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American whiskey has exploded across the country over the years, but between Rye whiskey, Tennessee whiskey and more, it can get confusing where to even begin. So, whether you’re a connoisseur tossing whiskey terms like “cask strength” and “single malt” around after dinner, or you’re new to the American whiskey game and want to pick out a nice bottle for a housewarming, our Tasting Department hand-picked the best American whiskey bottles you should try.
“Making Whiskey is in theory a very simple proposition,” writes Clay Risen in American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye. One simply combines milled grain and water and allows for the introduction of yeast, which converts the grain’s sugars into alcohol. Distill that substance and voila! You have whiskey, at least in theory. But that’s not the whole story.