12 Hot Whiskeys That Are Worth the Hunt

Whether you’re a casual whiskey drinker who values readily available brands or a serious enthusiast seeking out the most compelling expressions in allocated quantities, there are ample hot options on the open market. The 12 whiskeys that follow represent the full spectrum of desirability, from those with exceptional quality and scarcity to those with wider availability.

Culled by scouring secondary markets, fan forums, sub-Reddits, and online chat groups, this list comprises bottles at the top of their class, whether from legendary Kentucky rickhouses or emerging craft distilleries. Here they are:

Redemption 18 year old bourbon (2025), 51.7%, $400

Redemption first launched its Ancients series of ultra-aged Indiana-distilled bourbon in 2017. (First, an 18 year old rye, next, a 36 year old bourbon.) Then…nothing further. Until now. Redemption’s Ancients series makes a triumphant return with an 18 old year blend of 69 barrels, or about 2,400 bottles. It almost didn’t happen: master blender Alan Kennedy told us that “bourbon at 15 years or older, a lot of times, is not the best.” For Kennedy to get behind this liquid, it had to be exquisite.

Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 1 Blend, 50.5%, $80

Danny Polise, Michael Paladini, and the Penelope crew never seem to miss the mark. Ambitious flavor experiments that would otherwise have purists up in arms always land for Penelope. Its latest release, Cigar Sessions Chapter 1, succeeds again. Polise and his blending wizards worked in partnership with Dissident Cigars and Stolen Throne Cigars to meld straight bourbon, American single malt, and American light whiskey into a small batch with a mashbill of 72% corn, 15% rye, and 13% malt, which then underwent 6 years of aging. Each of the 45,000 bottles hitting the market is designed to best complement medium-bodied cigars, though, with fun notes of milk chocolate, caramel, and (of course) tobacco, it’s compelling enough to drink solo.

Russell’s Reserve 13 year old bourbon (Spring 2025), 61.9%, $200

Russell’s Reserve 13 year exists only because Eddie Russell grew tired of watching his best juice disappear into a 10 year old blend. That first impeccable drop, in 2021, fared so well in the market, it became an annual release, save for last year when a one-off 15-year Russell’s Reserve was offered. Now, RR13 storms back with a vengeance—and an escalated proof: 123.8. (The 2023 RR13 was 57.4% ABV, for those keeping score.) That extra firepower only serves to enhance that luscious cherry candy note Russell's fans obsess over. The fan forums and secondary markets are already in a tizzy over this one, so expect higher than SRP pricing. With a sizable volume, you should still be able to snag a bottle.

Little Book Chapter 9 “None for Granted” blend, 60.9%, $160

Freddie Noe’s annual Little Book series is a playful exercise in storytelling, with some chapters building on prior ones. The latest, Chapter 9 “None For Granted,” delivers a fun plot twist that makes you want to reread the entire series. Included in this expression: an 11 year old Kentucky straight bourbon, an 8 year old rye, and three additional bourbons (aged 7 or 8 years). Like any skilled author, Noe knows when to use a callback. Here, it’s an 8 year old brown rice bourbon that first debuted as a 4 year old in Chapter 4 “Lessons Honored.” Will it emerge as your favorite Little Book chapter? Probably not; Chapter 2 or 3 are tough to top. Is Chapter 9 worth your time and money? Yep.

Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 7 year old bourbon, 50%, $60

A 7 year old, 100 proof Old Fitz for $60? These are easy numbers to love. While it’s increasingly common to see bottled in bond expressions, those carrying age statements are supremely rare—fewer than 10 regularly available examples exist. So Old Fitzgerald 7, employing Heaven Hill’s beloved wheated mashbill, is in exclusive company. Let the flippers chase inflated secondary prices for now. This unallocated, year-round release will be on shelves at retail soon enough.

Eagle Rare 12 year old bourbon, 47.5%, $50

Take Buffalo Trace’s cult-favorite mashbill 1, let it age 10 years, and you get Eagle Rare 10. Let it go for two more and bottle it at five more proof points? You’ve got the new Eagle Rare 12 year old you’ll be requesting from your local proprietor. The good news: A sizable production volume means your local shop is more likely to get some. The bad news: Like any Buffalo Trace age-stated product, it’s a toss-up whether it’ll be anywhere near SRP. The first drop of ER12s hitting the market will be overpriced, but patience will be your wallet’s friend here.

Old Swagger 12 year old bourbon, 50%, $175

Per Rising Tide Spirits’ website, “bourbon requires a long walk from a barrel to the bottle. When each step has rhythm, it’s swagger.” This bottled in bond 12 year old is a batch of 12 barrels of MGP bourbon, and it’s becoming a favorite new release on forums and gaining traction on secondary. The unique handblown bottles certainly don’t hurt the appeal, but mostly people understand Rising Tide founder Ed Bley—responsible for selecting more than 250 single barrels for Kentucky’s famed Cork N’ Bottle store—knows how to choose a banger. Bley’s track record may be the true swagger here.

Preservation Estate Pot Distilled wheated bourbon, 57.3%, $130

This dropped in December 2024. But this expression—the first fully distilled and blended on-site at Preservation’s Bardstown facility—is created in three to five-barrel batches whenever it runs low, new releases are rolling out constantly. This 6 to 7 year wheated blend is also one of the first offerings orchestrated by Preservation’s general manager, Kyle Lloyd (who spent nearly a decade at Michter’s, ending as its VP of Quality, Research and Development), and he hit a home run with this offering. Each time you nose or sip, you’ll pick up a different note or flavor, all inviting and welcome. Preservation doesn’t have wide distribution yet, which makes tracking down a bottle trickier, but land one, and those who like complex spirits will not be disappointed.

Green River 250th Anniversary bourbon, 55.55%, $49

An homage to the U.S. Army’s founding in 1775, this limited anniversary release celebrates Kentucky whiskey heritage while showcasing Green River’s blending expertise with 4 to 7 year old bourbons. The 111.1 proof represents Veterans Day (11/11), adding meaningful symbolism to every pour. The bourbon’s mashbill—77% corn, 14% rye, and 9% malted barley—delivers. Beyond Kentucky, bottles were deployed to select military bases nationwide.

Stranahan’s 2025 Founder’s Release American single malt, 60%, $200

This 12 year old boasts several unique, desirable qualities that set it apart. Despite its 120 proof—ungodly high for most American single malts when the bulk of Stranahan’s tops out at 94 proof—this one drinks remarkably easily. The blend includes blonde ale cask-finished whiskey, a nod to co-founder George Stranahan’s brewing roots. Head blender Justin Aden continues his exemplary work at the Denver distillery with this standout release. High-altitude aging, higher proof, the highest expectations—all delivered.

Rare Character Limited Release 2025 bourbon (Batch 3), 57.18%, $189

In 2024, Rare Character launched a Limited Release series, batches assembled by its blending guru Chad Watson. The aim is to combine unlikely components, though it also highlights Watson’s palate and prowess. 2025’s Batch 3 represents a fascinating terroir experiment: one mashbill from two states (Indiana and Kentucky), aged across four different locations. The 8-plus year old liquid balances all regional influences without losing its unified voice. Elements complement rather than compete, delivering rewarding complexity across approximately 2,500 bottles. With Rare Character's expanding national distribution, tracking down this release is easier than before. And very much worth the lift.

Old Forester President’s Choice bourbon, 55–62.5%, $225

Brown-Forman historically released Old Forester’s President’s Choice only at the distillery, but the single barrel program is now debuting nationally, and adding a rye. The bourbon’s been a mainstay offering since the program started back in 1890, but that rye—65% rye, 20% malted barley, 15% corn—is a welcome addition. Proofs vary by barrel, though master taster Melissa Rift set the guardrails of 110 and 125 proof to optimize flavor expression. Expect competition from fellow President’s Choice hunters, though less intense than Birthday Bourbon releases. With national distribution, more bottles should reach more drinkers. Early procurers recommend giving both expressions ample time to open up before sipping, and suggest a drop of water works wonders.