Benchmark Bourbon Old Number 8

I drive across town to pick up a 750ml bottle for $8.49 here in Denver. Not as complex as most aged top shelf Bourbons but definitely not offensive like many other bottom shelf Bourbons. Except for Very Old Barton I doubt you can find a better bottom shelf Bourbon.

20th July 2019

best bourbon for the price period.

3rd July 2019

Judged within it's class (Beam White, etc) this is a fun and groovy whiskey that's cheap and likable. I paid 15 bucks for a liter. It's light, but it talks to you, and there's no nasty aftertaste. A good whiskey for weekend afternoon sipping while watching a ball game.

9th June 2019

Clean and balanced. Neither too heavy or too sharp. Tasty.

18th February 2019

Bought it on a Cruise Ship, only one bottle as didn't know what it was like. But found it to be a Fantastic drop and my son loves it also with ice and ginger ale.....

30th October 2018

Bought it, like it. Will buy more.

26th October 2018

Quite easy sip, lots of corn, pear, a hint of black pepper and some caramel on the palate. Some barley, sweet cornflakes and possibly a hint of rye towards the end. Quite mellow and easy to sip, worth the money and worth the try.

6th April 2018

Here in the US it's among the cheapest "straight bourbons" (an important legal definition, especially important when venturing into bottom shelves). I was surprised. Buffalo Trace distillery, from my research it's 70%+ corn, <10% rye and 5%+ malt (can't verify). No, it's not a favorite or a standout - it's just a great budget default if you are "down and out". For me, I'd buy Ezra or Evan for a few bucks more, but I enjoy discovering budget options, so this is a nice find.

I got a good chuckle when Ralfy reviewed this genuinely thinking that it's 8 years old :) No, it's "No. 8", that's all. And it does have an age statement - in small print: "aged 3 years" :) But hey, Ralfy has one of the most trustworthy palates, so it's great!

8th February 2018

I think it may be one of my favorite whiskeys, I live in Kentucky and have tried them all!
The taste is smooth, which is not typical of bourbon, a high rye content gives it that great spice taste. Compared to the bourbons that are 2-3 times the cost it is a no brainer.
My go to along with the single barrel Buffalo Trace from the same family

29th January 2018

It's an ok bourbon, similar to Jim Beam...at first, but then there is this unpleasant bitterness not unlike JD. it's as if they bought JD and put it into these bottles.

13th November 2017

Been drinkin Benchmark since 1970 at FtKnox Ky. We have many in the cupboard but Benchmark always gets the knod. And friends mostly agree.

27th July 2017

Really liking this! tried it based on retail price & am impressed.I do drink some expensive Bourbon at times but for most consumption, I can't "invest" in whiskey. Drank a Heaven Hill label called Kentucky Supreme for a long time, but it ceased to be a straight Bourbon and 750's became unavailable to boot. Been drinking Henry McKenna, Heaven Hill White, Old Crow, but I like this better. Probably stay with this for a while.

18th April 2017

Taking price into account (9.99) in St Louis, this straight bourbon can't be beat. Definite oak taste similar to Evan Williams

24th November 2016

At $11.99 a bottle it's easy to swallow quite smooth with a hint of rye.

24th October 2016

For me, there isn't a better bourbon out there at this price. Not overly complex but well-made with nice spicy, sweet, almost strawberry, flavours. Perfect as it comes - no need for water (imo). A good 'session' bourbon!

3rd July 2016

best for the money I've had

24th November 2015

Finalmente lo probé, lo quería comparar con el Jack Daniels. Definitivamante están codo a codo. Me gustan los bourbons, aunque el Jack Daniels no es bourbon en si. Realmente codo a codo, el Benchmark tiene un efecto de colocón mas agradable, los encuentro prácticamente igual de sabrosos a ambos. Recomiendo.

23rd August 2015

Initial smell of maple syrup. Sweet,juicy and delicous . So easy to drink. Fantastic value for the money.

10th February 2015

Good bourbon and i believe it has more rye than other bourbons from the same price range.

18th January 2015

I just bought me my first Benchmark whisky, and I'm blown away, nice color, wonderful smell and a taste like heaven, from now on it's my new favorite.

4th December 2014

tried a lot of flavered whisky the benchmark peach and brownsugar is the best ive have found for a good price

20th October 2014

Typed that review like I'd had one too many, not so just very old fingers.
My wanna be son in law left a part bottle of Beam when he left to go home back in KY, I've been alternating sips and Benchmark wins, no contest.

16th April 2014

If you can find a better tastin' sippin' bourbon let mw know . Added bonus: uner10 bucks here in Ohio.

16th April 2014

Saw this on the Buffalo Trace website, so decided to give it a try. Found it on the bottom shelf for $12.75 in Iowa. It is not a bottom shelf bourbon, but that doesn't bother me. It's my new go-to.

5th February 2014

I had a 3 year long process, where I was going to pick the King of the low-mid priced Bourbons (less than Beam was my rule) and this was the winner. I think I paid $17 for a 1.75, although I have to go out of my small town to get it, worth the drive.

29th April 2013

Rating for the above comment.

6th March 2013

Nice nose. Corn on the palate with slight maple flavour. Nice dry rye finish . Can't be beat for the price.

3rd March 2013