Once a niche in the whiskey industry, flavored and cask-finished expressions have surged into the mainstream, now claiming over a quarter of the American whiskey market. Driven by innovation and consumer demand for bolder, sweeter, and more adventurous profiles, distillers and independent bottlers are experimenting with everything from maple syrup and exotic woods to smoked malt and dessert-inspired flavors. The 2025 Beverage Testing Institute’s American Whiskey Judging spotlighted some of the most exceptional examples, proving that creativity and craftsmanship can go hand in hand.
FEW Chicago Smokeworks Cherrywood Smoked Malt Whiskey, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. 94 Points, Gold Medal. $39
FEW Spirits, in Evanston, Illinois, is known for bold, craft-distilled whiskeys. Smokeworks uses malted barley smoked over cherrywood for a sweeter, fruitier smoke than traditional peat, marrying American whiskey richness with barbecue-style smokiness. It was the highest-ranked flavored whiskey at the 2025 BevTest judging.
The whiskey features aromas of smoked cherries, roasted almonds, cocoa, and a touch of leather. On the palate, it showcases flavors of campfire-toasted marshmallow, cherry compote, toffee, and cocoa powder, with an earthy malt/ cooked cereal backbone. The finish is long, smoky, and dry, with lingering notes of cherry, dark chocolate, and seasoned oak with prominent tannins.
Widow Jane Decadence Maple Cask-Finished Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Batch #2, 45.5% ABV, 750 ml. 93 Points, Gold Medal. $99
Widow Jane is an independent bottler based in Brooklyn, New York, known for blending well-aged Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana bourbons, proofing them with limestone-rich water from the Rosendale Mines. The Decadence series finishes its blend in barrels that previously held Crown Maple Syrup from Dutchess County, New York, imparting a luxurious sweetness and adding layer of complexity to the underlying bourbon.
The whiskey features aromas of rich maple syrup, toffee, toasted pecan, and a gentle cinnamon warmth. It’s smooth and sweet on the palate, featuring layers of caramelized sugar, vanilla cream, chocolate fudge, maple-drenched waffles, and subtle oak wood spices. The finish is long, silky, and dessert-like, with lingering maple sweetness and a whisper of charred oak.
Ole Smoky Peanut Butter Flavored Whiskey, 30% ABV, 750 ml. 93 Points, Gold Medal. $25
Ole Smoky, based in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, blends its whiskey with natural peanut butter flavors to create a sweet, dessert-like spirit aimed at casual sipping and cocktail mixing.
The whiskey features aromas of freshly roasted peanuts, vanilla frosting, and a hint of caramel. The palate showcases flavors of sweet peanut brittle, milk chocolate, and light wood spices. The finish is long and creamy, with a lingering peanut butter sweetness.
RD1 Spirits 10-Year Limited Release Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood, 58.9% ABV, 750 ml. 90 Points, Gold Medal. $299
This whiskey from RD1 Spirits in Lexington, Kentucky, is aged 10 years in a traditional charred American oak cask, before finishing in Brazilian Amburana wood casks. Amburana, an exotic South American wood, imparts distinctive sweet spice, cinnamon, and herbal notes.
The whiskey features aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, baking spices, and floral honey, accented by exotic Amburana wood notes. It’s creamy on the palate, showcasing flavors of tropical fruits, cinnamon sugar, gingerbread, almond pastry, and herbal tea. The finish is long and spicy, with a floral honey sweetness and lingering notes of clove, cinnamon, and caramel.
Noteworthy Butterscotch Bourbon Whiskey, 35% ABV, 750 ml. 90 Points, Gold Medal. $26
Also produced by L&T Spirits, this flavored bourbon combines classic bourbon notes with rich butterscotch essence, designed to amplify sweetness, smoothness, and approachability.
The whiskey features pronounced aromas of butterscotch candy, caramel cream, and vanilla. The palate features flavors of brown sugar, buttery caramel, and a hint of baking spices. The finish is medium length, with a lingering candied sweetness.
FEW Cold Cut Cold Brew Coffee Infused Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 46.5% ABV, 750 ml. 90 Points, Gold Medal. $49
FEW Spirits adds cold brew coffee to their straight bourbon, reducing proof while enhancing roasted coffee depth. The cold brew extraction preserves coffee’s rich aromatics without bitterness and deftly marries it with a traditional bourbon profile.
The whiskey features aromas of freshly brewed espresso, cocoa powder, vanilla, and seasoned oak. On the palate, there is a pronounced coffee flavor, followed by caramel, dark chocolate, and toasted nuts. The finish is long and smooth, with lingering notes of roasted coffee and cocoa.
The top performers in this year’s judging make one thing clear—flavored and cask-finished whiskies are no fad. They’re reshaping the category, offering drinkers new dimensions of aroma and taste without sacrificing authenticity. Whether it’s Widow Jane’s maple-laced elegance, RD1’s exotic Amburana spice notes, or FEW’s cherrywood-smoked richness, these whiskies invite enthusiasts to expand their palates and embrace innovation. In the evolving world of American whiskey, tradition and experimentation are no longer opposites—they’re partners in flavor.