Best Non Alcoholic Whiskey & Bourbon (2025 Taste-Tested & Reviewed)
/A review of my favourite non alcoholic whiskey and bourbon alternatives!
Looking for the best non-alcoholic whiskey or bourbon? You’re not alone. All I wanted when I stopped drinking was either a glass of wine or a whiskey cola - and I wouldn’t have turned down an Old Fashioned either! Lucky for me, alcohol free whiskey has really evolved and expanded in the past few years, and even though it’s still a challenge to find something with the burn of real whiskey, there are some winners that taste very similar to real whiskey. This curated list features the best non-alcoholic whiskey alternatives I’ve found, whether you want something on the rocks or something for a mocktail!
Quick Comparison: Best Non-Alcoholic Whiskey & Bourbon of 2025
How do they make non-alcoholic whiskey?
Anyone want to geek out on whiskey distilling and dealcoholization? No probably not - you’re just here for the reviews! But in a nutshell, there are three main approaches: (1) start with a real spirit and remove alcohol via low-temperature vacuum distillation or membrane filtration which is effective but removes a lot of body and aroma, (2) build from a neutral base (water/glycerin) with botanical distillates and aroma isolates—think oak and vanilla, clove/cinnamon spice, a hint of smoke—plus acids/tannins for grip and ginger/capsicum for “burn” or 3) combine these methods for a double whammy - remove alcohol, then flavour compounding. This is becoming the most common method. At the end of the day though, ethanol is a big flavor carrier, so body and finish are hard to replicate, which is why NA whiskey shines best in mocktails rather than sipping neat.
Taste Testing Non-Alcoholic Bourbon & Whiskey
I’ve taste-tested dozens of bottles to find the best of the best (and some of the worst). These are the standouts for flavour, balance, and mixability, with links for where to buy everything.
Below, you’ll find my top picks, updated for fall 2025. I tested these non-alcoholic whiskeys and bourbons through the following ways:
how does it taste on it’s own (without ice)
how does it taste on the rocks aka. can you sip it neat on the rocks?
does it work mixed with Coke/Diet Coke (whiskey and coke is my favourite simple mixed drink)
I hope you enjoy my selections and let me know if you’ve tried any of them in the comments section! Cheers!
Alcohol-Free Whiskeys & Bourbons for 2025
1. NKD Distillery Whiskey - BEST OVERALL!
Best for: everything!
Tasting notes: Dare I say, this is one of the first alcohol free whiskeys that truly drinks like a whiskey. I think it’s the best zero proof option that exists! Even after testing six months later than the initial tasting, it still stands up as the best compared to the rest in the category. It burns clean just like a Crown Royal whiskey, and it’s not just an overload of capiscum which is what so many n/a alternatives use to mimic alcohol. There’s a subtle smokiness and a touch of sweetness - almost like vanilla bean. You can absolutely taste this mixed into a jack and coke. It’s worth the investment, whether you like simple mixed drinks or whether you are aiming to make a more complicated non-alcoholic cocktail.
2. Dochus Smokey Isle Scotch
Best for: The Scotch Whisky lover and a crackling fire
Tasting notes: This is a fantastic non-alcoholic scotch! The aroma and the taste are excellent dupes of the real thing, with a nice strong peaty, wood-smoke taste and a slight burn on the tongue. It doesn’t taste watered down, but rather has that delicate balance of viscosity and flavour. This bottle stands out because it’s one of the few you can sip straight on the rocks!
**Hard to find in U.S., but available widely in Canada through online retailers
3. Free Spirits Spirit of Bourbon
Best for: Bourbon fans
Tasting notes:
Free Spirits is the OG in the zero proof drinks space, and in fact, their bourbon was one of their first products (and their tequila is one of my absolute favourites!). The Spirit of Bourbon is a beautiful and elegant zero proof spirit that has all the best parts of bourbon, but no alcohol. It has lovely malty, caramel notes on the palette and a gentle burn that complements the mellow flavours. You could absolutely sip this on the rocks (rare for a non-alcoholic bourbon) and have a great experience, but it also stands up really nicely in mixed drinks and mocktails (great in a simple n/a whiskey cola). In an Old Fashioned, it’s nice and mellow and meshes nicely with the sugar and bitters without overwhelming. It packs a nutritional punch with B12 and other nutrients, so you’re getting some positive health benefits from every drink. I love it!
(Available in Canada through most online retailers)
4. Spiritless Kentucky 74
Best for: Making spirit-forward non alcoholic cocktails
Tasting notes:
Spiritless Kentucky 74 is a distilled non-alcoholic bourbon and is a great dupe for a Kentucky bourbon. The aroma has a nice sharp peppery bite, and on the palette you have gentle bittersweet notes mixed with a slight medicinal tang. It’s not as sippable on the rocks as some other options, and is a little bit watery/thin, but it mixes really well into simple mocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. As always, expectations will get the better of you with this one unless you approach it as a good drink ingredient and not an exact bourbon dupe!
(15% OFF EVERYTHING IN YOUR BASKET AT THE ZERO PROOF WITH THE LINK BELOW - NO CODE NEEDED, DISCOUNT APPLIED AT CHECKOUT)
5. Cut Above Whiskey
Best for: Whiskey cola and other simple mixed drinks
Tasting notes:
Cut Above Whiskey is produced right in the heart of Bourbon country. It has a nice sweet heat laced with vanilla, with a tiny hint of cherry and very laid back oak notes. This drink is a mood! It's delicious mixed with basic sodas because it adds a bite with lots of flavour to your drink. It does use potassium sorbate as a preservative, so there is a very minimal salty flavor, but it doesn't detract from the overall experience when its mixed into a drink.
6. Bare Zero Proof
Best for: Old fashioned cocktail/mocktail
Tasting notes:
I didn’t love the taste of this one on it’s own, but it’s absolutely fantastic in a classic old fashioned. Firstly, it smells like a vanilla candle which is a little bit off-putting. The taste is interesting. It’s very vanilla-forward and somewhat sweet for my tastes, but there IS an abundance of charred oak which is whiskey adjacent. It’s spicy, so I had high hopes for it to work in a whiskey cola but I literally could not taste it in the mixed mocktail, even with an added 1/2 oz (to the 1 oz pour). However, it’s sweet enough to drink on its own on the rocks and as mentioned it works really well in an old fashioned, so that’s why it’s on the list here. I encourage you to try it and see what you think.
(15% OFF EVERYTHING AT THE ZERO PROOF WITH THE BUTTON BELOW - NO CODE NEEDED, DISCOUNT APPLIED AT CHECKOUT)
7. Spiritless SPICED Kentucky 74
Best for: Autumn and holiday mocktails
Tasting notes:
Just like the classic Spiritless, this alcohol-free Kentucky 74 has a great flavour profile and texture, but has added notes of cinnamon to give this option a festive spin. It's great for sipping on ice, with the sweet heat of cinnamon combining nicely with the expected bourbon flavours of oak and caramel. This option works really well in mocktails with apple, caramel, pumpkin or other seasonal flavours. If you want to make festive holiday party mocktails, this is the bottle to buy as you can be super creative with the recipes you're trying with it.
(15% OFF EVERYTHING AT THE ZERO PROOF WITH THE LINK BELOW - NO CODE NEEDED)
8. Lyre's American Malt
Best for: Whiskey Soda or Whiskey sours
Tasting notes:
Lyre's American Malt was one of the first zero proof whiskeys on the market. It's produced in Australia, and it's an elegant and complex dupe of the real thing. It's great in a whiskey sour, or just mixed with some soda and bitters for a simple mocktail option.
9. Monday Whiskey
Best for: Cool and crisp mocktails
Tasting notes:
Monday non-alcoholic whiskey is not the best option, but because it tastes so unique, I added it to this list. It’s very cinnamon-forward - flavourful with an unexpected depth for a zero proof product. There are the obvious spicy notes people have come to accept as a way to replicate the ‘burn’ of alcohol, but beyond that lies a caramelized malty barrel-aged flavour reminiscent of a Tennessee whiskey filtered with sugar maple charcoal. Because of the sweet backbone, Monday non-alcoholic whiskey pairs really well with crisper and cooler flavours with no need to add simple syrup or other sweeteners
(15% OFF EVERYTHING AT THE ZERO PROOF WITH THE LINK BELOW - NO CODE NEEDED)
This guide was created by me, Sarah Kate, editor of Some Good Clean Fun and IWSC No/Low Alcohol judge, and I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of non-alcoholic wines and spirits since 2020.
Non-Alcoholic Whiskey FAQs
What is non alcoholic whiskey and does it contain alcohol?
Most non alcoholic whiskey alternatives are spirit-free blends or dealcoholized products designed to deliver oak, spice, and vanilla notes without intoxication. Many are 0.0% ABV; some are up to 0.5% ABV—similar to kombucha. Check each label.
How do they make non alcoholic whiskey?
Two common methods: remove alcohol from a real spirit using low-temperature (vacuum) distillation or filtration, or build flavors from a neutral base using botanical distillates/aroma isolates (oak, vanilla, spice, smoke), with acids/tannins for structure and gentle heat sources like ginger or capsicum.
Which non alcoholic whiskey is best for an Old Fashioned?
Choose bourbon-style bottles with vanilla, oak, and a little heat. Look for brands that hold up to bitters and sugar and don’t get watery on ice. See the “Best for Old Fashioned” pick near the top of this page.
Why do some NA whiskeys taste thin or sweet?
Removing ethanol reduces body and aroma carry, so some formulas add sweetness to round out edges. Serving slightly chilled over a large cube, and using bitters, helps balance thinness in cocktails.
Does non alcoholic whiskey burn like alcohol?
There’s no ethanol burn, but some products use ginger, pepper, or capsicum for a gentle warming finish. These cues work well in cocktails and are milder than the alcohol bite of traditional whiskey.
Can you drink non-alcoholic whiskey and bourbon straight?
Yes — many alcohol-free whiskey can be sipped neat or on the rocks. HP Single Malt is the best brand to drink on the rocks, followed by NKD Distillery.
Does non-alcoholic whiskey taste like real whiskey?
Some brands come surprisingly close! While they lack the alcohol burn, top picks like NKD Distillery and HP Single Malt offer smoky malt notes that mimic traditional whiskey distilling.
Where can I buy non-alcoholic whiskey in the U.S. and Canada?
In the U.S., you’ll find lots of options on Amazon and at retailers like The Zero Proof and Boisson. Canadian shoppers can try Sobr Market, Dry Variety, or Well.ca. Always check if shipping is available to your region.
Is non-alcoholic whiskey good for mocktails?
Absolutely! These whiskey and bourbon options are perfect for classic mocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Whiskey Sour. Look for ones with a strong smoky flavor and a clean heat so they stand out with other ingredients.
Our Favourite Mocktail Recipes with Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
Making mocktails without booze can be hard. Replicating the real thing with non alcoholic spirits is coming closer to being like the real experience. Here are a few easy and simple recipes to get you started experimenting with zero proof options to see what flavours you like for your mocktails.
Recipe #1: Sober Sundays
This is a drink that helps elevate a basic cocktail with a classic non alcoholic spirit.
Ingredients:
3 oz Lyre's Spirits Co American Malt or other zero-proof alternative
1/2 oz. maple syrup (or to taste)
1/2 oz lemon juice
club soda
Preparation:
Add the first three ingredients to a shaker with minimal square ice, and shake to chill for 5-8 seconds.
Strain into a chilled Collins glass with ice.
Top with club soda and enjoy.
Recipe #2: Non-alcoholic Whiskey Highball
This is as EASY as it gets!
The trick to this drink is making sure to use extra non-alcoholic bourbon, and use ginger ale without too much heat, like Canada Dry. This helps the flavour of the bourbon shine through and combine with the gentle heat from the ginger ale.
Ingredients:
2.5 oz Free Spirits Spirit of Bourbon
3-4 oz ginger ale (any type - diet, regular, don't use ginger beer as it will over)
Ice
Preparation:
Add non-alcoholic bourbon to the bottom of the glass.
Add ice and stir to chill
Top with chilled ginger ale
Where can you buy alcohol-free whiskey?
Visit our list of Where To Buy Non-Alcoholic Drinks in the U.S.
Or for Canada, our list is at Where To Buy Alcohol-Free Drinks.
