There was no shortage of incredible whiskey that crossed our desks from far and wide this month.
July 27 was National Scotch Day , and more than a few delectable scotch whiskies made the list because we celebrated all month long. If you’re not a fan of scotch, don’t sweat: July’s best whiskey list included other stellar bottles ranging from bourbon to rye to the increasingly popular American single malt category.
Regardless of what you like to drink, we’re pretty sure there’s something for everyone in this lineup of 9 incredible whiskeys that knocked our socks off this month.
The 9 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in July 2024, Ranked
9. Doc Holliday Straight Kentucky Bourbon Single Barrel Edition Aged 7 Years
This offering from the World Whiskey Society celebrates the legendary gambler, gunfighter and dentist — you heard that right — who lived in the Old West. As far as single barrels go, this one is a knockout and you can pick it up for around $100 to $200. Aged for seven years and bottled at 63.1% ABV, this bourbon was sourced from a mysterious producer in Indiana.
The distiller is undisclosed and from Indiana, so probably MGP. What we can tell you is this mashbill was composed of 75% corn, 21% rye and 4% malted barley. There’s just so much going on at first whiff, with toffee apple, creamed corn, cola and a bit of char. On the palate, picture more cream and char coupled with cloves and punchy oak. The liquid homage to this notorious historical figure concludes with cherry cola, cloves and plenty of brown sugar.
A wild ride of a single barrel that’s about as wild as the history of the man that it’s inspired by.
8. Art of the Spirits Whiskey Raiders/Wiskeyer Selection
This luscious, dessert-driven rye is part of a collaboration between the Colorado brand, Art of the Spirits, Wiskeyer and Bottle Raiders. With an ABV of 59.5% and a 7-year age statement, this bold and bright rye can be bought for around $60 to $100.
On the whiskey’s massive nose, picture chocolate fudge, toffee, powerful rye spice and freshly cracked pepper. The whiskey hosts a rich palate with an opulent texture loaded with buttercream, spice and toffee. This limited offering from Art of the Spirits possesses a lengthy finish, with oak and spicy tobacco. If you’re a fan of dessert and spices — don’t miss out on this one.
Consider it the quintessential after-dinner whiskey.
7. Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1
This scotch whisky brand from Islay is all about secrecy for its Black Art Series, and honestly? Secrecy never tasted so good. All we know about this whisky is that it is 24 years old and possesses an ABV of 44.2%.
Peach cobbler sashays out of the glass at first whiff, coupled with apples and cracked pepper. There’s a nice malty quality to the aroma of the pour, interlaced with fresh plums. On the palate, picture sweet cream and honey with a strong pastry component, coupled with a bit of smoke and minerality.
The finish lingers with loads of stone fruit then segues into smoldering oak. This restrained scotch is nothing short of fascinating. Though it’s a bit of a splurge at north of $200, it’s well worth the purchase.
6. Bulleit 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey 12 Year Old (2024)
Bulleit’s 12-Year Rye launched in 2019 and became quickly known as a value-driven rye within the whiskey world. Unfortunately, Bulleit discontinued this whiskey once all the stock sold out. Fast forward to 2024, and Bulleit 95 12-Year Rye is back, baby!
This 46% ABV whiskey was distilled by MGP in Indiana, and the number “95” on the label is a clever nod to the whiskey giant’s rye mashbill, which is composed of a whopping 95% rye. Barrels up to 17 years of age are included in the whiskey, and it hosts a suggested retail price of $55.
If you can’t take a trip to the tropics this summer — don’t sweat it, Bulleit’s 95 Rye Frontier Whiskey has you covered. Fresh pineapple and mango drizzled with caramel dance about in the nose, coupled with herbs like dill and mint. There’s a candied component to the pour, with plenty of ginger and spice. This rye is no shrinking violet and you’ll get plenty of the signature spice this grain is known for. The whiskey has a long finish that goes on for eons, with mint, butterscotch and more lingering tropical fruit.
5. Stranahan’s Diamond Peak 2023
One of the most respected American Single Malt producers is Stranahan’s and the jewel in the brand’s portfolio is its Diamond Peak release — pun intended.
This year’s highly coveted blend is a mixture of 5- to 8-year-old single malts that were finished for over two years in casks that formerly housed extra añejo tequila from José Cuervo’s Reserva de Familia. Both the whiskey and tequila brands are owned by Proximo Spirits .
With a 45% ABV and a fairly reasonable price range of $60 to $100, this whiskey has a complicated — yet fruity — nose. Picture peaches, cream and berries aplenty with just a touch of saline. The agave character shines through in this release, and it leads straight to a bright palate with more stonefruit and salted caramel.
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak finishes with sugar cookies, blueberry pie and a lingering saline throughline. The agave is nicely integrated throughout the spirit.
4. Port Charlotte 18 Year
Islay’s Bruichladdich nabbed two spots on our list for the best whiskeys we tasted in July, which is no easy feat. This offering is from the brand’s Port Charlotte Series and it is the oldest release within the line with its 18-year age statement. Just 1,000 cases exist, and if you’re lucky enough to snag a bottle, you can find it for between $100 and $200.
The complicated nose holds true to that Islay profile, with aromas of barbecued pork and saline, coupled with sweet cream and lemon curd. The palate hosts a smoky-sweet symphony coupled with caramel, lemon curd and minerality. Peat smoke continues through the end, which is a harmonious blend of toffee, lemon curd and minerality.
This stunning scotch is quite possibly one of our favorite whiskies from Bruichladdich in a very long time.
3. Lagavulin Iain’s Farewell Dram
Iain McArthur was an impressive force in the scotch whisky industry. McArthur retired after 50 years working as the warehouse manager at Lagavulin in December.
This 18-year-old scotch from the Islay distillery was made to celebrate McArthur’s legacy, and just 212 bottles exist in the world. McArthur bottled the whisky, lending a distinctively personal touch.
The nose on this scotch has plenty of that Islay funk, interlaced with raisins, sugar plum tobacco and of course, peat. The palate is luscious and opulent, with ash, berries and a distinctive meatiness. The finish possesses a prickle of heat, yet has plenty of sweetness and peated flavors to add balance.
Characterful, complex and a monumental goodbye to an individual who was an important fixture at Lagavulin for half a century.
2. Russell’s Reserve 15
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon was distilled by none other than Wild Turkey. With a 15-year age statement, this is a noticeable upgrade from Russell’s Reserve 13. Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon clocks in at 117.2 proof and you can purchase a bottle for around $250.
Fans of Wild Turkey’s flavor profile will go nuts for the orange peel on the pour of this bourbon. The nose offers up plenty of big, old oak notes, with cherry cola and root beer. At first whiff, you know this bourbon is going to be serious and powerful.
Besides Wild Turkey’s signature orange peel, picture plenty of oak, cherries and a sticky, thick chewy richness. You could practically bite down on this whiskey, the palate is so thick. Russell’s Reserve 15 concludes with oak, tobacco and baking spice.
Wild Turkey fans will fall hard for this brash and potent bourbon with plenty of zest.
1. Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye
The No. 1 spot on our list for July goes to 2024’s release of Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye. This extremely limited release hosts a suggested retail price of $200, but it might retail for quite a bit higher.
Michter’s 10 Year Old Single Barrel Rye hosts a relatively modest proof of 92.8, and it was aged in fire-charred new American white oak barrels. The nose deviates away from an herbal profile and is all dessert and baking spice.
Decadent and dessert-driven with the right amount of kick, expect pound cake and honey over dill and mint. On the palate, apples and citrus fruit add a bit of oomph, coupled with more baking spice. The palate is surprisingly rich despite the lower proof of this whiskey, and it’s all flavor. Quite a smooth and dangerously drinkable experience, this rye finishes with sweet oak, toffee and brown butter.
Without question, this offering from Michter’s was one of the most memorable – if not the most memorable — rye we’ve tasted this year. A knockout.
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9 Best Whiskeys We Tasted in July 2024 first appeared on
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