10 Must-Try Craft Bourbons You've Never Heard Of

Forbes

2 days ago

Bourbon by a fire
Bourbon lovers, we need to talk. You've probably sipped the big names—Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Maker's Mark—but let's be honest, the hunt for something new is half the fun. And while the shelves are stacked with recognizable bottles, there's a whole world of craft bourbon out there just waiting to be discovered.
These smaller distilleries may not have century-old rickhouses or celebrity endorsements, but they do have something arguably better: creative freedom, bold experimentation, and a dedication to making some pretty fantastic whiskey. So if you're ready to venture beyond the usual suspects, here are ten craft bourbons that deserve a spot on your bar cart.
New Riff Bourbon
New Riff is proof that you don't need 100 years of history to make great bourbon—you just need great bourbon-making. Their bottled-in-bond expression follows all the old-school rules (minimum four years of aging, 100 proof, no chill filtration), but the result is anything but ordinary.
New Riff may not be a household name—yet—but their bottled-in-bond bourbon is quickly making waves. Aged at least four years and non-chill filtered, this Kentucky gem packs a rich caramel sweetness balanced by a spicy rye kick. There's even a refreshing touch of mint on the finish, proving that not all bourbons have to taste like straight-up dessert.
Tasting Notes: Vanilla bean, baking spice, hint of mint
Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Bourbon
While many distilleries rush to bottle their bourbon, Wilderness Trail takes the slow-and-steady approach. Using a sweet mash process and careful aging in low-heat warehouses, they create a whiskey that's rich, well-balanced, and full of complexity.
Wilderness Trail takes their time with everything, from using sweet mash (instead of the usual sour mash) to aging their whiskey in lower warehouse ricks for better flavor development. The result? A beautifully balanced bourbon with dark cherry, toffee, and a black pepper bite that lingers long after your sip.
Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, toffee, black pepper
Pinhook Bourbon Heist
Pinhook does bourbon a little differently—releasing it in vintages, just like wine. This means each batch has a unique personality, and Bourbon Heist is a standout, blending a warm, honeyed sweetness with a bit of spice and nuttiness.
Pinhook's approach is unique—they release bourbon in yearly vintages, similar to wine. Bourbon Heist, one of their recent standouts, brings a cozy mix of honey, cinnamon, and roasted peanuts, making it feel like a warm hug in a glass.
Tasting Notes: Honey, cinnamon, roasted peanuts
Chattanooga Whiskey 111
Tennessee whiskey usually brings one name to mind, but Chattanooga Whiskey is carving out a lane of its own. Their high-proof, unfiltered bourbon is packed with rich, toasty flavors that make it perfect for sipping—or standing up to a bold cocktail.
Tennessee might be better known for Jack Daniel's, but Chattanooga Whiskey is here to shake things up. Their 111-proof bourbon is unfiltered and unapologetically bold, with rich brown sugar sweetness, toasty marshmallow notes, and a deep espresso backbone.
Tasting Notes: Toasted marshmallow, espresso, brown sugar
Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon
Nevada might not be bourbon country, but Frey Ranch is proving that great whiskey can come from anywhere. As a grain-to-glass distillery, they grow their own grains, giving their bourbon a unique citrusy brightness that sets it apart.
Nevada might not be the first place you think of when it comes to bourbon, but Frey Ranch is proving that great whiskey can come from anywhere. This grain-to-glass distillery grows its own grains, creating a uniquely citrusy and caramel-forward bourbon that stands out from the pack.
Tasting Notes: Orange zest, caramel, toasted oak
Starlight Carl T. Bourbon
Starlight Distillery's Carl T. Bourbon feels like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Family-owned and operated, they focus on small-batch production with innovative finishes—so don't be surprised if you find a honey or port cask version floating around.
Starlight Distillery, run by the Huber family, makes some of the most interesting craft bourbon around. Their Carl T. Bourbon is a buttery, maple-laced delight with just enough toasted almond to keep things interesting. Plus, their finishing experiments (like honey and port casks) make them one to watch.
Tasting Notes: Buttered popcorn, maple syrup, toasted almonds
Ironroot Harbinger
Texas heat accelerates bourbon aging, but Ironroot Harbinger takes that intensity and turns it into an art form. Dark chocolate, dried fruit, and oak spice combine in this high-proof sipper, making it a must-try for fans of bold, rich flavors.
If you like your bourbon with a little extra punch, this one's for you.
Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, dried fruit, oak spice
Bluegrass Distillers Toasted Oak Bourbon
The toasted barrel trend is here to stay, and Bluegrass Distillers is doing it right. Their Toasted Oak Bourbon is a rich, layered pour with just the right balance of sweet vanilla, toasted coconut, and subtle smokiness.
Their Toasted Oak Bourbon has a rich vanilla core, a surprising hint of toasted coconut, and just a wisp of campfire smoke to round it all out.
Tasting Notes: Toasted coconut, vanilla, campfire smoke
Kings County Peated Bourbon
Peated bourbon? You read that right. Kings County Distillery isn't afraid to push boundaries, and their peated bourbon blends smoky Scotch-like flavors with the caramel sweetness of classic American whiskey. It's weird, it's wonderful, and it's worth a try.
This Brooklyn-based distillery brings a Scotch-like smokiness to a classic American bourbon, blending caramel sweetness with earthy peat and bright citrus peel for a sip that's truly one-of-a-kind.
Tasting Notes: Smoked caramel, earthy oak, citrus peel
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream
California might be famous for wine, but Redwood Empire is making serious moves in the bourbon world. Pipe Dream brings a beautifully smooth, fruit-forward profile with baked apple, cinnamon, and sweet oak—perfect for those who like their bourbon on the softer side.
It's proof that great bourbon can thrive outside of Kentucky.
Tasting Notes: Baked apple, cinnamon, sweet oak
The days of bourbon being dominated by just a few big-name distilleries are long gone. Across the country, craft producers are making some of the most exciting and unique whiskey on the market. Whether you're looking for a high-proof monster, a delicately balanced sipper, or something completely unexpected (looking at you, peated bourbon), there's a craft bottle out there waiting to surprise you.
So next time you're browsing the liquor store shelves, take a chance on one of these underrated gems—you just might find your new favorite pour.