Whiskey is made all over the US and there are more and more distilleries popping up all of the time. We’ve put together a list of 6 American whiskeys that are worth taking a break from your usual.
But first, let’s go into some detail about whiskey and bourbon. All bourbon is whiskey is but not all whiskey is bourbon. The folks over at Jim Beam say, “Bourbon is kinda like whiskey’s ‘sweet spot’ … because corn is a sweet grain. The more corn, the sweeter the whiskey. And to be called bourbon, it must be at least 51 percent corn.”
Whiskey may be made everywhere from Brooklyn to Scotland but in 1964, Congress declared bourbon “America’s Native Spirit.” That means to be called bourbon, it must be made in the U.S.
Now let’s get to the whiskey!
Hudson New York Corn Whiskey
This approachable corn whiskey is not only strikingly clear since it’s un-aged, but it’s also surprisingly crisp, clean, and great in cocktails. They use a blend of locally grown corn, to give this unaged whiskey an aroma of buttered popcorn. The taste is slightly sweet and smooth, reminiscent of the plant itself.
Corsair Quinoa Whiskey
Whiskey made from quinoa? Yep, it’s a thing, and a pretty tasty thing at that. This is a whiskey that’s worth trying for novelty value alone, though it happens to be pretty delicious to boot. The heavy nuttiness is something we’ve never tasted in a whiskey, but it’s far from a one-note experience.
1792 Ridgemont Reserve
The 1792 in the title here refers to the year Kentucky became a state, an event considered momentous by fans of the state’s bourbon. Distilled in Bardstown, the toffee-rich bourbon is perfect for sipping with ice, preferably on a front porch.
Platte Valley Corn Whiskey
Here’s a real good ol’ boys’ drink from the longest continuously operating distiller in the US. The straight corn whiskey has been aged for three years at the distillery in Missouri and then bottled in a traditional earthenware jug. The stuff inside doesn’t lack for punch or sophistication, with lots of dried fruit and pepper tones on the palate.
Tin Cup American Whiskey
A new American whisky distilled by whiskey aficionado Jess Graber, this is made in Denver, Colorado, which is emphatically not your traditional whisky destination. It is high in rye and has a nice balance between sweet and spicy, and it comes with a free tin-sipping cup.
