George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Price: $39.99
Origin: American
ABV: 47%
A spectacular bold and full flavored bourbon, this Whiskies of the World 2020 Awards Gold Winner is a blend of high-rye bourbons aged for a minimum of four years. At $40, this is an incredible buy.
FEW Cold Cut Bourbon
Price: $44.99
Origin: American
ABV: 46.5%
Not your average bourbon, FEW Bourbon’s Cold Cut is mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled at the FEW distillery then “cut” with cold brew coffee. We love this unique whisky and our W.O.W judges agree, scoring it a Gold for its unique, yet subtle essence of coffee, but not knowing it was a flavored whisky. Cold Cut most definitely drinks like a whiskey despite its distinctive angle, making it a must-try bourbon. Whiskey flavors dominate – but the smooth cold brew delivers unexpected depth and a boldness that leaves you asking for a refill. This serves as a perfect choice for Brunch or a mean, bold, Manhattan.
Savage & Cooke Second Glance American Whiskey
Price: $38
Origin: American
ABV: 44%
First released in 2017, Savage & Cooke Second Glance is the first release of renowned Napa winemaker’s Dave Phinney’s anticipated 5-year-old American Whiskey. Made from Kentucky corn, rye, and barley and finished in cabernet barrels, this layered American Whiskey yields rich aromas with subtle wood and caramel notes.
10th Street Distillery Coastal Blend
Price: $34.99
Origin: American
ABV: 42%
One of our new favorite distilleries located in the heart of San Jose, 10th Street is taking Scotch traditions and adding a little American flare to make a fuller product that even bourbon drinkers will cherish. The blend is obviously lighter than their single malts, yet still provides a full flavor for a blend at only $34.
Compass Box Whisky Great King Street Artist’s Blend
Price: $36.99
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 43%
John Glaser, an American ex-pat in the UK working for a large distiller, wanted to do things differently to bring the joys of Scotch whisky to the masses. Now, as head blender of Compass Box, he has successfully created the ultimate Scotch blend priced under $40, tackling “Best in Class” at the 2020 Whiskies of the World Awards. Every collection should have at least one expression from Compass Box and you definitely cannot go wrong with Great King Street Artist’s Blend on your shelf.
Glenmorangie Original 10 Year Old Single Malt
Price: $35.99
Origin: Scotland ABV: 43%
Glenmorangie is one of the most respected brands, and with good reason. If you need to keep your budget under $40, the 10 year is a great choice. Having the tallest stills in Scotland, they create a lighter, fruitier malt and the influence from the barrel is more pronounced. Glenmorangie has one of the most detailed wood management programs that, along with the tall stills, come together for an incredible product.
Sudden Wisdom Straight Rye Whiskey
Price: $49.99
Origin: American ABV: 45%
A Whiskies of the World 2020 Gold Winner, Sudden Wisdom Rye is an easy sipping rye straight out of Montana with a mash bill composed of 100% Montana and Canada rye. The first releases have spent at least two years resting in 53-gallon heavy char, American white oak casks. With heartening notes of spice, dried ripe apple, and autumn leather, Sudden Wisdom is evocative of Neil Young’s Live Rust, according to distiller Christopher Conley.
Widow Jane Oak & Applewood Rye (375ML)
Price: $29.99
Origin: American
ABV: 45.5%
Distilled in Brooklyn, this bold, Big Apple spirit is perfect for an Old Fashioned or Manhattan (Go Figure). A delicate, yet spirited whiskey with an exotic, floral edge, this rye yields a smooth, easy caramel finish with a bit of spice that lingers.
Isle of Skye 12 Year Old
Price: $34
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 43%
Ian MacLeod’s 12-year-old Isle of Skye whiskey is an incredibly, smooth blended malt whiskey worth adding to your rotation. Comprised of blends of island and Speyside malts aged at a minimum of 12 years in separate casks, the blend is then put back into oak casks to age before being bottled. The end result yielding a sweet, yet smokey sip that is by far one of the hottest deals found in the Scotch market.
Ardbeg Wee Beastie Malt: Peated Heavy
Price: $49.99
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 47.4%
If you like your scotch smoky, look no further. Aged for five years in a combination of bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks, Arbeg’s latest release, the Wee Beastie Malt, is a tongue-tingling, affordable smoky dram worth trying. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on this bottle, be sure to buy immediately as they continue to sell out quickly!