Is there any foil for the spirits obsessed, the lover of a fine dram, the enjoyer of an excellent bottle of bourbon… quite like Dry January? Following a whirlwind holiday season likely filled with plenty of imbibing, the start of a new year is a time to reset, to take stock, and to take a step back from the pleasures of the best whiskey on the market. But what about the delightful early days of February, with Dry January in the rearview mirror?
The best whiskey to enjoy after Dry January is a celebration in its own right. We’re willing to bet your bar cart is well-stocked with plenty of reliable favorites, both more affordable and perhaps more luxurious. But the best bourbon to enjoy this month deserves its own place of pride, presenting an opportunity to splurge on something you might otherwise not pick up. That could be a cask strength selection, it might be a sherry cask-finished wonder, or it might fall somewhere between the two.
We’re not saying you need to go overboard and invest in, say, the most expensive American whiskey ever sold, but after a month’s worth of responsible imbibing, why not live a little? Treat yourself with these newfound favorite bottles of bourbon.
Photo via Palm Bay
Jacob's Pardon 16-Year-Old Oloroso Sherry Cask-Finished Whiskey
If you’re going to wet your whistle after a month of responsible sipping on N/A seltzers and the like, shouldn’t your first taste be something utterly, truly, properly special? The majesty of historic bourbon brand Jacob’s Pardon whiskey meets delicate cask finishing in rare 50-year-old Oloroso sherry casks, lending itself to a velvety finish and a mix of dried red fruits and sweet spice on the palate. If this release is any indication, it’s worth keeping an eye on what acclaimed whiskey authority, longtime spirits writer, and current Jacob’s Pardon Master Blender F. Paul Pacult comes up with next.
Photo via Barbank
High West Cask Strength
Does the end of Dry January feel ever-so-slightly like a (responsible) reason to celebrate? Perhaps. And a dash of just-released whiskey flair might suit your bar cart very well indeed. Utah whiskey makers High West harness the “rugged spirit of the Utah mountains” in this brand-new offering, and it’s a feast for your palate. At play is a blend of barrel-proof bourbons ranging from six to 20 years old and offered for an agreeable price at just under $70. There’s a symphony of flavor, from caramelized apples to vanilla and maple, in every sip.
Photo via Maker's Mark
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
For as much of a delight as it can be to add ultra-new offerings to your bar cart, you could make the case that every offering needs its more standard fare, even if that standard fare happens to be exceptionally premium cask strength Maker’s Mark.
There’s even something new about the time-honored, “aged to taste” bourbon within. As of January, the fan-favorite bourbon now boasts an exact age statement (between seven and eight years) on the label. The profile is classic Maker’s Mark without too much heat, with characteristic toasted oak notes and even touches of dark chocolate and baking spice.
Photo via Whiskey Caviar
Little Book The Infinite Edition 2
It’s no exaggeration to say that the James B. Beam Distilling Co. dreams up something for positively every palate, from its classic daily driver Jim Beam “white label” to the ultra high-end series of bourbon blends that make up Little Book.
Clocking in at an ambitious 120.8 proof, the 2025 edition sees seventh-generation master distiller Fred Noe teaming up with his son, eighth-generation Beam master distiller Freddie Noe, on a luscious blend of 10 and 22-year-old straight Kentucky bourbon whiskey alongside a 7-year-old extended fermentation bourbon. It’s rounded out by the inclusion of The Infinite Edition 1 in the memorable bottling: Bourbon, as with time is a flat circle.
Photo via Wyoming Whiskey
Wyoming Whiskey Barrel Strength Bourbon
The heart of the rugged, sweeping plains of Wyoming beats within every bottle of Wyoming Whiskey. That’s lofty praise indeed, but the landscape certainly provides distinct terroir. In fact, the liquid within this exclusive release hails from “the top one or two barrels” at the company’s rustic operation in Kirby, Wyoming, and the experience of sipping this on a cold winter’s night is delightfully rich and certainly memorable after time spent away from your treasured bourbon collection.
