Jonah Flicker at Robb Report:

We compiled a list of the greatest whiskeys released since 2000, no easy task given the number of bottles to choose from. “Greatest” is a subjective term, of course, but for this list it means whiskeys that had some impact on consumers, the industry, or the general trajectory of the category, and most importantly tasted really, really good.

Many of the picks are absurdly priced, and few mere mortals will ever quaff them (the Yamazaki 50 for $80,000, the Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition at $19,888, and The Macallan M for $6,742, for example), but even some of the otherwise attainable bottles remain overpriced, like the Jack Daniel’s 12 Year for $360 and Russell’s Reserve 13 for $296 (despite that last one being one of my top picks in a blind taste test).

Still, there are some genuinely good (and more reasonably priced) selections here: Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye ($50), Elijah Craig Barrel Proof ($80), Redbreast 12 Cask Strength ($100), High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram ($160), New Riff Single Malt ($111), WhistlePig Old World Rye Aged 12 Years ($139), and Highland Park 18 ($140). A few can even be picked up for less than listed (my local Costco has the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof available for $60, for example).

I’m now crossing my fingers that recent favorites Westward Whiskey and Found North will find their way onto a future Greatest Whiskeys list.