Back in May of 1964, the United States Congress officially recognized bourbon as “a distinctive product of the United States”, but this came with some requirements. Obviously, it needs to be made in the US (not just Kentucky even though purists would have you believe otherwise). Among the most important rules are the fact that it needs to have a mash bill of at least 51%, it must be aged in new, charred American oak barrels, and various rules about alcohol content throughout the process. But while there are many rules and regulations, but when it comes to age in particular, in order to be called a bourbon, the whiskey must only be aged a minimum of two years to be called a straight bourbon. But this comes with some stipulations.
While you can put your bourbon into a barrel for a few days, weeks, or months and call it a bourbon. It can’t be called a “Straight” bourbon unless it ages for at least two years. Also, if it’s aged for less than four years, distillers need to add the duration of maturation to the label itself. And while there are many two-year-old and four-year-old bourbons on the market due to the fact that there are nuanced, flavorful, rick bourbons at those ages, many distillers believe the real sweet spot (if you have the patience) is between 8-10 years. This is why there are so many ten-year-old bourbons on the market. If ten years is great, two more years must be even better, right?
Other distillers believe that the sweet spot when it comes to maturing bourbon is actually twelve years. That’s why, if you really take a moment to look, you’ll see a few 12-year-old bottles at your local liquor store or online retailer. While a much more popular aging number for single malt Scotch whiskies (with a glut of options available), there are 12-year-old gems from the likes of Knob Creek, Weller, Van Winkle, and even Jim Beam. Keep scrolling to see ten of our favorites to stock up on this year.
Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon
Knob Creek is a big name in the bourbon world. And it’s because of bangers like its Knob Creek 12-Year Bourbon. This full proof (100 proof), pre-prohibition style bourbon is big, bold, brash, and highly memorable. With a mash bill of 77 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 10 percent malted barley, this small batch bourbon is aged for a minimum of twelve years in new, charred American oak barrels. The result is a bold sipper with hints of toasted marshmallows, vanilla beans, buttery caramel, brown sugar, and just a hint of peppery rye to tie everything together nicely.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 100
- Price Range: $59-79
W.L. Weller 12 Year Bourbon
When it comes to bourbon-making prowess it’s fairly difficult to beat the range of high-quality whiskeys from Buffalo Trace. Its line of Weller expressions is one of the most sought-after lines in the bourbon world. One of its best is W.L. Weller 12 Year. This wheated whiskey is aged for at least twelve years in new, charred American oak cask and is known for its soft, sweet, easy-drinking flavor profile highlighted by notes of almond cookies, toasted vanilla beans, butterscotch, and rich, woody oak. The finish is sweet, warming, and leaves you wanting more.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 90
- Price Range: $150-300
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-Year Bourbon
If you pay attention to the whiskey world (specifically the bourbon marketplace), you’ve heard the name Pappy Van Winkle. This limited quantity line of whiskeys from Buffalo Trace is among the most sought-after, hard-to-find, and biggest unicorn bottles of the whiskey world. While easier to find than some of the older expressions, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 is known just as much for its flavors of dried fruits, sweet honey, pipe tobacco, rich oak, vanilla beans, and dry, warming finish as it is for its massive price mark up on the secondary market.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 90.4
- Price Range: $500-1,500
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon
The only bourbon on this list that doesn’t add its age to the label, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is an exciting whiskey for a special reason. Depending on which batch of this barrel-proof bourbon you purchase, the proof and flavor will vary. This is because, even though every selection contains an uncut small batch, barrel-proof bourbon that’s aged a minimum of twelve years, every batch is slightly different. Regardless, it’s known for its memorable notes of butterscotch candy, cinnamon sugar, toasted vanilla beans, fresh leather, and gentle, spicy cracked black pepper.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 120-125
- Price Range: $80-100
Calumet 12 Year Single Rack Black Bourbon
This whiskey might have a seemingly unnecessarily long name, but don’t hold that against them because there’s a reason. Distilled in Bardstown, this small batch bourbon consisting of only nineteen barrels has a mash bill of 74 percent corn, 18 percent rye, and 8 percent malted barley. Aged for at least twelve years in new, charred American oak barrels in the single, center-cut rack in the distillery’s barrelhouse (hence the name), it’s known for its flavors of rich oak, toasted vanilla beans, butterscotch, and light cracked black pepper spice at the very end.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 94
- Price Range: $99-119
Widow Jane 12-Year Bourbon
While many Widow Jane fans know all about its ten-year-old expression, they (and you) shouldn’t sleep on the brand’s 12-year-old expression. This high-rye bourbon was aged for a minimum of twelve years. It’s made up of a blend of some of the brand’s best and most exceptional casks. It’s a limited release and not easy to find. But if you do, you’ll be treated to notes of candied orange peels, a gentle nutty sweetness, brown sugar, toffee, dried cherries, and sweet caramel candy. It’s sweet, rich, warming, and highly memorable.
- Origin: Indiana
- Proof: 99
- Price Range: $99-120
Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year Bourbon
Jim Beam is one of the biggest names in the bourbon world. And its white-labeled expression is one of the most popular, cheapest, and easiest to find options. But, while nobody will fault you for buying that classic expression, if you want to step up your Jim Beam drinking game a bit you’ll opt for the distillery’s Jim Beam Signature Craft 12 Year Bourbon. Aged for at least twelve years in new, charred American oak barrels, this small batch bourbon known for its bold hints of rich, slightly smoky oak, sweet caramel candy, vanilla beans, and lightly fruity flavor that binds everything together.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 86
- Price Range: $39-59
Hickory Hill 12-Year Straight Bourbon
From Texas-based Gulf Coast Distillers, Hickory Hill 12-Year Straight Bourbon is aged for a minimum of twelve years in new, charred American oak casks before being bottled at 90-proof. This small batch bottling is known for its complex, well-balanced spicy, and fruity flavor profile featuring notes of allspice, dried cherries, chocolate fudge, roasted nuts, caramel, and vanilla. The finish is a warming mix of sweetness and spice and will leave you craving more. It’s well-suited for slow sipping on a cool summer evening.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 90
- Price Range: $89-99
Bib & Tucker 12-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon
While the state of Tennessee is more well-known for its aptly named Tennessee whiskey, brands like Bib & Tucker are crafting award-winning bourbons as well. Proving that the Volunteer State should be equally known for its bourbon prowess, Bib & Tucker 12-Year-Old Small Batch is a limited-edition, small batch bourbon known for its mellow, rich flavor. Aged for at least twelve years, this non-chill filtered bourbon is extra special because every batch is slightly different. What you can count on is a whiskey with hints of clover honey, vanilla, toffee, and roasted nuts.
- Origin: Tennessee
- Proof: 99
- Price Range: $89-109
1792 Aged 12 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Another tongue twister of a name, 1792 Aged 12 Years Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a highly coveted whiskey. This award-winning, limited-edition small batch bourbon spent a minimum of twelve years in new make, charred American oak casks. The result is a complex, well-balanced whiskey with notes of chocolate fudge, toasted vanilla beans, caramel corn, toffee candy, brown sugar, wintry spices, and oaky wood. The finish is warming, sweet, and a nice mix of fruity flavors and a gentle kiss of smoke. This multiple award winner is the kind of bourbon you savor from start to finish.
- Origin: Kentucky
- Proof: 96.6
- Price Range: $100-150
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