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Independence Day is upon us—time for fireworks, parades, backyard barbecues, beach days, and perhaps a dram or two when the sun goes down. Here are some selections, listed in alphabetical order, that will add more fun to your Glorious Fourth. Some of these whiskeys have carved their place in the American experience, while others simply evoke a uniquely American spirit.
15 Stars First West Blend of Straight Ryes (Batch 2-SSDD), 52.50% ABV, $89
Whiskey maker 15 Stars is named as a toast to Kentucky’s joining the Union as the 15th state in 1792. The U.S. flag with 15 stars and stripes, which was approved by President George Washington, is proudly featured on its labels. 15 Stars was founded in 2019 by father and son blenders Rick and Ricky Johnson, and it debuted its first whiskey in 2022. We’ve scored six of them so far, and all have rated above 90 points.
Col. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel Bourbon, 50% ABV, $60
E.H. Taylor is considered the founder of the modern whiskey era, as he built what is today Buffalo Trace Distillery into a major whiskey-making site. In 1870 Taylor purchased the distillery, naming it O.F.C. (Old Fine Copper) in tribute to his use of copper stills. Two years after the deal, Taylor built himself a major new distillery, and E.H. Taylor is made there today. Buffalo Trace is the oldest distilling site in the country—whiskey has been warehoused there since 1811, and distilling started in 1858.
A. Overholt Monongahela Straight Mash Rye, 47.5% ABV, $40
Old Overholt’s activity as a commercial whiskey dates back to 1810, when Abraham Overholt assumed management of the family distillery and began to commercialize it. Ownership later came to the Gilded Age tycoon Henry Clay Frick, who was Abraham’s grandson. Old Overholt was long one of the great Pennsylvania ryes, though it’s been produced in Kentucky by owner Jim Beam for many years. Its history can be explored at the West Overton Village and Museum in West Overton, Pennsylvania.
Eagle Rare 10 year old Bourbon, 45% ABV, $38
Despite its proud name and lofty status, Eagle Rare has been around only since the 1970s. Still, the name is too good not to include on our July 4th list. Eagle Rare was created by Seagram at the Four Roses Distillery (then called Old Prentice), its bird imagery targeting the popular Wild Turkey brand. In 1989, amid whisky's lean years, it was sold to Sazerac, which soon acquired Buffalo Trace Distillery in 1992, and Eagle Rare moved in. The rest, as they say, is history. Eagle Rare is in huge demand—you can find it, but probably not at that SRP.
George Washington’s Straight Rye, 43% ABV, $98
In 1799, George Washington’s distillery on his estate in Mount Vernon, Virginia produced 11,000 gallons, making it one of the biggest distilleries in America at the time. The distillery and gristmill, built in 1797, were inspired by James Anderson, Washington’s Scottish-born farm manager. Located just under three miles from the Mount Vernon estate entrance, both buildings were restored in a project that began in the early 2000s, and the whiskeys are sold on its website.
Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon, 45% ABV, $50
Jefferson’s was founded by Trey Zoeller and his father Chet in 1997. The name was indeed inspired by Thomas Jefferson, America’s third president and author of the Declaration of Independence. Chet, who passed away earlier this year, was a lawyer and historian whose eighth-generation grandmother, Marian MacLain, was arrested in 1799 for “production of spirituous liquors.” Last year Jefferson’s released a Marian McLain limited edition expression, a blend of five bourbons, that still can be found online.
Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye, 55% ABV, $110
Michter’s is a Kentucky whiskey with roots in Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1753 by Swiss Mennonite rye farmer John Shenk in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, northwest of Philadelphia. According to legend, John Shenk’s whiskey was so valued that George Washington visited the distillery and purchased whiskey for his troops at Valley Forge to fortify them for the winter of 1777-'78. Two centuries later, Michter’s touted its heritage as “the whiskey that warmed the Revolution.” Michter's also makes a limited edition Shenk's whiskey (see below).
Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash Whiskey, 45.6%, $110
This one is a limited edition whiskey from Michter’s that honors John Shenk, who, as mentioned above, founded the distillery in 1753 that became Michter’s in the 20th century. Sour Mash whiskey is a method whereby a portion of the previously distilled whisky mash (known as the backset) is added to the next batch. It dates back to 1818, according to the Kentucky Historical Society. This one is made with a lot of rye in the mashbill. Any Michter’s will do, but Shenk’s truly commemorates American heritage.
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel, 60.8% ABV, $90
Nearest Green, the enslaved man who taught young Jack Daniel how to make whiskey, joined his business after the Civil War as a free man and became the first head distiller at Jack Daniel Distillery. Thanks to the efforts of author and entrepreneur Fawn Weaver, Nearest Green’s legacy lives on at the new Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee. It’s a stunning campus that offers a distillery, tours, bars, dining, and other amenities.
Uprising American Single Malt, 46%, $55
Sons of Liberty Spirits is named for the group of patriots who fought for the colonists’ freedoms during the American Revolution. Based in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, Sons of Liberty launched its first whiskey, Uprising, in 2011. It’s a stout beer, brewed by Sons of Liberty (it also has a brewing license) and distilled into a single malt. The distillery makes a variety of whiskeys today, but Uprising continues to be the core label.
Wigle Reserve Pennsylvania Straight Rye, 42% ABV, $50
Pittsburgh-based Wigle Whiskey notes that western Pennsylvania was the epicenter of American whiskey distilling in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1790s, German immigrant farmer Philip Wigle was among the leaders of men who stood firm against the tax man in a confrontation that led to the Whiskey Rebellion, when the region’s whiskey makers unsuccessfully faced off against George Washington and his troops. Wigle was sentenced to hang for the incident, but Washington pardoned him.
Yellowstone Special Finishes Rum Cask Finished Bourbon, 50% ABV, $50
What could be more American than the beauty of Yellowstone National Park? Yellowstone whiskey was launched in 1872, the same year Yellowstone Park was established, and the whiskey was named for the national enthusiasm that surrounded the park’s opening. Yellowstone Bourbon is relatively small nowadays, but this very underrated whiskey was the largest-selling whiskey in Kentucky during the 1960s and was also popular nationally. Yellowstone does a variety of special releases, and this rum-finished expression is among the recent ones.
