With 95% of the world’s bourbon production occurring in Kentucky, it is undeniably the bourbon capital of the United States and beyond. Thanks to the state’s hard work and dedication, there’s no shortage of bourbon options either. That doesn’t mean they are all worth spending your hard-earned dollars on though. Whether it’s because of a higher or unjustified price tag, poor quality, popularity gained by marketing gimmicks alone, or because there are simply better options for a similar price, some bourbons just don’t measure up. So, which ones should you buy and which ones should you avoid? We checked in with an expert to find out.
Chris Walster, a whisky connoisseur at The Cask Connoisseur, was happy to help populate the upcoming list of 12 bourbons you should leave on the shelf. He has over 30 years exploring the spirit and needless to say, really knows his stuff. When sharing his recommendations, he stressed that it all comes down to individual taste — so don’t take it personally if you find one of your favorites listed below. For him, things like a high corn percentage, which results in a super sweet taste, and too much rye, which adds spiciness to the palate, are major turn-offs. He also finds overly young, cheap, and cheerful bourbons less favorable. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of bourbon preferences, Walster’s well-informed insights will surely push your bourbon-tasting adventures in the right direction.
Jim Beam Original
Jim Beam Original has a fairly decent reputation in the United States, so this might rub some of you the wrong way, but The Cask Connoisseur’s Chris Walster recommends leaving it on the shelf. He said, “While affordable and iconic, it’s often considered too harsh (despite four years in the barrel).” To make matters worse, Walster also noted that Jim Beam Original is a bit one-dimensional, particularly for seasoned bourbon drinkers who are more acquainted with the spirit’s nuanced flavors and layers. Essentially, it’s basic, and with all the other fantastic options on store shelves, there’s no need to limit yourself to a bourbon that falls flat.
However, Jim Beam Original has some redeeming qualities, and Walster was more than willing to highlight them. The first, of course, is its low price. You can purchase a 750 ml bottle for just around $15 and a 1.75 L will only run you about $25. Walster also mentioned how it makes a fairly good option for mixers, so if you’re going to drink it, make sure to turn it into a cocktail.
Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Rebel Kentucky Straight Bourbon is another product Chris Walster doesn’t vibe with. He told us many people, himself included, find it “overly sweet and lacking complexity.” He also said that compared to higher quality wheat bourbons, it has a thinner mouthfeel. Since flavor, complexity, and mouthfeel are arguably the three most important components of quality bourbon, that’s three strikes against Rebel Bourbon. According to the company, it has a pleasing honey and butter nose, but unfortunately, that’s not enough to save it in Walster’s mind…