Ring in Independence Day with These 15 Whiskeys

Happy Birthday, America! For this 4th of July weekend, we've rounded up 15 American whiskeys to celebrate the day. The selection spans the great American whiskey landscape to include bourbons, ryes, wheat whiskeys, and American single malts. Sip them neat, with ice, or in cocktails, enjoy the fireworks and cookouts, and have a great weekend!

95 points - Bernheim Original Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (Batch A225), 62.7%, $67

The first of two annual batches, the palate offers a mouthwatering combination of cinnamon spice, vanilla soft serve ice cream, Rolo candy, dark chocolate, and a hint of nutmeg.

94 points - Booker's "Barry's Batch" 7 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Batch 2025-01), 62.85%, $100

"Barry's Batch" is named in memory of former Jim Beam chairman and CEO, Barry Berish, who is credited with holding the company together during bourbon's downturn of the 1970s and 1980s. The nose starts with fragrant dryness of burlap, corn seed, and dusty warehouse floor, while the palate and finish offer dark chocolate, peppery spice, cinnamon, and walnut, highlighted by bright notes of cherry, watermelon, cherries, and bright red berries.

94 Points - Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey (2025 Release; Barrel No. 24-24084), 64.8%, $64

This explodes on the palate with rich chocolates, sweet pear cider, grape jelly, and snickerdoodles. The proof is evident but not overwhelming. Water reveals a rich bakery note, pushing the cocoa flavors from simple chocolate bars to Black Forest cake.

93 Points - Whiskey Del Bac Frontera American Single Malt, 48.5%, $90

A whiskey finished in sherry botas, with a name inspired by the capital town of sherry wine, Jerez de a Frontera. The palate is beguiling, sprinkled with delicately sweet notes of yellow cupcake, buttercream frosting, and dulce de leche, and later, bursts of cherry pie, toasted almonds, and caramel syrup.

93 points - Michter’s Limited Release US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye (Barrel No. 25B0605; 2025 Release), 54.9%, $120

Fragrant coconut flakes, barrel char mellowed rye grains, peanut butter, vanilla, and cocoa powder, accented by maraschino cherry sweetness

92 points - American Metal 10 year old Single Barrel American Whiskey (Batch 3), 48%, $215

The palate is led by vanilla and chocolate: Cocoa Puffs, vanilla wafers, brownie batter, crème brûlée, vanilla cupcake, plus plenty of warming spices.

92 Points - Holladay Distillery 6 year old Soft Red Wheat Bottled in Bond Missouri Straight Bourbon (2024 Release), 50%, $60

A rich, gooey palate with balanced sweetness, with flavors of apricot, cherries, brown sugar, and strawberries.

92 points - Larceny Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon (Batch A125), 62.5%, $65

Melted caramel, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, red berries, chocolate, raisins, and spice. Dessert-like sweetness, all tempered by aged oak, with a spicy finale, but holding its proof very well all the way through.

92 points - Middle West Spirits Cask Strength Straight Wheat (Batch 001), 62.55%, $70

Honey, vanilla almond ice cream, caffe latte, deep, flavorful raspberry and blueberry notes. Creamy texture on a big, delicious palate and finish, with the sweet notes echoing to the end.

92 Points - Westland Cask Exploration Wine Cask Finished American Single Malt (Batch 1), 46%, $75

Number 20 in our Top 20 of 2024, this expression is rich, full, and deep with lots of blueberry, apples, pecans, apricots, buttered popcorn, vanilla malt, and spice.

91 points - Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Heavy Toasted New Oak Barrel Finished Bourbon (2025 Release), 45.2%, $200

Bold but lightly structured, with flavors of sweet coffee, caramel, sweet corn, marshmallow, and pepper spice, along with notes of dark chocolate and oak.

91 points - Laws Whiskey House 7 year old San Luis Valley Bonded Rye (Batch 5), 50%, $85

The palate is well-spiced and round, balancing cinnamon spice with dried fruit and chocolate, cinnamon babka, raisin bread, oat milk latte, and Charleston Chew.

91 Points - Redwood Empire Pipe Dream Bourbon, 45%, $40

90 Points - Copperworks FarmSmith Single Origin Washington Barley American Single Malt (2024 Release), 50%, $70

The palate is creamy and lush with baking spice, Heath bar, nougat, caramel syrup, and a touch of orange.

90 Points - Mary Dowling Winter Wheat Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon, 45.5%, $55

This wheater is straightforward and approachable with apples, pears, cherries, strawberry shortcake, honey, cinnamon, and corn sweetness.