Distillery: Buffalo Trace
Proof: 80
Age: 3 Years
Mashbill: Undisclosed
Price: ~$10
Company
Buffalo Trace (Sazerac Company) is arguably the most well-known distillery on the planet. Its lineup includes the likes of Pappy, E.H. Taylor, Blanton’s, Elmer T. Lee, W.L. Weller, and more.
Production
According to their site, Benchmark was named after the McAfee Brothers who surveyed a site just north of Frankfort in the late 1700s. While the mashbill isn’t disclosed, this is a “rye recipe” bourbon.
Benchmark Old No. 8 Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 2.5/5
A bit more complex than expected for a $10 bourbon. Heavy oak and vanilla with a hint of cinnamon, orange, caramel, and sweet corn.
Palate – 2.5/5
Very sweet corn-forward with a surprising bit of spiciness. Some oak, but less than a nose, with more feint notes of caramel, vanilla, and apple sauce.
Finish – 2.5/5
Slight heat and corn-forward (a trend here). A touch of oak and leather that’s slightly longer than expected.
Value – 4.5/5
You literally can’t buy a better bourbon for $10. Heck, you almost can’t even buy any other bourbon for $10.
Look, this isn’t trying to be a “good” bourbon. This is trying to be a good value bourbon. And that’s exactly what it is. It’s much better than you’d expect. It blows Ancient Age out of the water, in my opinion, and is arguably also better than Jeam Beam (while being cheaper than both).
Grab you a 1.75L for about $20 and make whatever mixed drink you want. It’s good for what it is.
Verdict
3/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.25 – 5
- Gold – 3.25 – 4.24
- Silver – 2.75 – 3.24
- Bronze – <2.75
Hunter Branch is the Founder and Director of Editorial for Bourbon Inspector. He has been writing about and professionally reviewing bourbon since 2020 (and has been drinking it for much longer). He’s been able to interview big names in the bourbon industry like Trey Zoeller from Jefferson’s Bourbon and his work has been featured in publications like TastingTable, Mashed, and more.