There is an amazing array of options for the whiskey drinker looking to find the best sipping bourbon. Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whiskey, traditional rye spice and wheated, or even an interesting single malt, there’s no shortage of different tastes available to you as you search for your favorite bourbon to drink neat or on the rocks.

Great bourbon distillers and hard charging newcomers feature on the following collection of 10 bourbon brands to try if you’re looking for the smoothest drop. We hope you enjoy yourself responsibly as you work through the list.

Best Buy

1. 291 Colorado Barrel Proof Single Barrel Whiskey

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At 63.5% ABV this single barrel American whiskey will kick you square in the pants, and you’ll be thankful. Featuring a distinctive bourbon mash bill, the 291 Colorado Single Barrel retains a smooth, rich caramel taste despite being loaded with Old West power.

After distillation in a copper pot still it’s aged in charred white oak barrel and finished with charred aspen staves for that distinctive Colorado flavor. Sure, you can get the regular proof version, but when a barrel proof American whiskey tastes like this, set it in your glass and enjoy with a couple of ice cubes.

2. Knob Creek Straight Bourbon 12 Year

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The maturation process for this extra-long aged Knob Creek 12 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey allowed the bourbon to change in a way that younger whiskies never experience. All the flavors of oak, caramel and vanilla present within those barrels are concentrated year after year, removing harshness of flavor while still maintaining the unmistakable full-flavor of Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

By selecting the finest grains and finishing in white oak barrels with maximum char, Knob Creek has created a top quality 100 proof bourbon filled with rich flavor and sweetness. Sip this to your heart’s content, at a price you’ll find is worth a longer session.