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Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Whiskey on the rocks is well-loved for different reasons. We particularly like how it brings out the complex flavor of the whiskey, making it very refreshing.
So what’s the best whiskey on the rocks? If you’re not sure which whiskey to pick, we’ve got you covered.
Top 10 Whiskeys That Taste Better On The Rocks
10. Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: Around $35 based on Drizly
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Alcohol Content: 45%
How It Tastes On Ice: Buffalo Trace bourbon whiskey has a rich and complex taste with hints of toffee, vanilla, and candied fruit.
It has a smoother finish that lingers on the palate, especially when you drink it on the rocks.
In addition, the solid bourbon has distinctive flavors and enough character, depth, and intensity for whiskey on the rocks.
9. Tincup American Whiskey
Average Price: Around $30 based on Drizly
Distillery: Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana
Alcohol Content: 42%
How It Tastes On Ice: Tincup American whiskey has tasting notes of strong rye spice, cinnamon, and caramel.
Moreso, this whiskey is a high rye whiskey, so it is spicy and peppery [1]. However, it mellows out a little when consumed on the rocks.
8. Berkshire Mountain Bourbon
Average Price: Around $44 based on Drizly
Distillery: Berkshire Mountain Distillers
Alcohol Content: 43%
How It Tastes On Ice: Berkshire Mountain bourbon on the rocks has smooth and balanced notes of vanilla, spicy rye, and matured fruit.
It has a lingering finish of toasted nut and caramel that is pleasing to the palate.
Moreso, Berkshire Mountain bourbon is easy on the tongue and quite smooth when consumed over ice.
7. Penelope Four Grain Bourbon
Average Price: Around $40 based on Drizly
Distillery: Lawrenceburg Distillers Indiana
Alcohol Content: 40%
How It Tastes On Ice: Penelope Four Grain bourbon is fruity and grainy with forwarding notes of slight leather, cherry, and candied cream.
When consumed on the rocks, it has savory vanilla notes with a fruity and citrus flavor profile.
6. George Dickel #12 Tennessee Whiskey
Average Price: Around $35 based on Drizly
Distillery: Cascade Hollow Distillery
Alcohol Content: 45%
How It Tastes On Ice: George Dickel #12 is remarkably smooth with a unique blend, thanks to the Lincoln County Process of the Tennessee whiskey [2].
Try to drink this Tennessee whiskey with ice, and you will taste the whiskey’s rich, smoky oak and subtle vanilla flavor.
5. Henry McKenna 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon
Average Price: Around $69 based on Drizly
Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
Alcohol Content: 50%
How It Tastes On Ice: Henry McKenna has a mellow flavor of honey, spices, and smooth oak on the ice with a long, spicy, and sweet finish.
It is a perfectly balanced bourbon, slightly spicy with herbal, caramel, and oak notes. But how do you drink whiskey without the burn?
4. Jameson Irish Whiskey
Average Price: Around $30 based on Drizly
Distillery: Jameson Distillery (Dublin) and Midleton Distillery (County Cork)
Alcohol Content: 40%
How It Tastes On Ice: Jameson Irish whiskey can be your go-to-sipping whiskey because of its smoothness, but its complex flavor will shine when consumed with ice.
The ice perfectly balances the whiskey’s vanilla, nut, sweet sherry, and spicy notes. But is Jameson whiskey good?
3. Ardbeg 10
Average Price: Around $61 based on Drizly
Distillery: Ardbeg Distillery
Alcohol Content: 46%
How It Tastes On Ice: Ardbeg 10 on ice tastes great because it will tone down its strong smoky taste and highlights the sweetness and dried fruit notes.
If you are a smoky-peated Scotch whisky fan, drinking Ardbeg 10 on the rocks will not disappoint you. But what’s a Scotch on the rocks with a twist drink?
2. Teeling Small Batch
Average Price: Around $40 based on Drizly
Distillery: Teeling Distillery
Alcohol Content: 46%
How It Tastes On Ice: Teeling Small Batch whiskey is more complex when consumed on the rocks.
The ice highlights its sweet brown butter, cream, caramel, and brown sugar notes with light pepper, balancing the taste.
Read: Recommended Scotch Whiskies Below $200
1. Wild Turkey 101 Proof Rye Whiskey
Average Price: Around $25 based on Drizly
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Alcohol Content: 50.5%
How It Tastes On Ice: If you want to drink whiskey on the rocks, you can never go wrong with Wild Turkey 101.
The ice will bring out the rye whiskey’s more complex flavor and highlight the liquor’s warm and smoky notes.
Moreso, Wild Turkey is sweet, smooth, and bold with a finish of spices and orange peel.
FAQs
How do I order whiskey on the rocks?
To order whiskey on the rocks, you can tell the bartender which whiskey brand you like and say you want it served over ice or on the rocks. For example, you can say, “One Wild Turkey 101 Proof Rye Whiskey on the rocks, please.”
Is whiskey on the rocks healthy?
Yes, whiskey on the rocks is healthy. Drinking whiskey alone gives health benefits like healthy cholesterol levels, diabetes control, and reducing stress and weight loss. Diluted alcohol is good for your health, especially your heart, if taken in moderation.
Should whiskey be drunk neat or on the rocks?
Whiskey can be drunk neat or on the rocks. However, a little water can open up the complex flavor of the whiskey, so more drinkers prefer to drink it on the rocks or over ice.
Whiskey is a versatile spirit you can drink based on your preference – neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
So, What’s The Best Whiskey On The Rocks?
Based on our taste tests and research, Wild Turkey 101 Proof Rye whiskey is the best whiskey on the rocks. Its high rye content gives a bold presence that you will find easy and enjoyable to drink on the rocks.
Also, Wild Turkey 101 is an affordable whiskey option because you can score a bottle at roughly $25 in online retailers like Drizzly.
There are many different types of whiskey. Some people prefer a smooth, mellow whiskey taken on the rocks, while others want a bolder, more flavorful option.
But in the end, the best whiskey on the rocks is the one with a flavorful and bold taste that will not fade as the ice melts.
References:
- https://www.eater.com/2015/9/3/9233151/rye-whiskey-best-bottles-history
- https://utianews.tennessee.edu/flavor-research-and-the-lincoln-county-process/
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.
