Most Memorable Sippers of 2025
Jan 26, 2026
These were my most memorable whiskey sippers and RTD cocktails of the year. No particular order, just bottles that stuck with me.

Eagle Rare 10 Year
The benchmark. Balanced, elegant, and endlessly drinkable; still punches above its price when you can find it.

Old Forester 1920 (Prohibition Style)
Big, bold, and unapologetic. High proof without losing control; dessert, oak, and heat in all the right ways.

Old Forester 1910 (Old Fine Whisky)
Double-barreled elegance. Toasty oak, chocolate, and creme brulee sweetness with a silky finish that sips more like dessert than duty.

Penelope Black Walnut Old Fashioned (RTD)
Shockingly good for an RTD. Rich, nutty, and dangerously easy to pour another; this one redefined expectations.

Penelope Architect
Custom oak done right. Layered, modern, and fun to analyze sip by sip without feeling gimmicky.

RD One finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood
Wild card of the year. Cinnamon, baking spice, and dessert vibes; polarizing, but unforgettable in the best way.

Jim Beam Double Oak Bourbon
Simple, affordable, and way better than it has any right to be. Proof that double oak doesn't need to be fancy.

Chattanooga Whiskey Tawny Port Finish
Fruit-forward and nuanced. Port influence adds depth without overpowering the whiskey; great slow sipper.

Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Soft, sweet, and refined. Wheat-forward without going flat; approachable but still interesting.