A review of some of my favorite non-alcoholic whiskies and bourbons
Ok let’s first address the elephant in the room: no, you're not going to fool anyone into thinking these are “real” whiskies, and you might be a little shocked the first time you go to sip one. Unlike a few of the non-alcoholic wines that might trick some people, or even the best non-alcoholic tequila that is shockingly good, whiskey is a bit of a tougher category. Most lack the body and mouthfeel of a traditional bourbon and there are a wide range of interpretations on the flavor profile, meaning you may need to adjust your recipes and select a bottle based on the drink you’re trying to recreate (I’ve included recipe suggestions for each bottle below). Some lean heavy towards sweet caramel and corn mash, and others towards heavily charred oak and pepper spice.
None of these are necessarily meant to be sipped neat or on the rocks, but they will absolutely take your zero proof cocktails up a level by adding a layer of complexity and depth to your recipe that is almost impossible to recreate with just juices, herbs, and the average mocktail ingredients. If you’re looking to recreate a bourbon smash or whiskey sour, one of these bottles will make it possible and enjoyable.
How do they make non-alcoholic whiskey?
There are a variety of methodologies to crafting non-alcoholic spirits. Some use a proprietary method of blending natural flavorings and botanicals to mimic the tasting notes of whiskey (think hints of oakiness, vanilla and caramel), while others like one of my favorites, NKD Distillery, use a vacuum distillation process to extract the ethanol from real Kentucky bourbon.
3 Best Non-Alcoholic Whiskies of 2024
Nkd Distillery Whiskey Alternative
Nkd Distillery crafts its non-alcoholic whiskey by vacuum distillation to extract ethanol from real Ketucky bourbon. It has a beautiful caramel color and on the nose there are notes of charred oak, leather and a hint of spice. On the palate there are soft notes of sweet apple, vanilla, oak and a strong peppery finish. I would enjoy this in classic recipes like an old fashioned or whiskey sour. $35 at Amazon*
Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Bourbon - NEW FORMULA AS OF NOVEMBER 2024
I was lucky enough to receive a top-secret sample of Free Spirits new Non-Alcoholic Bourbon, released to the public in November 2024. While I personally liked the previous spirit, they continue to refine their products and they just keep getting better (their tequila is hands down my favorite one on the market, so this is a brand you can trust). The spirit replacement is crafted from all natural flavors and functional ingredients (Vitamins B12, B3, and B6) to support your mood. The previous formula was a bit sweeter with more prominent notes of baking spices like cinnamon and clove. The new release has a stronger flavor of charred oak with a hint of caramel and quite an intense, long peppery burn on the finish. This would be delicious in classic recipes such as a whiskey sour or Negroni, and also works well in low-proof cocktails if you want to combine with a dash of bitters and an ounce vermouth for a delicious, less dangerous Manhattan. $30 with code SOBERISH on their website, or $35 at Amazon.
Spiritless Kentucky 74 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
Distilled from real Kentucky Bourbon through the use of reverse distillation, on the palate there are strong notes of charred oak, a little spice, a hint of vanilla. For me the intense bitter/chemical aftertaste is hard to get past in spirit-forward cocktails, but it works well in something a tad more floral and sweet such as a mint julep or Kentucky mule. $35 at The Zero Proof or Amazon
Additional Whiskey/Bourbon Tasting Notes
Lyre's Nonalcoholic Whiskey Reserve
While Lyre's makes one of my favorite nonalcoholic Aperol dupes, their whiskey I found a little too watery to justify purchasing again. The flavor is not off-putting, there are subtle notes of caramel, oak and a nice nuttiness to it. But the body is very thin and it gets lost in mixed drinks.
Bare Zero Proof Whiskey
This was one of my favorite whiskies from last year, but they've since changed their formula and the new product is too thin and watery for my taste. It is very common for non-alcoholic brands to continue to refine and change their recipe formulas, sometimes for the better and sometimes not, which can be challenging.
Ritual Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
While this is one of the most easily accesible non-alcoholic spirit brands, carried at Walmart, Kroger and more, their products usually leave me underwhelmed. Previously it was all I could find so I would use it in recipes like a mint julep or whiskey ginger, but at this point I would not repurchase it. This whiskey tastes a bit like watered down apple juice with a dash of vinegar and black pepper.
Cut Above Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
If you're looking for a sweeter whiskey expression this one might be your best bet. There is an incredibly strong flavor of candied pecans, toasted oats and corn mash. While not my personal favorite, if you give it a try stick to fall flavors to compliment the tasting profile, like a maple whiskey sour, eggnog or your coffee cocktails.
Happy clean drinking! You can use code SoberishMom for 10% off any order at The Zero Proof, where you can find most of my favorite products. *Please note that this post includes affiliate links at The Zero Proof and Amazon, which means at zero cost to you I will make a couple bucks if you use my code at checkout, which helps me keep the account running. Affiliate programs do not impact my reviews and recommendations.
Watch me review these wines on my Instagram and as always, leave me a comment with your favorite alcohol-free drinks, I'd love to hear from you.
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