Last Updated on: 18th April 2024, 06:09 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.
Explore the Top Bourbon for a Paper Plane cocktail selected by me and whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Written by: J Highland
Best bourbons for a Paper Plane cocktail based on your taste and budget
Spicy & Bold:
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: This is a great choice if you enjoy the spicier notes of cinnamon, clove, and black pepper. It will add complexity to your Paper Plane.
Budget-Friendly:
- Evan Williams: This is a wallet-friendly option that still packs a punch. Expect some sweetness and a touch of spice.
- Old Grand Dad Bonded: Another affordable option with a higher proof and a rye spice kick, perfect for Paper Planes.
Smooth & Balanced:
- Woodford Reserve: This is a crowd-pleaser with a touch of cinnamon spice. It offers a smooth drinking experience in your Paper Plane.
Value Pick with Rye Spice:
- Four Roses Small Batch: This is a great value bourbon with a rye spice character that shines in Paper Planes.
Looking for a Twist?
- Wild Turkey 101: This bourbon offers a balance of sweetness and spice and can add a unique twist to your Paper Plane.
No matter your taste or budget, there’s a bourbon out there that will make a delicious Paper Plane!
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.
A quick look at the Best Bourbons for the Paper Plane cocktail
Ideally, optimal bourbons for a Paper Plane cocktail fall within the 90 to 100-proof range.
Selecting a mid-range bourbon is wisest, as pricier alternatives tend to lose their subtleties when combined with other elements.
| Bourbon | Price |
| Elijah Craig | $24 |
| Evan Williams | $11 |
| Knob Creek | $35 |
| Wild Turkey 101 | $24 |
| Woodford Reserve | $29 |
| Four Roses Small Batch | $37 |
| Old Grand Dad Bonded | $26 |
Elijah Craig Small Batch: Paper Plane with a Spicy Soul
- Nose: Wood, chocolate, cinnamon, clove
- Palate: Chocolate, wood, butterscotch, citrus
- Finish: Oak spice, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, vanilla
- Alcohol content: 94 proof (47% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Elijah Craig Small Batch might not be the smoothest neat sipper, but it shines in cocktails. Its bold oaky spice and warming character add complexity to mixed drinks.
Expect an aroma of oak, cinnamon, clove, and even a hint of chocolate. The taste is dominated by oak spice, with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, and a touch of citrus. The finish is a spicy explosion of cinnamon, black pepper, and clove, before a touch of butterscotch sweetness emerges.
This bourbon is a cocktail enthusiast’s dream. It can hold its own against bolder flavors, adding a unique twist to classic creations, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Evan Williams: Budget-Friendly Bourbon for Paper Planes
- Nose: Caramel, vanilla, honey, ethanol
- Palate: Honey, spice, old leather, oak char
- Finish: Old leather, oak char, spice
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Evan Williams is your wallet’s best friend for Paper Plane cocktails. Made at the same distillery as Elijah Craig, it shares the mash bill but with less age and a lower price tag.
Expect a bit more heat, but it holds its own in mixed drinks. The aroma is sweet with honey, caramel, and vanilla. The taste starts slightly sweet and transitions to leather and oak. The finish is warm and spicy, lingering with leather.
Knob Creek: Hits the Spot (Smooth, Reliable Bourbon)
- Nose: Cherry, vanilla, caramel, rye spice, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, cherry, chocolate, peanuts
- Finish: Long, vanilla, banana, baking spices
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Knob Creek delivers a reliable bourbon experience. Expect an aroma of cherry, vanilla, caramel, oak, and a hint of rye spice. The taste is smooth and satisfying, offering warmth, vanilla, oak, chocolate, cherry, and Knob Creek’s peanut note.
Despite its 100 proof, it finishes warmly without discomfort. Knob Creek stands out for its consistent quality and smooth drinkability.
Wild Turkey 101: Sweet & Spicy Harmony (Great Value)
- Nose: Oak, honey, caramel, vanilla
- Palate: Vanilla, brown sugar, baking spice, mint
- Finish: Long, charred oak, old leather
- Alcohol content: 101 proof (55% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Wild Turkey 101 punches above its weight. This affordable bourbon balances sweetness and spice, offering a complex yet approachable profile that leads to a satisfying finish. Expect a rich taste with a moderate burn, rivaling pricier options.
Taste: Sweet nose of honey, caramel, vanilla, and charred oak. Buttery mouthfeel transitions to vanilla, spice, and nuttiness. Medium-long finish with signature charred oak.
Overall: Wild Turkey 101 is a great value bourbon for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.
Woodford Reserve: Smooth & Balanced Everyday Bourbon
- 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 offers a dependable, crowd-pleasing experience. The aroma is inviting, featuring mint, honey, vanilla, citrus, and the brand’s signature toasty oak. The taste is equally balanced, harmonizing sweetness, spice, and oak. It transitions from an initial burst of spice to pleasant fruitiness, culminating in a long, low-heat finish with lingering caramel and toasted oak notes.
This smooth and versatile bourbon is perfect for everyday sipping, neat or on the rocks. Its lack of harshness and touch of cinnamon spice make it appealing to both bourbon beginners and seasoned connoisseurs.
Four Roses Small Batch: Rye Spice Meets Value (Paper Plane Hero)
- Nose: Vanilla, cherry, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, baking spice
- Finish: Long, burnt caramel
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
Four Roses Small Batch is a rye spice lover’s dream, making it a perfect choice for Paper Plane cocktails. This affordable bourbon offers a reliable drinking experience at a great price.
Taste: Sweet nose of vanilla, cherry, and oak. Full-bodied with balanced vanilla, caramel, and rye spice flavors. Long finish with minimal burn and a hint of burnt caramel.
Overall: Four Roses Small Batch is a value-driven bourbon that elevates cocktails with its rye spice character.
Old Grand Dad Bonded: Budget-Friendly Paper Plane Powerhouse
- Nose: Vanilla, caramel, peaches
- Palate: Rye spice, cinnamon, oak, peanut, black pepper
- Finish: Oak, baking, rye spice
- Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Old Grand Dad 114
Redditors know their bourbons, and Old Grand Dad Bonded gets their stamp of approval for Paper Plane cocktails. It delivers exceptional value, especially considering its higher proof compared to the similarly-sourced Basil Hayden’s.
Taste: Sweet nose of vanilla, caramel, peach, and a touch of alcohol. Robust oak, cinnamon, rye spice, caramel, peanut, and black pepper flavors. Moderately long finish with oak, baking spice, and rye.
Overall: Old Grand Dad Bonded offers a powerful flavor profile at a friendly price, making it a favorite for Paper Plane cocktails and more.
Frequently asked questions
This quick FAQ will address your queries:
What is the Paper Plane cocktail?
The Paper Plane is a modern twist on the classic Last Word cocktail. It consists of equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice, offering a balanced blend of bitter, sour, and herbal flavors.
How is the Paper Plane related to the Last Word?
Inspired by the Last Word, the Paper Plane follows the same equal-parts template.
While the Last Word uses gin and other ingredients, the Paper Plane swaps in bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice.
What’s the suggested bourbon proof for this cocktail?
For optimal flavor and body, it’s recommended to use 90 to 100-proof bourbons.
This adds a substantial presence without overpowering the other ingredients.
How should I mix it?
Combine equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice.
Be careful not to over-shake; aim for a cold but not watery consistency.
What are the main ingredients, and are they easy to find?
The main components are bourbon, lemon juice, Aperol, and Amaro Nonino.
Bourbon and lemon juice are common in home bars, and Aperol is readily available as a key ingredient in the Aperol Spritz.
Amaro Nonino adds a unique touch with its bittersweet character and botanical notes.
How does the taste profile appeal to whiskey newcomers?
The Paper Plane balances the bourbon’s presence and the other flavors, making it a suitable entry point for those new to whiskey.