Brian Nagele
Making craft cocktails is becoming more popular and accessible, and more people are purchasing specialty spirits for their home liquor cabinets. From blended whiskeys to infused whiskeys, there are multiple ways that distillers add the cinnamon flavor to traditional whiskey.
Cinnamon whiskey is a spicy spirit that is great for a shot or to add to a mixed drink. This whiskey is the life of any party; it can be a fun and festive addition to a celebratory cocktail.
Finding the best cinnamon whiskeys was a challenge, and I tried numerous versions to ensure the best cinnamon flavors were present in my recommendations.
Learning more about various types of whiskey can enhance your palate and help you discover which spirits you enjoy most.
From well-known distilleries like Jack Daniel’s to specialty distilleries like Sunfire, one of these recommendations for cinnamon whiskeys will satisfy your taste buds!
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire
The foundation of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire is the classic Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7. The infamous Tennessee whiskey is blended with cinnamon liqueur to create a robust spiciness.
The Jack Daniels distillery first attempted a flavored whiskey when they made Jack Daniel’s Honey, and after their success, the distillers turned their attention to cinnamon.
I enjoyed Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire in a cold shot glass followed by a glass of a light, crisp pilsner beer–a combination the Jack Daniel’s company calls “The Fire Extinguisher.” Another tasty cocktail is the Cinnamon Smashed Apple with one part Tennessee Fire, one part sour mix, and topped with apple cider.
Jim Beam Kentucky Fire Whiskey
Jim Beam’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is blended with a cinnamon liqueur to create Jim Beam Kentucky Fire Whiskey. The fire whiskey is perfect for a drink on a cold night and highlights the seasonal flavors of fall and winter.
I tried the fire whiskey mixed in warm apple cider. It was the perfect fall drink to have by an outdoor bonfire.
Other ways to drink the Jim Beam Kentucky Fire Whiskey include a shot or a cocktail like the Great Beam on Fire with three parts ginger ale and one part Jim Beam Kentucky Fire, garnished with a lemon wedge.
Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Whiskey
The Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Whiskey is a 91.1 proof bottle of tasty cinnamon-flavored whiskey. Heaven Hill Distillery in Kentucky bottles Cinerator. You can find this whiskey at a moderate price point, usually around twenty dollars. It is certainly a fun addition to a party atmosphere.
The company recommends various shots to try with the cinnamon whiskey, like the Cin Tickler with one ounce of Cinerator and one ounce of orange liqueur or the Cinnabomb with equal parts Cinerator and RumChata.
The Cinerator’s slogan is “some like it shot,” so it’s fair to say that the best way to drink it is in single-ounce pours.
Stillhouse Moonshine Red Hot Whiskey
Stillhouse sells their corn whiskey in tin, rectangular metal canteens specifically designed for the outdoor adventurer to go where glass bottles cannot go, like on the beach or at a campsite.
Stillhouse Moonshine Red Hot Whiskey is a blend of corn whiskey infused with natural cinnamon. Stillhouse is a gluten-free product.
The stainless steel tin allows the whiskey to get very cold in the refrigerator; the creator intends for you to drink chilled shots straight from the canteen. The red hot whiskey is best cold; I enjoyed it on the rocks.
Evan Williams Cinnamon Reserve
Evan Williams has created a handful of flavored and seasonal whiskeys like honey, apple, and spiced cider. Along those lines, the distillery crafted the Evan Williams Cinnamon Reserve whiskey.
Using Evan Williams Straight Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey and adding specialty liquors is how the company blended the flavors to create something new and delicious.
The Evan Williams brand has created signature cocktails to help patrons enjoy their creations. For instance, my favorite is the Southern Cinn, which is equal parts Evan Williams cinnamon whiskey, Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, and Apple Liqueur, topped with a splash of club soda. Also, try the White Heat, a shot made with whiskey and cream liquor.
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey
Most people are familiar with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey; it is a well-known product sold in stores and bars across the country.
The Sazerac Company produces Fireball, a blend of Canadian whisky and cinnamon liqueur. Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey has been in production since the 1980s, well before some of the other distilleries tried their hand at creating a cinnamon-infused product.
The Sazerac Company has crafted various cocktails that use Fireball. I enjoyed the Cinnamon Toast shot with equal parts Fireball Whisky and Chila Orchata. Other popular drinks include the Fireball and Cream Soda and the Fireball Smash, made with lemon juice and fresh mint.
Check out other Fireball mixer ideas here.
Yukon Jack Wicked Hot Cinnamon Whiskey
Yukon Jack Wicked Hot Liquor combines Canadian whiskey with delightful cinnamon. The brand is named after pioneer Leroy Napoleon ‘Jack’ McQuesten, one of the first people to explore the Yukon territory. Yukon Jack is specifically crafted as a warming agent on a cold night.
The company recommends trying the Fire and Cola with one part Hot Cinnamon Whiskey and two parts Cola. I enjoyed the hot cinnamon whiskey in a shot glass with a beer chaser.
The distillery’s motto is “only the strong survive,” and I would add that not only do you survive this shot, but you also thrive!
Jeremiah Weed Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey
Jeremiah Weed is a company that distills bourbon whiskey in Connecticut. The Jeremiah Weed Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey is a spicy spirit with notes of vanilla and oak. The Jeremiah Weed company began its distilling path by creating and swerving a sweet tea flavored vodka, so the company is an expert on flavors.
The blend stays true to the underlying whiskey flavor making this cinnamon whiskey a favorite for classic cocktails like an old-fashioned.
I enjoyed the Jeremiah Weed Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey in a cup of coffee with some hazelnut coffee creamer; it is also delicious in other hot beverages.
Bird Dog Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey
The foundation of the Bird Dog Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey is Kentucky bourbon with a heavy cinnamon flavor. Its warm and spicy notes are perfect for warming up on a cold winter night. Enjoy the Bird Dog Hot Cinnamon whiskey in warm apple cider for a pleasant seasonal cocktail.
Bird Dog has been distilling flavored whiskeys since 2010 and is the most awarded flavored whiskey on the market. In addition to the hot cinnamon, the distillery produces thirteen additional flavors like salted caramel, blackberry, and grapefruit.
The Bird Dog Hot Cinnamon is an excellent addition to your whiskey cabinet for a nice creative twist on classic cocktails.
Sinfire Cinnamon Whisky
Sinfire Cinnamon Whisky is a combination of blended Canadian whiskey and cinnamon flavors. Hood River Distillery produces it in Oregon’s city of the same name.
The distillery has been making and selling its cinnamon whiskey since 2012, but the distillery has been producing other bourbons, fruit wines, and brandy since the 1930s.
My favorite cocktail with Sinfire Cinnamon Whiskey is the Sinfire Toddy with two ounces of Sinfire, a squeeze and slice of Lemon Juice, and a cube or a tableau of Brown Sugar and finished by pouring boiling water over the concoction.
Cinnamon whiskey is a specialty flavored whiskey that many well-established distilleries have produced. It is tasty to drink as a shot, on the rocks, or in various cocktails. A bottle of cinnamon whiskey is always a welcome addition to a party and is incredibly delicious during colder months.
If you are seeking more information about different types of whisky, read our take on the Top 13 Whiskey Brands for Beginners.
Additionally, if you like cinnamon whiskey, you should try other flavored whiskeys on the market, which have seen an enormous surge in popularity in the last five years!
