As 2025 draws to a close, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the whiskey releases that defined the year. From bold American bourbons to refined Scottish single malts, these bottles represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship and flavor. This curated selection is perfect for seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
1. Bomberger’s PFG Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Michter’s continued to impress with its PFG Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Released in 2025, this 100.2-proof bourbon showcases a complex profile. Matured in a unique blend of new, charred American oak and custom-made French fine-grain oak barrels, it delivers pronounced notes of dried fruits, wintry spices, chocolate, vanilla, and a subtle butterscotch finish.
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Price:
$129.99
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Recommended Sipping Method:
Neat or with a splash of water on a cool winter evening.
2. Glengoyne 24 Year Old White Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky
A testament to patience, the Glengoyne 24 Year Old White Oak single malt is a must-try. Aged in a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks, this Scottish gem reveals a soft, light flavor profile dominated by toasted vanilla beans, honey, wintry spices, and candied orange peels, with a lingering charred oak backbone. It’s particularly well-suited to a cold evening.
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Price:
$399.99
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Recommended Sipping Method:
Pour into a Glencairn glass and sip slowly to fully appreciate the nuanced flavors.
3. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition
Celebrating 25 years of the iconic Old Fitzgerald, this special edition Bottled-in-Bond bourbon is a celebration of quality and tradition. Crafted from a 68% corn, 20% rye, and 12% malted barley mash bill and aged for a full thirteen years, it boasts a bold flavor profile featuring notes of toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, baking spices, honey, and rich charred oak.
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Price:
$499
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Recommended Sipping Method:
Enjoy neat or with a splash or two of water – the complexity demands attention.
4. Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend
A fantastic starting point for anyone entering the world of Chattanooga Whiskey, this limited-edition expression is a solera blend. Bottled at 100-proof, it’s a carefully crafted combination of three special mash bills from Chattanooga and MGP, aged for a minimum of two years (many much longer), delivering a distinctive profile with notes of raisins, dried fruits, wintry spices, vanilla, and rich oak.
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Price:
$59.99
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Recommended Sipping Method:
Neat or with a splash of water – perfect for a chilly night.
5. Cedar Ridge Port Cask Rye
Arguably the standout rye of 2025, Cedar Ridge Port Cask Rye showcases exceptional craftsmanship. Distilled with an 85% rye, 12% corn, and 3% malted barley mash bill, and finished in a second cask previously holding Estate Port wine, it offers an intoxicating aroma of caramel, cinnamon candy, cherries, and oak. The finish is long and satisfying.
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Price:
$59.99
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Recommended Sipping Method:
Enjoy the complex flavors on its own or with a sipper’s guide to pair it with your favorite snacks.
*Source: Forbes reports extensive market analysis for 2025 whiskey trends.*
