How to Choose a Good Bottle of Whiskey When You Don’t Really Know What You’re Doing

Every whiskey drinker has a few bottles or brands that they hold close to their heart. Whether it’s because it brings back memories of a special trip, or simply the flavor of the liquid in the bottle, there are plenty of reasons why people fancy certain tipples. But what exactly makes a good whiskey?

There are endless characteristics that define a spirit, and the right combination can produce a stellar whiskey. It's not just about the grain or the distillation process, or even the length of time it spends in the barrel, although all of those things do leave a significant mark. The region where a whiskey is stored (and its temperature and humidity) plays a big part in the end product, as do as any additives that are blended in.

But what do you do if you find yourself in the liquor store and none of your favorite bottles are in sight? What do you look for in order to choose a quality bottle? Nate Ganapathi, a whiskey collection specialist and founder of Bevridge, a company that curates custom whiskey tasting experiences, has worked out a science to finding a great bottle — and says you don't have to spend big bucks to get one.

"You should be able to find an amazing whiskey at easily under $45 a bottle nowadays," Ganapathi says. "I look to see the producers that I’ve known or read up about. While there are amazing unknown brands out there, the world of quality whiskey has never been this strong before."

Starting with a few brands that you respect and have good experiences with gives you a robust start. Chances are that online retailers and liquor stores will have at least one of the bottles you're familiar with. But if you find yourself unfamiliar with the brands in front of you, look for price point, region, and if there are any additives.

Bourbons, for instance, are highly regulated, so the addition of any flavorings, colorings, or additives are strictly prohibited. But Scotch, Irish whiskey, and Japanese whiskey allow for small amounts of caramel colorings called E150A. It's up to you whether or not that makes a difference, but the addition of anything outside of the natural maturation process usually means that the company is appealing to the market with a more appealing flavor or color — not a great sign.

There are a few other red flags Ganapathi looks for. "Standouts to me are brands that are marketing off-shoot brands of the same whiskey, but in different packaging," he says. "Also, there’s maybe one or two celebrity brands that I truly trust."

Ultimately, it all really just depends on your taste preferences.

"Really at the end of the day, you like what you like," Ganapathi says. "Every palate is a fingerprint, so everybody’s is different."