Best whiskey: how to choose, and rare bottles in Westford

The best whiskey is the one that suits how you plan to drink it: a bourbon for sweetness, a rye for spice, a Scotch for depth, an Irish whiskey for something smooth. If you are hunting for rare bottles, start with the whiskey shelves at CBC Liquors in Westford and ask us at the counter.

What makes a whiskey the best one for you?

There is no single best whiskey, because the word covers very different drinks. A sweet, vanilla-heavy bourbon and a smoky Islay Scotch have almost nothing in common except the grain they started from.

Start with what you already like. If you enjoy caramel and baked flavors, look at bourbon. If you prefer peppery and dry, look at rye. If you like smoke and malt, Scotch is the place to go. If you want something easy and light, Irish whiskey is a good start.

Then think about how you will drink it. A bottle for sipping neat can be different from a bottle for an Old Fashioned or a highball.

Which style should you start with: bourbon, rye, Scotch or Irish?

Bourbon is American whiskey made from at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. That is where the sweetness and vanilla come from. Our bourbon section is the natural first stop, and Bulleit Bourbon and Knob Creek Straight Bourbon Whiskey are two familiar bottles to compare.

Rye uses mostly rye grain and tastes spicier and drier. It is the classic choice in a Manhattan.

Scotch is made in Scotland, usually from malted barley, and ranges from soft and fruity to peaty and smoky. Johnnie Walker Black Label is a blend that shows the balanced side.

Irish whiskey is typically triple distilled and gentle on the palate. Jameson Irish Whiskey is the one most people know.

What counts as a rare whiskey bottle?

Rare usually means one of a few things: a limited release made in small batches, an older age statement, a single barrel pick, or a bottle the maker allocates to shops in small numbers. Rarity and quality are not the same thing. A hard-to-find bottle can be excellent or simply scarce.

Because supply is limited, these bottles rarely sit on a shelf for long. Our allocated items page is the place to look first for bottles that are handled that way.

How do you find rare bottles at CBC Liquors?

Check the whiskey category for what is in stock today, then look at the allocated items page. With 4,559 products and 1,880 brands in stock across the shop, the range changes, so it is worth looking more than once.

If you want something specific, such as a certain bourbon release or an older Scotch, come in to 142 Littleton Rd and ask. For bottles that are not on the shelf, the kegs and special order request page is where requests are sent.

We will not promise a particular rare bottle will be available. We can tell you what is here now and take your request.

What about Japanese, Indian and other world whiskeys?

If you want something beyond the usual, there are more styles to explore. Japanese whiskey is often made in a Scotch-inspired way, with a clean, delicate profile. Indian single malt tends to mature quickly in a warmer climate, which can give it a rich flavor.

There are also Canadian whiskies, which are usually light and smooth, and American whiskey beyond straight bourbon.

Trying a different region is often the most interesting way to find a bottle you will not see everywhere.

What is a good everyday whiskey?

Not every bottle has to be rare. For mixing and regular pours, Jim Beam Original is a straightforward bourbon, and Jameson works well in a ginger highball.

For something flavored, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey is on our best sellers list, and there is a wider flavored whiskey section if you want to look around.

If you are making cocktails, pick up what you need from our mixers too.

How should you taste and store a good bottle?

Pour a small amount into a glass, smell it first, then sip. Adding a few drops of water can open up the flavors. Ice mutes some of the aroma, so many people save it for casual drinking.

Store bottles upright, away from sunlight and heat. Unlike wine, whiskey does not mature in the bottle, and an opened bottle holds up well for a long time if the cap is tight.

Please enjoy it responsibly and only if you are 21 or older.

Can you get whiskey picked up, delivered or shipped?

Yes. Besides walking in, CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match store hours: Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM. Delivery runs a little earlier, ending at 7:30 PM Sunday, 8:30 PM Monday to Thursday and 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday.

We serve Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. See our delivery areas for your town. Our shipping policy covers the details for shipped orders.