80 Proof Bourbon: Ranked From Worst to Best

Last Updated on: 25th January 2024, 03:01 am

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.

Smooth Sippers: Top 80-Proof Bourbons for Gentle Enjoyment

Written by: J Highland

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer feedback, I have ranked from worst to best the 80-proof Bourbons, along with some whiskeys.

Key Takeaways

Old Crow: Least favorable due to its bitterness, peppery notes, and unpleasant aftertaste; suitable for cocktails but not sipping.
Jim Beam: Budget-friendly, suitable for cocktails; lacks body and not recommended for sipping.
Jack Daniel’s No. 7: Harsh for sipping, suitable for mixing with Coke or ginger ale; lacks body and texture.
Old Grand Dad Bourbon: Affordable but not memorable; better when mixed with Coca-Cola.
Wild Turkey: Reasonable for cocktails, sweet aroma but lacks body and texture.
Benchmark Bourbon No. 8: Decent budget option, easy sipper but milder in taste.
Basil Hayden: Smooth and balanced but thin; easy sipper not justifying its price.
Henry McKenna Straight Bourbon: Affordable and enjoyable, straightforward sipper, exceeding its price bracket.
Gentleman Jack: Double-filtered for smoother sipping, not premium but solid for Jack Daniel’s fans.
Canadian Club: Easy-going, predominantly sweet, versatile, and offers value.
Crown Royal: Mild and ideal for newcomers, adds spice to cocktails like Old Fashioned.
Alberta Premium: Budget-friendly 100% Rye Whiskey, enjoyable for Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktails.
Four Roses Yellow Label: Beginner-friendly, easy to drink but lacks texture, suitable for everyday sipping.
Old Overholt Rye: Best 80-proof whiskey, easy drink with mild spice, good value, but not memorable.
Selection Method: Whiskey experts, customer feedback and internet research.

Quick Look at 80 Proof Bourbons & Whiskeys Rankings

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Old Crow	$12
Jim Beam	$14
Jack Daniel’s	$18
Old Grand Dad Bourbon	$16
Wild Turkey	$19
Benchmark	$24
Basil Hayden’s	$38
Henry McKenna	$17
Gentleman Jack	$27
Canadian Club	$20
Crown Royal	$22
Alberta Premium	$27
Four Roses Yellow Label	$24
Old Overholt	$19

Old Crow

Nose: Vanilla, oak, caramel, apple juice
Palate: Oak, vanilla, pepper, clove
Finish: Pepper, oak spice, vanilla
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Rating: ⭐

Old Crow bourbon’s nose carries faint hints of apple juice, vanilla, caramel, and oak.

On the palate, it lacks body, offering a sharp burst of oak spice, pepper, and clove notes with a roasted peanut undertone typical of Jim Beam whiskeys.

Intense oak spice and pepper overshadow vanilla and caramel, resulting in minimal sweetness.

The finish is short, marked by an unpleasant combination of rye and oak spice, rendering it unsuitable for sipping.

Old Crow falls short of sipping due to bitterness, peppery notes, and an unpleasant aftertaste.

While affordable, it lacks value and ranks as the least favorable 80-proof bourbon.

Suitable for cocktails or novelty, not as a sipping choice.

Jim Beam

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
Rating: ⭐

Jim Beam offers a sweet scent of corn, vanilla, and butterscotch, accompanied by a subtle ethanol hint.

However, the palate feels diluted and lacks body.

Flavors of sweet corn, vanilla, and butterscotch persist, with black pepper and a faint nail polish note emerging over time.

Despite a short finish, it provides unexpected warmth for an 80-proof whiskey, leaving a touch of sweetness, bitter oak spice, and black pepper.

Jim Beam Bourbon is budget-friendly and suitable for cocktails but not recommended for sipping.

Exploring better sipping bourbon options is advisable.

Jack Daniel’s No. 7

Nose: Banana, oak, brown sugar, wood polish
Palate: Caramel, banana, oak char, cinnamon
Finish: Citrus, black pepper, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Coke
Rating: ⭐

The nose features a distinct plastic banana note, hints of brown sugar, oak, and a subtle touch of wood polish.

On the palate, Jack Daniel’s lacks body and texture, initially presenting some sweetness but quickly overwhelmed by bitter oak char.

The finish is short and characterized by a hot, peppery sensation, with hints of citrus and an unusual note reminiscent of Gorilla Glue.

While Jack Daniel’s might have nostalgic value, evolving tastes often lead to a preference for more refined options.

It’s harsh for sipping, but ice can help mellow it, making it suitable for mixing, especially with Coke or ginger ale.

Old Grand Dad Bourbon

Nose: Vanilla, oak, rye spice
Palate: Rye spice, oak, sweet corn, brown sugar, cinnamon
Finish: Short-lived, warm, spicy
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Rating: ⭐⭐

The nose offers a pleasing sweetness of vanilla and rye spice, followed by oak.

The palate leads with rye spice and unfolds into oak, sweet corn, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

The finish is short and warm, with mild oak spice bitterness.

Old Grand Dad is an affordable, smooth whiskey without body and depth.

While it’s easy to sip, it’s not memorable and works best when mixed with Coca-Cola.

Previously bottled at 86 proof for more flavor, the current 80-proof version is less satisfying.

Wild Turkey

Nose: Corn, vanilla, charred oak
Palate: Oak, corn, vanilla, rye spice, caramel
Finish: Medium-length, vanilla, spice, oak
Alcohol content: 81 proof (40.5% ABV)
How to drink: Cocktails
Rating: ⭐⭐

Wild Turkey offers a subtle, sweet aroma of corn, vanilla, and characteristic charred oak.

The palate reveals initial sweetness with corn, vanilla, and caramel, followed by charred oak and rye spice.

The finish is decent in length, with a touch of bite and lingering charred oak and sweetness.

Wild Turkey is a reasonable entry-level option, more suited for cocktails than sipping.

While it leans into sweetness and warmth, it lacks body and texture.

Best for mixing cocktails, it may not stand out as a solo sipper.

Adding ice or rocks can temper the warmth and oak spice.

Benchmark Bourbon No. 8

Nose: Maple, vanilla, banana bread
Palate: Caramel, cinnamon, oak
Finish: Vanilla, oak spice, caramel
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Rating: ⭐⭐

Benchmark’s sweet nose holds honey, vanilla, and banana bread hints.

The palate is thin and watery, offering subtle notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak spice.

Short, warm-lacking finish with vanilla, caramel, and oak spice notes.

Benchmark Bourbon is a decent budget option, lacking unpleasant flavors.

Easy sipper, less suited for cocktails due to milder taste.

From Buffalo Trace Distillery, same mash bill as Buffalo Trace but lower proof.

Basil Hayden

Nose: Apple, floral, rye spice
Palate: Oak, cherry, spice, pineapple
Finish: Medium, vanilla, apple
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Neat
Similar to: Angel’s Envy
Rating: ⭐⭐

Basil Hayden’s nose offers fruity apple and cherry notes with a subtle rye spice hint.

However, the palate is thin, lacking body, with oak, sweet cherry, and a roasted peanut note.

The short finish includes apple, pineapple, and rye spice hints with minimal heat.

Smooth and balanced, Basil Hayden’s has a rye presence but feels thin.

It’s an easy sipper, but I can’t rank it higher due to its price, which fails to justify its value.

Henry McKenna Straight Bourbon

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, corn
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, corn, oak spice
Finish: Caramel, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Rating: ⭐⭐

The nose offers light caramel, vanilla, and sweet corn.

Palate: Henry McKenna’s thin texture delivers smooth sweetness, vanilla, caramel, and subtle corn notes, accompanied by emerging oak spice.

A touch of mineral adds intrigue.

The finish is short, with lingering caramel, oak spice, and minimal heat.

Henry McKenna is an affordable, enjoyable whiskey with smooth sweetness and no common flaws.

While not exceptional, it’s a straightforward sipper, exceeding its price bracket.

Avoiding typical pitfalls it serves its purpose well.

Gentleman Jack

Nose: Banana, caramel, vanilla
Palate: Corn, vanilla, caramel, oak char
Finish: Corn, nutmeg, caramel, oak
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Rating: ⭐⭐

Gentleman Jack’s nose carries Jack Daniel’s familiar artificial banana scent, with caramel, vanilla, and oak hints.

The palate lacks body and is watery, primarily corn flavor with hints of vanilla, caramel, and mild oak bitterness.

Short finish with corn, nutmeg, caramel, and oak notes.

Gentleman Jack refines Jack Daniel’s, double-filtered for smoother sipping.

It is not a premium whiskey but a solid choice for Jack Daniel’s fans willing to pay for an upgrade.

Canadian Club

Nose: Licorice, caramel, apple, fennel
Palate: Caramel, baking spice, brown sugar
Finish: Short, rye spice, caramel
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Canadian Club has a nose led by licorice, fennel, caramel, and apple.

The palate feels thin, offering sweet caramel, moderate rye spice, baking spices, and a hint of brown sugar.

The finish is short smooth, with light rye spice, caramel, and a subtle sour note.

Canadian Club is an easy-going whisky, predominantly sweet with caramel, rye spice, and a mild sour note on the finish.

A top-budget Canadian whisky offering value and versatility.

Crown Royal

Nose: Vanilla, caramel, pear, ethanol
Palate: Spice, clove, vanilla, ripe fruit
Finish: Short-lived, caramel, oak spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Crown Royal’s scent is delicate with vanilla, caramel, pear, and a hint of ethanol.

The whisky feels thin and watery on the palate.

Flavors of rye spice, clove, vanilla, pear, and apple emerge.

The finish is short, leaving mild oak spice and caramel.

Crown Royal is an easy, mild whisky ideal for newcomers.

It’s not overly complex but adds spice to cocktails like Old Fashioned.

Alberta Premium

Nose: Peppermint, baking spice, vanilla
Palate: Rye spice, caramel, baking spice, peppermint
Finish: Medium, rye spice, peppermint
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose has peppermint bubble gum, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla.

It has a decent body, rye spice, caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint flavors, and a subtle grassy note.

Medium-length finish with smooth rye spice, more peppermint, and a hint of oak spice.

Alberta Premium stands out as a 100% Rye Whiskey with moderate spice.

It’s an approachable option, reminiscent of Whistlepig but more budget-friendly.

It is surprisingly enjoyable at its price, offering complexity and flavor variety.

Great for Old Fashioned or Manhattan cocktails without overwhelming spice.

Four Roses Yellow Label

Nose: Caramel, honey, pear
Palate: Honey, apple, cinnamon, oak
Finish: Fruit, rye spice
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Add water
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose carries sweet caramel, honey, and pear.

Tasting reveals initial sweetness, shifting to crisp apple, hints of citrus, cinnamon, and subtle oak.

The finish is long with fruity notes, mild oak spice, and slight warmth.

Four Roses lacks texture but is easy to drink, low on heat, and oak spice.

Enjoy neat or on rocks; not for mixing due to low proof.

Competent and beginner-friendly, with an affordable price tag.

It is a straightforward choice for everyday sipping.

Old Overholt Rye

Nose: Mint, rye spice, oak
Palate: Rye spice, mint, vanilla, oak
Finish: Caramel, vanilla
Alcohol content: 80 proof (40% ABV)
How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Old Overholt’s aroma offers pleasant sweetness, subtle mint, and oak.

The palate is thin, leading to a diluted sensation.

Moderate spiciness with oak, mint, and vanilla flavors.

Short finish with gentle warmth and hints of caramel and vanilla.

Old Overholt is an easy drink with mild spice due to its lower rye content.

It has a thin body but decent warmth on the finish, achieving a good sipping experience.

It won’t blow you away with a memorable experience, but it provides a good experience from nose to finish at a solid value, making the best 80-proof whiskey.