Big Whiskies: 12 High-Proof Expressions That Deliver the Goods

Higher-proof whiskies began growing in popularity around 20 years ago, thanks to bartenders who loved their ability to stand up to competing flavors in a drink. But over the years, whisky fans increasingly gravitated toward drinking them neat, with the perception that more proof means more flavor. Recently, proof bombs have gained a cult following, primarily thanks to American whiskeys like Jack Daniel’s Coy Hill and others. Most of the whiskies on this list are fairly gentle compared to those, but all have robust levels of alcohol. At their worst, high-ABV whiskies simply hide behind their proof, attempting to ride the high-proof craze without offering much beyond that. But at their best, well-made high-proof whiskies offer loads of accentuated flavors and complexity to sip and enjoy.

95 points - Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Special Release Coy Hill Barrelhouse 8 Tennessee whiskey (2024), 67.35%, $80

Coy Hill is the highest point on Jack Daniel Distillery’s campus, where barrel houses 8, 9, 10, 11, and 13 are located. This is where master distiller Chris Fletcher seeks out the casks for Coy Hill. The mashbill is the same as Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7—80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye—but the maturation period is about twice as long or more, depending on the release. That extended aging on the top floors of those warehouses, combined with Tennessee’s heat, creates some very high-proof barrels. This release is rich and viscous with heat and spice. Hot chocolate, cinnamon, maple sugar, espresso beans, baking spice, blueberry, and orange flavors are pronounced.

94 points - Elijah Craig 11 Year 2 Month Old Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch B524), 65.3%, $75

Out of Elijah Craig's three barrel proof releases this year, this release from May 2024 is the highest proof at 130.6. Overall, the texture is smooth and it holds its proof well as the flavors hum. On the finish, orange, aged oak, chicory, and a rush of hot cocoa, all reveal quality in depth and integration. This is a superb whiskey, big, flavorful, and complex.

94 points - Highland Park Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch (Batch 5), 64.5%, $100

This edition of Highland Park’s boldest release was matured in a combination of first-fill sherry, bourbon, and sherry-seasoned American oak, creating a complex and balanced whisky that belies its high proof. Toasted vanilla, sharp citrus, and a whisper of peat rise from the glass, backed by clove smoke, herbs, and honeyed fruits.

94 points - Isle of Raasay Cask Strength 2024 Edition Single Malt Scotch, 61.3%, $100

Isle of Raasay, based in the remote Hebridean islands of Scotland, vatted and bottled this expression at cask strength, a robust version of their signature Isle of Raasay Single Malt which sits at a tamer 46.4% ABV. Using Raasay’s signature six-cask recipe, the nose is bursting with citrus, apricot, honey, fir peatiness, and hints of cinnamon and ginger. Delicate sherry notes on the first sip, with black currant, butterscotch, ginger root, and creamy vanilla mingling with salty peat smoke, milk chocolate, and fruity layers.

94 points - Nc’nean AON First Fill Bourbon Single Cask Single Malt Scotch (NO. 18-642), 60.4%, $130

"Aon" means "one" in Gaelic, a nod to the single cask bottling of this 100% organic malted barley expression which sits at 60.4% ABV. The palate's texture is fantastic, offering a wonderfully creamy mouthfeel accented by flavors of juicy apricot, raw honey, and sugar cookie.

93 points - Booker’s “Springfield Batch” Bourbon (Batch 2024-01), 62.25%, $90

Named after legendary distiller Booker Noe's hometown of Springfield Kentucky, this bourbon was aged over 7 years in new white oak barrels prior to being bottled uncut, unfiltered, and at barrel strength. The palate is beautifully soft and mellow yet powerful, spicy up front with chocolate, cinnamon, chai turmeric tea, and drizzled caramel.

93 points - Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye (Distilled in 2017, 2024 Release), 61.6%, $100

One of three in Heaven Hill's grain-to-glass series, this rye carries the highest proof of all at 61.6% ABV. The palate is hot, but water brings out vanilla sweetness, ripe orange slices, and dark chocolate; it’s nicely textured and well structured. The overall body is delicate in a way—it’s not particularly thick or chewy—but it offers very appealing flavors and integration.

92 points - Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon (Distilled in 2017, 2024 Release), 60.5%, $100

This wheated bourbon is one of three in the label's Grain to Glass series alongside a rye bottled at 61.6% ABV and a bourbon bottled at 53.5% ABV. An avalanche of vanilla aromas on the nose: vanilla bean panna cotta, crème brûlée, and vanilla custard. The palate is light, especially considering the ABV, which is evident predominantly in the incredible amounts of hot cinnamon spice.

92 points - Single Malts of Scotland Aultmore 15 year old Single Malt Scotch (Distilled in 2009), 60.7%, $180

A very limited-release whisky in only 422 bottles, this whisky, distilled in 2008, spent 14 years aging in a single sherry butt before being bottled at 60.7% ABV. Bramble, black currant, baked plum, dunnage earthiness, and roasted spices exude from the glass, with the dark fruits proving to be quite punchy at this proof.

91 points - Natterjack Cask Strength Blended Irish, 63%, $90

80% corn and 20% malted barley is mashbill backbone of this uncut, cask strength Irish whiskey blended and then aged in bourbon barrels, followed by a finish in char 4 virgin American oak. Creamy vanilla comes forth on the palate, which is hot, hot, hot, but not unpleasantly so, as it’s tied to notes of candied ginger and peppery spice. With water (which is recommended for this one), the flavors expand considerably, revealing more vanilla, white pepper, and ample chocolate.

90 points - Little Rest Double Matured Cask Strength American Single Malt, 62.6%, $135

A spirit redolent of strong scotch is present in this single malt cask strength expression, made on a Scottish Forsyth still and under the guiding hand of Scottish-born master distiller Shane Fraser. Have tissues on hand for the palate; it’s an eye-watering experience, but beneath the heat are a beautiful texture and bounty of flavors, ranging from baking chocolate and brownie batter to leather and pecans.

89 points - Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch B524), 62.7%, $65

The label's signature wheated bourbon mashbill is non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof in this expression. It lost a few points when compared to its predecessor, Batch B520, from 2020 that swept the No.-1 spot on our Top 20 list. This batch of Heaven Hill’s barrel proof wheater is brash and bold. The palate is punchy, with chile pepper and black pepper, cinnamon powder, and toasted oak demanding center stage.