Mar 03, 2021

WE ASKED 12 BARTENDERS: WHAT’S THE BEST BOURBON THAT’S EARNED A SPOT ON YOUR BAR?

Americans have proven that no hardship can keep them from their beloved native spirit, bourbon. As VinePair reported last September, sales of off-premise bourbon reached $1.34 billion in revenue only eight months into 2020 – a staggering 30 percent increase from the previous year.

And the bourbon industry isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. To help highlight new released worth a splurge, VinePair asked experts for the bourbons that have recently earned a place on their bars and in their hearts. Keep reading for some newly released treasures, plus a few classics that should be on every bourbon connoisseur’s radar.

“Spirt Works Bourbon. Spirit Works is here in Sebastopol at The Barlow. They are local, source quality ingredients, it’s made by wonderful people, and it tastes great. We use it in Dealer’s Choice cocktails like an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Whiskey Sour to show off the quality and flavor. It can be enjoyed neat or with a little ice as well. ” – Sam Levy, Fern Bar at The Barlow, Sebastopol, Calif.