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. The bourbon costs between $40 and $50 per 1 ounce pour. 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). The steeliness of this is hard to get past sometimes. It has a spicy, peppery finish with some heat. The term "Bottled-In-Bond" means that the liquor must be the product of one. 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. 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. 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. It's easily one of the first whiskeys to be thrown into the pit of most regrettable bourbon purchases. Britannica writes that the art of distilling has been around since 800 BCE. One Reddit usersums it up nicely by saying "There's nothing 'gentlemanly' about it." Theres soooooooo much bourbon out there right now that it cant all be great, the best, or even very good. And this is where brands like Evan Williams come in handy. I think you can skip Old Forester 100 (which is fine for cocktails) and go straight to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond. Sometimes only five to ten dollars more. Old Grand-Dad is actually quite memorable, but not in the way little Raymond was hoping. #7. I didnt, but I have no idea what to do with it otherwise. Weller 12. 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. Water and plastic are what you get on the nose and on the palate. If these famous individuals had more options, would they have still picked Old Crow? 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. Simply because the goal of this distillery TerrePURE Spirits, alias Terreesentia is to reduce the aging time a whiskey needs from years to hours (via Thirty One Whiskey). So if you like port wine (or granola) and have a spare $40 to $50, then perhaps this is your new nightcap. $21 at Drizly. It also explains why the label has a picture of a brown horse on the front. When it comes to bourbon, it's no different. It's made by Buffalo Trace using the same mash as their namesake bourbon, yet aged for 10 years. This is fine for what it is, a decent cocktail bourbon. Its probably the best bourbon." more. 11 min read. The hint of oak connects and balances the flavors of fruit and spice. Trey Herring's Carolina Bourbon Whiskey 6. Sounds like most of the finances for this experimental spirit were put to really good use in the marketing and branding department. (as decided by me and in alphabetical order.) Another chimed in that it was like drinking straight maple syrup. 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). 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. While 95% of all bourbon is made in Kentucky, the spirit can be and is crafted elsewhere. Clearly, such heritage brands have stood the test of time here's how they fare in comparison with newer players in the bourbon game. But maybe consumers' expectations are simply too high? The easy path is to just say, get the Eagle Rare 10 for $50 and be done with it. "There's some vanilla and brown sugar in the beginning, but it's immediately replaced by an overwhelming flavor of oak. The burn carries through to the finish, muting the vanilla, peanut, caramel, and oak. Imagine Kentucky Chewing on that. The Bonded version basically takes everything thats just a whisper in the above version and lets it shine while layering in deeper flavor notes. The List: Best Bourbon, According To The Experts. 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." Malt likewise found pleasantly fruity notes in its Old Forester 1910. Though KOVAL has received over 100 international awards, perhaps it should focus its energy on perfecting one spirit instead of tackling multiple products all at once. Overall, its fine if youre making a bourbon and Coke or any highball really. Ezra Brooks Bourbon Old Ezra 7 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. ", This 80 proof has a nice, golden color and a label that looks like an old vintage medicine bottle. Micher's 10-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon The 10 years in the barrel were more than enough for Micher's to mature and develop a rich flavor profile. First online real money wager only. The flavor profile of the US1. While some craft bourbon can read a bit young and woody on the palate, this whiskey tastes fully mature and carefully produced. Old Fitzgerald Prime Bourbon 4. 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. Another Distiller commentereven noted that it reminded them of a breath mint or menthol cigarettes, sans tobacco. 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.". AsThirty One Whiskey writes, "Aging happens for a reason namely to give the spirit some depth and complexity that otherwise is missing. Sounds tasty, doesn't it? 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 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. This bourbon is an award winner (Double Gold at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Platinum at the 2018 SIP Awards). Imagine the taste of Kentucky bourbon whiskey with the essence and spice of fermented peppers, garlic, and vinegar. Have you ever heard of the Kentucky Chew? Claim Now Must be 21+. Like many distilleries, Barton 1792 has a convoluted history. This bourbon possesses a familiar warmth, like a. While the plastic fades away, the wateriness imparts flavors of muted vanilla, banana chip, and maybe a hint of caramel soda. Wolcott Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom. One Redditoreven claimed that they "poured it down the sink after a dram and felt bad for the drain and my wallet.". Ranking The Big Bourbon Brands, From Worst To Best. Zackariah Harris Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 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. Winchester Straight Bourbon is the product of individuals who are probably more interested in the money side of the distilling world than the crafting process and end product. Well, at least the price tag under $20 makes it a good gag gift. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, larceny is defined as "the unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently." Whoever Old Grand-Dad was, he didn't pull his punches. Do you know what happens to mediocre, boring bourbons? These aren't the cheapest bottles you can find, but they are some of the best. This makes perfect sense because the bourbon is named after Dr. James Crow, a Scottish physician and chemist who invented the sour mash process, an important step in distillation (via Whiskey Raw). Not necessarily, because a humdrum bottle or a bourbon at a low price point isn't always going to taste like nail polish remover. 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. Its only $5 more than David Nicholson and just much deeper while also being more approachable and mixable. And given the other options at this price point, there are definitely better spirits available to scratch your rye whiskey itch.". You would think this spirit would be big, bold, and, live up to the hype. Hopefully not, though it's understandable that your curiosity might be piqued. 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). Its palate is sweet with notes of berries and apricot with . Bourbon, by definition, has to be at least 51% corn and most distillers we've seen hug that fairly closely. Perhaps being the first at something isn't always a good thing. The Last Drop Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon - $18,320. 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. There's also a sizeable ethanol burn, which ended up leaving some bourbon aficionados in gastric distress. The whiskey is made from 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 10% heirloom malted . The test barrels remained on OCEARCH's vessel for three years, even passing through the Panama Canal numerous times according to the bourbon company. Basically, this bourbon is cloyingly sweet since it's finished in port wine barrels. Unfortunately, Thirty One Whiskey agrees, stating that it's "fairly mediocre." Its flavor is described as vanilla and something medicinal and mint. 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. 13. This has a very classic and spicy bourbon nose with clear hints of vanilla, oak, spice, and wood. At a very good price point for a 10-year-old whiskey, a bottle of this won't disappoint. Whiskey Thief Uncut Unfiltered is described by the brand as having caramel and honey notes, a woody edge, and a hint of white pepper. Knob Creek. This is the same mash thats used for bigger hitting brands like Eagle Rare, Stagg, and E.H. Taylor. What's even more mind-boggling is that in 2018, this bourbon won Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Are these the worst bourbons ever? It actually dates back to 1879, after which a series of ownership changes resulted in its current name and product line. I think my wife's comments sum it up perfectly: "You can't make me put more in my mouth.". Today, Booker's is a mid-to-top shelf bourbon staple a limited quarterly release from Jim Beam Distillery that typically falls between 6 and 7 years old and 120 and 135 proof. Now 52% Off. 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. 31 Whiskey called their middle-shelf Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey "a smooth and delicious bourbon" with a balanced mouthfeel and finish. Maker's Mark is one of the best-known bourbon brands. The theory was that the constant movement of bourbon sloshing around in wood barrels would in turn make the whiskey age faster. It's called common sense. 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. Its versatile, cheap, and damn good for what it is. 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. Weller's 12-Year-Old Bourbon is one of the best money and time can buy. Old Fitzgerald Prime (80 proof, $14) Old Fitzgerald is a wheated bourbon, with a soft, smooth, mildly sweet flavor. Blade and Bow is a 91 proof, $50 blended bourbon that has no age statement on the bottle. Theres a bit of steeliness to the nose that mellows hints of dried florals, apple, and a touch of honey and spice. Basil Hayden's is such a case. 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. Proof: 112.8. 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. It'll be interesting to see how Widow Jane evolves once its own distilled products start to enter the picture. A finely balanced whisky that's sweet but not cloying, smooth but still memorable, 1792 Sweet Wheat is lovely enjoyed neat or on the rocks. 1. Unless youre looking for a run-of-mill bourbon. His friends loved it and kept begging him for more "wild turkey bourbon" and the rest is history. 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." The taste delivers on that and expands into peach cobbler territory with mild hints of vanilla and brown sugar syrup with baking spices. As Malt Review shared, it's "mouth-puckeringly tart at first" with an "iron-like stiffness from the beginning to the end of the mouth" and "the spiciness of Big Red chewing gum." "I had the grilled chicken with bourbon bbq sauce and garlic mashed potatoes with rice pilaf." more. The Michter's range includes bourbon, rye, American whiskey, and sour mash whiskey. Perhaps this overwhelming scent would be permissible if it was marketed as such, but other reviews state that it's sadly just an average bottle of booze that's also extremely harsh and bitter. Its just so watery. Bulleit 2. From Heaven Hill Distillery, Henry McKenna is a lovely sipping bourbon with slight herbaceous notes and hints of spices and honey. 90. Hence the hate. 5) Best Single Barrel Bourbon - Henry McKenna. Aged for four years and bottled at 46 percent ABV without chill filtration, Clyde May's opens with rich caramel aromas and follows with hints of sweet . More typically, it goes for $22 to $25 which makes you wonder about the aphorism "You get what you pay for." A "small-batch bourbon" is a bourbon that's an amalgamation of a number of barrels, anywhere from 10-100. Bourbon makers can play this game too, producing both unpretentious mass-market bottles and more refined, smaller-batch expressions. Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. You really don't need any cavities. Some (a lot sometimes) are hot trash. It's all good when you're drinking the best bourbon under $100: 6. The brand is characterized by an alcoholic burn and a strong hit of spice due to its rye-heavy mash bill. While oneRedditor said it worked well in a Bloody Mary or an oyster shooter, the consensus was that it was nasty on its own. Don Lockwood Whiskey Cocktail. Not many of us have the ducats to stock our bars with only top-of-the-line, limited-edition releases. (That's a good thing.). 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. Blade and Bow'sconception starts with the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, whose claim to fame is being founded by the man behindPappy Van Winkle (via Whiskey ID). That said, the quality between a big Kentucky distillerys standard expression and the stuff they put in those plastic bottles can be massive. Elijah Craig's Barrel Proof expressions are regularly in the running for best bottle of the year, according to The Bourbon Bard. 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. It mixes well, and it's a decent sipper. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Whiskey FAQs Final Thoughts Top 13 Worst Cheap Bourbons 13. If you can stomach it, the juice is best in a pickleback. 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. 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 the calculated and scientific vibe is what some bourbon tasters are picking up on, because as one Redditor put it, "KOVAL tastes like it was made in a lab by scientists that had never tasted whiskey themselves and the flavor was described to them by a guy that loves terrible whiskey." Bourbon, that caramel-colored brown liquor, with the unmistakable nose and palate of smoke, vanilla, caramel and molasses, is a bona fide crowd pleaser. 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. It absolutely nails the classic Wild Turkey flavor profile and perhaps more importantly, finds the perfect balance between its fruity and sweet notes against its aged oak flavors. Bourbon drinkers unanimously agree thatPaddleford Creekis pretty vanilla. $52 at ReserveBar. Today, many of Old Forester's expressions are formulated and marketed to evoke the brand's long history. And while flavorful enough, it's not all that unique, and its high price point makes it a difficult choice to get behind. "They have an extensive selection of bourbons and Buffalo Trace is their house bourbon." more. Maker's Mark It's not the pleasant aspects either, it's more like licking an oak plank," wrote Thirty One Whiskey. For the price, Kentucky Bourbon seems to fall flat, and tasters would probably agree with the Reddit user who wrote "I am pretty sure whatever is in this bottle came out of that horse.". This 92 proof straight bourbon whiskey hails from Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, located in a little town in Hudson Valley, New York. Old Thompson American. According to the distillery's tasting notes,this 94 proof bourbon smells of "vanilla lemon cake" and tastes like caramel, vanilla, citrus, and spices. While a bottle won't make you break the bank (they start at $40 to $50), the woody, funky taste seems to be a running flavor in this distillery's production line. A Look at Today's Top 10 By Josh Jackson April 17 . If you have even a passing familiarity with bourbon, you'd probably recognize its distinctive square bottle and red wax-dipped cap from across the room. Its only $49 and is a great example of the power of this brand/distillery/team. 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. Id go with another Lux Row mainstay, Ezra Brooks 99. The oak aging gives this Bourbon dry and spicy character. 10. The low percentage of rye in the mix lowers the spice and focuses on the honey and leather notes. Here's a quick recap of the 10 most expensive bourbons in the world: Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old - $33,438. 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. 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. When Jefferson's master blender tapped the casks, the sugars in the bourbon had caramelized and turned into a viscous, black liquid. 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. Now, hold onto that concept for one second. Woodford Reserve has a historic, upscale feel to it. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire 14 days after. Top 10 bourbons over the last 12 months (based on number of units sold): Bulleit is the bestselling bourbon, according to Drizly. In fact, it's just the opposite. Beyond that, its cut down to 80 proof with plenty of Kentucky limestone water and bottled in plastic. Its flagship product, Wild Turkey 101, is a classic bourbon expression, with a typical mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. Widow Jane's claim to fame and major marketing boast is that its bourbon blends are finished with limestone-filtered water from the nearby Widow Jane mine. 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 Reviewers on Flaviar state that the juice is weak with little flavor, with a hint of mud in the background. It stands to reason then that just as there are the best bourbons from particular distilleries, there are also the worst bourbons from those same distilleries. Four Roses Small Batch is such a small step up in price (only $28) but a huge step up in taste. The end is subtle, short, watery, and steely with a minor touch of green oak, spice, fruit, and one more dash of honey.
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what are the 10 worst bourbons