what are the 10 worst bourbons

This is an entry point whiskey from Kentucky Bourbon Distillers, commonly known as Willett. Ultimately, the whiskeys produced at this distillery tend to taste incredibly young or like "chewing on a yew branch" (via YouTube). Taste your way through the best of the best of America's native spirit. When you think of Wild Turkey, do you picture an unshaven guy sitting by himself in a bar, muttering at the TV and nursing a tumbler of the stuff before shuffling off to a depressing studio apartment somewhere? Its like its in an entirely different spirits category than Old Crow. This doesn't mean it's necessarily terrible; it's just not to most drinkers' tastes. Now 52% Off. "And it's the best cocktail bourbon out there." 10. This is getting better, all things considered. To be fair, not everyone wasted their whole bottle; another commenter on the same thread said that this whiskey is a great ingredient in baked beans. Theyre just not very good maybe a little plasticky or watery and also all come from huge distilleries that make way better expressions for just a little bit more cash. 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. 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. 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." But just because something has won medals doesn't mean it's universally adored and beloved. The soft, creamy mouthfeel makes it an incredibly easy tipple to enjoy, even for newer members of the bourbon drinking collective. The main ingredient for bourbon is corn and other grains are used in varying quantities. Whether or not this is worth your while depends on your fondness for Old Grand-Dad. 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 ). 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. Every step is carefully monitored, from sourcing herbs, grains, and spices from vetted farmers to using state-of-the-art technology to keep its products consistent. Beyond these basics, the details of bourbon's history are murky. But Id argue that Benchmark Bonded for $20 is such a big jump in quality and flavor that you should try that first. Here's the thing. The brand is characterized by an alcoholic burn and a strong hit of spice due to its rye-heavy mash bill. Getty Images for Bulleit Frontier Whiskey 1. Most disciples of whisky (note whiskey in the U.S. carries an 'e,' unlike its overseas counterparts . When it comes to bourbon, it's no different. Well, at least the price tag under $20 makes it a good gag gift. 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. The finish is pretty watery it kind of reminds me of hose water on a hot day with the same beats for vanilla-caramel-corn-and-wood barely peaking in over the proofing water. The steeliness of this is hard to get past sometimes. I made the mistake of picking up two minis of this. . It's made by Buffalo Trace using the same mash as their namesake bourbon, yet aged for 10 years. This bourbon possesses a familiar warmth, like a. Ultimately, Fighting Cock Bourbon is just a boring, blah booze. Or maybe it does, but not in a good way. Now, hold onto that concept for one second. But Whiskey Wash called their Yellow Label expression "the little black dress of bourbonappropriate for everything." On the nose, it provides immersive caramel corn and toasted wood notes with a hint of buttery toffee. The bottle works wonders in a cocktail and is perfectly fine for an on the rocks sip of whiskey. 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). Like a stranger in the night, it's best to just stay away from this one. As a wheater, it tastes similar to Maker's or W. L. Weller: mellow, with hints of citrus and tree fruit. Its flavor is described as vanilla and something medicinal and mint. If you want to stick with Diageo, however, then Id recommend getting yourself some George Dickel Bottled-In-Bond for $40. Colonel EH Taylor Old Fashioned Sour Mash - $24,719. Union Horse White Bourbon Whiskey 3. Well, think again this venerable bottom-shelf brand deserves a lot more respect than it's been getting. For $13, you can get some Very Old Barton from the same distillery. According to the distillery's tasting notes,this 94 proof bourbon smells of "vanilla lemon cake" and tastes like caramel, vanilla, citrus, and spices. As one commenter on The Whiskey Jug says, it "tastes like someone spilled vinegar in sweet whiskey." Overall, its fine if youre making a bourbon and Coke or any highball really. But it successfully managed to earn both public acceptance and respect, even becoming the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. It's sad but true. Are these the worst bourbons ever? While a wallop, Batch 033 still drinks surprisingly smooth, with notes of applesauce, candied . 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." According to 31 Whiskey, the brand has its origins in the 1940s, when a liquor wholesaler picked up a bottle of nameless bourbon from a distillery he dealt with and took it to share on a turkey hunt. "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. 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 . I didnt, but I have no idea what to do with it otherwise. Remember that old adage, "First the worst, second the best?" It's just sitting there, complacent, without much fight in it at all. The juice spends four years in barrels before its blended out into this expression and proofed way down to 80 proof. 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." When you hear comments like that, it makes you wonder if this is the same bourbon that won a Silver Medal at the 2020 International Spirits Challenge and a Double Gold at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Championships (via Liquor.com). 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. It's all good when you're drinking the best bourbon under $100: 6. In short, if Old Grand-Dad had a life philosophy, it was probably "go big or go home.". Theres a bit of steeliness to the nose that mellows hints of dried florals, apple, and a touch of honey and spice. 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. That being said, looks and price tags can be deceiving, and making choices based on these elements can easily get you into trouble. George T. Stagg comes in dense and robust-bodied texture. Top 10 bourbons over the last 12 months (based on number of units sold): Bulleit is the bestselling bourbon, according to Drizly. Sadly, it's also rated two stars by many reviewers on Distiller(as one taster laments, it was $20 down the drain). The test barrels remained on OCEARCH's vessel for three years, even passing through the Panama Canal numerous times according to the bourbon company. 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. On the palate, its candied notes are balanced by oak, char, and spice. For more than 50 years, bourbon has been recognized as a reward for hard work and a celebration of individuality. Get $150 in bonus bets no matter what! When someone says that the "cherry flavor is way too loud. 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. 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. If you're looking for a top-notch bourbon and willing to search high and low to get your hands on a bottle, W.L. Reviews such as the one by Bourbon Culturesound off with regard to the ethanol smell and creamed corn taste, but according to Reddit users, falling for good marketing and paying upwards of $50 is what really grinds their grain. The end is long and leaves you with that boozy burn and a touch more of that sweet corn and butter. Well, that's not good. The whiskey spends around four to five years mellowing before its blended, proofed down, and bottled. Wild Turkey Rare Breed. It mixes well, and it's a decent sipper. This bourbon from Lux Row is a wheated bourbon mash thats contract distilled partially off-site and partially made at the distillery. 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. You would think this spirit would be big, bold, and, live up to the hype. It is, according to Breaking Bourbon, "a down-the-middle bourbon and will appeal to just about anyone." Youve earned good whiskey, so lets get into which bottles to skip from the big Kentucky distilleries! This 80 proof, light-bodied bourbon is produced by Beam Suntory, the daughter company of Jim Beam and Suntory Holdings (and third-largest producer of distilled beverages worldwide in 2020, per Statista). The taste doesnt veer too far from the nose as the apple turns more honey, with mild vanilla and more honeyed sweetness. Still, this is perfectly serviceable as bourbon and Coke whiskey but not much else. The Bonded version basically takes everything thats just a whisper in the above version and lets it shine while layering in deeper flavor notes. Some (a lot sometimes) are hot trash. Buffalo Trace earned a reputation as a brand that turns casual drinkers into serious bourbon fans. 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. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Whiskey FAQs Final Thoughts Top 13 Worst Cheap Bourbons 13. 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. 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. What if you were told that the inspiration for this bourbon comes from a famous racing horse? Its versatile, cheap, and damn good for what it is. In response to a question about some serious shade being thrown at the company, bourbon fanatics on Reddit chimed in with their two cents. It must be encoded somewhere in our DNA who doesn't like owning attractive and expensive items? Best for Cocktails: Four Roses Bourbon Yellow Label or . 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). 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. Dating back to the 1880s, Four Roses boasts both an unusual history and an unusual way of making its bourbons. While one of the most familiar bourbon brands, Jim Beam is not known for its depth or subtlety. This is then mixed with "set-back" (basically the leftovers from the previous distillation process). Paste Magazine reports that dissatisfaction with pricing is a universal consumer woe regardless of the bourbon. The end is warm but not hot. This expression was devised as a lower-proof bourbon thats a pure workhorse whiskey. It's not the pleasant aspects either, it's more like licking an oak plank," wrote Thirty One Whiskey. 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 Paying homage to Kentucky is a good start. 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. But remember, taste is subjective, and at the end of the day, your rankings are the only ones that count. Barrell Craft Spirits has undergone massive changes throughout the last 3 years. Old Fitzgerald Prime Bourbon 4. More typically, it goes for $22 to $25 which makes you wonder about the aphorism "You get what you pay for." I think you can skip Old Forester 100 (which is fine for cocktails) and go straight to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond. 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. As a reward, your name is engraved on a golden mint julep cup stored at the distillery, according toRedditusers who have joined the club. And while not as well-known as reputable mid-range brands like Maker's Mark, it's still worth investigating. Bourbon makers can play this game too, producing both unpretentious mass-market bottles and more refined, smaller-batch expressions. It's cringe-worthy no matter how you look at it. This is just a cheap and easy bourbon thats good for mixing with Coke and not much else. This is the first bottle of whiskey I ever considered pouring down the drain. Winchester Extra Smooth Bourbon 2. Tech Fitness Outdoor Autos Gear of the Week Gifts. As 31 Whiskey noted, "Basil Hayden's is to Old Grand-Dad as Acura is to Honda." Per the distiller's tasting notes, Larceny has aromas of toasted bread, maple, and cinnamon, and a reported taste of molasses, fig, and hazelnut. 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. Price: ~$50. 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. Detailed review . 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." I probably wouldnt even mix this with Coke. 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. Clyde May's Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The theory was that the constant movement of bourbon sloshing around in wood barrels would in turn make the whiskey age faster. Naturally, Barrell Craft Bourbon Batch 033 comes bottled at cask strength, 58.3% ABV (116.6 proof). That means its made for mixing but you can sip it if thats your jam. 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. Flavor is sweet at first, with a hint of old leather although it has some oak char bitterness, but nothing too severe. The problem is that, as one taster states, this bourbon is excessively sweet, without much complexity (via Distiller). Judging by how utterly unpalatable the Kentucky Straight Bourbon is on its own, maybe the company should stick to beer. The site also says that Bright Lights, Big City smells of vanilla and oak, with a flavor of stone fruit, corn bread, caramel, and cashews that "lingers long after your final sip." According to The Manual, it turns out the two whiskeys are one and the same. Their Barrel Proof Bourbon was named Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate in 2017. 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. It allows them to customize their mash bill to fit their taste, since different grains produce different flavors. The bourbon costs between $40 and $50 per 1 ounce pour. 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. And despite its eyebrow-raising alcohol content (100 proof, or 50% ABV), it feels warm on the tongue, not abrasively hot. 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. Its flagship product, Wild Turkey 101, is a classic bourbon expression, with a typical mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. One Redditoreven claimed that they "poured it down the sink after a dram and felt bad for the drain and my wallet.". 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." Theres soooooooo much bourbon out there right now that it cant all be great, the best, or even very good. It's most definitely a science and craft that takes extensive knowledge, time, practice, and patience to master. And according toBreaking Bourbon, the even higher-proof (120 proof) Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon "is really easy to love," offering a similarly well-balanced profile, smooth with a long-lasting complex finish of cinnamon, oak, and leather. Instead, this venerable budget brand (which you may have last seen in your grumpy great-uncle's pantry) is known for its unapologetic kick. 9. Thirty One Whiskey says that using it as a mixer doesn't really help much, so if you're shopping for affordable, bottom-shelf bourbon, do yourself a favor and don't be a rebel. Rather, Widow Jane currently sources its bourbons from several undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, then barrel-ages and blends them which is how a nine-year-old company has been able to sell 10-year-old bourbon since its inception. Human beings like to think that an inflated price and a striking bottle means it must be good, right? 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. Knob Creek offers all of these, making it a model for what well-balanced bourbon is supposed to taste like. 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 by The Spruce Eats. 90. And the similarities don't end there Basil Hayden's even boasts the same rye-forward malt bill as Old Grand-Dad. Established in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery is the creator of Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon, a small batch, wheated bourbon that comes out three times a year. Old Fitzgerald Prime (80 proof, $14) Old Fitzgerald is a wheated bourbon, with a soft, smooth, mildly sweet flavor. > You can also check out GAYOT's: - Best Bourbons under $40 for budget . Price: ~$10. One taster compared this bottle to "grass clippings and gasoline aged in turpentine barrels," which doesn't sound like anything we'd want to put in our mouths (via Distiller). Light is what comes to mind on the nose with a soft cream soda, a touch of caramel, and a little bit of corn husk. Whiskey Thief Uncut Unfiltered is described by the brand as having caramel and honey notes, a woody edge, and a hint of white pepper. Whiskey Advocate writes that this is called the TerraPURE process, and it utilizes ultrasonic waves to speed up the aging process from years to a mere day (and a week or so to rest). Rebelwill make you want to rebel against the Kentucky bourbon distillery that makes this juice (that's Lux Row Distillers if you were wondering). Unless youre looking for a run-of-mill bourbon. 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). This bourbon is an award winner (Double Gold at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Platinum at the 2018 SIP Awards). To put a finer point on it, Id be lying if I said I loved every bourbon I tasted. The term "Bottled-In-Bond" means that the liquor must be the product of one. At least it's only around $15, so you're not killing your wallet. George Dickel is actually the flagship spirit from Cascade Hollow Distillery. Evan Williams Bourbon. 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). Old Grand-Dad doesn't do much for modern-day tasters, since it's only palatable as a mixeror preferably, not at all. 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. 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. The List: Best Bourbon, According To The Experts. It has a lush toffee sweetness and dark chocolate with hints of vanilla, fudge, nougat, and molasses. 8 Brand Average Price: roughly $12 ABV: 40% 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. Meanwhile, customers vent their frustration for succumbing to shiny object syndrome the bottle looked cool. $38.49. To get here, it is a gorgeous drive through horse farms and rolling, bluegrass Kentucky hills. This whiskey was also rated 95 points in 2012 by The Tasting Paneland won a silver medalat the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016. These days, it's part of the Jim Beam empire. And while flavorful enough, it's not all that unique, and its high price point makes it a difficult choice to get behind. The nose is all about the nuts and fruit with a trail mix vibe next to more standard notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. The taste is classic bourbon with watery hints of leather, spice, and cornmeal next to vanilla extract, caramel, and old buttered popcorn. The low percentage of rye in the mix lowers the spice and focuses on the honey and leather notes. This is a classic bourbon that became part of Jim Beam about 30-odd years ago. Malt likewise found pleasantly fruity notes in its Old Forester 1910. While some craft bourbon can read a bit young and woody on the palate, this whiskey tastes fully mature and carefully produced. 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. Its perfectly fine but not the best representation of Wild Turkey by any stretch. 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. 9. The nose is sweet, with notes of honey, caramel, vanilla and just a whiff of ethanol. Like many distilleries, Barton 1792 has a convoluted history. 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). 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). Bourbon aficionados will tell you that when purchasing a worthwhile whiskey, you should never be swayed by appearance and you should alwaysdo your research. You're better than that. The artificial and chemical taste was also a source of disgust on Distiller, with samplers commenting that it was heavy on the ethanol. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon. A beguiling blend of straight bourbon whiskeys (5, 6, 7 and 10-year-old barrels) distilled and aged in TN, KY and IN, and bottled at cask strength (115.34 proof).

Scott Hilburn Obituary, Andy Messersmith Net Worth, Read Locked Channels Discord Plugin, Articles W