What is the Highest Proof Whiskey? Top 15 Picks (2023)
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Alcohol strength is often undervalued as flavor, texture, and price are the basis of a buyer’s choice. The assumption is that high levels of ethanol translate to harsh flavor and pungent aroma.
On that note, find out what is the highest proof whiskey and get to know the strong points in this review.
Top 15 Highest Proof Whiskeys To Try
15. Clyde May’s 12-Year Alabama Style Cask Strength Whiskey
Alcohol Proof: 120
Average Price: roughly $115 per 750 ml
Distillery: Conecuh Ridge Distillery
This 12-year-old bottle is a limited edition high-proof whiskey with a very enticing aroma, but the palate is not disappointing as well.
It may have higher alcohol content than common whiskeys, but you won’t grimace upon swallowing the liquid. It is smooth with a balanced tastiness.
14. Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
Alcohol Proof: 120
Average Price: roughly $55 per 750 ml
Distillery: Jim Beam
We always appreciate bottles from Knob Creek, and this barrel-strength whiskey is no exception.
The palate doesn’t go far as the taste of oak and vanilla is strong but with caramel undertones. You will enjoy drinking this barrel-proof bourbon straight or with ice.
13. Laphroaig Ten Year Old Cask Strength
Alcohol Proof: 114.6
Average Price: roughly $ per 750 ml
Distillery: Laphroaig distillery
Laphroaig is an Islay malt Scotch whisky that we enjoy. The bold and rich smoky palate is a trademark of this brand. The full-bodied finish is long and smooth, perfect for a relaxing evening of whisky sipping.
12. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
Alcohol Proof: 121
Average Price: roughly $87 per 750 ml
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Elijah Craig barrel proof bourbon is one of our favorite high-proof whiskeys. We love the strength of ethanol (1) in this bottle less its harshness. Despite the high strength, Elijah Craig is flavorful to the nose and mouth.
11. Kings County Distillery Barrel Strength Bourbon
Alcohol Proof: 116-128
Average Price: roughly $56 per 375 ml
Distillery: Kings County Distillery
Kings County Barrel Strength Bourbon is plucked out from the brand’s oldest batches of spirits. Each bottle contains bourbon aged no less than nine years.
This is a savory sweet, oaky spirit with just enough spice to complete its rounded savoriness.
10. Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey
Alcohol Proof: 120.7
Average Price: roughly $363 per 750 ml
Distillery: Louisville Distilling Company
Angel’s Envy is one of our favorite high-proof whiskies because of its well-rounded savoriness.
Most cask strength whiskies have the burn, but Angel’s Envy bourbon eliminated that part. This high-proof whiskey is good to sip or on the rocks.
Read: Angel’s Envy Distillery Tour
9. Redemption 7-Year Barrel Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Alcohol Proof: 122.6
Average Price: roughly $ 75 per 750 ml
Distillery: Bardstown Barrel Selections
Redemption whiskey is a small batch of distilled bourbon made ten casks at a time. What makes this high-proof whiskey special is its unique fruity profile. You will savor ripe peaches, raspberries, rye, and cashews.
You will also enjoy a touch of pepper and allspice balancing the palate.
8. Larceny Barrel Proof
Alcohol Proof: 61.9
Average Price: roughly $88 per 750 ml
Distillery: Heaven Hill
Larceny Barrel Proof is one of Heaven Hill’s high-proof whiskeys. These are allocated bottled spirits which are only produced a year thrice, in January, May, and September.
This special release variant has extraordinary smoothness, which makes it a great whiskey to sip.
7. 1792 Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Alcohol Proof: 125
Average Price: roughly $58 per 750 ml
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
1792 Kentucky Straight Bourbon has remarkable tasting notes. You can distinguish fruits, vanilla, cinnamon, orange, and licorice wrapped in a deliciously warm heat uncommon in bourbons.
6. Highland Park Single Cask Series 2004 Single Cask
Alcohol Proof: 129
Average Price: roughly $200 per 750 ml
Distillery: Highland Park
We always love limited edition liquors, and this one is one of Scotland’s finest. It was aged in an ex-sherry barrel and developed a layered tastiness and deep character.
The heat was also warm and tingly, which is unusually good from a barrel-proof spirit.
5. Booker’s Bourbon
Alcohol Proof: 127.9
Average Price: roughly $100 per 750 ml
Distillery: Jim Beam
Booker’s bourbon is a special expression from Jim Beam distillers, and this high-proof bourbon is a special breed.
They use the same mash bill with other variants from the brand, but precise processes are used to create this small batch, cask strength expression.
We love what it sends to the nose and the savoriness it leaves on the tongue.
4. Spec’s Cask Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Barrel Proof
Alcohol Proof: 129
Average Price: roughly $66 per 750 ml
Distillery: Brown–Forman
This single barrel is different from Jack Daniel’s ‘Single Barrel’ Coy Hill High Proof Whiskey though the two are high-proof whiskeys from Brown Forman.
This single barrel release has a lower proof than Coy Hill, but the delicate and round palate is not far behind. It holds the staple toasted oak and vanilla savor.
3. George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Alcohol Proof: 116.9
Average Price: roughly $ 600 – $1149.99 per 750 ml
Distillery: Buffalo Trace
George T. Stagg Jr is one of the best-tasting bourbon variants. This bourbon developed a balanced profile and character inside new charred American oak barrels no less than 15 years.
Stagg Jr has the sweetness of fudge brownies, chocolates, and molasses balanced with vanilla, spearmint, and tobacco.
2. Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye
Alcohol Proof: 127.4
Average Price: roughly $80 per 750 ml
Distillery: Alberta Distillers
This authentic Canadian Prairie rye whiskey is one of the best-tasting high-proof bottles. Considered over-proofed when bottled, the ethanol smell is quite evident, but the harshness is almost non-existent.
1. Bruichladdich X4 Quadrupled Scotch Whisky
Alcohol Proof: 180
Average Price: roughly $258 per 750 ml
Distillery: Bruichladdich Distillery
Bruichladdich X4 is a special Islay whisky with a flavor profile that is well-rounded and flavorful. The scent is intoxicatingly delicious. The marriage of flavors is indescribably good.
It is smooth, and the tastiness of malt with caramel, black pepper, brown sugar, and mint reminds you of bourbon. This has a great nose as well.
Read: What’s 100 Proof in Whiskey?
FAQs
Is 200-proof whiskey possible?
No, 200-proof whiskey is not possible since TTB has limits of 190° during distillation. Whether this is bourbon, or any other variant, producing beyond that limit is against the government’s mandate.
Is having the highest-proof whiskey dangerous to health?
Yes, having the highest-proof whiskey is dangerous to health, especially if you consume it fast and out of moderation. The body’s capability [2] to process alcohol has a limit.
In Summary
Bruichladdich X4 has the highest proof whiskey. The remarkable part of this product is the smoothness rarely found in a high-alcohol distilled spirit.
Islay whiskies are a special breed, but this one was distilled four times, thus garnering the name usquebaugh-baul or ‘perilous whisky.’
Production was difficult and meticulous to ensure this was a complete package. This bottle is worthy of being on the top of the list among its equally deserving runners-up
References:
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ethanol
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6527027/#
