Every year, whiskey expert Fred Minnick publishes a list of the top 100 whiskeys, evaluated through blind tasting methods. His latest list for 2025 has drawn attention due to the prominence of craft distilleries and independent blenders. This year’s selection reflects consumers’ growing demand for innovation in the bourbon industry.

Minnick’s criteria for selection is rigorous—whiskeys must offer something unique or innovative, and he does not include single barrels due to their inconsistency. High-scoring whiskeys from his ASCOT Awards are automatically included, alongside personal favorites from live tasting events.

The top whiskey for 2025 is the George T. Stagg, a release from Buffalo Trace, with an impressive proof of 142.8. Made from barrels aged for over 15 years, this bourbon is known for its uncut and unfiltered nature, preserving its high proof and complex flavor profile. Tasting notes highlight deep oak, rich vanilla, dark tobacco, and ripe cherry.

The full list, showcasing top whiskeys such as Sazerac 18 Year Rye and Booker’s 2025-3 Kentucky Straight Bourbon, emphasizes the high-quality offerings from the craft whiskey segment. The demand for craftsmanship and authenticity in whiskey continues to be a significant trend among consumers.

For more details, you can view the complete list of the top 100 whiskeys.

Puerto Plata has recently unveiled the Rum Legacy Museum & Shop Experience, enhancing its cultural and tourism landscape. Inaugurated on February 10, the museum is dedicated to the historical, production, and cultural significance of Dominican rum, a pivotal aspect of national identity.

The ceremony took place at Beller Street #11A in the Historic Center, attracting local authorities, leaders from the tourism and rum sectors, tour operators, strategic partners, and media representatives. Lisette Fernández Brugal from the marketing team stated that the museum aims to create an immersive experience that links visitors to the traditions and evolution of Dominican rum through a blend of heritage and storytelling.

Visitors can enjoy an audio-guided tour available in both English and Spanish, taking them through the rum production stages, including fermentation, distillation, and the journey of raw materials. Authentic elements, such as an original sugar mill and sensory stations, enhance the educational experience, while a souvenir shop offers exclusive themed items.

The visit culminates in a guided tasting of various Dominican rums. After the ribbon-cutting, guests had the opportunity to explore the facilities and partake in a celebratory toast. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the museum is set to become a major draw for cruise passengers and tour operators in the northern region, solidifying Puerto Plata’s dedication to promoting diverse and high-quality cultural tourism.

El Presidente is a classic rum cocktail from Cuba, thought to have originated in the mid-1910s in Havana. This sophisticated drink is often regarded as Cuba’s answer to the Manhattan and is linked to political glamour, perhaps named in honor of Cuban president Mario García Menocal who served from 1913 to 1921. Some sources also attribute the drink’s association to Gerardo Machado, another key political figure.

By 1915, El Presidente was already included in John B. Escalante’s Manual del Cantinero, marking its significance in cocktail culture. The drink gained popularity among American tourists during Prohibition, who encountered it alongside cocktails like the Daiquiri and Mojito, later introducing it back to the United States. While it faded from popularity in the mid-20th century, it saw a resurgence in the 2000s thanks to bartenders and historians exploring historical recipes.

The cocktail features rum, blanc vermouth, orange curaçao, and grenadine, making it a distinct departure from the lime-based drinks typically associated with Caribbean cocktails. This absence of lime juice, alongside the use of traditionally light Cuban rum and the floral notes of vermouth, results in a unique and sophisticated beverage. Early recipes emphasize restraint in terms of flavor proportions, ensuring that the resulting drink is well-balanced between sweetness and dryness.

Here’s how to prepare an El Presidente:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces aged, light, Cuban-style rum
• 3/4 ounce blanc (bianco) vermouth
• 1/4 ounce orange curaçao
• 1 teaspoon grenadine
• Orange twist, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine the rum, vermouth, orange curaçao, and grenadine in a mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora or coupe glass.
3. Garnish with an orange twist.

The El Presidente cocktail embodies a refined blend of flavors, proving itself to be a timeless favorite and reflecting the lush history of Cuban cocktail culture.

Longmont liquor store Wyatt’s Wet Goods hosted its annual Rare Whiskey Auction on Saturday, raising approximately $24,000 for local nonprofits. Guests gathered at the store located at 1250 S. Hover St. to bid on unique whiskey selections, with the funds being distributed among four beneficiaries.

Mat Dinsmore, managing partner at Wyatt’s, expressed his passion for the auction, stating, “I love the fact that money goes to great charities.” This year’s proceeds will benefit several Longmont organizations, including the Veterans Community Project, Skyline Kiwanis Club, and Pearl Promise, as well as contributing to the Loveland Veterans Honor Monument.

The Rare Whiskey Auction has been a tradition for nearly a decade, contributing upwards of $400,000 to local charities since its inception. One highlight of this year’s event was a Weller Millennium whiskey-bourbon blend, valued at $6,000.

Dinsmore emphasized the importance of community engagement for his family-owned business, noting, “We feel a responsibility to be a part of the community.”

Jennifer Seybold, executive director of the Veterans Community Project in Longmont, highlighted that the funds will support transitional housing and operational costs for their tiny home village. “It means more than just financial support; it represents sustained belief in the work and in the veterans we serve,” she shared.

The Skyline Kiwanis Club and Pearl Promise also expressed gratitude for the support, indicating how critical these funds are in assisting their efforts to aid the Longmont community.

Amazon has recently reduced the price of Jameson Original Triple Distilled Blended Irish Whiskey, making a 1L bottle available for less than £30. The new price is £27, undercutting Tesco’s price of £34.50 and ASDA’s £34.29. Jameson is appreciated for its smooth flavor profile, featuring notes of vanilla, spices, nuttiness, and hints of sweet sherry.

This whiskey is a blend of pot still and fine grain whiskeys, triple distilled to enhance its smoothness and aged in oak casks for a minimum of four years. It’s often recommended for both novice and seasoned whiskey drinkers.

Jameson suggests enjoying it neat, mixed with ginger ale and lime, or in classic cocktails such as Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned. The whiskey has received rave reviews, boasting a 4.8-star rating from over 2,400 customers. Many praise its affordability and versatility, stating it can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed.

While most users report smooth delivery, a few mentioned issues with damaged bottles. Overall, the Jameson Original Triple Distilled Blended Irish Whiskey is now available for purchase on Amazon.

For more details, visit the product page on Amazon.