7 Best Honey Whiskeys (That Are Actually Worth Buying)

I’ve enjoyed my fair share of whiskeys – but when honey whiskeys were recommended to me, I was hesitant to try them.

Whiskey is supposed to be enjoyed straight up. The harsher flavors are what I liked about it.

Or so I thought.

Then I tried honey whiskey for the first time, and it totally won me over.

There is an absolute joy in adding a splash of sweet nectar against the smoky pallet of your favorite whiskeys.

So I decided to take my tasting into an entire testing session and tried out a selection of the best honey whiskeys on the market. Keep reading to find my top picks and my complete list of tried-and-tested sweet honey whiskeys.

7 Best Honey Whiskeys

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey – Most Popular Honey Whiskey

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Jack Daniel’s deserves the top spot because of its perfectly balanced, rich flavor. In terms of Honey Whiskey, a classic Jack Daniel’s is basically royalty.

On the palate, you can taste a splash of oak, mild spice, lemon zest – and of course a big dollop of honey.

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey is recommended for beginners looking for something that they can be 99% sure they’re going to enjoy.

I like to drink it with a single ice cube – no mixer required.

The honey here is sweet enough that I don’t need anything else, and I’m normally quite sensitive to stiff whiskies.

Plus, it doesn’t cost a fortune at under $40 per liter. You can’t get much fairer than that.

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Bluebird Honey Whiskey – Best Unique Honey Whiskey 

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Bluebird Honey Whiskey is probably the most uniquely-flavored whiskey out there because of its complexity and the presence of dozens of taste-enhancing ingredients. 

It’s made of straight rye, four-grain bourbon, and wheat whiskey topped up with a mix of wildflower honey.

The Bluebird is a rich honey whiskey where you can expect to find a touch of caramel sweetness and toasted vanilla scent that amplifies the presence of the honey.

You can drink it all year round. If the day is hot, the Bluebird makes a refreshing highball. If it’s cold, you can make a Hot Toddy base.

Bringing it to a friend’s party will spark up some good times with unusual ingredients and will give everyone’s taste buds a new experience. This is the pick for you if you want a showstopper that will delight your guests.

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Bird Dog Jalapeno Honey – Best Budget Honey Whiskey

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This Bird Dog blends the sweet honey flavor that you’d expect with a bite of spicy Jalapeno that gives an extra kick.

If you’re a person who loves spicy foods, then choosing this liquor is a good choice. With its heat, drinking it on a winter day is delightful. 

If its spicy bite is too much for you to handle, you can use some mixers, such as maple syrup, lemons, and some tropical juices to balance things out.

The interesting flavors and spicy tones don’t come at the expense of a quality whiskey here – and the value on offer is hard to beat. This is an excellent gateway for Gents looking to branch out from typical honey whiskies into exciting new flavors.

Garrison Brothers Honey Dew – Best Premium Honey Whiskey 

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The Garrison Brothers Honey Dew deserves to be on this list due to its one-of-a-kind taste.

This blend infuses Texas-made Burleson’s wildflower honey with multiple dashes of apricot and peaches – and the results are beautiful.

Unlike other whiskeys where the honey is overpowered by different tastes, this one gives you a chance to experience an authentic honey flavor in every part of your taste buds.

Garrison’s Dew is the most expensive on this list, so perhaps not the pick for casual events or parties where it won’t be appreciated properly. It’s better to save it for evening relaxations for you and your significant other to drink slowly.

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Dewar’s Highlander Honey – Best Scotch Honey Whiskey

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Dewar’s Highlander offers a blast of citrus and honey flavors for a low price compared to other premium honey whiskey brands. 

This honey whiskey is just like Dewar’s White Label; the only difference is it’s sweeter. Along with the sweetness is citrus, oak, and malt flavor to balance it all.

Dewar’s Highlander honey is best to bring out during big parties to flex on your guests. If not, you can make a great highball with it.

It has probably the most balanced taste on this list. With that, you don’t need to do anything to tone down the drink. You can enjoy it as it is.

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Belle Meade Honey Cask Bourbon – Another Great Honey Bourbon

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Belle Meade Honey Cask Bourbon combines authentic bourbon taste with cinnamon and honey and a slash of toffee in the end.

It’s a well-aged bourbon infused with natural, aromatic, and sweet wildflower honey. Though, finding it in the market is challenging.

The fact that it’s a limited Bell Meade release adds up to the luxury of this whiskey. It has bourbon caramel, cedar bark, and a slight cinnamon taste. Its complexity is what makes it my favorite from my taste tests.

These were made in honey barrels that give the entire drink an evident honey smell the moment you open the bottle. 

Because it’s limited, sipping it at the party isn’t ideal. Enjoying it alone while unwinding or relaxing during a mid-day breeze is best.

Try this one if you want to get swarmed by the real honey essence and enjoy one of the best whiskeys out there. But that’s just my opinion.

Grab this whiskey if you need that bourbon edge.

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What You Should Know About the Best Honey Whiskies

Honey Whiskey might be a new term to some O.G whiskey enthusiasts. To clear things up, below are answers to some frequently asked questions.

What is honey-flavored whiskey? 

Honey-flavored whiskey differs depending on the whiskey enthusiast you’re talking to. Generally, honey whiskey is just average whiskey combined with honey to add some sweetness and smoothness.

Honey whiskey is a flexible drink to have in any scenario. It’s suitable for cold, hot, and warm weather. Also great at a party.

How is honey whiskey made? 

Manufacturers first combine the ingredients (generally wheat malt or rye.) Later, they store the mixture for one to two weeks for fermentation; fermentation is the process where alcohol is formed.

After fermenting, manufacturers will strain the mixtures, separating the grains from the liquid alcohol that formed. After this, they will now distill the newly fermented soon-to-be whiskey.

Distillation is the process of boiling the liquid until it vaporizes to get the desired amount of alcohol level. 

They do this because the boiling point of alcohol is lower compared to regular liquids. 

After all that is done, it’s time to age the young whiskey inside a barrel for many months for the flavors to pop out.

After aging, manufacturers dilute the product to control the alcohol content. Finally, after a regular whiskey is made, it’s time for the honey to step in.

Manufacturers will now add lots of honey to the whiskey and mix it until fully infused.

After hours of mixing, some aging is still needed before your favorite honey whiskey is ready.

What’s the best mixer for honey whiskey? 

Honey whiskey shines when mixed with other things that enhance its taste. The best mixer for honey whiskey is probably Dr. Pepper. It’s a well-known soda brand loved by most Americans. However, you still have other choices like milk, lemonade, and more.

If you want to have a Dr. Pepper and honey whiskey duo keep these things in mind: Always follow a 2:3 ratio to get the perfect taste.

If you’re not into soda, you can use warm milk with a 1:4 ratio. This is best drunk during a winter night to relax and unwind with anyone.

Below are some other mixer choices you can try:

Maple Syrup

Adding maple syrup to your drink is recommended if you have a sweet tooth. It will significantly uplift the sweetness of the honey whiskey to a new level.

However, be sure to add gradually because too much might overpower the drink and cause it to be a ‘maple whiskey’ rather than ‘honey whiskey.’

Lavender Syrup

Lavender Syrup is the best choice during the Spring season. Adding some drip of Lavender to your whiskey will give you a refreshing Julep cocktail. Adding some fresh-from-the-fridge ice is recommended.

Using Lavender as your mixer will also give your drink a good lavender smell, making it more appetizing.

Lemonade

If you’re looking for a summer drink with a bit of kick, try mixing your honey whiskey with a lemonade. Its cold citrusy-sweet approach will surely cool you down.

If you want it to look more presentable, try adding some slices of lemon floating on the drink. It’ll also give you a bit of a pulpy sip.

Cranberry Juice

If you’re a cranberry fan, this is for you. Mix some cranberry juice with your whiskey in an ice-filled glass, which will woosh away the summer heat.

If you want to take things to the next level, you can add some sweet tea. 

Tropical fruit juice

You can add any tropical juice you want, like pineapple or orange, to your whiskey. The honey will balance out the citrus flavor; drinking it with ice is nice.

This is best consumed on the sea shore while enjoying a cool air breeze during a summer beach vacation.

How should I drink honey whiskey?

You can drink honey whiskey neat, with ice, or mixed with a cocktail. A good choice during a cold day is a Hot Toddy. You can make a High ball if you encounter hot, sweaty weather. 

If you want to try something new, you can mix your whiskey with milk, soda, lemonade Ginger Beer, Cranberry Juice, and Lavender Syrup.

Some drinkers who are not a fan of the whiskey taste tend to add some water to neutralize the kick of the alcoholic drink. This is advisable for first-time drinkers.

Some styles might not fit you, so we recommend trying different types of drinking honey whiskey to find the right one for your personality.

Check out our other whiskey guides:

• What Are The Differences Between Rum Vs Whiskey?
• Discover Our Picks For The Best Tennessee Whiskey
• Our Guide To The Best Maple Whiskey