Jump to content Jump to search

Fast 1-Hour Pick up or 2-Hour Delivery! 

facebook instagram
Sweet Whiskeys: How Did They Become America's Favorite?

Table of Contents

Sweet Whiskeys: How Did They Become America's Favorite?

Americans' taste in whiskey leans sweeter than you might expect. Not long ago - in 2021 to be exact - honey whiskey racked up $173.4 million in sales and peach whiskey brought in $122.8 million. This officially made sweetened whiskeys some of the most popular spirits in the country.

Here at Valley Wine & Liquor in 326 South Caroline Street, we stock a wide selection of sweet whiskeys. We have everything from traditional honey-infused options to innovative sweet tea blends for your palate.

If you want to know more about sweet whiskeys before making a purchase, this blog will break down everything about these sweet spirits - what makes them unique, how they're made, and which bottles deserve a spot in your home bar.

What Makes a Whiskey "Sweet"?

Many people misunderstand what makes a whiskey "sweet." These whiskeys don't have added sugar. Instead, their sweetness comes from specific grains in the mash bill - especially corn, which naturally develops sweet flavors during fermentation and aging.

Sweet whiskeys need more than 51% corn in their recipe. American distillers create this sweetness in different ways. Some use extra corn in their mash bills. Others pick specific yeast strains that bring out natural sweetness during fermentation. The new charred oak barrels also matter - the wood releases vanillin compounds and caramelized sugars into the spirit, adding sweet notes without artificial additives.

Popular Sweet Whiskey Varieties and Their Flavor Profiles

Tennessee Honey Whiskey

These whiskeys begin as traditional Tennessee whiskey, filtered through sugar maple charcoal. Distillers then blend it with real honey, bringing the alcohol content to 35% ABV. When you taste it, you'll find natural honey sweetness, followed by warm oak, vanilla, and light cinnamon notes. Some people think honey whiskey is too simple - but good distillers know how to balance the honey's sweetness with the whiskey's deep flavors.

Double-Oaked Bourbon

Double-oaked bourbon undergoes a second maturation in heavily toasted, lightly charred barrels. This process amplifies the natural vanilla and caramel notes while adding layers of butterscotch and maple. Woodford Reserve Double Oak ages in two barrels, creating deep brown sugar notes and a notably sweet finish at 45.2% ABV. Old Forester 1910 follows similar principles, yielding pronounced dark chocolate and cedar notes at 46.5% ABV.

Canadian Sweet Whisky

Canadian whisky owes its natural sweetness to its high corn content and unique production methods. Crown Royal uses a blend of 50 different whiskies to achieve its characteristic maple and vanilla profile. The brand's Apple variant adds crisp orchard fruit notes while maintaining 35% ABV. Crown Royal Vanilla incorporates Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla for additional sweetness without artificial flavors.

Sweet Blended Scotch

Several blended Scotch whiskies offer sweeter profiles through careful cask selection. The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year spends time in American oak and European oak sherry casks, developing honey and dried fruit notes. Monkey Shoulder combines Speyside single malts, resulting in natural vanilla sweetness and orange peel complexity at 40% ABV.

Sweet Tea Whiskey

Sweet tea whiskey is newer to the market. It comes at an ABV of 35%. Distillers blend aged whiskey with real tea extracts and natural sweeteners. The drink tastes like authentic Southern sweet tea with a proper whiskey backbone. The tea adds light tannins that work well with the whiskey's oak flavors. Most brands use black tea because it tastes stronger, though some smaller distilleries try green or herbal teas.

The Best Food Pairings With Sweet Whiskeys

Tennessee Honey and Desserts

Tennessee honey whiskey pairs amazingly with dark chocolate. The honey notes complement the chocolate's bitterness. It also works with apple pie - the whiskey's vanilla and honey flavors make the apples taste brighter. We've found that pecan pie becomes even better with a small glass of honey whiskey on the side.

Sweet Bourbon and Savory Foods

Sweet bourbon goes well with smoky foods. The caramel notes in the bourbon complement barbecued ribs or brisket. It also pairs nicely with aged cheddar - the bourbon's sweetness balances the cheese's sharp taste. Surprisingly, it works great with spicy foods too. The natural sweetness cools down the heat while adding extra flavor.

Sweet Tea Whiskey and Light Foods

Sweet tea whiskey matches perfectly with Southern food. Fried chicken becomes more interesting - the tea's tannins cut through the oil, while the whiskey adds warmth. It also works with lighter foods like grilled fish or summer salads. The tea flavor adds complexity without overwhelming delicate ingredients.

Canadian Sweet Whisky and Fruit-Based Dishes

Crown Royal's maple notes complement apple-based desserts and poached pears. The Apple variant pairs naturally with autumn fruits and spiced desserts. Crown Royal Vanilla enhances cream-based desserts and fruit tarts.

Blended Scotch and Complex Flavors

The Balvenie DoubleWood's honey notes complement blue cheese and dried fruit. Monkey Shoulder's vanilla and orange peel character pairs well with dark chocolate oranges and citrus-based desserts. These whiskies also enhance nutty desserts like almond cake.

Shop Sweet Whiskeys at Valley Wine & Liquor

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey

Jack Daniel's signature whiskey meets real honey for a smooth 35% ABV spirit. Each sip delivers warm honey sweetness followed by toasted oak and light spice notes. Perfect for sipping over ice or mixing in cocktails. A 1.5 oz serving contains 108 calories - ideal for those mindful of their intake while enjoying a sweeter spirit.

Jim Beam Honey Bourbon

Jim Beam infuses their Kentucky Straight Bourbon with golden honey, creating a 35% ABV whiskey with rich vanilla and caramel undertones. The natural honey sweetness makes it excellent in hot toddies or paired with desserts. One serving contains 110 calories and offers a gentler introduction to bourbon's complexity.

Crown Royal Vanilla Canadian Whisky

Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla enriches Crown Royal's smooth whisky and creates a 35% ABV spirit with creamy vanilla bean notes. It's great in coffee-based cocktails or when served neat. Each 1.5 oz pour contains 103 calories, making it one of the lighter options in sweet whiskeys.

The Balvenie 12 Year DoubleWood

This 43% ABV single malt develops natural sweetness through double maturation in bourbon and sherry casks. Expect honey, dried fruit, and subtle spice notes. Best enjoyed neat or with a drop of water to open up the complex flavors. A standard pour contains 124 calories.

Twisted Tea Sweet Tea Whiskey

A 32.5% ABV blend of whiskey and real black tea creates the perfect summer sipper. Fresh tea notes balance with light whiskey character and natural sweetness. Excellent over ice or mixed with lemonade. Contains 98 calories per serving, making it a lighter option for warm weather enjoyment.

Sweet Whiskey ABV and Health Benefits

Sweet whiskeys typically have lower alcohol content than traditional whiskeys. Most regular whiskeys are 40-50% ABV, but sweet varieties often range from 30-35% ABV. This lower alcohol content makes them more approachable for new whiskey drinkers.

Sweet tea whiskeys usually sit at 30-35% ABV. Honey whiskeys follow the same pattern - Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey is 35% ABV, while Wild Turkey American Honey is 35.5% ABV. Sweet bourbons keep traditional bourbon strength at 40% ABV because they must meet legal requirements to be called bourbon.

The lower alcohol content in most sweet whiskeys means fewer calories per serving. A 1.5 oz serving of honey whiskey has about 108 calories, compared to 124 calories in regular whiskey. But watch out for added sweeteners in some brands - they can bump up the calorie count.

How to Serve and Store Sweet Whiskey?

Temperature matters more than people think. Sweet whiskeys taste best slightly chilled - around 60°F. Too cold numbs the flavors, too warm makes them taste harsh. If you're mixing cocktails, chill the whiskey in the fridge for 30 minutes before using it.

These whiskeys should stay in a cool, dark place. Sunlight and heat can change their taste. Once opened, a bottle will stay good for about a year. The sweet flavors might fade a bit after that, but the whiskey is still safe to drink.

For serving, rocks glasses work best. The wide rim lets you smell all the flavors. If you're drinking it neat, a Glencairn glass concentrates the sweet aromas. Ice is fine, but use large cubes - they melt slower and don't water down the drink too quickly.

Best Sweet Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

Sweet Tea Whiskey Palmer

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz sweet tea whiskey
  • 3 oz fresh lemonade
  • 1 lemon wheel
  • Fresh mint sprig
  • Ice cubes

Method: Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in sweet tea whiskey, followed by lemonade. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lemon wheel and mint sprig.

Strawberry Honey Fizz

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz honey whiskey
  • 3 fresh strawberries
  • 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 2 oz prosecco
  • 1 strawberry for garnish

Method: Muddle strawberries in a shaker. Add honey whiskey and lemon juice. Fill with ice and shake well. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with prosecco. Garnish with a fresh strawberry.

Sweet Revenge Coffee Float

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Sweet Revenge whiskey
  • 4 oz cold brew coffee
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • 0.25 oz vanilla syrup
  • Coffee beans for garnish

Method: Fill a glass with ice. Pour in Sweet Revenge whiskey and cold brew. Stir to combine. Float cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon. Add vanilla syrup. Garnish with coffee beans.

Pick Up a Bottle of Sweet Whiskey Today

At Valley Wine & Liquor in 326 South Caroline Street, we stock a carefully selected range of sweet whiskeys. Our staff understands these spirits and can help you navigate our selection based on your preferences and experience level.

Visit our store, call us at 315-867-5800, or browse our collection at www.shopvalleywine.com. For specific questions about our sweet whiskey inventory, reach out to valleywineorders@gmail.com.