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American Whiskey Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to American whiskey
American whiskey is made from a variety of grains, each contributing unique flavors to the final product. If you're searching for an American whiskey but don't know where to start, Instacart is here to help. Our buying guide can help you find the perfect whiskey for any occasion. We also make shopping easy. Use the Instacart app to add whiskey to your cart, and our dedicated shoppers will deliver it to your home, often in as little as 2 hours!
About American whiskey
American whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented cereal grains such as rye, wheat, and corn. American whiskey is known for its deep amber color, heat, and sweet, smoky flavors.
To be called an American whiskey, a whiskey must be:
- Made in the United States.
- Distilled to a maximum of 80% ABV.
- Free of caramel, colorings, and flavorings.
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels.
There is no minimum time for aging an American whiskey.Â
Types of American whiskey
Bourbon is an American whiskey made from 51% corn. Bourbon is, by far, the most sought-after American whiskey on the market. Bourbon is sweet and smoky, with pronounced caramel flavors. Blanton's Wild Turkey, Ezra Brooks, and Evan Williams are popular bourbon brands.Â
Rye whiskey is a minimum of 51% rye, although most rye distillers use much more than that. American rye whiskey is usually spicy with heightened fruit flavors. Bulleit Rye, WhistlePig, and Heaven's Door Straight Rye are examples of rye American whiskey.
Rye malt whiskey is 51% malted rye grain. It's similar to rye whiskey but with softer flavors and less spice. Examples of American rye malt whiskey include Old Pogue and Old Potrero.
Malt whiskey is 51% malted barley. These whiskies are usually darker and sweeter than other American whiskeys. Five Fathers Pure Malt Rye Whiskey and Coppersea Straight Rye Malt Whiskey are well-known American malt whiskey brands.
Wheat whiskey is a 51% wheat mash. These whiskeys are smooth and subtly sweet, with flavors of vanilla and toffee. Bernheim Original and Maker's Mark are prime examples of American wheat whiskey.
Tennessee whiskey is a straight bourbon whiskey made in Tennessee. Four brands carry this label, including Jack Daniels, George Dickel, Collier and McKeel, and Benjamin Prichard.
Corn whiskey is unique among all other American whiskeys. Corn whiskey is 80% corn and does not have to be aged. Corn whiskey is sweet and has creamy flavors of butter and honey. Platte Valley Corn Whiskey and George Dickel No. 1 White Corn Whiskey are popular corn whiskeys.
Blended whiskeys contain 20% straight American whiskey and 80% other spirits, colors, and flavorings. Straight whiskey is a blend of 100% whiskey, with no added extras. Most of the American whiskeys on the shelves are straight whiskeys.
Light whiskey is a label given to any whiskey that has more than 80% ABV. These whiskeys are lightly flavored and often colorless. Examples include Coyote 100 Light Whiskey and Weaver's Spirits Mount Massive Expression American Light Whiskey.
Spirit whiskey is a neutral spirit that contains 5-19% straight whiskey, with the remainder of the mix filled with high-proof alcohols. Spirit whiskey is clear with sweet flavors. American Spirit Whiskey and Black Box Spirit Whiskey are popular spirit whiskeys.
How to enjoy American whiskey
If you are drinking American whiskey straight or in a cocktail, look for a mid- or top-shelf brand. Serve your whiskey at room temperature to enhance its flavors and aromas. Cocktails made with whiskey include the whiskey sour and the Manhattan. Whiskey is also a great addition to barbecue sauces and baked goods.Â
Whiskey is the perfect partner to seafood, steak, and cheese. Sweet whiskeys are great companions to fruit-based desserts and chocolate.
American Whiskey Near Me
Buy your favorite American Whiskey online with Instacart. Order American Whiskey from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about American whiskey
Protect your American whiskey from temperature extremes and sunlight by storing it in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cupboard. Always keep your opened whiskeys tightly sealed to prevent evaporation of the alcohol. Drink opened whiskeys within two years.
Instacart makes it easy to get your favorite whiskey delivered straight to your home. When you purchase whiskey with us, please note the following:
- We can only sell alcohol to you if you are 21 years or older.
- At this time, we are unable to fulfill special requests for alcohol.
- If the whiskey you ordered is out of stock, your shopper will work with you to find an acceptable replacement. If a replacement is unavailable, your shopper will remove the item from your order and refund your money.
- Whiskey cannot substitute for a nonalcoholic item.
- When your whiskey is delivered, you must provide an acceptable ID to your shopper.
- For everyone's safety, our shoppers cannot deliver whiskey to a visibly intoxicated person.
Instacart accepts U.S. driver's licenses, state-issued IDs, and military IDs. You can also use your U.S. passport unless your whiskey is part of a Walmart, Costco, or California-based order.
Your shopper will scan or manually enter your ID information when they deliver your whiskey. California, Walmart, and Costco prohibit the manual entry of ID information.