Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 05:48 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.
Discover the differences between Benchmark and Old Crow in this analysis, and choose your next sip.
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.
Written by: J Highland
Benchmark vs Old Crow: Comparison
Benchmark Bourbon: Sweet aroma with maple and banana bread. Palate offers caramel and cinnamon, finishing with vanilla and oak spice. A simple, affordable sipper, best enjoyed with water. Ideal for those seeking an uncomplicated, budget-friendly bourbon.
Old Crow Bourbon: Features vanilla and apple juice on the nose, with a palate of oak, pepper, and clove. The finish is peppery with oak spice. A cost-effective option, more suited to mixing than neat sips, catering to budget-conscious drinkers or cocktail enthusiasts.
Verdict: Benchmark and Old Crow offer straightforward bourbon experiences at accessible prices. Benchmark leans towards sweetness and simplicity, while Old Crow brings a spicier edge, making it versatile for mixed drinks. Both serve well as entry points into bourbon or as economical choices for casual occasions, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Benchmark Bourbon: A Simple Sipper at an Affordable Price
- 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
- Similar to: Buffalo Trace
Aroma: Benchmark greets you with a sweet and inviting nose, offering hints of honey, vanilla, and even a touch of banana bread.
Taste: While the nose might entice, the taste profile leans towards the lighter end. The body feels thin and lacks the depth found in other bourbons. Flavor notes are subtle, with hints of vanilla, caramel, and oak spice all making an appearance.
Finish: The finish is brief, echoing the vanilla, caramel, and oak spice from the initial sip but without a lingering warmth.
Overall: Benchmark won’t win awards for complexity, but it delivers a smooth and easy-to-drink experience at a budget-friendly price. Notably, it avoids the harsh or unpleasant flavors sometimes encountered in similarly priced options.
Mixing: While suitable for sipping, Benchmark might not be the best choice for cocktails. Its subtle flavors tend to get overshadowed by bolder ingredients.
Benchmark Facts:
- Aged: 2 years
- Mash Bill: Same as Buffalo Trace, but bottled at a lower proof
- History:
- Produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery
- Named after the McAfee brothers, early settlers in Kentucky
Additional Notes:
- This review provides a balanced and factual assessment of Benchmark bourbon.
- For those seeking a more robust bourbon or a base for bolder cocktails, other options might be more fitting.
Keywords: Benchmark bourbon, budget bourbon, bourbon review, Buffalo Trace Distillery, easy-sipping bourbon
Old Crow Bourbon: A Budget-Friendly Option with Specific Uses
- 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
- Similar to: Jim Beam
Aroma: Old Crow offers a pleasant nose with hints of apple juice, vanilla, caramel, and oak, reminiscent of classic bourbon notes.
Taste: On the palate, the experience shifts. While affordable, it’s important to manage expectations. The body is light, lacking the depth found in some bourbons. The initial flavor is characterized by a peppery spice and oak, with subtle clove and Jim Beam’s signature roasted peanut note. Hints of vanilla and caramel are present, but tend to be overshadowed by the bolder oak and peppery spice.
Finish: The finish is short and leaves a lingering peppery and oaky spice on the tongue. This dryness makes it less suitable for sipping neat compared to other bourbons.
Overall: Old Crow is a budget-friendly bourbon with a distinct flavor profile. While not ideal for sipping neat due to its lighter body and prominent spice, it can be a suitable choice for mixing in cocktails or experimenting with different uses.
Old Crow Facts:
- Aged: 3 years
- Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
- History:
- Once the best-selling bourbon in the US
- Favored by the 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant
- Produced by the Jim Beam Distillery alongside other notable brands
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Bourbon | Price | Bottle Size |
| Benchmark | $20 | 1.75ml |
| Old Crow | $22 | 1.75ml |