When Jefferson's master blender tapped the casks, the sugars in the bourbon had caramelized and turned into a viscous, black liquid. Our Top Bourbon Picks Best Overall: Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Best for Sipping: Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Best for Whiskey Sour: Wild Turkey 101 Best for Manhattan: Breckenridge. A popular marketing strategy is for companies to offer product lines and brands at different price points. 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. While experimenting is cool and all, it's not cool to try and act like the bourbon that has been aging for 24 hours is going to taste just as good as the whiskey that's been aging for five or more years. Meanwhile, SLB Drinks says that the flavor profile "tastes like someone mixed bourbon and maple syrup and then added some artificial sweetener for the hell of it." It's easily one of the first whiskeys to be thrown into the pit of most regrettable bourbon purchases. Human beings like to think that an inflated price and a striking bottle means it must be good, right? Whether or not Craig actually did invent this process is up for debate, but what's not up for debate are the numerous awards given to the bourbon brand that shares his name. Literally any other bottle made at Beam from any of their brands, or just grab a Jim Beam Black Label. This expression was devised as a lower-proof bourbon thats a pure workhorse whiskey. The theory was that the constant movement of bourbon sloshing around in wood barrels would in turn make the whiskey age faster. One Distiller reviewer says, "nose isethanol and nail-polish remover." This is the same mash thats used for bigger hitting brands like Eagle Rare, Stagg, and E.H. Taylor. The artificial and chemical taste was also a source of disgust on Distiller, with samplers commenting that it was heavy on the ethanol. Workouts. 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 . This delayed batch proved to have a winning flavor, which the current distillers reproduced via a secondary six-to-nine-month maturation in heavily charred barrels. Whoever Old Grand-Dad was, he didn't pull his punches. The Last Drop Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon - $18,320. 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. That's how Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea was born. Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months. Judging by how utterly unpalatable the Kentucky Straight Bourbon is on its own, maybe the company should stick to beer. But unlike most other bourbon brands, Maker's Mark does not contain any rye, instead supplementing the corn with red winter wheat, according to The Spruce Eats. Like the 'crying baby on an overnight airplane flight" kind of way-too-loud,' it's time to reevaluate. According to reviews on Distiller, this bourbon tastes cheap and burns going down. Kentucky Gentleman Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery (Sazerac Co.) ABV: 40% (80 proof) Price: $8.49. Taste your way through the best of the best of America's native spirit. Numerous bourbon brands trace their roots to the 1800s or earlier. The oak, dark spice, brown sugars, and whisper of corn linger on your senses through the medium finish. What tastes like creamed corn blended with scorched plastic, but comes in a really cool genie bottle? Whiskey Warehouse reviewed this spirit on YouTube, pointing out that it's thin and really has nothing going for it, other than smelling (and tasting) like watered-down bourbon. Reviews on Flaviar say it's "Too rough and not very enjoyable," andDistiller comments won't give you much more confidence: "Flat, thin and weak. This is hot in that it tastes like burning instead of hot notes from spice, wood, or tobacco. Art of the Spirits Whiskey Cask Strength "Frogman" Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Even serious bourbon connoisseurs know there's a time to break out the fancy stuff and a time when an affordable mass-market brand fits the bill quite nicely. 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. Apparently, to oneRedditor, it's Willet Pot Still. Ouch. That said, that note completely goes away when you mix this into highballs or bourbon and Cokes, where it shines the most. The distinctly American grain spirit must. How else can you justify Redditors when they say that "It's bad enough to make you want to curl up into the fetal position and sob like an infant.". This is then mixed with "set-back" (basically the leftovers from the previous distillation process). It was neither founded by anyone named Barton nor was it founded in 1792 (rather, that date refers to the year of Kentucky's statehood, according to Malt). But it successfully managed to earn both public acceptance and respect, even becoming the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. 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. Not necessarily, because a humdrum bottle or a bourbon at a low price point isn't always going to taste like nail polish remover. Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Four Roses Four Roses Four in the title, but the magic number here is 10. 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. Somehow, you'll get everything from cherry to ginger to wasabi to brown butter, with a hint of grassiness. You really don't need any cavities. Basil Hayden's is such a case. Read More. But while easy to love, Buffalo Trace isn't always easy to find. Whiskey Thief Uncut Unfiltered is described by the brand as having caramel and honey notes, a woody edge, and a hint of white pepper. Hence the hate. Its only $49 and is a great example of the power of this brand/distillery/team. And while not as well-known as reputable mid-range brands like Maker's Mark, it's still worth investigating. Unfortunately, you can't make a wish and ask for your $50 back. Top 10 bourbons over the last 12 months (based on number of units sold): Bulleit is the bestselling bourbon, according to Drizly. "And it's the best cocktail bourbon out there." 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. Its balance and wide appeal are what puts Knob Creek near the top of our list. Maybe the judges had incredibly tired palates by the time this disaster came up for judging. The flavor profile of the US1. Still, any bourbon worth a day's drive is worth noticing and worth the top honor on our list. The Willet family lineage and distilling experience extend back multiple centuries, but it was only in 1936 that theWillet Distillery was established on the family's property, three years after the end of prohibition. Perhaps not being able to previously practice the fine art of distilling is what the tasters pick up. Given Bulleits dismal history with the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities, Im not going to recommend any other expression from the brand. Colonel EH Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash - $24,719. Bourbon for the Masses adds that it's an incredibly thin whiskey and that there's nothing special about it (Redditors also echoed this sentiment, claiming that Fighting Cock Bourbon leaves much to be desired). Naturally, Barrell Craft Bourbon Batch 033 comes bottled at cask strength, 58.3% ABV (116.6 proof). Not many of us have the ducats to stock our bars with only top-of-the-line, limited-edition releases. Woodford Reserve has a historic, upscale feel to it. The distillery's website describes aromas of subtle vanilla, raisins, maple syrup, and toasted nuts. A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom. Don Lockwood Whiskey Cocktail. 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. Their Barrel Proof Bourbon was named Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate in 2017. 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. Reviews such as the one by Bourbon Culturesound off with regard to the ethanol smell and creamed corn taste, but according to Reddit users, falling for good marketing and paying upwards of $50 is what really grinds their grain. Forever. 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. The finish is pretty watery it kind of reminds me of hose water on a hot day with the same beats for vanilla-caramel-corn-and-wood barely peaking in over the proofing water. Bulleit 2. Sadly, it's also rated two stars by many reviewers on Distiller(as one taster laments, it was $20 down the drain). 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." According to the distillery's tasting notes,this 94 proof bourbon smells of "vanilla lemon cake" and tastes like caramel, vanilla, citrus, and spices. And that something is offering up decent bottles at affordable prices. Ranking The Big Bourbon Brands, From Worst To Best. And why be disappointed (or even disgusted) when you can be satisfied for just a few bucks more? Britannica writes that the art of distilling has been around since 800 BCE. This Tennessee bourbon was created by Bob Dylan, Angel's Envy founder Mark Bushala, and Master Blender Ryan Perry. Joseph Magnus Murray Hill Club Bourbon Blend. 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. Zackariah Harris Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 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). 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. 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). Apparently not, because it's also pretty thin. . 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. 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. 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. Its like its in an entirely different spirits category than Old Crow. Instead of watery muted notes, this suffers from a bit of a burn that overpowers whats in the whiskey. 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). This is something that other rye whiskey offerings use to their advantage. At a very good price point for a 10-year-old whiskey, a bottle of this won't disappoint. Its perfectly fine but not the best representation of Wild Turkey by any stretch. The end is very faint and almost vodka-like with a tapwater vibe. As The Whiskey Reviewer noted, the Black Bourbon, in particular, "would be appropriate for an inexpensive go-to, for cocktails or mixers.". According to Breaking Bourbon, the original Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher and said to be the inventor of the process of aging bourbon in charred oak barrels. They usually disappear into cocktails or mixed drinks. Mojo Old City BBQ. Like many distilleries, Barton 1792 has a convoluted history. But just because something has won medals doesn't mean it's universally adored and beloved. Flavor is sweet at first, with a hint of old leather although it has some oak char bitterness, but nothing too severe. The mash bill is mid-range rye with 18 percent of the grain next to 72 percent corn and a final ten percent of malted barley (the same bill for all their bourbon). Jim Beam is not only one of the biggest-selling bourbon brands, but it is one of the oldest. 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. Purchase: $65 Style: Cask-strength high-rye ABV: 61.7% Tasting Notes: Vanilla, orange peel, maple, nutmeg, rye spice Barrell Bourbon Vantage The whiskey is made from 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted . Zackariah Harris Straight Bourbon is usually released to the public after it has been left to age for a couple of years. 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. The end is subtle, short, watery, and steely with a minor touch of green oak, spice, fruit, and one more dash of honey. The test barrels remained on OCEARCH's vessel for three years, even passing through the Panama Canal numerous times according to the bourbon company. The juice is a bourbon blend thats a minimum of four years old. 11 min read. But they'll also (begrudgingly) be the first to admit that they still end up learning through experience. Bottles vary from batch to batch, sometimes dramatically, which makes picking . To put a finer point on it, Id be lying if I said I loved every bourbon I tasted. 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. You're better than that. Its easygoing character gives Maker's Mark another advantage, according to The Spruce Eats; while not the most memorable tipple to enjoy neat, it's fabulous in cocktails. Unfortunately, Thirty One Whiskey agrees, stating that it's "fairly mediocre." 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. One Redditor said, "It's seriously the only bottle I've poured down a drain." It has a spicy, peppery finish with some heat. Well, at least the price tag under $20 makes it a good gag gift. This cocktail mixes Scotch and/or Bourbon with maple syrup and bitters for a smoky-yet-sweet drink. Whiskey Advocate writes that this is called the TerraPURE process, and it utilizes ultrasonic waves to speed up the aging process from years to a mere day (and a week or so to rest). 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. Until recently, this bourbon was known as Rebel Yell, but it recently dropped the "Yell," perhaps because the old name was associated with the Confederacy (via Reddit). Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. Why such harsh words? Well, that's not good. While bourbon can technically come from anywhere in the US, maybe Minnesota should leave it to the experts down in Kentucky. 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. George Dickel is actually the flagship spirit from Cascade Hollow Distillery. Theres a mix of mild spice, bitter oak, ripe stone fruits, creamy vanilla, and an echo of salted caramel with little to no watery presence. 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. After all, this bourbon isn't really a magic bottle. All that's known about this whiskey is that the liquid parties involved are aged for a minimum of four years, and that a proportion of the Stitzel-Weller bourbon distilled prior to 1992 is also mixed in. Fighting Cock Bourbon also called the "kickin' chicken" makes the regrettable bourbons list not because it's overpriced. Wow, this is thin on the nose. Naming your bourbon "Two Stars" doesn't seem like that great of a move. One of the best non-Kentucky high-rye distilleries out there is Indiana's own Hirsch, whose The Horizon bottles have a 94:6 ratio of two different straight bourbons: one distilled from a mashbill containing 21% rye (aged 4 . $38.49. Its aged two more years and only proofed down to 100 proof. So unless you're interested in dropping $35 to $40 for a pretty bottle that happens to be filled with unpleasant whiskey, don't do it. There's also a sizeable ethanol burn, which ended up leaving some bourbon aficionados in gastric distress. And despite its eyebrow-raising alcohol content (100 proof, or 50% ABV), it feels warm on the tongue, not abrasively hot. But Whiskey Wash called their Yellow Label expression "the little black dress of bourbonappropriate for everything." Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire 14 days after. Check out GAYOT's 10 Top Bourbons from the least expensive offerings to the priciest bottles. Tech Fitness Outdoor Autos Gear of the Week Gifts. 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. The whisky is then blended and proofed down to a very manageable 86 proof. I didnt, but I have no idea what to do with it otherwise. It's made by Buffalo Trace using the same mash as their namesake bourbon, yet aged for 10 years. Tasting Notes: Spice, sweet tobacco, orange, mint. 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. Named for a prominent 18th century distiller (the same one pictured on the label of Old Grand-Dad, according to Malt Review), Basil Hayden's is produced in the same production distillery as Old Grand-Dad and Jim Beam, according to 31 Whiskey. This 95% New York-grown corn bourbon holds the distinction of being the first (legal) whiskey produced in the state since Prohibition . This bourbon from Lux Row is a wheated bourbon mash thats contract distilled partially off-site and partially made at the distillery. 10. Paste Magazine reports that dissatisfaction with pricing is a universal consumer woe regardless of the bourbon. 31 Whiskey called their middle-shelf Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey "a smooth and delicious bourbon" with a balanced mouthfeel and finish. To that end, Im naming ten bottles of Kentucky bourbon that I think you should avoid. Their Small Batch Bourbon took double gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018 and was named Best Small Batch at the same competition. Every step is carefully monitored, from sourcing herbs, grains, and spices from vetted farmers to using state-of-the-art technology to keep its products consistent. What makes Elijah Craig a critical favorite is its complexity and balance. 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. 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 Whiskey Shelf even compared it to Larceny. The grains are then cooked to form the mash. This expression is the bottom rung in bottle form. Smoother finish, more complex flavors, smaller batches. 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. First thing's first: this isn't Kentucky bourbon. Distilled in Tennessee and aged in Kentucky, it's a 112-proof flavor bomb, offering everything from tropical fruit to thick clotted cream. Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Claim Now Must be 21+. Despite its roots in Kentucky, Four Roses was not sold in the United States for some time, but instead became popular in Europe and Asia, according toThe Spruce Eats. 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. As The Bourbon Bard noted, "It's versatile with the fruit notes lending themselves to summer drinking and the spice coming through for colder winter nights." I think my wife's comments sum it up perfectly: "You can't make me put more in my mouth.". Bourbon, that caramel-colored brown liquor, with the unmistakable nose and palate of smoke, vanilla, caramel and molasses, is a bona fide crowd pleaser. Elijah Craig's Barrel Proof expressions are regularly in the running for best bottle of the year, according to The Bourbon Bard. 3. Ouch, (alcohol) burn. 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. Instead, this venerable budget brand (which you may have last seen in your grumpy great-uncle's pantry) is known for its unapologetic kick. 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. Maker's Mark Compared to the familiar caramel-and-vanilla bombs, Evan Williams comes off as more restrained and lean, making it a good choice for those who usually find bourbon too sweet. Top 10 Bourbons. 10. It'll be interesting to see how Widow Jane evolves once its own distilled products start to enter the picture. Cabin Still 1. The result is a full flavored whiskey that goes down easy. 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 W. L. Weller, 12-Year-Old Bourbon.
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