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Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Drinking liquor straight is not for the faint of heart.
It requires a lot of alcohol and some serious liver function to make it through the experience unscathed. Just kidding.
However, if you’re man enough for the challenge, here are some liquors that are better suited for the job. Check out the best liquors to drink straight.
Top 15 Liquors To Drink Straight
15. Balvenie Caribbean Cask
Average Price: $76.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 43%
Why We Like It: This single malt whisky from Balvenie is aged 14 years in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in rum casks from the Caribbean.
The result is a delicious, complex spirit with notes of vanilla, honey, and tropical fruit juices. It’s a complex spirit that’s sure to please any whiskey lover.
14. Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal
Average Price: $75.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 48%
Why We Like It: Del Maguey Chichicapa is a great option for those who want high-quality mezcal without spending a fortune.
This mezcal [1] has a beautiful smoky flavor with hints of citrus and floral notes, with a lingering finish of allspice, menthol, and pepper, perfect for an after-dinner buddy.
13. Siembra Valles High Proof Blanco
Average Price: Around $59 per 750 ml
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: This high-proof Blanco is perfect for those who like their favorite drink strong and straight up.
It has a high alcohol content but is smooth enough to drink neat.
The flavor profile of this tequila is fairly simple, with notes of agave, dried fruit, and citrus, and just enough to be one of the best spirits to sip.
12. Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
Average Price: $16.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Tullamore DEW’s triple-distilled smoothness makes it one of the easy-drinking Irish whiskeys.
It has a light, malted barley sweetness balanced by spicy and floral notes.
This is one of those best spirits that needs no mixers to enjoy.
11. Kings County Distillery Chocolate Whiskey
Average Price: $22.99 per 200 ml (Caskers)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: This bottle of chocolate whiskey from Kings County Distillery is made with New York milk and beans from the Dominican Republic.
It’s aged in used bourbon barrels, which gives it a smooth, rich flavor. It has a pure taste of chocolate on your palate, perfect for savoring slowly until the last drop.
10. Zacapa No. 23 Rum
Average Price: $42.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Zacapa No. 23 is made in Guatemala using a solera aging process that makes it a unique luxurious booze.
Its rich palate includes notes of caramel, dark fruit, and spices, making it a perfect sipping rum.
This rum is aged 23 years in oak barrels, giving it a deep and complex taste that rum lovers will surely appreciate.
9. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: $46.99 per 750 ml (Caskers)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Why We Like It: Four Roses Single Barrel bourbon is a staple in many liquor stores for drinking straight.
The high alcohol content will keep you warm on a cold night without burning your throat.
Flavors of wood and oak notes are present with hints of cinnamon, brown sugar, and caramel, making it a great choice for those who enjoy sweeter bourbons that pack a punch.
8. Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch
Average Price: $39.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Laphroaig is a rich and peaty single malt Scotch that is best served neat. [2]
It has an acquired taste of both smokiness and sweetness in perfect harmony, making it a favorite among scotch lovers.
This is one of those spirits that exists to be appreciated on its own.
7. Crown Royal XR Extra Rare Blue Label Canadian Whisky
Average Price: $234.99 per 750 ml (Caskers)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Crown Royal XR is a blended Canadian whisky that is extra rare and aged to perfection.
The extra rare designation means that it is made with only the finest ingredients.
The high quality of these spirits makes it worth the splurge, no matter the price.
6. Qui Platinum Extra Anejo Tequila
Average Price: Around $79.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Why We Like It: This top-shelf tequila is aged for four years in French white oak barrels, resulting in a rich and complex profile that is perfectly served neat.
The high quality and attention to detail make Qui Platinum Extra Anejo a great choice for discerning drinkers.
5. Cointreau Noir Orange Liqueur with Cognac
Average Price: $42.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Cointreau is a great way to add a touch of orange sweetness to any drink, but it’s also delicious on its own.
It has a strong orange flavor with slightly bitter notes.
It’s always known to be a perfect mixer for craft cocktails. However, sipping it on its own is another good story you must discover.
4. Plymouth Gin
Average Price: $34.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 41.2%
Why We Like It: Plymouth is a classic London dry gin with a clean, crisp flavor and has been around since 1793.
It is made with juniper berries, coriander, and other botanicals and has a slightly sweet flavor.
This bottle is perfect for making martinis or other cocktails, but drinking it straight gives a different level of the drinking experience.
3. Jim Beam Apple
Average Price: $11.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 35%
Why We Like It: Most people like Jim Beam Apple because it is a great value for a quality product, the apple flavor is not too overpowering, and it has a noteworthy smooth finish.
It is also a versatile spirit that can be used in mixed drinks.
2. Grand Marnier Cuvee Louis Alexandre Liqueur Cognac
Average Price: $73.99 per 750 ml (Caskers)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: This high-quality cognac liqueur has been made using a unique blend of orange essence and cognac.
It is also reasonably priced for a high-quality cognac, making it a great option for those looking to enjoy a luxurious spirit to enjoy neat.
1. Jameson Irish Whiskey
Average Price: $18.99 per 750 ml (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 40%
Why We Like It: Jameson Irish whiskey is a triple-distilled whiskey aged for a minimum of four years.
It is made from a blend of pot still and fine-grain whiskeys, and it has a light, floral flavor with hints of vanilla and spice.
Jameson is one of the most sought-after spirits on the market, and it only takes a sip or two to know why this has become on our top list.
*Average prices are based on Drizly online. Prices may vary in local liquor shops.
FAQs
What’s the best liquor to drink straight for a newbie?
Whiskeys are great, if not the best, type of liquor to drink straight for a newbie. You can opt for flavored whiskeys, Irish whiskeys, or bourbon.
These types of spirits offer smooth and mellow flavors that don’t overwhelm someone who is not yet accustomed to alcohol.
What’s the best sweet liquor to drink straight?
Flavored whiskeys like honey whiskey and chocolate whiskey are probably the best sweet liquors to drink straight.
These types of whiskeys are known to have sweet, complex, and balanced flavors that will surely please your palate.
Final Verdict
Many different types of liquor can be enjoyed straight. Some of the most popular include whiskey, tequila, vodka, and gin.
Each of these liquors has its own unique flavor profile that can be enjoyed when sipped neat.
Experiment with different brands and styles to find the ones you enjoy the most. Cheers.
References:
- https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/mezcal-vs-tequila
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-single-malt-whisky-761283
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.
Where can I find Qui Anejo Tequila?
The Selections You have made are Excellent, I have tried a few of these Myself and was Very impressed. Thank You, and Keep Up the Great Work 👍