15 Best Bourbons For Beginners Ranked

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. If you’re already scratching your head, you’re in the right place. Bourbon, the traditional American whiskey, is made up of a mandatory 51% corn mash and a 49% blend of various grains, depending on the label. It can be sweet, spicy, or warm, but it isn’t always approachable, especially for those who are new to it.
There are many bourbons available, and it's easy to be a little confused about which one to bring home. So, if you’re new to the world of bourbon, we’ve got you covered. From Wild Turkey to Widow Jane and everything in between, these are the 15 best bourbons for beginners.

#Bourbon #Whiskey #Liquor

Wild Turkey | 0:00
Four Roses Small Batch | 1:29
Knob Creek 9 Year Bourbon | 2:17
1792 Bourbon | 3:06
Michter's US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon | 4:03
Bulleit Bourbon | 4:46
Basil Hayden | 5:28
Buffalo Trace | 6:18
Eagle Rare | 7:04
Jefferson's Very Small Batch | 7:46
Russell's Reserve 10 year | 8:40
Widow Jane 10 Year | 9:44
Elijah Craig Small Batch | 10:38
Maker's Mark | 11:13
Woodford Reserve | 11:56

[MashedFood]

What would you recommend to a friend as a beginner bourbon?

[jasong]

Missed the Wild Turkey 101. Makes it #1

[bobganskow]

I don't have a large resume yet but I highly recommend Elijah Craig Small Batch if you like smooth and affordable.

[j.b.]

No mention of Old Forester, one of my favorite brands. The 100 proof is especially good.

[wilsonbelle]

I'd vouch for Evan Williams B-i-B.

[charlespratt]

If you've never tried bourbon I would start with Evan Williams Black and move on to Wild Turkey 101. I've drank more expensive but havent found two I like better.

[politicsuncensored]

A poker friend 10 years ago gave me a bottle of Rebel Yell bourbon for hosting a poker tournament. I have to tell you that it was 100% Great! I would recommend giving Rebel Yell a try to bourbon drinkers.
It is smooth and great tasting. I like to sit back on my deck on our pond with a cigar at night and a glass or two or three go great with a cigar or two or three. I am really enjoying your video on bourbon tonight as I sit back with a glass and cigar. Shalom

[georgejasper]

Awesome list. All of these spend time on my whiskey table. I avoid the Wild Turkey for the 101 instead, but otherwise these are great. Gotta try that Brooklyn stuff!

[miguelgonzalez]

Woodford Reserve and Bulleit are my go-to favorites.

[jimkeogh]

Jefferson Bourbons? Evan Williams Black Label is the best inexpensive introduction to bourbons, in my estimation. Makers' Mark, Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig Small Batch, and Russell's Reserve are still in my bar. You can't go wrong with any of the Knob Creek line; the 12 Year Single Barrel has beaten out the much pricier Bookers as my absolute favorite.

[peoplez]

I've tried many whiskey's. From Wild Turkey, to Jim Beam, to Jack Daniels, to Glenlivets, to Johnny Walker Black, and many no name brands, but oddly enough, to me Maker's Mark, as gimmicky as it seems, is actually better than all of them, both in flavor and effects, and it almost magically doesn't even give you a hangover either. It also drinks well either straight or with a little water or on the rocks.

[BlackKoshinomi]

As as man who just started drinking bourbon

Maker's is 🔥 🔥

[MichaelJin]

Great video. I love Canadian club classic whiskey and want to try bourbon (told it has some similarities) but find it overwhelming complex for some odd reason. I keep on avoiding it but this shows some insight. Thanks!

[Green-Andy]

Jefferson very small batch and four Roses are a solid pick on this list. After trying these i stayed away from Basil Hayden. I haven't tried others on this list

[ncsa]

Buffalo Trace products seem to be scarce in my area (Western New York State). When I've had them, they are O.K., but lack of availability and resulting higher prices make several other choices more attractive. Several of the Heaven Hill brands are very good (IMO). 1792, Four Roses Small Batch, and Wild Turkey 101 seem to be in the cabinet most of the time.

[hoodiestimbs]

That knob creek 9 year is great. It won best bourbon in 2015 blind test in San Francisco. Just didn’t catch on. McKenna won in 2017 and now you can’t find a bottle

[joenadeau]

Old Forester 100 proof as an alternative to BT and then move up to their Whiskey Row series👍

[gordonno]

My every day is either, Jim Beam
Black Label or Jim Beam Devel's Cut.

[raychang]

Great video, but too bad about the misuse of the word "notoriety". It doesn't mean popularity, but means "well known in a negative way".

[JimJWalker]

You forgot Evan WIlliams, an inexpensive and excellent tasting every day whiskey, George Dickel Whisky which is a legend of bourbon. Plus, Maker's Mark was bought by a Japanese company and the quality has dropped and the price has vastly increased.