Best Benchmark Bourbon

Last Updated on: 15th April 2024, 03:20 pm

Benchmark Bourbon: Discovering the Top Selections

Written by: J Highland

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customer insights, I have reviewed and rated every Benchmark Bourbon bottle and determined which is best.

Best Benchmark Bourbon for Each Purpose and Taste

1. Benchmark Bourbon No. 8: Best for straightforward sipping within a budget. Offers a simple flavor profile of vanilla, caramel, and oak, making it adequate for casual drinking but not for complex cocktails.
2. Benchmark Top Floor: A slight step up, offering a light, warm flavor with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and orange. Suitable for neat consumption, it provides a modest complexity that surpasses the No. 8 but still lacks robustness for more demanding palates.
3. Benchmark Small Batch: Offers a commendable mix of candy corn, vanilla, and baking spices with a richer body due to higher proof. It’s a good choice for those seeking a slightly spicier, more robust bourbon at a reasonable price, suitable for both neat sipping and cocktails.
4. Benchmark Single Barrel: Known for its great value, this variation features a warm, inviting profile with notes of crème brûlée and caramel. Ideal for bourbon enthusiasts looking for a high-quality drink that’s robust and enjoyable both neat and with a splash of water.
5. Benchmark Full Proof: The boldest option, perfect for those who prefer a high-proof bourbon that can stand up in cocktails. While it may lack the finesse of premium bourbons, it’s a strong choice for a bold, flavorful base in mixed drinks.
6. Benchmark Bonded: The top choice among Benchmark offerings for those seeking bold flavors at a good value. With a proof of 100 and a balanced flavor profile of vanilla, caramel, and oak, it’s versatile enough for sipping neat, with water, or in a cocktail, enhancing with time in the glass.
7. 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 Benchmark Range of Bourbons

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Bourbon	Price
Benchmark No. 8	$12
Top Floor	$19
Small Batch	$20
Single Barrel	$24
Full Proof	$27
Bonded	$24

Benchmark Bourbon: Affordable Option for Casual Sipping

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

Benchmark bourbon promises a sweet experience with its aroma of honey, vanilla, and banana bread. However, the taste disappoints. Thin and watery, it delivers subdued notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak spice. The finish is brief and uneventful.

While not exceptional, Benchmark offers a decent value for the price. It avoids the harshness often found in budget whiskeys, making it suitable for casual sipping. However, its lack of complexity and intensity might not be ideal for those seeking bold flavors in cocktails, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Benchmark Top Floor: A Step Up for Budget Bourbon

• Nose: Vanilla, orange, baking spice, oak
• Palate: Vanilla, cinnamon, orange, baking spice, oak spice
• Finish: Short, licorice, caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Benchmark Top Floor takes Benchmark bourbon to a slightly higher level. Aged on the top floor of Buffalo Trace’s warehouse, it offers a light aroma of vanilla, orange, baking spice, and oak. The taste is smooth and warm, featuring vanilla, cinnamon, orange, and a touch of oak spice, but it lacks depth. The finish is short with licorice, caramel, and oak spice notes.

While not complex, Benchmark Top Floor is an improvement over Benchmark No. 8 thanks to its higher proof and slightly more developed flavors. It remains a budget-friendly option, but may not be a standout choice for those seeking a truly robust bourbon experience.

Benchmark Small Batch: Budget Bourbon with a Spicy Kick

• Nose: Vanilla, caramel, baking spice, ethanol
• Palate: Vanilla, candy corn, baking spice, oak spice
• Finish: Caramel, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Benchmark Small Batch steps up the game from Benchmark’s standard offering. The aroma features familiar notes of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices, with a touch of alcohol. The taste is a pleasant surprise, offering candy corn sweetness alongside vanilla, baking spices, and a kick of oak spice. The finish is moderately long with lingering warmth and hints of caramel and oak.

This higher-proof Benchmark boasts a more robust body and nuanced flavors thanks to its four years of aging. Compared to Buffalo Trace, it’s livelier but with a stronger oak presence. If you enjoy a bit more spice in your budget bourbon, Benchmark Small Batch is a satisfactory choice.

Benchmark Single Barrel: Budget Bourbon Champion

• Nose: Ethanol, tobacco, brown sugar, vanilla, caramel
• Palate: Caramel, crème brûlée, vanilla, oak, orange peel
• Finish: Medium, caramel, baking spice
• Alcohol content: 95 proof (47.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Benchmark Single Barrel punches above its weight class. Crafted from a single cask for unique character, it boasts a warm, inviting aroma of tobacco, brown sugar, vanilla, and caramel. The taste is like crème brûlée, rich with caramel, vanilla, and a hint of orange peel, balanced by light oak. The finish is long and drying, lingering with caramel and baking spice.

A splash of water unlocks further complexity, revealing peanut and old leather notes. Benchmark Single Barrel offers impressive quality and robustness for the price. Especially after some breathing time, it stands out as a top choice in the budget bourbon category.

Also read: Best Single Barrel Bourbons

Benchmark Full Proof: Budget-Friendly Muscle

• Nose: Caramel, orange, oak, baking spice
• Palate: Baking spice, brown sugar, caramel, orange
• Finish: Baking spice, oak spice
• Alcohol content: 126 proof (63% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Benchmark Full Proof packs a wallop at 126 proof. The initial aroma is dominated by alcohol but gives way to notes of caramel, orange, oak, and baking spice. The taste balances the heat with rich flavors of baking spice, brown sugar, caramel, and orange. The finish is long and warm, lingering with baking spice and a touch of barrel char.

A splash of water brings out the oak and orange notes further. While not as complex as pricier bourbons, Benchmark Full Proof offers a bold, high-proof experience at an affordable price. This makes it a great choice for cocktails that demand a strong bourbon base. It’s a commendable addition to any home bar, especially for those looking for a budget-friendly option with muscle.

Benchmark Bonded: Bold Flavor, Budget Price

• Nose: Ethanol, orange, cinnamon, toasted nuts
• Palate: Vanilla, caramel, oak, brown sugar, baking spice
• Finish: Oak spice, baking spice, orange
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water

Benchmark Bonded takes a budget-friendly approach to bonded bourbons. Despite an initial alcohol note in the aroma, hints of orange, cinnamon, and toasted nuts emerge. The viscous body is satisfying, offering vanilla and caramel flavors up front, followed by oak and Buffalo Trace’s signature brown sugar with a touch of baking spice. The long finish has a subtle warmth and features prominent oak spice alongside baking spice and orange notes. A splash of water brings out the caramel and oak further.

This high-proof bourbon improves with time, rewarding patient sippers. If you’re looking for bold flavors at an affordable price, Benchmark Bonded is a solid choice for your home bar.

Learn more: Benchmark Bourbon Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How Are the Best Benchmark Bourbons Selected?

• The selection is based on a combination of personal preferences, expert and customer feedback, patron opinions, and extensive internet research.

Who Owns Benchmark Bourbon?

• Benchmark Bourbon is owned by the Sazerac Company, headquartered in Louisiana.

How Does Benchmark Compare to Other Buffalo Trace Bourbons?

• Benchmark uses the same mash bill as other Buffalo Trace labels like Eagle Rare, EH Taylor, and Stagg.
• Despite this commonality, variations in proof and barrel management create distinct profiles for each bourbon in the Benchmark range.