Is there any spirit that triggers debates quite like bourbon?
This American whiskey is well-loved for its rich, smoky, slightly sweet flavours but, with such a variety of bottles available, is often the starting point for heated arguments as to which really is the best bourbon.
The spirit must be made in the United States and meet specific requirements to be called bourbon, including a mash bill of at least 51 per cent corn (the remainder made up from rye, wheat or barley) and two years or more spent ageing in new, charred oak barrels.
Other than those key essentials, bourbon varies hugely with bottles to suit all tastes and budgets. Whiskey snobs may loudly proclaim you can't get a good bottle of bourbon for less than £50, but they'd be wrong. Some of the best bourbons on the market come in at a lower price point, ensuring you're free to sip away on one on a casual Sunday rather than waiting for that extra special occasion to bring out your treasured bottle.
While the best bourbon comes down to personal preference, there are a few things you can keep in mind when choosing the next bottle for your bar cart.
While the minimum is two years to be an 'official' bourbon, you'll find most budget-friendly bottles sit around the five-year mark. The age of the bourbon can affect its flavour profile, with older bourbons typically smoother and offering a more complex variety of flavours. If you're hunting for the best of the best, look for bourbons with an age of 20 or even 30 years - but be warned: expect to cough up accordingly.
It's also worth paying attention to the strength of your next bottle of bourbon. Bourbons can range from 80 proof (40 per cent ABV) to over 130 proof (65 per cent ABV). As you may have guessed, a higher proof means a more intense sipping experience. If you're entering the world of bourbon, you'll likely prefer the 'weaker' bottles to begin with.
We’ve rounded up the best bourbons to check out below
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Elijah Craig Small Batch was awarded the title of “World’s Best Bourbon” by Whisky Magazine in 2018 and has been a popular choice ever since. A great bourbon for those days when you want something a little special, this bottle brings together a sipping experience that’s rich, sweet, smoky and smooth with the perfect combination of flavour and complexity.
One of the best whiskeys for those who like to pay special attention to the little details, its nose is filled with notes of caramel, brown sugar, vanilla and spice, while its palate is filled with orange zest, toasted oak, cinnamon and leather.
Buy now £44.50, The Whisky Exchange
Evan Williams Extra Aged
Evan Williams Extra Aged has a rich and full-bodied flavour that sets it apart from other bourbons. This budget-friendly whiskey is crafted using the brand’s signature distilling process, which uses barreled-aged bourbon and charred oak barrels in a smooth and mellow sip with rich caramel, butterscotch, spice, dried fruit and robust oak flavours. Its extra ageing process adds even more depth, easily convincing you that this whisky is worth far more than its price tag suggests.
Buy now £26.25, The Whisky Exchange
Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 70cl
Fried chicken isn't Kentucky's only famous export - it makes pretty decent bourbon too. Bartenders' favourite Maker's Mark is one of the best-known bottles, as loved for its smooth full-flavour as it is for the red wax stopper. An easy serve to sip and an affordable entry point into the world of bourbon.
Buy now £28.95, Amazon
Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is carefully crafted using a unique finishing process and is aged in specially selected, charred oak barrels for up to six years before being transferred to a port wine cask for an additional three to six months. The result? An added depth and complexity of flavours that you’ll struggle to find in many other bottles of a similar price point. Expect a long, smooth finish with notes of caramel, vanilla and fruit.
Buy now £54.95, Amazon
Jim Beam White Bourbon 70Cl Bottle
Jim Beam White Bourbon is a staple choice that you’ll never struggle to find across the world. Another budget-friendly option, this delicious bourbon whisky has a unique blend of corn, rye and barley, which creates a balanced flavour with notes of caramel, oak and vanilla.
During its four years in new charred white oak barrels, this whiskey takes on more complexity as it slowly matures while absorbing the flavours and aromas of the wood. While it’s a cheaper bottle than most, it’s definitely still a cheerful one.
Buy now £20.00, Tesco
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Barrel Finish Select
It’s hard to beat Woodford Reserve if you’re looking for a great all-rounder that won’t disappoint. While a little more expensive, this is a bottle that fits in smoothly with all kinds of drinking experiences, whether that’s cocktails with friends or the quintessential sipping by the fireplace.
This whiskey is aged first in a charred white oak barrel and then transferred to a second heavily toasted barrel. This extra-special process offers more complexity, richness and sweetness than the traditional whiskey ageing process. Its notes of cocoa, vanilla, spices, and dried fruit make each sip a knockout.
Buy now £55.00, Waitrose
Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey
A 10-year-old bourbon is a great choice if you’re looking for something a little fancier but don’t want to spend a fortune. Eagle Rare 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey is one of the best handcrafted bourbons and is released in small batches for a refined sipping experience. Another versatile choice that’s easy to find no matter where you’re drinking, the beverage has notes of toasted oak, spices and toffee and is a top choice for all kinds of whiskey drinkers.
Buy now £37.50, Tesco
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey hails from the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States, making it a historical landmark as well as a delicious bottle to keep stored away.
This whiskey is made from a mash bill of corn, rye and malted barley and, when combined with its unique ageing method, results in the distinctive range of flavours and aromas that give this bourbon its special character.
If you’re a fan of keeping things traditional, this is a great choice that won’t set you back too much, either.
Buy now £26.00, Tesco
Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a premium bourbon whiskey crafted from a single barrel. A safe choice even if you’re just stepping into the world of whiskey, this bottle has won numerous awards over the years, including a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2013 and several International Spirit Awards. While it’s one of the stronger bottles around, it doesn’t compromise on taste, with bold flavours of rich caramel and vanilla, balanced by spices, dried fruit and a hint of cocoa.
Buy now £44.99, Amazon
Blanton's Bourbon Original Whisky
Blanton’s is an iconic single-barrel bourbon whiskey that hails from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky. With its deep mahogany colour and intense aroma, this is a bourbon for whiskey lovers who appreciate the good stuff.
Blanton’s is also known as one of the first bourbons to be bottled at cask strength, which means no water or extra alcohol is added after bottling. The one to choose when you’re looking to go all out on a special occasion, this award-winning whiskey offers a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and apricot with a sprinkle of brown sugar.
Buy now £145.00, Amazon
Booker's Bourbon
Booker’s Bourbon is one of the most highly-regarded and sought-after bourbons on the market. So, if you’re blind buying and want something that’s objectively delicious, this is the bottle to choose. A versatile sip that’s delicious both neat or on ice, Booker’s Bourbon is also excellent when used as a base for cocktails. This bourbon is made from a special blend of grain recipes and is bottled at its natural proof without any dilution. While it can be a little more tricky to source, it’s well worth the effort.
Buy now £84.95, The Whisky Exchange
Never Say Die Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
Each batch of Never Say Die bourbon creates just 2,750 bottles, so you’ll get a unique flavour hit each time. This particular batch has notes of vanilla, caramel, orange and milk oak, a perfect winter warmer.
Buy now £59.95, The Whisky Exchange
Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon Whiskey
Best for: fans of Old Fashioneds
Woodford Reserve is a bona fide Kentucky bourbon brand, hailing from one of the oldest distilleries in the state. Though the Woodford Reserve name was only introduced in 2004, its form reflects the strength of contemporary bourbon-making even at scale. The Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon is a premium product at a not-too-eyewatering price point – and a whiskey which finds its way into many a mixologist’s back bar for good reason.
The Distiller’s Select’s grain bill is majority corn, a highly sugar-rich source that provides a great deal of sweetness on display in the nose and on the palate. The nose is particularly sweet and warm, holding vanilla and wood over distant chocolate notes; in a word: inviting.
The palate is similarly sweet and warm, but with a greater emphasis on those complex spiced notes hinted in the nose. There’s a little spirit-bite, containing cinnamon and orange oil, but the overall profile remains sweet and accessible. The finish is richer than the start, and the spicier elements of the Distiller’s Select reveal themselves gamely over time.
The Distiller’s Select is a smoothly blended and well-balanced affair, that brings sweetness and oak before a dry, bright and clean finish. These properties make it a beautiful bourbon with which to make cocktails; if your loved one asks for Old Fashioneds at the bar, get them this for home (and a bottle of Angostura Bitters for good measure).
Buy now £37.00, Tesco
Verdict
The awards don’t lie: Elijah Craig Small Batch really is one of the best bourbon whiskeys around. This rich, intense bottle is one that all kinds of whiskey drinkers will love.
