The good folks at Heaven Hill Distilleries have been releasing consistently good bourbon forever, and their Elijah Craig line is among their best. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is the beast of the bunch, with the latest batch tipping the scales at over 134 proof, aged for 12 years, straight from the barrel, non-chill filtered, and uncut. It sounds intimidating, and it is, but is also one of the best barrel proof bourbons on the market today.

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Orphan Barrel Rhetoric Bourbon

Even with bourbon in high demand across the US, it's not typical outside of Pappy Van Winkle releases to see the kind of frenzy that Orphan Barrel have stirred up in their short time on the market. After two successful releases earlier this year, Rhetoric Bourbon is the third Orphan Barrel bottle to hit shelves, and it's sure to cause a stir as well. Rhetoric is a 20 year old bourbon that was distilled in both the new and old Bernheim distilleries in Kentucky. It's 90 proof with lots of character and flavor — with oak being the dominant taste. So if rare, old, and oaky are up your alley, Rhetoric certainly fits the bill.

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Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

As far as Kentucky Bourbon distiller's are concerned, it's hard to go wrong with the juice that the good folks at Wild Turkey churn out. That's why Russell's Reserve Single Barrel should be high on your radar, even before you take a sip. Of course, once you do have a taste you'll be treated to a bold, spicy, non-chill filtered dram of bourbon that Master Distiller Jimmy Russell is proud to lend his name to. It makes no apologies at 110 proof — but still manages to maintain an impressive balance between the sugar and barrel notes.

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Buffalo Trace Extended Drying Time Bourbon

Buffalo Trace continues to innovate with their Experimental Collection and the most recent release, Extended Stave Drying Time. The wood planks that make up a bourbon barrel are dried out in the open air for about six months before being turned into barrel planks. Stave drying plays an important role in the taste of the bourbon, so Buffalo Trace decided to experiment by allowing the staves for this spirit to dry out for about twice as long. The extended drying time bourbon is significantly aided by the extra time too, balancing the oak flavors that can sometimes dominate in an older bourbon. Snag both bottles and try them side by side with a friend for the full experience.

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Featured Gear Question

Blue Apron

What are you eating for dinner tonight? If that question stumps you each night because you don't have time to stock your fridge or need some coaching in the kitchen, give Blue Apron a try. This handy service ships you all the fresh ingredients you need for three delicious meals for two people, per week. Ingredients are perfectly portioned for each recipe, take about 35 minutes to prepare, and come with step-by-step recipe cards to make cooking gourmet meals at home a cinch. There are options for most dietary preferences, so whether you're a carnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, etc - there's an option to match.

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Booker's 25th Anniversary Bourbon

Already one of the best readily available bourbon's on the market, there isn't much that Booker's can do to improve on a high quality product. But it appears they have done just that with Booker's 25th Anniversary. This limited edition release ranges between 9-11 years old with an unfiltered proof strength ranging between 121-130, depending on the bottle you wind up with. Available in early March, the juice pays homage to its namesake, 6th Generation Beam Master Distiller, Booker Noe and is taken from the center-cut of Booker's favorite rack house.

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Orphan Barrel Old Blowhard Bourbon

With the bourbon whiskey market booming, there isn't a shortage of new labels hitting shelves looking to grab a slice of the growing pie. Some are easy to overlook, but there is no overlooking Old Blowhard from Orphan Barrel Whiskey. This brand new offering is 26-years-old and was found in old warehouses at the Stitzel-Weller facility in Louisville, a distillery best known as the original home of Pappy Van Winkle bourbons. It might not have the same demand as a bottle of Pappy, but Old Blowhard is already one of the best new releases of 2014.

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Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon

One of the first bourbon releases of 2014 also happens to be one we look forward to the most every year, Evan Williams Single Barrel. This is the 19th annual release of the world-renowned spirit, spending 10 years aging in barrels. It's also become a tradition to find that each bottle is marked with the exact date the liquid was placed into the barrel and then bottled. Inside each hand numbered bottle is a sweet, smooth bourbon with flavors like maple syrup, toffee and mint. A bottle this great usually costs you an arm and a leg, but at under 30 bucks, you might want to buy more than one.

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Jim Beam Single Barrel Bourbon

With the influx of new bourbon labels and brands on the market in the past few years, it's easy to look past the tried and true Jim Beam logo. Jim Beam Single Barrel ($35) however, is worthy of consideration. It's the first ever single barrel offering from Beam, representing the seven generations of history that the brand is built on. And since less than 1% of Beam barrels qualified for this new bourbon, you know you're getting a hand selected gem, not a mass produced mystery. So keep your eyes peeled this spring for this individually bottled, hand-numbered expression.

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OYO Michelone Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

Frequently overshadowed by bourbon renowned neighbors like Kentucky, our home state of Ohio is beginning to grab some of the spotlight for their distinctive spirits. One that stands out in particular is OYO Michelone Reserve Bourbon Whiskey ($50) from Middle West Spirits in Columbus. The first Master's Blend from the Columbus distillery is also the first 100% wheat whiskey produced in Ohio in nearly a century. The outcome is a smooth, sweet, wheated bourbon deserving of the family name and tradition it was inspired by.

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Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Bourbon

The fall season marks the return of one of the most anticipated bourbon collections, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection ($70 each). Again this year, there are five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs to drool over and covet. Eagle Rare 17, George T. Stagg, Sazerac Rye 18 Year Old, Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, and William Larue Weller are all unique, delicious, and very limited. It's a group of spirits that collectors and connoisseurs are thirsting for.

Buy Now / $70 each

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Abraham Bowman Gingerbread Beer Finished Bourbon

The fall season is a big one for new bourbon releases, but it's not too often that one of those releases tastes like fall as well. Abraham Bowman Gingerbread Beer Finished Bourbon ($70) tastes like it was made for the fall season, with hints of gingerbread spice, cinnamon and clove. They used Bowman Bourbon barrels that held booze for a solid 8 years before emptying and passing them along to Hardywood Brewery, who then aged their award-winning Gingerbread Stout for 12 weeks. Finally, early in 2013 the barrels came back to Bowman and were filled with the bourbon that you will enjoy, like a crisp fall day, if you're lucky enough to score a limited edition bottle.

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Knob Creek Smoked Maple Bourbon

If you've ever wondered what maple syrup would taste like with some bourbon in it, Knob Creek Smoked Maple ($35) might be right up your alley. The flavored bourbon brings just a hint of smoke but has plenty of sweet maple goodness to go along with some of the Knob Creek quality you are already accustomed to. It's a flavorful sipper that might go as well with dessert as it does with some cured meats at the breakfast table.

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Wild Turkey Forgiven Bourbon

Accidents can be costly, especially in the bourbon business. So when Wild Turkey realized they had mistakenly blended small batch bourbon with high proof whiskey, people were worried. But then the Associate Master Distiller tasted the accidental blend and declared it worthy of bottling, and a mishap turned into Wild Turkey Forgiven ($50). Forgiven clocks in at 91 proof and makes no apologies, accident or not. It has a spicy, bold taste that finishes unlike most drinks in its category. All is Forgiven, so track down a bottle because this one time foul up isn't likely to be duplicated.

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Buffalo Trace Stagg Jr. Bourbon

When it comes to big, barrel-proof bourbons, there aren't many that are in the same class as George T. Stagg. After waiting for it to properly mature, Buffalo Trace is releasing a younger version of their award winning bourbon, named Stagg Jr. ($50). The son of Stagg is another beastly entry, clocking in at 134.4 proof, and also happens to be another incredibly inviting spirit. It's unrestrained and unapologetic, with strong oak, vanilla and even some smoky brown sugar flavors that should satisfy even the most hardcore bourbon fanatic. This young buck is poised to grab your attention, and might even challenge his old man for the spotlight.

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Elijah Craig 21 Year Old Bourbon

How much does the age statement on a bottle of bourbon mean? If you're like us, an older bourbon seems like it should be better, but doesn't always live up to the more mature billing, or price. One incredible exception however, is Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon ($140). It's a remarkable bourbon that seems to be at an ideal age for sipping, with plenty of flavor, oak, and a subtle, easy burn. Where you might expect extra wood characteristics because of how long it spent in barrels you instead receive the welcome surprise of incredible balance. So have a pour and relax, and try to remember what you were doing when this stuff was put into barrels all the way back in 1990.

Buy Now / $140

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Four Roses 125th Anniversary Bourbon

There are certain things that signal the start of the fall season. Leaves change color, football season begins, and Four Roses releases a limited edition small batch bourbon. This year marks the 125th for the historic distillery, and while they are celebrating year round, the 125th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch ($85) might be cream of an already prestigious crop. It's an enticing blend of three of Four Roses unique bourbon recipes bottled at barrel strength that smells and tastes like a creamy vanilla, brown sugar dessert. Only 8,000 bottles will see retail store shelves, so don't miss out on this autumn masterpiece.

Buy Now / $85

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Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection Bourbon

Already one of the best distilleries on the Bourbon Trail, Buffalo Trace isn't one to rest on their laurels. The pioneering distillery is in the process of releasing the Buffalo Trace Experimental Collection ($46 each), the returns from testing recipes and barrel treatments that began two decades ago. For their most recent wheat entry, the same bourbon recipe was put into barrels at different proofs (from 125 to 90) and aged for 11 years and 7 months. All four were then bottled at 90 proof. There isn't a bad one in the bunch, so grab one for your collection or all four for a taste test experiment of your own.

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Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon

For bourbon enthusiasts who don't have deep pockets, Bulleit Bourbon inches ahead of an increasingly crowded pack. So when bottles of Bulleit's brand new bourbon landed on our desk, we were ready to taste the trusted distillers latest drink. Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon ($45) is the brand's selected reserve, aged in their charred American white oak barrels, but for a few years longer than their staple bourbon. It's noticeably smooth, with hints of creamy vanilla and some faint dried fruit. Imagine the standard Bulleit Bourbon but with more flavor and a quick, balanced burn. The next time you reach for a bottle of Bulleit, grab a few extra dollars and gravitate towards Bulleit 10.

Buy Now / $45