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So the second way to look at it is really what this site is focused on- how it tastes. This mash bill leans more heavily into the rye, creating a solid base for two very closely related bourbons. For our money, the best do-it-all bourbon is Knob Creek's 9-year-old Small Batch offering. With no effort and normal market prices, I can have Makers, Larceny, and OWA. Old Forester packs a banana note that I thought could dominate the competition if I happened to be in a banana mood. So, we switched Eagle Rare to its sister brand, Buffalo Trace, which always warms up my palate in the winter. You can have five different notes hitting at once. The brand was withdrawn from the US market in 1997, but continued to be exported. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that needs to meet a few criteria to officially be called "bourbon." Distiller Score: 86. Distiller Score: 82. Retail - $80; Secondary - $250; Old Forester 117 Series High Angel's Share or Warehouse K (375ml) - T3. About 10 to 12 years ago, Total Wine opened a store in Clearwater Florida. The 1910 was release in 2018, and though it shares the . That extra time is why the Single Barrel costs three times more than a regular old bottle of Wild Turkey. If they land in my lap at MSRP, like some have, Ill bite. Ill have to revisit this sometime soon and update the list. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Really looking forward to the release of the RY 10 Single Barrel. Unfortunately, the surging popularity of bourbon has made most any wheater over 6 years old nearly impossible to find. Old Forester is richer, so it's less prevalent in this comparison, but it's definitely still there on its own without Jack Daniel's to cover it up. The 15 YO, and possibly the NAS version, are distilled at the Bernheim distillery, now owned by Heaven Hill, and matured in the Stitzel-Weller warehouses in Shively, Kentucky. A beautiful marzipan note came to life in the blind tasting. Hey Bill, what are the best wheated bourbons I can buy?. Please be responsible. That bottling is aged at least four years in new, charred American oak. Knob Creek 12 Year Price: ~$75 Proof: 100 Tasting Notes: Oak, vanilla, marshmallow Distillery: Jim Beam I'd say this is a bit of a draw on the nose. While Eagle Rare made it through the nomination stage, when it come to buy at the retailer, Westport Whiskey & Wine did not have it. Old Forester Single Barrel Rye Whiskey (Barrel Proof) - T3. ABV: 40% Note: the portfolio for Rebel Yell all received a makeover with updated labels in April 2019. The sip edges into orange zest territory with dark spices accentuated by nice toffee sweetness and a dusting of dark cacao powder when water is added. I have always found a peanut butter note in this bourbon, and that can be incredibly enticing during a blind tasting. Everything you ever wanted to know about Americas favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy. All of this isnt to say that drinking a Wild Turkey 81 is the same as drinking a Russells Reserve Single Barrel. The 6 year age statement is now gone and replaced with just the number 6 on the handle, but they bourbon is indeed at least 4 years old. If you're looking for the best value in bourbon, just get this. Its bottled at 115 proof for this distillery, thats the perfect proof, Minnick says. Makers is my flagship wheated bourbon. Learn how your comment data is processed. He is a native of Louisville, KY in the heart of Bourbon Country. Old Forester was one of the six distilleries to hold a medicinal whiskey permit during prohibition. Craft bourbon's rep is tarnished by a few bad apples makes subpar whiskey. In fact, ones named after a bourbon legend while the other has that legends visage on its label. He has conducted various bourbon and whiskey tastings in cities across the country, and consulted for multiple national labels. Futile efforts to obtain any of the 2nd list has been a waste of time. The palate carries that spice into peppery territory with hints of oak, vanilla, tart apples, and honey. Let me share a funny story. The mash bill is undisclosed, but is believed to be the same, or very close, to that of Old Fitzgerald and the Pappy expressions. It is bottled without an age statement at 80 proof. In my early review days, I wanted to compare anything and everything that seemed similar. The Bourbon After a pour I found my glass had a dark, rusty amber liquid. These became known as the Fitzgerald Barrels. Larceny is a wheated bourbon made from a blend of selected barrels made in honor of this legend. Recently have gotten into bourbons. Old Grand-Dad Bonded Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, was the nickname of a distiller named Basil Hayden. Pick up *several* bottles of 46 Cask Strength! Our inclusions in this guide are based on real-world testing and firsthand expert feedback, but there are a few new and upcoming bourbons we haven't had a chance to try yet that still warranted a mention. Booker's 25th (Probably gets some subconscious points from knowing it was a one-time release) Now, Top 5 that are fairly available (or sufficiently bunkered): 1. If you're making drinks, we prefer the light and spicy Four Roses bourbon. The first is as a collectors item. The dram leans into a honey-sweet edge with the oak, mild spice, and hint of dark chocolate popping at the end. Similar to the straight version, it is smoother, with a little more citrus on the nose and palate and a little dried peach on the finish. With intense flavors of dark fruit, cocoa, and vanilla, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers a smooth and balanced taste with a long, lingeri. Theyll tell you everything there is to know about their whiskey they dont hide the mash bill, the distillation proof. image via via modernthirst.com Will be looking to sample some others on your list particularly the Makers Cask Strength. Some expressions have a characteristic leather aroma, although this is not true of all of the bottlings. The notes kind of just linger. It made my Top 5. No, this isnt a single barrel expression. We relied on one of the most-esteemed bourbon experts in America, Fred Minnick. This is an easy drinking whiskey with a classic bourbon nose and taste and a smooth mouthfeel. My personal opinion is a little different. Average Price: $20. With Distiller, youll always know whats in the bottle before you spend a cent. Distiller Score: 80. Now, bourbon fans grow angry over their inability to find precious gold they once regularly consumed. Its more complex than regular FR, but still drinks easy. // < ! Its also worth noting that Wild Turkey had twoWild Turkey 101 and Russells Reservein the running to win it all. The whiskey is NAS, but is believed to be four to eight years old. Old Forester was launched in 1870 by George Garvin Brown and named for Dr. William Forrester, who prescribed bourbon to his patients. That works out to 1.75 barrels of bourbon per resident or over 500 bottles of whiskey per capita. Its got so much flavor to it, so much complexity its just brilliant whiskey., Are we including bottles that are impossible to find? Minnick asks. Proof: 100. The current distiller is rumored to be Heaven Hill. The bourbon category has never been more popular than it is right now. Last I heard it was going for about three thousand a bottle if you could find it. You might notice there isnt a price, proof, tasting notes or distillery information listed on this pick. Distiller.com uses cookies that are essential for us to operate the website and that are helpful for us to improve the services. This is such a dynamic whiskey, Minnick says. Produced by a respected distiller (Wild Turkey)? [CDATA[ It did not make my Top 6. This is what you drink when you need a break from barrel-proof juice. Minnick has a unique use for one of bourbons classic names. Best I ever had was a couple weeks ago in a Chicago speakeasy the Office. I bought two. Sounds like a pretty good reason the move to Kentucky. Makers 46 is a good pick. Got your Mash? The finish is long, caramel-sweet, with a lingering cinnamon and a cooked cereal note. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Beam was formerly known as Jim Beam Double Aged. Flavor Profile: Sweet It bears no age statement and is bottled at 92 proof. Old Elk Single Barrel Wheated Bourbon . Please be responsible. On the palate, there is caramel, sweet cooked corn, almond pralines, along with vanilla, oak, spice and pepper notes. If you are interested in exploring the lesser known brands however, and in the process learning a little more about the lore and history of classic bourbon brands, then this list is a good place to start. Really enjoyed reading it and appreciated your message. Here are my rankings the Best Wheated Bourbons in each category. Age statement in the double digits for $40 or less? I bought this bottle for $23 at a local big box store. Type above and press Enter to search. In fact, a lot of bourbons are cut from the exact same mash bills (grain recipes), barrels, and even proofs when they start aging. Distiller Score: 84. Don't drink and drive. Its estimated that there are over 3,500 historic brands of bourbon in the United States. My favorite by far of the standard production you mentioned is Larceny. Nice article Bill. At retail prices between $20 and $30, it is among the best priced wheated bourbon currently available. So, I switched it to Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, a very widely distributed bourbon from Heaven Hill. Regular Four Roses (formerly called Yellow Label), Old Forester 100 Proof (formerly called Signature), Wild Turkey 101, Jim Beam Black Label, Larceny Bourbon, Maker's Mark, and Buffalo Trace. At 12 years, they become really nice sips, and out towards 20 years, they can still be outstanding whiskey. In bourbon's growth, consumers have paid the price for its popularity. Jimmy Russell is the worlds longest tenured master distiller. Proof: The percentage of alcohol, displayed as double that of the alcohol percentage. The finish is long, honey sweet, with cinnamon and maple syrup notes. Henry McKenna Single Barrel, 10 YO, 50% ABV, is bottled by the Heaven Hill distillery. Old Forester Signature Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 50% ABV, is the oldest bourbon brand in the US and the first bourbon to be sold in bottle. First, bourbon can only be made in America, and its grain bill must include at least 51 percent of corn. It is a wheated whiskey, that shares a common DNA with Old Fitzgerald and the Pappy wheated bourbons. Thats because Barrell is, at this moment, the best blender of American whiskey there is (they have the trophy case to prove it). Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory) Bottled and sealed, his signature guaranteed quality. Simply, this is Heaven Hills famous wheated bourbon thats aged for nine years and bottled-in-bond. Take heed, though, since it somewhat controversially took home Best in Show, Whiskey at San Francisco World Spirits Competition a few years ago its been harder to come by, and more expensive than it used to be. The juice is the same stuff that goes into Woodford, although this entry is blended with different barrels for an end product thats a great, basic bourbon at a great price. If you find it, buy it. This bourbon may benefit from some airtime. Buffalo Trace vs Old Forester 86 Comparison . The bourbon is made by Jim Beam, and retails for around $20 per bottle. The sip leans into the toffee with a subtle dose of cinnamon spice lingering in the background with more of that honeyed corn. Could this be its year? Jeffersons has released a few wheaters in their Presidential Select lineupthat were great, as did Parkers Heritage. Bourbon, the Great American Spirit, is not as simple as one might think. W L Weller, Special Reserve Bourbon, NAS, 45% ABV, is produced at the Buffalo Trace Distillery by Sazerac. Unfortunately, for Old Fo, I was not. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? The Old Forester is one of the bourbons that's helped make Kentucky the capital of bourbon. Look, I know Jack says Tennessee whiskey on the label, but theres an argument made for it being bourbon. On the palate, you have caramel, brown sugar, candied nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cooked corn sweetness, some mint and a lingering pepperiness. But Evan Williams is a value brand. A pioneering brand, it was originally released as an exclusively bottled 90 proof bourbon whisky. Theres certainly less refinement at play. Rebel Yell has been a registered brand since 1936, although the recipe for the bourbon dates back to 1849. There is some alcohol burn, especially on the 114-proof version, along with sweet honey notes, candied citrus zest, brown sugar and that cooked tropical fruits. It is 115 proof and reminiscent of the style of bourbon distilled by the brand during the prohibition era. Sign up for his free drinks newsletter. The rest of the nation is just kinda getting to know em, Minnick says. So no Jim Beam Soft Red Wheat, none of the individual Willett bottlings, none of the Michters 10 year bottlings that were(or were reported to be) wheaters, and none of the Buffalo Trace Single Oak or experimental releases that were wheated. Flavor Profile: Sweet & Rich Distillery: Brown Forman Distillery in Shively, KY (Brown-Forman) Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon Classification: Straight Bourbon Company: Brown-Forman Distillery: Brown-Forman Shively Distillery Released: September 2015 Proof: 100 Age: NAS Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley Color: Medium-dark Amber MSRP: $50 (2015) Official Website Buy Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond Bourbon at Frootbat brands are now allocated and outside of the consumer's reach. Where we have full reviews, scores, or tasting notes, I have included links: // < ! It's full of flavor and has a bit of an oaky kick to it that pairs well with the sweetness. This is a side by side comparison review of the Old Forester 1920 and 1910, both are part of their Whiskey Row series. This bourbon won Whisky Advocates whiskey of the year, and Minnick was on the tasting panel. I have a couple of them in my bunker. Along with Old Overholt Rye, Old Grand-Dad falls under The Olds family of whiskeys released by Jim Beam. Thats not to say some of those werent fantastic. Flavor Profile: Rich & Full Bodied There can be no doubt that a certain 3-word labelhas greatly influenced bourbon and bourbon demand over the past decade. Theyre also all made in the same distillery (Jim Beam). That hasnt stopped the collectors, however. In addition, Minnick is the editor-in-chief of Bourbon+ Magazine and host on the Spirits Network. Admittedly, the barrel seasoning makes all the difference between . The whiskey has already won an impressive array of awards. Buffalo Trace is more bright, vibrant, tropical, fruity, and herbal. Yes. Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond won the taste for Best Everyday Bourbon. Today, Evan Williams Bourbon is distilled only blocks from the site of his original distillery. Wheated Bourbon Throwdown: Larceny vs. W.L. Additionally, BIB whiskey must be bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof). ABV: 40% Were just sayin. I believe that to be the definition of nuance. Among that plethora of lingering notes, you'll find interesting tastes like maple syrup, green peppercorn, coriander, and even a s'mores-like finish of chocolate, graham cracker and toasted marshmallow. Over time, the Yellow Label bottle has changed with the label losing the yellow color. Theres a sense of sweet yet slightly bitter tea next to rye spice and a flutter of fresh mint. From your daily sipper to the best bottle to bring to a party, here are the best bourbons to drink in 2023. Distiller Score: 88. They find themselves waiting in line and participating in lotteries for the likes of Weller Antique, which once collected dust on the shelf. Medley Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 51% ABV. ABV: 50% There are obvious exceptions, most related to older rye based bourbons that are bottled at a higher proof such as George T. Stagg. ABV: 45% It is based on a mash bill of 77% corn, 10% rye and 13% malted barley. Larceny Bourbon ABV: 46% Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY Average Price: $26 The Whiskey: This is the exact same juice that's just aged a little less. We don't believe there is one "best" bourbon, but there are bottles that are best for certain moments. In my past blind tastings, Old Grand-Dad did not fare well. Its got so much caramel, and a beautiful nutmeg note, Minnick says. These are two of my favorite daily drinkers both coming in at roughly the same proof, roughly the same price, and both readily available from respected distilleries. On the palate, there is a distinctive honey sweetness accompanied by cinnamon and nutmeg. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. #3 barrel char. Bourbon with an age statement and available at barrel strength for a good price? It doesn't sport a fancy age statement, but neither do most Old Forester brands. Theres a light, floral fruitiness upfront with a wisp of tobacco, flourishes of mint, and plenty of vanilla. Fred Minnick is a longtime American whiskey writer and author of multiple bourbon books. Makes it easy to see why some newbies often cant tell the difference between some of these bourbons, right? Entry proof unknown. Its essentially a barrel finished bourbon, and that extra spice is a nice kick to an otherwise soft, wheated profile. The finish is medium length, sweet, with caramel, vanilla and spice notes and a persistent pepperiness. It bears no age statement and is bottled at 92 proof. Flavor Profile: Rich & Spicy Relative to Kentucky, theyve been around for a few days. Nose: Honey, caramel, wintergreen, almond. Fortunately, we can still fall back on some tried and true value bourbons. The original Stitzel-Weller mash bill was 75% corn, 20% wheat and 5% malted barley. But the truth is, in a pinch, this is a great sipper. Like in-state rivals Jack Daniel's, the brand is keen to remind drinkers that the two are not the same (even though they kind of are). This is all about the sweetness.. Larceny is a wheated bourbon made from a blend of selected barrels made in honor of this legend. Uncle Nearest Straight Rye . Additionally, Four Roses uses up to five different yeast strains for its bourbons, and all are used here. Early Times Bottled-in-Bond was a contender for Best Everyday Bourbon. Mouth: Caramel, black tea, vanilla, clove and cinnamon. Weller CYPB, Weller Full Proof, Redemption Wheated, Wilderness Trail Wheated Mash Bill etc, would all be added. Early Times had already won a blind tasting with me previously, having captured gold in theBourbon Pursuit blind BIB Showdown. It was thick, and the coating of the glass left a thin crown that dropped tiny, slow-moving tears. The spice gets a little peppery as a final cut if citrus arrives to help the end slowly fade out. The whiskey is based on a mash bill of 62% corn, 28% rye and 10% malted barley. Its just that one of them was in the right spot in the rickhouse and deemed tasty enough not to be blended with other barrels. Its also killer if you want to make a $20 Manhattan. This one is more of a sipper. Black Label Extra-Aged is bottled at 43% ABV. Redwood Empire Bottled in Bond Rye . But I feel very firm in the Top Five, and I was pleased to see three bottled-in-bond bourbons in the running. But those whiskeys are cut from the exact same distillation. This is not a new phenomenon and it plays a large role in blended bourbons. Milk & Honey Distillery: Single Malt Made in Tel Aviv, Discussing the advantages and challenges of producing whisky in Israel. Distillers Gin Guide: Styles to Know and Brands to Try. His bourbon incorporated a large percentage of rye, giving the whiskey a spicy and powerful flavor. For my qualifications, I limited them to products under $40, available in the majority of the states and it could not be a limited edition. It has a suggested MSRP of $150, and Reserve Bar is your best bet for snagging a bottle.Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon: Every year for the past eight years, Texas-based distillery Garrison Brothers has released their fan-favorite Cowboy Bourbon: an uncut and unfiltered straight bourbon thats produced in limited numbers. ABV: 45.2% So lets divide them into two categories: Standard Production and Limited Release. They all use a similar mash bill, andsome reportedly even use yeast strains derived from the original Stitzel-Weller batch. It can claim to be extremely full flavored thanks to its 115 proof, and its taste profile is like a synthesis of. Finish: Medium length and warm. Pappy Van Winkles impossible-to-find wheated bourbon has become such a hype monster that other wheated bourbons from Buffalo Traces portfolio have seen their own popularity skyrocket due to their proximity. But by and large, I find traditional bourbons aged past 12 years to be more often worse than their younger siblings (Elijah Craig is a good example). It has a highly complex taste, with everything from cotton candy and cayenne pepper to macadamia nuts and underripe blackberries showing up across the nose and palate. #4 barrel char. One of the few universally praised non-macro whiskey makers in the U.S., its 6-year-old offering is Bottled-in-Bond, sweet mash bourbon with flavor that suggests the "6" on the label is a typo this bourbon tastes significantly older. Little did I know, this substitute would play a big role in my blind tasting. The finish is short-lived, with caramel and oak to it with very little to no warmth. This is another classic bourbon with a distinctive caramel and vanilla aroma on the nose. I W Harper was widely popular in the 1950s and 60s, and was exported to more than 100 countries around the world. It is a top selling bourbon in Japan. It can be a blend of multiple straight bourbon whiskeys as long as they're all produced in the same state. Russells Reserve has been hitting my sweet spot of late, and many, including myself, thought this would definitely be in the running. The exact mash bill is kept a secret but word on the street is that its a fairly low-rye mash bill with 12 to 15 percent rye. If God gave birth to a bourbon child, this is what it would taste like, Minnick says. Ive tasted vw 10 @$45 for a dbl in savannah. In this blind tasting, I picked up a cornbread note and thought it to be too young to make my Top 5. Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory) Maker's Mark Cask . If you come across its charged, barrel-proof older sibling, be sure to pick up a bottle, too.. The taste is sweet and spicy with a hint of herbaceousness. This is a departure from the classic Jim Beam mash we mentioned in the lede. Its not. Old Fitzgerald is a bottled-in-bond wheated bourbon released twice a year by Kentucky's . I had always found an over-oaked note here. Elmer T Lee (Wish it was still as easy to find as it was a few years ago) 2. The biggest surprise of the blind tasting since I had previously disliked it.