In case you’re living in an igloo with no connection to the outside world whatsoever, you know one thing: It’s buying season! With big holiday celebrations coming at us in quick succession - Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and sales upon sales - it’s the time of year where we push the limits on our credit cards and delivery boxes pile up on our doorsteps. But, the point of all of this is not to buy for the sake of buying. Every one of us on this hamster wheel is after the same thing. We want to give thoughtful gifts, share good food and drinks, and enjoy the company of friends and family.

If you’re a bourbon person, then you already know bourbon (and everything bourbon-adjacent) will play a key role in your holiday shenanigans. Whether it’s finding the perfect gift for someone, impressing your friends with a rare find, or just simply bringing a memorable whiskey to a party, the hunt is on for those special bottles that will each serve a specific purpose.

Here at Breaking Bourbon, we taste through thousands of bourbons to weed out the bad ones and spotlight the good ones. Our readers use our reviews throughout each year to help determine which bottles to buy and which bottles to pass on. To that end, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of bottles to hunt this season that are specific for the gifts and celebrations that you’ve got to get ready for.

As always, we encourage you to support your local retailers and purchase from them whenever possible. In cases where bottles are available from our retailer partners or directly from the brand, or if you just want the bottles delivered to your door during the busy holiday season, we have included links to those product pages below.

Hidden Gems You Can Actually Find

McLaughlin Distillery

Let’s kick this list off with a banger! McLaughlin Distillery is located in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, which is about 12 miles from Pittsburgh. The distillery was founded by Kim McLaughlin in February 2016. Before opening the distillery, McLaughlin spent 4 years in the Marine Corp and 23 years as a dairy farmer in upstate New York.‍ The distillery is very small, with 5 full time and 10 part time employees currently, which McLaughlin described to us as truly part of the distillery with “someone here almost all the time” and the people are what made the distillery “take on a life of its own.” We visited the distillery back in October to see their operation and pick a few single barrels for our club, which you can check out here.  

‍

SPOTLIGHT: ‍For Cask Strength Baby Barrel Bourbon, 2.5-gallon barrels are used. Not all 2.5-gallon barrels end up as single barrels, however a new one is typically identified and harvested when the bottles from the previous one are about to run out, so the product is produced on an ongoing basis. According to McLaughlin, they are typically identified first by weight, then by taste, as the lighter barrels with more evaporation loss are generally good candidates as they tend to have a more intense flavor profile. Each 2.5-gallon barrel is initially filled with approximately 13 bottles worth of distillate, but due to evaporation loss during aging the yield tends to run about 8-9 bottles after approximately 5 years.

‍

Cask Strength Baby Barrel Bourbon

“McLaughlin Distillery Baby Barrel Bourbon is made from a 100% corn mashbill and aged in 2.5-gallon barrels for over 5 years, ultimately offering an unforgettable tasting experience from a small Pennsylvania distillery you’ve probably never heard of.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 125 +/- (Barrel proof, varies by barrel)

Price (SRP): $200 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: BRAND WEBSITE

Penelope

‍Penelope Bourbon has grown from a two-person startup founded by two Jersey boys to a global force and now the Luxco / MGP’s flagship brand. Company founders Mike Paldini and Danny Polise aren’t shy about experimenting with different blends and finishes, which has resulted in some unusual finishes that have worked along with some fantastic combinations. While their popularity as a brand has surged, some of these finished whiskeys require a very hands-on approach to curate and remain relatively low production compared to their staples.

SPOTLIGHT: Marrying a four grain blend with an unusual wine cask finish was no easy task, as Paladini and Polise discovered when they embarked on this journey back in 2020. The reason many will probably cite is rosé wine can often be quite dry and seen as a light sipper. That is why bolder wines such as cabernet, ports, sherry, and madeira reign supreme in cask finished whiskey, and lighter wines like pinot noirs, chardonnay, and merlot are less common. A wine finish is supposed to supplement the taste of the base whiskey, but if the finish is too weak to enhance the more robust whiskey, what's the point? Now many batches in, Penelope has answered that question with a light, easy drinking pour that highlights red fruits.

‍

Penelope Rosé Cask Finish

“It's surprising no one has copied Penelope’s Rosé Cask Finish bourbon as it remains a quintessential summertime bourbon pour that also works as a light, easy-sipper highlighting flavors of strawberry cream, sugar plums, and black cherry.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 94

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $58 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Penelope Cooper Series Rio

“Penelope Rio combines two popular finishing styles together which results in an unexpectedly wonderful flavor combination.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 98

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $219 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Penelope Cooper Series Havana

“A rich, sweet double barrel finished bourbon that tastes exactly how you would envision a bourbon finished in maple syrup and rum barrels should taste.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 93

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $244 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Seelbach’s

Established in 2018, Seelbach’s is an online spirits retailer that does things a bit differently and is also our retailer partner for our Single Barrel Club. Forgoing the typical brick and mortar store that focuses on sheer volume and foot traffic, Seelbach’s instead curates what they sell, tasting through bottles and bringing in those that pass their muster. As the years rolled on, the company unveiled their own in-house brand, experimenting with different ages, finishes, distillery sources, and blends.

‍

SPOTLIGHT: One of the biggest issues with trying a new whiskey is the price of admission. With many bottles priced between $50-$100 or more, a not-so-great purchase means you’re out the cash, plus you’ve got to figure out what to do with the bottle. Taking a page from the popular whiskey advent calendar trend, Seelbach’s curated a unique set of samples that span a wide range of whiskey styles. Proof varies from low to barrel proof, style varies from bourbon to rye and includes some finishes, and producers vary, covering 21 different brands and spanning distillate from 9 different states. The end result is a collection of samples that are enough to treat you to a heavy pour or even split out for a tasting (we tested this and found each sample can reasonably serve up to three people). It’s a unique and fun offering for the holiday season, and one I hope to see expanded into tasting kits throughout the rest of the year.

‍

Seelbach’s Advent Calendar

“A curation of 24 unique craft whiskeys spanning 21 different brands and 9 states, this assortment of 50mL samples is your ticket to tasting a wide range of bourbons, ryes, and finished whiskeys through the holiday season or as a ready-to-pour tasting kit fit for a holiday celebration.” >> REVIEW

Proof: Varies by sample

Price (SRP): $280 / 1,200mL Advent Calendar

WHERE TO BUY: SEELBACH’S

‍

Seelbach’s Private Reserve Wheated Bourbon

A well-executed, affordable wheated bourbon from the person who coined the term “Poor Man’s Pappy.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 107

Price (SRP): $50 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: SEELBACH’S

‍

Frey Ranch Single Barrel “Club Barremel” Selected by Breaking Bourbon

“Driven by estate-grown grains, this deeply flavorful high proof bourbon highlights caramel and other barrel-driven flavors making it a true standout barrel from Frey Ranch Distillery.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 131.38 (Barrel proof)

Price (SRP): $90 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: SEELBACH’S

‍

Buzzworthy Big Name Brands

Blanton’s

We probably don’t need to pump this brand any more than it already is, but we can’t deny the fact that Blanton’s Bourbon is a solid choice with a storied past and is one we consistently rate highly. Better yet, you can run a vertical on variations of this bottle as it’s released at various proof points and countless special edition bottlings.

Blanton’s Bourbon has a storied history that ties together many namesakes of the Buffalo Trace distillery. Originally, Colonel Albert B. Blanton was the president of the George T. Stagg Bourbon Distillery, which is now known as the Buffalo Trace Distillery until 1952. During that period, Elmer T. Lee worked under Blanton. As Lee was nearing retirement, he decided to bring forth one last product. A year before retiring, Lee brought to market the first commercial single barrel bourbon and named it Blanton’s after the late Colonel. Taken from the middle sections Buffalo Trace’s Warehouse H, Blanton’s Original Single Barrel was once designated for ambassadors, dignitaries, and Colonel Blanton’s family and friends. However, in 1984, Blanton’s Bourbon was the first ever bottled single barrel bourbon sold commercially.

The only problem with Blanton’s is its price and availability, which have made it more difficult to find at its suggested price, but also vacant from many store shelves as it tends to be a bottle retailers “keep in the back” for specific customers or incentives. That being said, we have seen pricing stabilize to a degree, so if you can afford the splurge, Blanton’s continues to be a solid crowd-pleasing choice, bottled in unique eye-catching packaging.

‍

Blanton’s Original Single Barrel Bourbon

“The original single barrel bourbon continues to defy odds with its ability to provide a consistent sip year after year and a flavor profile that defines approachable.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 93

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $140 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Blanton’s Gold Edition

“A slightly more “grown-up” version of Blanton’s Original Single Barrel that builds off of all of its great qualities and then some.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 103

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $270 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel

“A bigger, bolder version of the Original.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 125+/- (Barrel proof, varies by barrel)

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $337 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

Jack Daniel’s

Jack Daniel’s has worked hard to win over whiskey diehards, and the exciting bottles just keep coming. The distillery has expanded their premium aged whiskey lineup, continues to bring affordable ongoing releases into the fold, systematically releases fascinating experimental distillery-only bottles, and isn’t bashful about high proof bottlings. And yes, their Tennessee Whiskeys do technically qualify as bourbon in case you need to shift a heated debate away from politics at an upcoming family gathering.

‍

SPOTLIGHT: This past August, Jack Daniel’s introduced a new permanent bottle to their single barrel line, Single Barrel Heritage Barrel. The release follows limited edition bottlings of the whiskey in 2018 and 2019. To produce this whiskey, Jack Daniel’s uses their standard Tennessee Whiskey mashbill and sugar maple charcoal mellowing process. However, barrels use a high-toast, low-char technique that was “inspired by the earliest barrel-making traditions,” according to the brand. Standard barrels are toasted for 12 minutes and then charred; however, Heritage barrels are toasted for 24 minutes and then flash-charred, doubling the toasting time and meeting the minimum requirement to still be considered charred oak for purposes of qualifying as Tennessee Whiskey. The distillate enters the barrels at a lower than usual proof of 100, and barrels are aged for at least 7 years in some of the highest-elevation barrel houses on Jack Daniel’s property, typically achieving proof points in the 104-110 range (though that can vary) during this time. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and proofed back down to its original barrel entry proof of 100 for bottling.

‍

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey

“Tinkering with a less often used side of whiskey innovation, Heritage Barrel Single Barrel nails Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey with a twist, delivering a product that should appeal to whiskey drinkers of all experience levels.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 100

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $84 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Jack Daniel’s 10 Year Old

“After resting in barrels for a decade, Jack Daniel’s 10 Year delivers a nice balance of sweet and oak notes.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 97

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $249 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT | WHISKEY LIBRARY

‍

Jack Daniel’s 14 Year Old

“Jack Daniel’s Aged Series, capped off by the exceptional inaugural release of Jack Daniel’s 14-Year, is the epitome of the modern American whiskey renaissance.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 126.3 (Barrel Proof)

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $761 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release Tanyard Hill Rye

“A big, dense barrel proof rye whiskey that epitomizes the boldest extreme of Jack Daniel’s rye whiskey through and through.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 140+/- (Barrel proof, varies by barrel)

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $722 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT

‍

Old Overholt

The longest standing American whiskey brand in history, Old Overholt has been a continuing brand for over 200 years, dating back to 1810. Currently owned by Jim Beam, the company continues to show love to their oft-neglected rye brand, Old Overholt. However, they’ve been making amends over the last few years to correct that, as nowhere has that been clearer than in the releases of Old Overholt Cask Strength Rye 10 Year and 11 Year. While those releases are still great pours in their own right, the 12 Year edition improves on both of them.

‍

Old Overholt Cask Strength 10 Year Rye

“Old Overholt Cask Strength 10 Year Rye is a hefty rye, packing in a high proof point, sizable age statement, and big flavors, which results in a rye with overwhelming staying power.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 121

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $106 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT | WHISKEY LIBRARY

‍

Old Overholt Cask Strength 12 Year Rye

“Old Overholt Cask Strength 12 Year Rye is a mature and complex whiskey that showcases a beautiful balance of red fruits, spice, and oak without being overly dry or tannic.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 117

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $120 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: WHISKEY LIBRARY

‍

Gift-Worthy Bottles

Green River

Green River Straight Bourbon is crafted on the historic Green River campus in Owensboro, Kentucky. Over its storied past, numerous brands have been made there, including Ezra Brooks, Mellow Corn, Medley Brothers, Old Medley, Five Brothers, and Kentucky Beau. According to Green River, Terressentia Corporation purchased the distillery in 2014 and began renovation. In 2016, the distillery laid down their first barrels, and acting master distiller Ron Call passed the torch to his son, Jacob Call. In 2020, Green River Distilling Co. returned to its original name, and in 2022 was purchased by Bardstown Bourbon Company.

‍

SPOTLIGHT: Green River has been producing some solid bourbons at great price points. Earlier this year, they launched a semi-limited bottle to “Commemorate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary with a limited release whiskey marking the milestone.” It launched on June 14, 2025, and will be available through 2025 and into 2026. The bourbon’s proof of 111.1 is a nod to Veterans Day, November 11. According to the company, “A portion of proceeds will directly enhance quality of life for soldiers and their families, including wellbeing, sports, fitness, libraries, entertainment and recreation.” Green River used a different mashbill for this release, and the result is an affordable, crowd-pleasing bourbon with a purpose behind it, making for a solid gift idea for any active or veteran who serves or has served in the U.S. Army.

‍

Green River US Army 250th Anniversary Bourbon

“A pseudo-limited whiskey from Green River Distillery, U.S. Army 250th Anniversary Bourbon is a solid release that’s worth seeking out for bourbon fans with a connection to the bottle’s purpose.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 111.1

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $54 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: SEELBACHS

Dragon’s Milk

Known for their Dragon’s Milk Stout beer, New Holland Brewing Company also has a spirits division and has been distilling bourbon for over a decade. The distillery has a unique style that permeates throughout their line of whiskeys. This is likely due to the fact that they distill on a prohibition era pot still as opposed to the more common column still, and their bourbon has a mashbill that swaps the typical rye and malted barley percentages, with 25% malted barley and only 5% rye. This has resulted in bourbons that have lively flavor profiles often underpinned by unique summer fruit and citrus notes.

‍

SPOTLIGHT: Returning from a year-long slumber, the Dragon’s Milk Origin X Dungeons & Dragons mashup returns with a second release, Black Dragon Edition. Following last year’s inaugural release that also correlated to the 50th anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons, this year’s version was also finished in mead casks, is bottled at 100 proof, and comes packaged in a box along with a dragon-inspired pourer. This release totals only 3,696 bottles and is a distillery/online release. The combination of a unique underlying bourbon, unique finish, and unique packaging with a dragon head pourer makes this a gift-worthy bottle for fans of unique whiskeys and fantastical bottle design.

‍

Dragon’s Milk Origin X Dungeons & Dragons: Black Dragon Edition

“The second edition in a clever brand collaboration, Dragon’s Milk Origin X Dungeons & Dragons: Black Dragon Edition sees an increased release size but maintains the same level of quality.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 100

Price (SRP): $165 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: BRAND WEBSITE

World Whiskey Society

World Whiskey Society is a “Limited Release Whiskey Company,” specializing in sourcing rare whiskeys and packaging them in even more unheard of bottles, from ceramic decanters to unique glassware to full box sets. The company partners with entities such as Ducks Unlimited, and their whiskeys can be just as unique as the packaging they come in, sometimes sourced from defunct distilleries or finished in unusual secondary barrels.  

‍

SPOTLIGHT: World Whiskey Society continues to expand their Doc Holliday lineup with the latest limited edition 10 year old bourbon bottled at 96 proof. The release is featured in a collector’s edition package complete with a faux revolver with a handle that doubles as a cork stopper, a decanter-worthy bottle suited for indefinite use, and a premium box the size of a small suitcase. This bourbon was distilled by Scissortail Distillery in Oklahoma, and this first release is a 10,000 bottle release. It’s a showstopper for sure, and one that will make a lasting impression for anyone who appreciates the sheer audacity of its packaging design combined with a unique tasting bourbon sourced from a lesser known source.

‍

Doc Holliday 10-Year-Old Special Edition Collector’s Case Straight Bourbon

“A larger-than-life collector’s edition bottle that is the very definition of “what you see is what you get” when it comes to bourbon.” >> REVIEW

Proof: 96

Average Market Price According to Wine-Searcher: $237 / 750mL

WHERE TO BUY: FROOTBAT | WHISKEY LIBRARY | BRAND WEBSITE

‍

Old Potrero

Located in San Francisco, Old Potrero whiskey is credited as the first American craft whiskey to hit the market after prohibition. After changing ownership numerous times since the company’s inception, Hotaling & Co., owner of numerous brands including Hirsch Selected Whiskeys, Luxardo, and Nikka took ownership over a decade ago, which has continued to this day.

‍

SPOTLIGHT: Best known for their Old Potrero whiskey and ryes distilled from 100% malted rye mashbills, the distillery switches things up with the release of their Christmas Spirit whiskey. According to the company, “This festive whiskey is an homage to San Francisco brewing and a celebration of pioneering spirits. Our distillers started with an iconic San Francisco Christmas Ale from 2011 and distilled it twice in copper pot stills before aging the spirit for over 12 years in once-used Old Potrero Straight Rye Whiskey barrels.” The end result is an iconic bottling that, while it won’t be for everyone, is as close to “Christmas in a glass” as a whiskey can get.

‍

Old Potrero Christmas Spirit

Aptly named Christmas Spirit, this 9 year old limited release distilled from beer is nothing short of “Christmas in a glass.” >> 2024 REVIEW (2025 REVIEW COMING SOON)

Proof: 100

Price (SRP): $140

WHERE TO BUY: BRAND WEBSITE

‍Breaking Bourbon may receive affiliate marketing fees for referrals generated to retailers and other third-party websites. Breaking Bourbon does not sell alcohol or receive a commission for alcohol sales. Please consult our Ethics Policy for more information.