Last Updated on: 18th April 2024, 05:41 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.
A Hand-Picked Guide to the Top Bourbons at Total Wine
This guide, created with the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and customer feedback highlights the top bourbons at Total Wine & More, a top beverage retailer.
Written by: J Highland
Key Takeaways
Best Bourbon at Total Wine for Every Purpose and Taste (at totalwine.com):
Budget-Friendly (Under $30):
- Evan Williams Bottled in Bond: Best value for under $20. Bold flavor profile with notes of vanilla, oak, and spice. Perfect for mixing in cocktails like Old Fashioned due to its higher alcohol content (100 proof).
- Old Tub: Smooth and affordable (under $30) with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
Everyday Bourbon:
- Woodford Reserve: Versatile and crowd-pleasing bourbon for all experience levels. Sweet and spicy with notes of mint, honey, vanilla, and citrus. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
Under $40:
- Redwood Empire: Unique blend of rye whiskey and bourbon. Offers a balance of rye spice and bourbon sweetness with hints of fruit and citrus (90 proof).
Under $50:
- Pinhook Flagship Bourbon: Excellent value with a delightful sipping experience. Complex flavors of honey, spice, clove, caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut (98 proof).
Top Contender:
- Four Roses Single Barrel: Rye spice meets sweet bliss. Baking spices, cherry, honey, and a lingering cinnamon finish (100 proof).
Under $60:
- Maker’s Mark Cask Strength: Best under $50. Uncut and flavorful with notes of cherry, vanilla, and oak (114 proof). Enjoy it neat, with a dash of water, or on the rocks.
For a Richer Take on a Classic:
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: Sweeter and richer profile than the original Woodford Reserve. Offers notes of oak, butterscotch, vanilla, and brown sugar (90 proof).
Rye Whiskey:
- 1792 Bottled in Bond: Sweet and spicy rye with notes of cinnamon, banana, and ripe fruit (100 proof).
Under $70:
- Old Forester 1920: Bold and flavorful with notes of caramel, banana, spice, and a dry finish with cinnamon, oak, and spice (115 proof).
Easy Sipping:
- Rowan’s Creek: Sweet and easy-drinking with notes of caramel, brown sugar, oak, and dark fruit (100 proof).
Exceptional Value:
- Rare Breed (Wild Turkey): Powerful punch in both flavor and value. Offers notes of vanilla, baking spice, burnt sugar, and Wild Turkey’s signature char (116 proof).
Single Barrel:
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Luxurious experience with balanced sweetness and oak. Fruity notes, baking spice, vanilla custard, and Wild Turkey’s signature char (110 proof).
Unique Flavor Profile:
- Widow Jane (Love It or Leave It): Unique bourbon with a distinct Dr. Pepper character. Notes of caramel, oak, cough syrup, honey, and cherry (91 proof).
Under $80:
- Noah’s Mill: Complex flavor profile with notes of dark fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, nuts, citrus, and burnt caramel (114 proof).
Remember:
- These are just recommendations.
- Taste preferences vary greatly.
- Consider trying samples or smaller bottles before committing to a full-sized bottle.
- Explore beyond these options to discover your own favorites!
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 Best Bourbons at Total Wine
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond – Best under $20
- Nose: Vanilla, oak, grassy hint, ethanol
- Palate: Oak, maple syrup, vanilla, grassy
- Finish: Lingering heat, corn, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Cocktails
Evan Williams shines for its affordability and bold flavor. Despite a noticeable alcohol kick for a 100-proof bourbon, sweet notes of vanilla and oak emerge. This budget-friendly bourbon is perfect for mixing in cocktails like the Old Fashioned, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Woodford Reserve: Everyday Bourbon Champion
- 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
Woodford Reserve reigns supreme as a versatile bourbon for all. Its aroma entices with mint, honey, vanilla, and citrus. The taste is a delightful balance of sweet and spicy, lingering with notes of caramel and oak. Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails – a perfect everyday bourbon for all experience levels.
Old Tub: Budget-Friendly Bourbon with Smooth Spice
- Nose: Cinnamon, caramel, vanilla
- Palate: Baking spice, oak, brown sugar, roasted peanuts
- Finish: Rye spice, oak
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Old Tub packs a flavorful punch for under $30. This 100-proof bourbon offers a creamy texture with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel. Expect a spicy finish, but overall, it’s smooth and easy to drink neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Made using sour mash and bottled in bond, it stands out as a top budget-friendly bourbon choice.
Redwood Empire: Rye Spice Meets Bourbon Sweetness (Under $40)
- Nose: Caramel, mint, baking spice
- Palate: Rye spice, caramel, clove, pepper, pear, citrus
- Finish: Medium, rye spice, mint, citrus
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Redwood Empire stands out for its unique blend of rye whiskey and bourbon. Expect an enticing nose of caramel, mint, and warm spices. The taste showcases rye’s signature spice alongside bourbon’s sweetness, with hints of fruit and citrus.
This balanced and flavorful blend finishes dry with lingering rye spice, making it a top contender for the best bourbon under $40.
Pinhook Flagship Bourbon – Fantastic Value
- Nose: Honey, rye spice, clove, caramel, vanilla
- Palate: Caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, butter, toasty oak
- Finish: Brown sugar, oak spice
- Alcohol content: 98 proof (49% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Pinhook Heist offers a unique and delightful sipping experience.
The aroma entices with honey, spice, clove, caramel, and vanilla. On the palate, hazelnut takes center stage, supported by notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasty oak. The finish is warm and satisfying, with lingering brown sugar and a touch of barrel spice.
This expertly crafted bourbon expertly balances heat with rich flavors, making it highly recommended.
Four Roses Single Barrel: Rye Spice Meets Sweet Bliss (Top Contender)
- Nose: Baking spice, cherry, vanilla, honey
- Palate: Cinnamon, rye spice, vanilla, honey
- Finish: Medium, caramel, baking spice, cinnamon
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Four Roses Single Barrel bursts with baking spice, cherry, and honey on the nose. The rye comes through strong on the palate, mingling with cinnamon, honey, vanilla, and oak for a creamy texture. The initial spice gives way to a sweet, complex finish with lingering cinnamon.
While the rye makes its presence known, it transitions beautifully into a delightful sipping experience. This 100-proof bourbon offers a depth of flavor uncommon for its price, making it a top contender among single-barrel bourbons.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength – Best under $50
- Nose: Cherry, vanilla, oak
- Palate: Oak, vanilla, cherry, baking spice
- Finish: Cherry, oak, spice
- Alcohol content: 114 proof (57% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength dials up the flavor experience. This uncut bourbon boasts a nose of sweet cherry, vanilla, oak, and a touch of tobacco. The creamy taste unfolds with warmth, revealing oak, vanilla, cherry, and baking spice. The finish is bold with lingering oak spice.
Enjoy it neat, with a dash of water, or on the rocks to tame the heat. This cask-strength expression captures Maker’s Mark at its most potent and flavorful.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: Richer Take on a Classic
- Nose: Oak, butterscotch, vanilla, brown sugar
- Palate: Vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, old leather
- Finish: Long, vanilla, butterscotch, espresso coffee
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked builds upon the original’s success with a sweeter, richer profile.
Expect a delightful aroma of oak, caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar. The taste is buttery smooth, offering warmth, familiar flavors of vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar, alongside hints of leather and charred oak. The finish is long and luxurious, lingering with notes of vanilla, butterscotch, and a touch of espresso.
This satisfying bourbon is perfect for those seeking a richer take on the classic Woodford Reserve.
1792 Bottled in Bond: Sweet & Spicy Rye Delight
- Nose: Charred oak, banana, rye spice
- Palate: Cinnamon, oak, banana, ripe fruit
- Finish: Medium-length, cinnamon, pepper, oak
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
1792 Bottled in Bond offers a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors. The aroma entices with fruity hints, cinnamon raisin bread, and bubble gum notes. The taste follows suit, featuring bubble gum sweetness alongside rye spice, vanilla, cherry, oak, and green apple undertones. The finish is rich, creamy, and warm.
This bourbon is distilled in one season, aged for four years, and bottled at 100 proof. Compared to its Small Batch counterpart, it strikes a better balance of sweetness, oak, and spice. Overall, 1792 Bottled in Bond is a commendable rye whiskey.
Old Forester 1920 – Best under $60
- Nose: Caramel, banana, spice, ethanol
- Palate: Brown sugar, vanilla, caramel
- Finish: Medium, cinnamon, caramel, oak, spice
- Alcohol content: 115 proof (57.5% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, rocks
Old Forester 1920 boasts a bold aroma of caramel, banana, rye spice, and a touch of alcohol. The taste is creamy and full-bodied, exploding with vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, and a hint of nuttiness. Despite its 115 proof, the warmth is balanced. The finish is dry with lingering notes of cinnamon, caramel, oak, and spice, perfectly capturing the essence of a quality bourbon.
This flavorful and well-balanced expression is highly recommended for those who prefer a bold and rewarding sip.
Rowan’s Creek: Sweet & Easy Sipping Whiskey
- Nose: Caramel, brown sugar, oak
- Palate: Dark fruit, vanilla, rye spice, brown sugar, oak
- Finish: Dry, oak, apple peel
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Rowan’s Creek is a whiskey perfect for easy sipping. The aroma is sweet with caramel, brown sugar, and a touch of oak. The taste follows suit, offering fruity sweetness, vanilla, and rye spice balanced by oak. The finish is dry with a gentle warmth, making it a straightforward and enjoyable whiskey.
Rare Breed: Wild Turkey’s Knockout Punch (Exceptional Value)
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak
- Palate: Baking spice, burnt sugar, vanilla, oak, old leather
- Finish: Vanilla, old leather, oak char
- Alcohol content: 116 proof (58% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
Rare Breed packs a powerful punch in both flavor and value. Expect an enticing aroma of honey, cinnamon, and charred oak. The taste is creamy and warming, bursting with butterscotch, brown sugar, vanilla, and Wild Turkey’s signature char. The finish lingers with warmth, vanilla, leather, and oak.
Despite its high proof (116), Rare Breed remains balanced and smooth. Outperforming even more expensive options, it’s Wild Turkey’s champion whiskey and a must-try for bourbon enthusiasts.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel – Best under $70
- Nose: Cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, oak
- Palate: Fruity, baking spices, vanilla, charred oak
- Finish: Long, baking spice. citrus, charred oak
- Alcohol content: 110 proof (55% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, rocks
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel builds upon the success of Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
The aroma entices with cherry, vanilla, brown sugar, and charred oak. The taste is smooth and creamy, offering fruity notes, baking spice, vanilla custard, and Wild Turkey’s signature char. The long finish showcases warmth, spice, orange zest, and lingering oak.
This high-proof bourbon expertly balances sweetness with oak for a luxurious experience, making it a refined single barrel option from Wild Turkey. Highly commendable!
Widow Jane: Love It or Leave It Bourbon
- 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
Widow Jane carves a unique path in the bourbon world. Expect a sweet nose of caramel, oak, and medicinal syrup. The taste is smooth with toasted oak, honey, and a distinct Dr. Pepper note. This signature Dr. Pepper character divides bourbon drinkers – some adore it, others find it off-putting.
The finish is long and warming, lingering with oak and Dr. Pepper. Despite its 10-year age and fair price, Widow Jane’s unique profile is best tried before you buy.
Noah’s Mill – Best under $80
- Nose: Ethanol, dark fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, oak
- Palate: Nuts, citrus, cinnamon, burnt caramel, dark fruit
- Finish: Long, caramel, dark fruit
- Alcohol content: 114 proof (57% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water, rocks
Noah’s Mill offers a journey beyond the typical bourbon. Initially, it presents an ethanol aroma that evolves into dark fruit, cinnamon, vanilla, and oak. The taste is creamy and complex, featuring roasted nuts, citrus, spice, and burnt caramel alongside oak. The long finish lingers with warmth, dark fruit, and oak.
Adding water enhances sweetness and nutty notes. This rich bourbon boasts a balanced complexity, making it perfect for those seeking depth in their bourbon, whether enjoyed neat or on the rocks.