Once upon a time, , but these days, the online world is more into . In 2024, if you haven’t noticed, the is very accessible online and there’s steady chatter about drops, what’s hot, and aftermarket prices. People across the globe are connecting over a shared passion for distilled spirits, bourbon in particular.
With brands like Buffalo Trace, Sagamore Spirits, and tapping the power of the online bourbon community to craft unique releases catered to their real-world audiences, it’s clear that the innovative people who have amassed online can significantly impact the industry. Buffalo Trace notably harnessed the power of the internet to create a special ongoing expression, , which allowed consumers to visit their website and vote for their ideal whiskey production conditions. Initially released in 2018, the expression has been a big hit with fans (like the rest of the Weller lineup), so much so that bottles of Weller C.
Y.P.B.
, which carries a suggested retail price of $49.99, regularly sell for north of . Is the bourbon perfect? Many people who frequent digital whiskey spaces like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram don’t seem to think so.
Still, the excitement behind the idea resulted in a hit whiskey for the brand. For their part, Sagamore Spirits in Baltimore, Maryland, recently reached out directly to well-known influencers to craft a special release that they dubbed “The Creator’s Cask.” Bringing in four whiskey influencers to select a unique two-barrel blend went one step beyond the typical single-barrel selections that have become so popular in American whiskey.
The release itself was well-received and further underscores the growing trend of internet personalities and content creators gaining real skin in the game. Now that creators have a larger say in what major distilleries produce, it only makes sense to tap them directly for insight into the trends that they’re seeing and, in some cases, contributing to in the American whiskey space. After all, content creators are often among the select few who can consistently score prized expressions — typically doing so before those offerings reach the general public.
Armed with that type of premium advance access, content creators are often uniquely positioned to be canaries in the coal mine, signaling to the public which of the whiskey calendar’s rapidly expanding “limited editions” are worth hunting down. To that end, we reached out to several creators across different digital platforms to ask them directly: what are the internet’s favorite bourbons of 2024, and which of them are worth your time? Their industry credentials are real, and they run the gamut from spirits competition judges, brand owners, and experienced single-barrel selectors. It’s interesting to note that several bottles on this list were cited multiple times.
Still, the overall picture these creators collectively paint is one of wide-ranging variety, showing how whiskey fans in different corners of the web have developed their respective tastes. Without further ado, here are the internet’s favorite bourbons of 2024! 1. Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon, made from 69% Corn, 19% Wheat, 12% Malted barley, is the fledgling distillery’s first wheated bourbon expression.
Though their still was only built in 2018, Hard Truth has been gaining ground in the past two years among internet-savvy bourbon aficionados, primarily thanks to their rye. Hard Truth utilizes a sweet mash process that tends to produce a leaner and, arguably, more approachable whiskey. With lightly sweet notes and a surprisingly delicate mouthfeel, this under-the-radar bourbon deserves its swelling hype.
2. Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon comes from the Fall 2019 distilling season and is aged for 4+ years in char 4 barrels. The expression is part of Milam & Greene’s “Blender’s Reserve Releases.
” While Texas whiskey can be polarizing because it has a misconception of being overtly brash, Milam & Greene takes another tack with this release. Much of that heat is kept in check at a Bottled in Bond regulated 50% ABV, yet it can still put forth a cavalcade of bold flavors. Saddle up because you know this is the ride for you.
3. Barrell Batch 36 Barrell Batch 36 is the eye-catching new release from the brand, which marks the debut of their new packaging. This cask-strength blend of straight bourbon features 9-year bourbon from Kentucky, 7.
5, 8, and 10-year bourbon from Indiana, and 8 and 15-year bourbon from Tennessee. This bourbon already made it into the top 3 of our list so it seems the internet got this one right! Not only is it chock-full of bold flavors, but it’s also relatively easy to find and moderately priced for an allocated cask-strength bourbon that is sure to surprise. The Creator: TJ Gamble (@Brewzle) 651k subscribers on 1.
Green River Cask Strength Single Barrel Green River fulfilled a lot of bourbon fans’ wishes when they took their already successful single-barrel program and added cask-strength bourbon to the mix earlier this year. This expression was announced in conjunction with a small batch version: Green River Full Proof Bourbon. Similar to Green River Full Proof, the Cask Strength Single Barrel version is an outstanding value.
While they’re a bit harder to come by, this Owensboro, KY, offering is more readily available than many other barrel-proof, single-barrel bourbons. This expression is a total game-changer with a chest-warming ABV and the added allure of single-barrel variety. 2.
Old Dominick Bourbon Old Dominick Bourbon’s unique proof point was selected to honor their home zip code, 901. At a lower ABV than their Huling Station Straight Bourbon, the distillery’s namesake expression is a tad more approachable, even with its unconventional mash bill. In contrast to their Huling Station lineup, this expression isn’t quite as easy to find, but that will surely continue to evolve as its popularity grows.
3. Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon Double Oaked Bourbon is the latest release from Pursuit United, which first hit shelves in March of this year. This limited-release bourbon was created in partnership with InnerStave, which provided the custom 36-month air-dried French oak staves that Pursuit United’s signature bourbon blend was finished in for this release.
As a bit of internet inception, Pursuit United was started by a pair of popular whiskey podcasters, Ryan Cecil and Kenny Coleman. The duo have turned their depth of knowledge and prodigious blending prowess into an increasingly popular brand and with this outstanding Double Oaked expression catching on like wildfire across the web, the only time better than now to pursue this limited edition bourbon is yesterday. The Creator: Danielle K.
(@coffeeblackwhiskeyneat) 37.4k followers on 1. Hard Truth Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon Meeting the standards of 1897’s Bottled in Bond Act, this new bourbon expression from Hard Truth Distillery in Nashville, Indiana is quickly becoming their most popular bourbon expression.
With two votes for this bourbon now on the board, it should be dawning on you that Hard Truth brought the goods. Those fruit-forward notes and relatively approachable ABV make this an ideal bourbon for anyone who’s curious about the output of American craft distilleries in 2024. 2.
Green River Full Proof Bourbon New for 2024, Green River launched their Full Proof Bourbon late last spring. Clocking in at a shade over 117 proof, this expression continues the brand’s trend of delivering moderately priced, high-quality bourbons. Bourbon at a higher ABV is all the rage these days, so to create one here that allows the proof to run wild while the cost is kept in check is exactly what consumers are looking for.
This bourbon is a no-brainer and a must-buy. 3. 15 Stars First West Fine Aged Bourbon 15 Stars is a non-distilling producer that honors Kentucky’s history as the 15th state.
This particular release, their limited edition First West Bourbon, has been racking up awards since it was first released in 2022. 15 Stars has rapidly proven to be a non-distilling producer of note on the American whiskey scene. Since its founding in 2021 by father and son duo Rick and Ricky Johnson, the brand has won awards up and down their portfolio — each seemingly more successful than the last.
While they also have hits with their Triple Cask and Sherry Cask finished bourbons, this one equally deserves your attention if you aren’t already familiar with those releases. The Creator: Denaya Jones (@DEEStilled) 3k followers on , Warehouse Manager, and Soul Palate Podcaster 1. Rare Character Old Cassidy Bourbon – Selected by @BourbYourEnthusiasm This highly limited expression from Rare Character was the first time they’ve released the brand Old Cassidy into the wild.
The brainchild of founder Pablo Moix and selected in collaboration with Bourb Your Enthusiasm ( ), this exclusive single-barrel offering sold out in less than a minute when it was released on Seelbach’s website this past June. Rare Character has arguably been hottest bourbon brand online over the past year, and Old Cassidy is just a continuation of that trend. This release has already landed in the top five of our “ ” list and sold for over $1,000 at a recent Sotheby’s whiskey auction.
Let this endorsement be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and leads you to seek it out — if you can find it. 2. Green River Full Proof Bourbon By now you should know the drill with this one.
This small batch of select barrels features bourbon with a mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley. While having an internet signal isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying this bourbon, it certainly helps raise awareness of its popularity. You can trust that the popularity is warranted, or you can buy a bottle and try it.
The choice is yours. 3. Seelbach’s 9-Year Batch 002 Seelbach’s has been entrenching itself in whiskey’s digital retail space since July 2018.
In that time, they’ve become one of the internet’s most trusted sites for curated craft whiskey selections thanks to founder Blake Riber’s passion for bringing high-quality, small-scale whiskey producers to the masses. They’ve since moved into independent bottling and private blending with this 9-year, 5-month bourbon from a 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley mash bill, marking just their 6th foray in their Private Reserve series. As the folks responsible for not just tasting the vast majority of the internet’s favorite craft whiskey brands but also the ones responsible for bringing them to the attention of a wider audience, it’s safe to say that Blake, Denaya, and the team know a thing or two about bourbon.
With each Private Reserve release, they’re only gaining more experience as producers, adding to the fountain of knowledge they’ve acquired over six years as tasters and retailers. That unique nexus of expertise is on full display with this expression. The Creator: Jason Callori (@TheMashAndDrum) 91.
3k subscribers on 1. Green River Full Proof Bourbon The most popular selection on this list, Green River Full Proof strikes an awesome balance of affordability and great taste. If you want an incredibly flavorful and exceedingly well-priced bourbon, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than Green River Full Proof.
While so-called influencers are sometimes derided for showcasing expensive bourbon, this is one bottle that high rollers and the hoi polloi alike can stand behind. 2. Bardstown Bourbon Co.
Collaborative Series: Amrut Featuring a blend of 14-year Kentucky, 11-year Kentucky,10-year Kentucky, 9-year Indiana, and 8-year Indiana Bourbon, Bardstown Bourbon Co. Collaborative Series: Amrut marks a first-of-its-kind partnership between a major Indian whisky brand with a major bourbon brand. For the release, Bardstown Bourbon Co.
aged their unique blend of bourbons in former Amrut Indian Single Malt casks for 18 months. While American whiskey drinkers may not be as familiar with Indian Single Malt as they are with bourbon, this collaboration will go a long way in changing that. For bourbon fans who shy away from the prototypical flavors found in malt whiskey, Bardstown Bourbon Co.
Collaborative Series: Amrut will release the shackles. This expression amplifies the best of both worlds, creating a captivating mash-up that deserves immediate attention. 3.
Russell’s Reserve 15-Year Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 15 has been one of the most buzzed-about bourbon releases of the year, and let’s be clear about why — it’s age-stated, limited edition, delicious Wild Turkey whiskey. We even contributed to This is truly one of the bourbons you don’t want to miss in 2024. Chances are you’ll be hearing about how good it is for years.
The Creator: Sarah Jeltema (@whiskynomad) 109k followers on 1. Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut Straight Bourbon Whiskey Crafted from a blend of 66.6% non-GMO Corn, 12% two-row Barley, 11.
4% winter Rye, and 10% soft white winter Wheat, Frey Ranch’s mash bill isn’t the only thing unique about their grain input. They also grow 100% of the grains that go into their whiskey on their family-owned farm. This expression is their first cask-strength release.
We already named Frey Ranch’s showstopping Cask Strength Bourbon among the “ ” of 2024, and that’s for good reason. By marching to the beat of their own drum, Frey Ranch is beating out the lion’s share of their competitors with this excellent barrel-proof bourbon. 2.
Ironroot Republic Apotheosis VI Triple Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon Apotheosis VI is a fairly unique bourbon blend in that it utilizes three different Sherry finishing casks: PX, Oloroso, and Amontillado. We’re already fans of Ironroot Republic, whose Head Distiller, Jonathon Likarish, is leading the brand to the forefront of Texas whiskey. While they’ve already figured out Straight Bourbon, it’s their knack for multiple cask finishes that have been catching eyes throughout the industry.
Apotheosis VI certainly deserves a seat at the head of the class when it comes to that category. 3. Lost Lantern Summer of Bourbon 2024 Single Casks: Boulder Colorado Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished In An Armagnac Cask Featuring a mash bill of 51% corn, 44% malted barley, and 5% rye, the 7-year-old bourbon from this single cask yielded 300 bottles.
Released at cask strength and non-chill filtered, this is the first cask-finished expression under the Lost Lantern banner. The whiskey itself was aged for 4.5 years in New Oak and then finished for 2.
5 years in an Armagnac cask. If writers are the proto-whiskey content creators, then it makes sense for things to be coming full circle here. Prior to founding Lost Lantern Spirits, co-founder Adam Polonsky was a Senior Whisky Specialist at Whisky Advocate.
Together, he and his partner Nora Ganley-Roper are swiftly becoming the preeminent independent bottlers in America. If you want to discover just what makes that producer category so interesting, then this unique Armagnac-finished straight bourbon from Colorado’s Boulder Spirits should be one of your first stops. The Creator: Kevin Carlson (@bourbon_notes) 69.
3k followers on 1. Old Fitzgerald 13-Year Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon VVS Comprised of tanked bourbon from a bygone time, Old Fitzgerald VVS 13-Year was distilled in 1999, not long after the company acquired the Bernheim Distillery. After spending 13 years aging the traditional way, this liquid was deemed superlative enough to warrant being dumped in steel tanks to halt the maturation process before it was set aside for another 12 years.
Now, in 2024, to commemorate 25 years of Heaven Hill owning the Bernheim Distillery, this bourbon is finally ready to see the light of day. This bourbon landed all the way at the top spot on our recent “ ” round-up, and we aren’t alone in the praise. While you’ll have to either pay a visit to the distillery or shell out a pretty penny online to buy this bottle due to its outsized popularity, rest assured that if you happen upon a taste of it, you won’t be disappointed.
2. Russell’s Reserve 15-Year Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 15-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the brand-new limited release from Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve lineup. With 13 years marking the previous pinnacle of age statements in the series, this new 15-year expression has two years of extra age and an increase of three proof points while remaining non-chill filtered.
We deemed this the number one , so it ain’t just the internet going nuts over this well-aged Wild Turkey whiskey. Though, to be sure, folks are going crazy over this one online, with whiskey fans causing multiple site crashes when the brand announced a series of releases on their website. 3.
Green River Full Proof Bourbon The brand-new Green River Full Proof Bourbon is clearly on the top of many whiskey reviewers’ minds. While Green River has been applauded since its 2022 reintroduction across the web, this Full Proof addition to its core lineup is receiving the most buzz. We can’t seem to stop adding to the chorus of folks who are huge fans of this whiskey now.
Come for the incredible medley of flavor, then add a second bottle to your shopping cart thanks to the budget-friendly price. The Creator: Da’Mon Brown (@VABourbonHunter) 39.4k followers on , Co-Founder of 1.
K. Luke Small Batch Barrel Strength Bourbon (Batch 9) The bourbon that goes into K. Luke’s Small Batch Bourbon blends come from a variety of distilleries in Kentucky and Indiana, but each batch is meticulously blended by husband-and-wife co-founder team Jonathan and Jennifer Maisano.
There are always slight variations between K. Luke’s small batch blends, but Batch 9, in particular, indicates that they’ve hit a stride. First-level certified sommelier Jonathan Maisano and his wife and co-founder Jennifer Maisano may be running a nascent brand, but their industry experience runs deep.
Trust us when we say that you need to start collecting these batches sooner rather than later. The internet is already catching wind of how great each release is, and you don’t want to be last. 2.
Rare Character Old Cassidy Bourbon – Selected by @BourbYourEnthusiasm This exclusive single barrel expression, hand-selected by Pablo Moix and Frank Dobbins III, is the only release from Rare Character’s Old Cassidy brand. The liquid in this release came from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery and was bottled at cask strength. Sure, I picked this barrel, so you can take my thoughts on the matter with a grain of salt.
But when you consider two votes of confidence from prominent whiskey influencers and the fact it sold for north of 3x the retail asking price on Sotheby’s auction? Well, it’s safe to say that this is a special release. 3. Old Fitzgerald 13-Year Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon VVS Old Fitzgerald’s latest distillery-exclusive Bottled in Bond Decanter expression featuring tanked bourbon from 1999 was set aside and saved because the distillery believed it was truly special.
The whiskey was dumped into steel tanks back in 2012, where it rested for 12 years until bottling in Spring 2024. As you already know, Old Fitzgerald’s 13-Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon topped our recent best-of Heaven Hill rankings as well as our “ ” list. The quality of the liquid 100% supports the internet frenzy that’s been generated around it.
Contrary to Public Enemy’s immortal words, you should believe the hype. The Creators: Chad Perkins & Sara Ahlgrim (@ItsBourbonNight) 111k subscribers on 1. Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Ben Holladay Distillery is having a big year.
Their Bottled in Bond expression is made from a mash bill of 73% corn, 15% red wheat, and 12% malted barley, with all the grains being grown and processed in Missouri. The bourbon is self-distilled at the Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri before filling Missouri white oak barrels and being left to age for six years. Ben Holladay bourbon has been popping up in our best-of lists for quite a while now, and if you’re going to take a chance on this up-and-coming distillery, then this is the bottle to place your bets on.
2. Russell’s Reserve 15-Year Bourbon A common thread in the reviews from people who have tried Russell’s Reserve 15-Year Bourbon is that it elevates the already well-regarded Russell’s Reserve 13-Year Bourbon. That’s an impressive feat.
This isn’t simply a case of recency bias or shiny new toy syndrome; this is just world-class whiskey and it’s worth hunting down. 3. Dark Arts Whiskey House Barely Legal Cask Strength Small Batch Bourbon While sourced Indiana whiskey may not be uncommon, this bourbon’s 51% Corn, 39% Rye, and 10% Malted Rye will surely raise some eyebrows.
From the minds of the good folks behind Dark Arts Whiskey House, each batch of this cask-strength bourbon is crafted from just 3-barrel blends. Dark Arts Whiskey House is currently enjoying some serious IYKYK status among bourbon aficionados online, but that under-the-radar appeal comes with some seriously tasty juice. These carefully crafted 3-barrel blends reflect the bespoke nature of Dark Arts’ wizardry, and you should take advantage of any opportunity you have to catch their next trick.
The Creator: Tyler Zoller (@LouisvilleBourbonBuzz) 213k followers on 1. Starlight Mizunara Finished Bourbon Whiskey Starlight Distillery, located in Borden, Indiana, can comfortably be considered one of the best craft whiskey distilleries in the entire country. For this mouth-watering Mizunara-finished release, they take barrels that were initially earmarked for their premium “Family Reserve” lineup, age them for at least four years, and then rest them for an undisclosed period of time in exotic Japanese oak casks.
The resultant whiskey carries a 7-year age statement. Simple; we’ve already crowned it one of . We rated it pretty highly, and with this second vote of confidence from Tyler, you know both the internet Louisville are buzzing about this product of Indiana.
2. Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon As if two placements on this list weren’t enough, we also rated this as one of the “ ” earlier this year. If you love bourbon and you don’t want to break the bank, we know you’ll do the right thing and add this one to your collection.
3. James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon The original James E.
Pepper Decanter Bourbon was produced back in 1945 but this 2023 re-release absolutely nails the retro look. The distillery lists its low entry-proof as one of the keys to making sure the liquid in the bottle lives up to its historic billing. In a modern world where so many brands are seemingly falling over themselves trying to reinvent the wheel, here’s an expression that succeeds because it’s true to what we all love.
Full-bodied, flavorful, no-frills bourbon. It sounds simple, but the complexity on the nose and palate of James E. Pepper Decanter Bourbon indicates otherwise.
As they used to say, this is the real McCoy. *Bonus* The Creator: Frank Dobbins III (@BourbYourEnthusiasm) 9.2k followers on and UPROXX Whiskey Writer 1.
Premier Drams Bourbon Premier Drams is a totally new brand that was launched early this summer by the same man behind Washington D.C.’s legendary whiskey bar, Jack Rose, Bill Thomas.
8 years ago, Bill Thomas began procuring contract-distilled whiskey from an elusive producer in Bardstown, Kentucky, and aging it at the site of the historic Old Taylor Distillery, which today is the home of Castle & Key. Due to Castle & Key’s uniquely cool maturation facilities, many of the barrels that went into these Premier Drams single barrels saw a significant drop in ABV, with the majority hovering right around the 100-proof mark at cask strength. For whiskey drinkers who have fallen under the spell of believing cask strength is king, this is one brand that will completely elevate your appreciation of the category.
That’s not pure lip service. Premier Drams is bringing a fresh take on American whiskey to market, and discerning drinkers are already reveling in the revolution while quietly stockpiling as much of this rare liquid as they can. I know because I’m one of them.
2. Binder’s Stash Bourbon This inaugural release from Binder’s Stash, the brainchild of content creator Bill Binder, didn’t just put him on the map — it set the digital whiskey world on fire. At 14 years old, hazmat proof, and hailing from the most well-known distillery in Indiana, this fiery bourbon is one hell of an introduction to a new brand.
The mash bill is 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Binder’s Stash Bourbon has a hefty price tag. You pay the price and savor every drop; it’s really that simple.
While Bill Binder is an internet sensation in his own right, with Binder’s Stash Bourbon slowly racking up IRL awards, this whiskey is becoming one of the rare viral sensations that elude being a mere flash in the pan. This crowd-pleasing brand is here to stay. 3.
Rare Character Fortuna Barrel Proof Fortuna Barrel Proof is one of two evergreen products from the internet’s favorite whiskey brand, Rare Character. This barrel-proof bourbon is the preferred choice as the cask-strength alternative to Fortuna Bourbon. Produced in limited batches of 3-5 barrels and aged for at least 7 years, there are rumors that this release may soon be receiving an age statement, and get this, the word is it’ll feature a big fat 8.
If you’re someone who goes crazy seeking out the aforementioned barrel-proof bourbons from Buffalo Trace, take note: this is an expression that’s relatively easier to find than them both, and can even exceed them in quality. While Rare Character has several offerings that you’re probably chomping at the bit to try, longingly watching as social media users post haul after haul of their typically superlative single-barrel expressions, this small-batch bourbon has the consistency and quality to make Rare Character a household name and not just an internet sensation..
