In this article, we are going to discuss the 5 best whiskeys for beginners in 2024. If you want to check out our detailed analysis of the global whiskey market, the record year for American spirits, and a recent sustainability initiative in the American whiskey industry, head to 15 Best Whiskeys for Beginners in 2024.
5. Redbreast 12 Year Old
Insider Monkey Score: 7
While blended bottlings dominate Irish whiskey exports, the country is also known for its unique single pot still style, and this premium Irish whiskey has gained a reputation for its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills, the distinctive Redbreast sherry style is a joy to behold in each and every bottle.
The best-selling single pot still whiskey in the world, Redbreast has been part of Pernod Ricard since 1988.
Photo by John Fornander on Unsplash
4. Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight
Insider Monkey Score: 8
Never bitter or sharp, Maker’s Mark is made with soft red winter wheat instead of the usual rye for a one-of-a-kind, full-flavored Bourbon. To ensure consistency, every barrel is rotated by hand and the Bourbon is aged to taste, not time.
In 2014, Beam Inc., the maker of Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark Bourbons along with other liquor brands, was acquired by Japan’s Suntory Holdings Ltd. in a deal worth approximately $16 billion.
Thanks to its high popularity among the online community, Maker’s Mark is one of the Best Whiskeys for Beginners According to Reddit.
3. Four Roses Kentucky Straight
Insider Monkey Score: 9
An Approachable Whiskey for Everyone, Four Roses Bourbon is affordable and miles above its competition at its price range. Beloved for its mild taste, approachable flavor, and easy-to-drink character, Four Roses Bourbon can easily open you up to the world of whiskey.
Owned by the Japanese Kirin Holdings Company, the Four Roses brand won the high honors of World’s Best Single Barrel Bourbon, Best Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon, and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards.
2. Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight
Insider Monkey Score: 11
Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers. One such trail led to the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace Distillery has been making Bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years.
The Buffalo Trace Distillery was acquired by the Sazerac Company in 1992. Based in Frankfurt, KY, the distillery’s rich tradition dates back to 1775 and includes legends such as E.H. Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.
1. Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch
Insider Monkey Score: 12
Produced by William Grant & Sons, Monkey Shoulder is a blend of three main single malt whiskies – Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie – all from Speyside, the spiritual home of whisky. A smooth, supple, and easy-drinking Scotch, Monkey Shoulder is the Best Option for You to Start with Whisky.
Back in 2018, the brand enlisted a truck topped with a giant shaker, called the ‘Monkey Mixer’, to drive around the 50 states with a mission to redefine Scotch’s role in the cocktail industry.
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