The Best Whiskeys/Whiskys in the World Under $100
Contributed by on Sep 16, 2014
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DrinkWire is Liquor.com's showcase for the best articles, recipe and reviews from the web's top writers and bloggers. In this post, Kyle D. of bethebartender.com offers his personal opinions on the best whisk(e)ys under $100.
Just like all of the main liquors in the world, whiskey comes in a lot of different varieties and styles from all over the globe. From Scotch to Bourbon, I felt I would share what I consider to be the best that are under $100.
Whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash. Various grains (which may be malted) are used for different varieties, including barley, corn (maize), rye, and wheat. Whisky is typically aged in wooden casks, generally made of charred white oak.
Whisky is a strictly regulated spirit worldwide with many classes and types. The typical unifying characteristics of the different classes and types are the fermentation of grains, distillation, and aging in wooden barrels.
Maker's Mark Bourbon
Region: Loretto, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 6 Years
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $40
Taste Notes: Spiced Honey, Mixed Peels, Malmsey, Cut Fruit, Toasted Oak
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky
Region: Kilmarnock, Scotland
Category: Scotch
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $44
Taste Notes: Winter Spice, White Pepper, Light Citrus, Wood Smoke, Dry Spice, Toffee, Barley
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Region: Woodford County, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: N/A
ABV: 45.2%
Average Price: $48
Taste Notes: Honey, Spice, Leather, Light Cocoa, Smoke, Toasty Oak, Vanilla, Butterscotch
Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Region: Dufftown, Scotland
Category: Scotch
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 40%
Average Price: $52
Taste Notes: Sweet, Gentle Spice, Light Vanilla, Spice
Lagavulin 16 Scotch Whisky
Region: Isle of Islay, Scotland
Category: Scotch
Age: 16 Years
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $77
Taste Notes: High Smoke, Sweet Spice, Creamy Vanilla, Peat, Oak
Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon
Region: Frankfort, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 23 Years
ABV: 47%
Average Price: $85
Taste Notes: Sweet, Citrus, Oak, Vanilla, Caramel, Orange, Light Chocolate
Booker's True Barrel Bourbon
Region: Clermont, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 7 Years
ABV: 62%
Avarage Price: $72
Taste Notes: Smokey Amber, Big Oak, Vanilla, Fruit, Tobacco, Charcoal
The Macallan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
Region: Moray, Scotland
Category: Scotch
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $68
Taste Notes: Crisp, Sweet, Apple Blossom, Tropical Fruit, Golden Syrup, Barley
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Region: Isle of Islay, Scotland
Category: Scotch
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $58
Taste Notes: High Smoke, Peat, Licorice, Spice, Salt, Vanilla, Black Pepper, Chili
William Larue Weller 12 Year Old Bourbon
Region: Frankfort, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $59
Taste Notes: Marzipan, Cereal, Vanilla, Oak, Sweet
Jameson Irish Whiskey
Region: Dublin 7, Ireland
Category: Blended
Age: 7 Years
ABV: 40%
Average Price: $32
Taste Notes: Sweet, Floral, Marmalade, Fudge, Cut-Grass, Orchard Fruit, Vanilla
Baker's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Region: Clermont, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 7 Years
ABV: 53%
Average Price: $92
Taste Notes: Fruity, Caramel, Toffee, Spice, Nutty, Vanilla, Char
Knob Creek 9
Region: Clermont, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 9 Years
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $46
Taste Notes: Sweet, Spice, Butter, Toast, Oak, Caramel, Nut Oil, Dark Chocolate, Vanilla
Bulleit Rye Whiskey
Region: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Category: Rye
Age: 4 Years
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $52
Taste Notes: Cherry, Vanilla, Leather, Tobacco, Peach, Orange, Cinnamon, Smokey
Crown Royal Reserve Canadian Whisky
Region: Lake Winnipeg, Canada
Category: Blended
Age: N/A
ABV: 40%
Average Price: $55
Taste Notes: Honey, Dried Fruit, Nougat, Black Tea, Bittersweet Chocolate, Melon
Glenlivet 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Ballindalloch, Scotland
Category: Scotch
Age: 18 Years
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $82
Taste Notes: Sherry, Barley, Sugar, Cereal, Apple Blossom, Fudge, Light Smoke, Honey, Orange Peel
Maker's Mark Bourbon 46
Region: Loretto, Kentucky
Category: Bourbon
Age: 100 Winter Days
ABV: 47%
Average Price: $58
Taste Notes: Toffee, Sweet Spice, Caramel, Nutmeg, Allspice, Nutmeg, Cinnamon
These are some of the best Whiskeys/Whiskys in the world, and for the money, you just cannot get any better than these.