Some of the finest liquors are crafted in America. From centuries-old companies to brands that got their start this decade, Americans have been experimenting with liquor since the country was founded.
If you are looking to shop directly from U.S. based liquor companies, this list will provide you with some of the best options available.
Laird’s Applejack
A liquor with such a deep history that even George Washington himself had to get a taste. For almost 300 years, the Applejack recipe has been passed down to each new generation, keeping the Laird family business alive and flourishing to this day.
Laird’s Applejack is best described as an apple whiskey, made from a blend of apple brandy and neutral grain spirits. Using only fresh Virginia apples, the company has concocted an array of apple spirits to try, drawing inspiration from the original Applejack recipe.
Known for its versatility, Applejack is enjoyed as both a beverage and a cooking staple for many culinary creations.
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Rye, barley malt, and corn make up the core identity of Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Designed with a smooth finish, this whiskey contains a rich taste with hints of vanilla, toffee, and candied fruit.
Taking home the gold at both 2024’s Global Whiskey Challenge and Singapore World Spirits Competition for their bourbon, this company is considered formidable competition in the liquor industry. The Buffalo Trace Distillery has been honing its craft for over 200 years.
Bluecoat American Dry Gin
In 2006, the Bluecoat American Dry Gin was created in Pennsylvania’s first craft distillery since Prohibition. Just three years later, this gin won its first double gold medal in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The entire premise of this brand was to take inspiration from the American Revolution. The idea of free-thinking and seizing the day brought about the creation of Bluecoat.
Made with 100% certified organic botanicals, Bluecoat American Dry Gin has a refreshing first taste that gives way to soft and earthy juniper notes.
Peychaud’s Aromatic Cocktail Bitters
Originally created as an added zest to medical elixirs, Peychaud’s bitters have become a cocktail bar staple. Antoine Peychaud, an apothecary who left his home in Haiti and set up shop in New Orleans, simply mixed this bitter with health tonics. After his friends and customers got a taste, they couldn’t get enough.
With a light and fruity taste, just a few drops can completely alter the taste of a drink. If you are getting serious about the setup of your home bar, you’ll want to include Peychaud’s bitters in your inventory.
St. George Absinthe Verte
As the first legal American absinthe released after the U.S. ban was lifted in 2007, St. George Absinthe Verte holds its ground as one of the most popular absinthe choices.
An herbal mix with touches of black licorice that evolve into citrus and grass profiles. With such an abundance of essential oils blended together, many tastes can pop up depending on how you serve it. In order to bring out each vivid flavor to its full potential, a single large ice cube is ideal. We recommend testing out the Meltdown Mogul with this absinthe.
Henry McKenna Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
After immigrating from Ireland, Henry McKenna set up shop in Kentucky. He took his family’s whiskey recipe and adapted it with the grains he found in Kentucky. Henry McKenna is one of the longest aged Bottled-in-Bond whiskeys available to this day.
Each sip will bring a swirl of tastes, including smooth oak, sharp spices, honey, and a touch of sweetness. Critics have raved about this whiskey, and it has proven itself to be quite the competition in the liquor industry. Winning double platinum at 2024’s ASCOT awards, Henry McKenna Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a drink any liquor enthusiast would want to get their hands on.
Owney’s New York City Rum
Named after a famous New York City entrepreneur, Owney’s has become one of the few liquor companies in New York City to focus on rum distilling. Bridget Firtle, the founder of Owney’s, comes from a family full of entrepreneurs and hustlers, giving her the inspiration to create her own distillery in her hometown.
Owney’s Original Rum has notes of banana, cane, smoke, and earth in each taste. One of their main ingredients happens to be filtered New York City tap water, with USA-grown sugar cane molasses taking its spot as the main ingredient.
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7
As one of the most popular whiskey options in America, Jack Daniel’s deserves the mention. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is a Tennessee Whiskey that was crafted over a century ago, and quickly became an American-made liquor classic.
This whiskey is mellowed through sugar maple charcoal and aged in handcrafted white oak barrels. If you are looking for a safe option that is loved by many, this would be your best bet.
Deep Eddy Vodka
Deep Eddy is a brand designed for fun. With many vodka options to mix into your drink of choice, this company has become a major party pleaser. First launched in 2010, this brand drew inspiration from a local swimming hole, a place known for lively crowds and laid-back fun. Add in the idea of sunshine, a great friend group, and liquor—and you’ve got Deep Eddy Vodka.
The original version of this vodka is filtered eight times with extremely pure water and then distilled ten times after. When you drink Deep Eddy Original Vodka, you’ll notice a clean and smooth taste that mixes well with just about anything.
Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Although this may be another company founded in Kentucky, Angel’s Envy has found a way to set itself apart from the competition with a unique practice. First, they mature their whiskey in charred oak barrels, and then transfer it to a secondary finishing cask. This secondary finish creates a complex flavor that is distinct from other bourbons.
As for the taste, this bourbon contains notes of vanilla, fruit, maple syrup, toast, and bitter chocolate. The finish is sweet, rounding out the mix of flavors one might encounter as they drink. This Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon has a Port Finish that enhances the whiskey without completely altering it.
Final Thoughts
From bourbon to bitters, there’s an American-made option out there for any type of liquor connoisseur. With the amount of discovery Americans have made in the liquor industry, one can only imagine how many possibilities have yet to be attempted. The future of American liquor is bright–and hopefully full of flavor.
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