
The Best Bourbons of 2025 (So Far): The Top 10 Best Whiskeys of 2025
The Best Bourbons of 2025 (So Far): The Top 10 Best Whiskeys of 2025
After a stellar 2024 that saw some truly exceptional releases, 2025 has opened with a bang that has us scrambling to reorganize our top shelves. From long-awaited age statement returns to innovative finishing techniques, this year's bourbon landscape is proving that American whiskey continues to evolve while honoring its storied traditions.
The first half of 2025 has delivered some genuinely surprising releases that have caught even seasoned bourbon hunters off guard. We've witnessed legendary distilleries flexing muscles they haven't shown in decades, while others have doubled down on what makes them special in the first place. Whether you're hunting allocated bottles, building a serious collection, or simply looking for that next spectacular pour, these early 2025 releases represent some of the finest releases thus far.
Here are our top picks for the best bourbons of 2025 so far – releases that have not only exceeded expectations but have set the bar impossibly high for what's still to come this year.
1. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 9 Years Old Spring 2025 Edition
Taking the crown this year is Heaven Hill's latest Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond release, and honestly, we should have seen this coming. The Spring 2025 edition marks the seventh year of Heaven Hill's bi-annual Old Fitz releases, and they've absolutely nailed the sweet spot with this 9-year-old wheated beauty. What makes this release so special isn't just the age – though nine years seems to be the magic number for this particular mashbill – it's the complete package Heaven Hill has delivered. From the moment you nose this bourbon, you're greeted with an symphony of barrel spice and fresh mint that gives way to rich, buttery toffee notes and that signature banana character that Old Fitz lovers know and cherish. But this isn't the subtle banana note from previous releases; this is full-throttle banana pudding territory, complete with caramelized Bananas Foster richness.
On the palate, this wheated bourbon showcases everything that makes the 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley mashbill so compelling. The 100-proof bottling strength provides just enough heat to carry those lush dessert notes – think yeasted donuts with caramel glaze and cinnamon-dusted apple hand pies – while the oak provides structure without overwhelming the delicate wheated character. The finish is where this bourbon truly shines, cascading into apple sauce and crème caramel notes that linger long enough to make you immediately reach for another pour.
What's remarkable about this release is how it manages to deliver premium bourbon experiences without relying on double-digit age statements or eye-watering proof points. Sometimes the best bourbon is simply about getting everything in perfect balance, and Heaven Hill has achieved exactly that with this Spring 2025 edition.
2. Jack Daniel's 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
At number two, we have what might be the most historically significant release of 2025 so far: Jack Daniel's first 14-year age-stated whiskey in over a century. Yes, you read that right – more than 100 years. This inaugural batch of 24,000 bottles represents not just an evolution in Jack Daniel's aged series, but a glimpse into what Tennessee whiskey can become when given proper time and attention.
These barrels spent nearly half their aging time on the upper floors of Jack's rickhouses before being moved to the first floor – a departure from their typical static aging process that has resulted in something genuinely special.
The Lincoln County Process that defines Tennessee whiskey shines through beautifully in this 14-year expression. Those signature Jack Daniel's characteristics – the sweet oak backbone, the tempered fruit notes – are all present but elevated to a new level of complexity. Everything tastes a shade darker and more developed compared to the excellent 10 and 12-year releases. The red cherry notes that made the 12-year Batch 1 so memorable have transformed into deeper, darker cherry flavors, while the molasses character has gained a bootstrap richness that speaks to serious barrel aging.
3. Wild Turkey 101 8 Year Old Bourbon
Rounding out our top three is a release that proves sometimes the best innovations are actually returns to tradition. Wild Turkey's decision to bring back the age statement to their iconic 101 bourbon – the first since 1992 – represents more than just marketing; it's a statement about quality and transparency that bourbon enthusiasts have been craving.
The Wild Turkey 101 8 Year Old Bourbon showcases what happens when you combine the Russell family's legendary barrel selection skills with a more curated approach to batching. While the standard 101 reportedly contains bourbons aged 6-8 years, this release features hand-selected barrels chosen specifically for their complexity and character by Bruce Russell, grandson of Wild Turkey legend Jimmy Russell.
The difference is immediately noticeable. Those classic Wild Turkey characteristics – the robust caramel, vanilla, and oak notes that have made 101 a bourbon staple for decades – are all present but with enhanced clarity and depth. The flavors are more distinct, cleaner, and noticeably fuller than the standard 101 expression. It's not a revolutionary change, but rather an evolutionary step that demonstrates how thoughtful barrel selection can elevate an already solid bourbon.
What makes this release particularly significant is what it represents for the broader bourbon market. The return of age statements to major brand flagships suggests that supply is finally catching up with demand, potentially ushering in a new era of transparency and quality for bourbon lovers.
4. Bomberger's PFG (2025)
Michter's has always been obsessed with wood – and I mean that in the best possible way. When a distillery employs both a Master of Maturation and a Master Distiller, you know they're serious about every aspect of the aging process. Their latest Legacy Series release, Bomberger's PFG, takes that wood obsession to an entirely new level, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.
The "PFG" stands for Precision Fine Grain, which refers to the custom French oak finishing barrels that give this bourbon its distinctive character. We're talking about wood sourced from France's most revered forests – Tronçais, Allier, Nevers, and Vosges – that's been naturally air-dried near the Charente River for a minimum of 40 months. It sounds like overkill until you taste what all that attention to detail produces.
Built on the foundation of Michter's standard Bomberger's straight bourbon, this French oak-finished expression delivers a level of elegance that's rare in American whiskey. The nose is immediately captivating with milk chocolate, ginger, and Chinese five spice notes, but it's the seamless integration of the French oak that sets this apart. Unlike some secondary barrel finishes that can feel heavy-handed, the French oak here feels like it belongs, contributing concentrated yet gentle tannins and layers of dark caramel and rosemary syrup.
On the palate, this bourbon unfolds with the kind of complexity typically reserved for Michter's oldest and most expensive releases. Golden butterscotch and coffee beans give way to dark cocktail cherry and black cherry cola, all underpinned by cinnamon syrup and gingerbread spicing. The finish brings chocolate mint and clove notes that linger beautifully without overstaying their welcome.
At 100.2 proof, Bomberger's PFG strikes the perfect balance between intensity and drinkability. It's a masterclass in how secondary maturation should be done, and easily my new favorite in Michter's Legacy Series lineup.
5. Four Roses OESO Single Barrel (2025)
Twenty years is a milestone worth celebrating, and Four Roses is doing it right with their expanded Single Barrel Collection that finally gives bourbon lovers access to more of their legendary ten-recipe portfolio. The OESO expression represents everything we love about Four Roses' approach to bourbon-making – it's familiar enough to feel like home, but different enough to keep you guessing with every sip.
What makes this release particularly exciting is the mashbill shift. While their flagship single barrel uses the OBSV recipe, this OESO variant showcases their high-rye mashbill (75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley) paired with their "O" yeast strain – a combination that Four Roses describes as delivering "rich fruit and vanilla" characteristics. After tasting it, we can confirm they weren't overselling it.
The nose immediately sets this apart from what you might expect from Four Roses. Those bubble gum and elderberry notes aren't typical bourbon territory, but they work beautifully here, creating an almost wine-like complexity that draws you in. The palate delivers on the promise with brown butter richness, vanilla cream sweetness, and just enough rye spice to remind you this is still serious bourbon.
At 100 proof and aged between 7-9 years, this hits the sweet spot for daily drinking while offering enough complexity to warrant serious contemplation. The finish brings peppery oak and lingering spice that makes you pause between sips – always the mark of a well-crafted whiskey.
Four Roses plans to rotate through different recipe combinations each year, making this collection a bourbon enthusiast's dream. If the OESO is any indication of what's to come, we're in for some incredible releases ahead.
6. Maker's Mark The Keepers Release 2025 Limited Release
Following up on last year's impressive Heart Release, Maker's Mark continues their Wood Finishing Series with The Keepers Release, named in honor of the rickhouse workers who monitor the aging process day in and day out. While the concept might sound simple – ten virgin toasted American staves added during the final months of aging – the execution is anything but ordinary.
This is what happens when Maker's Mark gets serious about wood finishing. The nose immediately announces itself as wood-forward, reminiscent of eucalyptus alongside the familiar charred oak character. There's a hint of licorice and raisiny prune hiding beneath all that woodiness, creating an aromatic complexity that sets expectations high from the first whiff.
The real magic happens on the palate, where this bourbon becomes one of the most effusive Maker's Mark expressions in recent memory. A bright punch of rum raisin leads off, followed by lively orange peel, Maraska cherry, and that signature vanilla-laced caramel that makes Maker's so distinctive. The tannic oakiness from the nose provides a perfect counterbalance to all that sweetness and fruit, creating a push-and-pull dynamic that keeps every sip interesting.
What impressed me most about The Keepers Release is how it manages to be both dessert-like and sophisticated. Milk chocolate and mint notes soften the finish while that tannic oakiness clings to the tip of your tongue, adding complexity rather than overwhelming the sweeter elements. Extended time in the glass reveals almond notes – both extract and shell – that add yet another layer to an already complex whiskey.
At around 109.2 proof and priced affordably for what it delivers, The Keepers Release represents exceptional value in today's limited release market. This is criminally delicious bourbon that deserves serious attention from anyone interested in what thoughtful wood finishing can accomplish.
7. Michter's Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 10 Years Old 2025
Michter's 10-year single barrel bourbon releases have become something of an annual tradition (when they happen), and the 2025 edition proves that sometimes consistency is exactly what bourbon lovers need. While there's no set schedule for these releases, their arrival is always cause for celebration among those who appreciate nuanced, well-aged American whiskey.
What makes this year's release particularly interesting is how it diverges from Michter's typical bold, aggressive profile. Instead of the cigar box and baking chocolate intensity we've come to expect from aged Michter's expressions, the 2025 10-year cuts a decidedly softer, more approachable path that showcases a different side of what this distillery can accomplish.
The nose is enchantingly fruity, loaded with raspberry and strawberry notes backed by baking spice, graham cracker pie crust, and a healthy dose of cinnamon. It's dessert-like in the best possible way, clinging to those exuberant fruit characteristics rather than developing the expected pungency of a decade-old bourbon. Even with time in the glass, it maintains that fruit-forward character while allowing some lightly charred notes to emerge.
On the palate, this bourbon delivers a cobbler-like experience that's both sweet and seductive. The combination of cinnamon and mixed berries creates a lush body that wouldn't feel out of place next to a glass of quality Port wine. Late-developing mint and rosemary notes add herbaceous complexity to a finish that balances fruit and spice beautifully, ending with allspice, nutmeg, and caramel sauce notes.
At 94.4 proof, this bourbon demonstrates how lower alcohol levels can actually enhance rather than diminish a whiskey's character. The proof allows those delicate flavors to shine without getting washed away, creating a sipping experience that rewards contemplation. While Michter's prices continue to climb, this 10-year represents solid value for those seeking something more nuanced than your typical double-digit aged offering.
8. Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve: Cathedral French Oak
Sometimes a bourbon comes along that tells a story bigger than just what's in the bottle, and Bardstown's inaugural Distillery Reserve release, Cathedral French Oak, is exactly that kind of whiskey. The backstory alone is worth the price of admission: this blend is finished in barrels made from 300-year-old French oak from the legendary Bercé Forest, the same wood used to restore Notre Dame Cathedral's spire after the devastating 2019 fire. If that doesn't give you chills, you might want to check your pulse.
But here's the thing about great bourbon – the story only matters if the liquid delivers, and Cathedral French Oak absolutely does. This is a masterclass in high-aged Kentucky bourbon blending, featuring five different whiskeys ranging from 9 to 18 years old with a weighted average of just over 15 years. The breakdown is fascinating: the backbone is built on 14 and 18-year-old bourbon, with smaller percentages of 9, 11, and 17-year expressions adding complexity and nuance.
The 14-month French oak finishing doesn't dominate the profile but rather adds layers of refinement that elevate the entire experience. The nose presents aged oak and leather alongside dark cherry and cinnamon, while the palate showcases seasoned oak, white pepper, and burnt brown sugar balanced by cherry and crème brûlée notes. Everything comes together in near-perfect harmony – this is what happens when master blenders are given access to exceptional aged stock and the freedom to experiment.
At 110.1 proof, Cathedral French Oak drinks beautifully, delivering full-bodied richness without overwhelming heat. The finish is particularly impressive, offering baking spices, graham cracker, and vanilla custard notes that linger long enough to make you immediately want another sip.
Bardstown's decision to bottle this exclusively in 375mL format is brilliant – it makes this exceptional whiskey accessible to more bourbon lovers while acknowledging that sometimes less truly is more. This inaugural Distillery Reserve release sets an impossibly high bar for future releases in the series.
9. Penelope 17 Year American Light Whiskey
Here's a sentence I never thought I'd write: one of the best whiskeys of 2025 so far is a 17-year-old light whiskey that costs less than many 10-year bourbons. Penelope has somehow turned American light whiskey – historically considered a cheaper alternative to straight bourbon – into a premium category worth serious attention, and their 17-year release might be their masterpiece.
For those unfamiliar with light whiskey, it's distilled at a higher proof than bourbon (between 80-95% ABV) and aged in used or uncharred barrels, resulting in a different flavor profile than traditional bourbon. What MGP/Seagrams discovered, and what Penelope has perfected, is that light whiskey becomes something truly special with serious age.
This 17-year expression, made from a 99% corn and 1% malted barley mashbill, showcases everything that makes aged light whiskey compelling. The nose is immediately captivating with caramel kettle corn, strawberry, and vanilla wafer notes that give way to cake batter and toasted oak. It's sweet and approachable without being cloying.
The palate is where this whiskey truly shines. Honeycomb, browned butter, and crème brûlée create a dessert-like foundation, while cinnamon frosting adds spice complexity. But it's the finish that sets this apart from previous Penelope releases – there's an earthiness and trail mix character that brings savory, nutty qualities alongside the expected sweetness.
At 138.8 proof, this whiskey drinks surprisingly smooth, though it does lose some of the creaminess that made the 15-year so special. The extra proof, however, amplifies the flavor intensity in ways that more than compensate for any textural changes.
Perhaps most remarkably, Penelope actually decreased the price for this release, making it one of the best values in aged American whiskey. As light whiskey continues to gain recognition, Penelope is establishing themselves as the undisputed leader in the category.
10. Old Forester 1924 Batch 2 (2025)
When a bourbon sells out nationally within weeks of release, it's either really good or really overhyped. In the case of Old Forester 1924, it's definitely the former. This 10-year-old expression returns for its second year as part of Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, and it continues to prove that sometimes the best innovations come from looking backward.
The story behind 1924 is genuinely fascinating – during Prohibition, Old Forester was one of only six distilleries granted permits to bottle whiskey for medicinal purposes. In 1924, they acquired barrels from shuttered distilleries with different mashbills and bottled them under the Old Forester name. This modern interpretation honors that history with its own unique mashbill: 79% corn, 11% rye, and 10% malted barley, compared to Old Forester's standard 72% corn, 18% rye recipe.
That mashbill tweak makes all the difference. The higher corn content creates a sweeter, more approachable profile while the reduced rye keeps things from getting too spicy. The nose is immediately inviting with toasted oak, caramel, and vanilla frosting notes that scream "classic bourbon." The palate delivers sweet chewy oak balanced by cinnamon spice, but it's that honey-spiced orange note that really sets this apart – it's unexpected and delicious.
At 100 proof, this drinks beautifully neat or with a splash of water. The 10-year age statement gives it enough oak influence to feel mature without overpowering the sweeter elements. The finish brings peppery oak and rye spice with enough length to keep you engaged long after the sip.
Yes, it's pricier than your typical 10-year bourbon, but the quality justifies the premium. This is what happens when a heritage distillery takes the time to craft something special rather than just filling bottles. We're hoping Old Forester considers making this an annual release – bourbon this good deserves to be more than a one-off experiment.
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