Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory) This no-age statement bourbon replaces the Black Label 8 Year. Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory) I recently did a blind taste test comparing some Wheaters and surprisingly rated Makers 46 as my top pick among Makers Mark, Larceny, Old Weller Antique, and Bernheim (a pure wheat whiskey). Head to Head Comparison: Old Forester 100 vs Wild Turkey 101 I like to do head to head comparisons because I feel like it brings out the nuances of each bourbon. 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, ten percent malted barley. Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon that is stored in charred new oak for at least two years. Its price, proof and age suggest it could be your next home bar staple. First released in 2021, Dickel 8-Year Bourbon is the company's first official foray into bourbon whiskey, and it's a value-driven powerhouse. image via via modernthirst.com His bourbon incorporated a large percentage of rye, giving the whiskey a spicy and powerful flavor. While I think the standard version is fine, Ive had two private barrel selections that were great. The finish is long, caramel-sweet, with a lingering cinnamon and a cooked cereal note. Little did I know, this substitute would play a big role in my blind tasting. You can often find this for $9.99 on sale. New Riff Distilling was founded in 2014. If Evan Williams were to sell this whiskey to someone else, that brand would mark it up to $40, and people would be happy buying it, Minnick says. Next time you have a blind tasting throw Larceny in to the mix and see the results. It is based on a mash bill of 77% corn, 10% rye and 13% malted barley. It bears no age statement and is bottled at 92 proof. The whiskey inside Early Times' wicked affordable Bottled-in-Bond expression is Brown-Forman-made, though, and it has that sweet-and-smooth Basil Hayden's thing going on, just more a more solid boozy backbone with a recurring note of caramel corn throughout. Russells Reserve Bourbon, 10 YO, 45% ABV, is produced by Wild Turkey. This tends to produce spicier flavors in the bourbon. At times our old standbys can be tough to findand when we do, they are triple the standard price. On the palate, the whiskey is smooth and sweet, with vanilla and caramel and a little dried fruit. Everything you ever wanted to know about Americas favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy. There is also a Russel Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon that is bottled at 55% ABV, and is matured in barrels that have been toasted to a #4 alligator char. The 10 YO sells for around $35 per bottle, while the single barrel expression sells for around $55. Egg nog spices kick this sip off. It is a top selling bourbon in Japan. Entry proof is 125 proof/62.5 percent. A store near me does private barrel selections of OWA and they are outstanding. This makes a wonderful sipper or gift to a friend, and since Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, you best believe this makes an excellent base to a mint julep with its myriad notes of fruit and spice. 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. Average Price: $12. Buy as much as you can as this price isnt going to last. I have not had the VW 23, VW 20, and VSOF12. Proof: 100. Entry proof unknown. Each release represents a historical year for the distillery. That hasnt stopped the collectors, however. The toffee and oak mingle in the end as it slowly dissipates. This is similar to the various Pappy expressions. This is a NAS Straight bourbon, so it is at least four years old. This is a simple bourbon thats cut from the same mash and pulled from the same rickhouses as everyones beloved Blantons one of the more sought after and awarded bourbons in modern times. Wheated Bourbon Throwdown: Larceny vs. W.L. Makers 46 is a good pick. 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. Distillers Gin Guide: Styles to Know and Brands to Try. Notwithstanding the number of bourbon brands, however, and the veritable explosion in craft producers, now close to 2,000 operating distilleries, over 95% of all of the bourbon made in the United States is produced by 13 large distilleries owned by eight major beverage companies. San Francisco World Spirits Competition a few years ago, The 25 Best Whiskies to Try Before You Die, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. This high percentage makes the whiskey sweet and complex, a great choice for those looking for something inexpensive but rich with flavor. Its also killer if you want to make a $20 Manhattan. But that list has a problem: Almost half of them are so limited in production or so high in demand that most readers will never see them a retail. The brand was resurrected by Diageo in 2015 as both a NAS and a 15 YO version. Boy, was I wrong! ABV: 50% Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The NAS version would be better with a little more age and at a higher proof. Bourbon always has to be aged in new charred oak barrels at no more than 125 proof (or 62.5 percent alcohol), and it's not allowed to include any additives or colorings. ABV: 40% Sign up for his free drinks newsletter. Learn how your comment data is processed. With tasting notes that include butterscotch, toffee, caramel and honey, this is one for the sweet tooths. 2020 ModernThirst. The mash bill consists of 72% corn, 18% rye and 10% malted barley. The sip leans into the toffee with a subtle dose of cinnamon spice lingering in the background with more of that honeyed corn. The oak peeks in with more vanilla, notes of toffee, and a bit of berry tartness. In the past decade, good brands went from available to allocated and from $15 to $40. This Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bears no age statement and is bottled at 90 proof. Bourbon is a type of whiskey that needs to meet a few criteria to officially be called "bourbon." #3 barrel char. Yes, Ancient Age is the same mash bill, barrel, and barrel proof as Blantons. Wild Turkey also has the same mash bill as Jim Beam and the same barrel char. Bourbon drinkers who enjoy spice and dark fruit will be fans of this release. Charles is a 50-year veteran of the Kentucky distilling industry and his familys history is closely intertwined with Kentucky bourbon. Quite the contrary, I didnt care for the whiskey in the blind tasting. Jimmy Russell is the worlds longest tenured master distiller. Flavor Profile: Sweet & Vanilla On the nose, there are faint notes of vanilla, and cooked corn, along with some caramel and oak notes. Overpowering taste and smell of alcohol. Proof: The percentage of alcohol, displayed as double that of the alcohol percentage. Uncle Nearest Straight Rye . The bourbon is bottled-in-bond (BIB), which means it is the product of a single distillation by a single distiller at a single distillery, and has been aged for at least four years under US government supervision. Don't take Woodford Reserve's Double Oaked's ubiquity for mediocrity. Milk & Honey Distillery: Single Malt Made in Tel Aviv, Discussing the advantages and challenges of producing whisky in Israel. ABV: 50% In fact, ones named after a bourbon legend while the other has that legends visage on its label. Minnick has a unique use for one of bourbons classic names. brands are now allocated and outside of the consumer's reach. The Brown-Forman distillery also uses the same mash bill for their premium, high-end market bourbon, Woodford Reserve. This is what you drink when you need a break from barrel-proof juice. In bourbon's growth, consumers have paid the price for its popularity. That brand was owned for a while by Julian P Pappy Van Winkle, and is considered the inspiration for the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. The Controversy Explained, Love Buffalo Trace Bourbon? Makes it easy to see why some newbies often cant tell the difference between some of these bourbons, right? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its bottled at 115 proof for this distillery, thats the perfect proof, Minnick says. I like it. On the flip side, expensive bourbon isnt always as refined as it seems. The Russel Reserve Single Barrel has a similar aroma and flavor profile. Id certainly make a few changes here and there. No need to wait for a special occasion, these are great for any day of the week. The juice is a throwback to Colonel Blanton who expanded the distillery in the 20th century and used to handpick barrels for his personal stash in warehouse H. The bottle in-and-of-itself has become a collectors item with the small horse on each cork varying slightly. I buy this product more than anything else on this list. Old Forester has been on the market continuously since 1870, which is longer than any other bourbon. Pappy Van Winkle, in his infinite wisdom, allegedly chose wheat in his recipe because he felt is matured more quickly, and bourbon could be moved to market at a younger age. Bourbon novice, here; have only sampled a dozen, or so, bourbons. Bottled in Bond: Under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a bottled-in-bond spirit must be produced by one distillery in the same distilling season, then aged under federal supervision and cut and bottled at 100 proof. Roughly 1,000 are currently active. It can be a blend of multiple straight bourbon whiskeys as long as they're all produced in the same state. Weller Special Reserve, 12 Year Wheated Bourbon Blind Tasting: Weller 12 vs. Old Fitz 12 vs. Van Winkle 12, Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy, Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon, Press Release: Old Foresters Next Release in the 117 SeriesFeatures a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K, William Larue Weller (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), Rebel Yell Single Barrel 10 Year (added October 2016). For the uninitiated, wheat used as a secondary grain was really pioneered at the old Stitzel-Weller distillery in Louisville, birthplace of the Weller lineup, the Van Winkle lineup, and the Old Fitzgerald Lineup. Over time, the Yellow Label bottle has changed with the label losing the yellow color. The finish is long, honey sweet, with cinnamon and maple syrup notes. Ive always found a bright nutmeg note, which can really stand out in blind tastings. Lets Talk Fermentation and Distillation! The current distiller is rumored to be Heaven Hill. Thats not to say some of those werent fantastic. Theres a light, floral fruitiness upfront with a wisp of tobacco, flourishes of mint, and plenty of vanilla. That lower entry proof lends to more flavor from the mash bill (corn, rye and malted barley). Despite the increasing demand (and price) for much-hyped bottles, bourbon is an every-person drink. There are plenty of expressions of excellent bourbon priced under $50 from the national brands. Still, its not the cheapest expression you can get from Brown-Forman. [CDATA[ Nice to see it make your list. Press Esc to cancel. It is aged longer than Jim Beam Original, also known as Jim Beam White Label. Distillery: Brown Forman Distillery in Shively, KY (Brown-Forman) They deserve to be on every Best Everyday Bourbon list for their massive fan base alone. #4 barrel char. His son, Eddie Russell, took over as Wild Turkeys Master Distiller in 2015, after 35 years with the company. It has none of the harshness youd expect from a 133.2 proof bourbon, and doesnt undergo chill filtering instead just using light filtration to remove barrel char flakes. A touch of water brings out more sweetness. The latter is a blend of a 16-year-old bourbon and a 15-year-old high-rye bourbon that pays tribute to the familys first distiller, Jacob Beam, and its said to be some of the best bourbon being produced at the busy distillery. Entry proof is 125 proof/62.5 percent. This is Buffalo Traces higher-rye bourbon mash bill even though its not that high comparatively. He has also been published on Liquor.com. It bears no age statement and is bottled at 92 proof. Medley Brothers bourbon is made by the father and son team of Charles and Sam Medley. This is the exact same juice thats just aged a little less. For our money, the best do-it-all bourbon is Knob Creek's 9-year-old Small Batch offering. But it was not in the cards. ABV: 50.5% 2) Sazerac 18 Year Straight Rye This is going to be a controversial choice, but let's talk this through. Distiller Score: 86. Will be looking to sample some others on your list particularly the Makers Cask Strength. Old Fitzgerald is a bottled-in-bond wheated bourbon released twice a year by Kentucky's . I W Harper Kentucky Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 41% ABV, is based on a mash bill of 73% corn, 18% rye and 9% malted barley. Other states have much lower thresholds, however, some considering anything over $400 to be grand larceny. Fred Minnick is a longtime American whiskey writer and author of multiple bourbon books. Of course, its pretty good, too. But if I get back to Loretto, Im not leaving without the Makers 101. The finish is medium length, sweet, with caramel, vanilla and spice notes and a persistent pepperiness. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I walk in and find 15 year old Pappy in a red velvet sack sitting on the shelf for about sixty dollars a bottle. Medley Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 51% ABV. Because its not a hype whiskey, doesnt have a famous name and isnt a limited release, it doesnt get talked about but I challenge you to find a bourbon with this much firepower at the price point. Its not complex, but the sweetness is really nice the way it hits the palate. 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. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond But I worried its subtleties could get lost in a deep field, which this was. Average Price: $90. The name Old Forester was allegedly chosen in honor of a doctor named Forrester, who regularly prescribed the bourbon to his patients at a time when it was still sold in pharmacies for medicinal purposes. However, the signature for which this bourbon gets its name and which is displayed on each bottle, is the founder of the brand, George Garvin Brown. Its 100 proof retains a full body and mixes bonafides without lighting your mouth on fire. I write about wines and spirits and the hidden corners of the world, Whisky Review: 50 Year Old Glenfarclas, Bowmore, Cardrona, And More, Hendricks Gin Debuts Flora Adora As New Limited Release, Thinking About Black Wine Business Beyond Black History Month, Whisky Review: Compass Box, Benriach, Tobermory, And More, Vibrant Whites, Distinctive RedsAppreciating The Wines Of Friuli, Appreciating Some Of Italys Lesser Known Varietals And Grapes, Wine Cocktails That Take The Chill Off Winter, Bacardis Latest Cask Finished Rum Expressions Are Exceptional. Fourth - Larceny With wheated bourbons riding a tidal wave named Pappy, Larceny flies under the radar. Its a little smoother and feels softer on the palate. Were just sayin. You can get a lot of satisfaction out of that. It's a classic tasting bourbon with notes of oak, caramel and brown sugar. The result is bottled at 93 proof. These bargain bourbon brands can all be had for $25 or less, so make sure keep your home bar stocked! I drink so much Makers with BBQ, he says. Hi Dave! Simply put, Minnick knows bourbon better than almost anyone in America. There are obvious exceptions, most related to older rye based bourbons that are bottled at a higher proof such as George T. Stagg. #4 barrel char. ABV: 46% Don't drink and drive. Nose: Honey, caramel, wintergreen, almond. Wheated: A bourbon with a higher than normal percentage of mash bill made up of wheat (the main grain remains corn). All of the Weller expressions share the same mash bill. Non-Distiller Producers (NDP): Companies that purchase their whiskey from someone else rather than making it themselves. Its not. and all are worth seeking out. Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. 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. It's a cask strength blend created by the blending masters at Barrell Craft Spirits and it is a doozy. Distiller.com uses cookies that are essential for us to operate the website and that are helpful for us to improve the services. And in Division Two we have Old Forester Signature 100 proof up against Wild Turkey 101. At retail prices between $20 and $30, it is among the best priced wheated bourbon currently available. Hope I can find some of them here in the Pac-NW. This is a BETA experience. As it turns out, it came in my top 10.