The Six Whiskies Everyone Should Have On Hand For Entertaining

It seems like every year there are dozens of articles going over the "best whiskies" in the world.

We even came out with a "best whiskies we tried this year" article in our last issue.

These ratings are a great insight into what whiskey critics are drinking, and what we've found to be incredible pours out of the hundreds of different whiskies we try every year.

But, with the "critic" or "influencer" territory often comes a skewed perspective from us, and also makes many of our articles inaccessible to readers around the world.

Many of our "best whiskey" selections are either impossible to find or can cost upwards of thousands of dollars.

Either way, they aren't things someone would normally find at their mom-and-pop liquor store.

So, we thought that we'd focus on whiskies that are widely accessible. These are things that anyone could, and should, get on their liquor shelves if they're entertaining regularly.

1) Michter's American Unblended

Michter's American Unblended can be readily purchased at most liquor stores for around $45.

The American Unblended is one of our favorite goto pours. Full of deep notes of caramel, vanilla cream, campfire oak, and black currant, it's a balanced pour that drinks smooth at an affordable price.

This whiskey is great for veteran and novice whiskey enthusiasts, making it incredibly accessible for a variety of different drinkers.

It's a great way to introduce someone to the world of whiskey.

2) Old Elk Bourbon

Old Elk was founded in 2013, making it a relatively new player to the whiskey scene.

That being said, they've jumped into the deep end with a splash, offering delicious pours at affordable prices, making it a value buy.

The bourbon is a great entry into the bourbon scene for those who might still be searching for a go-do daily-drinker.

Don't let the low proof fool you, while it may be an incredibly smooth pour, it's also got a great depth of flavor while not being overly sweet.

The spice carries through and balances the pour.

3) Rabbit Hole Dareringer

Rabbit Hole was founded in 2006 and has released some stellar pours in the 15 or so years they've been producing whiskey.

However, their Dareringer pour is simply incredible.

It's a straight bourbon whiskey finished in PX Sherry Casks, giving the pour the classic bourbon profile with an additional sharp and fruity note that adds extra dimension and complexity to the pour.

It can be found at many larger liquor stores and is a great entry into the world of finished whiskies.

4) Whistle Pig 10 Year

Whistle Pig has made a name for itself as one of the go-to rye daily-pours for many fans of their signature earthy rye profile.

Whistle Pig rye whiskies are more on the mellow side, making them both flavorful and more easily accessible for people who might be turned off by the spicy flavors and heat that accompany many rye expressions.

Luckily, Whistle Pig is readily available. The ten-year expression is tasty, mellow, and won't break the bank for many whiskey drinkers.

They also have an extensive lineup below and above that price point if you want to go exploring.

5) Johnnie Walker Double Black

Johnnie Walker is a time-tested scotch. While it is definitely an "entry-level" scotch, most people have had it or are at least familiar with it. This makes it a great option to have on-hand for a steak night.

The double black expression is a bit more intense than their traditional black label. It's got more smoke and peat to the palate, but not so much so as to make it unenjoyable to people unfamiliar with the distinct flavors of scotch.

If you want something a little less intense, you can always opt to purchase their regular black label to tone down some of the more bold scotchy notes.

6) Old Scout Bourbon

Old Scout is a line from Smooth Ambler Distillery.

It's a sourced whiskey, meaning that they commission another distillery to produce their recipe.

That's nothing to look down on, as it's a very common practice now, and some of those distilleries produce some incredible juice.

If you're looking for one, make sure it says "distilled in Indiana" on the back to make sure you're getting the MGP juice, which is the most popular one.

Old Scout is a quality pour that typically drinks much below its proof, and is a crowd-pleaser when it comes to the nose and tasting notes.

4) WhistlePig 10 Year