U.S. Whiskey Standards
The excitement around limited releases in the U.S. Whiskey market has only been growing. Now, new styles, like American Single Malt, are making major inroads and joining beloved bottles in what is set to be another year of milestones and innovation. Check out our staff’s go-to standbys below.
St. George B&E American Whiskey $39.99
A true synergy, this whiskey combines the best of what Kentucky and Tennessee can produce in terms of bourbon and rye, and blends in one of the most distinctive single malts in America made by St. George in California. When corn, rye, barley, and even wheat come together like this, with no one grain dominating the blend, a symphony of flavor is created. – Alex Malecki, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof $24.99
I, just learning to be a casual mixologist, let the customers suggest what whiskey to use. Our best-selling rye, bar none, is Rittenhouse. Its balance, fruitiness, and sturdiness makes it stand out in my Manhattans and Boulevardiers. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Kings County Peated Bourbon Whiskey $74.96
This great spirit can be considered a hybrid: it’s a bourbon whiskey where corn is the main ingredient. Corn provides sweetness while peat, grown and kilned in Scotland, is used to give the typical smokiness. It has a robust flavor of chocolate and leather, followed by a delicate smokiness. Delicious! – Andrea Fraccari, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Breckenridge Bourbon $49.96
At 9,600 ft. above sea level Breckenridge is the highest distillery in the United States. There they have access to incredibly pure, mineral-laden snow-melt water which they use to cut the bourbon to proof. Reminiscent of a honey-drizzled slice of toasted rye bread, this bourbon is an intriguing combination of savory, nutty flavors with a hint of sweet molasses. – Simon Gouldstone, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Medley Brothers Straight Bourbon Whiskey $34.96
One of Kentucky’s last family-owned independent bourbon producers, Charles Medley Distillery has produced this exact recipe—a punchy, spicy, 102-proof whiskey with a high-corn mash—since the 1940s. I prefer bourbon over rye in my stirred whiskey cocktails, and appreciate a bourbon over ice enjoyed to a point of heavy dilution, and if you’re anything like me, I urge you to pick up a bottle. Medley Brothers truly sings in those applications, and certainly over-delivers for its price. – Chris Balla, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Balcones Brimstone Smoked Corn Whisky $64.96
Balcones takes a whiskey distilled from local Hopi blue corn and then smokes it with sun dried Texas scrub oak, then bottles at full proof to make this unique whiskey. That may bring to mind a peated scotch, but while peat imparts medicinal flavors of iodine and salt along with the classic smoke, the Brimstone’s smokiness is wrapped in notes of meaty barbecue, chili pepper, and cacao and paired with wonderful richness of body and texture. – Jon Miner, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
McCarthy’s Single Malt Whiskey $59.96
With price and availability fluctuations caused by supply chain issues or tariffs (remember those!), some of our best selling single malts have recently been hard to come by. If you can’t find your fave from across the pond, consider McCarthy’s Single Malt made by Clear Creek Distillery. Their ode to Lagavulin, this bottle may scratch the peated whisky itch you thought was impossible to satisfy stateside. – Bambi Ray, Sales Manager
Just one of the best American Single Malts out there. Bright and malty to start, with a healthy dose of smoke on the finish, this is a whiskey to savor over time by the fire. – Josh Mizrahi, Sales Manager