Angel’s Envy: The Finished Whiskey Just Getting Started

Abandoning his retirement with his son by his side, Lincoln Henderson took his first taste of their new bourbon, joking that if it ‘the angel’s share’ is the 5% of spirit that evaporates, then what’s left in the barrel must be ‘angel’s envy’, and so Angels’ Envy was born… but this isn’t any ordinary bourbon.

Influenced by techniques in scotch whisky making, Lincoln and son, distillation expert Wes, explored ‘secondary barrel finishing’, something seldom seen in the world of bourbon. It’s matured in charred oak, before being finished in another cask giving luxurious complexity and character, which in the case of the signature Angel’s Envy bourbon, is Port, adding sticky dark plum and vanilla.

This merger of iconic legacy and pioneering youth looked at age-old bourbon techniques without the fear to change it up, and as a result, put themselves firmly on the American map. Though the brand launched back in 2011, a teenage rebel compared to many bourbon brands, they didn’t settle down into a distillery for another two years.

Now, however, on Whisky’s Row in Downton Louisville, Angel’s Envy have a distillery and after cleaning up a foot and a half of barley that was blown into the wrong room on the opening day, they have thrived, welcoming 10,000 guests every year, expanding to become the first full-production whiskey distillery on the street, and being named one of the Top 25 distilleries in the country.

Expansion hasn’t ended there either, because their finished whiskies can be bought across the world, adding rum-finished-rye to their bourbon portfolio. Much of this latest progress has been under Owen Martin, who was appointed Master Distiller in 2022 and has continued experimenting with maturing, blending and the art of secondary finishing.

This December, Owen’s first release will see a Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey finished in Sauternes and, for the 12th year in a row, a Cask Strength Kentucky Bourbon finished in Port, using noteworthy Portuguese barrels from its rickhouses. Previous releases in their series have put a strain on Angel Envy’s award shelves to say the least, with the 2022 edition receiving a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirit Competition among others.

Lastly, something that we think is worth pointing out is the white oak used in bourbon making, which is gaining in popularity each year. Well, Angel’s Envy, making use of it themselves, have decided to give back, with their Toast the Trees initiative. It raises awareness for the importance of these trees and plants them in exchange for drinkers’ photos, hashtags, and quizzes. More trees… more barrels… more bourbon – everyone wins.

Now, not all Angel’s Envy releases are available or easy to find in the UK, but their trademark bourbon is, and you can get your hands on their rye too. Those hard-hitting cask strength bottles won’t be far off either, we’re sure. This is a tremendous American whiskey to try, so let’s take a look at their bottles.

Angel's Envy Bourbon Whiskey

The one that started it all, this bourbon moves from charred oak to Port casks, combining rich vanilla with sweet, sticky Port fruits. It’s silky smooth, teeming with warm fruits on the finish, and combines a flavoursome kick with so much softness.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 43%
Find here: £56.24

Angel's Envy Rye Whiskey

Harder to find, this Rye is finished for up to 18 months in authentic Caribbean rum casks, infusing the liquid with delicious, sweet spice. Syrup, cinnamon and sticky toffee pudding intertwines with the earthy kick of rye, making every sip unforgettable.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50%
Find here: £129.99

The Maple Syrup Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a cocktail that can be endlessly reinvented, and one version we love is The Maple Syrup twist. It really brings the warm caramel flavours out of the Bourbon for a rich cocktail layered up with those delicately poised herbal and aromatic bitter notes. If you opt for the crispy bacon garnish, then the salty and smoky touch is an obvious winner with Bourbon and maple syrup and adds a wonderful intrigue to the flavour. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!

Ingredients
60ml/2 oz whisk(e)y (preferably Bourbon)
7.5ml/0.25 oz maple syrup (or to taste)*
2 dashes angostura bitters
Garnish: 1 orange peel or if you’re feeling fancy a piece of crispy bacon

Method
1.      Take a tumbler and stir together your whisky, bitters, ice, and syrup* - make sure you get your hands on proper maple syrup and not maple flavoured syrup because you will definitely notice the difference!
2.      Strain over large ice cubes, ideally in a rocks glass.
3.      Finish with your garnish. Now, orange peel is the traditional choice and works but if you want to try something different, try a piece of crispy bacon!

You can find other autumnal easy-to-make cocktail recipes all across our website like our Spiced Rum Hot Toddy and Fig Martini! If you want other Old Fashioned variations, go here!

The Best Whiskies to Watch Out for This Year

Every year seems to see even more releases of whisky, and this year one of the things I have noticed is the rise of blended whisky. In recent years with the likes of Woven whisky, more people are understanding the quality that can come from this category. There are also more whiskies being released from beyond the borders of Scotland all of which I will reveal below. So without further a do, here is bottle one…

Perpetuity Blended Scotch Whisky Batch 1

The Port of Leith distilling company has been inspired by one of my favourite concepts, the infinity bottle. They have created a constantly changing vat of single malt and single grain whiskies from the three largest areas in Scotland, the lowlands, highlands, and Speyside. They are bottling the whisky in batches as the whiskies evolve. We know that in batch 1, there is grain whisky from North British and Malts from Deanston and Glentauchers included. It’s complex with vanilla and red apples and a little marmalade. Ginger, popcorn, citrus and a zesty finish make this a very good blend.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 45.7%
Find it here: £39.95 

Bushmills 25 and 30 year old

Bushmills has in recent years had a rebrand and some changes made to the blending of their single malt casks with fabulous results. Very recently they have added two much older to their range. A 25 and 30 year old. The 25-year-old is matured initially in ex-bourbon and sherry casks and then finished in a port pipe giving lots of red fruit flavours along with the typical Bushmills tropical fruit. The 30-year-old was also initially matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks but for the later 16 years of its life in casks first-fill Pedro Ximénez casks were used. It’s hugely rich and complex yet full of life and vigour, both are drams to savour.

Bushmills 25 Year Old
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £790// US $1099

Bushmills 30 Year Old
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £1900

Turntable

There are three blended whiskies to look out for from brothers Ally and Gordon Stevenson. With many years of experience, they wanted to help raise the appeal of blended whisky and have managed it in style. The three whiskies start with Track 1: Joy.discovery.invention which is a blend of a Knockdhu Chinkapin barrel, Linkwood Virgin oak barrel, and two grain whiskies, Girvan from a red wine barrel and Strathclyde from a Cognac barrel. Track 2 is Firestarter which uses a Caol Ila virgin oak cask, Benrinnes Chinkapin barrel and Cameronbridge and Invergordon grain whiskies from a virgin oak barrel. Finally, Track 3, Purple Haze, is from a blend of Balmenach from a PX sherry puncheon, Craigellachie from an Oloroso sherry but, and Invergordon from a sherry barrel. With each bottle, there is a predominant flavour; fruity, smoky and sherried. And all are excellent!

Track 1: Joy.discovery.invention
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Track 2: Firestarter
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Track 3: Purple Haze
Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £69

Nikka Days

The whiskies on this list are mostly new, but I wanted to highlight a whisky one should always be on the lookout for. Japanese whisky these days can be quite expensive, and for good reason, the quality is very high and the quantities for each market are usually quite limited. However, there is a bottling that I think really stands out in the cost-to-value equation. Nikka Days, is a Japanese blended whisky using both the single malt distilleries Nikka own, Yoichi and Miyagikyo. It is a carefully crafted blend with lots of fruit and some soft smoke in the background making it a great all-round Japanese blend at an affordable price.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find it here: UK £39.90 // US $49.99

Oban Young Teddy The Macleans

This is the second release in the series, the first being called Old Teddy, and both are inspired by father and son who both worked at Oban Distillery. This whisky is finished in Palo Cortado and Oloroso Sherry casks and although it is complex with lots of fruit it is extremely approachable and easy to drink. This can only be bought if you visit the distillery, and I know it’s a long way to go, but it will make the journey worth all the effort. The distillery is a great one to see as it’s one of the very few in the heart of a town, and Oban is stunning.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.8%
Find it here: Only available at the distillery.

Morris Muscat Barrels

The Morris distillery can be found in the small town of Rutherglen. Not the one in Glasgow, but in Australia! The distillery is sited on the same site as the family winery, so there is a great source of interesting wine casks to use. This expression has been matured in both French and American oak but then finished in Morris Muscat Barrels giving loads of rich sweet fruit flavours and a spicy finish. Yum.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £74.70

Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition

This special edition Kentucky Owl combines the art of Japanese whisky blending and bourbon. Takumi means ‘Master’ in Japanese and this blend has been designed by the master blender from the Nagahama distillery, Yusuke Yahisa and John Rhea from Kentucky Owl. It is a blend of 4, 5, 6 and 13 year old bourbons and has complex flavours of rye bread, toffee, caramel, and soft spices with apples and pears and a touch of chocolate.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 50%
Find it here: UK £125 // US $149.99

Glenmorangie 15 Cadboll State, Single Estate Limited Release

This is an expression of Glenmorangie which couldn’t be a better representation of the whisky the distillery can create. Made with barley from the Cadboll estate, this is a blend of two harvests, matured in American oak and then finished in ex-Amontillado casks, which is master blender Dr. Bill’s favourite sherry. It is the third release of this 15-year-old whisky and is creamy and nutty with toffee notes and cloves. An elegant whisky, and a favourite of mine from Glenmorangie.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 43%
Find it here: UK £75 // US $84.99

Ardbeg BizarreBQ

Another very experimental bottling from the cult Ardbeg distillery. Using double charred casks and PX sherry casks, they also used unique BBQ casks which give lots of flavour of smoked meats and grilled, charred peppers and coffee. It’s big, it’s bold and it’s beautiful. As a limited edition, if you find one, I wouldn’t hang around thinking about it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 50.9%
Find it here: £159.95

Two Brewers Yukon Single Malt Whisky - Release 35

Two brewers is made by Alan Hansen and Bob Baxter, who are two brewers in the Yukon area of Canada. In 2009 they extended their skills by buying a still and began to make whisky. This has been made with fourteen different mashes and matured in both ex bourbon barrels and virgin oak barrels for over eight years. Each of their releases is different and this one is exceptional. This is the first UK release and there are only 132 bottles.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46%
Find it here: £84.95

Wire Works Caduro 

This hails from the White Peak distillery in Derbyshire and is the first release from Max and Claire in 2023. It is a lightly peated malt whisky using ex bourbon barrels and STR casks (shaved, toasted, and re-charred). This is every bit as good as previous releases and the subtle use of peat gives extra interest. It’ll be interesting to see how their core range develops, and these limited releases are certainly worth trying.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 46.8%
Find it here: £59.95 

Words by Colin Hampden-White

If you’re looking for more whiskey recommendations, then head over to 12 Of The Best Irish Whiskeys or have a look at The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie Irish Whiskey.

7 Chocolate Liqueurs Perfect for Easter

We’re well and truly on the side of ‘you’re never too old for an easter egg’, but if one thing is better on Easter, it’s got to be a silky chocolate liqueur.

So, whether you’re into rich dark pours, vanilla whites or just adding some sweet chocolate magic to your favourite spirit, celebrate Easter with one of these delicious bottles.

For the rum lovers

Amaz-In Chocolate Créme Liqueur

Grenadian chocolate and Grenadian rum come together like an absolute dream in this velvety liqueur. It’s thick, rich and although the chocolate at the forefront is dangerously moreish, the subtle fruits underneath complete the profile really nicely. It’s perfect for sipping over ice, drizzled over a pudding for a touch of decadence, and of course, it’s crying out for a Caribbean cocktail.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £36.65

For the fruit lovers

Amarula Raspberry, Chocolate & African Baobab

If you're a fan of distinct and original chocolate liqueurs, then you simply have to try this South African gem. The creamy but surprisingly light Amarula, a liqueur created from the fruit of the Marula tree, is joined by the standout addition of tart raspberries, sweet chocolate as well as nutritious African baobab fruit (one of the best-tasting superfoods on the planet). This combination of delicate citrus, raspberry tang and sweet caramelly chocolate cream is mouth-watering and it’s what won Amarula a Gold at The Liqueur Masters in 2021.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15.5%
Find here: £17

For the tequila lovers

Mis Amigos Chocolate Tequila Liqueur

Mis Amigos have leaned into the potential of earthy, vegetal agave by blending it with rich dark chocolate and cocoa, and the results are delicious. It’s another Gold medal award winner, praised for its super smoothness and versatility in cocktails. Try it in a Chocolate Margarita which might sound a bit odd, but just trust us it’s sublime.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £22.99

For the grappa lovers

Bottega Nero - Cioccolato Nero e Grappa (Dark Chocolate)

For those not familiar, grappa is an Italian pomace brandy, so it’s usually made using leftover grape skins from winemaking. This blend is literally like drinking the smoothest milk chocolate there is in terms of texture, but with the rich depth of flavour dark chocolate gives. The distinct personality of the drink is completed by the Veneto grappa adding an oomph to the indulgence. Be warned - once people try this, they are desperate for more!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £18.99

For the white chocolate lovers

Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

For nearly a century Godiva has been mastering the art of chocolatier-ing in Belgium, and as one of the most trusted premium chocolatiers, they have moved into liqueurs. Godiva White Chocolate is everything you want it to be and more, with delicate white chocolate and soft Madagascar vanilla combining for total unapologetic lushness. A White Chocolatini is probably the single most indulgent cocktail you can concoct, and we’d recommend it over most puddings.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: UK £34.99 // US $49.21

For the bourbon lovers

Charlie Parry's Chocolate Bourbon Liqueur

Bourbon and chocolate are a classic marriage, with the sweetness of the chocolate pulling the caramel from the bourbon, and the bourbon’s smooth, smoky depth wrapping the chocolate tastefully. Elegant dark chocolate is used here to avoid over-sweetness, and instead, there’s a curious rich bittersweetness created alongside toasted oak and sweet vanilla. If you love your Old Fashioned then you simply have to try this in one. If you’re in a very different mood then it also works great in milkshakes or over a quality vanilla ice cream!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £19.95

For the vodka lovers

Riverside Chocolate Vodka Liqueur

Some bottles just deserve attention, and this is one of them. Isn’t she a beauty? Riverside Spirits up in Cheshire is responsible, and they’ve filled it with something more than worthy; a velvety sweet chocolate vodka. The warmth of the vodka kicks in beautifully through the rich dark cocoa for an incredibly satisfying sip. Serve it with a little ice and it’s amazing.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £24.95

We’re chocolate mad at the moment with Easter around the corner so check out these top choc and drinks pairings if you want to keep the two separate!

The Best Hot Toddy Cocktail Variations

What is a hot toddy?

There’s nothing quite like a hot toddy to soothe the winter chill in our bones is there? The history of the hot toddy is by no means set in stone. In India, toddy has long been a fermented palm tree sap concoction, and by the end of the 1700s, it came to mean, ‘a beverage made of alcoholic liquor with hot water, sugar, and spices’ in the United Kingdom.

One man credited with its popularity is Robert Bentley Todd, an Irish physician who prescribed hot brandy, cinnamon, syrup, and water in the 1830s to his patients with flu. Now that sounds better than tablets to us!

These days, the winter warmer is loved by many to jump-start mornings, soothe colds, and sore throats, as a nightcap, or just to heat up during the chilly nights. So versatile! And the good thing about that is, there are tonnes of room to adapt the recipes...

So, without further ado, here are our best hot toddy variations, whatever you’re in the mood for, and even if you don’t like whisky!

For the traditionalists: The Original Hot Toddy

Some recipes are as simple as whisky + sugar + water, and others read more like full shopping lists, so we’ve kept it fairly simple with cloves and cinnamon for mellow and warming spice, honey for sweetness, lemon juice to cut through and of course, a gorgeous splash of whisky at the heart of everything. Balanced and beautiful, it’s soothing comfort in a mug.

Ingredients
1 clove
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp honey
100ml-150ml hot water
35ml Whisky (Johnnie Walker Black Label is great)
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Grab your favourite mug or handled glass and add the water. Mix in the whisky, lemon juice and honey until it’s completely disappeared. Chuck in the clove and the cinnamon if you like it. Most important of all, have a taste and adapt it how you like! You can add some sugar, or some more lemon, or even a splash of whisky if it’s not got enough oomph.

For the bourbon drinkers: Ginger Toddy

Bourbon works just as well as Scotch in a Hot Toddy, so it’s just down to your preference, but we love it with the ginger here. Those warming spicy notes, with vanilla and caramel bourbon hints create a delicious bakery feel to the cocktail. This is guaranteed to leave a lovely zing in your mouth and warm you down to your toes!

Ingredients
35ml bourbon
15ml ginger syrup
100ml hot water
Lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Combine the bourbon, ginger syrup and hot water in your favourite mug and stir thoroughly, adding a splash of lemon juice if you want extra zing! Then enjoy!

For the cider drinkers: The Hot Apple Toddy

Now be aware that this has a serious kick to it because the water is being swapped out for apple cider. You can still add cinnamon and a clove if you wish, but if you’ve used a good cider then there should be bold enough flavours without. Along similar lines, if you’d prefer an even fruiter version, use apple brandy instead of whisky! Oh so satisfying and that subtle tang is lovely.

Ingredients
1 tsp honey
100ml apple cider
35ml whisky or apple brandy
1 cinnamon stick (optional)

Method
Heat up your cider in a saucepan and pour this into your mug or glass coated with honey at the bottom. Add your whisky and optional spices and stir well.

For the gin lovers: Hot Gin Toddy

There are even options for you gin lovers out there. The Hot Gin Toddy relies on the beautiful botanicals in the gin, with the heat opening them up and giving them a new lease of life. It’s just as warming, but with a pleasantly aromatic profile that’s surprisingly light and refreshing too.

Top Tip: Dry gin will work better because the botanicals tend to react to hot water more reliably.

Ingredients
1 tsp sugar
35ml gin (dry)
100ml hot water
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick (garnish)
1 lemon wheel (garnish)

Method
Super simple, just mix everything really well with the hot water and give it a final stir with the cinnamon stick. Make sure the water isn’t boiling hot because this may be too harsh on the gin.

For the rum drinkers: Hot Rum Toddy

Rum fits so nicely into the Hot Toddy recipe, with those warming spices and underlying sweetness accentuated beautifully. Whilst Scotch has always been the Hot Toddy go-to in the UK, rum used to be far more readily available in America, so this or brandy was usually used. Any rum works, but we would suggest dark rum for that deep caramel flavour, and the spicier notes.

Ingredients
1 tbsp honey
35ml rum (preferably dark)
100ml hot water
1 cinnamon stick
Lemon wedge (garnish)

Method
Stir together everything so that the honey is completely dissolved and drop in the cinnamon stick giving it plenty of time to diffuse. Garnish with a lemon wedge to finish, and squeeze in a little juice if you prefer! Truly a fireside sipper that gives the original a run for its money.

For the vodka drinkers: Toffee Apple Hot Toddy

This may ring some bells because we recommended it as the perfect Bonfire Night cocktail when Lewis Stairs, founder of Sunday Cocktail Club joined us in Ep.96 of the Bring a Bottle Podcast. It’s gorgeously smooth, with that slightly sweeter bourbon intertwining with crisp toffee vodka. The apple juice completes the hot toffee apple vibe, and it’s a fantastic option if you’ve got a sweeter tooth.

Ingredients
25ml toffee vodka
50ml bourbon
40ml apple juice
Splash of lemon (optional)
Cinnamon stick (garnish)

Method
All you’ve got to do is heat everything up in a saucepan until it’s hot throughout, but not bubbling. Keep some cool apple juice behind to cool it down if needs be. We love the very subtle sour edge that the lemon provides, but feel free to leave it out – it’s your creation! Feel free to check out Lewis making it here.

For the non-alcoholic drinkers: Apple Berry Toddy

There are lots of alcohol-free hot toddy variations using different types of tea, but we wanted something that still has the boozy profile to it... just without the booze itself. Step up Crossip Rich Berry, perfect for mulled wines but also hot toddies. It’s packed with rich blackberries and cherries, and a lovely layer of spice. Obviously, there isn’t quite the power that comes from a spirit, so swap out the water for some lovely hot apple juice and it’s a warming winner with heaps of flavour.

Ingredients
25ml Crossip Rich Berry
125ml Apple Juice
Lemon (garnish)

 Method
Like every hot toddy, it’s easy to pull together. Just heat everything together and decant! A little squeeze and garnish of lemon is a nice finishing touch. The only difficult bit is trying not to finish it all in one sitting!

If you are looking for more delicious drink ideas this January, why not check out our recommendations for the best no and low alcohol drinks?

Words by Calum Ecroyd

The Best Bourbon for Beginners

The world of whisk(e)y can be intimidating for beginners, spanning multiple continents and going by a variety of different names. Sometimes that intimidation can be enough to put one off venturing into the world of whiskey at all - but don’t turn back so soon! Bourbon is a great whiskey to get stuck into as a beginner, and lucky for you, we’ve picked out 8 bourbons we think are perfect for falling in love with this spirit.

Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon is made from a unique blend of rye, corn, and barley malt, along with special strains of yeast and pure Kentucky limestone-filtered water. Flavour is king in this bourbon with its notes of vanilla, orange and subtle winter spices, and even better, you won’t be paying the earth for it either. Take Bulleit Bourbon neat or over ice for an American treat or simply mix with cloves, lemon juice, brown sugar and hot water for a comforting Hot Toddy.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £28.99 // US $39.99

Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon

If you’re looking for a bourbon to sip while looking pensive, Woodford Reserve is for you. It has a higher rye percentage than other bourbons, meaning it’s got a spicy, peppery kick to it! Woodford Reserve is warming, but won’t leave a burn in the back of your throat either, making it great for beginners looking for something smooth. The high rye content also makes this perfect for an Old Fashioned!

ABV: 43.2%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £32.01 // US $36.99

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

FYI: No turkeys were harmed in the production of this bourbon. Wild Turkey 101 is a fantastic first foray into higher proof whiskey and bourbon, with its rich but peppery caramel flavours tasty but not overpowering. If you’re new to bourbon, the high alcohol content of Wild Turkey might be a bit intense on the tongue, but this can be softened with a drop of water (which is totally okay to do, so don’t be scared). This is one for sipping!

ABV: 50.5%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: £29.95 // US $31.99

Eagle Rare 10 Year Old 

What could be more American than an eagle? Eagle Rare comes from the legendary Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky, where bourbon has been made for over 200 years! Without that aggressive bite that other bourbons can bring, Eagle Rare 10 Year Old is silky smooth and very drinkable. You’ll get honey, burnt caramel and vanilla on the tongue, with a classic bourbon oakiness on the finish - perfect for someone looking for a solid bourbon at a great price.

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: £36.99 // US $119.89

Knob Creek

Knob Creek boasts a bold, full bodied, flavourful punch of bourbon - as is evident by the higher than usual alcohol content. This is brilliant for beginners, as the price tag is very reasonable for such a rich, smooth bourbon. The notes of vanilla, oak and fruit are best appreciated when taken neat, and once you reach that spicy finish: you’ll be hooked!

ABV: 50%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £33.44 // US $36.99

Four Roses Bourbon

Don’t underestimate Four Roses because of its price, this bourbon is a delicious introduction to the spirit at a price that won’t leave you reeling! Beautifully balanced with notes of marmalade, honey, cinnamon and oak, Four Roses is great for mixing in a bourbon cocktail (such as an Old Fashioned) or simply taken neat! When you’re looking to step up your bourbon game, Four Roses also has a great 100 Proof!

ABV: 40%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £23.90 // US $19.99

Maker’s Mark Bourbon

The beautiful, dripping red wax on Maker’s Mark’s bottle almost makes you not want to break the seal. However, we definitely recommend you do - as you don’t want to miss out on the rich flavour Maker’s Mark brings to the table with this bourbon. You’ll get delicious notes of vanilla and burnt oak on the palate, and a bit of spice on the finish. We love Maker’s Mark in a Manhattan (not just because of the alliteration), but do try it neat too!

ABV: 45%
Size: UK 700ml // US 1.75l
Find it here: UK £32 // US $52.99

Evan Williams Bourbon

Evan Williams has been producing this bourbon since (wait for it) 1783! Now that, my dear friend, is a damn long time to have been making bourbon. You can certainly see why, as this whiskey is so moreish that you’ll have to get another bottle! We love the smoothness of Evan Williams, especially with those delicious caramel and vanilla notes coming through. At such a great price, this bottle is a big winner when it comes to beginner bourbons - so why not give it a try?

ABV: 43%
Size: UK 700ml // US 1.75l
Find it here: UK £26.99 // US $22.99

For more bourbon content have a look at The Best Bang for Buck Sipping Bourbon and to find out our top whiskey recommendations for an Old Fashioned click here!

*Prices updated September 2022.

3 Simple, Smoky, Whisky Cocktails For Your BBQ

Words by Helena Nicklin

Ardbeg, one of our favourite Islay distilleries has created ‘Smoke Sessions’ video guides to barbecuing meat and smoky drinks with grilling legend DJ BBQ (you can read about those here). The cocktail recipes looked so good however, that we got the lowdown for you on how to make them. Here they are: three epic, seriously smoky whisky cocktails for your summer barbecue. You’re welcome!

Smoky Apple Cider

Ingredients:

• 50ml Ardbeg Wee Beastie
• 50ml apple cider
• 50ml ginger beer
• 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
• Demerara vanilla sugar to taste

Method

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, then stir and strain into a tumbler or a jar. Garnish to your taste with a cinnamon stick, star anise or even a slice of red apple. Take this from summer to winter by making it in a batch, warming it up and serving with a ladle. Amini toffee apple, if you can find one makes a special garnish for halloween too.

Maple & Bacon Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 50ml Ardbeg Ten Years Old
• 15ml maple syrup (to taste)
• 3 dashes orange bitters

Method

Stir all the ingredients together and serve over a large cube of ice. You can have fun with the garnishes here: try a rasher of streaky bacon as a stirrer, add a spring of torched rosemary or simply, an orange twist. 

An Oa Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

• 50ml Ardbeg An Oa
• 100ml roasted tomato juice (find one with garlic and herbs if you can)
• 1 dash hot sauce
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 25ml lemon juice
• 12.5ml Pedro Ximenez sherry

Method

Combine all the ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice and then pour again into a second mixing glass, straining the liquid as you do so. Repeat a few times until the mixture is super smooth and well blended. Rim your glass with celery salt and add your garnish. For this, we recommend dill or even grated horseradish. 

Like this? Read about Ardbeg’s Smoke Sessions with DJ BBQ here, or look at the best sherry matured whiskies or even best bang for buck sipping bourbon.

Best Bang for Buck Sipping Bourbon

Words by Colin Hampden-White

Bourbon is having a boom. There are lots of new distilleries opening and some of the rare bourbons are becoming extremely expensive. The big brands are selling more than ever before with premium versions of their standard bottles selling more than ever. With so much bourbon on the market The Three Drinkers wanted to put a short list together of bourbon we have tried, didn’t cost the earth and think should be on anyone’s shopping list if you wanted to try bourbon that not only can be mixed to make great long drinks and cocktails, but which are fabulous to sip, read on.

 Eagle Rare 10

From the legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, comes Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. A spectacular Kentucky straight Bourbon whiskey, matured for at least a decade before making its way into its very smart bottle at 45% ABV. What's so distinctive about the bottles, you ask? Well, we're going to say it's the massive bald eagle, wings outstretched, looking like it's about to snatch up some dinner. Distinctive, yes? The whiskey is also pretty distinctive too, boasting full-bodied notes of toffee, orange peel and buttery corn. This is a bourbon for those who like them big and bold.

ABV: 45%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £36.99

Four Roses Small Batch

Four Roses Small Batch is a step up from the classic Four Roses Bourbon, showcasing the variety of mashbills that the distillers have to work with in Lawrenceburg - and their talents at making them sing together. Ten bourbon recipes are produced by Four Roses, and four of them are blended together to create this approachable but flavoursome expression. Great value-for-money, this whiskey has a huge amount of flavour for your buck and goes down very smoothly to boot. There are notes of manuka honey, winter spice, toasty oak, a little crème anglaise.

 ABV: 45%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £27.23

Yellowstone select Bourbon

From the Yellowstone range (owned by Limestone Branch and run by Steven Beam, which was founded to bring back the glory that Yellowstone once held many moons ago) comes the Select Bourbon. Full-bodied, with a good kick of rye lurking around in the background. If you like your Bourbon with a little nutmeg spice then you will love this. It is rather creamy with lots of vanilla fudge notes. Some herbaceous spice appears on the mid-palate giving lots of complexity.

ABV: 46.5%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £33.64

Woodford Reserve

The mashbill for Woodford Reserve features a high percentage of rye: 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malt. Unusual also for being triple distilled and having the lowest proof upon entering the barrel where it matures for at least six years. A must have Kentucky bourbon. It is very thick and full. There are notes of espresso beans, winter spice, cereal sweetness, plenty of rye, ground ginger, almond oil, toasty oak and a little rum. A lovely whiskey to ponder as you sip.

 ABV: 43.2%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £33.99

Michter’s US*1 Bourbon

The US*1 Bourbon from Michter's in Louisville, Kentucky, is made in small batches, typically comprised of no more than two dozen barrels. Top quality stuff, brimming with caramel, vanilla and fruit notes, alongside a pleasing earthy quality at its core. Even though this is produced in small batches, there is a core style which is particular to Michter’s which run through all the batches, with the batches giving extra interest as none are exactly the same. If you like this bourbon, the different batches will keep rewarding you time and time again.

 ABV: 45.7%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £53.83

Hudson Four Grain Bourbon

Up in New York, Hudson Four Grain bourbon is made using the Tuthilltown distillery's unique recipe of corn, rye, wheat and malted barley. Hold on a minute, that’s four grains - like what the name says! Tuthilltown Spirits were producers of the first legal pot-still whiskey in New York since prohibition. Four Grain is aged in small three-gallon barrels to accelerate maturation, and each bottle is numbered and wax-dipped by hand. The interaction of the four grains is intriguing and rather unique, but certainly tasty.

 ABV: 46%
Size: 350ml
Buy it now for £36.13

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Elijah Craig has long been a favourite bourbon of many whiskey enthusiasts, and certainly is with The Three Drinkers - to the point where their stocks of 12 year old bourbon have been under a lot of pressure, not that we are drinking all of it! The producers made the decision to discontinue the 12 Year Old expression and create this expression to take its place. It manages to maintain the incredibly high quality that Elijah Craig is known for, including the delicious core of cooked apple drizzled in honey notes. This expression has been well received, taking home not one but two San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold medals!

 ABV: 47%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £39.95

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon

Wild Turkey's Rare Breed Bourbons are bottled at cask strength, and are often absolutely staggering. The bottles have had a little redesign recently, and look very stylish indeed - though the eponymous turkey on the label looks rather surprised to be there. This particular edition was bottled at 58.4% ABV. Heavy caramel and chocolate. A touch of smoke develops on the back pallet, there is brown sugar and touches of pepper on the finish too. This is a bourbon on for the feint hearted! 

ABV: 58.4%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £52.25

Brough Brothers Bourbon

This came to our attention recently and we can’t recommend it highly enough. Brough Brothers Bourbon is the brilliant brainchild of Victor, Chris and Bryson Yarbrough in Louisville, Kentucky. A marvellous small batch Bourbon full of spicy sweetness, cooked fruit and toasty oak notes. Great for sipping, but it also shines in some classic cocktail recipes, too. At a bourbon that is under £30, we would have this in our drinks cabinet at all times. If you want a bourbon which is a true all-rounder, then this is the one to buy. We also love the funky label with the brothers on it.

ABV: 41%
Size: 700ml
Buy it now for £28.95 

Pappy Van Winkle 23

Now we know this is a whiskey which is beyond most of our pockets, but if you ever get the chance to try it on a special occasion in a restaurant or bar, then go for it, it is a truly memorable experience. This has to be the king of sipping whiskey. At 23 years old it has so much complexity, and yet is still simply pleasurable to drink, the complexity isn’t demanding yourw attention. With aromas of Dark fruit, espresso coffee, oak and buttery toffee. The flavours are rich and spicy. Oak underpinning nutty sweetness, honey and star anise come in on the finish. Produced yearly in very small batches, this hits the market at £250, however this increases to well over £2000 once sold out and bottles find their way onto the secondary market, which happens almost as soon as it is released. 

 ABV: 47.8%
Size: 700ml
Savour it if you get the chance

If you’ve enjoyed exploring bourbon then have a read about one of its founding fathers, and the man who taught Jack Daniels how to make whiskey: Uncle Nearest.