One of the biggest trends in the spirits world is flavored whiskey. However, not all flavored whiskies are worth your time. It’s hard to tell which are hits and which are misses. These are 10 flavored whiskies that don’t suck.
Rogue Chipotle Whiskey
Rogue Ales & Spirits is well known for its collaborations between the beer and spirits sides of the operation. Rogue makes a Chipotle Ale using jalapeño peppers from Rogue Farms in Independence, Oregon. The same peppers are dried and smoked and used to create the Chipotle Whiskey. This smoky, spicy whiskey is not only brewed with chipotle peppers, it is also distilled and matured with them.
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William Wolf Pecan Bourbon
Strangely, this spirit is made in Holland using American bourbon that’s then infused with pecan and other natural flavoring. The label on the bottle is adorned with a cartoon, banjo-strumming wolf. Inside you’ll find a nutty, vanilla, sweet bourbon that’s perfect for mixing with cider or as a way to jazz up Irish coffee.
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Virgil Kaine Ginger
Bourbon and ginger is already one of the most famous simple cocktails, so it makes sense that Virgil Kaine would combine the two flavors in one bottle. What you get is a sweet bourbon with vanilla flavors and a hint of spicy ginger to finish.
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Old Forester Mint Julep
The folks at Old Forester know there are few drinks that belong to Kentucky more than the Mint Julep. If you don’t want to spend all day wrangling up ingredients to make your own at home, grab a bottle of Old Forester Mint Julep. Recently named as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, Old Forester Mint Julep is a delicious blend of bourbon and fresh mint.
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Pow Wow Botanical Rye
This old-timey rye whiskey traces its roots to the Pennsylvania colony. Europeans, who had already been distilling in their home country, brought their love of whiskey making to the new world. Gather with your friends and family and have your own “pow wow” while you sip on this herbal, spicy rye that contains saffron, orange peel and various other botanical flavors.
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Dewar’s Highlander Honey
Aberfeldy, Scotland, is a magical place. Located along the shores of beautiful Loch Tay, the Aberfeldy Distillery is the heart of iconic whisky brand Dewar’s. Their Highlander Honey is a combination of famous Dewar’s White Label Blended Scotch and honey that’s harvested in Scotland.
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Knob Creek Smoked Maple
Kentucky staple Knob Creek is home to some of the best whiskey the Blue Grass State has to offer. Their Smoked Maple bourbon is no different. Made with their original Kentucky Straight Bourbon and natural maple flavors, this is the perfect whiskey to welcome the arrival of fall.
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Sons of Liberty Hop Flavored Whiskey
All whiskey starts off as beer, but strangely, this one was an IPA before it was a whiskey. After distillation, the whiskey held onto the floral flavors associated with an India Pale Ale before aging in American oak casks. After maturation, the hop flavors are enhanced by the addition of dry hopping with Sorachi and Citra hops.
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Bird Dog Peach Flavored Whiskey
Bird Dog takes its classic bourbon and infuses it with the refreshing, juice dripping down your arm flavors of a fresh peach on a sunny day. The mixture of the sweetness of peach and the vanilla flavors of the bourbon is perfect on the rocks on a warm summer evening.
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Jeremiah Weed Sarsparilla Whiskey
In the 19th century, sarsparilla root was ingested for its supposed cure-all properties. It was often an ingredient in tonics and libations that were sold by traveling salesman who roamed the countryside. Since Jeremiah Weed is an old-timey brand, using sarsaparilla makes perfect sense. The flavors of caramel, vanilla and spice that come with sarsaparilla also makes perfect sense.
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