For men with refined tastes, a dapper suit, handmade tobacco pipe, and Old-Fashioned whiskey glass is stepping into a dreamy paradise. The pandemic restrictions may have put an initial fear in the drinkers’ minds, but the American brown spirits are booming in demand. Staying home during the COVID-19 shutdown has made consumers excited and nostalgic about their favorite whiskey. While new distilleries are emerging on the whiskey horizon, the classic single malt has its faithful customers.
Whiskey bottles come in new shapes, but there are some popular and unrivaled whiskey choices for novices. Here are six chosen whiskey brands and their background notes that show you their iconic status.
- Buffalo Trace Distillery: World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery
America’s oldest operating distillery for over 200 years, Buffalo Trace, is famous for making fine bourbon whiskey. It won the 2020 Gold Medal in World Whiskies Awards, and in 2018, one of its spirits called EH Taylor 4 Grain received “Top Whiskey of the Year” honors. The whiskey brand is a tribute to the mighty buffalo and the spirit of the pioneers who followed them. The popular EH Taylor Barrel Proof gets bottled straight from the barrel and packed in an uncut and unfiltered way. The bold taste and powerful rye make it a true masterpiece for whiskey devotees.
Product Variants: Some of the company’s popular self-produced brands are Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, George T. Stagg, McAfee’s Benchmark, O.F.C., Old Charter, Old Taylor, Peychaud’s Bitters, Sazerac, Thomas H. Handy, W. L. Weller, Freddy’s Old-Fashioned Soda. Buffalo Trace Distillery also produces spirits for independent bottlers and retailer brands.
News Update: In the COVID-19 scenario, Buffalo Trace Distillery to continue virtual tourism.
- Johnny Walker: Best In Taste
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Johnny Walker, the world’s number one Scotch whisky, came into being in the early 19th century. John Walker, a Scottish grocer, started this famous Scotch whiskey. Sold and distributed in almost every country, today, the 200-year-old brand owns a vast number of special bottling.
Product Variants: Red Label, Black Label, Double Black Label, Green Label, Gold Label, Platinum Label, Blue Label, Johnny Walker Swing.
Logo: The brand’s Striding Man as visual and the tagline “Keep Walking” truly depict the brand’s pedigree status
Notable Drinkers: Winston Churchill loved Johnny Walker Red Label; Late US President Richard Nixon enjoyed Johnny Walker Blue Label.
News Update: A limited edition of JW whiskey in paper bottles is the latest entrant to hit the market in 2021. The Johnny Walker plastic-free paper bottle will be fully recyclable and will reduce the carbon footprint.
- Glen Moray: Best Value
Glen Moray Distillery hails from Speyside, Scotland. In 1897, it got molded into a distillery. Glen Moray is not an extrovert but a silent brand making whisky with no frills. The distillery’s craft workers could be your tour guide, which explains this whiskey brand’s low profile. The distillery has low ceiling warehouses as it’s housed in a low profile Scottish farmstead.
Product Variants: Glen Moray Classic has malty notes backed by the
the sweet spiciness of ginger marmalade, fragrant citrus tang, and a grassy finish; Glen Moray Fired Oak, aged for 10 years, is bourbon-like in taste. Elgin Classic Scotch Whisky and Elgin Heritage of 12-, 15-, 18- and 21-year-old are worth a taste. From Classic, Heritage, Reserve, and Signature, pick the flavor for your mood and celebrations.
- Glenmorangie: Best Scotch Whisky
Over two centuries old, the brand Glenmorangie is a consistent winner of hearts. A world full of wonder, these peerless whiskeys appeal to the global whiskey connoisseurs.
Product Variants: The Core Expressions (The Original, The Lasanta, Nectar d’Or, The Quinta Ruban 14 Years Old); Prestige Expressions (18 Years Old, 19 Years Old, Pride 1974/ 1978/ 1981, Grand Vintage Malt 1989/ 1990/ 1991/1993/1996, Signet), Private Editions (Bacalta 2017, Milsean 2016, Sonnalta PX, Allta 2019, Finealta 2011, Artein 2012, Ealanta 2013, Companta, Tusail 2015, Spios 2018), Exclusive Core Expressions (The Elementa, The Accord, The Tribute)
News Update: Glenmorangie rolled out a 360-degree campaign, “It’s kind of delicious and wonderful,” in the UK on social media in December 2020, reimagining everyday moments as wonderful experiences. The brand also unveiled Glenmorangie- A Tale of Cake, a new single malt Scotch.
- Chivas Regal: Best Selling Blend
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Introduced in 1801, this Speyside-born blended Scotch whiskey produced by Chivas Brothers has been the world’s fourth best-seller since 2016. Now owned by Pernod Ricard, the whiskey aged 12 years and older attracts tremendous sales in Europe and the Asia Pacific.
Product Variants: Chivas Regal 10, Chivas Regal 12, Chivas Regal Extra, Chivas Regal 18, Chivas Regal 25, The Chivas Brothers’ Blend, Chivas Regal Ultis, Chivas Regal Mizunara, Chivas Regal The Icon, and Chivas Regal
Logo: The red color signifies life. The heart-shaped Luckenbooth logo on Chivas labels is an ancient Celtic symbol conveying friendship and love.
- Jack Daniel’s: Born To Be The Best
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Tennessee-based Jack Daniel Distillery makes Jack Daniel’s a top-selling American whiskey brand. The founding father, Jasper Newton Daniel, commonly known as Jack, introduced the charcoal-mellowed signature brand “Old No. 7” Tennessee Whiskey. This bourbon whisky has square bottle packaging. Whiskey lovers will love to know that the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery within the US and attracts more than a quarter of a million visitors annually.
Product Variants: Old No. 7 (the “Black Label”), Gentleman Jack, Single Barrel, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Apple, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Rye, Green Label, 1907, Silver Select, Winter Jack, No. 27 Gold, Sinatra Select, Sinatra Century, Single Barrel Proof, Single Barrel Rye, Single Barrel Select Eric Church Edition
Notable Drinkers: Frank Sinatra was a core Jack Daniel’s drinker. Interestingly, a bottle of Old No. 7 was his co-partner in his last rites in 1998.
Last Notes
Most of the whiskey brands are avid sponsors of events on the sports, F&B, or cultural events calendar. Some Hollywood models, actors, writers, and sports celebrities have endorsed historic whiskey brands on films and television. Keep enjoying your favorite whiskey, but also try out unconventional brands to explore unique flavors.
Disclaimer: All product information on whiskey labels is from web links and is genuine.
