What do you get for the whiskey lover who has everything? Something weird, of course! If you love whiskey or you know someone who does, you may be searching for a new, unique way to experience this classic beverage. And if so, then you’re in luck, because there are several excellent (and sometimes not-so-excellent) bizarre whiskey options out there on the market, just waiting for newcomers to find and enjoy them. Check out our top picks of weird whiskeys below and see for yourself just why some of these odd recipes might be more delicious and intriguing than they sound.
Weird Whiskeys
Join us on a journey through some of the boldest, strangest and most unique whiskey flavors around. These whiskeys are sure to make you laugh, but don’t necessarily shrug them off as just a joke!
Weirdness is in the eye of the beholder, and some people do enjoy the products on this list. Even if you don’t think a particular whiskey listed below sounds good, you might be surprised at just how much you enjoy it if you give it a try.
• Jefferson’s Ocean Aged
We start our list with a unique, odd bourbon whiskey with a strange method of aging behind its name. Jefferson’s Ocean Aged is, somehow, exactly what it sounds like: bourbon that has been aged on the ocean. Rather than being aged in a cellar or a distillery somewhere in the world, this bourbon was aged onboard ships crossing the ocean. The idea was to impart the flavors, climates, and spirit of the sea into the bourbon as it aged throughout its many journeys. The bourbon was created in a very small batch and allowed to soak up as much sea temperature, salt air, and movement as possible before it was bottled and sold.
Today, it’s very hard to find a bottle of this bourbon. However, those who have tried it say the end result is a little more like rum than bourbon, and that the briny sea air makes the drink taste somewhat like a peated Scotch, too.
• Kikori Rice Whiskey
This whiskey is a little bit less weird and a little more unique. Most of the time, whiskey is made from rye or barley, or possibly corn, and may also be made of a combination of those ingredients. However, Kikori Rice Whiskey is made of rice—just like sake—with no other grain ingredients involved in the process.
This whiskey isn’t as hard to find as some of the others on this list, especially if you happen to live in California. The light-colored whiskey is a refreshing, sippable drink that doesn’t have as many of the robust flavors of traditional whiskey but is nevertheless a powerful addition to your liquor cabinet.
• Reindeer Antler Whiskey
Like many of the whiskeys on this list, Reindeer Antler Whiskey is just what it sounds like. This is a whiskey that has been infused with reindeer antlers to give it various properties. It’s important to note that this is actually a cultural tradition and not just a marketing ploy; in fact, reindeer antler whiskey is not often commercially available and tends to stay mostly within Thailand, where it hails from.
This whiskey is designed to improve overall health and vitality, and it can sometimes be used to treat health issues too. It’s hard to say what it tastes like since it’s not commonly found outside Thailand. However, those who have tried it say it tastes earthy, robust, and woody. Some even say it tastes like licorice.
• Fishky
Unlike Reindeer Antler Whiskey, Fishky is a far cry from anything that might remotely be used as a healing drink and certainly was a failed attempt at a marketing strategy. Fishky is a Scotch whiskey that was aged in a herring barrel and—unsurprisingly—soaked up a lot of the flavor of the herring at the same time. The only known person who has ever tried it reports that it was terrible.
Fortunately, Fishky is not readily available commercially anywhere.
• Dry Fly Triticale Whiskey
This is another whiskey that only makes the list because of its uniqueness, rather than any negative oddities surrounding it. Dry Fly Triticale Whiskey is made of triticale, which is a combination of rye and wheat bread to combine the best qualities of the two. There are no other grains aside from triticale used in the production of this liquor.
This whiskey is light, comfortable, and easy to drink, even for those who aren’t used to whiskey yet. The rye side of the triticale makes the drink a bit spicy and savory, while the wheat side makes it soft and gentle. Overall, this is a unique whiskey that’s perfect for sipping.
• Jackson’s Row and Loch Dhu
Both of these whiskeys came from United Distillers, and both were an attempt at marketing strategies. Jackson’s Row was designed to be as close to a white color as possible, and it gets near with its creamy, off-white tone. It was created to be appealing to a younger crowd looking for a lighter sip of whiskey.
On the other hand, Loch Dhu was designed to be as close to black as possible. It was aged in barrels that had been charred twice to give it its rich color. This is by far the more popular of the two today, and it can only be found secondhand now. Jackson’s Row is still somewhat easier to find.
Conclusion
You may not be ready to rush out and track down a rare bottle of fish-flavored whiskey, but don’t forget, some of these drinks truly do have a devoted fan following! These liquors are on the market for a reason, and they continue to be popular choices among those who are looking to try something new, different, and maybe even a little laughable too. Some customers who have purchased these liquors as gag gifts for friends or family have found when trying them, that they actually do enjoy the flavor. So don’t be too afraid to reach for the weirdest bottle of whiskey you can find the next time you head to the liquor store!