Best Whiskies for Cocktails: 17 Picks

Whiskies that work well in a Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Whisky Sour. This page lists the whiskies we recommend for cocktails.

1. 1

   Roe & Co

   Ireland / Blended / NAS / 45%

   Diageo's revival of the name of Dublin distilling great George Roe. Non-chill filtered at 45%, with vanilla, pear and a kick of spice.

   CocktailsHighballOn the rocks
2. 2

   Canadian Club

   Canada / Blended / NAS / 40%

   Created by Hiram Walker in 1858, the archetypal Canadian whisky. Blending before ageing gives a light, clean style.

   HighballCocktailsOn the rocks
3. 3

   Jack Daniel's Old No.7

   USA / Tennessee / Tennessee / NAS / 40%

   From Lynchburg, Tennessee, one of the world's best-known American whiskeys. Sugar-maple charcoal mellowing gives a smooth sweetness.

   HighballCocktailsOn the rocks
4. 4

   Jameson

   Ireland / Blended / NAS / 40%

   The world's best-selling Irish whiskey. A smooth, approachable blend of triple-distilled pot still and grain whiskey.

   HighballCocktailsOn the rocks
5. 5

   Jim Beam White Label

   USA / Kentucky / Bourbon / NAS / 40%

   The world's best-selling bourbon. Based on the Beam family's 1795 recipe and aged at least four years in new oak — light and easy-drinking.

   HighballCocktailsOn the rocks
6. 6

   Johnnie Walker Red Label

   Scotland / Blended / NAS / 40%

   Johnnie Walker's Red Label, known as the world's best-selling Scotch whisky. Cinnamon and black-pepper spice, fresh fruity sweetness and a gentle wisp of smoke.

   HighballCocktailsOn the rocks
7. 7

   Monkey Shoulder

   Scotland / Speyside / Blended Malt / NAS / 40%

   A blended malt made only from three Speyside single malts — Glenfiddich, Balvenie and Kininvie. Vanilla, honey and orange sweetness with a touch of spice, made for mixing.

   HighballCocktailsOn the rocks
8. 8

   Buffalo Trace

   USA / Kentucky / Bourbon / NAS / 45%

   The flagship bourbon of a historic Frankfort, Kentucky distillery. Vanilla, caramel and toffee with gentle spice.

   SweetOn the rocksNeatCocktails
9. 9

   Bushmills Original

   Ireland / Northern Ireland / Blended / NAS / 40%

   The core blend from Northern Ireland's Bushmills Distillery. A high malt content gives fruity sweetness and smoothness in a light style.

   HighballOn the rocksCocktails
10. 10

    Dewar's White Label

    Scotland / Blended / NAS / 40%

    A "double-aged" blended Scotch built on Aberfeldy malt, marrying up to 40 whiskies and resting them again in cask. Smooth honey and vanilla.

    HighballOn the rocksCocktails
11. 11

    Jameson Black Barrel

    Ireland / County Cork / Blended / NAS / 40%

    Jameson's richer step up, matured in double-charred bourbon barrels for deep butterscotch, toffee and vanilla.

    SweetOn the rocksNeatCocktails
12. 12

    Maker's Mark

    USA / Kentucky / Bourbon / NAS / 45%

    A softly sweet bourbon made with winter wheat instead of rye. Famous for its red wax-dipped bottle.

    SweetOn the rocksHighballCocktails
13. 13

    Nikka Days

    ニッカ デイズ

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 40%

    A light, delicate blend built on Coffey Grain and Miyagikyo malt. Fruity white flowers, pear and citrus with a silky texture.

    HighballOn the rocksCocktails
14. 14

    Slane Irish Whiskey Triple Casked

    Ireland / Blended / NAS / 40%

    A blend matured in three casks — virgin oak, seasoned American-whiskey casks and oloroso sherry. Layers of caramel, vanilla and raisin.

    SweetOn the rocksHighballCocktails
15. 15

    Suntory Toki

    サントリー トキ

    Japan / Blended / NAS / 43%

    A blend built on Hakushu malt and Chita grain, with Yamazaki malt added. Citrus and mint freshness with vanilla sweetness — made for highballs.

    HighballOn the rocksCocktails
16. 16

    Teeling Small Batch

    Ireland / Blended / NAS / 46%

    Teeling's flagship: a grain-and-malt blend married in Central American rum casks. Bottled at 46% without chill filtration, with sweet vanilla and rum notes.

    SweetHighballOn the rocksCocktails
17. 17

    Tullamore D.E.W. Original

    Ireland / Blended / NAS / 40%

    A light, triple-distilled blend of grain, malt and pot still whiskeys. Biscuity sweetness and fresh citrus make it an easy-going Irish classic.

    HighballOn the rocksCocktails

Order and flavour profiles are our editorial guide.