Top-Rated American Whiskeys of 2025 Revealed in Blind Tasting: Best Bourbon Under $70 Named

Beverage Testing Institute Names Best American Whiskeys of 2025 in Blind Tasting

The Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest) has unveiled its annual ranking of the best American whiskeys, following a rigorous blind tasting that evaluates thousands of bottles without influence from brand reputation or marketing. The 2025 results showcase the diversity and competitiveness of the modern American whiskey landscape, featuring classic bourbons, bold ryes, high-altitude single malts, Tennessee whiskeys, and even a standout peach-infused spirit.

The blind tasting process, respected across the spirits industry, identifies the most exceptional bottles based on blind evaluation. This year’s top picks include revived heritage labels, carefully aged single-barrel releases, high-proof options for enthusiasts, and innovative flavored expressions that reflect the category’s evolution.

Top American Whiskeys of 2025

Forbes highlights four standout bottles from BevTest’s 2025 rankings:

• Best Bourbon: Cream of Kentucky Small Batch (96/100, platinum medal)
• Best American Single Malt: Stranahan’s 10 Year Old Mountain Angel, batch no. 4 (96/100, platinum medal)

Cream of Kentucky Small Batch: The Best Bourbon of 2025

Cream of Kentucky Small Batch earned the top bourbon title with a score of 96 out of 100 and a platinum medal. Priced at $69.99 (sometimes as low as $60), this whiskey offers exceptional value while delivering a classic Kentucky bourbon experience.

The brand revives a historic pre-Prohibition label under the guidance of former Four Roses master distiller Jim Rutledge. Rutledge sources and blends select Kentucky bourbons to create a “double-rich” house style that emphasizes traditional Kentucky character.

The whiskey’s aroma features honeyed orchard fruit and orange blossom, layered with notes of caramel apple, vanilla, and subtle oak. Bottled at 100 proof, the BevTest panel praised its complexity, describing aromas of caramel, chocolate, rice cookie, spiced poached apricots, and apples. Flavors include spice cake with crème anglaise, praline with dried fruits, and a hint of white ash.

“A sumptuous, finely balanced bourbon with tremendous flavor and length—one that can handle anything you throw at it.”

Stranahan’s 10 Year Old Mountain Angel: Best American Single Malt of 2025

Stranahan’s 10 Year Old Mountain Angel, batch no. 4, also scored 96 out of 100 and earned a platinum medal as the best American single malt whiskey of 2025. This ultra-premium spirit is aged for a decade in new charred American oak barrels at high altitude in Colorado, where temperature swings intensify the aging process.

The nose is described as inviting and layered, blending warm cream, citrus zest, and caramelized sugar with hints of mountain pine, dried fruit, and spiced oak. On the palate, the whiskey delivers silky malt sweetness alongside candied raspberry, orange peel, caramel, toasted barley, and honey. Notes of oak spice, dark chocolate, and subtle warmth add depth without overpowering the spirit’s core fruit and malt character.

The texture is thick, velvety, and mouth-coating, reflecting both the whiskey’s extended aging and the concentration produced by Colorado’s high-altitude climate. The BevTest panel noted aromas of butterscotch, cinnamon, poached pear, and maple.

Why These Whiskeys Stand Out

The 2025 rankings highlight the exceptional quality and diversity of American whiskey. Whether you’re stocking a bar cart or seeking your next great pour, these bottles represent the pinnacle of craftsmanship, innovation, and value in the category.