what are the 10 worst bourbons

11 min read. 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. Sneaky. The Whiskey Shelf even compared it to Larceny. 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? Its balance and wide appeal are what puts Knob Creek near the top of our list. My 5 Worst American Whiskies. Because theyre not going to just dump a barrel of whiskey into the gutter, right? As noted byThe Whiskey Wash, their flagship expression, Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon, offers vanilla and spice on the nose and palate without being overly sweet or cloying. 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. The Barton 1792 Distiller produces one of the best bottom shelf bourbons in the world today. Maybe this one should be tossed overboard. 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. Shipping is a great deal: $15 flat rate under $200; free shipping for orders over $200. 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. Forever. Mojo Old City BBQ. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Whiskey FAQs Final Thoughts Top 13 Worst Cheap Bourbons 13. It has a spicy, peppery finish with some heat. 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). Buffalo Trace is like that brilliant, beautiful, and disgustingly successful girl from school that you wanted to hate but just couldn't because she was so very nice. It'll be interesting to see how Widow Jane evolves once its own distilled products start to enter the picture. One Redditoreven claimed that they "poured it down the sink after a dram and felt bad for the drain and my wallet.". And if the Reddit comment "it tastes like rotting peanuts and cardboard" doesn't make you a little hesitant, then by all means, go forth and experiment. Like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig is a Heaven Hill distillery brand named for a legendary figure in bourbon history. The spice is squarely in the cinnamon category, with creamy vanilla, warm tobacco, and a hint of orchard fruit lurking in the background. 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. 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. Smoother finish, more complex flavors, smaller batches. "They have an extensive selection of bourbons and Buffalo Trace is their house bourbon." more. Old Fitzgerald Prime (80 proof, $14) Old Fitzgerald is a wheated bourbon, with a soft, smooth, mildly sweet flavor. In short, as 31 Whiskey stated, "It really does feel like they took a little bit more care with a couple barrels of Old Grand-Dad, dressed it up in a prettier bottle and charged twice as much for the privilege." One Redditor said Town Branch's unpleasant flavor earned it the nickname "hand cleaner." The bourbon costs between $40 and $50 per 1 ounce pour. 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 . His friends loved it and kept begging him for more "wild turkey bourbon" and the rest is history. Its only $5 more than David Nicholson and just much deeper while also being more approachable and mixable. Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Spoiler alert: The name ended up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The juice spends four years in barrels before its blended out into this expression and proofed way down to 80 proof. The palate is largely the same with a sense of watered-down apple juice, a hint more of that vanilla, some alcohol burn (almost inexplicably), and a touch of chocolate-covered cherries dipped in water. Ultimately, the whiskeys produced at this distillery tend to taste incredibly young or like "chewing on a yew branch" (via YouTube). Wellness Weight Loss Nutrition. Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. This bottle of 103-proof whiskey is affordable, retailing for around $20 for 750mL (so you're not really gambling your grocery money if you invest in a bottle). Meanwhile,Thirty One Whiskey explains that Jefferson doesn't distill anything the company just receives bourbon from other sources, then labels and sells it. At a very good price point for a 10-year-old whiskey, a bottle of this won't disappoint. 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). While the plastic fades away, the wateriness imparts flavors of muted vanilla, banana chip, and maybe a hint of caramel soda. But if all you care about is the results, scroll down to see which of the 21 bourbon brands we tried worked the best in an Old-Fashioned cocktail -- and which . This universality is achieved by letting the juice rest in deeply charred oak for six to seven years before its cut down to 81 proof for bottling. 10. So how are they? But Id argue that Benchmark Bonded for $20 is such a big jump in quality and flavor that you should try that first. When Jefferson's master blender tapped the casks, the sugars in the bourbon had caramelized and turned into a viscous, black liquid. 10. Now 52% Off. 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. The juice is a bourbon blend thats a minimum of four years old. 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." Top 10 bourbons over the last 12 months (based on number of units sold): Bulleit is the bestselling bourbon, according to Drizly. This is an entry point whiskey from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, commonly known as Willett. Knob Creek. And while not as well-known as reputable mid-range brands like Maker's Mark, it's still worth investigating. 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. A Look at Today's Top 10 By Josh Jackson April 17 . Across the web, bourbon reviewers use almost identical adjectives to describe Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Why such harsh words? 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 The man whose face has been immortalized on these bottles is none other than first-generation distiller Basil Hayden Sr., whose namesake bourbon also appears on this list. These days, it's part of the Jim Beam empire. Apparently not, because it's also pretty thin. Water and plastic are what you get on the nose and on the palate. 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. When it comes to bourbon, it's no different. 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. 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 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. Perhaps being the first at something isn't always a good thing. The bottle works wonders in a cocktail and is perfectly fine for an on the rocks sip of whiskey. 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. 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. This is the same mash thats used for bigger hitting brands like Eagle Rare, Stagg, and E.H. Taylor. The Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company makes beers, hard teas, and canned cocktails in addition to its bourbon line. The 2022 release of Russell's Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon is a standout product for the distillery. One Distiller reviewer says, "nose isethanol and nail-polish remover." First thing's first: this isn't Kentucky bourbon. As a reward, your name is engraved on a golden mint julep cup stored at the distillery, according toRedditusers who have joined the club. The Rankings: All 13 Bourbons, Ranked From Worst to Best. Thats just math. 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. As in, there's not much going on, and it's overwhelmingly reminiscent of potpourri lots of wood and lots of bad vanilla. 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. More typically, it goes for $22 to $25 which makes you wonder about the aphorism "You get what you pay for. . Ultimately, Fighting Cock Bourbon is just a boring, blah booze. Hopefully not, though it's understandable that your curiosity might be piqued. The nose is all about the nuts and fruit with a trail mix vibe next to more standard notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. Still, any bourbon worth a day's drive is worth noticing and worth the top honor on our list. 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). Unfortunately, you can't make a wish and ask for your $50 back. Cabin Still 1. Buffalo Trace earned a reputation as a brand that turns casual drinkers into serious bourbon fans. Don't fall prey to the fancy packaging. To that end, Im naming ten bottles of Kentucky bourbon that I think you should avoid. Learn More: Here. 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. Sounds like some consumersfell hook, line, and sinker for a good story and mastermind publicity, ultimately ending up $50 short. One Reddit usersums it up nicely by saying "There's nothing 'gentlemanly' about it." Overall, its fine if youre making a bourbon and Coke or any highball really. And this is where brands like Evan Williams come in handy. This is getting better, all things considered. The bourbon is made from a mash bill of four grainscorn, wheat, rye, and barleyall grown locally. These aren't the cheapest bottles you can find, but they are some of the best. Their Barrel Proof Bourbon was named Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate in 2017. Bottles vary from batch to batch, sometimes dramatically, which makes picking . This Tennessee bourbon was created by Bob Dylan, Angel's Envy founder Mark Bushala, and Master Blender Ryan Perry. It's not the pleasant aspects either, it's more like licking an oak plank," wrote Thirty One Whiskey. But Whiskey Wash called their Yellow Label expression "the little black dress of bourbonappropriate for everything." This has a big nose of vanilla-cherry tobacco with a hint of fresh mint lurking in the background next to a whisper of floral honey cut short by a slightly tinny nature. The juice is aged in a fairly heavily charred oak barrel for an undisclosed amount of time (the youngest barrel is likely older than four years). 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." Redditors echoed this sentiment, saying that it tastes artificially sweet and bitter, and is more "like watered down bourbon mixed with watered down wine.". According to The Manual, it turns out the two whiskeys are one and the same. 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. Hence the hate. 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The term "Bottled-In-Bond" means that the liquor must be the product of one. 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.". "I had the grilled chicken with bourbon bbq sauce and garlic mashed potatoes with rice pilaf." more. This touch results in a tasty-enough prototypical bourbon that "has left so much on the table due to being diluted down," according to Whiskey Consensus. While oneRedditor said it worked well in a Bloody Mary or an oyster shooter, the consensus was that it was nasty on its own. That's how Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea was born. However, SLB Basement Bourbon Bar (via YouTube) laments paying $80 for a bottle, claiming that it was a stupid waste of money to spend on a bottle with a good story. I think my wife's comments sum it up perfectly: "You can't make me put more in my mouth.". 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. Now in its 29th year of production, Knob Creek is an unapologetic, full-flavored bourbon long-aged and barreled up at 100 proof. The oak, dark spice, brown sugars, and whisper of corn linger on your senses through the medium finish. Paying homage to Kentucky is a good start. One Redditor said, "It's seriously the only bottle I've poured down a drain." As a wheater, it tastes similar to Maker's or W. L. Weller: mellow, with hints of citrus and tree fruit. Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. 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." 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. 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. 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. It's a mainstream list, for sure. Art of the Spirits Whiskey Cask Strength "Frogman" Straight Bourbon Whiskey. There's also a sizeable ethanol burn, which ended up leaving some bourbon aficionados in gastric distress. On YouTube, the folks fromIt's Bourbon Nightdescribe it as having a sweet, fruit nose but a stale, nutty, incredibly watered down taste, while Modern Thirst says it's bottom shelf, young tasting, and best used for mixing. 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. Those notes almost immediately disappear into the watery nature of the sip with no discernable finish but maybe that Wonder Bread dipped in tepid water. Tasters on Distiller claim that this bourbon is flavorless, hard to get down, and incredibly bland and boring. 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. Like a stranger in the night, it's best to just stay away from this one. Getty Images for Bulleit Frontier Whiskey 1. Maybe the judges had incredibly tired palates by the time this disaster came up for judging. It's called common sense. PerBreaking Bourbon, it features the expected caramel, toffee, and vanilla notes on the nose, followed by a hit of spice, oak, and butterscotch. 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. 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. Redditors are more direct: "Old Crow will make you want to quit bourbon.". Maybe the folks at Early Times took the whole historical angle a wee bit too far. Colonel EH Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash - $24,719. While some craft bourbon can read a bit young and woody on the palate, this whiskey tastes fully mature and carefully produced. Unfortunately, Thirty One Whiskey agrees, stating that it's "fairly mediocre." "It's fun to throw into blind tastings," another user adds. Best Budget Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Koval Bourbon Best Splurge Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey Best Bourbon and Rye Whiskey Hybrid: Redemption Straight. Garrison Brothers is the first legal whiskey distillery outside of Kentucky, meaning they've obtained the proper permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) to lawfully produce and distribute spirits through different businesses, vendors, and retailers (via Cobb & Counsel). "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. This introductory juice from Four Roses is a blend of all ten of their whiskeys. Tasting Notes: Spice, sweet tobacco, orange, mint. What makes Elijah Craig a critical favorite is its complexity and balance. Sounds like most of the finances for this experimental spirit were put to really good use in the marketing and branding department. When someone says that the "cherry flavor is way too loud. If you want to stick with Diageo, however, then Id recommend getting yourself some George Dickel Bottled-In-Bond for $40. One note: All the prices listed were accurate as of April 2022, but the price may be different in your area. The hint of oak connects and balances the flavors of fruit and spice. Old Grand-Dad is actually quite memorable, but not in the way little Raymond was hoping. The Whiskey Reviewer described its Original Bourbon as having a nose "like a thin, sweet vanilla syrup" and a finish that's "sweet, but not especially long or deep." 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. 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. This delicious and smooth bourbon has slight aromas of dark honey and brown butter. This expression is the bottom rung in bottle form. Best Expression of the Category: New Southern Revival Brand Jimmy Red Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The Bonded version basically takes everything thats just a whisper in the above version and lets it shine while layering in deeper flavor notes. 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. Best Cocktail Bourbon Four Roses Bourbon Drizly $24 AT DRIZLY Proof: 80 Average Price: $12 - $20 Tasting Notes: Floral essence, fresh fruit, spice "This is such a dynamic whiskey," Minnick says. No, Widow Jane is not Basil Hayden's elderly aunt. Purchase: $65 Style: Cask-strength high-rye ABV: 61.7% Tasting Notes: Vanilla, orange peel, maple, nutmeg, rye spice Barrell Bourbon Vantage There are hints of vanilla, overcooked popcorn, caramel, and what feels like fresh slices of Wonder Bread. But remember, taste is subjective, and at the end of the day, your rankings are the only ones that count. Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon 2. 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). Literally tastes like dirt." Aged not less than 15 years, George T. Stagg is a rare bottle found only in high-end whiskey bars. 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. 90. Four Roses Small Batch is such a small step up in price (only $28) but a huge step up in taste. Ezra Brooks Bourbon Old Ezra 7 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. A1A Ale Works Restaurant & Taproom. 10. This is light but also simple. It's easily one of the first whiskeys to be thrown into the pit of most regrettable bourbon purchases. 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. So if you like port wine (or granola) and have a spare $40 to $50, then perhaps this is your new nightcap. So how does it taste? This suggests their tried-and-true middle-shelf expressions may be a safer bet for most tastes than their limited-edition experiments. Which only made you want to hate her more. This 92 proof straight bourbon whiskey hails from Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, located in a little town in Hudson Valley, New York. 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. Somehow, you'll get everything from cherry to ginger to wasabi to brown butter, with a hint of grassiness. Human beings like to think that an inflated price and a striking bottle means it must be good, right? Whiskey Thief Uncut Unfiltered is described by the brand as having caramel and honey notes, a woody edge, and a hint of white pepper. Bourbon drinkers unanimously agree thatPaddleford Creekis pretty vanilla. The flavor profile of the US1. 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. Maybe it's a sign that this bourbon needs to be locked away. Sipped or mixed, these star-studded faves are bar cart essentials. In the context of . Well, think again this venerable bottom-shelf brand deserves a lot more respect than it's been getting. The whiskey spends around four to five years mellowing before its blended, proofed down, and bottled. 3. 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 ). Well, at least the price tag under $20 makes it a good gag gift. Best for Cocktails: Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label or . They usually disappear into cocktails or mixed drinks.

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