Bourbon questions: which Benchmark bourbon is best?

The Benchmark Lineup: A Survivor’s Guide

The Benchmark brand has expanded from a single bottle into a family of expressions. It’s like they decided their one underdog needed a few siblings to seem more impressive. Here’s a quick and dirty breakdown.

Benchmark Old No. 8 Brand

This is the original, the OG, the one that started it all. If you’ve ever needed a bourbon to mix with store-brand cola in a plastic cup, this was your guy.

• Pros: It’s incredibly cheap. You can probably find enough change in your car’s center console to buy a bottle. It makes a fine mixer if you don’t want to “waste” the good stuff on your cousin who doesn’t know the difference.
• Cons: Tasted neat, it’s thin, grainy, and offers the complexity of a two-by-four. The finish vanishes faster than your New Year’s resolutions.

Benchmark Top Floor

They named this one “Top Floor,” a hilarious attempt to make you think it’s premium. It’s aged a bit longer on the higher floors of the rickhouse, where temperature swings are more dramatic.

• Pros: It has slightly more character than the original. You might actually detect a hint of vanilla or caramel if you squint. It’s a marginal step up for a marginal price increase.
• Cons: It’s still Benchmark. Don’t expect a George T. Stagg experience just because it had a better view in the rickhouse.

Benchmark Small Batch

“Small Batch” is one of those marketing terms that means absolutely nothing. It just means they blended fewer barrels than the “large batch,” whatever that is.

• Pros: It’s a bit smoother and more balanced. The blender presumably picked barrels that didn’t taste like regret. It’s probably the best of the bunch for sipping on a budget if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Cons: You are paying more for a concept. At this price point, you’re competing with more established bourbons that often offer better value for the dollar.

Benchmark Bonded & Full Proof

Now we’re talking. The Bottled-in-Bond and Full Proof versions are where things get interesting. Bonded means it’s 100 proof, and Full Proof means it’s… well, full proof (usually around 125). Both come from the same Buffalo Trace Distillery that produces some of the most sought-after bourbon on earth.

• Pros: They have guts. The higher proof brings out more flavor and gives the bourbon a backbone it desperately needed. You get more of those classic caramel, oak, and spice notes. For the price, the Full Proof in particular is a fantastic value.
• Cons: They can be hot and aggressive. If you’re new to high-proof spirits, the Full Proof will feel like drinking fire. As expected, they are also significantly harder to find.

Cut Through the Nonsense with OAKR

So, which Benchmark bourbon is best? The real answer is: who knows? Your palate is a unique, beautiful, and probably flawed instrument. We get it—you’re looking for specs, not sentiment. Stop reading flowery reviews and start using actual data. This is where the OAKR app comes in.

Instead of relying on one person’s opinion, we aggregate tasting notes from hundreds of blind tasting panelists. We cut through the marketing fluff and tell you what a bourbon actually tastes like. Our app compiles all that data to show you a comprehensive flavor profile before you even spend a dime. You can compare the Benchmark Bonded against the Full Proof side by side and see exactly where the flavor differences land.

Are you looking for a vanilla-forward bourbon? Do you hate anything with a strong rye spice note? Stop guessing in the liquor store aisle. OAKR gives you personalized recommendations based on your unique flavor preferences. You can discover in-depth profiles on everything from Benchmark to Pappy and find the perfect spirit just for you. If you’re a fan of Buffalo Trace’s lineup, you might also want to check out whether 1792 is worth your money—another solid offering from the same parent company.

Download the OAKR app, explore the flavors, and find out which Benchmark (or any other bourbon) is truly best for you. Then you can get back to the important business of hunting for rare bottles and judging your friends’ choices.