Guest Post by Heather Wibbels
Let’s take the guesswork out of finding the best whiskey for a Manhattan.
The Manhattan cocktail puts a spotlight on the whiskey in the cocktail – every element in the cocktail is designed to support and drive the flavors of the whiskey.
Whatever whiskey you choose for your Manhattan, make sure it’s one you love neat or on the rocks.
In a Manhattan, there’s no hiding bad whiskey.
(Post may contain affiliate links.)
What is a Manhattan?
The Manhattan cocktail arrived on the scene in the 1880s at the Manhattan Club in New York.
While we don’t know the name of the person who created it, its provenance is well-documented in the newspapers at the time because the cocktail rose to fame quickly.
A Manhattan has three simple elements: whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.
The exact ratios and whiskeys to make the best Manhattan is a matter of great contention among whiskey drinkers.
Early Manhattans likely had a split ratio of whiskey to vermouth. Today, drinkers use a 2:1 ratio or a 2 ½ to ½ ratio.
Classic Manhattan
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth (I prefer Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino)
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Garnish: cocktail cherry
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir until well-chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.
If you’re wondering if a Manhattan is better with bourbon or rye, that decision comes down to personal preference. Choose a base whiskey you love or split the difference between two of your favorites.
For more on the history of the Manhattan and how to craft a great one, see How to Build a Classic Manhattan
Now let’s get to some of the best whiskeys for Manhattan cocktails!
7 Best Whiskeys for a Manhattan
1. Pikesville Rye (or Rittenhouse Rye)
One of the best rye whiskies for a Manhattan is Pikesville Rye made by Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky.
It packs a hefty punch at 110 proof. For serious whiskey drinkers it’s an excellent choice as it’s widely available, delicious, and keeps the whiskey front and center in a cocktail.
With a mash bill of 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley, it’s a bourbon drinker’s rye with a great, spicy finish.
At $50 a bottle, it’s a perfect price point for a special occasion bourbon for a fine Manhattan.
Its spicy nose, rye grain, and honeyed aromas blend deliciously with a quality sweet vermouth that includes early elements like nutmeg, licorice, and clove.
Slight cherry notes soar when combined with cherry bitters or a bar spoon of cherry juice added to the mixing glass.
If Pikesville’s proof is too much for you, Heaven Hill’s Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond is an excellent substitute. At 100 proof it’s easier to sip in Manhattan cocktails.
While there are still baking spice notes in the flavor, Rittenhouse has a bit more citrus, baking spice, and cocoa in the mouth. At $26.99 it’s a great bargain.
2. Wilderness Trail Bourbon
Made in Danville, Kentucky, Wilderness Trail distills delicious bourbon and rye whiskeys.
Using their Small Batch Bottled in Bond Bourbon or their Single Barrel Bourbon is the most economical at $45 or $50 respectively.
Their Single Barrel Rye makes a delicious Manhattan as well.
Their Bottled in Bond bourbon presents with vanilla, caramel, and oak with some apple and baking spice on the nose.
For the Single Barrel bourbon the flavors will be different for each barrel, but often you’ll find caramel, clove, grass, and dried oak.
3. Woodford Double Oaked Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon has the extra flavors from a secondary finishing in a barrel toasted for 40 minutes and charred for 5 seconds – a much longer toasting than the initial Woodford Reserve barrel.
The bourbon stays in this finishing barrel for 6-12 months, picking up sweeter notes from the long toasting process. At $50 it’s a high-end pick for a Manhattan, but perfect for cocktail aficionados.
Flavors of vanilla, chocolate, and nuts come through easily on the nose and the palate.
In addition, the finish is lengthened from a typical Woodford Reserve bourbon and a bit of smoke and oak stay on the palate after each sip. It’s a delectable whiskey for a fabulous Manhattan.
4. Maker’s Mark 46 Bourbon
Many find the basic Maker’s Mark expression too subtle and soft to stand up to assertive sweet vermouth in a cocktail. But the extra aging and proof on Maker’s 46 is another story altogether.
At $40 a bottle and about six years old, its mash bill is 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley.
Once the initial aging is finished, the bourbon is put in a used Maker’s barrel with seared French oak staves and rested in a cellar for another 2-3 months.
On the nose, the aromas of caramel, vanilla, toffee, and toast are readily apparent, and the flavor has touches of cinnamon, oak, and caramel.
The extra aging time boosts the flavor profile of Makers and makes it a great choice for a delicious and approachable Manhattan cocktail.
5. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
Both Elijah Craig bourbon expressions, the small batch and the barrel proof, are excellent in a Manhattan.
For people who prefer a higher proof, the barrel-proof expression makes a high-end Manhattan that you’ll want to keep sipping all night.
But the small batch product has just the right balance of flavor and proof (94) to stand up to a great flavorful sweet vermouth.
The nose is vanilla and caramel – a very traditional bourbon, and on the palate it’s oaky, with a good bit of vanilla and baking spices. The dryness from the oak makes it a great fit for sweet vermouth.
At $26 it’s a great bargain option for a solid Manhattan cocktail.
6. Willett Family Estate Rye
Willett Family Estate Rye has a very distinctive flavor profile, with lots of rye spice, cinnamon, and mint/herbal notes.
If you enjoy their rye neat, you want to try it in a Manhattan – if you can find it.
At $65 this Manhattan whiskey should be on the special occasion list. The current expressions are 4 years old, but if you visit the distillery on a perfect day you might see a very special 7 or 8 year old version on the shelf.
Take that home with you to sip on neat, and keep your Willett Manhattans to the younger ryes, or their Johnny Drum release.
7. Russels’ Reserve Rye
This six-year-old Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve Rye is about $35, and a bargain for the flavor.
The flavor is full of oak, baking spices, and caramel – with some extra heat for your Manhattan cocktail.
If you’re looking for a flavor-forward, reasonably-priced rye for your Manhattan, Jimmy and Eddie Russell would approve, and let you mix an extra Manhattan cocktail for them, I’m sure.
Tips for a Killer Manhattan Cocktail
Finding the best whiskey for your Manhattan is just the first step on your cocktail journey. You’ll also need to mix your drinks. As a stirred cocktail, the Manhattan is very easy to construct, but here are a few tips for making a great Manhattan:
- Chill your coupe or martini glass.
- Keep your vermouth in the fridge once opened. It only lasts about 4 weeks in the fridge.
- Use whiskey you love.
- If you want to add subtle flavors in your Manhattan, vary your bitters. I use smoked cinnamon bitters in the fall, orange bitters in the spring, and tiki bitters in the summer.
- If your Manhattan seems flat, add a teaspoon of simple syrup. Sometimes just a splash of simple increases the depth and complexity of the cocktail.
Looking for Some Extra Bourbon Tips?
Check out Bourbon Inspector’s 10 of the Best Bourbons for an Old Fashioned
Want some fun and playful Manhattan recipes to try?
Heather Wibbels, aka the Cocktail Contessa is an Executive Bourbon Steward and an award-winning mixologist with a passion for whiskey and teaching others to mix great cocktails at home. You can find her creations at www.cocktailcontessa.com or in her book Bourbon Is My Comfort Food: The Bourbon Women Guide to Fantastic Cocktails at Home out in May of 2022.
