By Wine Enthusiast
This special group was culled from hundreds sampled over the past year—thoroughly spread out, of course. Looking back, it’s been quite a journey. Selections range from single-cask bourbons to a cheeky mezcal that uses Chinese five-spice roast duck to make pechuga, a style that typically involves hanging a piece of raw chicken breast in the still during distillation.
The numbers represent the score each spirit received; this list is not ranked from 100 to 1. The top scores include some high-flying bottles: a 24-year-old single malt Scotch that retails for an eye-watering $650 and a limited-edition Calvados collaboration with French spirits expert Alexandre Vingtier, which sings with deeply caramelized fruit notes for $500.
But this list includes good values, too, including a martini-worthy $17 vodka and a velvety Irish cream for around $20. More than half the list is priced at $50 or less. That said, tariffs and inflation have made pricing notoriously volatile this year, and tags on the shelves may have shifted significantly from suggested retail prices.
Overall, these are the best bottles to sip, mix, and gift right now—plus a few worth setting aside to collect, for those so inclined. However you choose to enjoy them, we hope you’ll agree they are worth celebrating.
— Kara Newman