10 of The Most Underrated Whiskies in The World [Video]

The whisky world is never short of headline-grabbing stories of record-breaking auction sales but the aged grain spirits landscape is much broader than just a handful of hallowed bottles. Here are ten amazing whiskies that deserve way more recognition than they have gotten so far!

Ohishi Sherry Cask

There are people who frown at the thought of whisky made from rice, but several Japanese distilleries are doing just that. Ohishi is about as different as you can get in the whisky world and still be called “whisky.”  Other than going the usual route of malted barley, the producers have for generations stuck to distilling fermented rice grain.

Aged in sherry casks, the whisky is known to have a lot of fruity, nutty, and spicy notes and flavors. This is one whisky every enthusiast should try at least once in their lifetime.

Where to Buy:

https://www.binnys.com/

https://www.caskers.com/

Wild Turkey 101

Wild Turkey is a whiskey often overlooked by casual drinkers and diehard enthusiasts alike. This is surprising for several reasons. First, Wild Turkey 101 is bottled at 101 proof(50.5% ABV). This means the higher alcohol content should make it a favorite among bourbon drinkers who love a bolder whiskey(many bourbons are 86 proof or higher).

And if bourbon cocktails are your thing, the high ABVs makes it a solid choice for a cocktail. The whiskey is also aged for a good 6-8 years and has sweet notes of vanilla, maple, and cinnamon that are nicely contrasted with oakiness, spice, and char. All this and only an average price tag of $20 makes you wonder why Wild Turkey is not way more popular.

Where to Buy:

https://www.reservebar.com/

https://www.crownwineandspirits.com/

Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye

In the 2016 Whisky Bible Awards, Jim Murray named Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye “World Whisky of the Year.” According to him, the Canadian whisky popped up out of nowhere and changed the game.  Murray is quoted saying, “To say this is a masterpiece is barely doing it justice.” This decision stirred up a lot of controversy in the whiskey and specifically Scotch circles.

It was the first time in the influential award’s history that Canadian rye took top honors over more rare and celebrated bottlings from Scotland, Ireland, and the United State. Many people disagreed with Murray’s opinion, but that doesn’t mean Northern Harvest Rye is any less a great whisky. In fact, it’s a worthwhile addition to any home bar.

Where to Buy:

https://sipwhiskey.com/

https://www.totalwine.com/

Millstone 100 Rye

This American style whisky is often overlooked simply because so few people are aware that whisky is even made in the Netherlands in the first place. The Zuidam distillery, which was started in 1975, makes some fantastic malts. Their award-winning Millstone whisky is their flagship product.

And the number 100 in the name is not there by chance. It has a 100% Rye mash bill, is 100% pot distilled, has been matured for 100 months, and is bottled at 100 proof. As Netherlands whiskies go more mainstream, we will definitely be hearing more of Millstone 100 Rye.

Where to Buy:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/

Teeling Single Malt

Ireland's Whiskey industry has been booming for a couple of years now. But there’s more to Irish whiskey than Jameson, Tullamore, and Bushmills. There's a slew of fantastic Whiskeys out there embodying the best characteristics of Irish Whiskey, waiting eagerly for their chance to shine.

One of such whiskeys is Teeling Single Malts.  During the 2020 World Whiskies Awards, Teeling Whiskey 30-Year-Old Single Malt was also honored as the World’s Best Irish Single Malt. This shows there’s much more to Irish whisky than the big brand names.

Where to Buy:

https://www.whiskyshopusa.com/

https://www.reservebar.com/

Sullivans Cove French Oak Single Cask Tasmanian

This single malt whisky put the Australian whisky industry on the map after winning World’s Best Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards in 2014. Keep in mind; this title had only ever been previously won by Scotch or Japanese whiskies.

This whisky is known to have rich flavors of Christmas spice, dried fruit, robust oak and highlights of dark chocolate that will not disappoint.

Where to Buy:

https://www.caskers.com/

Miyagikyo 12 Year Old

While Japan may be one of the best and most popular whisky producers in the world, this single malt is often not featured together with Japan’s heavyweights such as Yamazaki 12-Year-Old and Hakushu single malts.

Yet, the Miyagikyo 12 is not a whisky anyone should overlook. It’s described as a full-bodied, fruity and complex whisky, with some sherry character, hints of toffee, and some polished malt. Give it a try today; there is not one element that would let you down.

Where to Buy:

https://dekanta.com/

https://www.woodswholesalewine.com/

Glenfarclas Aged 10-40 Years

Bottles of Glenfarclas were being shipped to the US as early as 1887. While rivals have been snapped up over the years, the allure of being an independent and sixth-generation family-owned brand still runs strong in the Speyside distillery.

Surprisingly the distillery has survived multiple whiskey market crashes in its 150-year history. Through the leans years the family chose to focus on distilling more whiskey.  During an interview in the December 2019 issue of The Spirit Business, the current sales director George Grant said “ I believe age is the only credible explanation for why a particular whisky should cost so much more than another”

And rightly so, now Glenfarclas has an enviable stash of well-aged casks ranging from 10 to 40 years old. Despite this, a bottle of Glenfarclas 30‐year‐old will cost you less than a third of what you’d pay for a Macallan five years younger.

Where to Buy:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/

Chivas Regal Extra

It’s only six years since this blended whisky was launched and joined the illustrious Chivas Regal whisky range. But the Chivas Rigal Extra is no ordinary blended whisky.  In most blends, the contributing malts will have been matured in a mix of both ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, leaning more towards the former.

But with Chivas Regal Extra, more focus whiskies aged in sherry casks resulting in an extra richness of dried fruits and spice notes. Yet it strikes a balance without overwhelming the vanilla & caramel notes from the ex-bourbon casks. 

Where to Buy:

https://www.whiskyshopusa.com/

https://www.reservebar.com/

Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style

Old Forester was one of the few distilleries that stayed open during Prohibition. The Volstead Act of 1920, which initiated Prohibition in the USA, granted permits to six distillers in Kentucky to continue to bottle 100 Proof bourbon for medicinal purposes.

With a barrel entry proof of 100, angel’s share(whiskey lost to evaporation into the air as the whiskey ages in cask) would have resulted in a 115 proof whiskey after maturation. To pay homage to this era, Old Forester created 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon at 115 proof to represent the rich flavor profile this bourbon had nearly 100 years ago.

The very high ABVs makes this whiskey another solid choice for cocktails and Bourbon lover who enjoys a strong drink on the rocks.

Where to Buy:

https://www.wine-searcher.com/

https://www.crownwineandspirits.com