Benchmark Old Number 8 Bourbon

Today, we are drinking McAfee’s Benchmark Old Number 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Is it us or do these names keep getting longer? Old Number 8 is one of, if not the cheapest offering from BT but does use their mash bill #1, the same as Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and others. The name comes from three McAfee brothers who are surveyors and in 1773 did a lot of exploring in Kentucky. Apparently, the marks that surveyors leave behind are called benchmarks.

Benchmark Old Number 8 is 80 proof, widely available, is aged at least 3 years, sells for under $15, and comes in a basic-looking screw-top bottle, both plastic and glass.

We hate to sound like snobs, because even though we like Buffalo Trace Bourbon and love Buffalo Trace Distillery, this is quite a bit cheaper than most things we like and drink. There are not even a lot of Bourbons that come to mind under $15, Evan Williams, Old Crow, JTS Brown, Barton, etc. We assume the main competition it is going after is Jim Beam White Label which is a couple bucks more.

The main thing to Talking Bourbon is the value for the price. We actually think JTS Brown and Evan Williams are good drinks for that price point while we can’t stand Jim Beam. Let’s see about Old Number 8.

NOSE

Matt: Mostly it just smells sweet. But there are some slight aromas of vanilla, brown sugar, caramel and an even slighter hint of citrus. Better than anticipated.

Todd: Pretty much just going to copy Matt, very sweet smelling with caramel and brown sugar minus the vanilla and citrus, didn’t get either of those. About what I expected, meh.

TASTE

Matt: Not much to taste, just a little malt, medicine, and wet wood (sounds good). Kind of a letdown after the nose. Like expecting hot coffee but getting cold milk.

Todd: No let down here because I did not have high expectations. I do agree it was nothing like the nose. A little grain-type taste with some malt and corn. All very muted.

FINISH

Matt: Short and medicinal.

Todd: Medium with some bitterness.

OVERALL

Matt: Not a huge fan, maybe keep it on the shelf for some of my rough around the edges guests.

Todd: A decent nose is about the only thing going for it.

Nose 3.75 out of 5

Taste 5.75 out of 10

Finish 3.25 out of 5

Total score 12.75 out of 20 barrels.

Well, we weren’t too kind to Benchmark Old Number 8. It did have an above-average nose, but the taste just didn’t deliver, and that is the most crucial sense here and why most of us enjoy Bourbon. We guess there could be people out there who just like to smell Bourbon and the taste is secondary, but not us.

If you like to mix your Bourbon with something overly sweet and overpowering, like Coke, then this could be your thing. Why pay more just to get buried in other flavors? But, if you are like us and usually drink your Bourbon neat, on the rocks, or in a classic Bourbon cocktail, this is probably not your drink. If it is a budget issue, we recommend the above-mentioned Even Williams and or JTS Brown. Sorry Buffalo Trace Distillery, you know we still love you.