Top Kentucky Bourbon Brands You Can't Miss

Kentucky, known as the birthplace of bourbon, prides itself on being the home to some of the finest distilleries in the world. With an enduring legacy of craftsmanship and tradition, numerous brands have risen to the top, capturing the essence of what makes Kentucky bourbon so unique and cherished. Popular brands like Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace stand out not only for their rich flavors but also for their commitment to quality and innovation in the aging process. For more detailed insights and a breakdown of the best Kentucky bourbon brands, read on below.

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Best brands of kentucky bourbon in 2025

Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace Distillery is renowned as one of the best producers of Kentucky bourbon, having filled its 8 millionth barrel since Prohibition in 2022, just four years after the seventh millionth barrel. This remarkable achievement was made possible thanks to a $1.2 billion expansion that has doubled its fermenters, added more grain cookers, and increased barrel warehouses, allowing for a 50% increase in whiskey production over the last five years. The distillery has won over 100 awards since 2000, including the highest honor of Taste Master at the 2022 American Whiskey Masters Awards for its Weller 12 Year Bourbon.

Maker's Mark

Maker's Mark is a prominent producer of Kentucky bourbon, known for its high-quality and efficient production processes. The brand produces over 34 million bottles of bourbon annually, utilizing large-scale production facilities, optimized workflows, and careful warehouse management to ensure consistent aging and quality. Maker's Mark uses a unique recipe that substitutes soft red winter wheat for rye, resulting in a full-flavored, smooth bourbon. The company operates year-round, maximizing production time, and has strong strategic partnerships to secure high-quality barrels. In 2022, Kentucky distillers, including Maker's Mark, purchased nearly 19 million bushels of corn from Kentucky farmers, highlighting the significant impact on local agriculture.

Four Roses

Four Roses is a renowned Kentucky bourbon brand, established in 1888, known for its exceptional quality and unique production methods. The brand utilizes five proprietary yeast strains and two separate mashbills to create ten distinct bourbon recipes, ensuring a rich and consistent flavor profile. Recently, Four Roses won the prestigious titles of World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon, Best Kentucky Single Barrel Bourbon, and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. Their Single Barrel Bourbon is hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott and is recognized for its complex, full-bodied high rye flavor. Four Roses has received numerous awards, including 56 accolades in the past year, highlighting their commitment to producing high-quality bourbons. For more information on their award-winning bourbons, visit their official website.

Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is renowned as one of the premier producers of Kentucky bourbon, with a rich history dating back to 1812 when the art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark. The bourbon is crafted with a mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley, aged in virgin American white oak, and boasts over 200 detectable flavor notes. Woodford Reserve has garnered numerous accolades, including double gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2005 and 2013, and a 90-95 point rating from Wine Enthusiast. Its Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is known for its balanced taste, featuring notes of bold grain, wood, sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes. With a proof of 90.4°, Woodford Reserve offers a silky smooth and satisfying finish.

Knob Creek

Knob Creek, a premium bourbon brand from Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, is renowned for its full-flavored and robust bourbon profile. Introduced in 1992, Knob Creek bourbon is aged for 9 years in freshly charred American oak barrels, resulting in a rich flavor profile marked by caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. The standard Knob Creek Bourbon has a bold 100 proof (50% ABV) and a mash bill consisting of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. This brand has garnered numerous awards, including being named "Best Bourbon" and earning a Double Gold medal at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Knob Creek's commitment to quality and sustainability has made it a standout in the bourbon industry. For a detailed review, check out this Knob Creek 9 Year Small Batch Bourbon Review.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey is a renowned brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, produced by the Campari Group at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Known for its unique mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malt, Wild Turkey distills its whiskey to a lower alcohol volume, around 125 proof (62.5% ABV), to maintain its distinct flavor profile. The brand has recently expanded its production capacity with a new $161 million distillery, set to increase annual production from 9 million to 14 million proof gallons by 2025. Wild Turkey's commitment to quality is evident in its use of natural yeast and charred white oak barrels, and the brand has been recognized as the world's sixth-largest American whiskey, selling 1.8 million nine-litre cases in 2021. Under the leadership of legendary Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey continues to uphold its rich tradition and craftsmanship. For more detailed information, you can visit their official website.

Elijah Craig

Elijah Craig, often referred to as "The Father of Bourbon," is a renowned brand in the Kentucky bourbon industry, credited to Reverend Elijah Craig who first aged bourbon in charred oak barrels in 1789. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, Elijah Craig offers a range of bourbons, including the acclaimed Small Batch, Barrel Proof, and Single Barrel, which have garnered awards such as Whisky Advocate's Whisky of the Year and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The brand's commitment to quality and tradition is evident in its use of traditional mashbills and extra-aging processes, resulting in a rich and smooth flavor profile. Elijah Craig Small Batch, for instance, is a 70,000 nine-unit case product, and the brand's inventory includes over 1.6 million barrels of aging American whiskey. This dedication to craftsmanship has made Elijah Craig a staple in the bourbon world. For more details, visit Elijah Craig's official website.

Jim Beam

Jim Beam is a leading producer of Kentucky bourbon, known for its 225-year tradition and high-quality products. The brand produces 115,000 gallons of bourbon daily and ships 15 million cases annually, making it the world's #1 selling bourbon. Jim Beam's production is set to increase by 50% with a recent $400 million investment, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% through the use of renewable energy. The brand utilizes Kentucky's limestone-filtered water, which contributes to the flavor and appearance of its bourbon, with at least 51% corn in its mash bill. Jim Beam's distilleries in Kentucky, including the main plant and the Booker Noe plant, ensure a massive and consistent supply to meet global demand. For more information on their bourbon-making process, visit the Jim Beam Bourbon Process.

Bulleit

Bulleit is a renowned producer of Kentucky bourbon, known for its high-rye content mash bill, which includes 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley. Founded on a legacy that dates back over 150 years, Bulleit Bourbon is characterized by its bold, spicy character and a finish that is distinctively clean and smooth. The brand's bourbon is aged for at least six years and bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) for most markets. Bulleit has received numerous awards, including Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012, 2007, and 2004. The Bulleit Distilling Co., owned by Diageo, operates a state-of-the-art $115 million production facility in Shelbyville, Kentucky, which opened in March 2017.

Pappy Van Winkle

Pappy Van Winkle is renowned as one of the finest producers of Kentucky bourbon, celebrated for its exceptional quality and scarcity. The brand, owned by the Old Rip Van Winkle Company and distilled at Buffalo Trace Distillery, is distinguished by its use of wheat and barley malt instead of rye, and its prolonged aging process, with expressions aged for 15, 20, or 23 years. The 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle, in particular, is highly acclaimed for its complex flavors of caramel, vanilla, and oak, and is bottled at 95.6 proof. Despite its limited production of around 7,000 cases per year, Pappy Van Winkle generates significant revenue and is considered a valuable investment for collectors. The brand's commitment to maintaining low production levels ensures the high quality and exclusivity of its bourbon. For more in-depth insights on Pappy Van Winkle, visit this dedicated article.