Bourbon and rye may be the big names in American whiskey, but they are only part of the story.
Across the United States, distillers are producing an incredible range of styles, from traditional Kentucky bourbons and spicy rye whiskies to Tennessee classics, innovative finishes, and a growing wave of American single malts. Different mash bills, maturation techniques, and regional approaches mean the category now offers more variety than ever before.
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This list reflects that diversity. The bottles below span multiple states, whiskey styles, and flavor profiles, offering something for both newcomers and seasoned drinkers looking to explore beyond their usual pour. There is something for everyone in this list of American whiskeys to try in 2026.
5 Bourbons You Have To Try
Four Roses Single Barrel, 50%, $43
Starting out with the basics, if you haven’t tried any of these yet, make them first on the list, as we have.
Kicking things off is Four Roses Single Barrel, a stunning bottle from the folks in Kentucky. It’s loaded with rich brown sugar, gentle rye spice, and a slightly higher ABV than most single barrel releases, all at a price that remains consistently affordable.
Larceny Barrel Proof, 62%+, $50
Hailing from Heaven Hill, Larceny is the distillery’s take on wheated bourbon, and it’s absolutely delicious.
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The regular bottling sits around 47% ABV, but the barrel proof version provides a real Kentucky kick. It still has plenty of soft, sweet notes, but you’re not buying this bottle for its gentler side.
Old Forester 1920, 57.5%, $50
This is a bottle that completely hooked me. I tried it in Kentucky and instantly fell in love. I finally picked up a bottle for home, and it easily competes with many harder-to-find, higher-end bourbons. It has the power, charm, and flavour of bottles like William Larue Weller and George T. Stagg, but at a far more accessible price and with much better availability.
Wild Turkey 101, 50.5%, $18
A stone-cold classic. If you haven’t tried Wild Turkey 101 yet, head to your local liquor store and add it to the shelf. It’s a bottle of real historical importance and packs a huge amount of flavour at a very affordable price.
Expect layers of rich caramel, stroopwafel sweetness, and gentle oak spice. This is an absolute must-have.
Stagg, 63%+, $150
Speaking of harder-to-find bottles, here we have Stagg, formerly known as Stagg Jr. It’s a small batch variation of the famous George T. Stagg from Buffalo Trace, but arguably just as famous in its own right.
The ABV is massive, and the whiskey delivers incredible layers of complexity. I’ve treasured and slowly sipped a bottle of this for over a decade, and it never disappoints. Hard to find, but worth seeking out at a local bar or whisky club if you can.
5 American Rye Whiskeys You Have To Try
Never Say Die Rye, 52.5%, $75
A little mid-Atlantic mashup here. Distilled in the United States and partially matured in the UK, Never Say Die Rye has left quite an impression on me over the last few months.
With a 56% rye mash bill, it delivers sweet earthiness while leaving enough space for the other grains to shine. It makes a killer Manhattan but also works beautifully as a neat pour.
Stoll & Wolfe 8.5 Year Old Single Barrel Rye, 53%, $90
Selected by the folks at Kindred Spirits, this well-aged rye has plenty to say for itself.
The brand’s roots are steeped in American whiskey folklore, but the liquid itself showcases earthy ginger and sweet mint notes. There’s a bready character throughout, with enough weight and structure to make it a very memorable pour.
Templeton Rye Barrel Strength, 57.4%, $57
If you have more of a sweet tooth but want to explore rye whiskey, Templeton has you covered.
This is easily one of the most coconut and banana-driven ryes I’ve come across in a long time. Woodford Rye comes close with its chocolate notes, but this is playing a different game entirely.
For the ABV and flavour, it’s an excellent value and a whiskey that will keep you studying the glass for hours.
Sagamore Spirits Double Oak Rye, 48.3%, $47
We’ve written about this bottle before, and it remains a real gem. If you enjoy Woodford Double Oaked and richer styles of American whiskey, this rye should be on your list.
It’s packed with pecan, maple, hazelnut, chocolate, rye spice, and a heavy mouthfeel, with beautiful caramel notes on the finish. A real treat from the folks in Maryland.
Balcones Texas Rye 100 Proof, 50%, $45
Everything is bigger in Texas, and that phrase certainly applies to its whiskey. This double pot distilled rye is made from Elbon, Crystal, chocolate, and roasted rye varieties, with a 100% rye mash bill. It’s unlike anything else you’re likely to try.
Expect orange, chocolate, caramel, a huge finish, and a wonderful texture. Balcones built its reputation on bold, powerful expressions, and this delivers that intensity with a surprising amount of subtlety.
5 Tennessee Whiskeys You Have To Try
Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old, Batch 5, 48.05%, $200+
The announcement of Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old surprised me, but when I finally tasted it, it completely blew me away. It has all the classic banana and maple notes you expect from Jack Daniel’s, but the additional aging adds a character that almost reminds me of Madeira wine.
Sweet, drying, and incredibly moreish. If you get the chance to try it, it’s absolutely worth it.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof, 62%+, $50
This is another bottle that adds a lot of depth and intrigue to the Jack Daniel’s lineup. I picked one up on my way back from Kentucky and couldn’t say no at around £50.
This is Jack Daniel’s at its purest. Expect toasted nuts, fresh honey, banana bread, dark chocolate, maple syrup, and fresh oak.
It rivals many Kentucky cask strength releases, and when you factor in the price, it can easily come out on top.
Company Distilling Straight Tennessee Whiskey Apple Wood Finish, 43.25%, $65
If you’re looking for a Tennessee whiskey with a little more subtlety and less power, this toasted apple wood finish from Company Distilling is a great option.
It works beautifully as a neat pour and reminds me of sweet vanilla and raisins. It also performs very well in an Old Fashioned, where the dilution and additional ingredients help highlight its freshness.
Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey, 45.5%, $34
This wheated Tennessee whiskey carries a lot of lost history with it. The resurrected brand has gained plenty of traction in recent years. Charcoal filtration combined with wheat in the mash bill gives the whiskey a rich, waxy texture.
There’s plenty of body, plenty of flavour, and it’s a great bottle if you want to explore the history of Tennessee spirits.
Daddy Rack Single Barrel Cask Strength Tennessee Straight Whiskey, 60–63%, $93
With a mash bill of 80% corn, 10% rye, and 10% malted barley, this cask strength Tennessee whiskey delivers plenty for the money.
The spirit is relatively young at around four years old, but the flavours of cherry, apricot, and mango are impressive. The finish brings jammy fruit and cracked black pepper, making it a very appealing and expressive whiskey.
5 American Single Malts You Have To Try
Westward American Single Malt, 45%, $47
Matured in lightly toasted American white oak, this isn’t a huge departure from flavours familiar to bourbon or rye fans.
However, it leans more toward fruit than spice.
Expect notes of pear, jammy red fruit, and a touch of spice on the finish. It’s slightly pricier than some bottles, but definitely worth trying at a festival or tasting event.
Westland American Single Malt, 46%, $50
Made from a combination of six different types of malted barley, including some peated malt, this whiskey is matured in a variety of casks, including virgin American oak, refill American oak, and refill sherry casks. Westland is often the first brand that comes to mind when discussing American single malt and remains one of the category’s leading names.
Old Line Cask Strength American Single Malt, 63.3%, $99
A fantastic addition to the growing range of American single malts. This whiskey is matured entirely in fresh American white oak, giving it a distinctly American character.
The malt base allows flavours like coconut, milk chocolate, and banana to shine. At cask strength, it’s bold, challenging, and complex.
Belmont Farm Kopper Kettle American Single Malt, 43%, $62
This is a unique American single malt that is often compared to Irish whiskey from Midleton because it is triple distilled.
The nose offers fresh wildflowers, honey, toasted cereal, and milk chocolate. It’s a very approachable whiskey and a great introduction to the style.
Balcones Texas Single Malt, 53%, $57
This one has always been a bit of a wild ride for me. I’ve owned two bottles, and its distinctive aging techniques create huge, ester-driven flavours. Those esters bring notes of fresh apple, pear, and banana.
The palate is big, with plenty of oak, toasted wood, and rich molasses. It almost feels like a crossover between American single malt and Jamaican pot still rum.
5 Wildcards You Have To Try
Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2025, $169
This might not seem like the wildest choice on the list, but with auction demand cooling and flippers moving elsewhere, bottles like this are becoming easier to actually buy and open.
Some of the oldest whiskey Maker’s Mark has released appears in this series, bringing flavours and complexities we don’t often see from the brand. I love where this line is going and can’t wait to see what comes next.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaboration With Maison Ferrand, 55.9%, $152.99
Bardstown’s collaborations really hit their stride with this release. The bourbon includes mostly 11 and 12-year-old whiskey with some 6-year-old rye, finished in Cognac casks for 15 months.
It combines Cognac aromas like raisins, nuts, and grapes with classic bourbon notes of caramel, pecan, and creaminess. I’d love to have a bottle on my shelf, but the festival sample will have to do for now.
King’s County 5 Year Old Private Barrel Bourbon Hedonism Wines, 63.5%, $175
I was sent a sample of this in 2025 to review for The Whiskey Wash and instantly fell in love with it. If you like George T. Stagg, this delivers a similar punch.
It may be younger, but the flavour is exceptional. I’ve loved King’s County since visiting in 2016. The place is charming, and this is easily the best barrel of theirs I’ve tasted.
King’s County Peated Bourbon, 45%, $70
This is something completely different. If you enjoy experimental bottles, peated bourbon is worth exploring.
It follows King’s County’s classic bourbon recipe but swaps regular malted barley for Scottish peated barley. The nose is fruity, while the palate leans heavily into smoke, smoked meat, and coffee.
Westward American Single Malt Stout Cask, 46%, $81
Using Oregon’s vibrant beer scene as inspiration, Westward lent barrels to local stout producers and then reclaimed them for whiskey maturation.
The result is a rich, chocolate-driven American single malt.
Expect malted biscuit, cocoa powder, hot chocolate, and creamy stout flavours. It’s a fun bottle for anyone who enjoys both stout and whiskey.
