A lot of people ask us what the "best whisky" is, and our answer is always the same: there's no single "best" — just the best for you. It's like asking for the best song ever written; you'll get ten different answers in ten seconds.
But since nobody is ever satisfied with that, we lock ourselves in a room each month (armed with plenty of glasses) for a spirited debate, and narrow it down to our 10 favourites for June 2025. This month proved particularly challenging, with exceptional releases spanning from affordable American ryes to premium aged bourbons that had us arguing well into the evening.
About The Top 10 Whiskies of June
Our Top 10 Whiskies of June 2025
1. Redemption Whiskey 18 Year Old Bourbon
£1,475.46 Redemption 18 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey American Bourbon, Indiana (MGP)
This MGP-distilled masterpiece earned our highest recognition this month with its remarkable 18-year maturation in new charred American oak. At 51.7% ABV, it represents everything we love about well-aged American whiskey - complexity without compromise.
"This bottle had me questioning everything I thought I knew about MGP bourbon. It's like finding a hidden jazz club in your own neighbourhood."
— Sarah Mitchell, Chief Whisky Wrangler & Vinyl Collector
Tasting notes
Nose – Dark chocolate, supple leather, buttery toffee, chopped peanuts
Palate – Crème brûlée richness, espresso depth, fresh cherries, vanilla ice cream with hot fudge
Finish – Long and warming, with lingering maple syrup sweetness
2. Old Forester President's Choice Rye Whiskey 2025
£2,729.61 Old Forester President's Choice Rye Whiskey 2025 American Rye Whiskey, Kentucky
The first-ever rye in Old Forester's President's Choice series marks a significant moment in the distillery's history. Bottled at a robust 58.6% ABV, this single barrel expression showcases what happens when traditional bourbon makers turn their attention to rye.
"It's like Old Forester decided to show off - and honestly, we're here for it. This rye has attitude with finesse."
— Marcus Thompson, Rye Enthusiast & Weekend Drummer
Tasting notes
Nose – Maple bark, warming clove, ground cinnamon, powdered ginger
Palate – Sassafras spice, creamy butterscotch, bright cherry notes
Finish – Complex gentian root, anise, and tobacco leaf
3. Bruichladdich Port Charlotte SYC:01 2013
- Port Charlotte Whisky
- Unboxed
- 70cl Standard
Bruichladdich Port Charlotte SYC:01 2013 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
This 10-year-old Islay expression from Port Charlotte's Cask Exploration series proves that heavily peated whisky can be both powerful and elegant. The SYC:01 designation refers to its unique maturation profile that brings out unexpected fruit notes alongside the signature peat smoke.
"It's like a barbecue where someone secretly added a fruit platter - and somehow it works perfectly."
— David Chen, Peat Prophet & Weekend Grillmaster
Tasting notes
Nose – Powerful peat smoke, barbecue char, maritime salt
Palate – Gritty peat, charred meat, cherry, plum, raspberry
Finish – Long smoky fade with lingering fruit sweetness
4. Smokehead 15 Years Old
- AGED 15 YEARS FOR BOLDER FLAVOURS: This whisky has matured for 15 years, developing a richer, deeper character. It offer...
- HERBAL AND SMOKY AROMA: Intense bonfire smoke blends seamlessly with fresh herbal hints of rosemary and thyme, adding co...
- BRIGHT CITRUS AND CREAMY VANILLA FLAVOURS: On the palate, intense peat smoke rises alongside vibrant citrus flavors and ...
Smokehead 15 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
This 15-year-old Islay malt represents exceptional value in today's whisky market. While less intensely smoky than younger Smokehead expressions, the extended aging has created remarkable complexity that makes it incredibly approachable for both newcomers and seasoned Islay lovers.
"Proof that age brings wisdom - even to rebellious young whiskies. It's grown up but hasn't lost its edge."
— Emma Rodriguez, Smoke Whisperer & Poetry Enthusiast
Tasting notes
Nose – Gentle peat smoke, sea spray, dried fruits
Palate – Balanced smoke, honey sweetness, citrus zest, light spice
Finish – Medium length with warm smoke and vanilla
5. Benriach The Twenty One 21 Years
- An sweet, smoky and elegant 21-year-old single malt from Benriach that is made with a combination of peated and un-peate...
- The result is aromas of berry compote, wild honey, crunchy apples, spicy oak and delicate smoke that fill the nose, comp...
Benriach The Twenty One 21 Years Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
This exceptional 21-year-old showcases Benriach's mastery of cask maturation, combining sherry, red wine, virgin oak, and bourbon casks. The result is a harmonious symphony of flavours that demonstrates why Speyside remains the heartland of Scottish whisky production.
"It's like having a conversation with four different wine connoisseurs at once - complex, but never confusing."
— Alexander Webb, Cask Curator & Chess Champion
Tasting notes
Nose – Rich sherry notes, red wine depth, oak spice, dried fruits
Palate – Port wine richness, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, cinnamon
Finish – Long and sophisticated with lingering sherry sweetness
6. Laphroaig Elements 3.0
Laphroaig Elements 3.0 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
This limited edition from Laphroaig's Elements series continues the distillery's exploration of flavour boundaries. The 3.0 expression maintains the distinctive Laphroaig character while offering a more refined approach to their signature medicinal smokiness.
"It's Laphroaig without the polarising hospital vibe - like meeting your intimidating professor at a coffee shop and finding out they're actually lovely."
— Jennifer Park, Medicinal Malt Expert & Sunday Yoga Teacher
Tasting notes
Nose – Refined peat smoke, iodine, sea kelp, vanilla
Palate – Balanced medicinal notes, sweet smoke, citrus oils
Finish – Clean and warming with gentle antiseptic qualities
7. Calumet Farm 18 Year Old Centennial Decanter Bourbon
£516.41 Calumet Farm 18 Year Old Centennial Decanter Bourbon American Bourbon, Kentucky
Released to celebrate 100 years of Calumet Farm, this 18-year-old bourbon represents American whiskey craftsmanship at its finest. The presentation alone makes this a collector's piece, but the liquid inside justifies every penny of the premium price.
"It's bourbon royalty in a bottle - the kind of dram that makes you want to slow down and savour every sip."
— Robert Hayes, Bourbon Baron & Vintage Car Enthusiast
Tasting notes
Nose – Crème brûlée richness, vanilla bean, toasted cashews, warm cinnamon
Palate – Luxurious oak, caramel depth, aged leather, dark honey
Finish – Exceptionally long with waves of vanilla and spice
8. Oban 15 Year Old Cask Strength Oloroso & Palo Cortado Cask Finish
£107 Oban 15 Year Old Cask Strength Oloroso & Palo Cortado Cask Finish Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland
This limited release from Oban showcases the distillery's expertise with sherry cask finishing. The combination of Oloroso and Palo Cortado casks creates a complexity that Highland whisky lovers will immediately appreciate.
"It's like Oban went to finishing school in Jerez and came back with impeccable manners and a sophisticated palate."
— Catherine Moore, Highland Hunter & Weekend Baker
Tasting notes
Nose – Sourdough bread, sherried fruit, golden honeycomb, tropical papaya
Palate – Rich sherry influence, orange peel, nutty complexity, sea salt
Finish – Warming sherry spice with coastal minerality
9. Sagamore Cask Strength Rye Whiskey 2025
- ABOUT - Our Cask Strength Rye Whiskey is a blend of straight high-rye and low-rye mash bills aged 4 to 7 years
- TASTING NOTES - Smooth dark chocolate paired with intense notes of black pepper and brown sugar; a light hit of honey fo...
- OUR RYE WHISKIES - Our American Rye Whiskies have earned more than 200 awards internationally, including World’s Best Ry...
Sagamore Cask Strength Rye Whiskey 2025 American Rye Whiskey, Maryland
At under £60, this Maryland rye represents extraordinary value for cask strength whiskey. Aged at least seven years, it brings the distinctive character of Sagamore's rickhouse environment to life with impressive intensity and balance.
"Best bang for your buck this month - it's like finding designer jeans at a charity shop, except tastier."
— Tom Anderson, Value Vigilante & Thrift Store Explorer
Tasting notes
Nose – Brown sugar warmth, clove spice, cinnamon bark, cola notes
Palate – Pine resin, cinnamon heat, black tea tannins, crystallised ginger
Finish – Spicy rye bite with lingering sweetness
10. Old Forester President's Choice Bourbon 2025
Old Forester President's Choice Bourbon 2025 American Bourbon, Kentucky
This single barrel bourbon rounds out our top 10 with classic American whiskey character amplified by careful barrel selection. Aged 7-9 years and bottled at 60.3% ABV, it represents Old Forester's commitment to quality over marketing gimmicks.
"Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason - this is bourbon done right, without unnecessary bells and whistles."
— Michael Foster, Bourbon Traditionalist & Vinyl Record Collector
Tasting notes
Nose – Vanilla latte, soft oak, fresh cherry, lavender hints
Palate – Tobacco leaf, warming clove, substantial oak, medicinal cherry
Finish – Balanced oak and spice with lingering cherry sweetness
Why June 2025 Was Special
This month proved exceptional for whisky releases, showcasing remarkable diversity across regions and price points. From the affordable excellence of Sagamore's Maryland rye to the premium luxury of Redemption's 18-year bourbon, June offered something for every palate and budget.
The month highlighted the continued strength of American bourbon brands, with multiple expressions earning top marks. Meanwhile, Scotland maintained its reputation with outstanding releases from Islay and Speyside, proving that both regions continue to innovate while respecting tradition.
For those exploring Japanese whiskey, while no Japanese expressions made this month's top 10, we continue to monitor exciting developments from distilleries across Japan. The best Japanese whiskeys remain highly sought after, and we expect to see strong contenders in coming months.
Our Selection Process
Our monthly selection process involves blind tastings from our team of certified whisky enthusiasts, each bringing their own expertise and preferences to the table. We consider factors including flavour complexity, value for money, availability, and overall drinking experience.
This month's selections represent the cream of new releases and limited editions available in June 2025. For those seeking guidance on building their collection, our guide to Scotch whisky provides essential background knowledge.
Whether you're searching for the best whiskey in the world or simply wanting to explore new expressions, these 10 bottles represent our strongest recommendations for June 2025. Each offers something unique, from the accessible complexity of Smokehead 15 to the luxury experience of Calumet Farm's centennial release.
That's our top 10 for June 2025 — we'll be back next month after more spirited debates and careful tastings. One of these might just become your new favourite dram.
