I prefer drinking mine with a few cubes of ice, but it’s just as enjoyable neat.Īs long as you are drinking and enjoying Benchmark, you’re doing it the right way. Most people will choose to mix it with Coke or Ginger Ale, which is absolutely fine, and even encouraged by me. The possibilities for drinking Benchmark are wide open. Benchmark is absolutely perfect with a mixer or as an everyday bourbon, but it’s not unique enough for a 90 rating or higher. However, because it is such an even-keeled whiskey, it’s difficult for me to give it a very high rating.

But in a good way.Ĭlearly I am a fan of Benchmark. The aftertaste is just as sweet as ever, and lingers for quite some time. Once you have the liquid in your mouth, and are savoring it for a few seconds, you’ll really notice a strong caramel taste above all else, followed by a light vanilla. It doesn’t overpower the taste – it’s just there to keep you interested. Even without a mixer, you will notice just as much sugar in Benchmark as your favorite soda. The main theme with Benchmark’s taste is sweetness. This is the benchmark (pun fully intended) for all other bourbons. It is complex enough to distinguish itself from other bourbons without anything extra added on as a trademark. In my opinion, this is exactly how a high-quality bourbon should smell. Two years later, I still can’t say no to Benchmark.īenchmark’s aroma is plainly stated – perfect.

With a price point in the $20 range for a handle, how can you say no? When it was time for me to buy my own, I was even more pleased. Benchmark was my new staple a whiskey that was both very flavorful and very easy to drink. When I tried it on the rocks for the first time, I was absolutely hooked. It had a very similar caramel-y, sugary flavor reminiscent of Jack Daniel’s, only with a little something more. Upon trying Benchmark, mixed with a little Coke of course, I was impressed. I certainly have nothing against Jack Daniel’s (in fact I’ll be reviewing it in the coming weeks), but when that particular concoction is as far as you dive into the wonderful world of whiskey, you are truly missing out on some great experiences. Being the whiskey (specifically bourbon) expert, he cringed at the fact that my drink of choice was a Jack & Coke. I was first introduced to Benchmark by my dad. This is precisely why I chose Benchmark, one of my personal favorites, and arguably the best value for bourbon drinkers around the world. I value whiskey for its taste, regardless of its prestige or price point. Something intangible for the average twenty-something whiskey drinker. Other bloggers would have chosen something rare, something expensive. 8 Brand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeyīecause this is my first review, I wanted to choose a special whiskey.

Benchmark full proof age