90-Proof Bourbons

Last Updated on: 5th January 2024, 09:50 pm

Striking the Balance: Top 90-Proof Bourbons for a Perfect Pour

Written by: J Highland

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer feedback, I have assembled a list of the top 90-proof Bourbons.

Key Takeaways

• Eagle Rare: Features toasted oak, orange peel, maple syrup, with a creamy vanilla, dried fruit, caramel, and baking spice palate. Known for quality and sweetness, surpassing many in its price range.
• Weller Special Reserve: Smooth and sweet with maple honey, apple, old leather. Well-rounded with minimal burn.
• Widow Jane 10-Year: Unique caramel, toasted oak, cough syrup hints. Offers a polarizing yet intriguing flavor profile.
• Four Roses Small Batch: Vanilla, cherry, oak aroma, balanced sweetness, and rye spice.
• Blade and Bow: Cherry, vanilla, oak, with a medium finish of spice and roasted peanuts.
• Belle Meade: Complex with maple, brown sugar, orange peel, rye spice, enhanced by adding water.
• Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Sweet with cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, pronounced oak influence from aging.
• Buffalo Trace: Delicate caramel, vanilla, medium to full body, moderately spicy finish.
• Woodford Reserve: Rich in mint, honey, vanilla, citrus, smooth and balanced.
• Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old Small Batch: Mint, caramel, vanilla on the nose, smooth, mellow taste.
• Bulleit Bourbon: Rye spice, caramel, dried fruit, unique balance of sweetness and spiciness.
• Larceny Small Batch: Banana bread, vanilla, butterscotch, wheated bourbon with manageable heat.
• Maker’s Mark: Balanced, with caramel, vanilla, fruity flavors, suitable for newcomers and everyday sipping.

Quick Look at the Best 90-Proof Bourbons

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Maker’s Mark	$22
Larceny Small Batch	$23
Bulleit	$23
Bib & Tucker	$55
Woodford Reserve	$30
Buffalo Trace	$35
Russell’s Reserve	$40
Belle Meade	$44
Blade and Bow	$55
Four Roses Small Batch	$37
Widow Jane	$70
Weller Special Reserve	$65
Eagle Rare	$50

Maker’s Mark

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

At first, a faint nail polish scent emerges, transforming into pleasant notes of vanilla and cherry over time.

The palate combines vanilla, caramel, cherry, and honey for a delightful mouthfeel.

The finish is moderately sweet, with subtle warmth and a hint of pepper.

Adding water brings out a Tootsie Pop flavor, reducing spiciness for a smoother sip.

Maker’s Mark is a balanced, enjoyable bourbon without overpowering flavors or unpleasant notes.

This versatile bourbon suits newcomers and those wanting an easygoing sipper.

Larceny Small Batch

• Nose: Banana bread, vanilla, butterscotch
• Palate: Banana, caramel, oak
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

A slight nasal burn initially gives way to prominent banana bread and caramel notes.

The first sip carries some heat, quickly replaced by oak spice complementing sweet caramel and banana bread flavors. The texture is somewhat thin but not watery.

The finish is sweet, warm, and satisfying.

A touch of water reduces heat, enhances sweetness, and elevates enjoyment.

Larceny provides good value considering its price.

A sweet wheated bourbon with manageable heat for an easy daily sip.

Bulleit Bourbon

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Bulleit Bourbon’s nose showcases rye spice, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.

Its robust body carries initial rye spiciness on the palate.

Flavors evolve with hints of dried fruit and a pleasant nuttiness.

The finish is warmly satisfying, rich in spice with late sweet undertones.

Due to its high rye content, Bulleit Bourbon achieves balance, coupling pleasant sweetness with robust rye spice.

The lengthy finish features oak and spice notes, offering a distinct, well-balanced experience.

Can be drunk neat, on ice, or in cocktails, it even pairs well with a dash of Coke.

Bib & Tucker 6-Year-Old Small Batch

• Nose: Mint, caramel, vanilla
• Palate: Corn, rye spice, caramel, vanilla, baking spice
• Finish: Medium, rye spice, vanilla
• Alcohol content: 92 proof (46% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Initially, a hint of mint emerges on the nose, common in rye whiskey.

This gives way to caramel, vanilla, and a subtle ethanol presence, which fades with resting.

Bib & Tucker offers a medium body with a decent mouthfeel.

The initial taste is smooth, mildly sweet, and mellow, transitioning to pleasant rye spice, caramel, vanilla, and subtle baking spice notes.

The finish is moderate, gently reminding of bourbon with spice and delicate vanilla.

Bib & Tucker is a decent option, providing variety for whiskey enthusiasts.

It’s not the most exciting or memorable, but it gets the job done.

Woodford Reserve

• Nose: Rich in mint, honey, vanilla, citrus
• Palate: Sweet oak, cinnamon, mint, ripe fruit
• Finish: Lingering warmth and caramel
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Woodford Reserve boasts a rich nose, mingling mint, honey, vanilla, citrus, and the distinctive toasty oak scent.

The taste offers a harmonious blend of sweetness, spice, and balanced oak presence.

The initial spice gives way to pleasant fruitiness.

The finish is long and low on heat, with satisfying notes of caramel and toasted oak.

Woodford Reserve is smooth, balanced, and perfect for sipping.

Its touch of cinnamon spice adds excitement.

Dependable for daily sipping, neat or on ice, suitable for all levels.

Buffalo Trace

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose is delicate, revealing subtle hints of caramel, vanilla, and baking spices.

The mouthfeel is gentle, with a mild, approachable heat.

Baking spice shines on the palate, accompanied by fruity and oaky notes.

Caramel and vanilla sweetness add depth and balance.

The finish is moderate, satisfying with rich vanilla and spice, yet not lingering.

Buffalo Trace is a smooth, well-balanced, medium to full-bodied bourbon with a soft, chewy mouthfeel. Fruity and oaky flavors lead to a moderately spicy finish.

While not the boldest, it delivers a satisfying experience.

It is a nice sipper, suitable for everyday enjoyment, but its milder profile might not stand out in solid cocktails.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose is delicately sweet, with hints of subtle spice and charred oak.

The palate’s texture is excellent, reminiscent of Thanksgiving pie in a glass.

Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla blend smoothly with a buttery feel.

The delightful finish features rich maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and Wild Turkey’s signature charred oak note.

Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is a pleasant, sweet whiskey.

It shares similarities with Buffalo Trace but boasts a more pronounced oak influence from extended aging in charred casks.

It is satisfying and solid, perfect for relaxed moments.

Not for impressing your buddies, but a great everyday choice to enjoy leisurely.

Belle Meade

• Nose: Maple, brown sugar, orange peel
• Palate: Rye spice, red fruit, vanilla, maple
• Finish: Cherry, citrus
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose reveals maple syrup, brown sugar, caramel, candied orange peel, and delicate florals.

The flavor offers rye spice, red fruit, vanilla, maple, oak, almond, and walnut.

The long-lasting finish begins with pleasant heat and a slight medicinal hint and citrus notes.

This bourbon has a great degree of complexity, showcasing a touch of red fruit and a warm, non-harshening sensation.

It becomes better when adding water.

Blade and Bow

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose initially hints at ethanol, fading to cherry, vanilla, and oak.

Palate’s first sip brings ripe cherry, brown sugar, vanilla, baking spice, oak, and a subtle roasted peanut note.

The finish is medium, with moderate but not harsh burn, featuring spice, oak, and roasted peanuts.

Water reduces heat, revealing more brown sugar and oak.

Blade and Bow lacks standouts but suits daily sipping with some heat.

It has a reasonable price, decent bourbon, an attractive bottle, an intriguing backstory, and a distillery glass key.

Overall, acceptable terms.

Four Roses Small Batch

• Nose: Vanilla, cherry, oak
• Palate: Vanilla, oak, baking spice
• Finish: Long, burnt caramel
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Four Roses Small Batch presents a sweet aroma with vanilla, cherry, and oak notes.

The palate offers a full-bodied experience with balanced vanilla, caramel, and rye spice flavors.

The finish is satisfying, long, and slightly burnt caramel.

Four Roses Small Batch delivers a well-balanced blend of sweetness and rye spice, providing a smooth, flavorful sip.

A substantial upgrade from Four Roses Yellow Label, offering value for daily sipping.

Widow Jane 10-Year

• Nose: Caramel, oak, cough syrup
• Palate: Oak, honey, caramel, cherry
• Finish: Oak, cherry
• Alcohol content: 91 proof (45.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The Widow Jane has a sweet nose of caramel, toasted oak, and subtle cough syrup hints.

The palate offers a decent body with toasted oak, honey, caramel, and medicinal cherry.

The finish is long with more oak, pleasant warmth, and a lingering Dr. Pepper note.

The Widow Jane’s unique notes of cough syrup and Dr. Pepper make it intriguing for neat sipping.

Smooth mouthfeel, toasty oak, and satisfying heat.

Polarizing, invoking strong opinions.

Price reasonable for a 10-year non-chill filtered bourbon.

Weller Special Reserve

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The nose is smooth and sweet, with maple honey, apple, hints of old leather, and oak.

Weller presents caramel, vanilla, and cinnamon flavors on the palate, followed by dark chocolate and citrus.

The finish is warm and dry, with old leather, cinnamon candy, and oak spice.

Neat, Weller is smooth with minimal burn.

Adding water enhances sweetness and oak, elevating flavor.

Weller Special Reserve embodies expected smoothness and sweetness.

It could use more body, but overall, it is satisfying.

Eagle Rare

• 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
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Toasted oak leads the nose, followed by orange peel, red fruit, and maple syrup notes.

Eagle Rare’s palate is creamy, with initial oak shifting to vanilla, dried fruit, caramel, and baking spice.

The finish is long and slightly sharp, with solid oak, hints of old leather, and tobacco.

Water enhances caramel and softens the finish, maintaining the oak character.

Eagle Rare might be intense for novices, but offers a pleasant and mellow experience.

Affordably priced, it lives up to the hype, delivering quality and sweetness.

A standout bourbon, surpassing bourbons at this price range, earning its reputation as a top 90-proof bourbon.

Selection Process

My criteria for choosing these bourbons included:

• Extensively sampled bourbons and gathered customer feedback.
• Provide reasonably priced options, avoiding excessive costs.
• Exclude bourbons from brands with unfavorable reputations.