Absolutely the first distillery that comes to mind. There BiBs are great, but if I can find a Rickhouse proof from them, they are an instant buy for me.
Holladay red wheat absolutely shocked me. I had it last weekend and didn't expect much but was honestly kind of speechless. I'm about 4 hours from the distillery and will be making a trip there. I have no idea what kind of voodoo he has going in them hollers but I wanna try more.
My #1 is Frey Ranch.
Southern Distilling makes a wheater that goes toe to toe with the best Weller products, called Paragon. It's bottled at 107-114 proof, single barrels, and costs half as much as Weller and to my tastes, it's better.
Ben Holladay and Still Austin are good but don't stand up with the other two I've mentioned.
MGP is a big player. They distill in Indiana and make some of the best bourbon on the market, especially when it's blended by people who really know what they're doing (Barrell Craft Spirits and Bardstown Bourbon Company).
I find it difficult to believe that Bardstown Barrel Co. is still buying MGP juice for blending at this point. Found North, Old Carter, Jos A Magnus & Co. (definitely MGP) are the non-distilling producers known for their belnding besides Barrell these days.
The Amrut BBCo collaboration that just released this month has two different MGP whiskeys blended in. They are still sourcing MGP for their collaboration releases. TBD on the discovery series as I think 11 and 12 only contain KY whiskey. Disco 8 was the most recent one to have MGP.
Well, that's fair, they may not be buying it NOW. But they have in the past -- can simply check the mash bills on Discovery Series 8 and see that it has MGP 95/5 rye.
I've been debating getting a Frey ranch cask strength just never see a whole lot about it. I did watch brewzles video on them and how they run thier whole set up and I wad impressed.
I've had good luck with Laws, Mile High Spirits (Fireside/Fireside BiB/Fireside Hazmat), Boulder Bourbon BiB, and the Breckenridge Rum Cask Finish.
Buddy of mine who lives in Cheyenne really likes Wyoming Whiskey's bourbon. I have not had it yet.
Balcones out of Waco. Just kidding. Their pot still bourbon is gross.
Indiana - MGP
Tennessee - JD and Uncle Nearest
Alabama - Dettling
NY - McKenzie and Kings County
Virginia - Bowman and Filibuster (their own age stated bourbon, not low-end blends)
Maryland - Lost Ark (Sagamore distilled)
Vermont - Whistle Pig
Missouri - Ben Holladay
South Carolina - High Wire
Washington - Woodinville
Wisconsin - Driftless Glen
I scrolled down just to find this. The flavor is unique, so I can see it being a "love or hate it" kind of thing. I'm told that it's a high malt mash bill, so maybe I really like that.
Add **Southern Distilling** (North Carolina) and **Journeyman** (Michigan) and your list would be nearly complete!
I don't know what to think about Bowman Brothers. IIRC, all their stuff is distilled in Frankfort KY at Buffalo Trace 1st. Then it is trucked over to Virginia where it's probably distilled again.
Never had anything by those 2. This is just a list of what I've had and liked of bourbon outside of KY distilleries. And yes, Bowman gets new make from BT, but then re-distills and ages in VA.
If you like Woodinville, you’ll love Journeyman. Specifically Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey, it’s a little off topic but Journeyman’s American Holiday Bourbon Crème liqueur is also fantastic with a morning coffee or straight with a couple Icecubes.
Yes, that’s what bowman does. They get BT mashbill 1, distill it a third time in a copper pot still, then age it in Virginia.
Not many know Firefly is the same way in South Carolina.
Being from SC I’ll disagree with HighWire, and instead reccomend either Firefly (BT mashbill 1 distilled again in a copper pot in Charleston SC, and aged in SC or Six & Twenty from outside Greenville. Their “Old Money” wheat whisky as a barrel strength pick, can be great.
Highwire has a great story saving an heirloom grain back from near extinction, but the 2-3y age on all but their anniversary stuff made with 100% heirloom corn is very different, not in a good way.
Each palate is different though.
Was this the one labeled “limited release” on it? I went and got a second bottle of it because of how much I enjoyed it and wasn’t sure if I’d ever see it again. Haven’t seen it reviewed on here yet.
I don’t think so, I’d have to check. Just picked it up bc my home store started carrying it. Gonna pick a bunch up for Christmas gifts before they’re gone if they are in fact “limited”.
This was the bottle I grabbed a backup of.
https://preview.redd.it/80fss4eate3d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60b70f4e86c96ceed43a213a98e6b4fdd0166cd6
Came here to say Starlight.
I've got a local ish store that has done lots of picks and oh boy they make it hard to not walk out with a new one.
Gotten a double oaked bourbon, rye double oaked, rye, bourbon. They've quickly become a favorite of mine.
I need to give them another try! Went on a tour and tasting with them a couple years ago and everything tasted young. But recently I have heard great things!
I stopped there in April and picked up a Rickhouse Select SiB and it’s fantastic. I’ll be stopping there again in July on the way to Louisville to see what they have.
If you have time, do their “straight from the barrel tour.” One of the best tour experiences I’ve ever had, very intimate and they pulled 6 bourbons for us to try out of the theif. Five of them were finished, one straight, all incredible.
Their standard bourbon and rye are solid for a small distiller, but their finished whiskeys really set them apart. I picked up a triple sec finished rye that made a stellar old fashioned. It usually takes me months or years to kill bottles because I've got a wide variety of open bottles to choose from, but I emptied that bottle in maybe 2 weeks.
I know they're in Kentucky for the purposes of this question, but New Riff is doing some cool stuff with different heirloom grains in their bourbons and rates that sets them apart from other craft distilleries as well.
Yep I’ve got a port finish bourbon and two finished ryes from Starlight. They are great at managing the finish and keeping the backbone bourbon/rye as the star and using the finish to complement it beautifully.
I have an r/bourbon pick from one of TK8E’s most recent selections. It is really, really good for the price. I missed out on the apricot brandy barrel finished release a few weeks ago. I’ll bet it was a good one.
Might have to try them again. I tried their rye and a couple finished bourbons from them about a year ago, and while I really enjoyed a lot of things about them, there was an underlying astringency that kept me from falling in love with the other fascinating things going on in the glass. I could definitely see some age taking that nail polish note out a bit, and without that note their bottles would be seriously up there for me.
Being from NC, I’ll second Southern Distilling - their bourbons and ryes are really, really good. Their cask strength single barrels are fantastic. The new Hunting Creek rye is also excellent. Far, far better than any other NC producer I’ve had.
I've become a big fan of Southern Grace Distilleries, who produce Conviction. If you haven't tried it, I recommend doing so.
John Conoley also makes some very good whiskey, although it varies some label to label. Their limites reserve Rye is one of the best I've had.
I'd say there's some pretty good ones nowadays. Tennessee has Jack Daniels, Blue Note, and Huling Station is starting to put out their own stuff, Utah has High West, California has Frey Ranch and Redwood Empire, Missouri has Ben Holladay, Alabama has Dettling and John Emerald (bourbon is bad, but single malt is great), Indiana has MGP and Starlight, New York has King's County, Oregon has Westward (single malt), Colorado has Laws, Virginia has Bowman, Louisiana has Meleck (rice whiskey) and Seven Three is getting better, Illinois has FEW, Maryland has Sagamore (rye), Wisconsin has Dancing Goat, Mississippi has Crittendon, and Georgia has ASW. Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. There are others I haven't tried but heard good things like Driftless Glen and Woodinville
Very KY adjacent but there's a good smooth bourbons coming from Southern Indiana. Not bourbon but a lot of interesting a different stuff is coming out of TX too.
Colorado has been putting out great stuff. Not a huge fan of Stranahans but many love it. Breckenridge and Old Elk are putting out great stuff. However, Laws is my favorite. A bit on the expensive side but very much worth it. And I have a few other super limited distillers I've enjoyed in Colorado that don't distribute outside CO.
I… hadn’t heard that. They hired Greg Metze and at least have barrels agin of their own distillate. In fact, I have barrel #000001 sitting in my shelf. The numbering is from their own distillations….
Plenty. Woodinville was good when I had it, they have many more offerings now, from Washington. Frey Ranch from Nevada. Redwood Empire from California. One from New York that I will not name. Lol
Personally, I think Middle West Spirits out of Columbus, OH is putting out some good stuff. Smugglers Notch out of Vermont is good too. I'd have to look again to see if they are blended and actually sourced from KY.
Spirits of French Lick from Indiana. “Grain forward” but that’s what I like. I bought a bottle of their four grain made with kasha because it was on clearance and it might be my favorite from them. They have a good wheated bourbon as well.
Crittenden and Old Soul out of Mississippi
St Augustine and Manifest out of Florida
Old Fourth distillery (BiB) and ASW from Georgia
Dettling and John Emerald from Alabama
Last Shot from NY
Distillerie Acadian from Louisiana (Cajun Cut)
Frey Ranch (Farm Strength) from Nevada
If you want blends or Rye there's more options.
Dettling and Frey Ranch control the entire process and grow most or all their own grains
[Still 630](https://www.still630.com/) (St. Louis, MO)
SMALL little outfit but starting to make a strong foothold, their core offerings are available throughout the greater St. Louis area and they're expanding regionally into Kansas City this year. Their [Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey](https://www.still630.com/collections/whiskey/products/missouri-straight-bourbon-whiskey-single-barrel) is top notch.
Went to South Carolina and got to visit High Wire Distillery last year. Every time we go to a state I try and find a local distillery and even better, one that uses local/unusual grains. High Wire had a Jimmy Red Corn product and an Aburuzzi rye. The rye was pretty forgettable but the Jimmy Red was unique and great.
Missouri - Nobleton’s
Illinois - Old Monroe
Wisconsin - Wollersheim, Dancing Goat, Driftless Glen
Colorado - Deerhammer, Stranahan
New York - Black Button
Iowa - Cedar Ridge
Many of these smaller distilleries putting out great product!
Surprised to see a Nobletons mention but second the recommendation. Their regular store offering is an easy drinker for neat pours or cocktails but their single barrels are amazing. If you can make it to Union MO they have a great tasting room and if you like any barrel samples you can get a bottle drawn straight from that barrel.
Second MO company is Barrel King. They take MGP juice to a new level creating amazing blends and different finishes. They have a pickup or mail order membership program. Service is second to none and the juice is to die for. I’ve pretty much given up the hunt because their product is all I want to drink. They just sent 6 offerings to the ascots and took home 5 double platinums and a platinum.
Just an FYI, most, if not all distilleries strip their water using reverse osmosis before using it. They then add the minerals to their specs. This helps in maintaining a consistent product. Breweries do the exact same thing. I’m glad you got a lot of great suggestions. There is some excellent non-KY juice out there!
Smoke Wagon is an NDP (MGP) out of Vegas. The real Nevada distilleries are Frey Ranch in Fallon, and Minden Mill (formerly Bentley Heritage) in Minden. Both are farm to glass operations.
Last I checked TC Whiskey is just MGP though. Nothing wrong with that, but it ain’t exactly “theirs”
And I assume you mean the dragons milk origin. That’s been really good!
Out of Michigan, I’d say Journeyman and Iron Fish are always pumping out really nice stuff.
I really like Bear Wallow made in Gnawbone IN. I'll go out of my way for that one. The straight cask one is my favorite, but I'll buy any version.
Lee Sinclair from French Lick IN, it seems like it needs to stay in the barrel a bit longer, but the basics are good. It just seems "green". I've been told they have a line coming out that will correct that.
Southern Indiana has the same type limestone springs as the bourbon area of Kentucky... probably explains why they aren't far apart milage wise.
I got a store pick of Blue Note and it is easily one of my least favorite bottles ever. Tried and tried to like it and ended up making a giant batch of Old Fahioneds that were also not great. May just have been a bad pick by my store 😂
Feeling like the marker is over saturated with far too to try these days….just can’t keep up! 🤣
I saw this mentioned, but wanted to add it here too…Chattanooga Whiskey 111 (TN) is an everyday drinker.
IroonRoot Harbinger (Texas) my current fav these days…just need another bottle!
Thirteenth Colony (GA) has some great options…Cask Strength Rye and Cask Strength Bourbon
Highwire (SC) Jimmy Red is different…in a good way
Holloday BiB…(MO) already mentioned
Lazy K Bar (MT)…haven’t made the time to figure out the full story…I guess in saying that this is actually from KY…bottled in MT…but a banger!
Clyde Mays is underrated, it’s hard to compete with Kentucky, that Limestone water is the Ace. i’d pick the Eagle Rare or Woodford any day of the week than the Hudson Valley or Breckenridge one. That is all
Frey ranch (NV)
Still Austin (TX)
Redwood empire (CA)
Found north (Canada; I know it’s not bourbon but it’s too fucking good not to list)
JD (TN)
honorable mention: J Henry & sons (WI)
Widow Jane (NY) has a great line 10 Yr., Decadence, Lucky Thirteen & the Vaults (all fantastic) and Barrel King (MO) has a monthly membership and has something amazing most months.
As a Wisconsinite, it's nice to see Driftless Glen get some love. They do make some really good whiskeys!
I'm a little surprised nobody mentioned another Wisconsin brand - J Henry. While technically an NDP (their juice is distilled at 45th Parallel, another fine Wisconsin company), they do grow all of their own grains and age on-site.
Surprised new riff (ky, but small and upcoming) has not been mentioned. Single barrel bourbon and rye, are great for $50. Just released a 8yo bourbon, that is worth the hunt. Rumored a 10yo soon!
The obvious answer is Remus Repeal out of Indiana. Even though their pricing got a bit out of control, they are phenomenal.
Starlight out of Indiana does some pretty wild finishing, but I'll always hold a grudge against them for starting the Amburana bit.
Few does some interesting stuff with finishing and blending. They're pretty fun at $ 40-$60, even if they're not going to blow your socks off.
Woodinville out of Washington has super interesting stuff, I will never not buy a cask strength store pick.
Dragons Milk out of Michigan is fantastic.
Jack Daniels SiBBP Jack 10 Jack 12... phenomenal stuff out of Tennessee.
Dickel 8yr Bourbon out of Tennessee is Dickel without the Dickel... absolutely worth $35
I would love to try the new Redwood Empire distillate out of California.
There's so many more lol
Short Barrel in GA. They blend and age, and their stuff is really solid. They also bought Old Fourth in Atlanta and are sending out decent, friendly priced products under that label.
Anything that Iron Fish (Thompsonville, MI) puts out is fantastic. Journeyman (Three Oaks, MI) and New Holland/Dragons Milk (Holland, MI) are doing great things as well.
Ben Holladay out of MO.
Absolutely only problem is the wild price difference between states
Absolutely the first distillery that comes to mind. There BiBs are great, but if I can find a Rickhouse proof from them, they are an instant buy for me.
I just hate the pricing is crazy inconsistent store to store for a new non hyped product
Their wheat mash bill for me is just outstanding. Rickhouse is great, but some of their single barrels are out of this world!
Holladay red wheat absolutely shocked me. I had it last weekend and didn't expect much but was honestly kind of speechless. I'm about 4 hours from the distillery and will be making a trip there. I have no idea what kind of voodoo he has going in them hollers but I wanna try more.
My #1 is Frey Ranch. Southern Distilling makes a wheater that goes toe to toe with the best Weller products, called Paragon. It's bottled at 107-114 proof, single barrels, and costs half as much as Weller and to my tastes, it's better. Ben Holladay and Still Austin are good but don't stand up with the other two I've mentioned. MGP is a big player. They distill in Indiana and make some of the best bourbon on the market, especially when it's blended by people who really know what they're doing (Barrell Craft Spirits and Bardstown Bourbon Company).
I find it difficult to believe that Bardstown Barrel Co. is still buying MGP juice for blending at this point. Found North, Old Carter, Jos A Magnus & Co. (definitely MGP) are the non-distilling producers known for their belnding besides Barrell these days.
The Amrut BBCo collaboration that just released this month has two different MGP whiskeys blended in. They are still sourcing MGP for their collaboration releases. TBD on the discovery series as I think 11 and 12 only contain KY whiskey. Disco 8 was the most recent one to have MGP.
Well, that's fair, they may not be buying it NOW. But they have in the past -- can simply check the mash bills on Discovery Series 8 and see that it has MGP 95/5 rye.
I've been debating getting a Frey ranch cask strength just never see a whole lot about it. I did watch brewzles video on them and how they run thier whole set up and I wad impressed.
It's one of the best bourbons I've ever had. But, it's very unique. So I get that it may not be for everyone. Full of interesting flavors.
I'll have to go get it then. I'm always hesitant and wait for reviews on things before running out and getting something I may not like at all
Frey Ranch is so fucking good. I think Still Austin is a great choice too.
One of the best MGP blenders I've found is Nashville Barrel Co. Their rye is unrivaled in every blind I've done, even alongside high-end bourbons.
Which Frey Ranch bottle?
Uncut Farm Strength
Westward cask strength. Simply a chocolate bomb with raspberry syrup and an essence of orange. Beautifully crafted.
Agreed. I love ASM from Westward, Balcones, McCarthy's, Old Line, Old Pepper, Yellowstone, and Westland, among others.
Not bourbon tho
That is true. Still would buy it. People that limit themselves to just bourbon can be boring 😂
I 100% agree, ngl I'm partial to ASM over bourbon and it's not even close these days
I've had good luck with Laws, Mile High Spirits (Fireside/Fireside BiB/Fireside Hazmat), Boulder Bourbon BiB, and the Breckenridge Rum Cask Finish. Buddy of mine who lives in Cheyenne really likes Wyoming Whiskey's bourbon. I have not had it yet. Balcones out of Waco. Just kidding. Their pot still bourbon is gross.
>Buddy of mine who lives in Cheyenne really likes Wyoming Whiskey's bourbon. I have not had it yet. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
I just got a single barrel Firestone hazmat (150 proof 🔥) and it is actually a very good bourbon one of my favorites
Indiana - MGP Tennessee - JD and Uncle Nearest Alabama - Dettling NY - McKenzie and Kings County Virginia - Bowman and Filibuster (their own age stated bourbon, not low-end blends) Maryland - Lost Ark (Sagamore distilled) Vermont - Whistle Pig Missouri - Ben Holladay South Carolina - High Wire Washington - Woodinville Wisconsin - Driftless Glen
Tennessee: Chattanooga whiskey
I scrolled down just to find this. The flavor is unique, so I can see it being a "love or hate it" kind of thing. I'm told that it's a high malt mash bill, so maybe I really like that.
California. Redwood Empire
Sagamores MD distilled ryes are excellent. I like Starlight out of Indiana a good bit.
Get the drift, of you see it.
Add **Southern Distilling** (North Carolina) and **Journeyman** (Michigan) and your list would be nearly complete! I don't know what to think about Bowman Brothers. IIRC, all their stuff is distilled in Frankfort KY at Buffalo Trace 1st. Then it is trucked over to Virginia where it's probably distilled again.
Never had anything by those 2. This is just a list of what I've had and liked of bourbon outside of KY distilleries. And yes, Bowman gets new make from BT, but then re-distills and ages in VA.
If you like Woodinville, you’ll love Journeyman. Specifically Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey, it’s a little off topic but Journeyman’s American Holiday Bourbon Crème liqueur is also fantastic with a morning coffee or straight with a couple Icecubes.
Corsets, Whips, and Whiskey has won "Whiskey of the Year". [Twice](https://ascotawards.com/championship-2023/).
Yes, that’s what bowman does. They get BT mashbill 1, distill it a third time in a copper pot still, then age it in Virginia. Not many know Firefly is the same way in South Carolina.
A lot of people criticise Whistlepig but they make some of my favourite drams.
I just bought Woodnville the other day because I loved the bottle. Looking forward to trying this weekend
Being from SC I’ll disagree with HighWire, and instead reccomend either Firefly (BT mashbill 1 distilled again in a copper pot in Charleston SC, and aged in SC or Six & Twenty from outside Greenville. Their “Old Money” wheat whisky as a barrel strength pick, can be great. Highwire has a great story saving an heirloom grain back from near extinction, but the 2-3y age on all but their anniversary stuff made with 100% heirloom corn is very different, not in a good way. Each palate is different though.
You had me until Whistle Pig if we’re talking quality.
Bowman might be redistilled, or whatever they say, in VA, but it’s Buffalo Trace.
Still Austin out of TX
Came here to say that. Their Cask strength is a solid offering and one I always keep on hand.
https://preview.redd.it/zkytzmwsvg3d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b3adc95204aa8c131f86fd324cb2f214e35fa132 Incredible!
All of their Bottled in Bond releases have been excellent.
I 2nd Still Austin. Their Rye is also fantastic.
I have their cask strength single barrel, and it is divine. I really want to get my hands on a blue corn.
Was this the one labeled “limited release” on it? I went and got a second bottle of it because of how much I enjoyed it and wasn’t sure if I’d ever see it again. Haven’t seen it reviewed on here yet.
I don’t think so, I’d have to check. Just picked it up bc my home store started carrying it. Gonna pick a bunch up for Christmas gifts before they’re gone if they are in fact “limited”.
This was the bottle I grabbed a backup of. https://preview.redd.it/80fss4eate3d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60b70f4e86c96ceed43a213a98e6b4fdd0166cd6
Typically the ones that say limited release are private barrel picks
Travesty not to see Chattanooga Whiskey (TN) mentioned more here.
Came here to mention it. Cheers!
High West Bourbon
Starlight (IN) is getting better and better as their stocks age imo
Came here to say Starlight. I've got a local ish store that has done lots of picks and oh boy they make it hard to not walk out with a new one. Gotten a double oaked bourbon, rye double oaked, rye, bourbon. They've quickly become a favorite of mine.
I need to give them another try! Went on a tour and tasting with them a couple years ago and everything tasted young. But recently I have heard great things!
I stopped there in April and picked up a Rickhouse Select SiB and it’s fantastic. I’ll be stopping there again in July on the way to Louisville to see what they have.
If you have time, do their “straight from the barrel tour.” One of the best tour experiences I’ve ever had, very intimate and they pulled 6 bourbons for us to try out of the theif. Five of them were finished, one straight, all incredible.
Their standard bourbon and rye are solid for a small distiller, but their finished whiskeys really set them apart. I picked up a triple sec finished rye that made a stellar old fashioned. It usually takes me months or years to kill bottles because I've got a wide variety of open bottles to choose from, but I emptied that bottle in maybe 2 weeks. I know they're in Kentucky for the purposes of this question, but New Riff is doing some cool stuff with different heirloom grains in their bourbons and rates that sets them apart from other craft distilleries as well.
Yep I’ve got a port finish bourbon and two finished ryes from Starlight. They are great at managing the finish and keeping the backbone bourbon/rye as the star and using the finish to complement it beautifully.
I have an r/bourbon pick from one of TK8E’s most recent selections. It is really, really good for the price. I missed out on the apricot brandy barrel finished release a few weeks ago. I’ll bet it was a good one.
Might have to try them again. I tried their rye and a couple finished bourbons from them about a year ago, and while I really enjoyed a lot of things about them, there was an underlying astringency that kept me from falling in love with the other fascinating things going on in the glass. I could definitely see some age taking that nail polish note out a bit, and without that note their bottles would be seriously up there for me.
Driftless Glen in Baraboo, WI.
Woodinville Whiskey out of Washington
UT - High West
Their Rye varieties are fantastic also.
I just had their rendezvous rye and it’s my favorite rye I’ve had. Be that I’m no expert.
Woodinville. And they make an epic maple syrup.
100% this. They make great Bourbon and great Rye (and syrup)
Kings County barrel strength (NY) Boulder Spirits cask strength (CO)
Driftless Glen is good stuff out of Wisconsin. They just released a single malt I’d love to try
Driftless Glenn from WI. I enjoy all their offerings, especially their port barrel finish bourbon
Being from NC, I’ll second Southern Distilling - their bourbons and ryes are really, really good. Their cask strength single barrels are fantastic. The new Hunting Creek rye is also excellent. Far, far better than any other NC producer I’ve had.
I’ve got a couple bottles of a Broad Branch hazmat “Big Winston” from NC. Really enjoy it.
Agreed. So nice to have something decent in-state
I've become a big fan of Southern Grace Distilleries, who produce Conviction. If you haven't tried it, I recommend doing so. John Conoley also makes some very good whiskey, although it varies some label to label. Their limites reserve Rye is one of the best I've had.
Indiana has Starlight and Wisconsin has Dancing Goat. I really enjoy a variety of their offerings.
I'd say there's some pretty good ones nowadays. Tennessee has Jack Daniels, Blue Note, and Huling Station is starting to put out their own stuff, Utah has High West, California has Frey Ranch and Redwood Empire, Missouri has Ben Holladay, Alabama has Dettling and John Emerald (bourbon is bad, but single malt is great), Indiana has MGP and Starlight, New York has King's County, Oregon has Westward (single malt), Colorado has Laws, Virginia has Bowman, Louisiana has Meleck (rice whiskey) and Seven Three is getting better, Illinois has FEW, Maryland has Sagamore (rye), Wisconsin has Dancing Goat, Mississippi has Crittendon, and Georgia has ASW. Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. There are others I haven't tried but heard good things like Driftless Glen and Woodinville
High West - Utah
Depends on what you get from them. A lot of their stuff is just blends of whiskies from other companies.
And the stuff that is uniquely theirs isn't as good.
Bowman out of Virginia!
But don’t they get their stuff from Buffalo Trace?
They do, but re-distill it and age it themselves in VA.
Another vote for Driftlesa Glen. I've gotten 5 bottles and all 5 were well received by my whisky club.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Cask Strength. Any Redwood Empire really.
This really has become my go to brand this year. Lost monarch I may not do again but pipe dream and grizzly bear so damn good. Pipe cask also!
Anything by Barrell Spirits
This.
Did we just become best friends?
Ohio native, so I may be biased, but I was blown away by Watershed's most recent batch of Uncut/Unfiltered
Ben Holladay. I’m from MO so I’ve know about them for years really glad to see they’re gaining popularity
Blended in California with MGP, Redwood Empire is solid.
Grizzly Beast, Rocket Top, and a few other limited releases are home grown in CA and are worth seeking out.
Frey Ranch (Nevada) and Redwood Empire (California) two of my favorites
Just picked up Garrison Brothers Single Barrel (Cask Strength) Goody Goody SP. Holy crap, it’s delicious. Also love Frey Ranch “Farm Strength”.
Woodinville and Uncle Nearest Bourbon. Both surprised me, especially since I'm not a fan of a strong rye.
Redwood Empire and Still Austin.
A. Smith Bowman in Virginia. Especially their single barrel (John J. Bowman) and their Cask Strength.
Very KY adjacent but there's a good smooth bourbons coming from Southern Indiana. Not bourbon but a lot of interesting a different stuff is coming out of TX too. Colorado has been putting out great stuff. Not a huge fan of Stranahans but many love it. Breckenridge and Old Elk are putting out great stuff. However, Laws is my favorite. A bit on the expensive side but very much worth it. And I have a few other super limited distillers I've enjoyed in Colorado that don't distribute outside CO.
Old Elk is mgp only. Their distillery in Fort Collins is all but mothballed.
I… hadn’t heard that. They hired Greg Metze and at least have barrels agin of their own distillate. In fact, I have barrel #000001 sitting in my shelf. The numbering is from their own distillations….
Plenty. Woodinville was good when I had it, they have many more offerings now, from Washington. Frey Ranch from Nevada. Redwood Empire from California. One from New York that I will not name. Lol
Personally, I think Middle West Spirits out of Columbus, OH is putting out some good stuff. Smugglers Notch out of Vermont is good too. I'd have to look again to see if they are blended and actually sourced from KY.
Blaum Brothers- Galena Illinois
Spirits of French Lick from Indiana. “Grain forward” but that’s what I like. I bought a bottle of their four grain made with kasha because it was on clearance and it might be my favorite from them. They have a good wheated bourbon as well.
John J. Bowman
Southern Distilling in NC
laws out of colorado
I didn’t see this and commented similar
Especially their bonded stuff. Something wonderful happens at 7 and 8 years!
I don’t think anyone has mentioned Iowa yet, but Cedar Ridge has turned out some good whiskeys.
Black Button out of New York!
Crittenden and Old Soul out of Mississippi St Augustine and Manifest out of Florida Old Fourth distillery (BiB) and ASW from Georgia Dettling and John Emerald from Alabama Last Shot from NY Distillerie Acadian from Louisiana (Cajun Cut) Frey Ranch (Farm Strength) from Nevada If you want blends or Rye there's more options. Dettling and Frey Ranch control the entire process and grow most or all their own grains
Kings County Distillery in NYC.
[Still 630](https://www.still630.com/) (St. Louis, MO) SMALL little outfit but starting to make a strong foothold, their core offerings are available throughout the greater St. Louis area and they're expanding regionally into Kansas City this year. Their [Missouri Straight Bourbon Whiskey](https://www.still630.com/collections/whiskey/products/missouri-straight-bourbon-whiskey-single-barrel) is top notch.
Frey Ranch and Garrison Bros would be my two picks outside the obvious Jack Daniels.
Cedar Ridge has some decent stuff.
Went to South Carolina and got to visit High Wire Distillery last year. Every time we go to a state I try and find a local distillery and even better, one that uses local/unusual grains. High Wire had a Jimmy Red Corn product and an Aburuzzi rye. The rye was pretty forgettable but the Jimmy Red was unique and great.
Go to Firefly next time.
Boulder Spirits Company makes a pretty good Barrel Proof bourbon. I have a SiB store pick of it at 70% ABV and it is fantastic for the $70 price tag.
Redwood empire
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Sweet Mash bourbons and ryes out of Brown Co. Indiana
Whiskey Acres, DeKalb IL
Redwood Empire out of California, Smoke Wagon out of NV.
Missouri - Nobleton’s Illinois - Old Monroe Wisconsin - Wollersheim, Dancing Goat, Driftless Glen Colorado - Deerhammer, Stranahan New York - Black Button Iowa - Cedar Ridge Many of these smaller distilleries putting out great product!
Surprised to see a Nobletons mention but second the recommendation. Their regular store offering is an easy drinker for neat pours or cocktails but their single barrels are amazing. If you can make it to Union MO they have a great tasting room and if you like any barrel samples you can get a bottle drawn straight from that barrel. Second MO company is Barrel King. They take MGP juice to a new level creating amazing blends and different finishes. They have a pickup or mail order membership program. Service is second to none and the juice is to die for. I’ve pretty much given up the hunt because their product is all I want to drink. They just sent 6 offerings to the ascots and took home 5 double platinums and a platinum.
Laws
Sagamore from Maryland!
Just an FYI, most, if not all distilleries strip their water using reverse osmosis before using it. They then add the minerals to their specs. This helps in maintaining a consistent product. Breweries do the exact same thing. I’m glad you got a lot of great suggestions. There is some excellent non-KY juice out there!
JDSBBP, Garrison Brothers
Old soul from Mississippi Still Austin from TX Smoke Wagon from Nevada
Smoke Wagon is an NDP (MGP) out of Vegas. The real Nevada distilleries are Frey Ranch in Fallon, and Minden Mill (formerly Bentley Heritage) in Minden. Both are farm to glass operations.
MGP?
Heard good things about Still Austin out of TX, next on my list to try
FEW out of Illinois is pretty good.
I really enjoy Penelope specifcally their Copper Series. The Tokaji, Rio and Valencia are all great. They using MGP juice and barrel and age in NJ.
No longer NJ barreled or fully-aged in NJ after they were bought by MGP.
I like high west but Im biased and love Park City
You tried laws cask and it fell short?
Still Austin, 13th Colony, MGP, Jack Daniels (yes it's bourbon lol)
Traverse City Barrel Proof (MI) New Holland Dragons Milk (MI)
Last I checked TC Whiskey is just MGP though. Nothing wrong with that, but it ain’t exactly “theirs” And I assume you mean the dragons milk origin. That’s been really good! Out of Michigan, I’d say Journeyman and Iron Fish are always pumping out really nice stuff.
Kings County Distillery out of Brooklyn, NY makes excellent whisky, their barrel strength bourbon might be my favorite bourbon.
Balcones out of Waco
Still Austin is one of my favorites
Definitely Still Austin in TX. Also enjoying Breckenridge Port Finish out of CO.
George Dickel makes an 8 year bourbon that I can drink everyday.
I really like Bear Wallow made in Gnawbone IN. I'll go out of my way for that one. The straight cask one is my favorite, but I'll buy any version. Lee Sinclair from French Lick IN, it seems like it needs to stay in the barrel a bit longer, but the basics are good. It just seems "green". I've been told they have a line coming out that will correct that. Southern Indiana has the same type limestone springs as the bourbon area of Kentucky... probably explains why they aren't far apart milage wise.
High West
Ben Holliday from Missouri Still Austin from Texas Blue Note from Tennessee
I got a store pick of Blue Note and it is easily one of my least favorite bottles ever. Tried and tried to like it and ended up making a giant batch of Old Fahioneds that were also not great. May just have been a bad pick by my store 😂
Dettling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shhhhhhhh I don’t want this word spreading
Dude it’s so good. I cannot get enough of the cask strength
I know! The one I have right now is all coffee and butter chocolate.
I get that and some cinnamon. Seth is a master
Gotta share some with my club, see if there’s enough interest to do our own pick. I’d love to go there, do a pick and tie in a gulf fishing trip
Maine - Split Rock
Molly Brown - Colorado
Feeling like the marker is over saturated with far too to try these days….just can’t keep up! 🤣 I saw this mentioned, but wanted to add it here too…Chattanooga Whiskey 111 (TN) is an everyday drinker. IroonRoot Harbinger (Texas) my current fav these days…just need another bottle! Thirteenth Colony (GA) has some great options…Cask Strength Rye and Cask Strength Bourbon Highwire (SC) Jimmy Red is different…in a good way Holloday BiB…(MO) already mentioned Lazy K Bar (MT)…haven’t made the time to figure out the full story…I guess in saying that this is actually from KY…bottled in MT…but a banger!
Clyde Mays is underrated, it’s hard to compete with Kentucky, that Limestone water is the Ace. i’d pick the Eagle Rare or Woodford any day of the week than the Hudson Valley or Breckenridge one. That is all
Redemption brewery is my go to
Still Austin is my favorite but I really try to steer clear of a non-Kentucky bourbon.
I enjoy Remus
MGP label, but RRR is always on my shelf.
Frey ranch (NV) Still Austin (TX) Redwood empire (CA) Found north (Canada; I know it’s not bourbon but it’s too fucking good not to list) JD (TN) honorable mention: J Henry & sons (WI)
Black dirt distillery single barrel out of Orange County NY
13th Colony (GA) in particular Double Oaked and 15th Anniversary
DETTLING from Alabama I have been enjoying this for a few months now.
High West is my fav. Michter’s, but theyre semi-ndp. Penelope is MGP. Ben Holladay is pretty great. Wyoming has some good bottles, too.
Some old MGP is fantastic.
I’m going to second Chattanooga Whiskey. Great sip at a great value
Hard to find in a lot of places but smoke wagon out of Nevada is pretty good and the bottle looks very unique and old school western on the bar cart
Mayor Pingree from Valentine Distilling in Michigan
Wyoming Whiskey || Distillery Reserve || 115 proof
Clyde May's from Alabama.
Widow Jane (NY) has a great line 10 Yr., Decadence, Lucky Thirteen & the Vaults (all fantastic) and Barrel King (MO) has a monthly membership and has something amazing most months.
Indian creek distillery in Ohio
Broken Top 113 Proof is great. Distilled in Indiana and bottled in Oregon with local mountain water. Super unique finish.
Ironroot Republic Harbinger 115 proof out of Denison is always a damn good pour.
Bogue Sound - NC Oceanside and St. Augustine - FL Chattanooga Whiskey - TN
As a Wisconsinite, it's nice to see Driftless Glen get some love. They do make some really good whiskeys! I'm a little surprised nobody mentioned another Wisconsin brand - J Henry. While technically an NDP (their juice is distilled at 45th Parallel, another fine Wisconsin company), they do grow all of their own grains and age on-site.
Surprised new riff (ky, but small and upcoming) has not been mentioned. Single barrel bourbon and rye, are great for $50. Just released a 8yo bourbon, that is worth the hunt. Rumored a 10yo soon!
Probably because they are in Newport, KY. Granted they are on the Ohio River RIGHT across from Cincy.
Garrison Brother in Texas Old Elk in Colorado Breckenridge in Colorado
Man- PA has some catching up to do, not a single mention.
PA seems to be leaning more heavily in to Rye. Regionality rules.
Jack daniels
The obvious answer is Remus Repeal out of Indiana. Even though their pricing got a bit out of control, they are phenomenal. Starlight out of Indiana does some pretty wild finishing, but I'll always hold a grudge against them for starting the Amburana bit. Few does some interesting stuff with finishing and blending. They're pretty fun at $ 40-$60, even if they're not going to blow your socks off. Woodinville out of Washington has super interesting stuff, I will never not buy a cask strength store pick. Dragons Milk out of Michigan is fantastic. Jack Daniels SiBBP Jack 10 Jack 12... phenomenal stuff out of Tennessee. Dickel 8yr Bourbon out of Tennessee is Dickel without the Dickel... absolutely worth $35 I would love to try the new Redwood Empire distillate out of California. There's so many more lol
Short Barrel in GA. They blend and age, and their stuff is really solid. They also bought Old Fourth in Atlanta and are sending out decent, friendly priced products under that label.
Frey Ranch and Sagamore (especially their double oak). I know bourbon enthusiasts that swear Sagamore is some of the best ryes on the market.
Ben Holladay red wheated BiB.
Sagamore double oaked rye is one of my faves. I enjoy MGP though in general.
Smoke wagon 100 and barrel proof , high west, widow Jane 10-13, Penelope Architect , JD SiB, 13th Colony DO
Penelope is amazing
I really enjoy TX out of Ft. worth
Anything that Iron Fish (Thompsonville, MI) puts out is fantastic. Journeyman (Three Oaks, MI) and New Holland/Dragons Milk (Holland, MI) are doing great things as well.
Bowman, MGP, Jack Daniels