Best Bourbon for Whiskey Sours
The best bourbon for a Whiskey Sour holds its own against lemon and sugar — enough sweetness to stay round, enough body not to vanish. These community-ranked picks (≥3.5/5) are the bottles people actually reach for behind the bar.
Quick answer
Buffalo Trace (≥3.9/5, ~£28) is the community's top pick for Whiskey Sours — vanilla-caramel sweetness balances lemon without fighting it. Bulleit Bourbon (~£30) adds rye spice. Maker's Mark (wheated, ~£28) makes the smoothest, roundest sour.
Not sure which bottle to pick?
Take the Taste DNA quiz — 2 minutes, personalised match scores on every bottle.
Build your Taste DNA →What makes a bourbon work in a Whiskey Sour?
Three things: sweetness to balance the lemon, enough body not to disappear behind the citrus, and 90–100 proof so the alcohol holds the cocktail together. Wheated bourbons (Maker's Mark, Larceny) give a softer, rounder sour. High-rye bourbons (Bulleit, Four Roses) add a peppery backbone.
Top community picks for a Whiskey Sour
Buffalo Trace leads the community rankings for cocktail use: vanilla-caramel profile, 90 proof, ~£28, rating ≥3.9/5. Bulleit Bourbon is a close second — rye content adds complexity at ~£30. Maker's Mark is the crowd-pleaser: wheated, smooth, ~£28.
Bourbon vs rye in a Whiskey Sour
Bourbon (Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark) gives a sweeter, rounder sour — the default for most drinkers. Rye (Rittenhouse 100, Sazerac Rye) adds spice and dries the finish. Both are authentic; rye suits drinkers who find bourbon sours too sweet.
BourbonEagle Rare
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old
$48
Value Pick
BourbonFour Roses
Four Roses Single Barrel 100 Proof
$57
Value Pick
BourbonBasil Hayden's
Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon
$57
Value Pick
BourbonFour Roses
Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
$43
Value Pick
BourbonEvan Williams
Evan Williams White Label
$47
Value Pick
BourbonMichter's Distillery
Michter's US*1 Bourbon
$74
Value Pick
BourbonYellowstone
Yellowstone Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon
$56
Value Pick
BourbonRowan's Creek
Rowan's Creek Straight Kentucky Bourbon 70cl
$88
BourbonWilliam Larue Weller
William Larue Weller Special Reserve
$55
Value Pick
BourbonMaster of Malt
Indiana Wheated Bourbon 3 Year Old 2019 Single Cask (Master of Malt)
$38
Value Pick
BourbonBasil Hayden's
Basil Hayden's Bourbon 75cl
$91
BourbonNew Riff
New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon (52%)
$63
Value PickFrequently asked questions
What is the best bourbon for a Whiskey Sour?
Buffalo Trace (≥3.9/5, ~£28) is the community's top pick for Whiskey Sours — vanilla-caramel sweetness balances lemon without fighting it. Bulleit Bourbon (~£30) adds rye spice. Maker's Mark (wheated, ~£28) makes the smoothest, roundest sour.
Can you use Scotch in a Whiskey Sour?
Yes — Monkey Shoulder (blended Scotch, ≥3.8/5) works well and gives a slightly different character. Avoid heavily peated Islay malts; the smoke fights the lemon. A light Speyside makes a cleaner sour than you'd expect.
What proof bourbon is best for a Whiskey Sour?
90–100 proof is the sweet spot. Too low (80 proof) and the spirit gets lost behind the citrus. Too high (barrel proof, 120+) and the alcohol overpowers. Standard 90-proof bottlings are designed for exactly this kind of use.