For whiskey lovers, finally finding a unicorn bourbon, a whiskey only available in limited quantities or in specialty shops, can be the realization of a lifelong dream. Why? Because they are just that good. Here are a few places to find some of the rarest whiskeys in the United States.
Booker’s
Booker Noe, a grandson of Jim Beam, believed that bourbon bottled straight from the barrel was the best way to experience the whiskey. Booker’s Bourbon, a small-batch label, was born from this ideology. It’s a true barrel-strength bourbon and one of the rarest whiskeys around because it’s one of the only bourbons bottled at its natural proof. Booker’s “Tagalong” 2021 batch is aged six years and five months and comes in at an impressive (and surprisingly not overpowering) 127.9 proof. A single bottle is priced at $97.
Finding Booker’s “Tagalong” isn’t easy. King and Rye, a southern restaurant in Alexandria, VA, prides itself on its selection of hard-to-find whiskeys and Booker’s is one of them. It’s so rare that King and Rye patrons are limited to a single glass. Fifteen minutes from Washington, DC, King and Rye serves Southern and mid-Atlantic cuisine paired perfectly with their extensive whiskey menu. For whiskey aficionados looking to make a dent in their whiskey-tasting bucket list, Booker’s is not King and Rye’s only rare whiskey. Buffalo Trace, Angel’s Envy, and more make this King Street restaurant a must-visit.
George T. Stagg
One of the rarest bourbons around just got a little harder to find this year. Buffalo Trace did not release their 2021 George T. Stagg rye bourbon. The whiskey was produced in 2006 and has been aged for the past 15 years, but when tasted by the company’s Master Distiller, the 2021 batch did not live up to Buffalo Trace’s high standards. With high demand and decreased availability until 2022, don’t wait to get your pour in!
Monk’s BBQ’s bar manager in Purcellville, VA, is dedicated to curating an impressive collection of rare whiskeys, one of which is the elusive George T. Stagg. Monk’s BBQ also has a number of local craft beers available. The casual restaurant is a great place to try a number of rare spirits, sample some local craft beers, and indulge in some of the best smoked BBQ in Northern Virginia.
Old Pappy 23 Year
Kentucky is the heart of whiskey production in the United States and touring the state’s distilleries is a rite of passage for many whiskey lovers. It’s also your best bet if you are in search of some rare whiskey. Some bottles are just easier to find close to their distilling homes.
Old Pappy is one of these close to home bourbons. Even casual whiskey fans have heard of the bourbon and it’s highly sought after as a final cap to Kentucky vacations. The Brown Hotel’s bar in Louisville, Kentucky is one of the surest bets connoisseurs can make when it comes to finding the coveted, 23-year-old bourbon. A 1.5-ounce pour has a price tag of $200. If that’s a little too steep, the 15 year will run you $125. If Old Pappy doesn’t quite fit the bill, The Brown Hotel has an extensive drink menu featuring some of Kentucky’s best and rarest whiskeys.
It can be a serious time investment to track down some of the rarest whiskeys in the United States. We hope that this guide helps cut down on the time you spend searching so you can spend more time enjoying the spoils of your labor!
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