3 Best Pecan Whiskeys Of 2023
Rum and vodka are no longer the only spirits being infused with delicious flavors. Whiskey is also joining the party with its own unique varieties.
Pecan whiskey is one of those varieties that you will go nuts for!
Flavoring whiskey and other spirits is not a simple task, though. It’s important to invest your money in the best spirits.
What makes the best pecan whiskey? The best flavored whiskeys, from pecan to cinnamon, are made from a balance of well-crafted whiskey and quality flavorings. The best pecan whiskeys are made by expertly blending whiskey with pecan flavors that compliment the spirit without overpowering it.
As the trend of flavoring spirits increases beyond rum and vodka and into spirits with more complex flavor profiles, like whiskey, it is best to know what to look for. In this article we explain the characteristics of the best pecan whiskeys and introduce you to our top three.
What to Look for in the Best Pecan Whiskeys
Whether you are an experienced whiskey drinker looking to try new things and expand your knowledge of the spirit, or someone who historically has not enjoyed whiskey but has heard all the praise for some of the newer flavored versions, you will want to know what to look for.
The world of whiskey is complex and varied, full of different flavor profiles and distillation methods.
There is no need to master all of that to find some of the best flavored whiskeys on the market. You just need to know what qualities are the most important.
Here’s what to look for.
Quality of Base Whiskey
Whiskey is produced in many forms around the world. All using a variety of ingredients and techniques.
This variety of whiskeys can be overwhelming to those unfamiliar with the subtle differences that aficionados cherish. Single malts are different from blends, while bourbon is different from scotch – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Learning all of these differences can take years, longer than a good 18 year old triple-oak Islay scotch takes to reach peak flavor.
You will not need to know all the types of whiskey to find the best flavored whiskey options, you just need to know that the quality of the whiskey itself.
Some people subscribe to the glass bottle rule, which is a decent rule of thumb with most quality spirits.
Otherwise, your best bet would be to rely on reviews or ask a few bartenders which whiskey they recommend. Most of the best flavored whiskeys will be blends as opposed to single malts.
Quality of Pecan Flavoring
Whether it is pecan flavoring, or any other flavoring, it is important to examine what is used to create the flavor.
Avoid synthetic flavorings in favor of extracts and syrups. The best pecan whiskeys will use real pecan to add the delicious nutty flavor to whiskey.
Ideal Balance of Flavor and Spirit
Pecan is an ideal flavor to blend with whiskey, which often already has a nice nutty flavor depending the variety. Balancing out flavorings with the spirits natural profiles is a delicate balance.
The best pecan whiskeys incorporate just the right amount pecan flavoring while still preserving the deep flavor profiles of the whiskey.
Too much, or too little, flavor can disrupt the balance of the spirit, either being too sweet or falling short of highlighting the delicious taste of pecans.
However, if you are just becoming accustomed to whiskey, you may prefer a subtler whiskey taste and stronger or even sweeter flavors on top to ease your way into stronger spirits.
Whiskey connoisseurs may hate the idea, but it’s better to get what you will actually enjoy, whether it’s considered better or not.
The 3 Best Pecan Whiskeys
There are many pecan whiskeys on the market, and even more whiskeys flavored with multiple ingredients.
Here are our top three favorites:
| Rank | Product | Flavor profile |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Revel Stoke Roasted Pecan Whiskey | Delicate sweetness with nutty caramel-like notes |
| 2. | Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey | Smooth, clean, and balanced |
| 3. | Ballotin Caramel Turtle Whiskey | Smooth, delicate, sweet with chocolate & caramel |
You may notice that two of the three that made this list not only have the delicious flavor of pecans, but other additional flavors that complement the pecan and the whiskey.
But let’s check them out in more detail so you can pick your new favorite.
1. Revel Stoke Roasted Pecan Whiskey
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Revel Stoke’s Roasted Pecan Whiskey is arguably one of the most renowned pecan whiskeys. The flavor of the pecans is deepened by roasting, adding an almost caramel-like note to the spirit.
Hailing from Canada, the base whiskey in Revel Stoke’s pecan whiskey is Canadian Whisky and the pecan flavor comes from natural sources.
There is also a hint of praline which adds to the sweetness in a delicate manner, only bringing out the nutty pecan flavor more.
2. Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey
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Old Camp’s pecan whiskey also has the sweet and crisp flavor of peach added to it.
The pecan does not allow the peach flavor to get too sweet, and both flavors combine well with the whiskey, giving this spirit a nice nutty and sweet balance.
The overall taste profile of the whiskey is smooth and clean. Neither the peach nor pecan flavor come off too strong, making this a great whiskey for drinking over ice.
3. Ballotin Caramel Turtle Whiskey
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Ballotin is a well-known American whiskey praised for its smoothness and delicate flavor profile.
Some whiskey drinkers may be turned off by the addition of not just pecan, but also chocolate and caramel, and in truth this spirit is sweeter than the others on this list.
Even with the sweetness, when served cold as an after-dinner drink Ballotin’s Caramel Turtle whiskey has great nutty flavors from the pecans and the other flavors do not overwhelm the whiskey itself.
This is a great option for people who typically do not enjoy whiskey and are looking to ease into the spirit.
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