BEST 5 Bourbons for BEGINNERS

Suggested quantities are just that, suggestions. Feel free to increase or decrease quantities in order to cater to your personal tastes. Enjoy!

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[wolfe]

My suggestion isn't a bottle to try. Since you and viewers covered those well. My advice is to buy the smallest bottle size you can. Sometimes it is the 750ml, but there's nothing wrong with the 375's or even the 50ml bottles. This way you can try a huge variety with minimal investment.

[MattD]

I have every bottle mentioned in my bar but I think the #1 beginner bourbon is 1792 Small Batch. Haven’t had a man or woman dislike it yet.

[loganwgriffith]

I am very much a beginner. This channel is my 100% go to for information.
The first bourbon was a shot of Makers Mark I couldn't tell you how many years ago.
Flash forward close to a couple decades.
As the enlisted part of a company command team (1SG), the best Commander I ever served with shared a bottle of Basil Hayden's. Now I am a bourbon fan. I've bought a few types. Old Forrester 86 was the first I bought, then Elijah Craig Small Batch. There has only been a couple more, but I'm enjoying everything so far.
Thank you Kurt for not just the education but also grade A entertainment
Old Forrester 86 was my

[paullee]

From your top 5 I have Wild Turkey 101 and Evan Williams Single Barrel. I found the Wild Turkey to be a bit spicy for me so I did your trick of adding a water bottle cap of water. I am only in my third month of being a bourbon drinker but quite enjoy the hobby. So far I have 12 Bourbons and one scotch on my shelf. My nearly 77 year-old taste buds aren't real sharp but I can pick out differences from bottle to bottle, My first trip to the liqueur store got me Buffalo Trace, Makers 46 and Elijah Craig for my start into the world of bourbon. Really enjoy you videos. Thanks for all the advice Curt.

[steveno]

Nice list! Here are the 5 I recommend to my friends beginning their journey: Makers Mark (Wheater), Knob Creek (Nutty), Wild Turkey 101 (Spice), Old Forester 100 (Dark Fruit), and Four Roses SB (High Rye).

[robertclewell]

I have only been into bourbon for about 4 months. One of the very first videos I watched was your top five bourbons for under $30 because I wanted good options at a reasonable price. I have bought every bourbon on that top 5 list. I do have to say I enjoyed the Knob Creek and the Larceny the best but they all were good. I have enjoyed your videos ever since. Your videos are always great on information and your presentation always makes the viewer feel like they are sitting at the bar talking to a friend who just happens to be the bartender. Keep up the great work. God bless. My list would be Knob Creek 9 year, Old Forester Signature 100 proof, Elijah Craig small batch and Larceny.

[wyodino]

I agree, great choices. Love the Buffalo Trace! It's the one that goes in a flask for sipping around a fire.

[andrewmainprice]

Four roses was my first ever bourbon. I would try wild turkey 101, makers mark 46, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig small batch. Do not spend more than £30-£40 on your beginner bourbons.

[torbenmortensen]

I am pretty new to bourbon, not to whisky, have had some experience with scotchs.

My favorites so far are:
1. Eagle rare
2. 1792 small batch
3. Four roses single barrel
4. Wild Turkey 101
5. Evan Williams single barrel (vintage 2010)

I still struggle a bit with the ones above 100 proof.
And I live in Europe, so some Bourbons I just can't find, eventhough I really would love to try them.

Thanks for a great channel :-)

Best regards from Denmark

[itspabbs]

I got my wife into bourbon with Jim Beam white label. Had her taste it and kept adding water until she found it palatable. Over time she made it to neat and became aware of the flavor profile. Then she started trying many different whiskeys. She's a huge whiskey fan about a year after despising it.

[paullee]

Just for a bit of a laugh, the first bourbon I ever tasted was Bourbon Supreme. In 1969 I was stationed at Nakhom Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base. It was $1.70 for a quart.

[TheReal_DeanD]

Evan Williams 1783 and Bulleit Bourbon started it off for me. Looking back the advice I'd give is go to the mini section. Start off there with the 200ml to 375ml bottles. Then get small bottles of each and don't rush. Get the WT101, Elijah Craig and a Makers 46. Definitely agree on Price and Proof. Don't go past 45% ABV.

[wadevenerdi]

I think these are good recommendations.

Some things I tried early and am glad I did and would recommend:

Try at least 1 wheat

Try better bourbon ($25-30).

Some really cheap bottles are just not good and may turn you off to bourbon.

Try multiple different rye levels, proof points and viscosities.

Some examples

Makers mark (16% wheat) 110 proof

Wild Turkey 101 (13% rye) 101 proof BUDGET

Old Forester 86 (18% rye) 86 proof BUDGET

1792 (18% rye) 93 proof

Four Roses single barrel (35% rye) 100 proof
-This was the first time I had an oily bourbon, or visible legs on the glass.

Good luck on your journey!

Some favorites after a few years of my own journey:

Elijah Craig small batch
4 Roses Single Barrel
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Coopers Craft (100)
Knob Creek (100)
Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 86
1792 Small batch

[metalclown]

I’d also say regular makers mark, woodford reserve, and Jim beam black label are good beginner bourbons as well. Those are just a few of the bottles that got me into bourbon. In my opinion they are all somewhat easy to drink, have different flavors between each bottle, and also are good for the whiskey cocktails I like to make.

[Brad-icbp]

I started tasting bourbon & scotch in 2020, as a pandemic hobby:). And I watched videos like this to determine which ones I should try, as a beginner. The basic Elijah Craig and Evan Williams Single Barrel were my first two bottles bought. I was lucky enough to stumble onto Woodford Reserve Double -Oaked as my third bottle - which is still my favorite to-date (in terms of an always-available bourbon). I totally agree on the Michter's American Whiskey - Very drinkable and flavorful, even not being technically bourbon due to the used barrels (as opposed to new).

[mikefeeley]

I have introduced many new bourbon friends to Old Forester 86 and all have loved it. My #1 for beginners. Thank you. Mike Atlanta GA

[craigpatchett]

Still a beginner and although I’ve tried most of your recommendations, Four Roses small batch is still the only one I actually find enjoyable.

[EverydayDrinker]

I couldn’t agree more with you Kurt on the old Forester. If you were to get one collection as a beginner I would say to get the old forester line for sure

[hope_and_love]

I'm more of a rye or Irish whiskey drinker and this makes me feel more confident about trying bourbon. Oddly, the only one of these I know for sure I've seen in our local shop is Buffalo Trace. But this is rural Montana - the store is smaller than my bedroom and the only shop in the county. 😁

[NickyY]

I GOTTA SAY I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS AND APPROACH. Kurt/Curt you can really see the passion and, even though I've been into bourbons (Kentucky boy) for a few years now, you make me want to explore some brands even more. I've will definitely try a couple of these only because of your descriptions. Very much appreciate it!!!