Benchmark No. 8 Bourbon

Baby version of buffalo trace - same mash bill . Less rich than buffalo . Larry - “tastes watered down...but it’s good! Hahah”

Innoffensive, rather cherry-ish. Noticeably weak.

Drinks good.

Mineral sweetness. Good for a relaxing drink that you don’t want to over-analyze.

Well, for $9.99/bottle, I expect: rot-gut, off notes, chemical and alcohol after taste, not to mention fake smoke undertones. I did not find any of these. After following the recommendation of Distiller members that I believe in, I picked a bottle up to make BBQ sauce with. I did sample it prior to make sure I was not ruining a sauce. I was surprised. It is no Blanton's, nor even Buffalo Trace's little brother. However, it had floral sweetness, notes of vanilla and slight spice. At 40% ABV, it's a neat dram, or a great base for mixing or highballs. It has now replaced Early Times as my sauce whiskey. I know it only received a 70/100 from the pro evaluation, but I think I have spent lots more for much lesser pours. 2.75 stars

Benchmark Old No 8 @ 80 proof. 12.99 for 1 Liter Bottom of the shelf whiskey is bottom shelf whiskey,,,, yes or no? Well "maybe" is the answer but one thing about these bottles that have been around for many decades, they have staying power for a reason, cheap and dependable if not that great is still delivering value. Benchmark is an 80 proofer that drinks like a 90 proof, the black label belies the content being a mid grade offering yet this bourbons taste has more in common with a black label Beam or Evan than the weaker white and green label brethren. While there is nothing like a complexity of sweetness and woods or other flavors the bare bones of a bourbon whiskey stand up in notes of pepper carmels and oak just enough to pass as a slightly above bottom shelf white label bourbon. The heat and burn are evident in the finish but nothing beyond what the proof would warrant and thus there is little or nothing in the way of negative flavoring to dissuade from follow up drinks. While you wouldn't want to make Benchmark an every day drinker given what it is, at the price it is a real value and thus deserving of recognition.

Unfinished taste but not horrible for the price

Color: The color of this Buffalo Trace product is a polished mahogany wood. Nose: The nose has basic notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak, but it also boasts unique subtleties like sour gummy worms and pine needles. Taste: The palate matches the nose with oak, vanilla, and caramel notes with the addition of dark fruits like cherry and plum. Finish: The finish is short to medium in length. The aftertaste is smooth with very little burn, yet much like Chandler in Friends during Thanksgiving, slight bitterness popping up at the end. Opinion: I had heard good things about this bourbon from several people, but only tonight for a friend’s birthday did I finally pick up a bottle. Man, this bourbon sets a standard for budget bourbon! It was really tasty, really affordable, wasn't boring, and everyone at the party drank it neat and enjoyed it! I would highly recommend it to anyone! Buffalo Trace, well done and keep up the good work! Sláinte!

Great for whiskey & coke, not much else. That being said, if this is a drink you make regularly, I highly recommend this bottle over other $10 or less bourbons.