When it comes to bourbon production, there are a lot of rules and regulations that distillers must adhere to. Most drinkers know the basics. To be referred to as a bourbon, the whiskey must be made in the United States (although not just Kentucky). It also must contain a mash bill of at least 51 percent corn. On top of that, it must be distilled to no more than 160 proof, added to the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. You might not know it, unlike some whisk(e)ys, there is no age requirement for bourbon.
You can age your whiskey for a handful of months and still label it as a bourbon, but drinkers might not be too keen on your product. In order to be labeled as a “straight” bourbon, however, the whiskey must be aged for at least two years. Also, all bourbons younger than four years old are required to include an age statement on the bottle’s label.
And while you’re sure to find many expressions in the younger range (around four to six years old), we believe that bourbon’s real sweet spot is ten years. If it’s aged longer, it begins to lose some flavor and character. Ten years spent in charred barrels imparts nuanced, rich flavors like butterscotch, vanilla, chocolate, toasted marshmallows, nutty sweetness, and maple candy depending on the ingredients in the whiskey and the char of the specific barrel.
While some ten-year-old bourbons can be land on the pricier side, in general, another reason 10-year-old bourbons are great is the price to quality ratio. You don’t have to spend the equivalent of a mortgage or monthly rent payment to enjoy a well-made, high-quality bottle of bourbon. Don’t believe us? Below, you’ll find ten of our favorite 10-year-old bourbons.
Clyde May’s 10 Year Cask Strength Bourbon
Alabama might not be the first state you think of when you envision bourbon, but Clyde May’s is hoping to change that with expressions like its 10 Year Cask Strength Bourbon. This bourbon, made with a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley, is aged for ten years in charred American oak barrels before being bottled at 114 proof. The result is a bold, robust whiskey with notes of caramel apples, charred wood, candied orange peels, caramel, and just a hint of cracked black pepper.
- Origin: Alabama
- Proof: 114
- Price Range: $150-170
Widow Jane 10 Year Bourbon
Widow Jane 10 is like taking a sip of bourbon as it’s produced throughout the country (not just Kentucky). Widow Jane’s signature bourbon, it’s a blend of whiskeys from Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. It’s produced in small batches, non-chilled filtered, and it’s proofed down using locally-sourced mineral water. This results in a complex, flavorful bourbon with hints of dried cherries, toffee, chocolate, dried orange peel, and charred wood. The finish is sweet, spicy, and very warming.
- Origin: Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana
- Proof: 91
- Price Range: $65-80
Bib & Tucker 10 Year Bourbon
This highly rated bourbon comes from Tennessee, a state much more well-known for Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel. This twice-distilled spirit is aged for a minimum of ten years in new, No. 1 charred American white oak barrels. It’s made in small batches and no release is exactly the same. It’s known for its flavors of fresh leather, butterscotch, dried fruits, raisins, oaky wood, and a gentle, nutty sweetness on the last sip.
- Origin: Tennessee
- Proof: 92
- Price Range: $80-90
Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon
One of the most sought-after 10-year-old bourbons on the market, Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon is a single barrel whiskey made in very limited quantities with limited availability. This award-winning expression was matured for at least ten years in fire-charred, new American oak casks. It’s well-known for its rich, mellow flavor highlighted by notes of caramel, vanilla beans, maple candy, and gentle, warming spice. It’s a true gem if you can get your hands on a bottle.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 94.4
- Price Range: $299-350
Basil Hayden 10 Year Bourbon
If you’re even a novice bourbon drinker, there’s a good chance you’ve tried Basil Hayden. Now is the time to step up to its 10-year-old counterpart. Basil Hayden 10 has the same high-rye mash bill of the aforementioned expression, but it’s aged for a full ten years (or more) in new, charred American oak casks. The result is a complex, highly sippable whiskey with flavors of vanilla beans, sticky toffee, charred wood, and dried fruits. Like with all high-rye bourbons, the finish is warming and features gentle spicy rye.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 80
- Price Range: $65-75
Rebel 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon
Recently rebranded from Rebel Yell, Rebel’s 10-year-old expression is not to be missed. Made using a high-wheat recipe that was created back in 1849, this 100-proof bourbon manages to be both bold and robust as well as soft and sweet. Aging for a decade in new, charred oak barrels creates a complex whiskey with hints of caramel corn, vanilla beans, pipe tobacco, dried fruits, and just a hint of smoky, charred wood.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 100
- Price Range: $70-100
Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon
A few years ago, this single barrel, bottled in bond expression was named the best whiskey at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This led to it becoming one of the most sought-after bourbons in the world. While it’s a little easier to find today, the quality of the whiskey hasn’t changed. This small-batch bourbon was matured for a minimum of ten years in new, charred oak barrels. The result is a complicated whiskey with myriad flavors including cinnamon sugar, buttery caramel, wintry spices, and charred wood notes.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 100
- Price Range: $90-150
Bulleit 10 Year Old Bourbon
Bulleit is a big name in the bourbon world. Like Maker’s Mark and Basil Hayden, there’s a decent chance you’ve sipped Bulleit neat or in a cocktail. But you might not have tried the brand’s 10-year-old expression. Distilled with a mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley, this whiskey gets its exceptional flavor not only from being aged for a minimum of ten years in charred, oak barrels but from being fermented with a strain of proprietary yeast. It’s sweet, mellow, and carries notes of raisins, cloves, vanilla, brown sugar, and rich, woody oak. The finish is long, warming, and ends with a great combination of sweetness and rye spice.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 91.2
- Price Range: $40-50
Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon
One of the most beloved 10-year-old bourbons on the market, Eagle Rare 10 has been racking up awards and gaining rabid fans for decades. This sought-after bottle was aged to perfection for a minimum of ten years in new, charred American oak barrels. This results in a memorable, complex whiskey with notes of honey, candied orange peels, nutty sweetness, rich oak, vanilla beans, chocolate fudge, and butterscotch. It’s the perfect slow sipper any time of the year.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 90
- Price Range: $55-75
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon
Wild Turkey is a huge name in the bourbon world. But you might not know that the brand known for its 101-proof expressions beloved by drinkers and bartenders also makes Russell’s Reserve. Its 10-year-old expression is a small batch bourbon created by long-time master distiller Jimmy Russell (hence the name) and his son Eddie. It’s a bold, flavorful, bargain bourbon with flavors like pipe tobacco, rich, woody oak, vanilla, and slight, warming peppery rye. It’s surprisingly inexpensive for such a high-quality whiskey.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 90
- Price Range: $30-40
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