Stillbrook Old Style Whiskey is one of those bottles that doesn't shout for attention on the shelf, but it probably should. Sitting at £31.95 and bottled at 40% ABV, this is an American whiskey that leans into the bourbon tradition without carrying the baggage of a confirmed distillery pedigree or an age statement. And honestly? That's not always a bad thing.
What we know is this: Stillbrook is an American whiskey with bourbon characteristics, bottled at the legal minimum of 40% ABV. There's no age statement, which in the American whiskey world typically means the liquid is at least four years old if it's a straight bourbon, though without that "straight" designation on the label, we're working with fewer guarantees. The lack of a confirmed distillery tells us this is likely a sourced whiskey — blended and bottled by a brand that's buying barrels rather than distilling its own spirit. That's more common than most people realise, and it's no mark against quality. Some of the best-value bourbons on the market are sourced.
What to Expect
At 40% ABV, you're looking at a whiskey that's been proofed down to be approachable. This isn't going to be a barrel-proof bruiser that strips paint off the walls — it's built for easy drinking. The "Old Style" branding suggests the producers are aiming for something traditional: think classic bourbon markers like caramel sweetness, a bit of vanilla from the charred oak, and that warm corn-forward body that makes bourbon what it is. At this price point, I'd expect a clean, uncomplicated pour that does exactly what it says on the tin.
The entry proof and final bottling strength matter here. When a whiskey comes down to 40%, you lose some of the bolder barrel-driven flavours that higher-proof expressions hold onto. But you gain drinkability. This is a whiskey that wants to be your Tuesday night pour, not your special occasion bottle — and there's genuine value in that.
The Verdict
I'm giving Stillbrook Old Style a 7.5 out of 10. It earns that score by being honest about what it is. At just under £32, you're getting a solid, dependable American whiskey that doesn't overcomplicate things. It's not trying to be Pappy Van Winkle, and it shouldn't be. What it offers is a genuine bourbon-style experience at a price that won't make you flinch when you're pouring a second glass or mixing it into a cocktail. For someone exploring American whiskey for the first time, or for the seasoned drinker who wants a reliable daily sipper, Stillbrook does the job well. The sourced origins don't bother me — I care about what's in the glass, and what's in the glass here is a perfectly capable whiskey at a fair price.
Best Served
This is a natural Old Fashioned whiskey. At 40% ABV, it won't bulldoze through the sugar and bitters — instead it'll work with them. Two dashes of Angostura, a barspoon of demerara syrup, a fat orange peel expressed over the top. The sweetness of the cocktail will complement the corn-forward character, and you'll get a drink that punches well above that £32 price tag. If cocktails aren't your thing, pour it neat with a single ice cube and let it open up for a few minutes. Sometimes the simplest serve is the right one.
