The Best Spirits to Sip, Mix, and Savor Right Now

Men's Journal Editors

December 19, 2023 at 11:44 PM·8 min read

Is there anything more exciting than pointing to the top shelf at a bar and accidentally discovering your new favorite Scotch? How about fishing a dusty bottle out of the back of your liquor cabinet only to find it's your delicious new go-to for Negronis? Yes, the world of booze is an adventure waiting to begin—and the Men's Journal Spirits Awards is your treasure map. Across 20 categories, we selected the very best bottles (and top bars that serve them) to celebrate any occasion, whether a holiday party, date night, camping trip—or just 5 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon.

Why You Should Trust Us

As distilleries bottle new celebrity tequilas every week and unveil their oldest bourbon yet for the second time this month, it becomes harder and harder for enthusiasts to keep up.

Men's Journal has covered spirits since our inception in 1992. Our editors and writers boast decades of experience in the booze business. We taste, test, savor, and review every last sip of the best (and worst) beers, wines, whiskeys, gins, tequilas, and everything in between—all to serve our audience with informed takes and refined opinions.

While our writers and editors are experts in their own right, they also interviewed bartenders, restaurant owners, liquor distributors, contest judges, and other thought leaders in the industry. As a result, the 2023 Men's Journal Spirits Awards are authoritative, trustworthy, and downright exciting to explore.

How We Chose the Best Spirits of 2023

Our writers worked with experts to determine what criteria to judge each subcategory of liquor.

For example, when selecting our favorite tequilas, writer Brad Japhe asked the following questions: "Does the liquid in question express itself in a natural and compelling way? Does the agave at its core act as the star of the show? Is it something that drinks well on its own—sans mixers—pleasing to both the nose and the tongue? If we answer yes to most of those questions, it’s a tequila we’ll surely remember. If we answer yes to all of them, then it’s a tequila we won’t ever forget."

Our writers asked similar questions across every article, getting to the very heart of the spirits they researched for dozens of hours. The results are highly curated lists of bottles that stand above their competitors in multiple characteristics. We can't wait for you to dig in.

Best Bourbon

Chances are, if you're reading Men's Journal, you like bourbon. Well, we like bourbon too—a lot. Our best bourbons round-up is a what's-what of all the best brown liquor made in the U.S. It's hard to pick a favorite, but William Larue Weller tops our list.

Best Scotch Whisky

While we didn't forget the classics, our best Scotch picks of the year will surprise even veteran whisky sippers. Our best overall choice, Glenfarclas 25 Year Old, is full and rich, with big sherry and smoky oak flavors.

Best Tequila

Tequila is the fastest growing liquor category in the U.S., meaning there's no shortage of selection on the shelves of your local liquor store. To help you hear through the noise, we selected the 24 best tequilas, including our favorite: Fortaleza Still Strength.

Best Rye Whiskey

Rye whiskey is wonderful, but because bourbon and Scotch hog the spotlight, it doesn't get its due. Our list of the best rye whiskey aims to put the spirit back on the map. And Knob Creek Rye, our overall preferred bottle, completes that goal on its own.

Best Cheap Whiskey

Searching for a compromise between your wallet and your palate? Then Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is your Goldilocks whiskey. But in case you're thirsty for more variety, our round-up features 14 additional best cheap whiskeys.

Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned

Ah, yes. The perennial whiskey cocktail that sets good bars apart from bad bars. If you're keen on honing your cocktail-making skills at home, snag a prime bottle of whiskey for an old fashioned—namely, Old Grand Dad 114.

Best Whiskey Bars

Sometimes drinks taste better at a cozy watering hole. Some like 'em divey, while others like 'em fancy, so our list of the best whiskey bars in America features the perfect spot for every drinker. But if you've only got enough PTO for one trip, head to our nation's capital to experience Jack Rose Dining Saloon in all its whiskey-packed glory.