Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon (86 Proof)

Watery with a hint of vanilla and fruit. Slight pepper note.

Nose: Sweet with a slight spice, vanilla, little oaky, fruity Taste: very watery and fruity, pepper that hits the top of mouth

Nose: fruity, orange peel, barrel spice Taste: watery and fruity

N: Sweet corn, dust, earth, hay, mint, some shaving cream. Little bit of wood funk too. Interesting, but not terribly engaging either. P: Sweet caramel, vanilla, sweet corn. Toffee, something like a vanilla ice cream note, Some herbs and dried grass. Thin mouthfeel, bordering watery. F: Decent heat, but short and not a lot of distinct flavors. Some corn, vanilla, caramel. It's a typical bourbon finish. Grabbed all four of the mainline Benchmark (this, Bonded, Single Barrel, Full Proof) bottles on a recent re-up. This was my least favorite of the four. That said, it's a perfectly serviceable bourbon (and the first I've finished, although the Bonded will be right behind it). It reminds of a pretty good young MGP. I would call that a decent compliment. Well priced, solid whiskey, but the thinness of it in the mouth hurts. The other bottles don't have that problem. I might do this again, but it's not on par with something like an Evan Williams Single Barrel, when those can be found, and only a few bucks cheaper. It's also not better than standard Buffalo Trace (but I'm a BT fanboy so YMMV). _______ Please come join an unofficial Distiller community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VSmCvzAQfH. We chat spirits (and other things) in real time while being a great resource to each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired, please post a comment and I will provide a new one.)

2.3 out of 5. My least favorite Dram Pour out of the Bunch. It’s the weakest offering on the Budget-Benchmark Bourbon lineup. (Caramel Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Cherry Cough Drops, Apple Pie Crust, and some light Anise/Floral notes hiding in the back.) This Kind of reminds me of a softer Evan Williams 1783 new release. Nothing special or spectacular. It’s a tad bit boring for my palate and taste buds, but for the overall value and price to proof point. It’s a solid sipper or cocktail mixer.

Hard to argue with it under $20. Smooth, easy sipper. Strong cherry cough syrup that lingers for the aftertaste.