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Best Whiskey For Ginger Ale – Our Top 10 Picks!

Will Beck
Last Updated: February 28th, 2023

Whiskey and Gingerale go together like peanut butter and jelly. In fact, you can go to any bar and order a Jameson and Ginger, which will get you a shot or two of Jameson mixed with a glass of ginger ale.

This cocktail is also trendy in Canada, but instead of Jameson, the popular whiskey is rye (since most Canadian whiskeys are rye whiskey).

So which whiskey is genuinely the best whiskey for ginger ale? At the end of the day, comes down to your personal preference.

But before you start sampling every whiskey under the sun, we’ve broken down the best whiskeys to pair with your favorite ginger-flavored soda.

Best Whiskey For Ginger Ale

If you’re looking for a great whiskey to use in a ginger ale cocktail, you really can’t go wrong with any of the most popular options.

Irish whiskey, bourbon, and rye all make great mixers, and each will give your drink a unique flavor profile.

However, if you’re looking to add a little extra something to your cocktail, scotch is always a good choice. The smoky flavor of scotch whiskey will add an unexpected but delicious dimension to your drink.

So whether you’re a fan of classic cocktails or like to experiment with new flavor combinations, there’s a whiskey out there that’s perfect for you.

Jameson Irish Whiskey and Ginger Ale

jameson irish whiskey and ginger ale

We couldn’t make a list of the best whiskey for mixing with ginger ale without mentioning Jameson Irish Whiskey. Jameson is perfect for those who want to taste the ginger ale but not the whiskey mixed in.

The two drinks complement each other perfectly, with the smooth flavor of Jameson giving the ginger ale a spicy kick.

Jameson is also a popular choice for bartenders when making mixed drinks, as its smooth flavor ensures that it won’t overpower other ingredients.

Jameson’s popularity as a mixer has led to the creation of pre-mixed Jameson and ginger ale cans, which are perfect for those who want to enjoy a refreshing drink without having to mix the ingredients themselves.

Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

teeling small batch whiskey
Image: Stefaan Lesage

Teeling Irish Whiskey is a small batch of whiskey bottled at 46% ABV. The high alcohol content makes it an excellent choice for cocktails, and the unique flavor profile will make it stand out against ginger ale.

The whiskey is made from a blend of grain and malt whiskeys that are aged in Ex-Bourbon barrels and then finished in Central American Rum casks for up to 12 months.

This finishing process gives the whiskey a unique drying fruit profile.

The best part is that bottles of Teeling Irish Whiskey retail for under $30. So, if you want a great value whiskey to use in cocktails, then Teeling Irish Whiskey is a great option.

Green Spot Irish Whiskey

Green Spot Irish Whiskey

Green Spot Irish Whiskey is a pot still whiskey made from a combination of malted and unmalted barley. It is aged 7-12 years and has a 40% ABV. Greenspot is a higher-end whiskey that retails for around $60.

This whiskey has a mellow flavor with hints of honey and caramel. It is a smooth, well-rounded whiskey that is perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks when your ginger ale is all gone.

Pendleton Midnight Canadian Whisky

pendleton midnight canadian whisky

Although Pendleton is best known for its flagship Canadian whisky, the company also produces a higher-proof option known as Midnight. This whisky is clean and smooth, with a light body and a vibrant apricot color.

On the palate, Midnight Canadian whisky is citrusy, with flavors of orange and grapefruit. The nose is floral, with notes of jasmine and orange flower. The finish is medium-long and slightly sweet.

Mixing this whisky with ginger ale results in a refreshing cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. At $35, Midnight Canadian whisky is a good value for the price.

Crown Royal

Crown Royal for ginger ale

This Canadian Blended Whiskey was created in 1939 to celebrate a visit from King George VI & Queen Elizabeth of England.

It is produced from a blend of 50 whiskies made from milled corn, rye, and malted barley, then distilled and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years.

Crown Royal has a rich, golden amber color with a nose of vanilla and fruit that blend nicely with the spicy ginger flavor of the ginger ale.

The body is full and robust, with a delicately smooth and creamy palate. The finish is long and Lingering. Crown Royal retails for around $30.

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey

sazerac straight rye whiskey

Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey is a great whiskey to mix with ginger ale. Aged for a minimum of six years, this whiskey earned a score of 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, which called it a “Best Buy”.

While the exact blend is a mystery, Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey is said to be made from a mash of 51% rye, 39% corn, and 10% malted barley. However, the actual recipe is a heavily guarded secret by the distillers.

After the distillation process, the whiskey is aged for a minimum of six years in Kentucky, before a small batch of barrels is married together.

The whiskey is copper-bronze in color and has an aroma of rye, malt, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper. The flavor boasts caramel, vanilla, rye, and candied citrus on the palate and ends with a touch of dried fruits and rye.

Monkey Shoulder

monkey shoulder for ginger ale

Monkey Shoulder is a scotch made for blending, unlike many other scotches on the market today. It is a blended malt Scotch whisky that is made from a vatting of three different single malt whiskies.

This Scotch has earned numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal at the International Spirits Competition 6 years in a row and the Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition for three consecutive years.

On the nose, Monkey Shoulder scotch is butterscotchy, with notes of popcorn, vanilla, and honey. Slightly creamy, it also features hints of woody spice, citrus, and doughy bread. The finish is all about dried fruits, oak, and a touch of cinnamon.

If you’re looking for a high-quality Scotch whisky perfect for blending, look no further than Monkey Shoulder. At 43% ABV, it’s sure to add some extra depth and flavor to your ginger ale.

Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch The Original 10 Yr 86

glenmorangie scotch for ginger ale

A smooth, mellow whisky with hints of vanilla and citrus, Glenmorangie 10-Year Old is a gold medal winner at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and perfect for those who enjoy a touch of luxury in their ginger ale.

Made in Scotland’s tallest stills and matured in slow-grown ex-bourbon casks from Missouri, this single malt has a complex flavor that is perfect for sipping on its own or mixing into cocktails.

Whether you’re enjoying a quiet night at home or hosting a party for your closest friends, Glenmorangie’s 10-Year-Old will impress both you and your guests.

Knob Creek Rye Whiskey

knob creek rye whiskey for ginger ale
Image: Yelp Inc.

Rye whiskey is always a safe bet when mixing cocktails, especially for pairing with ginger ale. Knob Creek Small Batch Straight Rye Whiskey (50% ABV) is a strong whiskey with extensive notes of herbs and rye with nuances of oak on the nose.

Bold rye spice with undertones of vanilla and oak on the palate, the finish is warm and smooth with spice throughout.

This world-renowned rye won “Best Rye Worldwide Whiskey” at the 2016 International Wine and Spirits Competition. When looking for a solid, dependable rye whiskey, Knob Creek is a safe bet.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon

buffalo trace bourbon for ginger ale
Image: Anthony

Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a deep amber-colored bourbon that has been aged for a minimum of eight years. It is the flagship product of America’s oldest continuously operating distillery.

The aroma of this bourbon is vanilla, caramel, mint, and molasses. The palate offers sweet notes of brown sugar and toffee, which give way to oak, dark fruits, baking spices, and anise.

Lastly, the finish is mellow and complex, with lingering notes of vanilla, oak, and rock candy.

In other words, Buffalo Trace Bourbon should be a staple in your home bar and might just be your next favorite whiskey to mix with ginger ale.

Best Whiskey For Ginger Ale – Conclusion

So, there you have it – the best whiskeys for mixing with ginger ale. Any of these whiskeys will do a great job of balancing out the sweetness of the ginger ale and adding a delicious depth of flavor to your drink.

Whether you’re looking for something classic or something new, we’ve got you covered

About The Author

Will Beck

Will is a true digital nomad, taking his work on the road at every opportunity. His first love is coffee, with whiskey a close 2nd. He loves nothing more than enjoying a perfectly brewed coffee with spectacular scenery whilst he coordinates behind the scenes of the Drink Stack blog!

Just so you know, if you click on a product on DrinkStack.com and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.


1 thought on “Best Whiskey For Ginger Ale – Our Top 10 Picks!”

  1. Wow.. I can’t believe you used Buffalo Trace (BT) with Ginger Ale… ugg.. what a waste, I mean BT is already so weak it barely stands up straight. Now IF BT was closer to 100 proof it would be great straight… but it is a horrible mixer with anything but something like maybe Eggnog. Wild Turkey 101 (and even 81/86 work great too) with Ginger Ale. My next favorite mixer is Bulleit. If you are mixing with anything other than something high fat like eggnog or sweet like cocoa or coffee it gets washed out. You need a higher rye content Bourbon to use as a mixer as it won’t get lost in the wash. I think Wild Turkey is my favorite with Bulleit a close second with ginger ale (with a squeezed wedge of lime and sometimes a drop of bitters)
    Knob Creek also works well but it is too good to sip straight so don’t mix it… although if you have a lot of cash to throw around it is great too.
    If you can mix 50% Jamaican true ginger ale with some Canada Dry Ginger ale with a great high rye bourbon it’s amazing… they work so well together.

    I prefer Bourbon rather than most whiskey or whisky when mixing… although Canadian Rye is a close second…. the rye needs to be there.
    I think Bulleit or perhaps WT 101 or Rare Breed make for a great Manhattan or Old Fashioned, Rare Breed is a bit of overkill but it is super as a sipper so sometimes I’ll use it when I am low on mixer grade stuff like 101 or Bulleit.

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