The palate has a hint of alcohol burn from the jump with plenty of dark spices and dry peanut shells popping in before the burn takes over on the mid-palate. The bourbon costs between $40 and $50 per 1 ounce pour. Bourbon Bucket List: 20 Best Bourbons You Need to Try at Least Once Over on Ranker folks cast a whopping 54,000 votes, and a clear top ten bourbons emerged. Best budget bourbon under $30: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon - See at Total Wine If you want complex flavor without breaking the bank, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon offers a pleasant burst of flavor while remaining smooth. 9 Best Bourbons to Start Your Collection - Food & Wine The spice is squarely in the cinnamon category, with creamy vanilla, warm tobacco, and a hint of orchard fruit lurking in the background. 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. The 23 Best Bourbons to Drink in 2023 - Gear Patrol Over two centuries, the icon has churned out incredible releases, been named the best distillery in the world and even managed to create its own line of cigars.Sure, the distillery is known for producing legendary drams like Pappy Van Winkle and WL Weller, the stock standard release is . But Old Forester, which got its start in 1870, is unusual in that it's stayed in the hands of a single family since its founder, a pharmaceutical salesman, decided to dive into distilling, according toMalt. Booker's Bourbon "Charlie's Batch" (2023-01) Review As one individualwrites at Distiller, "it's probably a bourbon your old grand-dad would be content with, but I would suggest you and him trying other things." The 30 Best Bourbons (2023) | VinePair Well, according to Lexington Bourbon's website, that's the case. It's all good when you're drinking the best bourbon under $100: 6. The taste doesnt veer too far from the nose as the apple turns more honey, with mild vanilla and more honeyed sweetness. Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon 2. If super flavorful, bold, and bright bourbon is your calling, then you'll probably want to steer clear of Basil Hayden'sKentucky Straight Bourbon. After all, this bourbon isn't really a magic bottle. And why be disappointed (or even disgusted) when you can be satisfied for just a few bucks more? Across the web, bourbon reviewers use almost identical adjectives to describe Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Hayes Parker Reserve: Terre Pure bourbon aged at least six months. Interestingly enough, the company was also bottling and selling hand sanitizer during the pandemic. Naming your bourbon "Two Stars" doesn't seem like that great of a move. KOVAL Distillery doesn't believe in limiting itself to crafting just one single artisanal spirit, as evidenced by its varied selection of spirits includingbourbon,gin,and flavored liqueur. Woodford Reserve may have done almost too good a job at making premium bourbon acceptable today, with hundreds of craft distillers creating their own premium blends, Woodford Reserve now falls near the middle of the curve in terms of price and status. Like a stranger in the night, it's best to just stay away from this one. One Distiller reviewer says, "nose isethanol and nail-polish remover." The Best Ten-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskeys, Tasted Blind And Ranked Barton 1792 Distillery Kentucky Tavern Sazerac Company ABV:40% Average Price:$8 The Whiskey: Barton 1792 Distillery part of. Someone thought it was a good idea to hook up withTabasco brand hot sauce and bottle and sell the offspring for around $25. 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. Best Bourbons We've Tried in 2020 - Men's Journal Do you know what happens to mediocre, boring bourbons? Its only $5 more than David Nicholson and just much deeper while also being more approachable and mixable. The flavor profile of the US1. Given Bulleits dismal history with the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities, Im not going to recommend any other expression from the brand. The Top 10 Bourbons of 2021 - PrestigeHaus The brand has even purchased its first warehouse for storage and is well on their way to filling it all up. Bourbon, that caramel-colored brown liquor, with the unmistakable nose and palate of smoke, vanilla, caramel and molasses, is a bona fide crowd pleaser. This cocktail mixes Scotch and/or Bourbon with maple syrup and bitters for a smoky-yet-sweet drink. The problem is that, as one taster states, this bourbon is excessively sweet, without much complexity (via Distiller). It also explains why the label has a picture of a brown horse on the front. Id go with another Lux Row mainstay, Ezra Brooks 99. In other words, it's easy to drink with all the expected bourbon flavors and aromas, with plenty of depth for serious sippers to appreciate. According to itswebsite, in 2012 Jefferson's Bourbon teamed up with OCEARCH (an internationally recognized nonprofit that tracks and studies keystone marine creatures) to test out a new bourbon-related theory. The taste has a grilled corn-on-the-cob vibe with a hint of pepper and butter next to small doses of citrus and soft oak thats all a little muted by an alcohol burn. This expression is the bottom rung in bottle form. Whiskey Thief Uncut Unfiltered may sound like it's coming to a theater near you, but it's actually a bourbon brought to you by Three Boys Farm Distillery. Perhaps the quality has diminished over time because Beam Distillery claims that this exact whiskey has graced the desks of US presidents, as well as acclaimed writers like Mark Twain. Maybe it's a sign that this bourbon needs to be locked away. Best Value: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. Four Roses Single Barrel: Overall best bourbon of 2023 Knob Creek 9 Year Old: Best bourbon under $50 Pappy Van Winkle's 23 Year Family Reserve: Best high-end bottle of bourbon Elijah Craig Small Batch: Smoothest Bourbon Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon: Best Bourbon for beginners Old Forester Classic 86 Proof: Best value Bourbon Well, that's not good. On the nose, it provides immersive caramel corn and toasted wood notes with a hint of buttery toffee. Yes, its a shooting and mixing whiskey but its so much more complex than this and only costs about $5-$7 more. But maybe consumers' expectations are simply too high? Shipping is a great deal: $15 flat rate under $200; free shipping for orders over $200. The Best Bottom Shelf Bourbons Worth Sipping - Whiskey Watch The 10 Best Bourbons You Can Buy in 2023 - Insider Or maybe it does, but not in a good way. The 10 Best Wheated Bourbons Money Can Buy This bourbon is an award winner (Double Gold at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Platinum at the 2018 SIP Awards). These Are The 10 Best-Selling Bourbons, According To Drizly - Forbes The Last Drop Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon - $18,320. In response to a question about some serious shade being thrown at the company, bourbon fanatics on Reddit chimed in with their two cents. 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. 100 Best Bourbons in America, Ranked - uproxx.com Paying homage to Kentucky is a good start. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Whiskey FAQs Final Thoughts Top 13 Worst Cheap Bourbons 13. The whiskey spends around four to five years mellowing before its blended, proofed down, and bottled. Officially defined as American-made corn-based whiskey aged in new charred oak barrels, bourbon first emerged in the 1780s in Kentucky, where settlers from Scotland and Ireland adapted their whiskey-making skills to local ingredients, as explained byThe Spruce Eats. While 101 has been erroneously slagged off by a generation of adults who didnt know how to handle their Turkey in college, this is still one of the most legitimate cheap bourbons on the market. Celebrity Workouts Ab Workouts Leg Workouts Total-Body Workouts Arms Workouts Chest . Cheap Bourbons, Ranked - Deadspin Double Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon 20 Year Old- $20,400. The easy path is to just say, get the Eagle Rare 10 for $50 and be done with it. Just get an Evan Williams White Label. This introductory juice from Four Roses is a blend of all ten of their whiskeys. The term "Bottled-In-Bond" means that the liquor must be the product of one. If you want to stick with Diageo, however, then Id recommend getting yourself some George Dickel Bottled-In-Bond for $40. 10 Bourbons You Must Try | Total Wine & More The artificial and chemical taste was also a source of disgust on Distiller, with samplers commenting that it was heavy on the ethanol. Old Forester 1910 memorializes a fortuitous accident: In 1910, a fire on a bottling line forced the distillery to store the bourbon it had planned to bottle in a barrel. 23 Bourbons You'll Regret Buying - Mashed.com The Best Bourbons Of 2022 - Maxim It's not the pleasant aspects either, it's more like licking an oak plank," wrote Thirty One Whiskey. 31 Whiskey called their middle-shelf Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey "a smooth and delicious bourbon" with a balanced mouthfeel and finish. 20+1 Best-Selling Bourbons Ranked from Worst to Best! - Whisky & Whiskey To that end, Im naming ten bottles of Kentucky bourbon that I think you should avoid. One Redditor said Town Branch's unpleasant flavor earned it the nickname "hand cleaner." 20 Best Whiskey Brands Of 2023 - Top Whisky Bottles - Delish Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club Bourbon Blend. One Redditor said, "It's seriously the only bottle I've poured down a drain." 90. Not necessarily, because a humdrum bottle or a bourbon at a low price point isn't always going to taste like nail polish remover. This is hot in that it tastes like burning instead of hot notes from spice, wood, or tobacco. The 25 Best Bourbons of the 21st Century (So Far) - Robb Report The 15 Bottles of Bourbon Every Whiskey Lover Needs To Try in 2022 - MSN This bourbon from Lux Row is a wheated bourbon mash thats contract distilled partially off-site and partially made at the distillery. To get here, it is a gorgeous drive through horse farms and rolling, bluegrass Kentucky hills. So, that sounds like granola? At least it's only around $15, so you're not killing your wallet. A popular marketing strategy is for companies to offer product lines and brands at different price points. Kentucky Gentleman Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery (Sazerac Co.) ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $8.49. Best Bourbon Under $100 Best Bourbon Over $100 Bonus: Single Barrel Picks Bourbon FAQ The Best Bourbons Under $50 Larceny Small Batch The entry-level offering of Heaven Hill's wheated mash. What is the Worst Cheap Bourbon? 13 Listed (2023 Updated) And the family resemblance is clear, although Basil Hayden's is smoother, with flavors of oak and nutmeg balancing out the peppery notes from the rye. The first Booker's Bourbon batch of 2023, Charlie's Batch, is an intense and extra-caramelized delight, one of the best Booker's batches. If someone came to you and described a bourbon as horrid brown water, as per a Reddit review, would you want to try it? Best bourbon for an old fashioned: Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky straight bourbon, 23.40 19.89 Best bourbon whisky with caramel notes: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky straight bourbon, 74.99 Best spicy bourbon: Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Kentucky straight bourbon, 35.95 29.95 Water and plastic are what you get on the nose and on the palate. A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom. Old Thompson American. This suggests their tried-and-true middle-shelf expressions may be a safer bet for most tastes than their limited-edition experiments. Produced by Western Spirits Beverage Company, a bottle of Lexington Bourbon will run you around $42, as sold on Caskers. It's from the land of frigid cold and really big lakes (Minnesota). 9. While one of the most familiar bourbon brands, Jim Beam is not known for its depth or subtlety. Sometimes only five to ten dollars more. > You can also check out GAYOT's: - Best Bourbons under $40 for budget . Critical consensus seems to put it in the middle of the curve as well not a terrible place to be at a time when even budget brands are turning out good-quality products. "There's some vanilla and brown sugar in the beginning, but it's immediately replaced by an overwhelming flavor of oak. According to the distillery's tasting notes,this 94 proof bourbon smells of "vanilla lemon cake" and tastes like caramel, vanilla, citrus, and spices. The Best Bourbon Of 2020 Ranked, According To The Masses - UPROXX Back in 1882, third-generation distiller Raymond B. Hayden wanted to immortalize his grandpa by creating a memorable bourbon, according to Vinepair. 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. Review Summary: Rare Breed is really spicy at first but has a sweet, long finish. Founded in 2012, the brand is so young the bourbons it produces in its own distillery in upstate New York are not yet sufficiently aged for consumption, according to31 Whiskey. With Larceny's slogan"So smooth, it's criminal," you might unintentionally reach for your wallet, you know, just to make sure it's still there. Price: ~$50. You're better than that. The 16 Best Kentucky Bourbons | GearMoose It'll be interesting to see how Widow Jane evolves once its own distilled products start to enter the picture. So, Woodford Reserve is near the middle of our list not because it's mediocre, but because it's solidly respectable it delivers exactly what you'd expect from a mid-range bourbon, no more and no less. This Lawrenceburg, KY-based distillery utilizes two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains to create 10 total bourbon recipes, each one providing a unique flavor experience. Apparently, to oneRedditor, it's Willet Pot Still. While the plastic fades away, the wateriness imparts flavors of muted vanilla, banana chip, and maybe a hint of caramel soda. On each bottle of Blade and Bow is a collector's key, and if you collect all five keys, you'll become a member of the executive club. According to 31 Whiskey, the brand has its origins in the 1940s, when a liquor wholesaler picked up a bottle of nameless bourbon from a distillery he dealt with and took it to share on a turkey hunt. I didnt, but I have no idea what to do with it otherwise. Maker's Mark So what makes Old Grand-Dad distinctive? In this case, this is a standard straight bourbon thats sort of like a base-level Eagle Rare, in theory, but from barrels that didnt make the cut and were then proofed all the way down for bottling. 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). "And it's the best cocktail bourbon out there." The distillery closed in 1992 but was resurrected in 2014 by Diageo, a company based out of London that specializes in a broad range of spirits. Jim Beam is not only one of the biggest-selling bourbon brands, but it is one of the oldest. Superstar chef Wolfgang Puck offers both fine dining at his flagship Beverly Hills restaurant and frozen supermarket pizzas for the masses, and some chic designers offer both bespoke runway pieces and fast fashion at Target. Perhaps being the first at something isn't always a good thing. Thats just math. Wolcott Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Maker's Mark is one of the best-known bourbon brands. The Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company makes beers, hard teas, and canned cocktails in addition to its bourbon line. But should it be there in the first place? The Barton 1792 Distiller produces one of the best bottom shelf bourbons in the world today. 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. Basil Hayden's is such a case. The Whiskey Reviewer described its 12-year-old bourbon as having a nose of "brown sugar, cinnamon graham crackers and vanilla, accented by toasty oak." This 95% New York-grown corn bourbon holds the distinction of being the first (legal) whiskey produced in the state since Prohibition . It has a lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat, and molasses. 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. When you think of Wild Turkey, do you picture an unshaven guy sitting by himself in a bar, muttering at the TV and nursing a tumbler of the stuff before shuffling off to a depressing studio apartment somewhere? But unfortunately, this spirit doesn't seem to live up to its trademark slogan: "You never forget your first sip of Basil Hayden." Well, think again this venerable bottom-shelf brand deserves a lot more respect than it's been getting. At least Early Times is giving bourbon lovers some bang for their buck: For the low price of around $22, you can buy one liter of this sweet Nyquil-esque bourbon. The bourbon is made from a mash bill of four grainscorn, wheat, rye, and barleyall grown locally. Zagat's video team filmed the proceedings, so if you want to see what it was like to taste 10-plus cocktails in one evening, watch the wonderful video embedded at the top of this post. 10 Top Whiskeys Under $100 - Drinkhacker Barrell Craft Spirits has undergone massive changes throughout the last 3 years. It's aged for more than six years in American oak barrels, giving it what Ohanneson says are "notes of caramel, peanut brittle, and a thread of delicate, early summer fruit." One Redditoreven claimed that they "poured it down the sink after a dram and felt bad for the drain and my wallet.". Mojo Old City BBQ. 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 ). While Basil Hayden's tasted watered down and not worth the money, Old Grand-Dad pivots 180 degrees into the land of long-lasting acetone burn devoid of taste (via Distiller). Apparently not, because it's also pretty thin. Sneaky. Literally any other bottle made at Beam from any of their brands, or just grab a Jim Beam Black Label. And that something is offering up decent bottles at affordable prices. 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? That means its made for mixing but you can sip it if thats your jam. 22 Best Bourbon Whiskey Brands to Drink Right Now This is easy, Wild Turkey 101 all day its only $20. Its also a pretty good shooter without too much burn but not much else. Why such harsh words? This is a classic bourbon that became part of Jim Beam about 30-odd years ago. To mitigate this problem, Buffalo Trace implemented a distribution system that allocated a fixed number of bottles yearly to each state, according toGear Patrol. The company has been distilling for 200 years, so it has really racked up quite an impressive reputation, with its Cask Strength release in 2013 dubbed Best Spirit in the World. Hopefully not, though it's understandable that your curiosity might be piqued. Paste Magazine reports that dissatisfaction with pricing is a universal consumer woe regardless of the bourbon. Per Saucey, back in the 1920s, physicians could legally prescribe it for conditions like high blood pressure and pneumonia, and this bourbon tastes about as good as medicine. 10 Best Barrell Craft Spirits Bottles Reviewed: 2020 - 2023 But don't think of these unusual expressions as mere gimmicks Whiskey Reviewer gave Old Forester's 150th Anniversary Bourbon a grade of A for its intensely fruity nose, reminiscent of cherries and bananas, as well as a lush mouthfeel. Have you ever heard of the Kentucky Chew? Anyone new to the category who would like to give a craft product a try should sample this bottle. Distillery Trail writes that the Tennessee whiskey rests for 30 days in barrels that previously held Tabasco hot sauce. While oneRedditor said it worked well in a Bloody Mary or an oyster shooter, the consensus was that it was nasty on its own. It's a classic tasting bourbon with notes of oak, caramel and brown sugar. A beguiling blend of straight bourbon whiskeys (5, 6, 7 and 10-year-old barrels) distilled and aged in TN, KY and IN, and bottled at cask strength (115.34 proof). Best Bourbons of 2022 | Breaking Bourbon 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. Sounds like this bourbon is stuck up a creek without a paddle. That said, that note completely goes away when you mix this into highballs or bourbon and Cokes, where it shines the most. Reddit users say point-blank that Garrison Brothers is stupidly overpriced. Which only made you want to hate her more. Like the 'crying baby on an overnight airplane flight" kind of way-too-loud,' it's time to reevaluate. The test barrels remained on OCEARCH's vessel for three years, even passing through the Panama Canal numerous times according to the bourbon company. It is a 10-year-old Bottled-in-Bond named after the Irish immigrant who worked with the grains found in Kentucky and adapted his family recipe to them. It's also flavorful, for the most part. Whether or not this is worth your while depends on your fondness for Old Grand-Dad. Clearly, such heritage brands have stood the test of time here's how they fare in comparison with newer players in the bourbon game. Top 10 Best Bourbon in St. Augustine, FL - April 2023 - Yelp This Heaven Hill bourbon is standard bourbon made with its iconic mash bill of 78 percent corn, 12 percent malted barley, and ten percent rye (the same as Evan Williams and Elijah Craig). 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. 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." Tasting Notes: Spice, sweet tobacco, orange, mint. Old Fitzgerald Prime Bourbon 4. This whiskey was also rated 95 points in 2012 by The Tasting Paneland won a silver medalat the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016. Well, at least the price tag under $20 makes it a good gag gift. What tastes like creamed corn blended with scorched plastic, but comes in a really cool genie bottle? 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). If your idea of a perfect bourbon is a smooth sipper, characterized by delicate aromas of nuts and fruit and gentle on the palate, Old Grand-Dad is most definitely not for you. Detailed review . Still, if you do come across this, it is a great mixer I cant deny that. This is just a cheap and easy bourbon thats good for mixing with Coke and not much else. What if you were told that the inspiration for this bourbon comes from a famous racing horse? Thirty One Whiskey says that using it as a mixer doesn't really help much, so if you're shopping for affordable, bottom-shelf bourbon, do yourself a favor and don't be a rebel. The main ingredient for bourbon is corn and other grains are used in varying quantities. And there are a lot of expressions, from their flagship 80-proof bourbon to their small-batch, single-barrel, and limited releases, offering bourbon geeks numerous options to collect and explore. In any case, Widow Jane is finished with fresh water from somewhere. "My new favorite sipper, and one of the best bourbons I have ever tasted, hands down," says Anthony Vitacca, an award-winning bartender based in California. SLB Basement Bourbon Bar goes into detail about this regrettable purchase, saying that it is very grainy, bitter, thin, and young, and the alcohol burn isn't anything to joke about. The Best Bourbon Under $100 There's nothing wrong with cheaper bourbons, but you definitely get what you pay for if you expand your budget a bit. When it comes to bourbon, it's no different. But all things considered, it's a . This is fine for what it is, a decent cocktail bourbon. 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). Redditors are more direct: "Old Crow will make you want to quit bourbon.". 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). Officially defined as American-made corn-based whiskey aged in new charred oak barrels, bourbon first emerged in the 1780s in Kentucky, where settlers from Scotland and Ireland adapted their whiskey-making skills to local ingredients, as explained by The Spruce Eats. Its aged two more years and only proofed down to 100 proof. Maybe the judges had incredibly tired palates by the time this disaster came up for judging. The taste is classic bourbon with watery hints of leather, spice, and cornmeal next to vanilla extract, caramel, and old buttered popcorn. Malt described their Very Old Barton Bottled in Bond as having "a solid quality/price ratio" that would make it a potentially "reliable go-to or house bourbon" were it more readily available. Plus, Jim Beam Black Label should only cost you around $19. The oak, dark spice, brown sugars, and whisper of corn linger on your senses through the medium finish. AsThirty One Whiskey writes, "Aging happens for a reason namely to give the spirit some depth and complexity that otherwise is missing. The perfectly balanced taste of our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is composed of more than 200 detectable flavor notes, from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes. 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. 11 min read. Others point out that it's bitter, astringent, and reminiscent of cherry NyQuil.