Mix Up Your Summer with These 9 Incredible Bourbons for Highball Bliss

Introduction

When summer rolls around, many of us start thinking about sunny days spent in outdoor settings with their favorite drinks in hand. One such quintessential summer drink is the bourbon highball, a refreshing cocktail that beautifully marries the robust flavor of bourbon with the lightness of carbonated water.

While bourbon highballs can be made with just about any bourbon, certain bourbons shine brighter than others in this concoction. Here are nine incredible bourbons that will elevate your summer highball experience to a whole new level.

1. Buffalo Trace

Buffalo Trace is a versatile and very approachable bourbon which is why it’s top on our list. It has a rich and complex flavor profile with hints of vanilla, caramel, and mint, which perfectly complement the light and crisp flavor of the soda water in a highball. It’s moderately priced, making it a great choice for those impromptu summer get-togethers.

2. Maker’s Mark

If you are looking for a sweeter bourbon for your highball, consider Maker’s Mark. Known for its smooth and rich flavors with notes of creamy vanilla, spicy cinnamon, and punchy clove, this whiskey provides a great counterbalance to the clear and refreshing finish of a summer highball.

3. Wild Turkey 101

Wild Turkey 101, with its robust and spicy flavor profile, brings a delightful kick to your highball. It’s a higher-proof bourbon, packing a stronger punch. When mixed with cool soda water, it results in a highball with an interesting blend of heat from the alcohol and chill from the mixer.

4. Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve is a small-batch bourbon crafted in a traditional style. It offers a complex flavor profile that includes dried fruits, vanilla, and toasted oak. This bourbon brings a refined depth to your highball, perfect for a classy summer evening soiree.

5. Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon is another excellent option for a fantastic summer highball. It’s recognized for its high rye content, resulting in a spicier, bolder bourbon. When sipped in a highball, its robust character is delightfully offset by the effervescence of the carbonated water.

6. Four Roses Single Barrel

Four Roses Single Barrel offers complexity and richness that can be appreciated in a highball. It boasts intense flavors of ripe plums, cherries, plus notes of cocoa and maple syrup. In a highball, these flavors emerge wonderfully, balancing with the brightness of the soda water.

7. Elijah Craig Small Batch

Elijah Craig Small Batch is a well-rounded and balanced bourbon, which is why it shines in a summer highball. It is packed with flavors of toasted nuts, vanilla, and oak that complement the refreshing nature of a carbonated mixer. This bourbon is a fitting choice for a laid-back summer afternoon.

8. Knob Creek

Knob Creek offers full-bodied intensity and a robust flavor that holds its own in a highball. With tasting notes of rich oak, vanilla, and caramel, it pairs beautifully with the clear and fizzy soda water, culminating in a highball that packs a punch but still feels refreshing.

9. Old Forester

Rounding off our list is Old Forester. A tried and true classic, it is known for its consistent flavor profile of rich woodsy spice, caramel, and a hint of fruit. When stirred into a highball, Old Forester imparts a level of flavorful depth and complexity that can transform an ordinary cocktail hour into a memorable summer event.

Conclusion

There you have it, nine incredible bourbons that are perfect for mixing into a refreshing summer highball. Whether you prefer a bourbon that’s sweet, spicy, or robust, there’s a whiskey on this list for everyone. So, round up your friends, grab a bottle (or two), and get ready to enjoy those long summer nights in the best way possible – with a delightful bourbon highball in your hand!