Nothing can replace a favorite watering hole, but a healthy pour of something delicious at home is a respectable alternative—one most of us have taken liberal advantage of as our beloved bars and restaurants have been forced to close. Fortunately, there were many excellent options to choose from.

Smaller craft distilleries were hit much, much harder by the pandemic than the big brands, most of which didn’t suffer, at least financially. So while it can’t be denied that the large “comfort brands” continued to release some really good spirits in 2020, it’s remarkable that the craft world was able to put out some stellar bottles as well. Let’s recognize all of these spirits, because when you find something pleasurable in trying times, even if it’s small and perhaps inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, it’s worth celebrating.