The Best Brands for the Beginner Whiskey Connoisseur
Since the pandemic, alcohol sales have only risen. Experts estimate the United States whiskey market will reach almost $16.8 billion by next year.
You may feel overwhelmed by all your choices if you’re new to whiskey. There are bourbons, Japanese, ryes, and Irish whiskeys, among many others.
If you want to become a whiskey connoisseur, knowing about each is the first step. Of course, this is before the fun stage of tasting them all.
So, keep reading if you want to learn more about the types of whiskey. We’re helping you out with four of the best whiskey brands available.
Bourbon Whiskey
This type of whiskey is suitable for beginner whiskey connoisseurs because it’s smooth and slightly sweet. This smoothness makes it easier on the palate, and the sweetness makes it easier to drink. The smoothness is attributed to bourbons being aged in new charred oak barrels, while the sweetness comes from the mandatory 51% corn mash.
Our recommended brand is Wild Turkey 101. This straight bourbon whiskey is best enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or blended into a delicious cocktail. It’s a balanced whiskey with sweet vanilla and toffee notes. It has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 50.5.
Rye Whiskey
Like bourbon, rye whiskey in the United States has to be made from a mash containing at least 51% rye. They’re also typically aged in new charred oak barrels. These barrels allow the whiskey to take on vanilla, caramel, and oak flavors.
When buying whiskey, Rabbit Hole Boxergrail needs to be on your list. This particular mash from the Kentucky region has flavors of spices like cinnamon, pepper, and vanilla. If you want to be a whiskey connoisseur, this brand is best enjoyed on the rocks for a fantastic whiskey taste.
Irish Whiskey
Next on our list of whiskeys to become acquainted with is Irish whiskey. Irish whiskeys have a smooth finish, which makes them easy-drinking beverages. Whiskey experts describe Irish whiskeys as “quite delicate” or “silky.”
Our recommendation for this type of whiskey is Jameson Caskmates. This Irish whiskey is the classic Jameson, allowed to continue aging in ex-stout barrels, giving it fruity and malty flavors. This whiskey is well-rounded.
Japanese Whiskey
For our final whiskey, we’re traveling to Japan. Japanese whiskeys are traditionally lighter than your single malts from Scotland. This lightness makes them easy to drink for whiskey beginners. While they may only be in some liquor stores, they’re worth adding to your collection when you find them.
Our recommendation in the Japanese whiskey field is Suntory Toki. This whiskey is delicious with its honey, smoke, and vanilla notes. Toki has allegedly been made for the masses, so it will surely be an easy-drinking whiskey worth buying.
By the time you’re a whiskey pro, you’ll have amassed quite a collection of whiskeys. If you want to know more about investing in whiskey, click here.
Find Your Inner Whiskey Connoisseur
Becoming a whiskey connoisseur can be a fun adventure. You’ll have enough to try for years with hundreds of whiskeys available.
As a beginner, finding a smooth, easy-drinking whiskey is essential. You can work up to more potent whiskeys as you become accustomed. Suntory, Jameson, Rabbit Hole, and Wild Turkey are all brands recommended for those new to whiskey.
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