The Whiskeys I'm Drinking Now - Fall 2025 Edition

I love me some whiskey! Settling down with a finger (or two!) of whiskey in the evening while listening to music and reading a book is becoming one of my favorite traditions in retirement! Not every evening of course, but at least a couple of times a week! But given all the choices out there, what are some nice whiskeys to try if this sounds like an enticing idea to you? I’m here to help with this week’s post – let’s talk whiskey!

Before we get started, let’s narrow some things down right from the start. While I’m fascinated with all the different types of whiskeys from around the world and am in the process of learning more about them, my “go to” whiskey is American, and my favorite choices are bourbon and rye.

For a whiskey to be classified as bourbon, it has to meet the following criteria:

• Made in the U.S.A.

• Contain at least 51% corn in the mash bill

• Aged in new charred oak barrels

• Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol by volume)

• Entered in barrel at no more than 125 proof

• Bottled at no less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume)

• No added flavoring, coloring, or other spirits.

  
  

For a whiskey to be classified as rye, it has to meet all the criteria for bourbon, except:

• The mash bill must be made up of at least 51% rye instead of corn

• Is allowed to have colorings and flavorings, if not labeled as “straight rye”.

  
  

I absolutely love bourbon for its sweet, smooth, and fruity notes, while rye provides nice spice and floral notes. And unless I’m having a cocktail that uses either bourbon or rye, I always drink my whiskey straight, with no ice so as not to dilute the flavors of the whiskey. Every so often, I’ll add a few drops of water to “tame” the spirit, but only if it’s very high proof.

Here are a few of the bourbons and ryes I’ve been enjoying lately, along with a quick summary of my tasting notes for each.

Buffalo Trace Kosher Rye Recipe ($90). This is a rare rye whiskey that’s made following the strict dietary laws of traditional Jewish law. It comes in at 94 proof, and has an intense nose with notes of brown sugar and charred oak, and campfire smoke. In the mouth, I taste dried apricot fruit, Asian spice, dark cherry, and molasses. It finishes on the palate silky smooth, but with a light burn and light spice notes as well and an underlying vein of subtle sweetness. It’s elegant, sophisticated, and restrained. Buy this one if you can find it! Rating: Very Good.

Weller C.Y.P.B Wheated Bourbon ($70). The C.Y.P.B. stands for “Craft Your Perfect Bourbon”. This is another rare whiskey that’s under the Weller label and distilled, aged, and bottled by Buffalo Trace. This unique bourbon was made in a collaborative style by soliciting input from whiskey drinkers to help choose the ideal recipe, proof, warehouse location, and age. The consensus pick was for a wheated bourbon, aged for 8 years on the highest warehouse floors, and produced at 95 proof. This bourbon shows orange peel and cinnamon on the nose. I get notes of honey, brown sugar, baking spice, and a subtle sweetness in the mouth. There’s a nice heat on the long finish, with notes of poached pear and caramel. Delicious! Rating: Excellent.

Michner’s Limited Release Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon ($110). This is another small batch release made in limited quantities, and is certainly a bit pricy, but definitely worth it! This bourbon has undergone extended aging in toasted barrels, giving it a unique char and smoky character. Weighing in at 91.4 proof, this bourbon has a caramel, reddish hue in the glass. I smell smoke, toasted brioche, and nice char on the nose. On the palate, I taste black cherries, black pepper, burnt caramel, smoke, marshmallow/ smore, and sweet dark brown sugar. The finish is complex and smooth, with apple cider and caramel donut notes. A really beautiful example of what extended aging can do to a bourbon. Rating: Excellent.

Bhakta 1928 Straight Rye Whiskey ($70). This is my top whiskey for 2025! It’s a rye whiskey (60% rye) fortified with 30% Calvados (a French apple brandy) and 10% ancient Armagnac. The blend includes spirits from 1928, 1941, 1963, and 1973. There’s nothing else out there like this blended rye whiskey – distilled to 100 proof, this rye shows apple, spice, and oak on the nose. In the mouth, I taste an explosion of flavors that include bright spice (pepper, cinnamon and baking spices) along with apple, pear, vanilla, and brown sugar. The finish is sweet and smooth, with light spice as well. Entirely unique and sophisticated in a fantastic way! I always have a bottle of this in our liquor cabinet. Rating: Superb.

Give one of these tasty American whiskeys a try – I promise you won’t be disappointed – I certainly wasn’t!