best in a refreshing Highball, enjoyed on a warm day, poolside… maybe have two, treat yourself.  

Cask Strength Carnage - Stagg Barrel Proof

As I've mentioned there's been a significant swing in the appetite of whiskey connoisseurs in recent years, with high-proof strength almost becoming the norm for bourbon whiskey in both style and substance. Nowadays, every bar needs something that will singe the eyebrows and make the eyes water, heightening the senses and alerting the drinker to a new level of consciousness - a cask-strength plane of awakening. This is where I would opt for something a little more up-market, as the younger cask-strength whiskeys on the market can occasionally lose body and depth in favor of pure heat and vitriol. Quality over quantity or in this case, finesse over sheer firepower. Stagg Barrel Proof is a fan-favorite here at Frootbat HQ, and for good reason. There’s the unrelenting heat from its cask-strength entry-point, but with a classic bourbon profile that doesn’t get lost in translation. Deep caramel underpinned by cherry cobbler and an almost Coca-Cola sweetness. Thick and syrupy, everything a good, punchy, hard-hitting bourbon whiskey should do. A must for the modern man’s bar setup.

Rye, Spice & Everything Nice - Willett 4 Year Old Small Batch Rye

Those who have followed the blog for some time will recall an article we covered on exceptional rye whiskeys, Rye Til I Die, which featured some of the best rye whiskeys available on the market. While some of those might be a bit too pricey for the home bar, anyone who wants some insight into the cream of the crop should take a look at this piece for reference. Rye is a complex beast, and takes a degree of nuance and understanding in order to be at its ultimate best. This is why we often say a good rye is extremely good, but a bad rye can be the worst thing you’ve ever tasted. Down the drain bad. Luckily for you, I’ve tasted my share of good and bad rye whiskeys and can recommend a definite winner that will be a real crowd-pleaser in whatever way you choose to serve it. I don’t really love rye straight, though this rye is certainly sippable, but I feel as a spirit it’s best suited to a Sazerac or Boulevardier, which are both used as barometers for this recommendation. Willett’s 4 Year Old Family Estate Small Batch Rye is where my mind immediately goes when I think of rye whiskey at the right price. Willett’s ryes are some of the best in the world, no question, and while their older single barrels are phenomenal, the 4 year old small batch rye is the perfect starting point for keen enthusiasts looking to build out their collection.

The Showstopper - Weller 12 Bourbon Older Style Bottling (Discontinued)

Every bar needs a showstopper, something to blow the socks off our guests and show them that we mean business - we’re serious collectors after all. There could be countless bourbons that I recommend here, a BTAC, perhaps a Van Winkle, on the rye side you’d be remiss to look past the Boss Hog series from WhistlePig in Vermont or again towards the older, higher end of Willett. Despite the myriad options afforded to us as whiskey connoisseurs and collectors, I feel a showstopper needs to be niche enough to pique the interest of even the most informed and astute aficionado. A price tag doesn’t cut it here, nor do the usual run-of-the-mill allocated suspects. If impressing is the name of the game, then something deep from the archives would be my choice, and while finding dusties can be difficult and comes with an element of risk, there are a few options that don’t carry this burden as heavily. An Older Style Bottling of Weller 12 or Weller 107 would be an ideal entry for a showstopper bottling, and while Old Rip Squat bottlings would be more impressive, the Weller & Sons distilled Weller bottlings from pre-2015 are notoriously excellent and thankfully won’t bankrupt you. To impress, go left field.

And there you have it, a simple, straightforward list of the bare essentials for starting your collection. Obviously these bottle recommendations are interchangeable and can be manoeuvered depending on your budget and preferred tastes, but if you’re a beginner looking for a rough guide on the best whiskeys for your home bar in 2024, then these are the topline categories you should be looking at. Cocktail complements, sophisticated sippers and everything in between… what do you think? Is there anything we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments what you’d start your bar with in 2024.