The Best Honey Whiskeys and Bourbons in North America

2011 was a monumental year for flavored whiskey in the United States. Both Wild Turkey and Jack Daniel’s released large-scale, nationally marketed honey whiskeys that quickly changed people’s perception of flavored whiskey. In these two products, honey’s natural sweetness softened whiskey’s sharpness, making it more approachable to a new generation of whiskey drinkers.

More than 13 years later, both Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Wild Turkey’s American Honey still dominate the flavored whiskey category, but they have a lot more competition. Large whiskey brands and craft distilleries from around the United States have put their own stamp on honey whiskeys and bourbons, evolving the nature of these products from “sweet” to “complex.”

The National Honey Board has been judging honey whiskeys for the last 8 years as part of our Honey Spirits Competition. This year, we wanted to do something different—collect as many honey whiskeys as we could find, assemble an expert panel of whiskey judges in Louisville and come up with a list of the Best Honey Whiskeys and Bourbons in America.

Congratulations to the following brands and distilleries that made our final list.

#1. Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye
The Cooper Spirits Company
Base: Straight Rye Whiskey
Other Ingredients: Rock Candy, Honey, Aromatic Bitters, Navel Orange
Proof: 84 Proof

Convene a panel of whiskey experts and you’re going to get a lot of strong, differing opinions. However, one thing all of our judges agreed on was the placement of Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye at the top of our list. From its citrus nose to its slightly sweet taste, this straight rye whiskey was flavorful but perfectly balanced. The only debate from our judges was whether this was a flavored whiskey or a bottled Old Fashioned? With an 84 proof, we lean toward a flavored whiskey. Regardless of where you sit on that debate, we can all agree on one thing: Hochstadter’s Slow & Low Rock & Rye is an exceptional expression of whiskey and honey.

#2. American Honey Sting
Wild Turkey Distilling Company
Base: Bourbon
Other Ingredients: Honey, Ghost Peppers
Proof: 71 Proof

Wild Turkey was one of the first major distillers to embrace honey whiskey, releasing Wild Turkey Liqueur in 1976, a blend of bourbon and honey crafted by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. They pioneered again in 2011 with the wide-scale release of American Honey, and again brought innovation to the flavored whiskey category with Wild Turkey American Honey Sting in 2014. This expression, which uses ghost peppers and honey, wowed the judges with its peppery nose, vegetal taste and warm, sweet honey finish. Our judges tasted many takes on sweet heat flavors, but only two made our list. Congratulations to Wild Turkey for continually pushing the boundaries of honey bourbon!

#3. Cooper’s Mark Golden Colony Honey
Cooper’s Mark Whiskey Company
Base: Bourbon Whiskey
Other Ingredients: Honey
Proof: 70 Proof

Of all the honey whiskeys judged, Cooper’s Mark Golden Colony Honey won the award for most honey-forward spirit. However, this bourbon whiskey is not cloyingly sweet. Instead, the judges took note of how balanced it is, which is difficult with a 70 proof product with honey. This honey bourbon whiskey is the perfect entry for drinkers just starting their whiskey journey, but it also is apt for aficionados looking for a sweet sipper to round out a meal.

#4. Trapline Rock & Rye
Glacier Distilling Company
Base: Rye Whiskey
Other Ingredients: Honey, Orange, Aromatic Spices
Proof: 80 Proof

Our second Rock & Rye product, this one from Glacier Distilling’s Trapline brand, has quite a reputation. It was a Gold Medal winner at the 2021 International Whiskey Competition for the Best Flavored Whiskey, and a Silver Medal winner at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Our judges were impressed with the honey nose and peppery finish.

#5. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Jack Daniels Distillery
Base: Tennessee Whiskey
Other Ingredients: Honey
Proof: 70 Proof

The most popular honey whiskey in the world is also one of the best-tasting! According to our judges, it’s also one of the smoothest honey whiskeys on the market. That shouldn’t be surprising as Jack Daniel’s is known for its mellow flavor with sweet and oaky notes. The addition of honey increases the sweetness but doesn’t overwhelm. One of this whiskey’s strong suits is a subtle, yet enticing floral nose.

#6. Honey Run
Golden Beaver Distillery
Base: Straight Bourbon
Other Ingredients: Honey
Proof: 90 Proof

This small distillery in Chico, California, has been racking up medals at the National Honey Board’s Honey Spirits Competition for years, so it was no surprise to see them make our final list of the Best Honey Whiskeys and Bourbons in North America. This bourbon stood out for its sweet tea taste and malty finish, as well as a nice viscous mouthfeel derived from the honey.

#7. Catoctin Creek Hot Honey Rye
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Base: Rye Whiskey
Other Ingredients: Honey, Chiles
Proof: 80 Proof

Sweet heat makes another appearance on our list as Catoctin’s take on a hot honey whiskey impressed our judges with its complex build from a honey taste to a spicy finish. The complexity of this rye whiskey comes from the use of three different varietals of honey—wildflower, clover and buckwheat—which each contribute something unique to the nose of the whiskey, ranging from cardamom to vanilla to herbal notes. The finish of this whiskey is unmistakably ghost peppers, but it’s not overwhelming. In fact, it’s perfectly balanced by the honey.

#8. Oak & Eden Wheat & Honey
Oak & Eden
Base: Wheated Bourbon
Other Ingredients: Honey
Proof: 90 Proof

Oak & Eden’s Wheat & Honey takes a unique approach to flavored whiskey, infusing an American Oak spire with honey, then adding it directly to the bottle. Visually, it’s stunning, but in a blind tasting, the judges don’t see it. It didn’t matter, as our judges rated this wheat bourbon high for its toasted oak taste with notes of honey and cinnamon. The honey in this bourbon played a more supporting role than the other spirits on the list, showcasing how honey can be used to add subtle nuance, not just sweetness.