"I had the grilled chicken with bourbon bbq sauce and garlic mashed potatoes with rice pilaf." more. But Id argue that Benchmark Bonded for $20 is such a big jump in quality and flavor that you should try that first. It's also flavorful, for the most part. In bourbon's infancy (you know, its "Early Times"), it seemed to be completely permissible for whiskeys to be a little rough around the edges. Yes, its a shooting and mixing whiskey but its so much more complex than this and only costs about $5-$7 more. Per American Whiskey Trail, early American whiskey was mostly made by amateurs and sold while it was still young and fiery, so it probably didn't taste all that great. Every other aspect nose, palate, and finish was horrible because the bourbon had an "overwhelming taste of leather and tobacco and a lot of bitterness." Imagine Kentucky Chewing on that. Fantastic whether you're sipping neat or mixing into a cocktail, this Barrel Strength Bourbon offers a palate of vanilla, orange peel, maple, and nutmeg, with a long, spice-filled finish. Another Distiller commentereven noted that it reminded them of a breath mint or menthol cigarettes, sans tobacco. So they blend it out into the cheap stuff. Generally, I log those and move on without slagging them off because its pretty obvious that a $7 plastic bottle of bourbon isnt going to be something anyone is going to line up to buy. Just get an Evan Williams White Label. This gives Maker's Mark a softer, richer flavor than rye-forward bourbons, with lots of caramel and fruit on the nose, and a pleasant hint of oak, according toBreaking Bourbon. Human beings like to think that an inflated price and a striking bottle means it must be good, right? But all things considered, it's a . Because theyre not going to just dump a barrel of whiskey into the gutter, right? It's most definitely a science and craft that takes extensive knowledge, time, practice, and patience to master. Literally any other bottle made at Beam from any of their brands, or just grab a Jim Beam Black Label. Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club Bourbon Blend. The Rankings: All 13 Bourbons, Ranked From Worst to Best. (as decided by me and in alphabetical order.) Top 10 bourbons over the last 12 months (based on number of units sold): Bulleit is the bestselling bourbon, according to Drizly. Celebrity Workouts Ab Workouts Leg Workouts Total-Body Workouts Arms Workouts Chest . Trey Herring's Carolina Bourbon Whiskey 6. It's like a story without any real plotline it may be entertaining, but you're bound to get confused and left wondering what just happened. So, that sounds like granola? The juice in the bottle is a year younger than a typical Jim Beam bourbon so three-ish years and it is cut way down to 80 proof for bottling. Rather, Widow Jane currently sources its bourbons from several undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, then barrel-ages and blends them which is how a nine-year-old company has been able to sell 10-year-old bourbon since its inception. Across the web, bourbon reviewers use almost identical adjectives to describe Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon. On the other hand, Malt gave low marks to their pricey ($85) Single Barrel 73-IV, noting its "awkward and unbalanced sensations." This bourbon is so sweet that it's been likened to a bottle of diabetes, and one reviewer on Flaviar said that the sweetness was bad enough to hurt their teeth. The Bourbon Bard lauds it as "the bourbon that made me love the actual taste of bourbon," and Breaking Bourbon called it "instantly likeable and pleasant with notes of caramel, honey, orange, and vanilla" with a nose revealing "an underlying layer of oak and mint." In short, Barton 1792 is nothing to write home about, but it offers solidly made bourbon that hits the right notes for those with traditional tastes. When Jefferson's master blender tapped the casks, the sugars in the bourbon had caramelized and turned into a viscous, black liquid. It allows them to customize their mash bill to fit their taste, since different grains produce different flavors. Until then, it was famed for being the drink of choice of President Grant, back in the 1870s which gave it a lot to hang its hat on as a brand. According to reviews on Distiller, this bourbon tastes cheap and burns going down. . The finish is pretty much what youd expect for a bottle under $20 with a quick, watery fade, leaving you with the distant and vague idea of caramel, masa, and sweet oak those features could be a leftover from the nose more than the actual taste. Literally tastes like dirt." Thirty One Whiskey writes that the name is supposed to represent the two stars on the Louisville city flag. And the similarities don't end there Basil Hayden's even boasts the same rye-forward malt bill as Old Grand-Dad. The Michter's range includes bourbon, rye, American whiskey, and sour mash whiskey. This has a very classic and spicy bourbon nose with clear hints of vanilla, oak, spice, and wood. Evan Williams Bourbon. And given the other options at this price point, there are definitely better spirits available to scratch your rye whiskey itch.". Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Four Roses Four Roses Four in the title, but the magic number here is 10. As 31 Whiskey noted, "Basil Hayden's is to Old Grand-Dad as Acura is to Honda." Bourbon drinkers unanimously agree thatPaddleford Creekis pretty vanilla. While its not mind-blowingly better, its miles ahead of Kentucky Tavern and that watered-down nature is gone allowing the flavor profile to shine through. And despite its eyebrow-raising alcohol content (100 proof, or 50% ABV), it feels warm on the tongue, not abrasively hot. The Private Release program has exploded, there is now a Gold Label tier for premium bourbon and rye whiskey and the named releases keep on coming after the success of Dovetail in late 2018.. It was intended from the start to be a premium brand a radical idea at the time when bourbon was seen as a working person's drink. This is the first bottle of whiskey I ever considered pouring down the drain. Knob Creek's Kentucky Straight Smoked Maple seems to be, according to some bourbon fans, a bad execution of a good idea. One Reddit usersums it up nicely by saying "There's nothing 'gentlemanly' about it." Its aged two more years and only proofed down to 100 proof. This bourbon from Lux Row is a wheated bourbon mash thats contract distilled partially off-site and partially made at the distillery. 90. "It's fun to throw into blind tastings," another user adds. Still, Four Roses deserves points for not being afraid to be different. This bourbon is aged six to eight years and has won multiple awards, including Whiskey of the Year by Whiskey Advocate in 2020 (via Kentucky Bourbon Trail). Established in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery is the creator of Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon, a small batch, wheated bourbon that comes out three times a year. The artificial and chemical taste was also a source of disgust on Distiller, with samplers commenting that it was heavy on the ethanol. The Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company makes beers, hard teas, and canned cocktails in addition to its bourbon line. The truth may be lost to time, but many of the original family-owned distilleries from the 1700s are still going strong, albeit under new corporate ownership in some cases. George Dickel is actually the flagship spirit from Cascade Hollow Distillery. If these famous individuals had more options, would they have still picked Old Crow? They usually disappear into cocktails or mixed drinks. And just because a bottom shelf bottle is made by, say, Willett or Heaven Hill or even Buffalo Trace does not mean its worth your time or money. So if you've ever enjoyed bourbon from Maker's Mark or Jim Beam, know that you've experienced a taste of early American history. This is the same mash thats used for bigger hitting brands like Eagle Rare, Stagg, and E.H. Taylor. Which only made you want to hate her more. In short, if Old Grand-Dad had a life philosophy, it was probably "go big or go home.". The palate is largely the same with a sense of watered-down apple juice, a hint more of that vanilla, some alcohol burn (almost inexplicably), and a touch of chocolate-covered cherries dipped in water. Basil Hayden's is such a case. It's the bestselling bourbon in the entire world (via VinePair ), so chances are that when the average consumer thinks about this particular whiskey type, Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the taste at the tip of their tongue. Eagle Rare 10 Year Old. This is easy, Wild Turkey 101 all day its only $20. That's how Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea was born. This universality is achieved by letting the juice rest in deeply charred oak for six to seven years before its cut down to 81 proof for bottling. Was the technique of aging bourbon in charred oak barrels, the signature step responsible for bourbon's unique flavor, invented by Elijah Craig in 1789, the Tarascon brothers in 1807, or, more prosaically, the improvisation of numerous distillers who charred the interiors of used fish barrels to deodorize and sterilize them? PerBreaking Bourbon, it features the expected caramel, toffee, and vanilla notes on the nose, followed by a hit of spice, oak, and butterscotch. First online real money wager only. Nobody wants to go see a two-star movie. So how are they? Mojo Old City BBQ. I think my wife's comments sum it up perfectly: "You can't make me put more in my mouth.". Its also an essential cocktail mixing bourbon for any bar cart. The palate is very thin but carries a fair amount of buttery caramel, a dash of black pepper, a hint of cinnamon, and more of that soft cedar. This introductory juice from Four Roses is a blend of all ten of their whiskeys. Weller 12. Its like its in an entirely different spirits category than Old Crow. Art of the Spirits Whiskey Cask Strength "Frogman" Straight Bourbon Whiskey. In any case, Widow Jane is finished with fresh water from somewhere. Getty Images for Bulleit Frontier Whiskey 1. This is an entry point whiskey from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, commonly known as Willett. And while some bourbon fans love this rough-and-ready style (Lynyrd Skynyrd gave the brand a shout-out in on of their songs, as noted byWhiskey Reviewer), it's definitely not for everyone, which is why we're putting it low on our list. A "small-batch bourbon" is a bourbon that's an amalgamation of a number of barrels, anywhere from 10-100. And while blended whiskies are fairly common, Four Roses is unusual in that almost all of its expressions are blends: the distillery "uses five proprietary yeast strains and two separate mashbills to develop 10 whiskey recipes." It's all good when you're drinking the best bourbon under $100: 6. 11 min read. Sipped or mixed, these star-studded faves are bar cart essentials. Numerous bourbon brands trace their roots to the 1800s or earlier. 8 Brand Average Price: roughly $12 ABV: 40% This cocktail mixes Scotch and/or Bourbon with maple syrup and bitters for a smoky-yet-sweet drink. Sounds like most of the finances for this experimental spirit were put to really good use in the marketing and branding department. Maybe the judges had incredibly tired palates by the time this disaster came up for judging. Hard pass. It actually dates back to 1879, after which a series of ownership changes resulted in its current name and product line. Health & Fitness. The steeliness of this is hard to get past sometimes. This mixture of grains is known as the mash bill. Sounds like some consumersfell hook, line, and sinker for a good story and mastermind publicity, ultimately ending up $50 short. Beyond that, its cut down to 80 proof with plenty of Kentucky limestone water and bottled in plastic. The Whiskey: A.D. Laws out in Colorado is renowned for its award-winning four-grain bourbons. While a wallop, Batch 033 still drinks surprisingly smooth, with notes of applesauce, candied . And why be disappointed (or even disgusted) when you can be satisfied for just a few bucks more? It goes without saying when a bourbon provokes a description like "vomit inducing turpentine," you should probably think twice before investing $50 for a bottle. This delicious and smooth bourbon has slight aromas of dark honey and brown butter. Apparently, to oneRedditor, it's Willet Pot Still. Old Grand-Dad doesn't do much for modern-day tasters, since it's only palatable as a mixeror preferably, not at all. Making a drink summery and wintery and pleasant to drink at the same time sounds like a fool's errand but Elijah Craig seems to have figured it out. And this is where brands like Evan Williams come in handy. Best $50 to $100 bourbon: Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon - See at Drizly Whoever Old Grand-Dad was, he didn't pull his punches. Old Foresters 86 Proof is a very straightforward whisky. Those who aren't knowledgeable about bourbon might be led to believe that a whiskey thief is someone who breaks into a rackhouse and escapes into the night with a full barrel of juice. But while easy to love, Buffalo Trace isn't always easy to find. Garrison Brothers is the first legal whiskey distillery outside of Kentucky, meaning they've obtained the proper permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to lawfully produce and distribute spirits through different businesses, vendors, and retailers (via Cobb & Counsel). The whiskey is made from 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted . $52 at ReserveBar. One Redditoreven claimed that they "poured it down the sink after a dram and felt bad for the drain and my wallet.". When you hear comments like that, it makes you wonder if this is the same bourbon that won a Silver Medal at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge and a Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Championships (via Liquor.com). In total, this whiskey has been aged between eight and 10 years and has actually won a Double Gold Medal for the bottle design, which is supposed to resemble the historic pot still that the distillery used for generations (via Caskers). Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is the second whiskey this distillery has produced, the first being Hudson Baby Bourbon, which has been since been discontinued, per Distiller. The Whiskey Jug reviewed Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and the tasting notes seem to be echoed across the web. I probably wouldnt even mix this with Coke. They claimed that the bourbon is poor quality for the price you pay and that it "doesn't even come close to holding its own against cheaper competition." Barton 1792 Distillery part of the Sazerac group of distilleries is renowned for white labeling, contract distilling, and putting out both amazing and amazingly cheap bourbons. Its perfectly fine but not the best representation of Wild Turkey by any stretch. And while not as well-known as reputable mid-range brands like Maker's Mark, it's still worth investigating. Elijah Craig's Barrel Proof expressions are regularly in the running for best bottle of the year, according to The Bourbon Bard. That's what the folks at Jim Beam call it when you take a big gulp of bourbon and move it around your mouth to get all the flavor nuances (via The Bourbon Room). Nikka Whiskey from the Barrel - Never mind that all whiskey comes from a barrel, this complex Japanese blend is a delightful exploration of fruit, wood, and sweet vanilla. Age statements vary, but the latest is a blend of 6, 7, 10, 15 and 16-year-old whiskey bottled at a cask strength of 111.2 proof (all of the bourbon is barrel-proof). The flavor profile of the US1. The family's unusual longevity as owners is presumably due in part to its roots in pharmaceuticals, which enabled them to pivot to medicinal alcohol during Prohibition, keeping the distillery alive until better times returned. Produced and distilled at Beam Distillery, Old Crow Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the least expensive option on this list, available at around $10 for a 1.75-liter bottle with a discount (via BevMo.com ). Proof: 112.8. Graham Files, veteran bartender and co-owner of Someday in Portland, stocks Jim Beam in his well and recommends it for the home bar, praising its . Distillery Trail writes that the Tennessee whiskey rests for 30 days in barrels that previously held Tabasco hot sauce. It's from the land of frigid cold and really big lakes (Minnesota). It's made by Buffalo Trace using the same mash as their namesake bourbon, yet aged for 10 years. Theres a bit of steeliness to the nose that mellows hints of dried florals, apple, and a touch of honey and spice. It also explains why the label has a picture of a brown horse on the front. While whiskey can be made anywhere, bourbon can only be made in the United States, according to Distiller, and its mash bill (grain composition) must contain at least 51% corn, a grain native to the Americas. Now, hold onto that concept for one second. Weller's 12-Year-Old Bourbon is one of the best money and time can buy. Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months. The bourbon costs between $40 and $50 per 1 ounce pour. That's why we're sharing the following selection of regrettable bourbons, to save you from falling victim to shiny object syndrome because no one likes buyer's remorse. Photo by David Prince. But if all you care about is the results, scroll down to see which of the 21 bourbon brands we tried worked the best in an Old-Fashioned cocktail -- and which . I know that sounds flippant, but every major distillery has a few expressions that lurk on the bottom shelf in plastic bottles with screwtop caps. It could be smoother and its hotness may strike some as excessive but it offers remarkable quality for a budget tipple, which is why it deserves a position in our top five bourbons. Like all bourbon, its mash bill is mostly corn with a touch of malted barley. Maybe an olfactory thief has somehow stolen tasters' sense of smell, because all they seem to be getting is vanilla, and a lot of it, too (via Distiller). Jim Beam may not be practicing the world's most ambitious blending and distilling, but for a brand to have lasted over 200 years, it must be doing something right. Aged not less than 15 years, George T. Stagg is a rare bottle found only in high-end whiskey bars. "They have an extensive selection of bourbons and Buffalo Trace is their house bourbon." more. It has a light mouthfeel and is less sweet than its aroma would suggest. But unfortunately, this spirit doesn't seem to live up to its trademark slogan: "You never forget your first sip of Basil Hayden." Maybe the folks at Early Times took the whole historical angle a wee bit too far. Workouts. Best for Cocktails: Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label or . Its a simple ying and yang, Superman and Zod, Rock and Smith, or in bourbon terms Eagle Rare BTAC and Benchmark (more on that below). Woodford Reserve is a modern bourbon brand with deep roots per Breaking Bourbon, it's produced and bottled in a distillery dating back to 1780. It's a mainstream list, for sure. Its probably the best bourbon." more. Best Expression of the Category: New Southern Revival Brand Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Kentucky Gentlemen is brought to you by the Sazerac Company (known for Fireball,Myer's Rum, and Southern Comfort, to name a few), and distilled by the seventh-largest distillery in the world,Barton/1792 Distillery(via Whiskey University). Im not mad at it but dont really see the point either. In response to a question about some serious shade being thrown at the company, bourbon fanatics on Reddit chimed in with their two cents. In case you were wondering, yes: This is actually named after someone's grandfather. Double Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon 20 Year Old- $20,400. As intriguing as that sounds, a whiskey thief is just a simple tool that allows master distillers to sample some of the aging liquid for quality control purposes, according toDistillery Trail. Unless youre looking for a run-of-mill bourbon. This is light but also simple. The juice is a bourbon blend thats a minimum of four years old. Whether or not this is worth your while depends on your fondness for Old Grand-Dad. This alcoholic beverage has only been in existence since 2011. Instead, this venerable budget brand (which you may have last seen in your grumpy great-uncle's pantry) is known for its unapologetic kick.