The Best Whiskeys to Try in 2014

Deciding on which whiskey to try next can be a tough decision for anyone.

Some of us are content with what we know and love, while others are constantly looking to try new expressions.

Accumulated here are five “must try” whiskeys for 2014. Whether you’re apt to try new things or not, we suggest that you take the time to delve in to this fantastic list. Grab your glass, sit back, and enjoy these five handpicked whiskeys. They will not disappoint.

Wild Turkey Forgiven – Rye/ Bourbon Blend

We all learn from our mistakes, or at least we like to think we do. The folks over at Wild Turkey certainly did when they unwittingly created a very rare rye and bourbon blend. It was the first available in the United States and despite its accidental beginnings, the master distiller quickly realized that he had created a beautiful mistake. This blend hit the market tagged “Forgiven” in light of the story of its beginnings. It holds creamy vanilla and oak notes as well as a peppery, cinnamon finish.

Price (750ml): $49.99

Larceny Bourbon

“A taste made famous by an infamous act.”

There are hundreds of stories about the ways in which different whiskeys come about, and Larceny’s tale is right up there with some of the best. The original industry story stated that John E. Fitzgerald had founded his distillery in Frankfort, KY not long after the end of the Civil War. However, it was later revealed that there was a very different and dark truth to the birth of this bourbon. Fitzgerald was not the master distiller that many had thought. In fact, he was a treasury agent who used his access to many warehouse keys to steal from the finest bourbon barrels. These barrels were later referred to as “Fitzgerald Barrels”. Heaven Hill Distillery has now launched Larceny, with the tag line “A taste made famous by an infamous act,” which sets history straight. We present you with Larceny bourbon.

Larceny is different in the sense that it is made with wheat as the secondary grain, instead of the traditional rye. This gives the final product a much smoother finish than what you may expect from your typical bourbon.

Price (750ml): $31.99

Bowmore the Devil’s Casks 10yr

For those who are unaware, Bowmore is a small village on the island of Islay. Unfortunately for Bowmore, legend has it that the devil once visited the village, and so the story begins.

Among the little stone houses of Bowmore lies a unusual looking, small round church. It was supposedly built this way so there would be no corner for the devil to hide. When the devil was spotted in Bowmore, it was chased through the village and into the grounds of Bowmore Distillery. After hours of searching for the devil, there was no luck; he had vanished. It was determined that he has escaped to mainland Scotland in a batch of casks heading off the island that day.

And so this whiskey holds hot and fiery characteristics that make for a small batch release that is devilishly good. If you don’t have the devil in you, you will after tasting this whiskey.

Price (750ml): $99.99

The Balvenie 12yr Doublewood

The Balvenie DoubleWood is a 12 year old single malt. The secret to the distinctive taste of this whiskey comes from the fact that it is matured in two types of wood. Starting off in a traditional oak cask, it is later transferred to European oak sherry casks. Both casks bring great value to the final product. The traditional casks soften and add character, while the sherry wood intensifies the depth and adds fullness to the flavor.

Price (750ml): $44.99

The GlenDronach Single Cask 1996 Pedro Ximenez Sherry Puncheon

Every year the master distiller from GlenDronach Distillery specially selects a handful of individual casks from the warehouses. These are to be bottled as the GlenDronach “limited release.” The warehouses have been maturing whiskeys dating back as far as 1968, making for an anticipated announcement every year to reveal the annual “limited release.”

This expression, part of “Batch 8” released in July 2013, is slowly dwindling. Swing by and grab a bottle for special occasions while supplies last. It is certainly a treat.

Price (750ml): $124.99

All of these “must try” expressions are available at Julio’s Liquors. Stop in and pick up a bottle today. As always, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask any member of the Julio’s team.

Once you try, or if you have tried any of these whiskeys, we would love to hear your thoughts.