This whiskey is much better known then the expressions cited above. On the palate, the Old Forester 86 has a decent body showing a medium texture. But I feel very firm in the Top Five, and I was pleased to see three bottled-in-bond bourbons in the running. [CDATA[ Wild Turkey also has the same mash bill as Jim Beam and the same barrel char. This is the exact same juice thats just aged a little less. Yet, it always sort of baffles me when people go on about Evan Williams (which is the same mash bill as Elijah Craig at Heaven Hill) but not this. On the palate, you have caramel, brown sugar, candied nuts, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cooked corn sweetness, some mint and a lingering pepperiness. This is a BETA experience. Flavor Profile: Sweet The whiskey sells for around $25. This is Buffalo Traces higher-rye bourbon mash bill even though its not that high comparatively. With tasting notes that include butterscotch, toffee, caramel and honey, this is one for the sweet tooths. 72 percent corn, 18 percent rye, ten percent malted barley. Hes pictured on the bottle. The bourbon is believed to be approximately 6 YO. It's not lacking in sweetness, with tasting notes of nougat, figs, dates and caramel corn. ABV: 50% The rest of the nation is just kinda getting to know em, Minnick says. Hardins Creek Jacobs Well: In summer 2022, bourbon legend Jim Beam launched a new high-end label called Hardins Creek. Foundation For Advancing Alcohol Responsibility. For instance, in New York, property valued at over $1,000 is considered grand larceny. But it goes into the barrel a 114 proof instead of 125 proof. It's made up of whiskeys from Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky, with ages ranging from 4 to 16 years old. In this blind tasting, I picked up a cornbread note and thought it to be too young to make my Top 5. The 15 YO version is similar but far richer and complex. Distiller Score: 84. Flavor Profile: Sweet & Vanilla Bernheim wheated whiskey a bit harsh imo. The 1910 was release in 2018, and though it shares the . For 2022, the rugged western whiskey is a blend of 8- and 9-year-old barrels from the distillery and clocks in at a whopping 134.8 proof. For instance, Jim Beam, Bakers, Knob Creek, Old Crow, and Old Taylor all have the exact same mash bill (75/13/12 corn/rye/barley), barrel char (level #4), and barreling proof (125 proof). If you find it, buy it. Thats nuts in todays whiskey world. // < ! Charles is a 50-year veteran of the Kentucky distilling industry and his familys history is closely intertwined with Kentucky bourbon. Ninety-nine percent of Dickel products are officially Tennessee Whisky, not bourbon. There is some alcohol burn, especially on the 114-proof version, along with sweet honey notes, candied citrus zest, brown sugar and that cooked tropical fruits. Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery, Louisville, KY Retail - $80; Secondary - $250; Old Forester 117 Series High Angel's Share or Warehouse K (375ml) - T3. Over time, the Yellow Label bottle has changed with the label losing the yellow color. ABV: 46% If I tasted this flight again, theres a very good chance Id have different results. You can often find this for $9.99 on sale. That includes retailer specific brands. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. Today, Evan Williams Bourbon is distilled only blocks from the site of his original distillery. Rebel Yell has been a registered brand since 1936, although the recipe for the bourbon dates back to 1849. ABV: 40% I like some of the new Makers Private Select picks even more, but theyre single barrel private picks, so I didnt include them on the list. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Look, I know Jack says Tennessee whiskey on the label, but theres an argument made for it being bourbon. I recently did a blind taste test comparing some Wheaters and surprisingly rated Makers 46 as my top pick among Makers Mark, Larceny, Old Weller Antique, and Bernheim (a pure wheat whiskey). The whiskey is NAS, but is believed to be four to eight years old. Proof: 100. I got that message twice this week from readers, and thats not a rarity. Glad to find your listing. Really looking forward to the release of the RY 10 Single Barrel. Retail - $250; . At $30 per bottle, this is an outstanding value for an aged, over-proof, classic bourbon. Still, theyre a lot closer to being the same thing than any amount of advertising would lead you to believe. Theyll tell you everything there is to know about their whiskey they dont hide the mash bill, the distillation proof. Like in-state rivals Jack Daniel's, the brand is keen to remind drinkers that the two are not the same (even though they kind of are). Its excellent. The finish is long, caramel-sweet, with a lingering cinnamon and a cooked cereal note. Am looking forward to trying some of the others you listed. I walk in and find 15 year old Pappy in a red velvet sack sitting on the shelf for about sixty dollars a bottle. The spirit is one of those rare drinks that is loved by both bourbon enthusiasts and amateurs. Weller Special Reserve, 12 Year Wheated Bourbon Blind Tasting: Weller 12 vs. Old Fitz 12 vs. Van Winkle 12, Four Gate Whiskey Announces Release 15.1, 15.2, & 15.3: The Bluegrass Trilogy, Old Forester 21st Release of Annual Birthday Bourbon, Press Release: Old Foresters Next Release in the 117 SeriesFeatures a Blend of Barrels Aged Solely in Warehouse K, William Larue Weller (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection), Rebel Yell Single Barrel 10 Year (added October 2016). The mash bill here, made entirely of non-GMO grains, is 65 percent corn, 30 percent rye and 5 percent malted barley. Finish: Medium length and warm. It is 115 proof and reminiscent of the style of bourbon distilled by the brand during the prohibition era. The notes kind of just linger. This 100 proof bottling is also bottled-in-bond. 68 percent corn, 20 percent wheat, 12 percent malted barley. Medley Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS, 51% ABV. Although it is more expensive at $88 per bottle, it is a far better value than the $30 NAS version. Ill have to revisit this sometime soon and update the list. Lots of rye spices mingle with sweet vanilla on the palate here. The finish is medium length, sweet and spicy, with notes of dried stone fruit, vanilla and caramel, along with spice notes of nutmeg, clove and allspice. There is no shortage of good bourbon available today, although prices keep rising and will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Distiller Score: 82. But I worried its subtleties could get lost in a deep field, which this was. Cheap bourbon isnt always as bottom-shelf as it seems. Beginning in spring 2018, the name for this product is simply Four Roses Bourbon., ABV: 40% Its a little smoother and feels softer on the palate. I have a couple of them in my bunker. In 2018, Luxco opened Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, KY so expect the bourbon to be made there in the future. Other states have much lower thresholds, however, some considering anything over $400 to be grand larceny. As Bourbon Heritage Month rolls on, were taking a look at some expensive bottles of bourbon to see if we can find some cheaper bourbon counterparts from the exact same mash bill, barrel char, and barrel proof. Old Forester has been on the market continuously since 1870, which is longer than any other bourbon. While I think the standard version is fine, Ive had two private barrel selections that were great. Everything you ever wanted to know about Americas favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy. Yes. With no effort and normal market prices, I can have Makers, Larceny, and OWA. I do not covet, nor feel compelled to obtain something that is nearly unobtainable for the challenge. Distiller Score: 88. Hence, I find the 20 year Van Winkle offering to be a truly fine bourbon, while the 23 year is a mess in the bottle. The Main Differences Between Larceny Bourbon vs Maker's Mark The main differences between Larceny Bourbon vs Maker's Mark are: Larceny's distiller is Heaven Hill, whereas Maker's Mark is Beam Suntory. Going in, I didnt give this much of a chance for my palate. Instead, it was allowed to rest until it hit a point the distillers wanted to hit and then bottled as is. This was so complex, with a 20-second finish and layered in vanilla that it was easily the winner. Flavor Profile: Fruity Theyre also all made in the same distillery (Jim Beam). It has a suggested MSRP of $150, and Reserve Bar is your best bet for snagging a bottle. Additionally, Four Roses uses up to five different yeast strains for its bourbons, and all are used here. On the palate, there is caramel and brown sugar, along with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and charred oak. Wild Turkey Bourbon 101 is pulled from the barrel at 109 proof before being proofed down only a touch. Corn on the nose and lots of classic notes of vanilla, toffee, and caramel up top. I drink so much Makers with BBQ, he says. Yes. Flavor Profile: Vanilla & Sweet He has also been published on Liquor.com. But theres so many wonderful bourbons available. ABV: 40% First released in 2021, Dickel 8-Year Bourbon is the company's first official foray into bourbon whiskey, and it's a value-driven powerhouse. Age statement in the double digits for $40 or less? Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont, KY (Beam Suntory) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rye based bourbons aged longer than 12 years, in most cases, become far too woody, and they begin to become overpowered by the barrel flavors. The bourbon is made by Jim Beam, and retails for around $20 per bottle. Try These Whiskeys, The Complete Buying Guide to Buffalo Trace Whiskey, The Most Exciting New Bourbon and Whiskeys of 2022, Another Female Whiskey Blender Has Gone Solo, Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon, Barrell Craft Spirits 15 Year Old Bourbon. And the 2014 Parkers Heritage Original Batch Wheat Whiskey really showed what that mash bill is capable of with age and proof. It is bottled without an age statement at 80 proof. It is based on a mash bill of 77% corn, 10% rye and 13% malted barley. Larceny is a bourbon produced by the Heaven Hill distillery made from a mash bill that is 20 percent wheat. But what are the best wheated bourbons out there? They were right. Once again, this wonderful bourbon was in the running to win it all. Bourbon drinkers who enjoy spice and dark fruit will be fans of this release. Knob Creek 12 Year Price: ~$75 Proof: 100 Tasting Notes: Oak, vanilla, marshmallow Distillery: Jim Beam That works out to 1.75 barrels of bourbon per resident or over 500 bottles of whiskey per capita. The juice is a throwback to Colonel Blanton who expanded the distillery in the 20th century and used to handpick barrels for his personal stash in warehouse H. The bottle in-and-of-itself has become a collectors item with the small horse on each cork varying slightly. Sour Mash: A fermentation technique used by almost all bourbon distillers that employs pre-fermented mash from a previous distilling in a new mash. At $20 per bottle, this is a fantastic bourbon and an excellent introduction to wheated bourbons. But the truth is, in a pinch, this is a great sipper. The finish is rich and powerful, with classic bourbon notes of sweet caramel, dried fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and pepper, with a slight but persistent bitter note on the end. Last I heard it was going for about three thousand a bottle if you could find it. In addition, Minnick is the editor-in-chief of Bourbon+ Magazine and host on the Spirits Network. Unfortunately, for Old Fo, I was not. After about 7 years, they start becoming nice sips. Wheated Bourbon Throwdown: Larceny vs. W.L. On the palate, there is sweetness, candied orange zest, semisweet chocolate, along with cinnamon and cloves. In bourbon's growth, consumers have paid the price for its popularity. On the palate, the whiskey is smooth and sweet, with vanilla and caramel and a little dried fruit. It didnt make the cut for the finals. That said, I felt strongly Jack Daniels puts out worthy whiskey and deserved to be in this Best Everyday tasting. ABV: 46% I have always found a peanut butter note in this bourbon, and that can be incredibly enticing during a blind tasting. Larceny, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, NAS. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Beam was formerly known as Jim Beam Double Aged. The 6 year age statement is now gone and replaced with just the number 6 on the handle, but they bourbon is indeed at least 4 years old. The mash bill used contains: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley. Larceny Barrel Proof (A121, B521, C921) - T3. Quite the contrary, I didnt care for the whiskey in the blind tasting. A 100-proof blend of 2017 and 2019 bourbons, Major's mix which is the first in Dread River's new Master Series has tasting notes of cherry, apples, oak and light vanilla. Wheaters are my favorites, but I like ryes too. Makers Mark could double their price and people would still buy it by the case. Youd think that would make it a shoe-in to win my blind tasting. Where we have full reviews, scores, or tasting notes, I have included links: // < ! Larceny is 45% alcohol by volume, whereas Maker's Mark has 45%. According to their story, back in the day, John E. Fitzgerald used his privilege of holding the keys to Pappy Van Winkles bonded warehouse, where the Old Fitzgerald bourbons were kept, to steal the best casks for himself. ABV: 50% Nice article Bill. And the little factors between bottles do matter. This juice is hand-selected to be small batched to match a six-year-old age profile. Its bottled at 115 proof for this distillery, thats the perfect proof, Minnick says. Wheres the thirsty modern man, farmer or otherwise, to begin? The sour mash prevents wild yeast from entering the mash and causing infections. It has a suggested MSRP of $150, and Reserve Bar is your best bet for snagging a bottle.Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon: Every year for the past eight years, Texas-based distillery Garrison Brothers has released their fan-favorite Cowboy Bourbon: an uncut and unfiltered straight bourbon thats produced in limited numbers. Distillers Gin Guide: Styles to Know and Brands to Try. It is a wheated whiskey, that shares a common DNA with Old Fitzgerald and the Pappy wheated bourbons. The biggest surprise of the blind tasting since I had previously disliked it. This is a smooth, almost delicate whiskey, and makes an excellent sipper. Maker's Mark Cask Strength vs Weller Full Proof . On the nose, there is caramel, cooked corn sweetness and pralines (think almond roca candy), along with plenty of cinnamon and clove spice. On the palate, there is a distinctive honey sweetness accompanied by cinnamon and nutmeg. Four Roses Small Batch, a household favorite, did not perform well in this blind tasting for Best [+] Everyday Bourbon. It is available everywhere and thus resistant to the price gouging associated with brands like Buffalo Trace. Admittedly, the barrel seasoning makes all the difference between . If you can get your hands on the bottle like the Dutton clan did in season 5 of Yellowstone youll be treated to notes of creamed corn, toasted vanilla and a heavy dose of wheat. Sour mash and bottled-in-bond, non-distiller-producers and high-ryes. A slice of citrus arrives to lighten everything up on the short end. Pappy Van Winkles impossible-to-find wheated bourbon has become such a hype monster that other wheated bourbons from Buffalo Traces portfolio have seen their own popularity skyrocket due to their proximity. Its also the recipe Pappy Van Winkle bought during prohibition. The latter is a blend of a 16-year-old bourbon and a 15-year-old high-rye bourbon that pays tribute to the familys first distiller, Jacob Beam, and its said to be some of the best bourbon being produced at the busy distillery. So, I added it. I was more akin to the standard Makers than 46. Its got so much flavor to it, so much complexity its just brilliant whiskey., Are we including bottles that are impossible to find? Minnick asks. Give the whiskey a few minutes to open up and for the alcohol burn to dissipate. Thats only three fewer years than the Old Fitz above, and its a tenth the price. Jeffersons has released a few wheaters in their Presidential Select lineupthat were great, as did Parkers Heritage. Whats really frustrating is that living in KY just an hour or so from all these distillers you can hardly find some of these choices, and theyre ridiculously expensive if you do. I W Harper was widely popular in the 1950s and 60s, and was exported to more than 100 countries around the world. This was a single release of only 2,500 bottles. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Larceny Barrel Proof A122 Bourbon . But again, two for the price of one is a bargain. Each of its releases makes clear what went into it distillery location, whiskey age, proof, etc. Craft bourbon's rep is tarnished by a few bad apples makes subpar whiskey. It is aged at least 4 years in a bonded warehouse and is bottled at 100 proof in a trademark square, white label bottle. Basil Haydens is a well-crafted bourbon thats pulled from specific barrels, blended, cut down to proof, and small-batch bottled under the watchful eyes of Jim Beams masters. Its also killer if you want to make a $20 Manhattan. Looking for something on the cheap? The bourbon is bottled-in-bond (BIB), which means it is the product of a single distillation by a single distiller at a single distillery, and has been aged for at least four years under US government supervision. Neither is particularly better than the other. 2020 ModernThirst. Sazerac 18 typically demands the highest price in the Buffalo Antique Collection line. This tends to produce spicier flavors in the bourbon. and all are worth seeking out. Now, bourbon fans grow angry over their inability to find precious gold they once regularly consumed. Old Forester Single Barrel Rye Whiskey (Barrel Proof) - T3. Perhaps thats why it was in the running to win it all. So no Jim Beam Soft Red Wheat, none of the individual Willett bottlings, none of the Michters 10 year bottlings that were(or were reported to be) wheaters, and none of the Buffalo Trace Single Oak or experimental releases that were wheated. There have been quite a few individual barrels of wheated bourbon released, or reportedly released over they ears. Fourth - Larceny With wheated bourbons riding a tidal wave named Pappy, Larceny flies under the radar. On the palate, there are pralines (candied pecans), orange zest, along with caramel, maple syrup, some mint and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. But by and large, I find traditional bourbons aged past 12 years to be more often worse than their younger siblings (Elijah Craig is a good example).