Tastes

Nose: Honey, vanilla, oak. Palate: Sweet, caramel, followed by corn, grain, and spice but with a good body compared to standard Benchmark. Finish: A creamy heat finish, showing off its proof but not in a bad way. 4 years does indeed do a lot for Benchmark, this value bourbon gets a step up from the others. Still a great sipper and if you need more proof- this is your go-to.

Nose: Sweet vanilla frosting or candy corn. Palate: Really sweet vanilla, then some spice, more body compared to the standard Benchmark. Finish: Lingering sweetness and spice, a more pleasing finish vs. standard Benchmark. Very impressed with Benchmark Single Barrel! A really sweet sipper that's probably around the top of the Benchmark line-up.

Nose: Lighter sweet corn notes, some vanilla. Palate: Corn diving quickly into the grain. Overall sweet. Finish: Oak, grain, lingering pepper, and spice. Aging at the Top Floor definitely does something different. Benchmark Top Floor, like the rest of the line-up, is a great value bourbon that offers something slightly more compared to standard 80 proof Benchmark.

Nose: Sweet candy corn, vanilla frosting, more alcohol present compared to standard Benchmark Palate: Typical corn, vanilla at the top but quickly evolves to spice. Finish: Grain, stronger than standard Benchmark, both in proof and youthfulness. The higher proof of Benchmark Small Batch adds a little bit more kick and a slightly different type of sweetness to the mix. However, its youthful age is also more present in this variety. I personally waiver if this is better or worse- but it is different. Still a great value Bourbon that I'll enjoy sipping.

Nose: You have to really work hard to get anything from the nose, soft aromas of honey and vanilla. Palate: Thin with sweet vanilla, very simple. Finish: Grain, showing off it's young age but not harsh. Benchmark is appropriately named: a middle-of-the-road Bourbon that isn't bad and isn't great. It feels very standard. As a bottom-shelf bottle, there's good value here as a budget sipper.

On the nose: still young, but this bottle is "softer" - not as hot and instead some maple and vanilla and some subtle fruit (apple maybe.) Leads with the vanilla then spice and some oak... is that eucalyptus? Honestly a great budget sipper- would make this my well.

A one and only selection at The Haberdasher in Mobile, AL. The barrel is selected by the staff here at the bar and brought back for sale in both pours and bottles. The bourbon is as big as its proof, with a complex palette of caramel and leather with a hint of vanilla. Bold heat comes in quick and with a burnt finish.