Benchmark No. 8 Bourbon

I'm continuing to go through the whiskies in my collection that haven't been reviewed yet. And I'm continuing my Pantone color experiment: To my eyes, Benchmark No. 8 closely matches a clear Pantone 152. (See: https://www.pantone-colours.com). On the nose, oak, vanilla, and corn are dominant, with a hint of caramel. The ethanol is noticeable, even though it's only 80 proof. The palate has a subtle thickness, with some creamed corn and pleasant cinnamon spice. The alcohol makes itself known again. The finish is short to medium, with vanilla and a slight bitterness on the back end. Benchmark No. 8 isn't a whiskey for sipping, nor is it really for cocktails (I prefer higher-proof bourbon for that). It usually costs under $20. However, for just a bit more, you could get Elijah Craig Small Batch, which is 14 proof higher and a significantly better bourbon. Benchmark is young and unrefined. It's not unpleasant and doesn't have any harshness, but at only 80 proof, it's not a great deal either. I would definitely drink it, but I wouldn't keep it on hand unless it was just to say I'd tried it. 2.5 stars.

You could certainly do worse, but you could also do much better. If Buffalo Trace is your target, spend a bit more for the real thing, which is significantly superior. Benchmark is acceptable, but I can't genuinely say it's good. If you're unable to locate another product from the same distillery with the same mash bill in your region, this won't satisfy the craving, so don't bother. Its most valuable use is in blind tastings with companions as a surprise element. At its price point, it's not a complete loss, but life is too brief for unsatisfying bourbon.

It's not outstanding, but it is genuinely good. Exhibits standard bourbon characteristics, with a somewhat sweet profile. Crucially, it's incredibly affordable! I would confidently pit it against any other whiskey in its price range and assert its superiority. I don't consider it a sipping whiskey due to its lack of complexity, but it makes an excellent mixed drink. I am interested in trying some of the higher proof versions (Bonded, Barrel Proof, and others) if I can find them.

Nose: Requires significant effort to detect subtle hints of honey and vanilla. Palate: Thin texture with sweet vanilla, quite uncomplicated. Finish: Grassy notes, indicative of its youth, but not harsh. Benchmark lives up to its name: a standard Bourbon that is neither bad nor exceptional. It feels very typical. As a budget option, it offers good value for casual drinking.

A bottom-shelf $12 bourbon that is exactly what you'd expect. It's very light in color, proof, and complexity. Earthy barrel notes with just a tiny hint of vanilla. It's too light to use in a mixer. I'd rather spend twice as much, even for daily sipping. So, I'm not sure where this fits in a collection. And if you're looking for an available bourbon with flavors similar to Buffalo Trace, try something else.

It's actually not too bad, and considering the price, it's a great value. There's a pine-like sweetness followed by oak and leather that dominates. A subtle apple note lingers in the background and gradually fades. It's thin, leaving minimal impression on the palate. It's better than one might anticipate for the price. Nevertheless, it's just slightly below an average pour.