Curious, did something happen in 2024 that inspired musicians to reflect deeply into their brown bottles? Not since the 1970s has there been such a cavalcade of whiskey-related tunes in the public consciousness. And that’s a decade that featured “Moonshine Whiskey” by Van Morrison (1971); “Whiskey in the Jar” by Thin Lizzy (1972); “Whiskey River” by Willie Nelson (1973); “Whiskey” by Charlie Daniels (1974); “Lace and Whiskey” by Alice Cooper (1977); and “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” by Hank Williams Jr. (1979).
That’s a lot of drinking. But that entire decade doesn’t hold a candle to 2024. The world’s longest election, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, soaring inflation and wealth inequality at home, and a host of other natural and unnatural disasters made 2024 ripe for whiskey content. They don’t call it the Devil’s Water for nothing.
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Credit Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” with choice lyrics like, “Someone pour me up a double shot of whiskey / They know me and Jack Daniеl’s got a history,” for setting the stage. The country-rap smash has spent 35 weeks on the Billboard 100, surpassing a record set in 2019 by Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, and remains in the Top 10. Since its release in June, the song has been ubiquitous while the artist claimed his spot in the zeitgeist.
Not far behind is Hozier’s “Too Sweet,” where whiskey — served neat — is used to escape indulgences. The Irish singer’s genre-defying tune topped the charts in seven countries weeks after its April release. It closes out the year at No. 10, in the company of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” and Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen.
Booze and boots have line danced together since time immemorial, but the country community’s spirit of choice this year was also whiskey. Look no further than the hit “Whiskey Whiskey” by Moneybagg Yo featuring Morgan Wallen, a hip-hop/country fusion about using whiskey to drown your sorrows. Lainey Wilson’s “Whiskey Colored Canyon” details yearning and sticktoitiveness using the bottle as a metaphor.
Whiskey’s moment can also be traced to a litany of high-profile celebrities who have dabbled in the wide world of whiskey-making. There’s Wild Turkey Longbranch from Matthew McConaughey, Lagavulin Offerman Edition from Nick Offerman, Brother’s Bond Bourbon from Vampire Diaries stars Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley, and Conor McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey.
The music world’s offerings include Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Whiskey, Drake’s Virginia Black American Whiskey), Alan Jackson’s Silverbelly Whiskey, Mercer + Prince™ by A$AP Rocky, Beyoncé’s SirDavis, Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey and Michael Bublé’s Fraser & Thompson Whiskey.
As the year comes to a close, and whether you want to drink your worries away or celebrate another go around the sun, there are a number of whiskeys worth trying to wet your whistle. But first, there are a few things to know. There are differences between bourbon, scotch, Irish whiskey, rye whiskey, and Japanese whiskey (and others). Bourbon can be sweeter, rye spicy, scotch smoky (not always), and Irish smooth (also not always). Older doesn’t necessarily mean better, but they can be smoother. Look for the alcohol content — lower proof whiskeys can be easier for newcomers while higher proof versions can smack you in the face a bit harder. The best whiskeys tend to have the nicest aromas — spices, sweetness, fruits, and even smoke. Aftertaste is also important: if your palate is craving more, they’re doing it right. Finally, trust your bartenders.
Some whiskeys to consider:
Bob Dylan’s Heaven’s Door Whiskey: Any whiskey featuring Dylan’s name is bound to tell a story, and Heaven’s Door does just that. This award-winning liquor is distilled in Kentucky and has a variety of flavors like their straight bourbon, straight rye, and double barrel. Heaven’s Door is also partnering with the new Bob Dylan movie, A Complete Unknown, and releasing a special edition bundle that comes with the film’s soundtrack on vinyl.
Kikori Whiskey: Kikori is a Japanese whiskey is made in a similar way to scotch, but is distilled using 100% rice, and is aged for three years in American oak, French limousine oak and sherry casks. The distillation process is one that’s been used in Japan for hundreds of years, pre-dating scotch makers and Kikori is one of the first whiskey brands to be created by an Asian American woman.
Four Roses Small Batch: For fans of the sweeter side of whiskey, Four Roses Small Batch bourbon should be the first choice. This honey-colored concoction is a 90-proof gem that ages in 6- to 7-year-old barrels and has hints of caramel and cherries with every sip.
Redbreast 21 Years Old: Irish whiskey enthusiasts tend to flock to Redbreast for its rich honey-tinged, creamy flavors. It’s not surprising that the World Whiskey Awards named it the best Irish whiskey for 2024.
