You may love or hate sweet whiskeys, but a good sweet whiskey can be a great introduction to American bourbon and Scotch.
Stop wasting money and time with all the options marketed as the best sweet whiskey, as we streamlined whiskeys worth drinking.
We organized side-by-side tastings of different sweet whiskeys, allowing us to discern the nuances in flavor, sweetness, and complexity. Read on to find the sweet whiskeys you should take advantage of.
Top 10 Best Sweet Whiskeys On The Market
1. Angel’s Envy Rye Whiskey
Average Price: Roughly $82.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, baking spices, citrus zest.
Palate: Sweet honey, ripe cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted almonds, dark chocolate.
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It:
Angel’s Envy Rye whiskey is a distilled spirit finished in Caribbean rum casks for a unique flavor profile and remarkable taste.
The whiskey has a mingling spiciness and earthiness with mellow sweetness from rum finishing, which is suitable for whiskey lovers with a sweet tooth.
It has pleasant aromas of caramel candy, maple sugar, citrus, hazelnut, and sherry wood as I pour it into a glass.
The soft oak, sweet rum, and sherry wood are notable, along with the sweet and dry finish on the palate.
2. Glenmorangie 14 Port Cask
Average Price: Roughly $56.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 46%
Nose: Berries, vanilla, oak, red grapes, floral notes.
Palate: Plum, honey, toffee, baking spices, dark chocolate.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It:
Glenmorangie 14 Port Cask is a Single Malt Scotch whisky from Scotland, and it is expertly matured in oak casks for 14 years and finished in Port Cask.
Glenmorangie Scotch whisky has a complex balance of dry and sweet flavors.
On the nose, I was greeted with the dried dark fruit, malt vanilla citrus, baking spice, candied pecans, and oak aroma as it is aged beautifully in oak casks.
It is one of the best sweet whiskies with deep notes of cocoa, candied pecans, port wine sweetness, leather, baking spice, and sweet tobacco tasting notes.
3. Old Forester 1910
Average Price: Roughly $58.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 46.5%
Nose: Brown sugar, charred oak, vanilla, dark fruits, toasted marshmallow.
Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, dried apricots, roasted nuts, molasses.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It:
Old Forester 1910 is a delightful and remarkable whiskey because of its rich and sweet flavor.
It is a unique expression that underwent second barreling that lends exceptional tasting notes.
The Old Fine Whiskey has a smooth mingling of milk chocolate, caramel corn, sweet oatmeal, and evolving spice.
4. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey
Average Price: Roughly $31.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 35%
Nose: Honey, toasted nuts, vanilla, caramel, ripe apples.
Palate: Sweet honey, butterscotch, roasted almonds, cinnamon, subtle citrus notes.
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It:
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey blends Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 and honey liqueur for a rich, smooth, sweet whiskey.
Jack Daniel’s whiskey has rich notes of sweet molasses and natural honey on the nose and palate as it is filtered in sugar maple charcoal.
We like it more on the rocks because the ice melt brings out the aromas and flavors of the whiskey. But what can you mix with Jack Daniel’s Honey whiskey?
5. Old Forester 100
Average Price: Roughly $26.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 50%
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, dried orange peel, toasted oak, a hint of mint.
Palate: Brown sugar, cinnamon, roasted nuts, dark chocolate, baking spices.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It:
Old Forester 100 is made to commemorate the legacy of George Gavin Brown, and this bourbon whiskey is one of the favorites of bartenders.
The Kentucky bourbon whiskey has a rich and complex flavor profile that blends well in cocktails. It has a nice blend of sweetness, spiciness, and boldness.
Since it is bottled at 100 proof, the bourbon whiskey has a distinct character and flavor profile.
You can consume it neat, on the rocks, or as a base liquor for cocktails. But what’s the best Old Forester bourbon?
6. Woodford Reserve Double Oak
Average Price: Roughly $47.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 45.2%
Nose: Rich caramel, toasted oak, dark chocolate, vanilla, hints of banana.
Palate: Toffee, coconut, dried fruit, cinnamon, clove.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It:
Woodford Reserve Double Oak is an innovative approach to bourbon, resulting in a rich and colorful flavor.
After the initial maturation in American oak barrels, the second barrel is deeply toasted before charring for a sweeter and softer bourbon character.
Unlike other sweet whiskies, the deep amber Woodford Reserve whiskey has a rich aroma of caramel, honey, chocolate, and toasted oak.
In addition, it has a potent mix of dark caramel, hazelnut, vanilla, apple, and fruit.
7. Collier & McKeel Tennessee Whiskey
Average Price: Roughly $47.99 (Caskers)
Alcohol Content: 43%
Nose: Honey, toasted corn, and citrus.
Palate: Sweet cornbread, butterscotch, roasted nuts.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It:
Collier & McKell Tennessee whiskey comes from 70% corn, 15% rye, and 15% malted barley.
It has a nice spice from the rye, but the dominating grain makes the Tennessee whiskey sweeter.
The ingredients come from local farms, and Mike Williams is the Master Distiller in charge of the whole whiskey production.
“It’s a labor of love… we have our hands in every step of the process, from grinding the corn to bottling” – Mike Williams, Master Distiller.
The whiskey is sweet and smoky with faint notes of spiciness and sweet corn.
Read: Popular Tennessee Whiskey Brands
8. Kentucky Owl The Wiseman
Average Price: Roughly $42.49 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 45.4%
Nose: Brown sugar, toasted oak, dark chocolate, dried fruits, leather.
Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, raisins, black cherry, clove.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It:
The Kentucky Owl The Wiseman combines four Kentucky straight whiskey.
It has a nice blend of flavor profile, and its sweetness is remarkable.
The bourbon has nice tasting notes of caramel, vanilla, allspice, and some citrus notes, thanks to its aging in unused oak barrels [1].
We tried drinking it neat, and the cinnamon and nutmeg gave way to the vanilla and pepper spice.
9. The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14
Average Price: Roughly $76.99 (Total Wine)
Alcohol Content: 43%
Nose: Brown sugar, vanilla, tropical fruits, toffee, oak.
Palate: Honey, ripe mango, nutmeg, toasted coconut.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It:
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask is a Single Malt whisky aged in a traditional oak cask and finished in an ex-Caribbean rum.
The 14-year-old single malt whisky has a well-balanced sweetness and pleasant notes of fruit, toffee, and caramel with a lingering finish.
On the nose, the Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14-year-old single malt whisky has a sweet, rich, and creamy toffee with fresh fruit notes.
On the palate, the Scotch whisky is rounded with sweet oak and vanilla notes with a fruity character that develops over time.
Read: Top Vanilla Whiskey Brands
10. Glen Grant 12-Year-Old Whisky
Average Price: Roughly $52.99 (Caskers)
Alcohol Content: 43%
Nose: Green apple, pear, vanilla, honey, malt.
Palate: Orchard fruits, toffee, almonds.
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It:
Glen Grant 12-Year-Old Whisky is consistently praised and awarded for being a sweet and smooth Single Malt Scotch whisky.
The bright gold distilled spirit from the Speyside region has sweet aromas of honey, pear, apple, almond, and candied citrus.
“A glass of sweet whiskey is a delicious reminder that life can be both sweet and smooth.”
-Liquor Laboratory
On the palate, we like the apple-pie crust, vanilla, and caramel taste, along with the lingering hints of fruits and spices.
FAQs
What’s the sweetest whiskey type?
Bourbon is the sweetest whiskey type. Since the dominant grain of bourbon is corn and due to its maturation in charred oak barrels [2] or bourbon barrels, it has a sweet flavor profile.
Bourbon has rich caramel notes with vanilla tones, which makes it the sweetest of the whiskey family.
What’s the best sweet whiskey for beginners?
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey is the best sweet whiskey for beginners.
It is lower alcohol proof and a nice blend of whiskey and real honey.
What makes a whiskey sweet?
Whiskey can be sweet due to factors like the use of sweet mash, aging in charred oak barrels, and the addition of natural flavors or sweeteners during production.
Are there different types of sweet whiskey?
Yes, there are various types of sweet whiskey, including bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, flavored whiskey, and some Irish whiskeys, each offering unique sweetness profiles.
What are some examples of the best sweet whiskeys?
Some examples of the best sweet whiskeys include Maker’s Mark, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek, and Crown Royal.
How do I choose the best sweet whiskey for me?
Choosing the best sweet whiskey depends on personal taste preferences. Experiment with different brands and expressions to find the one that suits your palate best.
Can sweet whiskey be enjoyed neat or in cocktails?
Yes, sweet whiskey can be enjoyed neat to savor its flavors or used as a base for cocktails like Old Fashioneds, Whiskey Sours, or even in sweet dessert-style cocktails.
Is sweet whiskey suitable for beginners?
Yes, sweet whiskey can be a great choice for beginners due to its smooth and approachable flavor profile, making it easier to enjoy neat or in cocktails.
Final Verdict
Sweet whiskeys have an exciting flavor profile, and with all the options on the market, you must not miss out on Old Forester and Jack Daniel’s.
Glenmorangie and Woodford Reserve can be good options because, aside from sweetness, they have a nice kick and bold tasting notes.
However, Angel’s Envy Rye whiskey is the best sweet whiskey worth drinking.
Aside from the mellowness and sweetness of the Caribbean rum barrels, it has a nice blend of spiciness from the rye. We enjoyed the whiskey neat, but you can also consume it on the rocks.
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