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If you're new to bourbon, learning what to drink and how to drink it can be intimidating. Fortunately, there's no wrong way to enjoy it. "The most important thing is that they have a good time," said Jeremy Johnson, owner of Meta cocktail bar in Louisville, Kentucky. "Bourbon's all about having a good time."
To find the best bourbons, I traveled the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, toured eight distilleries, talked to countless experts, and tried over 100 bourbons. While our picks are based on expert recommendations and several tastings, preferences are subjective and personal. "Everybody's palate is different," said Henry Kwok, owner of Henry's Place, a bourbon bar in Okemos, Michigan. "It's really subjective."
We curated our list so that the bourbons below will appeal to most drinkers. This is an excellent place to start if you want to get into bourbon — we also recommend checking out our beginner's guide to drinking bourbon.
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Our top picks for bourbon
Best bourbon overall: Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon - See at Total Wine
Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon has smooth, complex aromas and flavors, plus a delicious finish that makes for an outstanding neat drink.
Best budget bourbon under $20: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon - See at Drizly
Costing less than $20 a bottle, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon has a smooth, well-rounded taste that works just as well in a cocktail as it does on its own.
Best budget bourbon under $30: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon - See at Total Wine
If you want complex flavor without breaking the bank, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon offers a pleasant burst of flavor while remaining smooth.
Best $50 to $100 bourbon: Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bourbon - See at Drizly
Henry McKenna Single Barrel is an outstanding sipping bourbon for drinkers who prefer a mix of sweetness and bite.
Best bourbon for Old Fashioneds: Old Forester 100 Bourbon - See at Total Wine
With its high-rye mash bill and combination of spice and smoothness, Old Forester 100 is the ideal bourbon to use in an Old Fashioned.
Best sipping bourbon: Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon - See at Reserve Bar
Though it's getting harder to find, Knob Creek 12 Year Bourbon has an impressive, spice-forward flavor profile that makes it great to sip on its own.
Best wheated bourbon: Maker's Mark Bourbon - See at Drizly
If you don't like the spiciness of most bourbons, consider Maker's Mark, a wheated bourbon that offers sweet, caramel notes.
Best Tennessee whiskey: George Dickel Superior Recipe No. 12 Tennessee Whisky - See at Total Wine
If you're looking to try Tennessee whiskey, George Dickel Superior Recipe No. 12 is your best option with its delicious vanilla and charred oak flavoring and smoky finish.
Best barrel proof bourbon: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon - See at Drizly
With up to 140 proof, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon is not for the faint of heart, yet it provides strong sweet flavors from nose to finish.
Best non-Kentucky bourbon: Smoke Wagon Small Batch Bourbon - See at Drizly
Distilled in Indiana and aged in Nevada, Smoke Wagon Small Batch is an outstanding non-Kentucky bourbon featuring complex flavors, an exquisite mouthfeel, and a pleasant finish.
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