Topping the List: 10 Best Bourbon Picks of 2025 for Your Consideration
- Pegasus
- Dec 23, 2025
- 7 min read
As of October 2025, there are around 855 whiskey & bourbon distilleries operating in the U.S., a significant increase from previous years. And as you know, distilleries offer several different kinds of bourbon, special releases, etc.
But who has the time to research all the thousands of bottles out there? We did.
As the year comes to an end, Pegasus Tours has researched the 12 most popular bourbons of 2025 that enthusiasts and distributors (and we!) are talking about. Whether you’re seeking a smooth sipping bourbon, a bottle that's perfect for mixing cocktails, or something strong and daring, this list offers choices for all palates. Each selection includes important information such as tasting notes and reasons why it deserves your attention. They are listed in no particular order. Why? Because bourbon drinkers know it’s not the cost or how pretty the bottle, but what you prefer to put in your glass.
Let’s look at the bottles you should be grabbing in 2026. Some of these are old favorites, others are special editions, and one unique tribute bottle...let's go!
Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E
Overview:
The 2025 Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse from Camp Nelson E is a rare bourbon, bottled from a small batch of barrels all selected from the fifth floor of the nearly-60-year-old rickhouse. Bottled at a barrel proof of 128, and non-chill filtered, it is the highest proof offering ever released by Russell’s Reserve, meant to sip and savor.
Since the introduction of the Russell’s Reserve single-barrel program, enthusiasts have obsessed over each bottling’s provenance and which of the distillery’s three warehouse campuses oversaw its maturation.
Camp Nelson has established itself as a respected choice among enthusiasts in recent years, with its Single Rickhouse series showcasing the distinct impact of the campus’s aging environment on whiskey. This series offers valuable insight for those interested in understanding how varying microclimates influence whiskey maturation processes. Notably, the quality of all bottlings to date has ranged from very good to excellent, with Camp Nelson E emerging as a particular standout within the collection.
Notes:
It has all the warm, baking spice and cola-like notes that the campus is known for, with a rich mouthfeel and an aroma of rich cherry and vanilla.
Learn more here.
Blanton's The Original Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Overview
Today, Blanton’s operates as a division of the Sazerac Company, which ranks among the world’s largest privately held liquor companies. Although it is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery, Blanton’s remains a distinct and independent brand with an exclusive commitment to quality.
Blanton’s lives up to its name as The Original Single Barrel, a tradition that began in 1984 and has remained unchanged. Crafted just as Colonel Albert B. Blanton prepared his private reserve nearly a century ago, some barrels come from the central section of Warehouse H, which Blanton considered ideal for aging Bourbon.
This has been a long-standing favorite of the bourbon world and is one of the go-to bottles for any bourbon home inventory.
Notes
A soft but rich flavor of burnt sugar and cloves in harmony with strong caramel and corn sensations. A creamy vanilla nose features hints of orange peel, nutmeg, caramel, and light spices. A strong and lasting finish that brings back nutmeg and corn above everything else.
Learn more here.
Willett Pot Still Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Overview:
This bourbon, aged 8–10 years and bottled at 47% ABV, features notes of vanilla, sweet corn, cinnamon, and ginger. It pairs a striking decanter design with quality and value for bourbon enthusiasts.
However, in the bourbon world, there is a divide on this bottle with some loving and others hating its unique notes. Some people dislike the "wet wood" or hot finish. Try it....at around $60 bottle you can’t go wrong.
Notes:
Mahogany color. A bit Cognac-y. Soft, with notes of jasmine, vanilla, sweet corn, cinnamon and ginger. Woody and medium body. Hints of nuts, oak, black tea, butterscotch, lemon, dried corn, and hints of rye. You’ll find notes of banana when you add water. Finish is medium-long, spicy, herbal with notes of rye.
Learn more here.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Overview:
Colonel E.H. Taylor’s Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is produced with meticulous craftsmanship. Each bottle is carefully handcrafted and blended at the Buffalo Trace Distilling facility.
The barrels are thoughtfully selected and combined to create a balanced and refined flavor profile. This small batch bourbon exemplifies premium quality and is well-suited for occasions when a distinguished beverage is desired.
Notes:
Copper in appearance. Caramel apples, warming spices, licorice notes. Flavors of candy-corn sweetness, butterscotch, and of spicy cinnamon.
Learn more here.
Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon Whiskey
Overview:
Kentucky Owl Confiscated is a premium straight bourbon whiskey released in 2019, inspired by barrels seized during Prohibition. It's a sourced, NAS blend aged and crafted in small batches, featuring a deep amber color and notes of caramel and vanilla. Priced around $108, it appeals to bourbon enthusiasts looking for a complex, historic dram.
Notes:
Deep amber. Savory with sweet caramel and vanilla richness. Rich with flavors of oak, warm spices, and hints of dried fruits. Velvety and satisfying finish.
Learn more here.
Booker’s The Reserves 2025
Overview:
Booker’s ‘The Reserves’ 2025 is an innovative take on Kentucky bourbon, featuring a finish in barrels that previously housed tequila. This unique approach marries the classic richness of bourbon with the warm, complex notes imparted by agave barrels, resulting in a spirit that appeals to those eager for bold flavors and intriguing nuances in a handcrafted small-batch whiskey.
This release stands out within Booker’s lineup, as the tequila barrel influence is evident on the nose, where hints of cooked agave blend with familiar caramel, spice, and barrel char aromas. On the palate, you’ll notice a pronounced minerality and a bright citrus quality likely derived from the tequila casks. Among the whiskeys I sampled this year, it was one of the most surprising and captivating, though fans of traditional flavor profiles may find it unconventional. Priced at around $290, it’s a costly bottle, but perfect for anyone looking to explore new taste experiences.
Notes:
Appearance is deep amber. Complex taste of rich vanilla with hints of charred oak. Aroma of notes of dried fruit and nuanced brown sugar sweetness. Finish is full bodied with long and lingering notes of baking.
Learn more here.
Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond
Overview:
Heaven Hill’s single-barrel Bottled-in-Bond bourbon is regularly awarded gold medals at international spirit competitions. Notably, it earned the Best in Show Bourbon title at SFWSC and continues to be recognized as one of the top values among BiB aged bourbons. Its mash bill features 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley.
This robust, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon is named after Henry McKenna, an Irish immigrant who tailored his family's whiskey recipe to suit Kentucky grains. Today, Henry McKenna remains one of the longest-aged Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys, spending forty Kentucky seasons aging in the barrel. Critics widely regard it as a perfectly balanced bourbon.
Notes:
Appearance is warm golden amber. Aromas of vanilla, caramel, oak, and a light herbaceous note. Tastes of smooth oak, sharp spices, honey, and sweetness. Finish is long, sweet, and spicy.
Learn more here.
Wyoming Whiskey National Parks No.3 Bourbon Whiskey
Overview:
This bourbon offers a unique homage to Grand Teton National Park, with a taste as robust and sophisticated as the landscape it celebrates. Its flavor features hints of hazelnut creamer, orange blossom, and brown butter, ending with notes of black tea, candied pecans, and molasses. At $78.99, it’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate layered, well-crafted spirits that capture a narrative in every sip. And the bottle, label, and presentation box are a great addition to your bourbon collection!
Notes:
Aromas of orange, honey, brown sugar, white icing, toffee pudding, butter, tea leaves. Tastes of hazelnut creamer, orange blossom, flan, brown butter, monkey bread. Finish of black tea with cream and candied pecan and molasses.
Learn more here.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Overview:
W.L. Weller Special Reserve, also referred to as the Green Label, is a Kentucky Bourbon noted for its sweet profile and approachable character. This bourbon delivers rich, full-bodied flavors, complemented by a lingering finish with subtle floral notes. Its balanced composition makes it suitable for enjoying neat or sharing in social settings.
W.L. Weller Special Reserve is regarded as a top choice for bourbon enthusiasts seeking quality at an accessible price point.
Notes:
A sweet nose with a presence of caramel. Tasting notes of honey, butterscotch and a soft woodiness. It’s smooth, delicate and calm. Features a smooth finish with a sweet honeysuckle flair.
Learn more here.
Michter's 20-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Overview:
Called finest by Spirit Journal, Michter's 20-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a coveted, limited-edition whiskey that has been aged for more than twenty years in new American oak barrels. It is renowned for its rich flavors of black cherry, molasses, oak, and spice, complemented by a smooth finish. Released once a year, this rare and premium bourbon is priced at approximately $1,200 MSRP, though it often sells for more. The Master Distiller selects exceptional barrels through the "Fork in the Road Point" process. With less than 1,000 bottles released...it's become a holy grail bourbon.
Notes:
Intense notes of black cherry, molasses, toffee, burnt orange, roasted pecans, dark chocolate, tobacco, and refined oak. The finish is velvety, rich, with lingering spice, caramel, and sweetness.
Learn more here.
Conclusion
There it is. Prize winners, old favorites, collectibles and more. Here's to an amazing 2026 full of bourbon and blessings!
Sources:
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