Top 5 Essential Beginner Bourbons to Try

Bourbon is a uniquely American spirit. It’s as entrenched in our country’s history as apple pie, free soda refills, ranch dressing, and oversized pickup trucks.

If you’re a drinker, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve imbibed your fair share of bourbon over the years. If not, what exactly are you waiting for? Well, there’s no time like the present.

If you’re new to bourbon whiskey, you should know a little background before you dive right in. To be called a bourbon, the whiskey must fit some crucial requirements. Legally, it must be made in the US (not just Kentucky even though 95% of it is made there).

It also must be made with a mash bill of at least 51% corn (although most are higher). The secondary ingredients can be grains like rye, wheat, and barley. There are a handful of other rules, but those two are the most important for a bourbon newbie.

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about America’s “native spirit,” the time is right to find some to drink. Start your bourbon journey on the right foot by stocking your home bar with classic, complex beginner bottles. These are the types of expressions that will help you get acquainted with the whiskey style but will still find a spot on your home bar for the foreseeable future. Keep scrolling to see our essential beginner bourbons.

Elijah Craig Small Batch

This award-winning Kentucky straight bourbon is released in small batches throughout the year. It’s a bold, complex 94-proof sipping whiskey that is matured between eight and twelve years in level three charred new oak barrels. The result is a memorable whiskey with notes of dried fruits, vanilla beans, and gentle wintry spices.

Buffalo Trace

In terms of price-to-quality ratio, Buffalo Trace’s flagship bourbon is unmatched. This non-age-statement bourbon is believed to be matured between six and eight years in new, charred American oak barrels. This creates a nuanced, noteworthy whiskey with hints of mint, toasted vanilla beans, caramelized sugar, dried fruits, and baking spices.

Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon

Woodford Reserve is well-known for its line of award-winning whiskeys. But, if you have to start somewhere, we suggest that your first stop is its classic Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon. Matured between six and seven years in charred American oak barrels, it is well-known for its flavor profile of chocolate, pipe tobacco, vanilla, caramel, and light spices.

Old Forester 86

You can’t go wrong with any bourbon from Old Forester, but we suggest starting with its Old Forester 86. There’s no age statement for Old Forester 86, but if you crack it open, you’ll be met with an award-winning 86-proof whiskey loaded with flavors like vanilla beans, pipe tobacco, spicy rye, orange peels, and oak.

Wild Turkey 101

If you only buy one whiskey on this list, make it Wild Turkey 101. Matured between six and eight years, this bold 101-proof, sippable, mixable bourbon is known for its flavors of toffee, cinnamon candy, rye spice, and oaky wood.

The post Top 5 Essential Beginner Bourbons to Try appeared first on Chilled Magazine.