Paul Kushner
Honey whiskey is a sweet alcoholic drink made by infusing whiskey with wildflower honey. The honey adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances the whiskey’s characteristic spice and oak flavors. Many enjoy honey whiskey for its mellow yet complex taste. The honey takes the edge off the whiskey in a smooth and subtle way, appealing those who like their drinks on the sweeter side without being too cloying.
This post may include affiliate links; for details, see our disclosure policy
Folks tending to favor sweet drinks like mead or even dessert wines often take a liking to honey whiskey. Its mild sweetness makes it more approachable than straight whiskey for newcomers as well. Sipping honey whiskey is a pleasant way to unwind on a fall evening by the fire. The subtle interplay of honey and whiskey flavors keeps things interesting yet relaxing at the same time.
Bird Dog Jalapeno Honey Whiskey
If you’re looking for a bit of spiciness along with your honeyed sweetness, reach for a bottle of Bird Dog Jalapeno Honey Whiskey. This spirit does an excellent job balancing the disparate flavors of honey and jalapeno, and you’ll get a big burst of vanilla in the mix too.
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
Jack Daniel’s is a legacy whiskey maker, and their Tennessee Honey does not disappoint. It’s full of bold, rich honey flavors, but it’s never “too much” or cloying. You’ll get a nice mouthfeel after every sip, and a bit of fiery cinnamon at the end, although it’s certainly not as fiery as Bird Dog Jalapeno Honey Whiskey.
Black Eagle Honey Bourbon
Black Eagle Honey Bourbon is a sophisticated rendition of your favorite honey whiskey with an old-school distillation style and delicious flavors. It’s not as sweet as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, but you’ll undoubtedly get that luxe honey flavor, plus oak and a touch of vanilla.
Wild Turkey American Honey Whiskey
Wild Turkey American Honey Whiskey is a beautifully-colored drink that’s heavy on the honey flavor without being too much. It’s pretty sweet but also balanced and works best all on its own or with a splash of hot apple cider in the fall.
Evan Williams Honey
Evans William Honey is the ultimate autumnal drink with a bright golden hue and plenty of aromatics. You’ll get lots of honey in this one, allspice, cinnamon, and lots of vanilla. Despite the bold flavors, it’s not exceptionally sweet, and it’s totally drinkable straight up or on the rocks.
Garrison Brothers Honey Dew
Garrison Brothers Honey Dew is a boutique honey whiskey that’s satiny smooth, and super drinkable. It’s made small-batch style, and you can taste the artisanal nature of the process in each drop. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have as much honey flavor as some others on our list, so if you’re looking for a more nuanced spirit, this is the one.
Dewar’s Highlander Honey
Dewar’s Highlander Honey is a bold and beautiful scotch and honey blend with plenty of Scottish elements in the brew to make things interesting. It’s very multi-note, with many heather and floral elements woven through. Although the honey is there, it’s one of many stars in this drink.
Jim Beam Honey Bourbon Whiskey
Jim Beam Honey Bourbon Whiskey walks the gorgeous line of being sweet without veering into cloying territory. This whiskey is a nice, warm drink with spice and zest. It’s also super smooth and has a great price point.
Western Honey Pepper Whiskey
Western Honey Pepper Whiskey has a substantial bite, but the flavors are nicely balanced, so you certainly won’t mind the interplay. It’s a small batch whiskey that jumps around, flavor wise, between sweetness and spice.
Bushmills Irish Honey Whiskey
Bushmills is a legacy brand, and their Irish Honey Whiskey is an exemplary example of what they can do. The one thing that stands out here is the high quality of the honey. You can taste the authentic honey flavor that never veers into artificial territory in every sip. It’s fantastic, light, and versatile.
Bluebird Honey Whiskey
For Bluebird Honey Whiskey, the distiller starts with a mixed whiskey base and then stirs in the secret ingredient; fresh, regionally-based honey. If you like your whiskey a little on the sweeter side, grab hold of this one. You’ll get plenty of caramel, honey, vanilla, and toffee throughout the sip.
