Rufus Teague Whiskey Maple BBQ Sauce

Rufus Teague Whiskey Maple BBQ Sauce comes in a flask-shaped bottle that signals intent from the first glance: this is not a grocery-aisle afterthought. Award-winning since 2005, the Wichita-based craft brand has built its reputation on bold ingredient combinations and a refusal to cut corners, and the Whiskey Maple expression is the clearest proof of that philosophy. Real bourbon whiskey and real maple syrup anchor a Kansas City-style base that also incorporates tamari for savory depth and raisin paste for a dark, jammy sweetness that sits below the primary maple note. The flavor profile is layered and genuinely surprising: the maple comes first, warm and rounded, followed by the bourbon's oak and vanilla undertone, then a mild-medium heat in the finish that keeps the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional. The sweetener stack is entirely natural — sugar, brown sugar, and maple syrup — with no HFCS, and the sauce is certified gluten-free and non-GMO. At 4.93 stars across 86 Amazon reviews, it holds some of the highest consumer ratings of any sauce on this list. The 15.25-ounce flask bottle retails around $7.99, putting it at roughly $0.52 per ounce — the second-highest price per ounce on the list after Bachan's. That premium is justified for the occasions where it shines: finishing a rack of ribs in the final baste, glazing a brisket flat at the wrap stage, pairing with bourbon cocktails at a premium backyard cookout, or finishing smoked chicken thighs with a sticky maple glaze. It is available at specialty grocery stores, BBQ supply retailers, and Amazon. For grillers who want a craft bottle reserved for special Saturday smoking sessions rather than everyday use, Rufus Teague is the most rewarding niche pick on this list.