Updated for winter 2025 with new releases, cold-weather flavor picks, and tasting notes.
Winter is the only time of year I reach for certain bourbons. The cold brings out deeper flavors, and some bottles just hit differently once the temperature drops.
But let’s be honest, Winter is the best time of year to drink bourbon. The cold makes high proof feel smoother. Deep caramel and oak flavors hit harder. And the right bottle can warm you up faster than a blanket and a fireplace.
If you are looking for some inspo on the best bourbons to sip this winter, we’ve got you covered. Here are the five bottles that shine when the temperature drops.
We selected these bottles for the primary purpose of drinking neat, as opposed to alongside a cocktail. That being said, we have a great Wintery Bourbon Hot Chocolate recipe here if a mixed drink is more your vibe.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Best Overall Winter Bourbon
Proof: 116.8 (varies by batch)
Price: $55 to $70
Rare Breed is everything you want in a cold-weather bourbon. It is bold, spicy, warm, and full of deep caramel and oak. The higher proof feels smooth in winter and the flavor holds up even after the first sip chills in the glass.
Tasting notes: brown sugar, orange peel, toasted oak, baking spice.
Winter vibe: The kind of bourbon you pour after coming in from the cold, when your hands are still thawing and you want something with enough warmth and spice to settle you in for the night.
Breaking Bourbon has a great review of Wild Turkey Rare Breed here if you want to go deeper.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Best High-Proof Winter Sipper
Proof: Typically 120–130+
Price: $65 to $80
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a winter classic. Each batch hits with rich oak, dark caramel, and vanilla custard. The warmth is immediate and the finish goes on forever.
Tasting notes: molasses, chocolate, charred oak, baking spice.
Winter vibe: Perfect for a slow evening by the fire when you are looking for a pour that stays rich and full as it warms in the glass.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Best Winter Bourbon Under $70
Proof: 115
Price: $55 to $65
Old Forester 1920 is dessert in a glass. The thick mouthfeel, deep cocoa notes, and warm spice make it one of the best winter-ready bourbons available at a widely accessible price.
Tasting notes: chocolate, marshmallow, cinnamon, dried fruit.
Winter vibe: Ideal for a late-night dessert pour. It pairs beautifully with chocolate, pecan pie, or anything you’d bring out after a holiday meal.
Side Note: If you fall in love with this one, read our expert ranking of all 17 Old Forster Bourbons.
4. Stagg (Formerly Stagg Jr.)
Best Winter Bourbon for Heat Lovers
Proof: 130+
Price: $100 to $200
If you can find this bottle for a reasonable price, this is an instant winner. It’s the younger brother of Buffalo Trace Antique Colletion’s George T. Stagg (which runs for a premium).
Stagg is powerful and intense, which is why it is perfect in the cold. The heat feels more balanced, and the explosive flavor becomes more enjoyable in winter.
Tasting notes: dark cherry, brown sugar, heavy oak, cocoa powder.
Winter vibe: This is the bottle you reach for during long winter nights when you want something bold and intense that’ll keep you company during the cold.
5. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Best Wheated Bourbon for Winter
Proof: 108–114
Price: $50 to $65
Wheated bourbons shine in winter because they are softer and rounder. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength keeps the warmth but adds a creamy, dessert-like profile that fits holiday flavors.
Tasting notes: vanilla bean, warm pastry, caramel cream.
Winter vibe: Great for quiet weekend mornings or early evenings when you want something smooth, sweet, and warming without the heavy spice of higher-rye bourbons.
Best Ways to Enjoy Bourbon in Cold Weather
Winter changes how bourbon tastes. The cold slows the nose and shifts how sweetness and heat show up. These small adjustments help you get the most out of your bottle.
Let the bourbon warm naturally in your hand
Cold weather mutes aroma. Giving the glass a few minutes to come up in temperature opens the caramel, vanilla, and spice notes. This is especially true with barrel proof.
Use a heavy rocks glass or Glencairn
Thicker glass holds warmth longer and gives high-proof bourbon a smoother feel. A Glencairn works well indoors because it concentrates winter spice notes on the nose.
Add a few drops of warm water
Not room-temperature water. Warm water.
This wakes up the nose in cold rooms and rounds off the sharpest edges of barrel-proof bourbons without thinning the flavor.
Pair the right bourbon with the right moment
High-proof bourbons are great for fireside sipping.
Sweeter, dessert-leaning bourbons are perfect after a holiday meal.
Spicier bourbons shine on really cold nights.
Try your winter bourbon with food
The right pairing makes a cold-weather pour even better.
Great winter pairings include:
- dark chocolate
- roasted nuts
- gingerbread
- maple desserts
- smoked meats
- charcuterie with aged cheddar or blue cheese
Keep your bottle indoors
Don’t store bourbon in cold basements or garages during winter. Low temperatures mute aroma, flatten sweetness, and can cause cloudy separation that takes hours to settle.
Experiment with winter garnishes
A single piece of dried orange peel, a cinnamon stick, or a light touch of clove can emphasize the season without turning it into a cocktail.
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