{"title":"Top 20 of 2025","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"elijah-craig-12-year-3-month-old-barrel-proof-batch-a925","title":"Elijah Craig 12 year 3 month old Barrel Proof (Batch A925)","description":"\u003cp\u003eAt Heaven Hill, and indeed across the modern Kentucky whiskey landscape, rye has taken a back seat to bourbon. Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig, which debuted with a bourbon in 1986, didn’t add a rye until more than three decades later. And it wasn’t until this past September that Elijah Craig’s barrel proof expression finally got a rye sibling. Now, in its first year on the market, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof rye is our 2025 Whisky of the Year. Readers may recall that Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon was our Whisky of the Year in 2017. Unlike its bourbon counterpart, which was bottled at 62.1% ABV, this barrel proof rye is at just 54%. And with a mashbill comprised of 51% rye—the so-called “Kentucky style”—it’s also no spice bomb. Yet it’s a whiskey with a big, robust profile; a beautifully mature rye, aged just over 12 years, intensely flavored and with plenty of heat and spicy complexity. An inviting nose offers dark fruit, rye spice, and aged oak. The palate has dark flavors of licorice, chocolate, and stewed fruits, melding with lighter sweet notes of French toast and sweet lemon, all sprinkled with cinnamon, clove, and generous rye spice. The finish shows great integration of sweetness and spice, vanilla with prickly pepper, cinnamon, and ginger, all balanced superbly against the aged oak. Like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon, this one will be released in batches, three times a year: in January, May, and September, labeled as Batches A, B, and C. This whiskey is Batch A925 because it’s the inaugural release from September 2025, but starting next year we’ll see them labeled in that order. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092544405696,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/ElijahCraig12Year3MonthOld.webp?v=1764106472"},{"product_id":"oban-15-year-old-oloroso-palo-cortado-cask-finished-cask-strength","title":"Oban 15 Year Old Oloroso \u0026 Palo Cortado Cask Finished Cask Strength","description":"\u003cp\u003eOban is one of the oldest and smallest distilleries in Scotland, located just 208 steps from the water in a western Scottish town that was named for the distillery that opened in 1794. Released this spring, this is a new take on Oban, aged in European and American oak, and finished for more than 4 years in oloroso and palo cortado sherry casks. That cask finishing lends so much alluring sweetness to this whisky. It lures you in with a nutty and sweet aroma, then reveals layers of chocolate, brown sugar, candied yams, and other sweets with complexity, balance, and elegance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092545421504,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/Oban15YearOldOlorosoandPaloCortadoCask.webp?v=1764106534"},{"product_id":"maker-s-mark-cellar-aged-2025-release","title":"Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged (2025 Release)","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhile Cellar Aged, like the flagship Maker’s, bears no age statement, it has featured bourbons 11 years or older since its debut in 2023. That very first Cellar Aged landed at No. 6 on our Top 20, and this one—a blend of 11, 13, and 14 year old bourbons—proves that Maker’s has more runway for maturation. It’s loaded with baking spice, baked apple, frosted cinnamon roll, and orange zest, plus earthier notes of tobacco barn, Cow Tales candy, and cocoa powder. The lengthy finish is defined by more spice, brown sugar, and a bright hint of lemon curd. A bold, dynamic bourbon from this legacy Kentucky distillery. —\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092548600000,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/Maker_sMarkCellarAged.webp?v=1764106569"},{"product_id":"new-riff-bottled-in-bond-balboa","title":"New Riff Bottled in Bond Balboa","description":"\u003cp\u003eMade from a mashbill of 5% malted rye and 95% Balboa rye, an heirloom variety that dates back to the 1940s, this is New Riff’s second bottling of Balboa. Its debut release was in 2019, which made it the first company to distill the variety in decades. This second release illustrates what additional experience and time can yield in the glass. It has earthy aromas of dried herbs, green olives, leather, and pickle brine. The palate skews sweeter, with vanilla frosting, coconut cake, and candied raspberries floating among peppery spice. Toasted marshmallow, milk chocolate, mouthwatering spice, and fruit-forward sweetness come forth on the long finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092551155904,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/NewRiff_BalboaRye_Transparent.png?v=1764106618"},{"product_id":"compass-box-flaming-heart-25th-anniversary-edition","title":"Compass Box Flaming Heart (25th Anniversary Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe art of blending is on full display here. Lead whisky maker James Saxon marries single malts from Talisker, Benrinnes, and Laphroaig with a Williamson blended malt to create an oily, smoky dram, balanced with bright and tart pineapple, lemon, and lime on the nose and palate. While the peated whiskies assert their muscle, the palate is laced with delicate notes of snickerdoodle, whipped cream, and marzipan bringing balance and sweetness amid the smoke. There’s depth and complexity from nose to finish, with the sip slowly fading like a beach bonfire burning out in an ocean breeze.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092553023680,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/CompassBoxFlamingHeart25thAnniversaryEdition.webp?v=1764106659"},{"product_id":"jefferson-s-reserve-limited-edition-cask-strength","title":"Jefferson’s Reserve Limited Edition Cask Strength","description":"\u003cp\u003eFather and son Chet and Trey Zoeller founded Jefferson’s Bourbon back in 1997, inspired by a family distilling pedigree dating back to 1799. Jefferson’s has been best known for its Ocean whiskeys, aged on ships that sail to ports around the world. But its Reserve bourbon is also very popular, and this spring the label added its first caskstrength expression. As our highest-scoring Jefferson’s expression in many years, it’s a stunning whiskey. Rich dessert flavors of chocolate, vanilla taffy, melted caramel, crème brûlée, and strawberry jam sprinkled with pepper spice are wrapped in oak, earthiness, and spice, all working together in beautiful harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092557054144,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/Jefferson_sReserveCaskStrength.webp?v=1764106709"},{"product_id":"sagamore-spirit-10-year-old-reserve-series-batch-1a","title":"Sagamore Spirit 10 year old Reserve Series (Batch 1A)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Maryland-style rye is the oldest release to date from Sagamore, and it’s a tremendous whiskey with big proof and plenty of flavor. The nose balances rye spice and sweet corn perfectly with cinnamon, cloves, and freshly cracked pepper buoyed by apple pie, Baked Alaska, and autumnal fruits. The rye’s decade in wood shows more clearly on the palate, brimming with flavors of over-steeped black tea, dusty grain, and tart lemon cookies. It holds its proof well, and the tannic barrel flavors are restrained. The finish shines with dark chocolate, freshly poured espresso, and long-lasting peppery spice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092559610048,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/SagamoreSpirit10YearOldReserveSeres.webp?v=1764106743"},{"product_id":"rampur-barrel-blush","title":"Rampur Barrel Blush","description":"\u003cp\u003eIndia’s Rampur Distillery continues to impress with this elegant single malt matured in bourbon barrels and finished in Australian shiraz casks. The nose blooms with rose petals, black currant, caramel doughnut glaze, and hints of leather, rose hips, and red velvet cake. Dessert-like and indulgent, the palate reveals velvety layers of sweet vanilla, fondant-covered sponge cake, marzipan, red apple, baked orange, and raspberry tarts. The texture deepens as it sits in the glass, leading to a succulent, lingering finish of spiced plum and vanilla. Master blender Anup Barik exhibited his finesse using wine casks with Rampur Asava; with Barrel Blush, he’s surpassed it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092563443904,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/RampurBarrelBlushIndianSingleMaltWhisky.webp?v=1764106776"},{"product_id":"torabhaig-legacy-series-sound-of-sleat","title":"Torabhaig Legacy Series Sound of Sleat","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe “other” distillery on the Isle of Skye, besides the famous Talisker, is Torabhaig, which opened in 2017 on a scenic farmstead overlooking the Sound of Sleat. As a recent arrival, Torabhaig thus far is offering only annual releases, but they’re showing complexity and maturity beyond their years. This year’s release was matured in bourbon and virgin oak barrels, and has flavors of peach, apricot, strawberry, and vanilla, against island notes of peat smoke, dried seaweed, and seashells. Torabhaig’s ultimate goal is to make a flagship 10 year old; for now, we’re very happy sipping this one.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092565835968,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/TorabhaigLegacySeriesSoundofSleat.webp?v=1764106809"},{"product_id":"port-charlotte-18-year-old-2025-edition","title":"Port Charlotte 18 year old (2025 Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003ePort Charlotte 18 year old showcases master blender Adam Hannett’s decade of expertise at Bruichladdich. Made from well-peated 100% Scottish malt, it’s matured on Islay in first-fill bourbon and second-fill sherry casks, and features a unique parcel aged in sherry, virgin French oak, and second-fill bourbon barrels. The nose offers mellow peat, honey, salted caramel, dried figs, and red berries. On the palate, rich butterscotch, vanilla, and banana custard mingle with black pepper, ginger, and aniseed, transporting you to Islay with a lip-smacking finish of coastal minerality and peppery smoke.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092574290112,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/PortCharlotte18YearOld.webp?v=1764106858"},{"product_id":"bardstown-bourbon-co-collaborative-series-ferrand-ii-cognac-cask-finished-2025-release","title":"Bardstown Bourbon Co. Collaborative Series: Ferrand II Cognac Cask Finished (2025 Release)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBardstown’s second collaboration with cognac house Maison Ferrand; this one is a blend of 9, 11, and 12 year old bourbons and a 6 year old rye, masterfully finished for 15 months in Ferrand’s French oak cognac barrels. Spicy oak, vanilla cream, and anise on the nose, then an expansive palate of pear, apricot, and vanilla. Great texture and integration, finishing with cinnamon cake, café au lait, and spice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092577501376,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/BardstownBourbonCollabSeries.webp?v=1764106893"},{"product_id":"glendronach-the-master-s-anthology-ode-to-the-embers-sherry-smoke","title":"Glendronach The Master’s Anthology Ode to The Embers Sherry \u0026 Smoke","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith this richly sherried, lightly peated expression, Glendronach honors its early history of using peated malt. Creamy, sweet, and balanced on the palate, with a smooth, viscous texture, it offers an abundance of depth and flavors of gentle peat smoke, sweet vanilla, raisins, and chocolate, all leading to a long, flavorful finish of sweetness, oak, and peppery spice. Sherry and peat make a very nice couple here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092579107008,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/GlendronachOdetotheEmbers.webp?v=1764106922"},{"product_id":"cedar-ridge-the-quintessential-special-release-number-five-cask-strength","title":"Cedar Ridge The QuintEssential Special Release Number Five Cask Strength","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is exceptionally dark in color, a virtue of its five finishing casks, which include imported and estate port and madeira, and red wine barrels. On the nose, orange peel, raisin, and cassis take center stage, accented by cereal milk. The palate is juicy and bursting with flavor, awash with toasted pecans, toffee, powdered sugar, and a dash of peppery spice. Chocolate—pudding and ice cream—more raisin, candied nuts, and grape jelly ensure this ends on a high note.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092581662912,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/CedarRidgeQuintessential.webp?v=1764106951"},{"product_id":"middle-west-cask-strength-batch-1","title":"Middle West Cask Strength (Batch 1)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBold and well-spiced, this Ohio wheat whiskey delivers scents of nutmeg, cinnamon powder, black pepper, crème brûlée, and a lick of black coffee right out of the gate. The palate is hot, hot, hot and intensely flavorful, as more burnt sugar is joined by toasted marshmallow, vanilla meringue, caramel apple, and numbing peppercorn. Sweeter notes prevail on the finish as the spice subsides, making way for vanilla saltwater taffy, more marshmallow, and caramel latte—a real treat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092583956672,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/MiddleWestSpiritsCaskStrengthBatch1.png?v=1764106979"},{"product_id":"yellowstone-10-year-old-limited-edition-2025-release","title":"Yellowstone 10 year old Limited Edition (2025 Release)","description":"\u003cp\u003eLimestone Branch master distiller Stephen Beam partnered with sister distillery Ross \u0026amp; Squibb, blending Indiana and Kentucky bourbons made from three different mashbills. On the nose there’s cherry cola, toasted marshmallows, and gooey brownies. The palate is sweet too, but with depth and complexity. It evolves through salted caramel, candied walnuts, and fudge, with toasted grains, peanut shells, and a hint of char underpinning the sweets. The finish brings sweet peach tea, dark chocolate, and warming cinnamon.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092586774720,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/Yellowstone10YearOld.webp?v=1764107012"},{"product_id":"stranahan-s-12-year-old-mountain-angel-port-wine-cask-finished-batch-01","title":"Stranahan’s 12 year old Mountain Angel Port Wine Cask Finished (Batch 01)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the pioneers of American single malt makes this year’s Top 20 with a well-aged malt that hints at the future of the category. The nose is spicy and herbal, with dill, mint leaf, cracked leather, and dusty oak. The palate shows the port influence with sweet red fruits, jammy berries, and Concord grape, then more cracked leather and a hint of rubber, creating depth and harmony. On the finish, there’s coffee cake, black tea with lemon, and cinnamon sugar\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092589134016,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/Stranahans12YearOldAngelPortWine.webp?v=1764107037"},{"product_id":"lux-row-small-batch-px-sherry-cask-finished","title":"Lux Row Small Batch PX Sherry Cask Finished","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis one debuted in October 2024, but back then the only way to get it was at Lux Row Distillery in Bardstown. Earlier this year, it was expanded for sale nationwide. It’s a 4 year old bourbon made with a rye-heavy mashbill finished for 6 months in casks that held PX sherry. It’s grippy and flavorful, loaded with baked apple, cinnamon spice, caramel corn, and a long finish reminiscent of a honey cough drop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092591067328,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/LuxRowSherrycask.webp?v=1764107065"},{"product_id":"drumshanbo-marsala-cask","title":"Drumshanbo Marsala Cask","description":"\u003cp\u003eTwo key features make this beautiful single pot still from The Shed Distillery stand out. Crafted by head distiller Brian Taft from a combination of malted and unmalted Irish barley as well as Irish Barra oats, it’s fully matured—rather than merely finished—in Sicilian marsala casks. It opens with fragrant aromas of honey, apricot, florals, and clove-studded oranges. The luscious mouthfeel bursts with flavors of honey-drizzled stone fruits, mango, papaya, and pot still spices, and its seamless integration of flavors makes it well worth seeking out.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092594770112,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/DrumshanboMarsalaCask.webp?v=1764107096"},{"product_id":"ichiro-s-malt-grain-111-proof","title":"Ichiro’s Malt \u0026 Grain 111 Proof","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor this U.S.-exclusive, Chichibu Distillery founder Ichiro Akuto married 4–17 year old whiskies from Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., and Canada with 5 year old Chichibu. This expression is peated, unlike his white and blue label expressions. Vibrant aromas of satsuma, caramel, cola, and smoke show through. The rich palate offers malt, dark chocolate, black cherry, raisin, anise, and Dr Pepper, finishing with clove and licorice, while water enhances smoke, candied orange, and sweet chocolate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092600471744,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/IchiroMaltandGrain111Proof.webp?v=1764107126"},{"product_id":"lochlea-fallow-edition-third-crop","title":"Lochlea Fallow Edition (Third Crop)","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the Scottish Lowlands you will find Lochlea, an old farm where Robert Burns once lived. It grew barley for cattle, and new ownership decided to use barley for a higher calling and eventually opened a single malt distillery here in 2018. This is the company’s third version of Fallow Edition, and it’s rather delicate, with raisin and coffee bean, tempered with a touch of menthol. A drop of water brings out warm honey while adding length to the finish\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whisky Advocate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47092609024192,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0620\/7245\/5360\/files\/LochleaFallow.jpg?v=1764107208"}],"url":"https:\/\/store.whiskyadvocate.com\/collections\/top-20-of-2025.oembed","provider":"Whisky Advocate","version":"1.0","type":"link"}