Benchmark Single Barrel Bourbon (95 Proof)

Considering how people can exaggerate what they like and dismiss what they dislike, a community rating of 3.5 seems fitting for Benchmark Single Barrel. You get a lower-end single barrel bourbon for around $29. It's uncommon for me to drink bourbon in this price range these days, so I lack a close comparison. I suspect Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon is a better value, though it costs about $10 more. I'd be curious to compare it with standard Maker's, but I usually opt for their Cask Strength or Wood Finishing versions. My closest point of reference is Evan William Single Barrel, which I'm pleased is widely available again after being limited to distillery sales. That costs about $8 more, and I believe it's worth it because it's superior. Nevertheless, Benchmark is a respectable budget bourbon. The aroma offers a hint of caramel and vanilla, as expected from a bourbon. It's not exceptionally complex, but it suffices. I likely would have enjoyed this in my twenties, especially if adjusted for inflation when it might have cost $15. In that regard, its value is comparable to Evan Williams BiB, and many prefer EW BiB to this, though I've never been a big fan of EW BiB. The palate mirrors the aroma, being unpretentious and mild, with a touch of apple. It doesn't develop much further, but the finish brings some cinnamon. Again, nothing remarkable, but nothing unpleasant either. There are no overly sweet or bitter oak flavors from youth. Benchmark has carved out a space in the budget market and delivers appropriately. I'm interested in trying their other offerings like Top Floor, Bonded, and Full Proof, which are being promoted locally. However, I've been avoiding very high proof spirits lately due to their intensity and how they can hinder enjoyment throughout the evening. I don't think you'd make a mistake buying this, as it probably has enough character for cocktails, though that's just a guess since my wife handles the cocktails and hasn't commented. I rate it a 3 because it's quite average, and a 3.5 rating suggests someone thrilled to find something drinkable for under $30. I already know that, so I'm not surprised.

Let me clarify. Buffalo Trace can't produce enough Eagle Rare, Stagg, E.H. Taylor, or Buffalo Trace for us to find any at retail prices? Yet, they have enough to expand the Benchmark line? Buffalo Trace has significantly increased production capacity and built several new large rickhouses. Two years have passed since its introduction (only in Indiana), so this should be ready for prime time this fall? Enough of my rant. It is good to see an affordable option besides the 80-proof bottom-shelf offerings that barely qualify as bourbon. It took me over a year to collect the entire line, but the product is now fairly easy to locate. Every item in this range is something I dislike. I have sampled all of them and enjoyed them one night but not the next. The higher-proof version had more flavor and aroma than the original 80-proof, but there's an unpleasant paint thinner note. The small batch was an improvement and quite rich with classic bourbon characteristics. I was hoping for an inexpensive Buffalo Trace, and it is, provided you can overlook the hint of turpentine in the background. After reading many reviews of the bottled-in-bond version, I had high expectations. The 100-proof has a kick, and the usual dark fruit and caramel are present. I was hoping it would be similar to the E.H. Taylor small batch, which is nearly impossible to find, but it falls far short, with excessive young alcohol on the nose and palate. Now for the single barrel. I enjoy this one, but your experience may vary, as single barrels do. It has an expressive aroma with abundant caramel, candied cherries, and a hint of nutmeg. The flavor matches the aroma and satisfies my bourbon desires. I rate it equal to or perhaps better than standard Buffalo Trace. Its youth is mostly unnoticeable. The full-proof is not a copy of Stagg Jr. and, frankly, doesn't come close. It's hard to get past the alcohol, but a few drops of water help. It is true to its family line but won't be a regular pour in my home. A year ago next week, I was hospitalized with COVID. I lost my sense of smell, and my tastes were distorted. During the three months I was tasting these Benchmark selections, my sense of smell would randomly disappear, and my tastes became strange. Hopefully, I have resolved those issues. The doctor says this could persist indefinitely. I know I don't enjoy my bourbon as much as I used to, so it will be some time before I try any of today's premium offerings. I will be experiencing them through your senses, so keep up the excellent reviews.

I've recently been looking for good lower proof options. This one caught my eye, so I decided to take a chance. Color: Medium Copper. Nose: Sweet. I recall a YouTube review mentioning a resemblance to "Juicy Fruit gum" – I completely understand that comparison. It also has leather and oak. I definitely recognize this as having a "Buffalo Trace" aroma, reminding me, dare I say, of Eagle Rare?! Now, let's taste it. Palate: (First sip neat) It has a slightly syrupy texture on the tongue, which was unexpected at this proof. "Spicy" is the initial sensation. It provides a gentle warmth in the chest. On the second sip, it's somewhat nutty. Let's add a large ice cube to see if that alters anything. It remains spicy. I'd describe "spicy" as the primary characteristic, at least on this initial tasting. More sweetness emerges as the ice melts. Again, I'm tasting notes similar to "Eagle Rare"! Amazing. I still have some of that left. A blind comparison between these two seems warranted! Finish: It's somewhat short, but has a pleasant caramel note. I enjoy finding a relatively inexpensive bottle that delivers quality. I can see this earning a place on my bottom shelf. It gets 3 solid stars. Added 2/19/24: As I mentioned earlier, I was curious to compare this Benchmark SiB against its older Buffalo Trace sibling, Eagle Rare, in a blind tasting. I did this last night, and the outcome wasn't too surprising. It's quite easy to distinguish between a 10-year-old bottle and one that's likely 4 years old at most, probably less. Eagle Rare was the clear winner. However, that doesn't necessarily detract from Benchmark SiB. I still detect a lot of "Buffalo Trace" character in it, it's just not as "developed" and "nuanced" as its older counterpart. My assessment remains the same: It's a good, affordable choice.

Nose: Sweet corn, spiced cherries, cherry cough syrup, wood and char, toasted nuts, ethanol. Palate: Vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, baking spice, mild cinnamon, bitter tannins, medicinal notes, cut wood, pencil shavings, peanuts. Finish: Cinnamon, barrel char and spice, dried herbs, baking spice, lingering bitter tannins, wet paper, wood. I've enjoyed this bottle. I think it slots nicely between Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek 9, and the Evan Williams Single Barrel. It's not really better than any of those, but it's different, and I appreciate that. Price is right. This is the one of the Benchmark line I'd be most likely to pick up again. ____________ Please come join an unofficial community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VSmCvzAQfH. We chat spirits (and other things) in real time while being a great resource to each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired, please post a comment and I will provide a new one.)

BENCHMARK SINGLE BARREL NOSE: Similar to the Bonded expression, this starts off quite hot. After allowing it to breathe, a rotation of tart peach, lemon custard, oak spice, pipe tobacco, dry brown sugar, and some fall spice emerges. Very good! NEAT: Vanilla/maple/butterscotch sweetness dominates the initial taste, followed by orange peel, lemon custard, oak spice, baking spices, and black pepper. The finish is short and slightly drying, with a mild yet noticeable Kentucky hug. Spicy, tingly oak and vanilla coat and layer the palate. The longer you experience it, the sweeter it becomes. SPLASH: Orange marshmallow circus peanuts appear on the nose and palate, along with a waxy leather note. The finish gains a bit more spice. VERDICT: Another successful pour. I particularly enjoy when a whiskey exhibits that circus peanut note. This expression is more complex and sweeter than the Bonded version, though it sacrifices some of the lingering mouthfeel. It would be a good buy at $45, but at $25 it's fantastic. As this is a Single Barrel, your experience may vary.

Alert! For a limited time buyers in the state of Georgia should be able to get the Benchmark series at a fantastic deal. If your store isn't selling the Benchmarks including the Single Barrel and Full Proof for around 10$ YES TEN DOLLARS a bottle then be sure and look at some other stores near you. This is due to the on going legal battle between Sazerec and RNDC,,, it appears RNDC is literally dumping their warehouse stock of BT products, naturally they have very little of the higher end labels but fantastic deals on the Benchmark series exist and continue until??? Pretty sure this is ONLY in the state of GA, but if anyone knows of other areas doing this feel free to chime in.