When whiskey is made with more than 80% corn in its mash bill, it’s usually referred to as corn whiskey.
These expressions offer a glimpse into the modern state of the whiskey industry.
You have plenty of top-shelf options if you’re looking for the best corn whiskey brands.
But choosing the right one for you can be tricky, so here are our recommendations.
Top 15 Best Corn Whiskey Brands (Must-Try)
15. Bowen’s Spirits
Average Price: around $39.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Bowen Spirits offers a corn whiskey distilled using a traditional family recipe.
It’s a 100% small-batch corn whiskey — matured for an undisclosed amount of time in barrels from burnt trees in the Piute Mountains.
This is a sweet and oily blend of whiskey with a lot of character. On the palate, it has hints of chocolate, rosewater, and marshmallow.
It also has a flavorful finish with an oily taste.
14. MB Roland
Average Price: around $41.99/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 52.5 – 57.5% ABV
Why We Like It: The MB Roland’s Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey is a versatile blend of corn whiskey made in the US in 2009.
It was discovered by Paul and his wife, Merry Beth.
This corn whiskey is a full-bodied and gentle drink, bottled at 105–115 proof.
It’s made with locally-grown white corn, then aged and barrel-proofed, similar to the Pre-prohibition bourbon [1] process.
So this creates a unique blend of full-flavored whiskey featuring delicious floral and sweet notes.
13. Hudson
Average Price: around $49.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 46% ABV
Why We Like It: Tuthilltown Spirits is a small-batch whiskey producer in New York’s Hudson Valley.
Their Hudson New York corn whiskey is made with high-quality corn kernels, the only whiskey ingredient they use in their product.
This is a double-distilled corn whiskey made with no sugars or flavors, bottled at 92-proof, and non-chill filtered.
We like Hudson corn whiskey due to its creamy finish from the combination of sweet corn, cereal, and buttered-popcorn flavors.
You can also try their Baby Bourbon, rechristened as Bright Lights, Big Bourbon with a mash bill of 95% corn.
12. Heaven Hill
Average Price: around $43/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 49.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Heaven Hill Distillery introduced its own straight corn whiskey featuring light floral notes with cream soda and honey-popcorn flavors.
This corn whiskey is a bit spicy yet creamy on the palate with a smooth and sweet mouthfeel.
Due to its corn mash bill, it delivers a fruity punch with long-lasting light buttery notes. The latest batch of this spirit carries a 9-year age statement.
“It is true that whisky improves with age. The older I get, the more I like it.”
— Ronnie Corbette, Writer/Scottish Actor
11. Coppersea
Average Price: around $89.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 48% ABV
Why We Like It: This New York-based corn whiskey is made from coppersea corn.
After six months of aging, it creates a deep golden color and hints of pink.
The other part of the grain recipe, malted barley, contributes to the flavor of this corn whiskey.
Coppersea New York Corn Whiskey has lots of red fruit aromas, like berries and currants, combined with cornmeal that has produced this spirit’s sweetness.
The wood adds a savory flavor, such as toast and sweet honey notes, making this corn whiskey worth every sip.
10. Abasolo
Average Price: around $48.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 43% ABV
Why We Like It: Abasolo uses Cacahuazintle Mexican corn, prized for its complexity, and is not as widely cultivated as other varieties.
The El Whisky De Mexico from Abasolo distillery was produced in Jilotepec, an hour from Mexico City.
The corn used for this process was treated using a method known as nixtamalization, which dates back to around 4,000 years, making this spirit unique from other corn whiskies.
This Abasolo whisky creates a lighter and more floral corn whiskey than a traditional bourbon, with the character of maize punching through.
9. Colorado’s Own
Average Price: around $24.04/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Colorado’s Own is one of the top-quality corn whiskeys made in the US, produced at the Colorado Gold Distillery.
This Colorado-made whiskey has a gold-colored finish due to how long it has been aged in ex-bourbon barrels.
Its mash bill contains a blend of corn, 5% corn malt, and 10% malted barley.
Everyone will love its aroma featuring candy corn husk with a palate of sweetness, followed by a nice and silky lingering finish.
8. Wood Hat Spirits
Average Price: around $75/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 60.8% ABV
Why We Like It: Wood Hat Spirits makes Bloody Butcher Red corn whiskey– a unique and smooth whiskey made in the US.
This dark amber-colored whiskey has spicy and sweet flavor notes that linger in the mouth for a long time.
The same company also produces Blue Corn, which has a slightly rounded flavor, made from blue corn mash, then aged in a special blend of whiskey barrels.
This distillery also makes White and Blue corn whiskey made from the heirloom grain that has been blended, creating a sweet and intense whiskey flavor.
The finish is mild and has a peppery taste.
7. McCormick
Average Price: around $23.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: The McCormick Distilling Company makes Platte Valley corn whiskey – an American whiskey made since 1856.
The brand’s founder, Michael McCormick, discovered the facility in Missouri.
The smooth and full-bodied characteristics of Platte Valley American whiskey set it apart from other wheat and corn whiskeys.
This hand-crafted whiskey was made with corn and packed in a ceramic, cork-sealed bottle.
It has apple, butter, and vanilla aromas, with a sweet palate rich in the taste of banana, corn, and caramel notes.
The Platte Valley corn whiskey has a persistent finish with notes of spiciness.
6. Georgia Moon
Average Price: around $14.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: Georgia Moon corn whiskey is a great American whiskey made with 81% corn grain.
This aged corn whiskey was matured for no more than 30 days, but it has a wonderful aroma of white pepper spice, bread, and sweet corn.
It tastes similar to sweet corn with notes of herbal and fruity. But expect a strong finish from this drink.
The clear and vibrant bottle of Georgia Moon whiskey, packed in a mason jar, makes it stand out from the crowd.
5. Reservoir Bourbon
Average Price: around $44.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: This Virginia-based whiskey brand introduces the Reservoir bourbon whiskey, made from 100% locally grown corn.
It’s an easy-drinking whiskey with notes of vanilla, cherry, and nuts and a complex nutty coffee flavor.
The distillery claims this bourbon is the most traditional among their house expressions. It lands somewhere between the assertive, spicy rye and the mellower wheat.
4. Mellow Corn
Average Price: around $17.95/750ml (Drizly)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: This Mellow Corn Kentucky straight corn whiskey is a unique and authentic spirit with a mash bill of 80% corn.
It’s aged for four years using bourbon barrels, creating the golden color. After the whiskey has been aged, it produces a full-bodied and sweet finish.
This Mellow Corn drink has a spicy and sweet spice with a delightful blend of light oak, vanilla, corn, and mixed nuts.
The finish is smooth, with hints of fruit.
3. Sierra Norte
Average Price: around $54.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Why We Like It: Sierra Norte, another producer of Mexican corn whiskey, hails from Oaxaca.
It produces five different types of whiskey; the white, yellow, purple, black, and red corn varieties.
This Single Barrel Native Oaxacan black corn whiskey from Sierra Norte is aged using a European oak cask.
It imparts black pepper with a more robust and earthy character than the other Sierra Norte expressions.
2. High Wire Distilling Co.
Average Price: around $74.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Why We Like It: High Wire Distilling Company’s Southern Revival straight bourbon whiskey is a 100% Jimmy Red corn whiskey made from heirloom corn in Charleston, South Carolina.
This unique blend features dark chocolate and nutty flavor, ideal for those looking for something different from their usual American whiskeys. You may also want to check out some 100% corn bourbon brands here.
1. Balcones
Average Price: around $45.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 46% ABV
Why We Like It: The original Texas heirloom corn whiskey, Balcones Baby Blue, is still among the best in the market and is our favorite corn whiskey.
The mash bill of the Balcones Baby Blue contains 100% blue corn, creating a rich, butter-like texture with various flavors of honey sweetness, roasted blue corn, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kettle corn.
It has a warm, medium-long finish with subtle flavors of green peppercorn and leather spice.
It’s made with a grain-to-glass process and has an authentic taste.
FAQs
Can whiskey be 100% corn?
Yes, whiskey can be 100% corn. But unlike other American whiskeys, you can find unaged corn whiskey as they’re not required to be aged in wood barrels.
Is corn whiskey the same as moonshine?
Corn whiskey is closely the same as moonshine. They’re both made from corn and have similarities in the distillation process.
What Are Some of the Best Corn Whiskey Brands Available?
Some of the best corn whiskey brands renowned for their quality and flavor include Balcones True Blue, Hudson Baby Bourbon, and Mellow Corn Straight Corn Whiskey.
What Sets Corn Whiskey Apart from Other Types of Whiskey?
Corn whiskey is distinguished by its primary ingredient, which is predominantly corn in the mash bill. This results in a sweeter and smoother taste compared to other types of whiskey, such as bourbon or rye.
Which Corn Whiskey Brands Offer Unique Flavors or Aging Processes?
Brands like Balcones True Blue often offer unique flavors by using different aging techniques or specialty corn varieties. Hudson Baby Bourbon is known for its small barrel aging process, imparting a rich and intense flavor profile.
What Makes a Corn Whiskey Brand Stand Out Among Others?
A standout corn whiskey brand often possesses characteristics such as superior ingredients, innovative aging methods, and a commitment to traditional distillation techniques. These factors contribute to a unique and memorable drinking experience.
Can Corn Whiskey Be Enjoyed Neat or Is It Primarily Used in Cocktails?
Corn whiskey can be enjoyed neat to appreciate its inherent sweetness and smoothness. It’s also versatile enough to be used in various cocktails, adding depth of flavor and complexity to classic whiskey-based drinks.
What Food Pairings Complement the Flavors of Corn Whiskey?
Corn whiskey pairs well with a variety of foods, including barbecue dishes, grilled meats, and spicy cuisine. Its sweet and mellow profile also makes it an excellent accompaniment to desserts like chocolate or caramel-based treats.
Is Corn Whiskey a Popular Choice Among Whiskey Enthusiasts?
While corn whiskey may not be as well-known as bourbon or Scotch whiskey, it has gained popularity among whiskey enthusiasts seeking unique and flavorful spirits. Its smoothness and versatility make it a favorite choice for many whiskey aficionados.
Final Say
Corn whiskies are getting towards the spotlight, leveling with popular spirits like bourbon. Therefore, many distilleries have produced their own corn whiskey expressions.
Corn whiskey brands may be endless, but our top favorite is the Balcones Baby Blue corn whiskey.
The best corn whiskey can be easily paired with food and other beverages like mountain dew and grapefruit juice.
Overall, all the best corn whiskey producers on this list are uniquely impressive; it’s up to you which bottle will go first. Cheers!
References:
- https://www.christies.com/features/Rare-and-pre-Prohibition-Bourbon-A-collecting-guide-8526-1.aspx
- https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/moonshine.htm
