With so many familiar names on store shelves, what is the best beginner bourbon to start with? Do you want something mellow, something a little spicier, or a bottle that can do a bit of everything?
Despite the strict rules governing bourbon production, there is plenty of variation within the category. We’re going to break down three of the biggest brands and see which one is best suited to a beginner bourbon drinker.
Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark is the welcoming home of wheated bourbon. That famous red wax seal and cream label have appeared on countless store shelves, back bars, and social media posts.
Maker’s uses red winter wheat instead of rye in its mash bill. As a result, you get a softer, sweeter profile that is still rich, with plenty of creamy and gently spiced flavors. Bottled at 45% ABV, it is a very enjoyable bourbon.
Buffalo Trace
Buffalo Trace comes from one of the world’s most awarded distilleries and carries the same name as the site itself.
It is a high-corn, low-rye bourbon with green apple and candied corn notes running through it. This would be considered the middle ground of the three. It is not as soft as Maker’s Mark, but it is not as intense as Bulleit.
Depending on where you are in the US, sourcing Buffalo Trace can still be difficult. However, like several other Buffalo Trace products, it is becoming more widely available.
Bulleit Bourbon
Bulleit is the spiciest of the three, thanks to its 28% rye content. Black pepper, candied orange, ginger, and charred wood all play a significant role in its flavor profile.
It has sweet notes as well, don’t get me wrong, but that high rye content is where Bulleit really distinguishes itself from the other two bourbons.
Neat Pours
Of the three, I still love Maker’s Mark the most.
Bulleit is enjoyable, but those rye notes start to dominate after a while. It is not an unbalanced bourbon at all, but it would not be my first choice if I were offered other styles of bourbon or whiskey from the shelf.
Buffalo Trace is also enjoyable. It is a well-made, approachable, and balanced bourbon with a massive reputation. However, I would ultimately sum it up as simply “nice.” You just have to look beyond the hype, which is fortunately beginning to die down.
I’m a sucker for wheated bourbon, so Maker’s Mark has my heart here. The nose is rich and indulgent, while the palate balances spice with caramel, coffee, and cocoa notes. It is the clear winner when served neat.
On The Rocks
I’ve said this in a few articles before, but whiskey on the rocks isn’t really my thing. I try it every year, and it never quite works for me.
As the ice chills the spirit, I find that the nose becomes muted. The aromas disappear, leaving mostly alcohol, while the melting ice creates a thinner mouthfeel. However, in warmer climates where a cold drink is sometimes needed, I can understand the appeal.
Buffalo Trace fares the worst here. That could be partly due to the lower-strength version available in the UK, which is bottled at just 40% ABV. The nose becomes dominated by alcohol, and much of what makes Buffalo Trace enjoyable disappears.
Maker’s Mark does a little better, but you lose much of the indulgence found on the nose when it is served neat. The palate has more going on and does not feel quite as diluted, but it is still less impressive than before.
Bulleit holds its own in this round. It may only be bottled at 45% ABV, but the high rye content pushes through the dilution. Black pepper and lemon zest remain noticeable on the nose, although the palate falls a little short.
Overall, Bulleit wins this category, although it was not a particularly strong round for any of the three, for the personal reasons explained above.
Whiskey Sour
This is where things get interesting. Take a look at our full guide to making a Whiskey Sour at home here.
Once the ingredients have been dry-shaken and wet-shaken, we can compare the three cocktails side by side.
Buffalo Trace comes in third. It is not a bad Whiskey Sour, and the cocktail is well balanced, but it does not leave as lasting an impression as the bourbon does when served neat. It is an enjoyable bottle, but the UK version needs a higher ABV to cut through the other ingredients. Those of you in the US are fortunate enough to get the 45% ABV release.
Bulleit takes second place. As we found during the on-the-rocks test, the heavier rye notes continue to push through once the bourbon is diluted and shaken.
The cocktail’s aroma brings caraway, lemon, sweet vanilla, and damp oak. It is very alluring. On the palate, the spice becomes even more prominent, with dry spices and sweet vanilla mixing with the lemon juice and sugar syrup. It makes a very good Whiskey Sour.
The winner, hands down, is Maker’s Mark.
The aroma is reminiscent of some of the best desserts in the world, with lemon, vanilla, coconut, cocoa, and coffee. The palate begins gently and sweetly, with soft wheat spice and the warmth of the 45% ABV gradually working through the cocktail.
The finish is loaded with wood spices and dried fruit, along with an almost sherry-like character. It is exceptionally well put together, and that quality shows in the finished drink.
The Verdict: Maker’s Mark Comes Out On Top
Whichever of these three bourbons you choose, you are likely to enjoy the experience.
Bulleit is arguably the biggest outlier. Its rye-forward profile can be divisive, but I have met plenty of people who tried it as their first bourbon and immediately fell in love with the category.
For me, however, Maker’s Mark is the clear winner. It is accessible, widely available, and made with a mash bill that differs from the standard rye-based bourbon recipe. It also came out on top in two of the three tests.
These results are subjective, of course, but Maker’s Mark has welcomed countless people into the world of bourbon. It deserves the praise it continues to receive.
Read the full article at The Best Beginner Bourbon? Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, & Buffalo Trace Go Head-To-Head
