This document discusses and compares different bourbon whiskeys. It begins by defining what distinguishes bourbon from other whiskeys, such as being made primarily from corn and aged in charred oak barrels. It then reviews 13 top bourbons, providing details on taste profiles, price points, and accolades for each. It concludes by briefly discussing some additional bourbons considered "also rans" and the controversial inclusion of Jack Daniels as a Tennessee whiskey rather than bourbon.

1. The Best Bourbons
Data Taken From OutdoorLife
http://www.outdoorlife.com
Compiled By : AniruddhaRay

2. What distinguishes a bourbon from
other whiskeys?
1. Made from a fermented mash with a
minimum of 51% and a maximum of 79% corn
2. Distilled at less than 80% alcohol/volume
(160 proof)
3. Stored in a new, charred, white oak barrel at
a maximum of 62.5% alcohol/volume (125
proof) for at least 2 years
4. The original color and flavor of the whiskey
can not be filtered or altered in any way.
5. Must be produced and stored (for at least
one year of the aging) in Kentucky to be called
Kentucky Bourbon
6. The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1894 is another
important legal measure that applies to the
NOTE: bourbon process.
JACK DANIELS USES A CHARCOAL
FILTERING PROCESS THAT DISQUALIFIES
IT FROM BOURBON CLASSIFICATION

3. Pappy Van Winkle
15 Year Old
Richer than molasses, this
deep, dark bourbon checks in
at an easy-sipping 107 proof.
If you want to respect your
elders, there's no need to add
water or ice. Just kick back, put
your feet up and let Pappy do
the rest.
Price: $80

4. Buffalo Trace
The flagship bourbon of the
heralded Buffalo Trace distillery
starts off with vanilla mint
spiciness and mellows on the
palate with a deep molasses
finish.
Keep a bottle of this in your
liquor cabinet at all times and
call it your 'house bourbon' and
you'll be sure to impress your
connoisseur friends.
Price: $20

5. Woodford Reserve
The official bourbon of the
Breeder's Cup and Kentucky
Derby, this 90.4 proof bourbon
walks the line between
complexity and mix-ability.
Woodford bourbon comes from a
small but growing distillery in
Kentucky.
You can enjoy its notes of corn,
caramel and oak in a rocks glass
by itself or you can use it in a
mint julep or Manhattan.
Price: $30

6. Booker's
Aged six-to-eight years, this
heavy duty bourbon is not for
the light of tongue.
At 121 proof it can be a little
more intense than your average
bourbon.
But its notes of vanilla, tobacco
and oak help you ride the long,
intense finish.
Price: $50

7. Knob Creek
Sweet and rich, this 100-proof
bourbon has hints of brown
sugar and toasted nuts.
It's aged nine years and was
named National Whiskey
Champion by Wine Enthusiast.
Price: $40

8. Eagle Rare
10 Year Old
This 90-proof well balanced
bourbon is brimming with
vanilla and toasted nut flavors
which garnered it a double gold
at the prestigious San Francisco
spirits competition.
If you're feeling flush, pick up a
bottle of the even rarer Eagle
Rare 17-year-old
Price: $30

9. Bulleit
Incorporating more rye into its
mash bill than most other
bourbons, Bulleit gives your
palate an added spicy kick.
The bottle that houses this 90-
proof tipple was designed in
tribute to the old-fashioned
brown medicine flasks.
Price: $23

10. Maker's Mark
These distinctive wax-dipped
bottles are like snowflakes-each
one is different.
But on the inside, each bottle
contains the same smooth
signature 90-proof bourbon
that starts off with sweet corn
and leather notes and sits on
the palate with a long, rich
caramel finish.
Price: $21

11. Wild Turkey Rare
Breed
The Thunder Chicken got its
name after a distillery executive
used to bring this bourbon on
turkey hunting trips.
This 108 proof bourbon is a
blend of six, eight and 12-year
old barrels that gives it hints of
citrus, caramel and sweet
tobacco.
Price: $33

12. George T. Stagg
The grand daddy of all
bourbons, this 140+ proof
bourbon has been nicknamed
'Hazmat' because of its high
alcohol content.
Add a little water to this 15-
year old and it will open up the
coffee, citrus and oak flavors.
Price: $60

13. ALSO RANS

14. Elija Craig
(18 years)
At 18 years old, this is the oldest single
barrel bourbon in the world. Each barrel
is hand selected by Parker and Craig
Beam (descendants of Jim Beam
himself). When the barrels are finally
selected about 2/3 of the original
contents have evaporated.
Comments: "Yummy, vanilla!"

15. Elijah Craig
(12 years)
This 12-year-old 94 proof bourbon has
some high accolades. It recently won
Double Gold at the San Francisco
World Spirits Competition and was
named winner in the Premium
Bourbon category in Whisky Magazine
's bi-annual “Best of the Best” tasting
competition. The OL editors liked it
too.
Comments: "Nice middle-ground
flavor"

16. Evan Williams
Single Barrel
This 86 proof is the standard Evan
Williams' older, classier cousin. It's
more expensive, but it tastes
better too. It has been voted
Whiskey of the Year five times.
Comments: "Smooth and sweet
and woods"

17. Evan Williams
This was the big sleeper of the
group.
It was by far the cheapest
bottle in the mix (you can buy a
bottle of Evan Williams for $12 in
many parts of the country) but it
still finished in the middle of the
pack.
Comments: "Very nice. Good color,
well-balanced."

18. Wild Turkey
This Kentucky straight bourbon
holds a special place in hunter's
hearts and the country in general;
it's one of the best selling
bourbons in the U.S.
It was introduced in 1940 and is
made in a variety of different
proofs. Our sample was 80 proof
(personally I prefer the standard
101).
Comments: "Buttery smell and
taste--smooth."

19. Baker's
This is a 7-year-old 107 proof
bourbon from the Small Batch
Distillery in Kentucky.
It's named after Baker Beam, the
grand nephew of Jim Beam.
According to the distillery, Baker's
is best served in a sniffer with a
splash of spring water.
Comments: "Very harsh up front,
but nice color."

20. CONTROVERSIAL
Jack Daniels
We know that Jack Daniels is not actually
a bourbon, it's a Tennessee whiskey.
The distinction lies in the way its made.
Jack Daniels is dripped slowly through 10
feet of firmly packed charcoal before it
goes into charred oak barrels for aging.
We couldn't help but see how Old No. 7
stood up against the competition so we
included it. Turns out Jack did pretty
well.
Comments: "Smooth. Very nice"