Overview: Four beverage professionals have identified eight non-bourbon American whiskeys worth exploring, offering tasting notes and cocktail suggestions to assist selection. The recommendations span straight rye, domestic single malts, and distinctive blends, highlighting diverse production methods and flavor profiles available in the market.
The Full Story
Bourbon receives significant attention, yet other American whiskey styles offer distinct characteristics ranging from spicy ryes to domestic single malts. To navigate these options, four beverage professionals provided their top picks. The experts include Owen Thomson of Casa Teresa, Lonnie Randall of Palato Italian Kitchen and Lounge, Kevin Lauter of Joon, and Dennis Ramirez of L’Ardente.
J. Rieger & Co. was founded in the late 19th century in a Kansas City neighborhood nicknamed the “Wettest Block in the World.” The company closed during Prohibition after producing more than 100 alcoholic products. The Kansas City Whiskey is a blend of straight bourbon, light corn whiskey, and straight rye whiskey aged at least four years. Since 2014, Spanish sherry has been added to the spirit. Owen Thomson notes that a small addition of 15-year Oloroso brings dried fruit and soft sweetness, making it suitable for cocktails like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
Westland is located in Seattle and championed the American single malt style since 2010. The brand helped gain recognition as an official whiskey category in 2025. Owen Thomson appreciates the willingness to explore new possibilities while honoring traditional techniques. Like scotch whisky, it is made from 100% malted barley using Washington-grown barley. Aging occurs in new American oak casks, ex-bourbon barrels, and ex-Oloroso sherry butts. The result features notes of crème brûlée, black tea, and almond nougat. Thomson suggests pouring it neat with water or substituting into scotch-based cocktails like a Rob Roy or Rusty Nail.
Wilderness Trail is produced in Danville, Kentucky. This rye whiskey uses less rye and more corn in its mash bill than traditional rye to balance spice with sweetness. Lonnie Randall highlights the balance of spice with sweetness, noting notes of honey, citrus, and herbs. He recommends it for classic whiskey-forward cocktails like a Sazerac or Boulevardier.
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph is aged for a full decade and is the oldest age-stated rye whiskey released by Wild Turkey. It is part of the Master’s Keep collection. Kevin Lauter describes it as a unicorn whiskey with exceptional quality and rarity. He recommends serving it over high-quality large-format ice to observe how the spirit evolves and changes temperature over time.
WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic pays tribute to Ferdinand Magellan’s historic expedition to circumnavigate the globe. This barrel-proof, single-barrel straight rye whiskey is first aged for 17 years in American oak, then finished in northern Spanish oak and South American teakwood. Kevin Lauter praises its intensity compared to bourbon counterparts but notes the price exceeds $1,000 a bottle.
Basil Hayden Dark Rye combines Kentucky straight rye whiskey with Canadian rye for added depth. A port wine finish brings sweetness that balances the spice. Dennis Ramirez calls it a one-bottle cheat code for cocktails like a Manhattan or Boulevardier where the port’s sweetness complements other ingredients. It is also suitable for sipping on its own.
Sagamore Pot Still Series Rye Malt Whiskey reflects Maryland’s long history of rye production. Available exclusively at the distillery, this whiskey uses locally grown grains and is aged for seven years in barrels made from Maryland oak. Dennis Ramirez notes the local connection resonates with guests at his Washington, D.C., restaurant. He suggests drinking it neat or with ice cubes to open it up, noting it can also hold its own in a whiskey sour.
High West Campfire Whiskey is a distinctive blend combining bourbon, rye whiskey, and blended malt Scotch whisky. The scotch contributes smoky peat balanced by notes of chai spice, orange zest, English toffee, and dark chocolate. Dennis Ramirez appreciates the broad appeal, suggesting it serves as an approachable introduction to peated whisky or a versatile option for cocktails like a Rob Roy or sour.
Production & Profile
J. Rieger & Co. blends straight bourbon, light corn whiskey, and straight rye whiskey aged at least four years with added Spanish sherry since 2014. Westland utilizes new American oak casks, ex-bourbon barrels, and ex-Oloroso sherry butts for its single malt made from Washington-grown barley. Wilderness Trail employs a mash bill with less rye and more corn to balance spice with sweetness. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph is aged for a full decade. WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic undergoes a cross-continental journey of aging, starting with 17 years in American oak followed by northern Spanish oak and South American teakwood finishes. Basil Hayden Dark Rye combines Kentucky straight rye whiskey with Canadian rye and includes a port wine finish. Sagamore Pot Still Series Rye Malt Whiskey is aged for seven years in barrels made from Maryland oak using locally grown grains. High West Campfire Whiskey blends bourbon, rye whiskey, and blended malt Scotch whisky to introduce smoky peat notes balanced by chai spice, orange zest, English toffee, and dark chocolate.
Brand & Industry History
J. Rieger & Co. was founded in the late 19th century in a Kansas City neighborhood nicknamed the “Wettest Block in the World.” The company closed during Prohibition after producing more than 100 alcoholic products. Westland has championed the American single malt style since 2010, eventually helping it gain recognition as an official whiskey category in 2025. Wilderness Trail is produced in Danville, Kentucky. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph comes from a distillery best known for its bourbon, with inspiration coming from Bruce Russell, son of master distiller Eddie Russell and grandson of legendary distiller Jimmy Russell. WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic pays tribute to Ferdinand Magellan’s historic expedition to circumnavigate the globe. Sagamore Pot Still Series Rye Malt Whiskey draws on Maryland’s long history of rye production, where farmers grew rye partly as a cover crop to protect soil from erosion in the early 1800s.
Consumer Takeaway
These selections offer distinct profiles ranging from the dried fruit and soft sweetness of J. Rieger & Co.’s sherry addition to the toasted-grain notes of American single malt. Options include barrel-proof intensity with WhistlePig Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic or age-stated rye with Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph. Regional heritage is available through Sagamore Pot Still Series Rye Malt Whiskey, which uses Maryland oak and locally grown grains. For those seeking a blend of styles, High West Campfire Whiskey combines bourbon, rye whiskey, and blended malt Scotch whisky. Cocktail versatility is highlighted across the recommendations, with suggestions for Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Boulevardier, Rob Roy, and Rusty Nail preparations.
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