USA TODAY 10Best
Experience the best of American craft whiskey from these 10 distilleries
Best Craft Whiskey (2023)
The American craft whiskey scene has really come into its own in recent years, expanding beyond the traditional Tennessee and Kentucky bourbons to include ryes, single malts, blends and white whiskeys made with a combination of Old World and new school techniques.
On our quest to find the best, we asked a panel of experts to nominate standout craft whiskey distilleries in the U.S., then our readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best craft whiskey distilleries across the country.
Photo courtesy of Traverse City Whiskey Co.
No. 10: Traverse City Whiskey Co. - Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City Whiskey Co. makes four barrel proof whiskeys, including a bourbon, rye, wheat and cherry, in addition to their line of signature whiskeys. One of the more unique offerings is the American Cherry Edition, a whiskey steeped with Montmorency cherries grown on the distillery’s own family farm.
Photo courtesy of Adam Milliron
No. 9: Wigle Whiskey Distillery - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
American whiskey was born in western Pennsylvania, and Wigle Distillery, which opened in 2011, is named for Phillip Wigle, a pioneering distiller. Today, Wigle Whiskey uses regional organic corn, wheat and malted barley milled onsite at the first distillery in Pittsburgh since Prohibition. They ferment and pot-distill all of their products at the family-owned distillery, including a variety of specialty and barrel-finish whiskeys, plus lines of Pennsylvania ryes and bourbons.
Photo courtesy of Wyoming Whiskey
No. 8: Wyoming Whiskey - Kirby, Wyoming
The Mead family established themselves in Wyoming as ranchers in 1890 and have branched into sourcing local ingredients and producing the “Whiskey of the West.” Some of their most popular beverages include a Small Batch Bourbon with hints of caramel and vanilla; a Single Barrel Bourbon with impressions of butter crème and candied orange peel; and the aromatic and spicy Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey which reminds the drinker of dark chocolate and molasses.
Photo courtesy of Kasey Walker Minnick
No. 7: Six & Twenty Distillery - Greenville, South Carolina
One of South Carolina's premier craft distilleries boasts an Old Money low intensity wheat whiskey featuring vanilla and maple notes and nose (made by owner David Rabb as a whiskey his wife would enjoy sipping with him). They also offer the world's first 5-grain bourbon whiskey made of corn, winter wheat, barley, rye and Carolina Gold rice.
Photo courtesy of no credit necessary.
No. 6: Log Still Distillery - New Haven, Kentucky
Log Still Distillery, a family-owned and -operated outfit situated on 350 beautiful acres in central Kentucky, offers a traditional Kentucky Straight Bourbon under the Monk’s Road label. This single-barrel bourbon is aged six years and delivers bold spice with an oak and English toffee nose. Also try their adventurous line of Tennessee whiskeys called Rattle and Snap.
Photo courtesy of Jessie Unruh
No. 5: Breckenridge Distillery - Breckenridge, Colorado
Perched in the Rocky Mountains, Breckenridge Distillery is known as the “world’s highest distillery.” Their top spirit is their blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye concoction aged three years or more in charred American oak barrels. This whiskey provides aromas of butterscotch and candied orange, with flavors of brown sugar, vanilla and white pepper.
Photo courtesy of Chase Lancaster
No. 4: Burnt Church Distillery - Bluffton, South Carolina
Since opening, Burnt Church has been making a meaningful contribution to the spirits industry and its community by crafting spirits that pay tribute to and keep the history and culture of the South Carolina Lowcountry alive. Try their signature Palmer's Stretch Rye, honoring the local area and its people. Also on offer are Anita's Choice Bourbon, Johnny Fever Bourbon, Bluffton Whiskey and Sin Eater Cinnamon Whiskey.
Photo courtesy of Bogdanhoda // Getty Images
No. 3: Castle & Key Distillery - Frankfort, Kentucky
Castle & Key's distillery is housed in a restored 1887 building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and resembles a European palace, complete with over 100 acres of landscaped gardens. Their award-winning Restoration Rye is a must-try, in addition to their Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey.
Photo courtesy of Eddie Berman
No. 2: Redemption Whiskey - Lawrenceburg, Indiana
Prior to Prohibition, rye whiskey was American's number one spirit. Redemption focuses on bringing back that tradition, with bold, spicy "rye-forward" whiskey. Their signature Redemption Rye has a rye content of 95% and has won multiple awards, including Rye Brand of the Year at the 2021 New York International Spirits Competition. Redemption has also received awards for its other specialty whiskeys, like the Wheated Bourbon or 10 Years Aged Barrel Proof Rye, which features an intense combination of flavors.
Photo courtesy of Ironroot Republic
No. 1: Ironroot Republic - Denison, Texas
Ironroot Republic mashes, ferments, distills, ages and bottles all their spirits in Denison, Texas for a true grain-to-glass experience. The lineup includes six whiskeys – three bourbons, an American whiskey and two straight corn whiskeys.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Amber Gibson
Amber Gibson spends 350 nights a year in hotels... Read More
Amber Gibson spends 350 nights a year in hotels searching for the latest and greatest in the travel industry. Her writing and photographs have appeared in print, online, and on the radio for outlets including Forbes, National Geographic Traveler, Departures, Four Seasons Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller, NPR, Saveur, Departures, Rhapsody, Hemispheres, American Way, Private Air, and Serious Eats. She graduated as valedictorian from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and received a fellowship to attend the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. Champagne, dark chocolate and gelato are her biggest weaknesses.
Amber Gibson
Amber Gibson spends 350 nights a year in hotels searching for the latest and greatest in the travel industry. Her writing and photographs have appeared in print, online, and on the radio for outlets including Forbes, National Geographic Traveler, Departures, Four Seasons Magazine, Conde Nast Traveller, NPR, Saveur, Departures, Rhapsody, Hemispheres, American Way, Private Air, and Serious Eats. She graduated as valedictorian from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and received a fellowship to attend the 2017 Wine Writers Symposium at Meadowood Napa Valley. Champagne, dark chocolate and gelato are her biggest weaknesses.
Amber Love Bond
Amber Love Bond is a Miami-based food + beverage... Read More
Amber Love Bond is a Miami-based food + beverage and travel writer, who is always on the go and looking for her next adventure. After a decade-long career in corporate finance, she stumbled upon her passion for writing about the world around and hasn't looked back. Amber contributes to over a dozen print and digital publications including Travel & Leisure, Thrillist, Forbes, Eater, Southern Living, Miami New Times, HelloGiggles, Men’s Health, Fodor’s Travel Guide, and more. Typically you can find her at the opening of every restaurant, sipping cocktails at the coolest bars, or hanging out under a palm tree with her laptop (and a cocktail) in tow. Follow her adventures on Instagram at @amber__love.
Amber Love Bond
Amber Love Bond is a Miami-based food + beverage and travel writer, who is always on the go and looking for her next adventure. After a decade-long career in corporate finance, she stumbled upon her passion for writing about the world around and hasn't looked back. Amber contributes to over a dozen print and digital publications including Travel & Leisure, Thrillist, Forbes, Eater, Southern Living, Miami New Times, HelloGiggles, Men’s Health, Fodor’s Travel Guide, and more. Typically you can find her at the opening of every restaurant, sipping cocktails at the coolest bars, or hanging out under a palm tree with her laptop (and a cocktail) in tow. Follow her adventures on Instagram at @amber__love.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer... Read More
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos have appeared in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to working for Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Dave Stamboulis
Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos have appeared in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand, which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to working for Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.