Why not, let’s join everyone else this year and provide the Bourbon Bossman® Top 5 Bourbons and Ryes of 2023! Looking back through the 2023 bourbon and rye year there were several releases I was honored and excited to enjoy. However, like previous years I believe there is still a perpetually growing problem in the industry; the availability to find and purchase these releases without having to pay secondary market costs. I promise I will not make this yet another rant about secondary market costs, well maybe a bit, but I do believe it should always be mentioned so those wanting to start a bourbon journey understand both the ups and downs of the current bourbon market.
So what were the Bourbon Bossman® criteria for this year’s top 5? Well, that is pretty easy, as the bottle or sample has to be a 2023 release, that’s it. As a caveat, please keep in mind that this list is purely my personal opinion, based on my palate, and a list such as this will differ vastly from person to person. This list is meant to perhaps entice the reader to try a new distillery or perhaps hunt for an annual 2024 release; that is if you can find it at a decent price. With that said, here are my Top 5 Bourbons and Ryes of 2023:
#1 – Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye (2023)
- 2023 MSRP: $185
- Proof: 92.8
- This is such an amazing rye whiskey and was well worth the two year wait to finally find a bottle!
- 2023 MSRP: $159
- Proof: 100
- This is by far my favorite Knob Creek product to date, and will probably be my Bourbon of the Year!
#3 – Orphan Barrel Scarlet Shade 14-Year Rye Whiskey
- 2023 MSRP: $199
- Proof: 90
- This is one of the best low-proof rye whiskies I have ever had!
#4 – Heaven’s Door The Bootleg Series Volume V
- 2023 MSRP: $599
- Proof: 114
- I will give it to Heaven’s Door as this is one absolutely amazing bourbon.
5# – Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Heritage Barrel Rye
- 2023 MSRP: $59
- Proof: 100
- This was a gem to find at MSRP, and I will forever moving forward try to find these special releases.
Honorable Mention – Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage
- 2023 MSRP: $275
- Proof: 106
- This is the most expensive bottle I have purchased this year, but I can confidently say that this may be my bourbon of the year for 2023.
As always, there were several releases that made other reviewers’ top lists that I was unable to find in NoCo. Although there were several I was unable to enjoy in 2023, these are the top five that I had the most FOMO about:
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 (133 Proof) MSRP $70
- Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch (108 Proof) MSRP $200
- Jack Daniels 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey (107 Proof) MSRP $80
- Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon (94.4 Proof) MSRP $185
- Penelope Rio (98 Proof) MSRP $90
By no means am I an expert on this subject, yet when it comes to tasting or reviewing bourbon, I sure continue to have fun doing it! If you are curious about bourbon, whiskey, or the occasional scotch like I am, and enjoy reading reviews and possibly the occasional rant like above, please feel free to subscribe and follow my continued adventures into 2024.
Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!
Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!
Bourbon Bossman®
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