Last Updated on: 23rd April 2024, 07:32 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
These are the top-selling Bourbons in the United States.
I have reviewed and ranked them from worst to best with the assistance of Whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights.
Written by: J Highland
Choosing the Best-Selling Bourbons
- Budget Mixers: Jim Beam is affordable and effective in cocktails with its neutral flavor.
- Sweet & Nostalgic: Jack Daniel’s combines banana and brown sugar flavors, ideal for mixing.
- Budget Sippers: Evan Williams offers honey and spice notes, great neat or in drinks.
- Light Options for Newbies: Basil Hayden’s features a smooth blend of apple and cherry.
- Oaky & Spicy: Elijah Craig Small Batch is bold with chocolate and spice, softened by water.
- Smooth & Wheaty: Maker’s Mark provides a gentle wheat-driven taste with vanilla.
- Balanced Rye: Bulleit Bourbon mixes rye spice with caramel sweetness.
- Affordable Wheated: Larceny offers a budget-friendly, sweet profile with banana bread hints.
- Great Value Spice & Sweet: Wild Turkey 101 balances spice with sweetness, offering good value.
- Smooth & Balanced: Woodford Reserve is known for its harmonious mix of sweet, spicy, and oaky flavors.
- Subtly Spiced Easy Sipper: Buffalo Trace is enjoyable with caramel and vanilla notes.
- Rich & Bold: Knob Creek offers a robust profile with cherry and vanilla.
- Sweet & Spiced: Russell’s 10 brings a Thanksgiving pie-like experience.
- Smooth & Balanced Rye: Four Roses Small Batch is creamy with vanilla and spice.
- Port-Finished Uniqueness: Angel’s Envy stands out with maple and spice flavors.
- Smooth Wheatiness: Weller Special Reserve is noted for its soft wheat character.
- Single Barrel for Cocktails: Henry McKenna 10 is robust and versatile in mixed drinks.
- Developed Oaky Palates: Eagle Rare is deeply oaky with dried fruit and vanilla.
- Complex Aficionados: E.H. Taylor offers a deep, complex profile with cherry and tobacco.
- Butterscotch Bliss: Blanton’s Single Barrel excels with a luxurious butterscotch and vanilla profile.
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Quick Look at the Top-Selling Bourbons
Ranked worst to best:
Jim Beam: Budget Mixer (Skip for Sipping)
- Nose: Caramel, vanilla, hay, corn
- Palate: Toasty oak, peanut, vanilla, black pepper, oak spice
- Finish: Short-lived, caramel, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
Jim Beam focuses on affordability for mixing. The nose offers sweet corn, vanilla, and a touch of alcohol. The thin palate echoes the nose with corn sweetness, pepper, and a hint of acetone. The finish is short, warm, and peppery.
While a good budget mixer, its lack of body makes it unimpressive for sipping neat or on the rocks, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Jack Daniel’s: Sweet Memories, Better in Mixes
- Nose: Banana, oak, wood polish
- Palate: Caramel, banana, oak char
- Finish: Citrus, black pepper, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Coke
Jack Daniel’s evokes nostalgia for some. The nose has banana, brown sugar, and oak. The palate is thin and light, with sweetness overpowered by oak char. The finish is short and hot. While it may hold a special place in memories, it’s better suited for mixing with Coke or other sodas.
Evan Williams: Solid Budget Bourbon (Good for Mixing)
- Nose: Caramel, vanilla, honey, ethanol
- Palate: Honey, spice, old leather, oak char
- Finish: Old leather, oak char, spice
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Evan Williams is a no-frills bourbon, sweet on the nose with honey, caramel, and vanilla. The taste offers a decent body with some sweetness, balanced by old leather and oak char. The finish is warm and spicy.
While not top-shelf, it’s a good budget option for casual sipping or mixing thanks to its affordability and decent flavor.
Basil Hayden: Smooth & Light (For New Bourbon Drinkers)
- Nose: Apple, floral, rye spice
- Palate: Oak, cherry, spice, pineapple
- Finish: Medium, vanilla, apple
- Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Basil Hayden’s sweet nose offers apple, cherry, and a touch of rye spice. The thin palate features oak upfront, followed by sweet cherry and a hint of peanut (common in Jim Beam bourbons). The finish is short with apple, pineapple, rye spice, and mild warmth.
This smooth and balanced bourbon is a good choice for new bourbon drinkers who prefer lighter options.
Elijah Craig Small Batch: Oaky & Spicy (Water Helps)
- Nose: Wood, chocolate, cinnamon, clove
- Palate: Chocolate, wood, butterscotch, citrus
- Finish: Oak spice, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Elijah Craig offers a promising nose of oak, chocolate, and spice. Oak dominates the palate, battling notes of chocolate and vanilla. The finish is warm and spicy, with hints of sweetness.
It leans oaky and requires water to tame the heat. Consider it for those who enjoy a bolder oak presence.
Maker’s Mark: Smooth & Wheaty (Sweet & Easy)
- Nose: Caramel, vanilla, fruity notes
- Palate: Sweet, nutty, baking spice, bread-like flavor
- Finish: Honeyed, spice
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Maker’s Mark offers a wheaty twist on bourbon. The nose starts with a hint of solvent (fading to vanilla and cherry), while the palate is smooth with vanilla, caramel, cherry, and honey. The finish is moderately sweet with a touch of pepper. Water brings out a Tootsie Roll sweetness.
This wheaty bourbon is known for its smoothness, making it a great choice for new drinkers or easy sipping. It’s best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, not in cocktails.
Bulleit Bourbon: Rye Spice with Smoothness (Spicy & Sweet)
- Nose: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, almond
- Palate: Rye spice, caramel, dried fruit, nuts
- Finish: Long, caramel, rye spice
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
The nose bursts with rye spice, followed by cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The palate is spicy from rye at first, then softens with rich dried fruit and nutty notes. The finish is warm and spicy, with oak and lingering sweetness.
Spicier than most bourbons but smoother than rye whiskey, Bulleit appeals to those who like moderate rye spice. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails for an added layer of intrigue.
Larceny: Wheated Sweetness (Budget-Friendly)
- Nose: Banana bread, vanilla, butterscotch
- Palate: Banana, caramel, oak
- Finish: Caramel, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Larceny stands out with wheat, like Weller, for a softer taste. The nose hints at banana bread and caramel. The initial sip is warm but mellows into caramel, banana bread, and oak spice. The body feels light. The finish is sweet and warm. Water reduces heat for an even smoother dram.
This wheated bourbon offers good value, making it a tasty and easy everyday sipper at a friendly price.
Wild Turkey 101: Value Champion (Spice & Sweet Harmony)
- Nose: Caramel, oak, vanilla, citrus
- Palate: Baking spice, caramel, oak char, mint
- Finish: Long, baking spice, oak char
- Alcohol content: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails
Wild Turkey 101 punches above its weight. The nose is sweet with honey, caramel, vanilla, and oak. The palate is buttery and warm, with vanilla, brown sugar, leather, and oak. The finish is warm and pleasing, lingering with oak and leather.
This bourbon offers a complex balance of spice, sweetness, and a pleasant warmth. A great value, it competes with pricier options and is easily one of the best bourbons for your money.
Woodford Reserve: Smooth & Balanced (Sweet with Subtle Spice)
- Nose: Mint, honey, vanilla, citrus
- Palate: Sweet oak, cinnamon, mint, ripe fruit
- Finish: Oak, caramel, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Woodford Reserve boasts a pleasant nose of wood, mint, vanilla, and caramel. The taste is a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and smooth, featuring balanced oak, cinnamon, mint, and a touch of fruit. The finish is warm and sweet with lingering oak.
This bourbon is known for its smoothness and lack of harsh notes, making it a great choice for sipping neat or on the rocks. The pleasant spice adds complexity to its sweet and mellow profile.
Buffalo Trace: Easy Sipper (Subtle Spice, Balanced)
- Nose: Caramel, cinnamon, baking spice, cereal
- Palate: Caramel, vanilla, oak, espresso coffee, chocolate
- Finish: Vanilla, baking spice, oak
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Neat
Buffalo Trace whispers on the nose with caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. The palate offers a pleasant balance of oak, fruit, and lingering caramel and vanilla sweetness. Light on heat with a soft, chewy mouthfeel, the finish is refreshing with lingering vanilla and spice.
This easy-sipping, medium-bodied bourbon is best enjoyed neat for a satisfying everyday experience. It delivers a balanced and enjoyable dram.
Knob Creek: Rich & Bold (Great Neat or With Water)
- Nose: Cherry, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, cherry, chocolate, peanuts
- Finish: Long, vanilla, banana, baking spices
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Knob Creek’s nose is rich with cherry, vanilla, caramel, oak, and a hint of rye spice. The taste lives up to the promise, offering a creamy body with warmth, vanilla, oak, chocolate, cherry, and roasted peanuts. The finish is long, warming, and satisfying at 100 proof.
This full-bodied bourbon is smooth despite its higher proof and shines neat or with a touch of water to unlock floral notes.
Russell’s 10: Thanksgiving Pie in a Glass (Sweet & Spiced)
- Nose: Cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, oak
- Palate: Butterscotch, baking spice, charred oak, citrus
- Finish: Maple, brown sugar, charred oak
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Russell’s 10 entices with a subtle sweet nose and hints of spice and oak. The taste is like Thanksgiving pie, bursting with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, and a buttery texture. The finish is rich with maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and a lingering oak note.
This sweet and spiced bourbon is enjoyable neat or chilled, similar to Buffalo Trace but with more oak character thanks to extra aging. It’s a solid choice for relaxed sipping.
Four Roses Small Batch: Smooth & Balanced (Rye Spice + Creamy)
- Nose: Vanilla, cherry, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, baking spice
- Finish: Long, burnt caramel
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Four Roses Small Batch offers a sweet nose of vanilla, cherry, and wood. The taste is creamy and smooth, balancing sweetness (vanilla, caramel) with a pleasant kick of rye spice. A faint oak note lingers, and the finish is long with a touch of burnt caramel.
This rye-infused bourbon is best enjoyed neat – no ice or water needed. Compared to the Yellow Label, it boasts more flavor and smoothness, making it a great value and a satisfying daily sipper.
Angel’s Envy: Unique Port Finish (Maple & Spice)
- Nose: Coconut, chocolate, vanilla
- Palate: Bread, maple syrup, caramel, vanilla
- Finish: Toasted oak, baking spice
- Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Angel’s Envy deviates from classic bourbons with a port cask finish. The nose offers coconut, chocolate, and vanilla hints. The palate is thin, with a spicy red wine note, maple syrup, caramel, vanilla, and baking spice. The finish is long, moderately sweet, with oak and spice.
This smooth bourbon offers a unique maple breakfast character with a touch of spice. While a higher proof could improve it, it’s still an enjoyable dram.
Weller Special Reserve: Smooth Wheated Dram
- Nose: Cherry, vanilla, oak, ethanol
- Palate: Fruit, vanilla, brown sugar, baking spice, peanuts
- Finish: Oak, spice, roasted peanuts
- Alcohol content: 91 proof (45.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Weller Special Reserve offers a wheaty twist. The nose is smooth and sweet with maple honey, apples, and hints of leather and oak. The taste features caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, dark chocolate, and a touch of citrus. The finish is warm and a bit dry, with notes of leather, spice, and oak.
This wheated bourbon is smooth and easy to sip neat, but could benefit from a fuller body. Adding a drop of water brings out the sweetness and oak character.
Henry McKenna 10: Single Barrel Bite with Sweet Reward (Great for Cocktails)
- Nose: Ethanol, vanilla, caramel, citrus, clove, nutmeg
- Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, oak, baking spice
- Finish: Caramel, vanilla, oak
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Henry McKenna 10 stands out as a unique, single-barrel, unfiltered, bottled-in-bond bourbon.
The nose has a kick of ethanol alongside vanilla, caramel, and warm spices. The taste starts hot but transitions to sweetness (vanilla, caramel, brown sugar) with a surprising lack of oak for a 10-year-aged whiskey. The finish is decent, lingering with some heat, spice, and a touch of oak.
While a touch rough initially, a drop of water improves it. This bourbon shines in cocktails but can be enjoyed neat with a little patience.
Eagle Rare: Oaky Delight (Great for Developed Palates)
- Nose: Toasted oak, orange peel, maple syrup
- Palate: Oak, dried fruit, vanilla, caramel, baking spice
- Finish: Oak, tobacco, leather
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Eagle Rare’s nose entices with toasted oak, orange peel, red fruit, and maple. The palate is creamy with a burst of oak, followed by vanilla, dried fruit, caramel, and baking spice. The finish is long and oaky, with hints of leather and tobacco.
While water softens it slightly, the oak presence remains prominent. This bourbon caters to those who enjoy a bolder oak character, but beginners might find it overwhelming.
E.H. Taylor: A Treasure Trove of Flavor (Complex & Sought-After)
- Nose: Cherry, tobacco, chocolate, cinnamon, caramel
- Palate: Vanilla, caramel, spice, oak
- Finish: Charred oak, black pepper, vanilla, cherry
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
E.H. Taylor stands out for its unique appeal – from the inviting nose of cherry, chocolate, and tobacco to the light red, almost pink color. The palate is a journey, starting with a bold, oily texture and warmth, then transitioning to sweetness (vanilla, fruit), spice, and oak. The finish shines with charred oak, black pepper, lingering vanilla and cherry, leaving a satisfying warmth.
This complex bourbon is layered with sweet, spicy, and oaky notes, making it a sought-after favorite. Think of it as a richer, more intense version of Buffalo Trace, and you’ll get the idea!
Blanton’s Single Barrel: Smooth Butterscotch Bliss (Lives Up to Hype)
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak, old leather
- Palate: Creamy vanilla, honeyed, baking spice, oak
- Finish: Long, honey, brown sugar, caramel
- Alcohol content: 93 proof (46.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Blanton’s nose dives into rich maple syrup with hints of leather and oak. The taste is a classic bourbon dream of butterscotch, vanilla, and rye spice, but its full body makes it extra creamy and rich. The finish is long, sweet, and warm with a touch of medicinal note, but it’s subtle.
This top single barrel bourbon lives up to its reputation – incredibly smooth, balanced, and easy to sip neat. The silky body and perfect amount of warmth make it a deeply satisfying experience. If you enjoy it chilled, use a large ice ball or whiskey stones to avoid watering down the flavor.
How to Choose a Good Top-Selling Bourbon
- Flavor Profile: Consider what flavors you enjoy – the sweetness of vanilla and caramel or the spice of rye.
- Occasion: Some bourbons are better suited for sipping neat, while others excel in cocktails.
- Proof: Higher-proof bourbons often offer more complexity but may need water or ice to open up the flavors.
- Brand Reputation: Well-known brands often provide a consistent quality, but don’t overlook smaller distilleries.
- Aging: Longer aging typically imparts more oak and vanilla flavors to the bourbon.
- Personal Preferences: Ultimately, your taste preference should guide your choice. Whether you prefer a smooth, sweet bourbon or one with a spicy kick, there’s something for everyone in this price range.