Benchmark Bonded Bourbon (100 Proof)

Very good bourbon. It tastes like Benchmark Top Floor on steroids. The flavor is more rich but the bite is also stroger at 100 proof.

Read my other reviews and you'll see that I like Benchmark, not that its an outstanding/gotta have, stand in line for bourbon but because it is a good bourbon given the price point. As one review I steal the quote from...."hits above its weight class" This one is no exception, I have had plenty of BIBs, have yet to have one disappoint. In fact as for the "well/bottom shelf" bourbons put this in your arsenal, because you can mix it or go neat, with a splash or ice and have the debate as to why this is a"not bad/good" bourbon given the sub $30 price Nice carmel vanilla notes, easy sipping a good all-around bourbon

Knowing this is primarily a “bottom shelf” or “welll” label and knowing that it serves the role of a no frills work horse fairly well, I was intrigued when I saw this BIB label yet expectations remained low. The price tag tipped the scales for me though and I had to try it. After completion of the bottle I must say it did not overwhelm. The higher proof was welcome, and definitely made it more hardy but there simply isn't enough depth here to make it very interesting. Great for mixing cocktails at a party in which noone wants to talk much about whiskey and the price tag is blissfully low, but there simply isn't any real depth here to make it very memorable.

Benchmark Bonded Blind Test Nose: baking spice, bread, light, nothing unpleasant but nothing special either Taste: baking spice, very similar to the nose. Baking bread. Slight vanilla. Not complex, but what it does, it does well. Doesn’t seem to be high proof. Very drinkable neat. Overall, this is very similar to Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. Finish: cinnamon, baking spice Overall: 3/5, simple, but does what it needs to do. Great for the price range.