what are the 10 worst bourbons

Instead of watery muted notes, this suffers from a bit of a burn that overpowers whats in the whiskey. Still, this is perfectly serviceable as bourbon and Coke whiskey but not much else. It's easily one of the first whiskeys to be thrown into the pit of most regrettable bourbon purchases. When Jefferson's master blender tapped the casks, the sugars in the bourbon had caramelized and turned into a viscous, black liquid. And there are a lot of expressions, from their flagship 80-proof bourbon to their small-batch, single-barrel, and limited releases, offering bourbon geeks numerous options to collect and explore. So how are they? Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Jim Beam is not only one of the biggest-selling bourbon brands, but it is one of the oldest. 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). It's not the pleasant aspects either, it's more like licking an oak plank," wrote Thirty One Whiskey. Old Fitzgerald Prime (80 proof, $14) Old Fitzgerald is a wheated bourbon, with a soft, smooth, mildly sweet flavor. And this is where brands like Evan Williams come in handy. Bourbon, by definition, has to be at least 51% corn and most distillers we've seen hug that fairly closely. 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. 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. It sounds comparable to taking a mouthful of whiskey mixed with Listerine (At least you'll kill all the germs, right?). 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. They claimed that the bourbon is poor quality for the price you pay and that it "doesn't even come close to holding its own against cheaper competition." (That's a good thing.). Not necessarily, because a humdrum bottle or a bourbon at a low price point isn't always going to taste like nail polish remover. 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 . The distillery's tasting . Learn More: Here. Thirty One Whiskey writes that the name is supposed to represent the two stars on the Louisville city flag. 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). I made the mistake of picking up two minis of this. So how does it taste? Top 10 bourbons over the last 12 months (based on number of units sold): Bulleit is the bestselling bourbon, according to Drizly. 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.". 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. On the palate, the Evan Williams has a decent body as it has some texture. Produced by Western Spirits Beverage Company, a bottle of Lexington Bourbon will run you around $42, as sold on Caskers. This suggests their tried-and-true middle-shelf expressions may be a safer bet for most tastes than their limited-edition experiments. At least it's only around $15, so you're not killing your wallet. Whether or not this is worth your while depends on your fondness for Old Grand-Dad. $10 first deposit required. Are these the worst bourbons ever? Maker's Mark Meanwhile, Reddit users stated that it was bland, tasted like flavored water, and wasn't worth the price. Rather, Brooklyn, New-York-based Widow Jane is a relative newcomer to the bourbon scene. If super flavorful, bold, and bright bourbon is your calling, then you'll probably want to steer clear of Basil Hayden'sKentucky Straight Bourbon. Theres a bit of steeliness to the nose that mellows hints of dried florals, apple, and a touch of honey and spice. 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. 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. It's a classic tasting bourbon with notes of oak, caramel and brown sugar. 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. The end is warm but not hot. It's from the land of frigid cold and really big lakes (Minnesota). And despite its eyebrow-raising alcohol content (100 proof, or 50% ABV), it feels warm on the tongue, not abrasively hot. The sip is almost invisible on the tip of the tongue and very watery but does have echoes of sweet cherry candy, caramel apples, and vanilla extract in there but you really have to dig around for them. 8 Brand Average Price: roughly $12 ABV: 40% It's a balanced, austere bourbon, with a sophisticated nose that Malt described as "ferric, green and vegetal notes balanced against warm, very subtly woody vanilla." So if you like port wine (or granola) and have a spare $40 to $50, then perhaps this is your new nightcap. One note: All the prices listed were accurate as of April 2022, but the price may be different in your area. Some (a lot sometimes) are hot trash. Best Bourbon Under $100 Best Bourbon Over $100 Bonus: Single Barrel Picks Bourbon FAQ The Best Bourbons Under $50 Larceny Small Batch The entry-level offering of Heaven Hill's wheated mash. Youve earned good whiskey, so lets get into which bottles to skip from the big Kentucky distilleries! The distillery's signature 10-year-old bourbon presents a nose of nutmeg, cream, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon, and a palate that flirts with maple syrup, almond, cherry, and orange. The verdict is that should you choose to drink this spirit, you're going to want to use it as a mixer. What makes Elijah Craig a critical favorite is its complexity and balance. 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. This whiskey is aged for four and a half years in new American charred oak barrels. There are hints of vanilla, overcooked popcorn, caramel, and what feels like fresh slices of Wonder Bread. This is then mixed with "set-back" (basically the leftovers from the previous distillation process). I guess Id also take a shot of this as a beer back in a pinch but I wouldnt be hyped about it. 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? Like the 'crying baby on an overnight airplane flight" kind of way-too-loud,' it's time to reevaluate. Some reviewers on Flaviar noted that it had a rather off-putting aftertaste, and the word harsh came up multiple times. So what makes Old Grand-Dad distinctive? This system was intended to make things fairer for consumers, but in some areas, there was the opposite effect, with fans crossing state lines in search of a bottle, according to The Bourbon Bard. 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. "There's some vanilla and brown sugar in the beginning, but it's immediately replaced by an overwhelming flavor of oak. Brought to you by the Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company (not to be confused with Lexington Bourbon, the ones who brought you the bottle with a horse on it), Town Branch Kentucky Straight can only be described as a waste of money. After all, this bourbon isn't really a magic bottle. 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. Well, that's not good. You're better than that. 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. What if you were told that the inspiration for this bourbon comes from a famous racing horse? But unfortunately, this spirit doesn't seem to live up to its trademark slogan: "You never forget your first sip of Basil Hayden." Why the sub-par reviews? 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. Redditors echoed this sentiment, saying that it tastes artificially sweet and bitter, and is more "like watered down bourbon mixed with watered down wine.". Like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig is a Heaven Hill distillery brand named for a legendary figure in bourbon history. Its only $49 and is a great example of the power of this brand/distillery/team. Benchmark Old No. So you'd think that this boozy elixir would, you know, at least have some nice legs on it. Tasting Notes: Spice, sweet tobacco, orange, mint. Don't fall prey to the fancy packaging. The Beam (originally Boehm) family settled in Kentucky and began selling whiskey there in 1795, according to The Whiskey Reviewer. It's just sitting there, complacent, without much fight in it at all. They usually disappear into cocktails or mixed drinks. More typically, it goes for $22 to $25 which makes you wonder about the aphorism "You get what you pay for." 1792 Sweet Wheat - $35. This delicious and smooth bourbon has slight aromas of dark honey and brown butter. 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. While one of the most familiar bourbon brands, Jim Beam is not known for its depth or subtlety. But it successfully managed to earn both public acceptance and respect, even becoming the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. The nose is sweet, with notes of honey, caramel, vanilla and just a whiff of ethanol. Overall, its fine if youre making a bourbon and Coke or any highball really. Also Read: The Top 5 UPROXX Bourbon Posts Of The Last Six Months. 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. Hudson Baby Bourbon Whiskey Check Price Buy now This is hot in that it tastes like burning instead of hot notes from spice, wood, or tobacco. W. L. Weller, 12-Year-Old Bourbon. The Rankings: All 13 Bourbons, Ranked From Worst to Best. Best Value: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond. The oak aging gives this Bourbon dry and spicy character. This bourbon is so sweet that it's been likened to a bottle of diabetes, and one reviewer on Flaviar said that the sweetness was bad enough to hurt their teeth. Old Foresters 86 Proof is a very straightforward whisky. $21 at Drizly. While bourbon can technically come from anywhere in the US, maybe Minnesota should leave it to the experts down in Kentucky. Art of the Spirits Whiskey Cask Strength "Frogman" Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Numerous bourbon brands trace their roots to the 1800s or earlier. Yes, its a shooting and mixing whiskey but its so much more complex than this and only costs about $5-$7 more. Here's a quick recap of the 10 most expensive bourbons in the world: Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old - $33,438. The artificial and chemical taste was also a source of disgust on Distiller, with samplers commenting that it was heavy on the ethanol. This doesn't mean it's necessarily terrible; it's just not to most drinkers' tastes. Its probably the best bourbon." more. The Whiskey Shelf noted that it "has some of the quintessential bourbon flavors, but overall there's not a lot going on," and Breaking Bourbon said its "straightforward and approachable flavor profile" makes it a "good base for cocktails.". Someone thought it was a good idea to hook up withTabasco brand hot sauce and bottle and sell the offspring for around $25. That said, that note completely goes away when you mix this into highballs or bourbon and Cokes, where it shines the most. Barton doesnt disclose the mash bill but it is aged at least four years. While a wallop, Batch 033 still drinks surprisingly smooth, with notes of applesauce, candied . Distillery: Wild Turkey. Kentucky Gentlemen is brought to you by the Sazerac Company (known for Fireball,Myer's Rum, and Southern Comfort, to name a few), and distilled by the seventh-largest distillery in the world,Barton/1792 Distillery(via Whiskey University). On the other hand, Malt gave low marks to their pricey ($85) Single Barrel 73-IV, noting its "awkward and unbalanced sensations." Now in its 29th year of production, Knob Creek is an unapologetic, full-flavored bourbon long-aged and barreled up at 100 proof. Unless youre looking for a run-of-mill bourbon. Why such harsh words? 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. ", This 80 proof has a nice, golden color and a label that looks like an old vintage medicine bottle. The Best Bourbon Under $100 There's nothing wrong with cheaper bourbons, but you definitely get what you pay for if you expand your budget a bit. Purchase: $65 Style: Cask-strength high-rye ABV: 61.7% Tasting Notes: Vanilla, orange peel, maple, nutmeg, rye spice Barrell Bourbon Vantage The Whiskey Shelf even compared it to Larceny. But all things considered, it's a . It's sad but true. It was intended from the start to be a premium brand a radical idea at the time when bourbon was seen as a working person's drink. This is one of the best skippable whiskeys on this list. It's also flavorful, for the most part. I probably wouldnt even mix this with Coke. It mixes well, and it's a decent sipper. The first bourbon to be distilled in New York makes this list for its high corn mash bill, at 90% corn and 10% malted barley. Wow, this is thin on the nose. Malt likewise found pleasantly fruity notes in its Old Forester 1910. Claim Now Must be 21+. There's also a sizeable ethanol burn, which ended up leaving some bourbon aficionados in gastric distress. Jesse James Bourbon 5. Barton 1792 Distillery part of the Sazerac group of distilleries is renowned for white labeling, contract distilling, and putting out both amazing and amazingly cheap bourbons. Naming your bourbon "Two Stars" doesn't seem like that great of a move. And given the other options at this price point, there are definitely better spirits available to scratch your rye whiskey itch.". 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.". 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. The following list deals with domestic whiskies that are either officially bourbon or very bourbon-like and cost less than $15 per 750mL bottle in my expensive city. It's a mainstream list, for sure. These selections are presented in alphabetical order. Basil Hayden's is such a case. Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon 2. 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 also explains why the label has a picture of a brown horse on the front. It's called common sense. Faint lemon candies and honey lead to an old vanilla wafer on the nose but not much else. 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." A popular marketing strategy is for companies to offer product lines and brands at different price points. The test barrels remained on OCEARCH's vessel for three years, even passing through the Panama Canal numerous times according to the bourbon company. 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. However, taste is subjective andRedditreviewscomparethe flavor to "bitter rubber," while a consumer on Distiller reports "hints of Redman chew spit and unsweet tea fermented in a styrofoam cup in mid July.". Get $150 in bonus bets no matter what! Its only $5 more than David Nicholson and just much deeper while also being more approachable and mixable. This is fine on the front end but completely disappears on the back end/finish into a watery mishmash. Across the web, bourbon reviewers use almost identical adjectives to describe Basil Hayden's Kentucky Straight Bourbon. 3 Might Make You An Emotional Wreck, How Bail Bag Helps The Formerly Incarcerated Get Back On Their Feet, Advice From A Finance Pro For How To Survive (And Thrive) In This Economy, Why We Shouldnt Forget About The Game Stop Short Squeeze, Five Cities Where Latinx Street Art Is Alive And Well, Travel Budgeting Pro Gabby Beckford Shares Her Best Financial Advice For 2023 Adventures, We Blind Tested Our Favorite Fast Food Double Cheeseburgers & Crowned A New Champ, How To Actually, Truly Buy Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon For Real, Were Picking The Very Best Air Jordan IIIs Of All Time, In Control: Quentin Grimes Is Writing His Own Story With The Knicks, Amanda Renner On Getting To Dig Deeper With Player Interviews At The Masters, Charlotte Flair Continues To Carve Out My Own Path Ahead Of WrestleMania 39, Maxo Decries The Face Of Stone Portrayed By A Fake Friend For UPROXX Sessions, Talib Kweli & Cormega On The Realness II, Nas, The Firm, Large Pro, Queens, Luh Tyler Goes Behind The Video For His Law & Order Visual, Sandra Mejia Is Bringing The Healing Power Of Plants To The Green Desert Of South Central Los Angeles, The 50 Best Bourbon Whiskeys Of 2021, Ranked, Every Winning Bourbon From Our 2021 Taste Tests, Blind Tasted And Re-Ranked, The 100 Best Whiskeys Our Head Drinks Writer Tasted In 2021, We Blind Tasted A Whole Bunch Of $30-60 Bourbons To See If Any Could Beat Weller, The Best Ten-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskeys, Tasted Blind And Ranked. 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. Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. It'll be interesting to see how Widow Jane evolves once its own distilled products start to enter the picture. The juice spends four years in barrels before its blended out into this expression and proofed way down to 80 proof. The nose is a mix of yellow masa, damp cedar, wildflowers, and a hint of vanilla extract next to fresh mint leaves. The easy path is to just say, get the Eagle Rare 10 for $50 and be done with it. $52 at ReserveBar. But remember, taste is subjective, and at the end of the day, your rankings are the only ones that count. Naturally, Barrell Craft Bourbon Batch 033 comes bottled at cask strength, 58.3% ABV (116.6 proof). This is a classic bourbon that became part of Jim Beam about 30-odd years ago. Detailed review . The distillery's website states that this bourbon is aged a minimum of three years and has a mash bill consisting of 95% corn (100% from New York) and 5% malted barley. To that end, Im naming ten bottles of Kentucky bourbon that I think you should avoid. Its stellar whiskey, albeit from Tennessee and not Kentucky. 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. Its flagship product, Wild Turkey 101, is a classic bourbon expression, with a typical mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. 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). 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. Despite whatever institutional turmoil it has endured, Barton 1792 produces low-key, understated expressions. The burn carries through to the finish, muting the vanilla, peanut, caramel, and oak. "The Weller 12 YO is an outstanding whiskey. Zackariah Harris Straight Bourbon is usually released to the public after it has been left to age for a couple of years. Its like its in an entirely different spirits category than Old Crow. Well, according to Lexington Bourbon's website, that's the case. 3. But should it be there in the first place? But Distillerreviewers point out that it has an intense heat, too much cinnamon, and is akin to lighter fluid. This 92 proof straight bourbon whiskey hails from Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, located in a little town in Hudson Valley, New York.

Blasphemous Gemino Dead, Disadvantages Of Laboratory Schools, Locomotion In Protozoa Slideshare, Articles W