Angel's Envy is the Wilf Carter of bourbons. Carter, known south of the 49th Parallel as Montana Slim, was a minister’s kid—one of nine—who rode the rails west, trampled mountain trails, and cow-punched until it came time to sing pioneer tunes to settled folk, on at least one occasion doing so while dangling from a telephone pole. Carter is disarming at first with his smooth cherry-sweet voice and inoffensive themes, and can sometimes come across as nutty. There is, however, darkness beneath the surface (oak, raisins) and a mild burn that lingers long after the yodeling cowboy appears to be finished. The Louisville Distilling Co.’s Kentucky bourbon, which does a six-month stint in port barrels before bottling, fetches for roughly $40 and is best served when “it’s twilight over Texas.”

Angels Envy

Heaven Hill Distillery’s RITTENHOUSE is a campfire, one full tank away from civilization and on the starry side of nowhere. This fire will heat your body without burning it, throwing off whiffs of cinnamon, nicely turned s’mores, and nuts previously shelled over the coals. A campfire is always a finale—bringing the night, week, or hunting season to a crackling close. At 50% ABV, you’re best off kicking back with this 100 proof straight rye until the last ember loses its glow and sleep takes you. Heaven Hill’s $55 standout is best served with your phone, boots, and holster off.

Rittenhouse

Should you want just a little more sizzle in your rye, Heaven Hill has one more trick up its sleeve. Clocking in at a lusty 55% ABV, their PIKESVILLE is one of the smoothest 110 proof drams you’ll encounter—without sacrificing any fire, of course. Born in Maryland, a pre-Prohibition hotspot, Pikesville eventually put down roots in Kentucky, where Heaven Hill maintains the brand’s venerable 1890s approach to distilling and aging. Yes, each bottle of Pikesville is at least six years old, part of the secret to its success on the tasting competition circuit. It’s as advertised on the palette—a country bakery melange of vanilla, honey, spice, and smoke. Not to be missed. BULLEIT BOURBON FRONTIER WHISKEY is the truck that never lets you down. There may have been others you fancied in your youth—perhaps even a foreign make—but in a world full of pretenders, it’s hard to go wrong with a tried and proven, no-pretense American classic. Bulleit is strong but handles smoothly, feels good, and gets you to where you need to go. You might smell gas on first open, but cooked mash will quickly take over as you settle into your old groove. Smoke—not the kind you’ll need to see a mechanic about—lightly accents mild malt, maple, and dried fruit tastes, while never overcomplicating things. The Bulleit Distiller’s titular star is an amber staple too good to let collect dust, which usually goes for around $25. Best served at a poker table in a sunbaked saloon where everything appears to be melting but your composure.

Royal Lochnagar’s 12-year-old HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKEY is the liquid version of an old private members’ club with tobacco-stained ceilings, high-backed green leather chairs, and a curious collection of artifacts left over from past members, all alluding to greatness while forever remaining in the backdrop. For better or worse, this dry and rounded house affords no member an opportunity to disturb or overpower the others—except sometimes an uppity vanilla. Instead, it seamlessly balances citrus on the nose, lightly spiced toffee on the tongue, and old wood on further reflection. Best served amid a spirited backroom debate over that which appears to most matter—or, alternatively, in silent solitude, awestruck by the conclusion.

Heaven Hill’s ELIJAH CRAIG SMALL BATCH straight bourbon is a chestnut fiddle and a well-rosined bow: not for every occasion, but more than welcome at a strathspey, a wedding feast, or a wake. There’s a touch of cherried chocolate, caramel, and vanilla sweetness that ensure no single note is flat, and an oaky finish to round out any renegade sharps. Too much fiddle will have you hating catgut and horse hair, even if finetuned by Heaven Hill. However, for $30, this non-age-stated bourbon will play you a pleasant jig whenever the time is right.

Sometimes, a pour transports you before you even realize it. With this whiskey, I was back on Christmas Eve, huddled around the campfire.

Rabbit Hole’s Cavehill “FOUR GRAIN TRIPLE MALT” bourbon is a paperback thriller. There’s plenty of interest going on and it’s great on vacation. The “but” looms only for those seasoned bourbon drinkers keen on finding a life-changing book—or, perhaps, getting around to finally finishing The Brothers Karamazov. Cavehill starts off with a lovely bouquet: apples and berries. Authors such as the late Tom Clancy who do thrillers well engage readers as soon as possible. Cavehill certainly does so, providing intrigue in the first pages with tastes of pepper, toasted grain, and spiced oak, all dripping with honey. One of the antagonists—raw alcohol—also rears his head early in the book. While ostensibly dispatched within short order, this antagonist makes a shortlived appearance toward the very end. With his defeat, however, there is a nice custard finish. This $60, 95 proof whiskey is best served between great reads.

Sometimes, a pour transports you before you even realize it. With this whiskey, I was back on Christmas Eve, huddled around the campfire of a family I had just met, relaxing with mutual friends who taught me that the only thing better than a s’more is a s’more with a Reese’s cup in the middle. FOX & ODEN DOUBLE OAKED bourbon doesn’t exactly smell like a s’more or a campfire, but that’s the magic of good whiskey: It always takes you back to the community. There are definite notes of deep chocolate, smooth cinnamon, and a slightly toasted marshmallow on the nose. But also, caramel apple, molasses, and an effervescence reminiscent of a well-aged cognac. And on the taste, flavors of melted chocolate, that smooth cinnamon again, and oak meld in unison with a sensation: the warmth of a fire, itself like a warm, familiar embrace on a cold Christmas Eve. It’s 99 proof and sells for around $99.

Fox and Oden

Joseph MacKinnon is a staff writer for Blaze News. He lives in a small town with his wife and son, moonlighting as an author of science fiction.