In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 best whiskeys to try before you die. If you’re a fan of whiskies from the East, here is our list of the Best Japanese Whiskies in 2024.
Whether it’s the sharp burn of single malt or the smooth, woody aroma of a blended Scotch, the scent of whisky is enough to invigorate even the weariest of souls. Part of the popularity of the beloved golden tipple comes from the sheer amount of tradition that it has behind it. Making whisky is an age-old craft that goes back many centuries. Its origin began over a millennium ago when distillation migrated from mainland Europe into Ireland and Scotland via traveling monks. The Scottish and Irish monasteries, lacking the vineyards and grapes of the continent, turned to fermenting grain mash, resulting in the first distillation of modern whisky.
Global Whiskey Market:
Whiskey is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World, with the global whiskey market valued at $64 billion in 2022 and expected to reach $91.3 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period.
The consumption of alcohol is shifting away from beer and wine and millennials are more likely to experiment with other alcoholic beverages, resulting in the growth of a ‘cocktail culture’. As a result of this tendency, the use of whiskey as a premium ingredient has increased. Product innovations, such as flavored whiskeys, and organic and sustainable options are also some of the major factors propelling the market.
Recent Developments in the Whiskey Industry:
The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B), one of the largest American-owned spirits companies, announced the launch of its own distribution business in Japan in April, bringing the distribution in-house for the first time since the company entered the all-important market in the 1970s.
The Land of the Rising Sun is one of the largest markets in the world for premium whiskeys with BF’s Jack Daniel’s leading the premium whiskey category in the country. The Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) also announced its decision to establish its own distribution business in Italy earlier this year, with the planned change taking effect from May 2025.
Brown-Forman had a relatively weak Q3 after its sales fell short of estimates, overshadowing a profit beat. The company had a revenue of $1.069 billion for the quarter ending January 31st 2024, a decrease of 1% from the same quarter last year. Shares of BF-B have witnessed a 22.1% decrease in value since the beginning of 2024.
In other news, Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) announced the reopening of its Port Ellen Distillery in March. Situated on the famed island of Islay, the distillery had been closed for 40 years before the spirits giant decided to breathe new life into it. The reopening is the final chapter in a $235.5 million investment from Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO), which has also seen the revival of another famous ghost distillery, Brora, as well as investments into various other whisky visitor centers. It must be mentioned that in 2023, a single cask from Port Ellen sold for over $1 million, so perhaps reviving the 19th-century distillery was a smart decision by the Guinness-maker.
The stock of DEO was held by 30 hedge funds at the end of Q1 2024 in the Insider Monkey database, with a collective stake value of around $634.21 million. Orbis Investment Management boasted the largest stake of a little over 1.54 million shares, valued at $229.2 million.
Both Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) and Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) are ranked among the Most Valuable Alcohol Companies in the World.
With that said, here are the Must-Try Whiskeys in 2024.
Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to a number of sources, such as Liquor, VinePair, Men’s Journal, Reddit etc., looking for the Best Whiskeys to Try in the World. To make sure we give you the best of the best, we shortlisted whiskeys that appeared multiple times in the aforementioned sources, assigned them a score of 1 each time they were recommended on these websites, and then summed up the scores and ranked our list accordingly. When two or more whiskeys had the same score, we ranked them by the price (excluding tax) of their 750 ml bottles.
At Insider Monkey we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: Our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points. (see more details here).
20. Hibiki 21 Years Old
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Situated in the middle of the Hibiki line, the 21 is composed of single malts from the Hakushu and Yamazaki distilleries that are aged in a trio of American (ex-Bourbon), European (ex-sherry), and Japanese (Mizunara) oak barrels.
Produced in Japan by Beam Suntory, the Hibiki whisky range is a harmonious blend of several malt and grain whiskies which are meticulously blended to create a full orchestra of flavors and aromas.
19. Green Spot
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Quickly spreading across the world to huge acclaim, Green Spot is a single-pot still Irish whiskey, meaning that both malted and unmalted barley have been distilled in a pot still. It has been matured in a combination of new and refilled Bourbon casks, as well as sherry casks.
Part of Pernod Ricard since 1988, Green Spot is a great introduction to Irish whiskey.
18. King of Kentucky 2021
Insider Monkey Score: 5
King of Kentucky is an annual release of a single barrel inventory featuring a barrel-strength, minimally-filtered proof presentation, with each release and every barrel being unique. The 2021 King of Kentucky was the fourth release of the label, aged for 14 years and finished to a bold 130+ proof.
Now owned by Brown-Forman, King of Kentucky is one of the Highest Quality Bourbon Brands in the US.
17. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C923
Insider Monkey Score: 5
This exceptional release stands out as one of the most potent batches in the Elijah Craig lineage, boasting a strength of 133 proof. Aged for 13 years and 7 months, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a bold and honest expression of what charred oak barrel aging can do for Bourbon, from the man who originated the process.
Elijah Craig is credited as the first distiller to age his whiskey in charred oak barrels, earning his place in history as the ‘Father of Bourbon’. The charred barrel transformed the clear liquid inside into an intense amber whiskey made rich with the flavors of the wood, which we now recognize as Bourbon.
16. Jack Daniel’s Coy Hill Single Barrel
Insider Monkey Score: 6
Named after the highest-elevated rolling hill on the Jack Daniel Distillery property, this rare high-proof release honors the art of the whiskey-making process, as well as showcases how a barrel house location along with the extreme weather and maturation conditions produces an exceptional whiskey flavor.
Jack Daniel’s released its pre-mixed Jack & Coke cocktail RTD last year, in partnership with Coca-Cola.
15. Johnnie Walker Blue Label
Insider Monkey Score: 6
A symbol of prestige around the world, Johnnie Walker Blue Label is an exquisite blend made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies in Diageo’s extensive portfolio.
With over 1.14 million 9-liter cases sold in 2021, Johnnie Walker Black Label sits among the Most Popular Scotch Whisky Brands in USA.
14. Blanton’s Original Single Barrel
Insider Monkey Score: 6
First introduced in 1984, this original single-barrel Bourbon was matured in American white oak barrels and bottled at 93 proof. The taste profile is sweet, with notes of citrus and oak. Distilled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, KY, this whiskey is produced and marketed by the Sazerac Company.
13. Aberlour A’bunadh
Insider Monkey Score: 6
A’bunadh is a whisky hand-made from start to finish with each batch being created to ensure a rich and complex flavor of moist raisin and homemade fruit cake. Bottled at cask strength, this Speyside whisky is known for its robust and full-bodied character.
Aberlour A’bunadh won the Whisky of the Year award at the International Whisky Competition in 2022.
12. Laphroaig 10 Years Old
Insider Monkey Score: 6
One of the Best Whiskeys for Your Home Bar, Laphroaig 10 is the definitive Islay peated single malt, distilled following traditions laid over the last 200 years by passionate master distillers. Its unique flavor profile is conjured from malted barley which is first cold-smoked over peat fires, like only a handful of distilleries. Affordable, widely distributed, and simply delicious, Laphroaig 10 is a Great Whisky to Try for First Time Drinkers.
The Laphroaig distillery and brand are owned and operated by Beam Suntory, the American subsidiary of Japan’s Suntory Holdings.
11. Booker’s Rye 13 Years Old
Insider Monkey Score: 7
This award-winning rye is a fitting tribute to Booker Noe, legendary longtime master distiller for the Beam brands and founder of their Small Batch Bourbon Collection. Distilled in early 2003, Booker’s Rye is among the last barrels laid down by Noe in the final years of his life. The 136 uncut-proof rye whiskey is rich and remarkably rough, delivering nuanced complexity and exceptional balance for such a punchy, heavy hitter.
Booker’s Rye was named ‘World Whisky of the Year’ by Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible in 2017.
10. Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Years Old
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Distilled in the heart of Kentucky, this wheated Bourbon is aged for 23 years in carefully selected barrels from the heart of the warehouse. This very rare, must-try Bourbon is best enjoyed neat, as any ice or water will dilute its uniqueness.
Though tens of thousands of new bottles are released each November, the secondary market for Pappy continues to soar, and in 2018, one bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23-year-old Bourbon even began auctioning at $20,000.
9. The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask
Insider Monkey Score: 8
This is an exceptionally smooth and fully rounded single malt whisky that has been matured in a combination of American and European Sherry oak for a minimum of 12 years.
The Macallan is known for producing some of the Most Expensive Whiskies in the World. The distillery’s rare and aged expressions can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction, and the brand has become a symbol of luxury and exclusivity.
8. Nikka From the Barrel
Insider Monkey Score: 9
This iconic Japanese expression is Nikka’s flagship whisky and is a blend of 60% Coffey Grain and 40% malts from Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. A Great Whisky to Buy for Under $100, Nikka From the Barrel was created to deliver full flavors and richness of whisky ‘from barrels’ which only blenders can sniff and taste.
Founded in 1934, Nikka has become one of the Most Popular Whiskey Brands in the World, producing a large range of single malt and blended whiskies between its two distilleries – Yoichi and Miyagikyo.
7. The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
Insider Monkey Score: 10
Another Must-Try Single Malt Whisky from Macallan, this 18-year-old expression is part of the iconic brand’s Sherry Oak Range, matured in hand-picked sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez for richness and complexity. A full-bodied palate of mature oak, ginger, and raisin flavors is complimented by a light mahogany natural color.
6. Michter’s 10 Year Rye
Insider Monkey Score: 11
Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye continues the legacy of America’s first whiskey variety (rye) from America’s first whiskey company. Re-released in April 2014, this whiskey has deep notes of vanilla, toffee, toasted almonds, and cinnamon, with an ample dose of crushed pepper and a hint of orange citrus.
Michter’s only became a brand in the 1990s but is now, despite deliberately keeping stocks low and releases in small batches, the fourth-fastest rising brand in the Bourbon market. Recently, a bottle of Michter’s 20-Year-Old Bourbon went for $27,500 at auction.
5. Lagavulin 16 Year Old
Insider Monkey Score: 12
Aged in oak casks for at least 16 years, this highly sought-after single malt has the massive peat-smoke flavor that’s typical of southern Islay, while also offering the richness, dryness, and smoothness that turns it into a truly interesting whisky.
Over the last few decades, Lagavulin has grown into one of the world’s most recognizable Scotch brands, becoming emblematic of Islay’s rich smoky style. The Lagavulin Single Malt has converted untold numbers of people to whisky drinking and remains the firm favorite of countless malt fans worldwide. The brand is now owned by Diageo.
