Reddit's Highest-Rated Top-Shelf Whiskey Isn't From George T. Stagg Or Bardstown Bourbon Company

Reddit is the ultimate forum for crowd-sourced knowledge and opinions, especially when it comes to food and drinks. With over 91,000 weekly visitors, the Bourbon subreddit is a place for serious bourbon connoisseurs to discuss all about bourbon, rye, and American whiskey. One dedicated member created a database of reviews from the subreddit, with over 46,000 total reviews from more than 3,700 reviewers. Although George T. Stagg and Bardstown Bourbon Company raked in the second and third spots, respectively, the highest-rated top shelf whiskey was the 2024 release of Russell's Reserve 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with a score of 9.1 based on 55 reviews. 

Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old bourbon, part of a limited 2024 release, is the product of Master Distiller Eddie Russell. It boasts a whopping 117.2% proof (which is the amount of alcohol present in the beverage). Aged for a decade and a half at the Camp Nelson maturation campus in Kentucky, the bourbon is made from 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. While the overall quantity of bottles released from this special batch is unknown (or possibly even purposefully kept a secret), speculation is high that it's a small amount. Thus, the 15 Year Old bourbon is considered to be rare and expensive, costing well over the $250 retail price in the secondary market. This highly-lauded and highly-priced beverage isn't exactly a Bourbon for beginners.

One Reddit user reviewed Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old bourbon for their 100th review. They gave it an in-depth and almost scientific look, and the 15-year aged whiskey ended up with a 10/10 rating, even at a retail price of $250. The reviewer poetically describes the taste of the aged whiskey as having a "viscous mouthfeel," with notes of "caramelized brown sugar, dark chocolate, toasted oak, cherries, apricots, toffee, and butterscotch." The reviewer continues to describe the next layer of flavor notes, invoking flavors of "black tea, nutmeg, cloves, and orange peel, as cinnamon spice develops mid-sip," before eventually just saying that the bourbon is amazing. They finish the lengthy, thoughtful review by saying that the finishing taste of the alcohol is "outstanding and one of the best I've had."

Another review of the beverage on the Bourbon subreddit calls the 2024 release "powerful, in a pleasant and comforting way," further describing the liquor as "a combination of all of the good flavors in a classic bourbon, just amped up – darker, more brooding, but also refined." Another Redditor supported the review's perfect score, calling it an "absolutely amazing pour" and "a rare one that's worth the hefty price for me." For the more astute and dedicated bourbon drinkers out there, check out our list of other rare and allocated bourbons that every collector must have to see what you may need to add to your list.