Having the very unique role of booze reporter, I've sampled over 150 of the best bourbons, Scotches, ryes, and more. However, many people in my life don't drink, and I understand that there are a diverse range of reasons someone might opt for zero-proof spirits. Fortunately, non-alcoholic whiskey has come a long way in the last few years, and there are plenty of high-quality options — whether you're embracing a dry lifestyle or just want to enjoy a mocktail once in a while.
I tested six of the best non-alcoholic whiskeys, compared their flavor profiles to Big Nose Kate Western Whiskey (90 proof), and assessed their performance in mocktails. My wife, who does not drink alcohol, and a friend who has been sober for 19 years joined me in a blind taste test to supply diverse perspectives. Two standouts emerged: Free Spirits Spirit of Bourbon and Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey. Here's what set them apart and how the other contenders measured up. If you're looking for other zero-proof beverages, check out our guide to the best non-alcoholic drinks.
Our top picks of the best non-alcoholic whiskey
Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon is one of the best non-alcoholic whiskies we’ve tested. It offers a nice complexity, combining anise, a hint of citrus, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream with graham cracker.
Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey has a flavor evocative of Tootsie Rolls and a long, pleasant finish. We love it as a non-alcoholic alternative to our favorite whiskeys.
Best overall: Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon
When tasted neat, we unanimously agreed that Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon was the best non-alcoholic whiskey, with notes of citrus, anise, and vanilla-graham. I've tried many of the Free Spirits line up, including their non-alcoholic spirits and canned cocktails that Free Spirits offers, and The Spirit of the Bourbon is sippable on its own or in a mixed drink.
When we sampled it in non-alcoholic Old Fashioneds, this was Erin's favorite. It was my sober friend Amber and I's second favorite.
Erin thought the Free Spirits Bourbon mocktail had a stronger spice flavor than others, reminiscent of chai. Amber noted that it smelled like cider, but with a hint of bite. "I think I'd like to try this one hot," she added.
With sweetness dominating, I didn't think the flavor was as complex as some others we sampled in Old Fashioneds, but it was still delicious. I picked up gingerbread notes.
Runner-up: Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey
Sampled neat, the Monday Zero Alcohol Whiskey ranked second, offering a Tootsie Roll-like sweetness with a bitter edge and lingering finish.
Sipping the Monday Zero-Alcohol Whiskey Old Fashioned, I caught a hint of prune on the nose while Amber smelled maple, which didn't come through on the palate. Instead, she found it fruity and evocative of Jim Beam. It "would be amazing in tea," she said. Amber and I thought the Monday Old Fashioned we made was the best.
This was Erin's second favorite; the creaminess reminded her of a cream soda. She liked the hint of spice on the tip of the tongue. I also appreciated the pleasant spice and depth of flavor.
Others we tasted
Ritual Whiskey Alternative featured light sweetness, baking spices, and floral notes.
Ritual Whiskey Alternative is a good choice if you like floral flavoring. None of us cared for the Ritual Zero Proof mocktail, but it may appeal to people who like floral notes in their beverages.
Gnista Barreled Oak was overly sweet with a one-dimensional, prune-like taste.
Yet, if you want a sweet mixer for your mocktail, you might find Gnista Barreled Oak more enjoyable than I did. The Gnista Old Fashioned was evocative of ginger ale with heavy sweetness and mild spice.
Lyre's American Malt disappointed with its thin, watery profile and faint spice.
I had high hopes for Lyre's since I'd previously enjoyed the brand's American Malt & Cola Premix Drink, their answer to Jack and Coke. The Lyre's Old Fashioned lacked flavor depth and reminded us of grape juice.
Spiritless Kentucky 74 is a solid option for cocktails, but not for drinking neat.
I don't care to drink Spiritless Kentucky 74 neat since it has a strong bitter flavor evocative of the infamously awful Malort, though not as extreme. However, it's a reasonable substitute for former drinkers who miss the "Kentucky hug" of bourbon. It sends a warm tingle as it travels down your throat, not as strong as a good whiskey but better than most non-alcoholic whiskeys.
Where the Kentucky 74 shined for me was in a mocktail. I used it in an Old Fashioned, which reminded me of the real thing. Sweetness and bitterness were well-balanced to produce a complex drink that didn't leave me wondering where the alcohol was.
I'd recommend this option to people who want a non-alcoholic whiskey with some kick that can serve as a suitable substitute in whiskey cocktails.
How we tested
Our testing panel included myself, who has tested over 150 whiskeys, my wife (Erin), and our friend (Amber), who has been sober for 19-years. We sampled whiskeys neat and in non-alcoholic Old Fashioneds.
For a fair comparison, we used a complicated system to ensure that we were all blind to which non-alcoholic whiskey was in each Old Fashioned. I chose an Old Fashioned for the comparison because it's one of the most popular whiskey cocktails.
Each Old Fashioned had the following ingredients:
- 2 ounces of non-alcoholic whiskey
- 2 teaspoons homemade honey-ginger syrup
- 3 dashes Stirrings Blood Orange Cocktail Bitters (non-alcoholic)
Other non-alcoholic options
If whiskey isn't your thing, we tested over 40 of the best non-alcoholic drinks that don't compromise taste. Among the highlights is Jukes 6, an impressive non-alcoholic wine with a complex, spice-forward profile, and the hoppy, 0.5% ABV Athletic Brewing Co.'s Run Wild if non-alcoholic beer is more up your alley.
My wife and I also sampled spirits and canned mocktails in a full Free Spirits review. As a mocktail connoisseur, my wife has been pairing Free Spirits Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo Milano with La Croix and a cherry garnish. She likes that it's not trying too hard to be an alcohol alternative, avoiding the syrupy or bitter notes common in this category.
Made from apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and a bunch of berries (11g sugar per bottle), this cordiality was formulated to be paired with food, and it does indeed play off the culinary flavors of wine-pairing favorites like steak and homemade meatballs.
This is a non-alcoholic alternative to Italian aperitifs like Campari, Cappelleti, or Aperol and can be used in traditional cocktail recipes, including Spritzes and Negronis. We tasted a flavor profile of clove, bitter orange, rhubarb, and cinnamon.
This mocktail combines roasted agave, lime, oak, tangerine, and pepper flavors with the brand’s Spirit of Tequila. It can be served directly from the can or over ice with traditional margarita garnishes.
The bottom line
I wouldn't casually drink any of the non-alcoholic whiskeys on their own. Yet, I'd gladly fix myself a mocktail using Monday or Free Spirits when I feel like having a fancy drink without alcohol. These two were the best.
If my non-drinking friend Amber is any indication, the non-alcoholic whiskeys may be a good option for people who are several years into their recovery and can handle a potential flavor trigger. She said she'd like to take the remainder of my samples after I'm done. If that isn't a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
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