The Top 20 Whiskeys of 2025
Well folks, it’s the moment that most of you seem to have been waiting for. Whiskey reviews were again the most popular segment of coverage here on Drinkhacker in 2025, and who are we to keep you hanging? What did we like best — the very best — of the hundreds of whiskeys we tasted over the course of the year? We’re about to tell you.
As always, this list wasn’t easy to produce, as dozens of candidates were up for discussion, all worthy of praise and sipping by the discriminating drinker. As we did in 2024, we’ve expanded our coverage from the usual top 10 to a top 20. We’ve also made a concerted effort to feature as many reasonably priced products as possible. Yes, a couple of unicorns made the cut this year — they were too good not to include — but by and large we think you’ll find the selections here reasonably priced and generally available on the market.
The fun starts now and we’ll reveal a few bottles each day until we hit our finally on Friday, December 19, revealing the number 1 whiskey of the year! Check back daily for updates, and happy holidays!
Want more selections? Check out the new edition of our annual holiday shopping guide. And feel free to peruse our previous top 10 whiskey lists: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Remember if we don’t have a direct purchase link, you can search multiple stores at wine-searcher to find the best prices on all these products and more.
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Stay tuned for Numbers 1 through 7…
8. Penelope Bourbon Omega
Penelope Bourbon’s Omega release stands as a high point for the brand and an interesting statement of direction. Debuting in 2025 (Batch #25-1801), it features a Kentucky-distilled mashbill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley, aged at least a decade in American oak before receiving a year-long finish in tight-grain French oak casks from Tonnellerie Radoux, selected via the OakScan process for consistency of character. The aroma offers toasted marshmallow, aged leather, dried cherry, and nutmeg while the palate shifts into chai spice, black-tea tannin, and toasted marshmallow marked by a firmer char, followed by dark brown sugar. Rather than simply adding another French oak whiskey to the market, Omega shows how well the approach can work when every stage — from stave selection to final blend — is purposefully executed. It’s an assured, top-tier release that earns its place among the year’s finest whiskeys. 109.8 proof. $292 -JK [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
9. Still Austin Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon 6 Years Old
We’ve been fans of Still Austin since the beginning, with its Red Corn edition earning a special place in our hearts. The 5 year old version of this whiskey just missed out on making the top 20 list last year, perhaps overshadowed by High Wire’s Jimmy Red Bourbon, which was a real delight. Now at a year older, Still’s red corn-driven release may be even better, a flavor-filled and wholly cohesive exploration of nut butter, banana bread, spice box, and some tart citrus bringing up the rear. When this inevitably hits 7 years old next year, we might have a stroke. 100 proof. $80 -CN [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
10. Compass Box Flaming Heart 25th Anniversary Edition 2025
To celebrate a quarter century of whiskymaking, boutique blender Compass Box gave its fans a very special edition of its much-loved Flaming Heart blended malt. Head whisky wizard James Saxon went heavy on the peat for this commemorative release, blending mostly Talisker with a few special Islay malts and a unique Benrinnes aged in heavily toasted French oak. The result is one the brand’s best offerings in recent memory, showcasing a unique melding of seaside bonfire, toasted marshmallow, and earthy funk on the nose and an elegant palate of pie spice, barbecue, and cigar ash that lingers on a long finish of coastal smoke, lemon oil, and chocolate. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait 25 more years for another one like this. 97.8 proof. $161 -DB
Rounding out the top 20…
[11-20 reveal to come on December 19]
Additional reporting by Drew Beard, Jacob Kiper, and Rob Theakston.
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