Benchmark might be the most underrated bourbon on the shelf. While everyone else chases expensive bottles and limited releases, this dependable whiskey offers something rare in today's bourbon market: consistent quality you can actually find and afford.
Made at Buffalo Trace Distillery, Benchmark shares the same water source, expertise, and dedication to quality as high-end names like Eagle Rare and Blanton’s, just at a fraction of the price. Let's give Benchmark a closer look.
The Buffalo Trace Connection
Benchmark uses Mash bill #1, the same recipe behind Eagle Rare, EH Taylor Jr., George T. Stagg, and others in The Buffalo Trace Family of Brands. This corn-heavy blend contains less than 10% rye, creating the naturally sweet profile that defines many beloved Buffalo Trace expressions.
Buffalo Trace operates with just four mash bills across their entire portfolio. The same base ingredients become dozens of different whiskeys through variations in aging, proof, barrel selection, and timing.
Exploring the Five Expressions
The current Benchmark guide/Benchmark Bourbon lineup shows how the same foundation can develop into distinct personalities. Each bottle serves different purposes and suits different moods and occasions.
1. Benchmark Top Floor
86 Proof
Physics runs bourbon warehouses. Heat rises, so barrels stored on upper floors get hit with intense temperature swings during Kentucky summers. This accelerated aging creates different flavors compared to barrels sitting in cooler spots below.
Benchmark Top Floor gets its name from this warehouse placement strategy.
The nose delivers subtle sweetness and baking spice. Nothing aggressive, just welcoming warmth. Light citrus brightens the palate, followed by butterscotch notes and gentle oak influence. At 86 proof, it maintains character while staying approachable for any and every drinker.
This works as everyday bourbon. Monday evenings after work, casual cocktails with friends who claim they don't like whiskey, Sunday afternoon sipping on the porch, it's reliable without being boring.
2. Benchmark Small Batch
90 Proof
Buffalo Trace's Master Distiller personally selects barrels for Small Batch. Decades of experience guide these choices, walking through warehouses, tasting from individual barrels, and deciding which ones work together. It's curation rather than mass production.
Small Batch translates to more control over the final product. Individual barrel personalities that might disappear in larger blends get preserved and highlighted.
Vanilla and oak greet your nose first. The palate develops with caramel sweetness, subtle leather undertones, and honey notes that smooth out any rough edges. The 90-proof strength adds body and presence compared to Top Floor.
This bridges the gap between everyday sipping and special occasion bourbon. Complex enough to enjoy neat yet robust enough to hold up in cocktails.
3. Benchmark Bonded
100 Proof
The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 established strict standards for American whiskey. One distiller, one distillery, one season, four years minimum aging in federally bonded warehouses, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.
Congress essentially created quality control through legislation.
Benchmark Bonded meets every requirement. Four years in the barrel allows proper integration between grain and wood, developing complexity that younger bourbon lacks. The 100-proof bottling strength provides more intensity without sacrificing drinkability.
Bright citrus and honey dominate the aroma. These flavors carry through on the palate, accompanied by light oak structure and classic bourbon caramel-vanilla notes. The finish stretches longer than you'd expect from a budget bourbon.
Benchmark Bonded is perfect for neat sipping with maybe a splash of water to open things up.
4. Benchmark Single Barrel
95 Proof
Every bourbon barrel develops its own personality. The same recipe and distillery with variables like wood grain, barrel placement, and seasonal weather can create unique characteristics. Some barrels turn out exceptional while others are merely good.
Only the exceptional ones become Benchmark Single Barrel.
Buffalo Trace's team tastes through numerous barrels, selecting those that meet their highest standards for flavor development and smoothness. Each bottle represents each barrel's individual story.
Toasted oak and baking spice announce themselves on the nose. The palate reveals sophisticated caramel sweetness balanced by citrus undertones. At 95 proof, it delivers excellent body and mouthfeel without intimidation.
This single barrel bourbon deserves neat appreciation so you can understand what makes each barrel special.
5. Benchmark Full Proof
125 Proof
Full Proof means the bourbon goes into and comes out of the barrel at 125 proof, with no water added to tone it down. It’s raw, intense, and unfiltered, showing bourbon in its purest and most intense form.
Despite the high proof, Benchmark Full Proof remains surprisingly approachable. The nose shows deep caramel with stone fruit complexity, an unexpected elegance for such powerful bourbon. The palate brings leather, dry tobacco, oak structure, and dried cherry notes, yet somehow the finish feels smooth and calming.
Sip this slowly and maybe add a few drops of water to unlock different layers. Experienced bourbon drinkers will appreciate the unfiltered intensity. Newcomers might be surprised by how drinkable 125-proof bourbon can be when it's done right.
Understanding Buffalo Trace's Approach
Buffalo Trace uses four mash bills to create over thirty different whiskey brands. This approach requires incredible expertise and consistency.
Small variations in fermentation temperature, yeast strains, barrel entry proof, warehouse location, and aging duration compound over time, creating distinct spirits from an identical starting point.
While the exact recipes remain closely guarded secrets, Mash bill #1 is known for producing sweet, approachable bourbons that shine in both premium bottles and accessible ones like Benchmark.
This consistency lets Benchmark deliver the same quality as Buffalo Trace’s pricier offerings. It’s proof that great bourbon doesn’t need a high price tag or a limited release to impress.
Benchmark Among Accessible Top-Shelf Bourbons
Finding good bourbon at a fair price is tougher than ever. Hype inflates costs, limited releases create shortages, and secondary markets drive up prices for rare bottles. What’s left on shelves often feels like leftovers.
Benchmark cuts through this noise by simply being available when you want it.
Few top-shelf bourbons can match Benchmark's combination of quality and price. The Buffalo Trace connection provides quality assurance that many competing brands lack. You're accessing the same production standards, water source, and distilling expertise that create some of America's most sought-after spirits.
Buffalo Trace has won more than forty distillery titles since 2000, earning recognition from Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast with over five hundred awards across their premium whiskey portfolio. This expertise extends to every bottle they produce, including their most accessible expressions.
Getting the Most From Your Bottles
Tasting the Benchmark lineup in order reveals how the same base character develops with different proofs and aging. Start with Top Floor to establish the baseline, then work through Small Batch, Bonded, Single Barrel, and Full Proof.
The Bourbon Bundle makes this exploration convenient by including all five expressions in one package.
For cocktails, Small Batch and Bonded provide the best balance of character and value. Their 90 and 100-proof strengths hold up against mixers without overwhelming delicate drinks. Both work well with Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, and Boulevardiers.
Food pairing doesn't require complicated rules. The caramel and vanilla notes complement barbecue, dark chocolate, and aged cheeses. Oak influences work with grilled meats and smoky flavors, while Bourbon's natural sweetness balances out spicy foods.
Glassware helps, but isn't essential. A Glencairn glass concentrates aromatics for neat tasting, whereas a rocks glass works fine for casual sipping. Clean glasses matter more than perfect glasses.
Water can open up higher-proof expressions. A few drops in Single Barrel or Full Proof might reveal different flavor layers, so experiment to find what works for your palate.
Finding Your Benchmark
Bourbon appreciation works best when it focuses on what's in the glass rather than what's on the label. Benchmark proves this point consistently. Same distillery as impossible-to-find bottles, same quality commitment, same production standards, but available whenever you want it.
The five bottles cover every need: Top Floor for easy sipping, Small Batch for versatility, Bonded for tradition, Single Barrel for unique character, and Full Proof for bold intensity.
Sometimes the best discoveries hide in plain sight. You just need to ignore the hype and focus on what actually counts: quality, value, and availability. Benchmark delivers all three consistently.
Ready to explore what you've been walking past? The complete collection of benchmark bourbons awaits.
FAQs
What's the typical price range for Benchmark bottles?
Benchmark bottles typically range from $15-35, depending on expression and location. Top Floor usually runs $15-20, Small Batch and Bonded around $20-25, Single Barrel $25-30, and Full Proof $30-35. These prices make it one of the best value propositions in bourbon.
Is Benchmark really made at Buffalo Trace Distillery?
Yes, Benchmark is distilled, aged, and bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. It uses the same facilities, water source, and Mash bill #1 recipe as premium Buffalo Trace expressions like Eagle Rare and EH Taylor Jr.
How does Benchmark compare to other budget bourbons?
Benchmark consistently outperforms most budget competitors. Compared to Evan Williams, it offers more complexity. Against Wild Turkey 101, it provides smoother drinkability. Unlike many budget options that taste thin or harsh, Benchmark maintains the rich character you'd expect from Buffalo Trace's expertise.
Which Benchmark expression should I try first?
The Benchmark Small Batch at 90 proof is a good starting point. It showcases the brand's character without being too mellow (like Top Floor) nor too aggressive (like Full Proof). This expression works beautifully both neat and in cocktails, so you get the full picture of what Benchmark brings. Once you dial in that flavor profile, exploring the others becomes even more interesting.
Is Benchmark good for cocktails or just neat sipping?
Benchmark works excellently in cocktails across the entire lineup. Small Batch and Bonded are particularly good for mixed drinks, as their 90 and 100-proof strengths provide backbone without overpowering other ingredients. Top Floor works well in lighter cocktails like whiskey sours, while Full Proof can handle bold, spirit-forward drinks.
How long do opened Benchmark bottles stay good?
Bourbon maintains its quality for years after opening when stored properly. Keep the bottle upright in a cool, dark location away from temperature changes. Unlike wine, bourbon doesn't deteriorate quickly once exposed to air, so there's no rush to finish an opened bottle.
How should I store my Benchmark bottles?
Find a spot that stays cool and doesn't get much light. A closet works well, as does the back of a pantry. Keep bottles standing up so the cork doesn't touch the whiskey.
Are there any limited or seasonal Benchmark releases?
Benchmark focuses on consistent availability rather than limited releases. The five main expressions - Top Floor, Small Batch, Bonded, Single Barrel, and Full Proof - remain available year-round. This approach prioritizes accessibility over the scarcity-driven model of many modern bourbons.
