Getty Image/Merle Cooper The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are bitter rivals, but the bourbon from both states is sweet as could be. We ranked the best of them. Getty Image/Merle Cooper The NBA playoffs are nearly at their climax, and the Eastern Conference Finals are home to an epic matchup between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. Let’s drink. The rivalry between the two teams is a bitter one, as they have faced off eight times in the playoffs, resulting in five wins for the Pacers vs. only three for the Knicks. That said, the Big Apple squad has won two of their three matchups against Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals, and this year’s clash promises to be yet another instant classic with both teams upsetting higher seeds to make it to the penultimate stage of the playoffs. The two die-hard fan bases both deserve to advance, and I know both sides come from regions with a distilling background that rivals Kentucky’s dominance. So, in true underdog spirit, now is the perfect time to match up the best bourbons from both states. Think of this as a guide for great-sipping during the series as much as a competition to rival the excitement of the NBA’s premier tournament. Buckle up, sports and spirits fans, these are the best New York and Indiana bourbons, ranked for enjoyment during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals! Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Whiskey Posts We Blind Taste Tested Bourbons Between $35-$230 In Search Of The ‘Smoothest’ — The Winner Shocked Us These Are The 20 Best Bottles Of Buffalo Trace Whiskey Ever, Ranked The Best Double Gold Bourbons From The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Ranked The Best Bourbons Over 120-Proof, Power Ranked For Hot Sipping Breaking Down The 24 Bottles That Every Bourbon Fan Needs In Their Collection 15. Hudson 5-Year New York Straight Bourbon Hudson Whiskey ABV: 46% Average Price: $60 The Whiskey: Hudson Whiskey is one of New York’s most prominent whiskey brands, thanks to its brightly colored marketing campaign, which can be seen throughout the city on billboards and the broadside of buildings. This expression, its oldest age-stated bourbon, is made from a mash bill of 95% corn and 5% malted barley. Tasting Notes: Nose: The aroma profile for this bourbon begins with cornbread, dilute honey, hazelnuts, and peppercorns. There’s also a salted butter note, which adds a bit of depth, though the primary aroma is that of the grain-forward corn notes. Palate: On the palate, those grain-forward notes become much more assertive. The flavor of cornbread and black pepper lay claim to the center of the palate, while black pepper spice, youthful oak, and dilute honey notes float on the edges of the tongue. The mouthfeel is austere and lean. Finish: The finish on this one is brief and leans into the youthful oak notes while some dilute honey and black pepper spice provide a bit of flourish before it gently recedes from the palate. Bottom Line: Hudson Whiskey is most successful with its range of rye, but this more recent addition to its lineup truly bolsters its bourbon bona fides. While the youth is quite evident, as the grain-forward nosing and flavor notes dominate, leaving little room for more nuanced accents, this whiskey does show some promise. Despite that, it belongs comfortably in the “underdog” seed of this particular ranking. 14. Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bottled In Bond Wheated Bourbon Hard Truth ABV: 50% Average Price: $55 The Whiskey: Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon, made from 69% Corn, 19% Wheat, and 12% Malted barley, is the fledgling distillery’s first wheated bourbon expression. Though Hard Truth only laid down its first barrels of bourbon in 2018, the Indiana distillery has been gaining ground in the past two years among internet-savvy whiskey aficionados, primarily thanks to its rye. Tasting Notes: Nose: The nosing notes kick off with vanilla frosting, sugar cookies, pink peppercorn, and dilute butterscotch. It’s a well-balanced, albeit not particularly expressive set of aromas that works increasingly well after several swirls of the glass. Palate: On the palate, Hard Truth’s inaugural bottled in bond bourbon displays some restrained caramel apple notes to complement a backbone of youthful oak, honeyed wheat toast, black pepper, and fresh hazelnuts. The flavors are fairly mild, but harmonious, and it rewards repeat sips as each taste helps you appreciate the depth of each layer of flavor. Finish: The finish is brief, and closes with a final kick of black pepper spice and honeyed wheat toast before receding from the palate with slightly sweeter flavors like caramel and sugar cookies. Bottom Line: While Hard Truth’s flagship bourbon is a bit burlier and more robust, something typical bourbon drinkers can sink their teeth into, this Bottled in Bond version offers a bit more finesse. What comes with that lighter touch is a bit more nuance, with a wider array of flavors adding to your overall enjoyment. This is a softer, more approachable Indiana bourbon, but one that definitely lives up to the state’s high standards. 13. William Dalton Bottled In Bond Wheated Bourbon Spirits of French Lick ABV: 50% Average Price: $60 The Whiskey: Spirits of French Lick, so-named because it’s roughly 3 minutes from its more famous sister town, is doing a ton of interesting things. Case in point: this straight bourbon whiskey, which uses a mash bill of 70% corn, 20% wheat, and 10% 2-row Caramel malt. One of this expression’s defining characteristics is that it uses both the brand’s “house” yeast and a second brandy yeast. Furthermore, this bourbon relies partially on malolactic fermentation and is 100% double pot distilled. With a barrel entry proof of 105, after maturation, this bourbon is bottled without chill filtration. It’s all that attention to detail that makes this one so unique. Tasting Notes: Nose: On the nose, William Dalton opens with orange blossom, eucalyptus, white flowers, and caramel. It’s a pretty light aroma profile that rewards repeat nosings with deeper accents like sage, peppercorn, and gentle oak tones. Palate: Once on the palate, this whiskey becomes a bit more expressive as the caramel from the aroma bouquet takes center stage, bringing along accents of black tea, potting soil, clover honey, and sage. At midpalate, some of those earthy tones are tempered as honeysuckle and candied orange peel notes emerge more assertively. Finish: On the succinct finish, this whiskey closes with a flourish of mint, black pepper, semi-bitter plum skin, and nutmeg. Bottom Line: Atypical production practices yield an atypical whiskey, as William Dalton Bottled In Bond eschews some of the funkier notes associated with pot still distillation and wheated bourbon, taking things in an altogether different direction. Despite the unexpected flavors present in this one, it’s a fun and most importantly, balanced ride that’s worth the price. 12. Taconic Dutchess Reserve Bourbon Taconic Distillery ABV: 45% Average Price: $42 The Whiskey: Taconic Distillery, established in 2014 and located in Stanfordville, New York, is one of the state’s lesser-known bourbon producers, but they’re not short on high-quality output. This Dutchess Reserve Bourbon is aged for a minimum of five years and distilled from a mash bill of 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% barley. Tasting Notes: Nose: On the nose, this whiskey begins with some coconut milk, light cocoa, corn pudding, and honey. It’s a decidedly sweet aroma profile with subtle accents of black pepper spice, nutmeg, and vanilla. Palate: On the palate, this whiskey packs more punch than its nosing notes. Brown sugar, buttered croissants, and faint cherry notes form the base while vanilla frosting, cinnamon, and a splash of cocoa round things out. Finish: The finish is pretty brief here, but it’s full of the coconut notes from the nose, as well as some cacao nibs and coffee bean notes. Bottom Line: Taconic Distillery may not be as well-known as its peers in the big city, but it’s still got several eye-catching expressions. This Dutchess Reserve Bourbon is a prime example of what the distillery can do. Believe me, it’s a winner — especially for the price. 11. Fort Hamilton Single Barrel Bourbon Fort Hamilton Distillery ABV: 47.5% Average Price: $60 The Whiskey: Fort Hamilton, the young distillery nestled in Brooklyn, New York, has been putting out some really cool whiskeys for a while now, but naturally, it’s the single-barrel bourbon that’s piqued American whiskey enthusiasts’ interest. Age stated at 4 years old; this particular bottling comes from barrel #5. Tasting Notes: Nose: The nosing notes open with corn pudding, cinnamon, honey, and youthful oak, which is indicative of this whiskey’s age while also defying it by coalescing in a rich, aromatic harmony. Palate: On the palate, this whiskey brings a ton of almonds, clove, cinnamon, and cedar. It’s a light and sprightly sip that easily rolls over the tongue and delivers a mix of classic, youthful bourbon notes with rich, well-developed flavors more commonly associated with older juice. Finish: The finish is fairly brief
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