6 Indispensable Bourbons For Your Home Bar, According To The Whisky Exchange
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March 11th, 2025
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Bourbon is an indispensable component of a whiskey collection and any home bar. Recently, we spoke with Dawn Davies, Head Buyer at The Whiskey Exchange, about her top bourbon recommendations.
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Main image Credit: Pouring bourbon into a glass with ice cubes. getty
Bourbon is an integral part of any home bar and an indispensable component of a whiskey collection. Recently, we spoke with Dawn Davies, Head Buyer at The Whiskey Exchange, the world’s largest online whisky vendor and one of the largest internet spirit websites, about her top bourbon recommendations for a home bar. A senior judge for London’s International Wines and Spirits Competition, Davies recommended legacy brands and new craft distillers. Here are six bourbons she considers indispensable to any home whiskey collection.
New Riff Distilling
New Riff Distilling was established in 2014 by Ken Lewis, a visionary Kentucky liquor retailer and entrepreneur. Located in Newport, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, the distillery aims to offer a “new riff” on traditional Kentucky bourbon. Emphasizing transparency and quality, New Riff crafts a range of whiskeys, including bourbon, rye, and specialty whiskey recipes, all adhering to the Bottled-in-Bond Act standards.
The distillery’s bourbon uses non-GMO grains, with a mash bill of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. It employs a full sour mash Kentucky regimen, distilled in a copper column still. The whiskey is aged for at least four years in 53-gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels and Bottled in Bond at 100 proof/50% ABV without chill filtration, ensuring the retention of its natural flavors and character.
The nose features butterscotch and rye spice aromas, complemented by hints of vanilla and oak. The palate is full-bodied and complex, featuring flavors of caramel, baking spices, and dark fruit, balanced by a notable rye spiciness. The finish is long and warming, with lingering spice and seasoned oak notes.
Frey Ranch Distillery
Frey Ranch Distillery is a family-owned and operated estate distillery in northern Nevada. The Frey family has been farming in the region since 1854, cultivating grains on their 1,500-acre farm. Embracing a true “ground-to-glass” philosophy, they grow, malt, distill, mature, and bottle their whiskey entirely on-site. This commitment to sustainability and quality ensures complete control over the production process, resulting in a bourbon that reflects the unique terroir of their land.
The mash bill features 66.6% non-GMO corn, 11.4% winter rye, 10% winter wheat, and 12% two-row barley malted on-site. It utilizes column and pot stills to achieve a balanced and complex spirit, aging it for at least 5 years in new, charred American oak barrels. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and bottled at 90 proof/45% ABV, preserving the bourbon’s natural flavors and mouthfeel.
The nose features caramel, vanilla, and oak aromas, complemented by subtle citrus and dried hay notes. It’s smooth and complex on the palate, featuring vanilla, caramel, banana chips, and dried hay flavors, with spice hints from the rye component. The finish is long and layered, with lingering vanilla, caramel, and oak notes.
The Four Roses Distillery
Photo, courtesy Four Roses Distillery
Four Roses Bourbon
Four Roses Bourbon, a renowned Kentucky bourbon brand founded by Paul Jones Jr. in 1888, is celebrated for its distinctive smoothness, achieved through a unique production process involving ten distinct bourbon recipes. Each recipe combines two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains, giving Four Roses an exceptional range of flavor profiles.
Today, Four Roses is owned by Kirin Brewery Company, a Japanese beverage giant, and continues to produce high-quality bourbons from its distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and its aging warehouses in Cox’s Creek, Kentucky.
Four Roses Yellow Label, its standard bourbon, is rich and aromatic on the nose with hints of pear, honey, and floral notes. It’s smooth and mellow on the palate, featuring flavors of fresh fruit, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of spice. The finish is long and silky, with a lingering sweetness and floral undertone.
Four Roses Small Batch, on the other hand, features aromas of ripe red berries, baking spices, and a hint of oak. It’s balanced and creamy on the palate, featuring plum, sweet oak, caramel, and cinnamon flavors. The finish is long and smooth with lingering warm spice notes and a touch of vanilla.
Four Roses is admired for its versatility. It offers bourbons that range from light and floral to rich and robust. Its meticulous blending and use of multiple recipes create a depth of character that appeals to casual drinkers and connoisseurs alike.
Bardstown Bourbon Company
Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo), founded in 2014 by Peter Loftin, David Mandell, Daniel Linde, and Garnett Black, is in Bardstown, Kentucky, often called the “Bourbon Capital of the World.”
The distillery commenced operations in 2016, quickly establishing itself as a modern and innovative player in the bourbon industry. BBCo is renowned for its collaborative distilling program, which produces custom whiskey for over 30 brands and has developed over 50 unique mash bills. In March 2022, the company was acquired by Pritzker Private Capital, with the existing management team continuing to lead the business.
One of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s notable offerings is the Origin Series Bourbon, their first release comprising entirely in-house distilled whiskey. This bourbon is six years old and bottled at 96 proof/48% ABV.
The nose features aromas of vanilla cream, seasoned oak, summer fruits, citrus peel, white peppercorn, caramel, and stone fruit, offering a well-balanced and inviting bouquet.
The palate offers a creamy texture with notes of peach, subtle rye spice, baking spices, and pie crust. It presents a sweeter profile complemented by subtle spice undertones. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering flavors of leather, rye spice, oak, peppercorn, and touches of vanilla.
Michter’s Distillery
Michter’s Distillery, based in Louisville, Kentucky, has a rich history that traces its origins back to the 1750s, making it one of the oldest whiskey brands in the United States. While the brand was revived in its modern form in the 1990s, its commitment to small-batch production and quality has remained steadfast.
The Michter’s US*1 lineup includes a range of Bourbon, Rye, Sour Mash, and American Whiskey expressions, all exemplifying the distillery’s meticulous production processes. The “US*1” designation pays homage to the brand’s historical roots as one of America’s first distilleries.
Mitcher’s “small-batch philosophy” means each batch is blended from 20 barrels or less. It also uses a lower barrel entry proof, 103 proof/51.5% ABV, than the industry standard, which results in a richer and smoother whiskey. Additionally, their barrels are toasted before charring, enhancing flavor complexity. Mitcher also utilizes climate-controlled warehouses to ensure optimal maturation of its ultra-aged expressions.
The nose features caramel, vanilla, and honey aromas accompanied by hints of stone fruits, toasted oak, and baking spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s medium-bodied and well-balanced on the palate, featuring flavors of butterscotch, maple syrup, and dried apricot lead the way, followed by a touch of black pepper and clove. The finish is long, smooth, and slightly sweet, with lingering notes of vanilla, toasted nuts, and gentle spice.
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company, established in the 1880s, has a storied history in the bourbon industry. After ceasing operations during Prohibition, the brand was revitalized in 2015 by the founder’s descendants.
In April 2023, Peerless introduced their High Rye Bourbon, marking the first new mash bill since their initial bourbon and rye releases. This expression features a higher percentage of rye grain, emphasizing its sweet and spicy contributions. In 2024, Peerless was recognized as the World’s Best Bourbon at the International Wines and Spirits Competition.
The whiskey is savory on the nose, featuring complex, layered aromas of seasoned oak, leather, citrus, cedar, dark fruit, and sweet hay. Seasoned oak topped with toasted sugar and charred orange, along with notes of freshly brewed tea, is showcased on the palate. The whiskey is sweet and viscous, with a notable mouth weight. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of spice.
These six bourbons are all outstanding. They are reasonably priced and are a key component of any whiskey collection. You may have tasted them before, but they deserve a permanent place in your home bar.
Joseph V. Micallef is a journalist covering food, wine, spirits, and travel. He is also a historian, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and syndicated columnist. He has been a Forbes Contributor since 2017. Joe has written extensively on wines and spirits and judged many of the leading international wines and spirits competitions. In his spare time, he makes wine in Oregon.
He holds the Wines and Spirits Diploma from the WSET and is an original member of the Advisory Board of the Council of Whiskey Masters. In 2023, the Academia Mexicana de Catadores de Tequila, Vino y Mezcal A.C. awarded him the honorific of Maestro Tequilero. Among his recent books is Scotch Whisky: Its History, Production and Appreciation.Â
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