George Dickel 8 Year Old, 45%

Nicole Austin hasn't rested on her laurels since George Dickel Bottled inBond won Whisky of the Year in 2019, continuing to create great and affordable whiskeys at Cascade Hollow Distillery. This is notably a bourbon rather than a Tennessee whiskey, though the criteria for the two styles mostly overlap. The nose is nutty and well-spiced, with caramel corn, toasted pecans, cinnamon graham crackers, cherry tart, and butterscotch candies. There is a friendliness to the palate that makes it ideal for outdoor imbibing, with notes of spearmint, mixed berries, nougat, and honey. Big spice on the finish makes this a memorable sip. Number 5 in the 2021 Top 20