Top 10 Small Batch Bourbons You Need to Try in 2025 (Expert Tasting Notes Inside)
The world of bourbon has never been more exciting, and 2025 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. As distilleries continue to refine their craft, small batch bourbon remains the pinnacle of quality, creativity, and tradition. Small batch bourbons are produced in limited quantities, typically from a select number of barrels, allowing master distillers to create balanced, complex, and flavorful spirits that capture the true essence of American whiskey-making. Below are the top 10 small batch bourbons you need to try this year, complete with expert tasting notes and insights into what makes each one special.
Contents
1. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
A benchmark in the category, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon offers an accessible yet sophisticated drinking experience. Crafted by Heaven Hill Distillery, this bourbon boasts a nose of vanilla, toasted oak, and caramelized sugar. On the palate, you’ll find notes of spice, toffee, and honey, finishing with a warm, lingering sweetness. Its balance and depth make it a staple for bourbon lovers and a must-try in 2025.
2. Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses is known for blending up to ten distinct recipes, and their Small Batch expression perfectly captures that complexity. This bourbon features aromas of dried fruit, baking spice, and sweet oak. The taste is mellow yet rich, with hints of ripe red berries, cinnamon, and vanilla cream. The finish is smooth and satisfying, making it a favorite among both newcomers and connoisseurs.
3. Knob Creek Small Batch
Knob Creek Small Batch Bourbon, produced by the Jim Beam Distillery, is aged for nine years and bottled at 100 proof, resulting in a bold yet balanced profile. Expect robust flavors of caramel, roasted nuts, and oak with a touch of spice. Its full-bodied nature makes it an excellent sipping bourbon and a versatile choice for cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
4. 1792 Small Batch Bourbon
Named after the year Kentucky became a state, 1792 Small Batch Bourbon offers a refined balance of spice and sweetness. The aroma reveals hints of butterscotch, cinnamon, and toasted oak. Its palate is rich with caramel, vanilla, and rye spice, followed by a smooth, slightly dry finish. This bourbon’s bold character reflects its high-rye mash bill, appealing to those who enjoy a spicier profile.
5. Maker’s Mark 46
Although known primarily for its wheated bourbon, Maker’s Mark 46 is a standout in the small batch category. Finished with French oak staves, it delivers layered notes of caramel, baking spices, and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is creamy, and the finish brings a touch of sweetness balanced by gentle oak tannins. This expression demonstrates how innovation can enhance traditional craftsmanship.
6. Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Wild Turkey Rare Breed is a barrel-proof small batch bourbon, meaning it’s bottled directly from the barrel without dilution. This results in a robust, full-bodied flavor profile with notes of toffee, orange peel, and vanilla bean. The high proof amplifies the complexity while maintaining remarkable smoothness. For enthusiasts seeking intensity and authenticity, Rare Breed stands among the best of 2025.
7. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is known for its deep, rich character derived from a second round of aging in heavily toasted barrels. The aroma opens with chocolate, maple syrup, and toasted nuts, while the palate delivers layers of dark fruit, caramel, and sweet oak. This luxurious small batch bourbon is perfect for those who enjoy a dessert-like flavor profile and a velvety finish.
8. Basil Hayden’s Small Batch Bourbon
For drinkers who prefer a lighter, more approachable style, Basil Hayden’s Small Batch Bourbon offers subtle sophistication. It features a delicate blend of spice, pepper, and citrus on the nose, followed by smooth caramel and honey flavors. The finish is crisp and clean, making it an excellent introduction to the world of small batch bourbon while retaining enough complexity to satisfy experienced palates.
9. Jefferson’s Reserve Small Batch
Jefferson’s Reserve Small Batch is a testament to blending mastery. Aged in select barrels, it reveals aromas of brown sugar, leather, and vanilla. The flavor is balanced with notes of sweet corn, toffee, and gentle oak spice. Each batch varies slightly, giving drinkers a sense of discovery with every pour. Jefferson’s Reserve is a refined, elegant bourbon ideal for special occasions.
10. Booker’s Bourbon
Booker’s is an uncut and unfiltered small batch bourbon that delivers uncompromising intensity. Bottled straight from the barrel, it typically ranges between 120 and 130 proof. The flavor profile is bold, offering deep notes of vanilla, peanut brittle, and charred oak. Despite its strength, the mouthfeel is rich and smooth, making Booker’s one of the most respected and collectible small batch bourbons in 2025.
Conclusion
The small batch bourbon movement continues to define excellence in American whiskey, emphasizing craftsmanship, individuality, and quality over mass production. Each bourbon listed here represents a distinct style—from sweet and smooth to bold and spicy—offering something for every palate. As more distilleries innovate with barrel finishes, mash bills, and aging techniques, the boundaries of what defines small batch bourbon continue to expand. For those looking to explore further, the world of blended whiskey also offers fascinating contrasts and flavors worth discovering alongside these outstanding bourbons.
