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Bourbon is America’s native spirit. To be referred to as a bourbon, it must be made from a mash bill of at least 51% corn, aged in new, charred oak barrels, it must not be added to the barrel at higher than 125 proof, and must be made in the United States (among other rules). It doesn’t, regardless of what anyone says, need to be made in Kentucky. Bourbon is known for its sweet, corn, caramel, and vanilla-centric flavors and deserves to be celebrated all year long. But, while it doesn’t get the 365-day extravaganza treatment, it does get its own month. That’s because September is National Bourbon Heritage Month.
While we enjoy this mellow sipping whiskey all year long, September is the month specifically chosen to celebrate it. It works for us as the cooler temperatures are well-suited for the rich, charred, vanilla flavors of a well-made bourbon. Below, you’ll find eight of our favorites. Each is perfect for this and every month of the year.
Bourbon Heritage Month Bourbons
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Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
You can’t go wrong with any of Elijah Craig’s expressions, but its Small Batch just might be its best. Aged in level 3 charred oak casks, it’s known for its combination of sweet and spicy flavors that are perfect for fall sipping.
Photo: Elijah Craig
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Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
This 100 proof, high-rye single-barrel bourbon was aged for 7-9 years. It’s bold, rich, and filled with hints of vanilla, dried cherries, and subtle spices. It’s a mellow sipper you’ll want when the leaves start falling.
Photo: Four Roses
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Larceny Small Batch Bourbon
Drinkers seek out the likes of Weller and Pappy because of their soft, wheated flavor profile. Little do they know Larceny is a bargain-priced alternative. Soft, sweet, and filled with flavors like caramel, vanilla, honey, and slight spice, it’s a perfect fall sipping whiskey.
Photo: Larceny
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Michter's US-1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
This small-batch bourbon is aged in new, charred American oak barrels. It’s batched in a holding tank that contains no more than twenty barrels. The result is a subtly smoky whiskey with notes of raisins, dried cherries, and sweet vanilla beans.
Photo: Michter’s
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Old Grand-Dad Bourbon
The “Old-Dad” on the bottle is none other than Basil Hayden (you might know him from another Jim Beam expression). This is definitely not a beer for your grandpa. It’s surprisingly mellow with notes of charred wood, dried fruits, and sweet treacle.
Photo: Jim Beam
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Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
Wild Turkey is a big name in the whiskey game. There is a slew of great bourbons from this distillery, but our favorite is Wild Turkey 101. This robust, rich, high-proof whiskey is filled with flavors like maple candy, caramel, and slight peppery rye.
Photo: Wild Turkey
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Buffalo Trace Bourbon
It’s difficult to find a better value bottle than Buffalo Trace. While the distillery is known for brands like Weller, Pappy, and other sought-after brands, this bargain bottle is loaded with notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and subtle spices.
Photo: Buffalo Trace
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Old Forester 100 Bourbon
This is one of the best bargain bottles on the market. Proofed at 100 to pay homage to the Prohibition-era style. A favorite of bartenders and drinkers alike, it’s known for its rich, robust, sweet, highly sippable, and mixable flavor.
Photo: Old Forester
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Fistful of Bourbon
Fistful of Bourbon is literally a fist filled with bourbon. That's because it's a blend of five distinct bourbons. Combined, they create a highly sippable, rich, sweet, caramel and vanilla filled flavor experience.
Photo: Fistful of Bourbon
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Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon
In the past year, Hudson Whiskey rebranded itself with with bottle designs and new expressions. Its Bright Light, Big Bourbon is just that. It might be young, but it's filled with honey and corn sweetness thanks to a mash bill of 95% corn.
Photo: Hudson Whiskey
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High West American Prairie Bourbon
High West is well known for its complex whiskeys, this includes the sometimes difficult to find (and highly flavorful) Rendezvous Rye as well as a great whiskey to drink this month: High West American Prairie Bourbon. It's loaded with flavors like candied orange peels, caramel, and oak.
Photo: High West
