Benchmark Full Proof Bourbon (125 Proof)

Nose- vanilla and green apple Body- bright rock candy sweetness upfront quickly fades to honey toast and a hint of green apple Finish- honey toast gives way to buttery corn that suggests that this is a younger bourbon (3 years or less) This is a huge improvement over the original Benchmark. It’s hard to be mad at this for the price point.

It’s actually startling that such a bright, sweet, full-proof head-turner could be at this price point. Lookout for this one.

For the price, this is great bourbon. Vanilla, brown sugar and some oak on the nose… the high proof I’d apparent as well. Some red fruits with more brown sugar and maybe subtle caramel and cured tobacco on the palate. There is a “hug” on the finish but it’s smooth for the proof. The brown sugar turns to burnt sugar and caramel.

This gets a 4 for the value to taste alone. Reminds me of a high proof Willett with remote notes of EHT. Finishes pretty hot, but a little flat. But this is comparing it to the bottles that are orders of magnitude more expensive with the same mash. If you see it, pick it up just to try this one. Glad Buffalo Trace is doing something interesting.

Wood and fruits on the nose, great fruit flavors up front turning to spice almost immediately., calms very quickly with a great warming finish