Honey whiskeys have grown far beyond the overly sweet shot once associated with the category and we list here the 7 honey whiskeys to try in 2026. The WhistlePig 10 Year Honey Cask Finish whiskey brings rye spice and barrel-aged sweetness, Garrison Brothers HoneyDew pairs Texas bourbon whiskey highlights wildflower honey, while Jack Daniel's whiskey offers a more premium take with its Single Barrel Select Honey. Wild Turkey whiskey turns up the heat with the American Honey Sting. Nelson's Green Brier, Old Elk and Bushmills whiskey bottles round out a lineup that shows just how varied honey whiskeys can be, spanning bold bourbon, spicy rye and lighter Irish whiskey.
Here are 7 honey whiskeys that put a more sophisticated spin on the spirit:
WhistlePig 10 Year Old Straight Rye Honey Cask Finish
Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Texas Straight Bourbon
Nelson's Green Brier Belle Meade Honey Cask Finish
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Honey
Old Elk Nooku Honey Bourbon Expression
Wild Turkey American Honey Sting
Bushmills Irish Honey.
Distilled from a 100 percent rye mash bill at the WhistlePig farm in Vermont, the WhistlePig 10 Year Old Straight Rye Honey Cask Finish whiskey is aged for a decade in oak before undergoing a secondary finish in barrels previously used to age small-batch honey. Bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV), the production process preserves a distinct flavor separation, pairing high-rye spice notes of clove, oak, and black pepper with a rich, floral honey sweetness on the palate.
WhistlePig 10 Year Old Straight Rye Honey Cask Finish Price: $150 – $180 per 750ml bottle
The Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Texas Straight Bourbon whiskey is produced by Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas. This 80-proof (40% ABV) straight bourbon whiskey utilises an infusion technique where oak barrel cubes are soaked in locally sourced Burleson's Texas wildflower honey. These honey-soaked cubes are submerged directly into aged bourbon tanks over several months, yielding a flavor profile characterized by toasted oak, caramel, cinnamon, and natural wildflower honey.
Garrison Brothers HoneyDew Texas Straight Bourbon Price: $80 – $95 per 750ml bottle
Crafted by Nelson's Green Brier Distillery in Nashville, Tennessee, this high-rye straight bourbon whiskey is finished in select barrels that previously held wildflower honey from TruBee Honey Farm in nearby Arrington. Bottled at cask strength (typically ranging between 110 and 120+ proof depending on the batch), the Nelson's Green Brier Belle Meade Honey Cask Finish whiskey features tasting notes of honeycomb, toasted nuts, vanilla, and warm baking spices while retaining its core bourbon character.
Nelson's Green Brier Belle Meade Honey Cask Finish Price: $120 – $150+ per 750ml bottle (varies by release and allocation)
Originating from the Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee, the Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Honey whiskey elevates standard honey-flavored whiskies by using individual, hand-selected oak barrels bottled in limited single-barrel runs. Offered at higher proofs (typically 90 to 100+ proof), the process concentrates the underlying charcoal-mellowed Tennessee Whiskey characteristics, delivering notes of toasted oak, maple, toasted vanilla, and natural honey.
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Honey Price: $65 – $85 per 750ml bottle
Produced by Old Elk Distillery in Fort Collins, Colorado, this high-malt expression incorporates four times the malted barley content of standard bourbon mash bills. Infused with natural honey and bottled between 70 and 80 proof (35% to 40% ABV). Tthe high-malt base in the Old Elk Nooku Honey Bourbon Expression whiskey produces a viscous, dessert-like texture defined by notes of dark honey, vanilla wafer, and warm baking spices.
Old Elk Nooku Honey Bourbon Expression Price: $45 – $55 per 750ml bottle
Blended by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, this 71-proof (35.5% ABV) spirit combines Kentucky straight bourbon with pure honey and habanero/ghost pepper extract. The Wild Turkey American Honey Sting whiskey production process balances the initial sweet honey and citrus notes with a sharp, dry pepper heat that registers on the back end of the palate.
Wild Turkey American Honey Sting Price: $30 – $40 per 750ml bottle
Distilled at the Old Bushmills Distillery in Northern Ireland, this 70-proof (35% ABV) offering blends triple-distilled Irish single malt and grain whiskey with real Irish honey. The lighter triple-distillation process used for the Bushmills Irish Honey whiskey yields a smooth, light-bodied flavor profile featuring notes of crisp apple, fresh honey, and subtle vanilla.
Bushmills Irish Honey Price: $30 – $38 per 750ml bottle