It’s time to turn the page on yet another year. 2025 was filled with memorable events across politics, sports, and news. It was also filled with an awful lot of whiskey releases. Now, we’re not going to say that a few bottles of bourbon, rye whiskey, and single malt Scotch are more important than lasting cultural memories. All we’re saying is that this last year was an epic twelve months for whiskey releases.
In my line of work, I’m lucky enough to sample a ridiculous amount of whiskey that I’d otherwise have to re-mortgage my house to try. But just because I get to try most of the new releases every year, it doesn’t mean I loved everything. There were, however, a handful of notable whiskey releases from 2025 that I would encourage everyone to try.
The best whiskeys of 2025
2025 was a great year to be a whiskey fan. From bourbons to ryes to single malt Scotch whisky, this past year was loaded with noteworthy, award-winning, highly collectible whiskeys. Below, you’ll find our favorite releases of the year. Keep scrolling to see which bottles to stock up on in the new year before they disappear.
Bomberger’s PFG Kentucky Straight Bourbon
If you only drink one of 2025’s best whiskeys in the new year, make it Bomberger’s PFG (Precision Fine Grain). Released by Michter’s, this Kentucky straight bourbon was matured in new, charred American oak and finished in specially made, custom French fine-grain oak barrels. The result is a 100.2-proof expression centered on flavors like dried fruits, wintry spices, chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch. Drink it neat or with a splash of water on a cool winter evening.
$129.99
Glengoyne 24 Year Old White Oak single malt Scotch whisky
Fans of single malt Scotch whisky should find a bottle of Glengoyne 24 Year White Oak. Aged in a combination of first-fill ex-bourbon barrels and virgin oak casks, it’s known for its soft, light flavor profile featuring notes of toasted vanilla beans, honey, wintry spices, candied orange peels, and charred oak. Pour it into a Glencairn glass and sip it slowly on a frigid evening.
$399.99
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Old Fitzgerald released a bottled-in-bond bourbon that begins with a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% rye, and 12% malted barley. Matured for a full thirteen years in charred oak barrels, it’s known for its bold, memorable flavor profile featuring notes of toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, baking spices, honey, and charred oak. At 100-proof, you’re going to want to sip this expression neat or with a splash or two of water.
$499
Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend
If you’ve never tried Chattanooga Whiskey before, the brand’s Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend is a great start. This special release, limited-edition expression is a solera blend of three special mash bills from Chattanooga and MGP, each matured for a minimum of two years, with many being aged much longer. Bottled at a robust 100-proof, it’s known for its flavor profile featuring notes of raisins, dried fruits, wintry spices, vanilla, and rich oak. Enjoy this one neat or with a splash of water on a frigid winter night.
$59.99
Arran ‘The Bodega’ Sherry Cask single malt Scotch whisky
There’s something special about “sherried” single malt Scotch whisky. There’s a reason so many distillers either fully age or finish their whiskies in ex-sherry or sherry-seasoned casks. One of the best newer examples is Arran “The Bodega” Sherry Cask. Distilled at the Lochranza distillery, it was aged for a minimum of seven years in first-fill sherry casks sourced from Jerez, Spain. The result is a memorable single malt that opens with notes of chocolate, candied orange peel, and oak. The palate is a symphony of flavors including dried cherries, chocolate, sweet sherry, sticky toffee pudding, and oaky wood.
$89.99
Widow Jane 2025 The Vaults
Every year, the annual edition of Widow Jane: The Vaults is eagerly awaited by whiskey fans. Made from the oldest and rarest Widow Jane whiskies, the 2025 edition is a blend of bourbons aged at least 15 years that are finished in “mythical” oak from coastal Greece. Bottled at a robust 99-proof, it begins with a nose of candied orange peels, oak, and vanilla beans. The palate is a mix of flavors, including salted caramel, dried fruits, toffee, oak, and gentle spices. The finish is long, lingering, and ends with a hint of caramelized sugar.
$234.99
Cedar Ridge Port Cask Rye
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include at least one rye whiskey in this year-end list. One of the best that we tried this year was Cedar Ridge Port Cask Rye. It all starts with a mash bill of 85% rye, 12% corn, and 3% malted barley. After fully maturing, the brand’s Straight Rye whiskey is moved to a second cask that previously held Estate port wine. The result is a small batch 105-proof whiskey that begins with a nose of caramel, cinnamon candy, cherries, and oak. Sipping it reveals notes of dried fruits, honey, salted caramel, and peppery rye. The finish is long, dry, and gently spicy.
$59.99
