‘Whiskey’ (or ‘whisky’) is a family, not a single spirit—a grain-based, barrel-aged spirit made all over the world, with each country writing its own rules and style. American bourbon is sweet and full; Scotch ranges from delicate to intensely smoky; Irish whiskey tends smooth and approachable; Japanese whisky is precise and elegant; and rye is spicy and dry. This is our home for whiskey that crosses those borders.
Where to start with whiskey
For the grand tour, our 10 best whiskeys spans the whole world of the spirit. From there, dive into the category that matches your taste: bourbon for sweet and rich, Scotch for complexity and smoke, or rye for spice. New to the whole thing? Start with something smooth and unchallenging, then explore outward.
How we cover whiskey
Every whiskey we feature is tasted and scored on our 100-point scale, judged on nose, palate, finish, and value. We cover the whole world of the spirit here—and go deeper in the dedicated bourbon, Scotch, and rye sections. Our latest whiskey reviews, roundups, and guides are below.
Whiskey Reviews
4 articles
Suntory Whisky Toki Japanese Whisky Review — Score & Tasting Notes
Green Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Review — Score & Tasting Notes
Redbreast 12 Year Old Irish Whiskey Review — Score & Tasting Notes
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel Japanese Whisky Review — Score & Tasting Notes
Whiskey Guides & Articles
9 articles
The Colorado Mountain Whiskey Trail: From Stranahan's Single Malt to the World's Highest Bourbon
Stranahan's, Laws, Leopold Bros, Breckenridge, 10th Mountain. The 5-day Denver-to-the-Rockies route through Colorado's high-altitude whiskey scene.
The New York Distillery Trail: From Manhattan's First Distillery in 100 Years to the Hudson Valley Solera
Great Jones, Kings County, Widow Jane, NY Distilling, Tuthilltown, Hillrock. The 4-day Manhattan-to-Hudson-Valley route through New York's whiskey scene.
The Pacific Northwest Whiskey Trail: Seattle, Portland, and Where American Single Malt Was Reinvented
Westland, Westward, Copperworks, McCarthy's. The 4-day Seattle-to-Portland route through the distilleries that just got American Single Malt federally recognized.
How Many Buzzballs Will It Take To Get Drunk?
Most Buzzballz are 15% ABV in a 200 ml ball — about 1.7 standard drinks each. Here's the honest standard-drink math on how many it takes, and how to drink them responsibly.
How To Make Your Own Whisky
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Compass Box No Name Whisky Review
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A 180-Day-Old Whisky Barrel-Aged Kit Kat Review – It’s Delicious!
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Glenlivet Founder's Reserve Whisky Review
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Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whisky Review
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Whiskey Recipes
1 article
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'whiskey' and 'whisky'?
It's just spelling. The United States and Ireland generally spell it 'whiskey'; Scotland, Japan, and Canada spell it 'whisky.' The spirit is the same family; the extra 'e' simply tells you roughly where a bottle comes from.
Is bourbon a whiskey?
Yes. Bourbon is a specific American style of whiskey, made from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred-oak barrels. All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon.
What is the smoothest whiskey for beginners?
Approachable starting points include a soft wheated bourbon, a gentle Irish whiskey, or an unpeated Speyside Scotch—all smooth and forgiving. Avoid heavily peated Scotch and high-proof barrel-proof bottles until your palate develops.
Should you add water or ice to whiskey?
A few drops of water can open up the aromas and tame higher-proof whiskey, revealing hidden flavour—it's a good idea, especially neat. Ice chills and dilutes as it melts, which some enjoy, but it also mutes the aromatics, so it's best avoided for careful sipping.