At the Whiskey Hotline, we believe that tasting spirits blind is one of the most valuable ways to determine items that stand above the rest. Tasting blind removes any brand loyalties or aversions and age or proof preferences. This spring, we undertook a companywide blind bourbon tasting tournament to determine the best bourbon on our shelves without bias. Expert spirits staff from each of our 46 stores were brought together for a multiple round blind tasting that included 64 unique bourbons. The 64 bourbons were selected based on availability: everyday shelf items and limited items that are occasionally out of stock.
 

The first round was performed four times, in four different regions clustered by surrounding groups of stores: 1) Central Illinois, 2) West Suburbs, 3) North Suburbs, 4) City of Chicago. Each region tasted 16 unique bottles, for a total of 64. Four bourbons from each region for a total of 16 moved on to the next round, where the top four bourbons were determined blind. The final round pitted the top four against each other, and the best bourbon on our shelves was determined by our teams through a truly blind tasting.

Bourbon has had an incredible 20-year renaissance, a testament to the variety and quality of this uniquely American Spirit. After many ups and downs, fueled by world wars, Prohibition and changing consumer trends, it’s been exciting to see the new distilleries, expanded brand lineups and uniquely aged bourbons on our shelves.

We get frequent questions asking what are the best bourbons that are regularly on our shelves, so we undertook a companywide blind bourbon tasting tournament to determine the best bourbon on our shelves without bias. Expert spirits staff from each of our 46 stores were brought together for a multiple round blind tasting that included 64 unique bourbons. The 64 bourbons were selected based on availability: everyday shelf items and limited items that are occasionally out of stock.

The final round pitted the top four against each other, and the best bourbon on our shelves was determined by our teams through a truly blind tasting  

The Top Four

#4 - Angel's Envy Bourbon

Angel's Envy has long been a darling of premium bourbon drinkers. The brainchild of bourbon legend Lincoln Henderson, it was one of the pioneering modern finished bourbons, seeing secondary aging in port barrels. These days, under the guidance of Master Distiller Owen Martin, they continue to innovate with interesting finished and mash bills, but we keep coming back to the O.G. Staff noted lots of oak, with nutty spice, layers of rich fruit and a balancing dose of vanilla.

#3 - Noah's Mill Small Batch Bourbon

While many people chase the excellent bourbons from the Willett distillery, Noah's Mill has quietly sat on our shelves for years as one of our favorite high proof offerings. Richly layered and remarkably approachable, the robust 114.3 bottling proof makes for a perfect old fashioned or an expressive pour on the rocks. Staff noted intense red cherry, caramel and floral vanilla bean with cinnamon spice and a touch of citrus bringing everything together.

#2 - Clark & Sheffield Original Barrel Proof Bourbon

Our goal with all of the spirits under our 'Clark & Sheffield' label is to offer excellent spirits from reputable sources at unbeatable prices. With a lineup of tequila, vodka and cognac, the shining star has always been the lineup of bourbons. Needless to say, when we released the Original Barrel Proof bottle last fall, it quickly became one of our favorite barrel proof bourbons. Made at the 1792 Barton distillery, this 125-proof banger is an excellent sipper but priced to be your new cocktail bourbon. Staff noted a ton of warming spice, rich caramel, and some balancing oak in this straightforward, easy to love bourbon.

#1 - Maker's Mark Cask Strength 7-Year Bourbon

This really came as no surprise to us. We've been a huge fan of the richly layered cask strength bourbon from one of Kentucky's best wheated bourbon producers, especially since they added a 7-year age statement earlier this year. Staff noted healthy amounts of oak, baking spice, vanilla, sweet cherry and caramel.

The Best of the Rest

• Clark & Sheffield Bottled in Bond
  4-years-old and 100 proof from the1792- Barton distillery
• Jack Daniels 
  Classic Tennessee whiskey that has stood the test of time
• Michter's Small Batch Bourbon
  An elegant sipper with a heritage dating to the beginning of American whiskey
• Old Forester 86 
  Easy drinking and richly flavored for the perfect highball
• Knob Creek 100 Proof
  Robust and flavorful 100 proofer designed for your favorite bourbon cocktail
• New Riff Bottled in Bond
  Named 2026 World's Best Bourbon at the World Whiskey Awards
• Jim Beam Bourbon
  The result of seven generations of Kentucky Heritage
• Old Forester 1870
  Bottled in Bond from the first bottled bourbon
• Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
  The best of Wild Turkey from the family that made their reputation
• E.H. Taylor Small Batch
  Honoring the man behind the Bottled in Bond act
• Jim Beam Black
  Aged a full seven years for a perfect pour
• Maker's Mark
  The wheated classic from Loretto, Kentucky

The Barrel to Bottle crew also sampled the top four and discussed the efforts to make this a truly blind tasting. Give the podcast a listen and drink along!