Whether it’s a smooth sipper or an option more forgiving for a beginner, choosing the best sweet whiskey guarantees an excellent whiskey-drinking experience.
A good quality sweet whiskey will not only be more forgiving on the throat and palate. It also has a more delicious flavor profile that works great as a sipper and a cocktail base.
15 Best Sweet Whiskeys You Must Try
To help you pinpoint the perfect bottle, I’ve shared a line up of the best sweet whiskeys that form part of my personal liquor arsenal in my home bar.
Also check: 17 Best Cinnamon Whiskeys
Once you get your first taste of these excellent whiskey options, you will never go back to the bitter, alcohol-tasting varieties.
1. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $87.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 60.4% ABV/120.8 US Proof
The ultimate sipping bourbon, Elijah Craig is an excellent sophisticated option for drinkers with a sweet tooth. Typically released in small batches, the Elijah Craig develops its elegant profile after 12 years of aging.
In its purest form, the bourbon is uncut and comes straight from the barrel without chill filtering.
To guarantee authenticity, each Elijah Craig bottle is hand labeled and uses a unique proof and batch number – yet, it still maintains the same pure Elijah Craig taste. The award-winning bourbon develops a deep amber appearance with a nose that will know you off your feet.
The bourbon features heavy aromas of rye, barrel, and heath bar leather with notes of caramel, toasted oak, apple, and orange.
The plate is ridiculously vicious with rich vanilla bean, caramel, and butterscotch with spice hints of black pepper, cinnamon candies, rye, barrel, and chocolate.
The bourbon finishes off with beautiful layers of all its taste notes as lingers as it cools. The Elijah Craig Barrel Proof bourbon is best enjoyed as a sipper – a few drops are all you need to awaken its flavors.
Tip: You can also use the sophisticated bourbon for fun cocktail recipes like a mint julep or Kentucky buck.
Also check: 20 Top Shelf Whiskey Brands
2. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $59.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 43.2% ABV/86.4 US Proof
The Woodford Reserve Double Oak Straight Bourbon undergoes an innovative twice-barrel method for impressive results. This innovative process produces rich and colorful flavors with unmatched sweetness.
The bourbon is matured in separate charred oak barrels and transferred to second deeply toasted barrels before light charring.
This, in turn, produces soft, sweet, and oaky character bourbon. The only way to enjoy this bourbon is by drinking it straight to savor all the decadent flavors.
The bourbon whiskey features a deep amber hue with rich aromas of dark fruit, caramel, sharp honey, chocolate, marzipan, and toasted oak.
On the other hand, its rich full-bodied tasting notes envelop the tongue with hints of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, fruit, and spices. It finishes with a ling and creamy profile with lingering honey apple hints.
More: Jack Daniels Bottle Sizes and Prices
3. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey
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Origin: Tennessee, USA
Cost: $26.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
Jack Daniel’s Old no.7 Tennessee Whiskey undergoes a special mellowing process for its smooth and delicious feel. This sweet Tennessee whiskey combines a mix of 80% corn, 12% rye, and 8% malted barley distilled in copper stills.
The mash then goes through the “mellowing process” by filtering it through 10-foot stacks of sugar maple charcoal and maturing it in handcrafted barrels.
Further, unlike other whiskey distillers, Jack Daniel’s doesn’t follow an aging calendar. Instead, the whiskey is only ready when its tasters say it is – by looking at the appearance, smelling, and tasting it.
While it’s not Kentucky bourbon, Jack Daniels is one of the sweetest whiskeys on the market. In its original variety, the Tennessee whiskey typically boasts sweet aromas of brown sugar, resin, wood, and fresh leaves.
On the palate, it tastes sweet and nutty notes with caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. It follows with hints of warm cinnamon, clove, toasted banana, red apple, faint vanilla, wood, and oranges.
The whiskey finishes with notes of dark chocolate, licorice, grain, grass, and sweet oranges. The rich whiskey is also rounded by its toasty, oaky, and spice-forward body.
Tip: This rich whiskey is best enjoyed on the rocks or mixed with soda for refreshing Jack and Cola.
4. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
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Origin: Tennessee, USA
Cost: $37.99
Size: 1L
Alcohol concentration: 35% ABV/70 US Proof
As a bartender, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is perhaps one of the sweetest whiskeys on the market. However, this whiskey is not saturated by its sweetness, but, rather develops a sophisticated balance of honey and a regal boozy profile.
Think Jack Daniel’s Original with a hint of honey and a naturally smooth finish. In fact, this is how this sweet honey liqueur is made – blending Old No.7 with real honey. The whiskey offers a thick and oily texture with dark caramel, nutmeg, and allspice.
It then transitions to rich, dark notes of sweet milky coffee, dark chocolate, and demerara sugar before finishing with light candied lemon hints.
The honey whiskey can be enjoyed in anyway you want – whether straight, on the rocks, or as an alcohol base for a sweet whiskey-based cocktail. My personal favorite is the simple Honey Jack and Ginger Ale cocktail.
5. Glenfiddich 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Origin: Dufftown, Scotland
Cost: $52.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
The family-owned Glenfiddich Whiskey traces its roots to 1887 and continues to stand out as the most awarded single malt Scotch whiskey.
The whiskey uses unique fresh highland spring water from the Valley of the Deer and an innovative aging process that produces a distinctive fruitiness.
The scotch whiskey is typically matured in the finest American oak and European oak sherry casks for about 12 years. This mellowing in the oak casks produces a sweet and subtle oaky flavor profile with a long and smooth, creamy, and mellow finish.
The single malt whiskey features a golden appearance with a fresh and fruity nose with hints of pear. On the palate, the whiskey boasts sweet and fruity notes complemented by hints of butterscotch, cream, malt, and oak.
6. Jameson Irish Whiskey
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Origin: Ireland
Cost: $31.00
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
Jameson Irish Whiskey is the ideal option for Irish whiskey lovers with a sweet tooth. This sweet pot still and fine-grain whiskey undergoes a triple distillation process to produce its signature smoothness. On the other hand, its mature and subtle flavors develop from at least 4 years of aging in oak barrels.
The Irish whiskey distillation process gives it a light floral nose with spicy wood and sweet notes. On the palate, the Irish whiskey offers the perfect balance of spicy, nutty, and vanilla notes with hints of sweet cherry while finishing with a smooth lingering aftertaste.
Unleash this whiskey’s sweet flavors by adding a splash of water or a few ice rocks. You can also use it to make the classic Irish whiskey cocktail for a smooth digestif.
7. Angel’s Envy Rum Cask Rye
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $98.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 50% ABV/100 US Proof
The Angel Envy’s Rum Cask Rye Whiskey develops its signature sweet and smooth taste from its aging in rum barrels. The rye whiskey is finished in Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months for a unique flavor profile.
It develops a citrus, caramel candy, and maple sugar nose with some hints of vanilla, oak, hazelnut, spice, and sherry wood.
Its flavor profile offers raw, spicy, and earthy rye notes with a mellow sweetness. You get hints of sweet rum, sherry wood, and soft oak – to make Angel Envy’s rye whiskey the ultimate sipping whiskey. Even its finishing profile leaves a pleasant aftertaste on your mouth with sweet and dry sensations.
8. Glenmorangie 14-Year-Old Port Cask Finish – Quinta Ruban Single Malt Whisky
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Origin: Scotland
Cost: $61.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 46% ABV/92 US Proof
Glenmorangie 14-Year-Old Port Cask Scotch Whiskey offers a unique and unusual body and flavors leaning towards the sweet side. The whiskey’s 14-year aging in bourbon casks and finishing in port casks for Portugal significantly influences its overall flavor profile.
While the bourbon casks impart their fruity notes, the port casks add depth, velvety texture, and a bold chocolatey finish. To further enhance the taste, the scotch whiskey is not chill-filtered to maintain its complex aroma and rich mouth feel.
The whiskey starts with dark swirls of chocolate and peppermint and finishes with a completely different flavor description. It transitions from walnut and black pepper to mandarin orange and melted marshmallow – an exciting whirlwind of flavors worth exploring.
To savor these flavors, enjoy the whiskey neat, with a splash of water, or ice rocks. You don’t want to add this elegant whiskey to cocktails and lose this interesting flavor combination.
Tip: While the whiskey’s flavor profile appears complex, its chocolate and fruit-forward flavors make it great for people who are new to drinking whiskey.
9. Kentucky Owl Wiseman Bourbon
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $57.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 45.4% ABV/90.9 US Proof
The Kentucky Owl Wiseman Bourbon features a blend of impressive straight bourbons to enhance its body, texture, and flavors. The whiskey comprises four straight bourbons matured to about 8 years.
The blend creates a beautiful aroma of peanut butter, caramel popcorn, halva, and toasted coconut – an inviting fragrance to a sweet, decadent whiskey.
On the palate, the whiskey boasts a combination of French toast notes with hints of vanilla sugar, cinnamon, almonds, oak, pepper, and dark chocolate.
You will also get fruit notes of red berries, cloudy lemonade, apple crumble, cornbread, and honey, especially when you enjoy it with a splash of water. The whiskey also finishes with medium length and after notes of cocoa powder and Christmas spices.
10. Johnnie Walker Double Black Label Blended Scotch Whisky
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Origin: Scotland
Cost: $49.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 40% ABV/80 US Proof
Johnnie Walker Double Black Label Scotch Whiskey is perhaps one of the most perfectly balanced and sweet scotch whiskeys on the market today. The Double Black Label scotch whiskey features a more improved flavor profile and body.
It leans towards a gently sweet body intensified with a smoky blend. In fact, the Double Black Label is known as Johnny Walker Black Label’s youthful, spikier, and rebellious cousin. The whiskey features a delicious sweet smoke and spicy aroma.
The nose is complemented by a luxuriously rich peat with dried fruit and a creamy vanilla palate. The whiskey finishes with a powerful long and warming aftertaste best embraced when served neat or on the rocks.
11. Old Forester 100 Proof Signature Bourbon
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $27.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 50% ABV/100 US Proof
If you are on a budget, the Old Forester Signature Bourbon offers an excellent quality yet, affordable option. A bartender’s favorite, this bourbon can be served in plenty of ways. You can enjoy the bourbon straight, with ice cubes, or as a cocktail base.
Nonetheless, what makes this 100 Proof bourbon stand out is its rich, complex, and sweet character full of flavor. The bourbon boasts a strong sweet coffee with coffee, creamy butterscotch, and licorice aroma.
Its taste combines ripe apple with other sweet fruit, clove, nutmeg, and toasted oak notes. Unlike many types of bourbon, the Old Forester finishes on a lighter and sweeter note with lingering hints of apple and oak.
12. Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $59.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 46.5% ABV/93 US Proof
If you want to enjoy the Old Forester bourbon with a more refined and matured taste, go for the 1910 Old Fine whiskey. The whiskey is described as being distilled in two barrels to produce a single fine liqueur.
Instead of being bottled, this already matured whiskey is aged in a secondary barrel to produce an entirely different delightfully old fine whiskey. The whiskey develops a smooth and sweet flavor with a clean crisp finish.
The bourbon emanates an interlaced layer of buttercream, sticky toffee, cedar, and apricot on the nose. On the palate, it has a smooth and well-rounded balance of sweet oatmeal, a raisin cookie, and milk chocolate that transition to caramel corn and spice. Further, the old fine whiskey finishes with charred oak notes with clean spicy hints.
13. Collier and McKeel Tennessee Whiskey
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Origin: Tennessee, USA
Cost: $54.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 43% ABV/86 US Proof
The Collier and McKeel Tennessee Whiskey goes through a handmade process and traditional Lincoln Country charcoal filtration for its signature taste. It boasts a sweet and smoky profile that is hard to resist even for a beginner.
The Tennessee whiskey features a combination of 70% corn 15% barley, and 15% rye sourced from local farms and distilled into a hand-hammered pot still after fermentation. The whiskey is filtered through sugar maple charcoal, giving it its Tennessee whiskey designation and signature sweet and smoky flavor.
After aging in 15-gallon charred oak casks and maturation in limestone-filtered water, the whiskey develops a smoky and sweet corn aroma.
On the other hand, Tennessee whiskey imparts a sweet and smoky flavor with some spicy earthiness. It finishes with smooth flavors of vanilla, honey, and oak with a touch of sweetness.
14. Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year
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Origin: Kentucky, USA
Cost: $1149.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 45.2% ABV/90.4 US Proof
Van winkle Special Reserve 12-Year Bourbon is the ideal sweet whiskey for those days you want to splurge. Whether for a special occasion or just a gem to add to your home bar, this whiskey features a fine combination of age and proof.
The sweet and full-bodied whiskey is described as nectar and is an excellent competitor of excellent cognac as an after-dinner drink.
It boasts a light dried mango, cocoa fruit, and spiced peach aroma. It also opens up to a balanced beautiful flavor profile you can only describe as elegant and stately.
It emanates a blend of honey, oak, and tobacco toasts while ending with a balanced and dry finish with a lingering tingle. You want to enjoy this fine whiskey neat or with just a splash of water.
15. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple Flavored Whiskey
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Origin: Tennessee, USA
Cost: $26.99
Size: 750ml
Alcohol concentration: 35% ABV/70 US Proof
Imagine the sweetness of Jack Daniels No.7 amplified but real crisp apples – this is exactly how Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple Flavored Whiskey tastes.
This Tennessee whiskey features a unique profile characterized by Jack Daniels whiskey and crisp green apple for a fresh and refreshing bold flavor. The whiskey tastes like freshly picked apples in a glass of Jack Daniels.
On the palate, the whiskey boasts a strong but, balanced crisp apple tastes with notes of almonds, honey, and buttered popcorn. You can embrace the whiskey’s bold and crisp flavors by enjoying it chilled or mixed in refreshing soda based cocktails.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Whiskey Is The Sweetest?
Bourbon is the sweetest type of whiskey. Originating from Kentucky, bourbon typically boasts sweet flavor notes of caramel and vanilla.
Is Jack Daniels A Sweet Whiskey?
While it’s not Kentucky bourbon, Jack Daniels is one of the sweetest whiskeys on the market. In its original variety, the Tennessee whiskey typically boasts sweet aromas of brown sugar, resin, wood, and fresh leaves.
On the palate, it tastes sweet with hints of warm cinnamon, faint vanilla, wood, and oranges. The whiskey finishes with notes of dark chocolate and sweet oranges.
Is Bourbon Or Rye Sweeter?
Bourbon is sweeter than rye. It doesn’t only have a sweeter taste. It also has a richer mouth feel than rich because of its higher corn content.
Typically, bourbon develops notes of vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon. On the other hand, rye has a more varying profile, depending on the rye content.
Is Crown Royal A Sweet Whiskey?
Crown Royal is a sweet whiskey with a smooth and palatable finish. The original Crown Royal variety boasts a lighter body with notes of cinnamon, light maple syrup, and baked apple. In addition to its light and palatable body, the whiskey has a short and smooth finish.
Is Jameson Sweeter Than Bourbon?
Jameson Irish Whiskey does offer some sweet notes. In fact, it has somewhat similar vanilla notes to bourbon, although it also has more complex notes of honey and spice. While Jameson whiskey is sweet, it’s not as sweet as bourbon.
Conclusion
The best sweet whiskeys come with the gift of versatility. With such an extensive line up, there’s always a choice for every type of drinker on the market.
Whether you want an affordable option to mix in a cocktail or a smooth, high-end sipper, there’s always a bottle made just for you.
