Each year, we celebrate International Whiskey Day on March 27. This year, in honor of this special holiday, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of must-try whiskeys.

Since International Whiskey Day is about celebrating whiskey as a whole — not just bourbon or scotch or rye — we decided to make this a comprehensive list spanning seven whiskey categories: bourbon, rye, scotch, Japanese, Irish, Canadian and American Single Malt. For each category, we’re going to give you two or three whiskeys you can’t go wrong with — one or two honorable mentions and our top pick.

Before we dive into the list, though, let’s get familiarized with the holiday.

What Is International Whiskey Day?

International Whiskey Day is, as it sounds, a day for celebrating whiskey. A relatively young holiday, International Whiskey Day was created in 2009 at the Whiskey Day Festival in the Netherlands. The special day was founded in honor of the influential British writer Michael Jackson and is celebrated on his birthday.

Jackson died in 2007 after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for more than a decade. For that reason, the holiday publicly supports Parksinson’s disease research.

“International Whisk(e)y Day is a non-profit celebration of whiskey which receives no funding and is run entirely by the passion of whiskey fans from around the world,” the holiday’s website reads.” So if you love whisk(e)y and want to help spread the word, then go ahead and tell someone about it.”

With that, let’s dive into the list.

Best Bourbons to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention 1: Larceny Barrel Proof

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Larceny Barrel Proof is an upgraded, higher-ABV version of Heaven Hill’s popular Larceny bourbon. This barrel-proof bourbon is released three times per year. The most recent release, C922, was bottled at 63.3% ABV. Given the high proof, this bourbon is guaranteed to deliver some big heat, but the hotness is somewhat calmed down by the wheat in the Larceny mashbill. Instead of the spicy rye influence you get from most bourbons, the wheat adds smooth sweetness.

This rich, vibrant bourbon can be found for as low as $60 but will often be sold for more in the $80-$120 range, depending on the batch.

Honorable Mention 2: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery #9

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Distilled in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ontario, this release from the innovative Bardstown Bourbon Company is the latest in the Discovery Series and easily Bardstown’s most interesting release to date. With components ranging from 8 to 17 years of age, this eclectic blend is rich, with notes of honey, caramel, oak, apple bake and cinnamon, and a long, oaky finish.

The Tennessee component really pops in this blend, mingling nicely with the other whiskey components in the mix.

At about $140, this is a bit of a pricy bottling, but it’s damn good.

Best Bourbon to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: Knob Creek 12 Year

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First released in 2020, Knob Creek 12 Year is one of the best value whiskeys on the market. For about $60, this bourbon will outperform many whiskeys double its price. This superb whiskey has a creamy texture with notes of nougat, pepper, peanut butter, cocoa and cherry with a long finish.

Best Rye Whiskeys to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention 1: Blue Run Emerald Rye

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Released in November 2022, this comes from the young, exciting whiskey producer that is Blue Run Spirits. This is the first Blue Run rye to be to be contract-distilled by Liquid Advisor and Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Jim Rutledge, best known for being the former master distiller of Four Roses.

After being distilled by Rutledge at Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky, it was blended by Wild Turkey alum Shaylyn Gammon and bottled at 116.7 proof, making it the first Blue Run rye to be released at barrel proof.

Blue Run is sweet and fruity on the nose, with a pleasant viscosity and some heat on the palate. Expect notes of cinnamon, clove, brown sugar and praline with a long, spicy finish.

Blue Run Emerald Rye can be found for a suggested retail price of $109.99.

Honorable Mention 2: WhistlePig Boss Hog XI: Siren’s Song

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The latest release in Vermont whiskey producer WhistlePig’s “The Boss Hog” series, Siren’s Song is an incredibly unusual, distinctive whiskey. This rye whiskey is finished in casks that once held fig nectar and Tentura (a Greek liqueur that the distillery made from scratch).

Complex and spicy, this whiskey features notes of anise, balsamic, brine, brown sugar, toffee, honey, pepper, clove and apple on the nose. On the palate, there’s plenty more spice, with notes of red wine vinegar, maple and angostura bitters. The finish is the biggest highlight in a sipping experience packed with highlights.  It’s sweet then savory, peppery then salty, Pacific then sweet, fatty and rich.

A limited release priced at $599.99 (MSRP), finding and buying a bottle of this is probably unrealistic for most. But if you’re at a bar with a really great whiskey selection, keep your eye out — maybe you’ll be able to find a pour. If you’re a fan of spicy ryes, this will be one of the best, most complex whiskeys you’ve ever tasted.

Best Rye Whiskey to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: Barrell Seagrass

A blend of Canadian and Indiana rye whiskeys, Barrell Seagrass is finished in a variety of Martinique Agricole Rum, Madeira and Apricot Brandy casks. It’s one of the flagship expressions from the can’t-miss innovators at Barrell Craft Spirits.

Bottled at 59.2% ABV, this whiskey features a powerful and fragrant nose with fruit, rye spice, bitter wine and grassy citrus pop. The palate is boisterous with spicy rye, lemon-lime, apricot, pepper and oak. The finish is long and spicy with tons of depth. It’s complex and full of flavor.

Usually able to be found for about $70-$80, this drink’s like a whiskey well in the triple-digits, price-wise. Barrell Seagrass isn’t cheap, but it’s a wonderful value deal nonetheless and is the perfect sipper for International Whiskey Day.

Best Scotch Whiskies to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention 1: Old Pulteney 18 Year

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An 18-year-old bottling from Old Pulteney, this whisky is aged in American and Spanish oak casks. Bottled at 92 proof, this delectable single malt is sweet, peppery, complex and fun.

Old Pulteney can be found for between $110 and $150 in the U.S.

Honorable Mention 2: Speyburn 18 Year

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Distilled by Speyburn and bottled after 18 years of aging in a blend of American and Spanish oak casks, this is unquestionably the pick for fans of sherried scotch whisky.

Speyburn 18 delivers sweetness on the nose, a medium palate with notes of sweet cream, maple, blackberry, fig and stewed fruits. The sherry influence is apparent, and the complexity works well. The finish is long, peppery and bold with oak, lingonberry and clove.

This delightful dram can go head to head with older Macallans or Glendronachs at a fraction of the price. This whisky can be found for as low as $115 but can get up to around $150 in the U.S.

Best Scotch Whisky to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: GlenDronach 18 Year Allardice

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There must be something magical about the 18-year mark for single malts, because we’re three for three on the scotch section, and all three are awesome. GlenDronach 18 is a phenomenal whisky with remarkable complexity for a 92-proof bottling. This is a total sherry bomb but is exquisitely balanced with no heat.

GlenDronach 18 can be found starting at around $180 in the U.S.

Best Japanese Whiskies to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention: Takamine 8 Year

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Produced entirely in Japan (an important distinction, as many Japanese whisky, especially older ones, were distilled and aged elsewhere), this whisky is aged eight years in new oak and ex-bourbon barrels and bottled at 80 proof. The whisky is made using the traditional Japanese fermentation technique: koji. Koji, which is the national mold of Japan, is commonly used to break down rice in the fermentation process to create Japanese products like sake and soy sauce. In this case, though, koji breaks down barley, creating a “maltless” whisky.

While the word “mold” probably isn’t super appealing to consumers, fear not — this whisky doesn’t taste like it was made with mold. Instead, this is a light, sweet, fruit-driven, easy-drinking, delicate and balanced pour.

Takamine 8 Year sells for a suggested retail price of $99.

Best Japanese Whisky to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: Nikka Whisky Yoichi Single Malt

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This 90-proof, non-age-stated whisky from Nikka in Japan is a light single malt that drinks pleasantly, delivering notes of waxy fruits, light pepper, sulfur, smoke, apples, pears, light cream, frosting, vanilla bean, caramel, honey and melon.

Yoichi can be found for around $80-100 in the U.S.

Best Irish Whiskeys to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention 1: Midleton Very Rare

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An annual release from Midleton, Very Rare is always expensive and very limited. Last year’s edition comprised 12- to 33-year-old components.

We wish they’d bottle this whisky at a higher proof than the minimum 80, but Midleton Very Rare has quite a bit of flavor and is an enjoyable pour despite the low ABV.

If light, easily sippable but flavorful whiskeys are your jam, this is for you.

Midleton Very Rare can be found for $250-$300.

Honorable Mention 2: Waterford The Cuvee

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A blend of 25 batches of distillate from 25 different farms, Waterford The Cuvee is bottled at 50% ABV — a very welcome bump over the traditional Irish 40% mark.

This beautifully rich whiskey has notes of caramel, pralines, lemon zest, candied ginger, orange peel, buttercream and more. This whiskey is bright, funky, fun and distinctive.

Waterford The Cuvee has a suggested retail price of €80 ($86).

Best Irish Whiskey to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength

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An improvement on the excellent Redbreast 12, this cask-strength bottling turns things up several notches, boosting the 40% ABV of the original all the way up to 58.6%. Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength is yeasty and sweet on the nose and malty on the palate. This whiskey is gentle despite the high proof and is delicious and all-around just really good.

Redbreast 12 Year Cask Strength can be found for around $100.

For more excellent Irish whiskey options (at any price range!), check out this list of the best Irish whiskeys we curated for 2023 St. Patrick’s Day.

Best Canadian Whiskies to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention 1: Pendleton 20 Year Old

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Titled “Director’s Reserve,” this 20-year-old whiskey from Canadian producer Pendleton is bottled at 80 proof, making it a hyper-aged, easy-drinking whisky.

This whisky is sweet and enjoyable through and through, presenting tons of maple syrup, along with some light oak and peppery notes. As Whiskey Raiders Spirits Critic Jay West wrote in his review, “if light on oak and big on maple are your vices, this pour is a perfect way to satisfy your craving.”

This whisky can be found for about $150.

Honorable Mention 2: WhistlePig The Béhôlden

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A brand-new release from WhistlePig, this is an exciting and expensive whiskey. Not only is this the first single malt release from WhistlePig, but the brand also claims it is the oldest North American single malt ever released.

Boasting a 21-year age statement and bottled at 92 proof, this whiskey is packed with caramel, honey and maple cream on the nose. On the palate, it has impressive viscosity and delivers notes of maple, tobacco, pound cake, cinnamon, toffee and red fruits. The finish is quick but lovely, complex and intriguing.

Priced at $800, you may be better served seeking a pour of this at a nice bar or restaurant than finding a bottle for yourself. If you can find it and are willing to pay, though, it’s a very nice whiskey.

Best Canadian Whisky to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: Found North Batch 003

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Composed of stocks ranging from 17 to 25 years old, this is the third batched release from up-and-coming blender Found North.

Made from 64% rye and bottled at 55.1% ABV, this brilliant whiskey is rye-forward with notes of rye bread, brown sugar, honey, creme brulee, pancake syrup, orange peel and vanilla bean. It’s spicy, powerful and sublime.

Found North Batch #003 can be found for around $115.

Best American Single Malt Whiskeys to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day

Honorable Mention 1: Stranahan’s 10 Year Mountain Angel

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The oldest Stranahan’s whiskey to date, Mountain Angel is sweet and buttery on the nose, with notes of orange peel, toffee, honey and caramel. On the palate, it delivers a moderate mouthfeel with hints of sweet corn flakes, fig jam, steel-cut oats, butterscotch and pepper. This is a delicious and exciting release from Stranahan’s.

Stranahan’s 10 Year Mountain Angel sells for a suggested retail price of $119.

Honorable Mention 2: Westward Single Malt Northwest Elements Series

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If you can get your hands on one of the single-barrel releases in Westward’s Northwest Elements Series, you should snatch it up without hesitation.

This one that we tasted presented malt, honey, lime, salinity, apple, brown sugar, baking spice and caramel on the nose; brown sugar, toffee, citrus, ginger, horehound and tobacco on the palate; and cocoa, spice drops, anise, caramel and sweet buttercream on the finish.

These releases range in price but start at about $60.

Best American Single Malt to Drink for 2023 International Whiskey Day: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled

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The first and (so far) only single malt to come from Tennessee Whiskey giant Jack Daniel’s, this exciting, deceptive pour clocks in at 52.85% ABV but drinks like a much lower-proof whiskey.

On the nose, this single malt delivers notes of espresso, toffee, dark chocolate and red berries. On the palate, it’s malty with cherry, cocoa, honey, tobacco, pepper and funky raisin bread. The finish is long and dry with notes of cherry cordials, toffee, honey, tobacco and espresso.

This stellar release debuted in 2022 with a suggested retail price of $70. It was a limited release, however, so you’re unlikely to find it at that price in 2023. This is another that probably falls under the “hope to find a pour at a nice bar/restaurant” category (unless you’re willing to spend, at minimum, a couple hundred bucks).

This was an incredible bottling, and we’re crossing our fingers that it’s the first of many single-malt releases to come from Jack Daniel’s.

Any whiskey on this list is a tremendous choice to enjoy on International Whiskey Day — and all year long.

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