LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2025) — As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, whiskey lovers are reaching for bottles that capture the essence of autumn. Fall whiskies often highlight rich, warming flavors — from caramel apple and brown sugar to baking spices and subtle smokiness — evoking cozy evenings by the fire and the comforting aromas of the harvest season.
Whether it’s a smooth wheated bourbon with notes of vanilla and toffee or a peated Irish whiskey reminiscent of a bonfire, these selections offer depth and warmth ideal for fall sipping.
The Muff Irish Whiskey (SRP: $37.99)
Produced by The Muff Liquor Co. in the village of Muff, County Donegal, Ireland, The Muff Irish Whiskey is a premium craft spirit founded in 2018 by Laura Bonner. Inspired by her grandfather, Philip McClenaghan — a potato farmer and poitín maker — this triple-distilled, peated whiskey blends five Irish malt and grain whiskeys. The result is a layered flavor profile balancing smoke, sweetness, fruit, and cereal notes.
Middle West Spirits Michelone Reserve Straight Wheated Bourbon (SRP: $46.99)
Crafted in Columbus, Ohio, this well-balanced wheated bourbon delivers rich aromas of banana, coconut, toffee, and dried fruit, accented by hints of baking spices. Middle West Spirits’ Michelone Reserve showcases the smooth, rounded character wheated bourbons are known for, making it a perfect pour for cool autumn nights.
Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey (SRP: $66.99)
Distilled in Fort Collins, Colorado, Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey is made from 95% soft red winter wheat and 5% malted barley, aged a minimum of five years. Its delicate sweetness and silky texture reveal layers of vanilla, caramel, buttered toast, and oak — a whiskey that bridges the gap between bourbon and malt with an approachable, comforting flavor.
Sagamore Spirit Double Oak Rye (SRP: $59)
From Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit, this Maryland-style rye undergoes a secondary maturation in toasted wave stave barrels for about 18 months after aging four to five years in new American oak. Bottled at 96.6 proof, Sagamore Double Oak Rye delivers a bold, complex profile featuring cherry cola, pine, fig, chocolate, and bright fruit notes of cherry, strawberry, and orange.
From smoky Irish malts to smooth American wheated bourbons, these expressions embody the warmth and complexity of fall — best enjoyed fireside, neat, or with just a splash of water.
