#1 Whiskey of the Year (2025), Breaking Bourbon

“A whiskey has to check a lot of boxes to be named our #1 Whiskey of the Year, but ultimately it boils down to one core attribute – the whiskey has to leave a lasting impression. It is serendipitous that this year, our #1 Whiskey of the Year comes from the first registered distillery in the United States, Jack Daniel’s. The Jack Daniel Distillery has a long, storied history dating back to 1866. The brand has, at times, been known only as a mainstream mass-produced whiskey intended to be mixed with Coke as a simple but effective social lubricant. However as American whiskey has undergone a modern-day Renaissance over the past two decades, Jack Daniel’s, or more specifically the people who are Jack Daniel’s, have paid close attention and evolved the brand as consumers’ tastes have changed.

In 2025, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel solidified the distillery’s commitment to this mantra. A subtle, yet incredibly notable release, this permanent line extension for the brand highlights the historical significance of past barrel-making techniques with what is, in every sense of the phrase, an “Everyman’s whiskey.”