8 Delicious Flavored Whiskeys to Try Right Now

Bird Dog Maple ($26)

The growing cadre of maple-flavored whiskeys includes this one from Bird Dog, which has a whole litter of flavored Kentucky bourbons, from cinnamon to strawberry. This one is made with real maple syrup for a sweet, buttery flavor profile. The brand suggests swapping it for gin in a Negroni to produce a richly flavored Boulevardier.

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Dewar’s Highlander Honey ($20)

Flavored whiskeys may be all the rage in America, but for hundreds of years the Scottish have been combining their whisky with local honey, herbs and spices for Drambuie. That storied infusing is now joined by Dewar’s Highlander Honey, made with locally sourced nectar. The sweet spirit has a hint of peach and is best enjoyed over ice or with a splash of cola.

Kings County Distillery Chocolate ($27)

Brooklyn’s Kings County Distillery produces this chocolate whiskey by infusing its spicy moonshine with cocoa husks from Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory in the same New York City borough. The result is rich and dark chocolaty, but not too sweet. Pro tip: It makes quite a decadent Manhattan.

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Knob Creek Smoked Maple ($46)

Owned by Jim Beam, maker of the wildly popular Red Stag line, Knob Creek offers this 90-proof smoked-maple bourbon. According to the brand, it was inspired by founder Booker Noe, who loved maple syrup and was known to tote around one of his smoked hams wherever he went. Maple and smoke notes dominate here, but it’s also got a good deal of spice going on.

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Pow-Wow Botanical Rye ($41)

Washington, D.C.-based importer Georgetown Trading Co. released one of the most unusual rye whiskeys we’ve ever tasted. Infused with a range of botanicals, like saffron and orange peel, it’s named for a tradition of folk magic that dates back to early Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. Enjoy it neat or in a simple cocktail, like an Old Fashioned.

Red Stag Hardcore Cider ($19)

Jim Beam helped jumpstart the flavored whiskey trend when it introduced black cherry Red Stag back in 2009. Peach, vanilla and Fire flavors followed. This addition to the line, inspired by hard cider, has “crisp fruit and subtle spice” notes. and is a fine way to bring bourbon and apples together.

Sons of Liberty Hop ($40)

This unique spirit from Sons of Liberty, Rhode Island’s only whiskey distillery, began life as an IPA brewed with Connecticut’s Cottrell Brewing Company and was then distilled and aged in American oak barrels. After that, it was dry-hopped with Citra and Sorachi Ace hops to boost the floral notes. An impressive journey to bottle.