Blind Bourbon Tasting

Hello again, once again the 108 Guys have asked me to write up a Little Friday post (I asked them to do this because I crave attention) so I’m back to talk bourbon again. This time I decided to do a blind taste and had the privilege of being joined by legendary 108 colleague Cousin Nicky.

On the way back from Indiana a few weeks I stopped into a liquor and saw a bottle of Benchmark Full Proof. Now, regular Benchmark is usually at the bottom shelf of every liquor on earth but there’s an interesting story behind the brand. Benchmark is actually distilled, aged, and bottled at Buffalo Trace with their famous “Mash Bill #1”. Buffalo Trace has never given the exact specifications, but it is believe this to be their low rye mash bill (10% or less). Even more interesting, this mash bill is shared with Eagle Rare, Eagle Raye 17 year, George T. Stagg, Stagg Jr., EH Taylor, and standard Buffalo Trace.

Benchmark also comes in six different varieties (from lowest to highest ABV): Old No. 8, Top Floor, Small Batch, Single Barrel, Bonded, and Full Proof. Basically, if you see anything other than Old No. 8, its worth a buy because they are generally only around $20.

Full Proof is the most interesting of the group because you’re getting a 4 year aged, 125 proof bourbon from Buffalo Trace. This sounds a bit familiar to Stagg Jr., which is aged anywhere from 7-9 years. So, we set out to see how this $20 bottle would hold up against other Buffalo Trace bottles that most always sell for above MSRP.

So, here we go:

TASTE 1

SDJ Notes: “Tons of heat, this either Benchmark or Stagg. Added a bit of water and the flavors became more pronounced.”

Cousin Nicky Notes: “Lotta heat. With water, its fucking tits.”

TASTE 2

SDJ Notes: “Tons of vanilla, cinnamon, and caramel smell, no ethanol smell like the first taste. This is nice and smooth and doesn’t need any water.”

Cousin Nicky Notes: “This is Eagle Rare. Very drinkable. Don’t take a picture of me for this.”

TASTE 3

SDJ Notes: “This one is hot too, but has so much flavor going on. This is ridiculously good for a high proof bourbon.”

Cousin Nicky Notes: “Easily drinkable with a bit of water. This is aged more than Taste 1, its Stagg and its glorious.”

TASTE 4

SDJ Notes: “This tastes very similar to Taste 2 but less complex and thinner.”

Cousin Nicky Notes: “I think this might be Eagle Rare. Ok you can take a picture.”

Rankings

SDJ Rank: 3, 2, 1, 4

Cousin Nicky Rank: 3, 2, 1, 4

The Bourbons

Taste 1: Benchmark Full Proof

Taste 2: EH Taylor Small Batch

Taste 3: Stagg Jr.

Taste 4: Eagle Rare

Final Thoughts

Eagle Rare is one of my favorite bourbons and I’ve been drinking it for 15+ years but EH Taylor Small Batch is above and beyond it. The three years extra in the barrel don’t produce more flavor for Eagle Rare, and proofing it down to 90 makes a bit tame.

Stagg Jr. is, well, Stagg Jr. Its awesome. That’s why people pay 5-6 times MSRP for it. Having said that, Benchmark Full Proof can hold its own with it, especially for $20. If you are looking to try something in the same ballpark as Stagg Jr. for a very low price, Benchmark Full Proof is the way. If you see it, grab as many as you can.

-SDJ5K

FromThe108 Giveaway Central