Category: Whisky Comparison Page 3 of 9

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon

On 11/15/2021

This is my last side-by-side comparison for 2021, and today I am looking at a comparison between the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. I have enjoyed doing these comparisons. I learned so much, and it highlighted the variety in taste within the bourbon category.

It showed me how something that is made in essentially the same way could have such different notes by changing the mash bill and the toast level of the casks.

After the available selection of bourbon dropped off during 2017 / 2018 in South Africa, the category has grown these past two years, and the variety available is growing again.

As much as I like a good peaty Islay Scotch or a Speyside sherry bomb, I have a soft spot for the sweeter bourbons. The combination of toasted oak, vanilla and red cherries fits my palate just right. It works well in cocktails and is relatable and accessible to a broad audience.

So for my last comparison this year, I look at the Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon. Both my bottles are nearly done, which is proof of how often we reach for these bourbons. Both brands have a distinct history of producing their whiskey varieties and the ingredients used in their creation.

Also Read: Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon

Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whiskey

A 150-year-old family recipe created by founder Tom Bulleit’s great-great-grandfather Augustus Bulleit inspired the creation of Bulleit Bourbon whiskey. The original recipe was for a rye whiskey made with 2/3 rye and 1/3 corn. It was produced between 1830 and 1860 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Tom always dreamt of recreating his ancestor’s recipe. In 1987, he opened the open Bulleit Distilling Company and created a small batch bourbon bearing the family name.

The mash bill has been adjusted to make sure it is a true bourbon. The mashbill is 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley and it is aged for at least 6 years.

The bottle shape is modelled on old medicine bottles, with raised lettering and a skew label, as it might have looked in the 1860s.

Diageo now owns the Bulleit brand, and it is produced at the Kirin Brewing Company Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This bourbon is readily available in SA and retails for around R 400. In the USA it retails for around $42.

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey

Records show that some form of distilling took place on the site in Frankfort Kentucky in 1775 already. Harrison Blanton constructed the first official distillery in 1812.

It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery. It is currently owned by the Sazerac distilling company.

The distillery introduced the Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey brand in August 1999. The whiskey was named in tribute to the mighty buffalo that carved paths through the wilderness in the trek to the Great Planes and the pioneers’ rugged, independent spirit.

Readily available in SA and retails at around R 330 and $50 in the USA. It is perfect for cocktails and pairs well with chocolate.

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit Bourbon

	Buffalo Trace	Bulleit Bourbon
Type	Bourbon whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
Mashbill	Not disclosed	68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley
ABV	45%	45%
Colour	A reddish copper	Light amber
Nose	Fruity sweetness, rich and bold. There are hints of candied fruit, caramel, vanilla, brandy pudding and oak. Bits of spice float in the background.	Quite spicy. In the background, there is some sweetness reminiscent of sticky toffee pudding, nutmeg and vanilla. After standing for a while, some caramel comes through.
Palate	There are notes of fruit, orange marmalade, white pepper and oak. Bits of cinnamon with toasted oak. Water tones down the spice.	Loads of warming freshly ground spices. It's a rich, chewy mouthful. Toffee caramel and vanilla with a bit of wood and orange. Freshly baked sugar biscuits. With water, this bourbon becomes smoother and a bit sweeter.
Finish	Before adding water long and ended in notes of spicy sweetness. After adding water, the finish was quite flat.	Lovely. Very long and lingering. The finish is big and bold and has notes of mild spice and hints of oak.
My Rating	Very Good	Excellent
Comments	Without water it is bold and delicious. Drink it neat!	Unusual and unique.
Price point	$35	$33

Why did I leave such a difficult comparison for last? These two bourbons could not be more different. We spent most of Saturday afternoon savouring a few glasses of these. As usual, we did a blind tasting for our Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit bourbon side by side comparison.

Most of the time, we can accurately guess which bourbon is which, but this time it stumped us. Perhaps it was just a long week, and our taste buds were tired, but we had to try a few times before we could make up our minds.

The Buffalo Trace is fruity with mild spice and a nice drinkable mouthfeel. It has a medium body and lovely toasted oak notes. Just don’t add water. It is perfectly drinkable without water.

The Bulleit is bolder and spicier with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and freshly milled black pepper. Faint hints of orange and vanilla. The toasted oak notes are more subdued, but the Bulleit bourbon is bolder and richer than the Buffalo Trace.

John loved the Bulleit release the most, but after the second glass, I found the spices overwhelming. I preferred the Buffalo Trace and the more traditional bourbon notes for my sweeter palate.

Now both my bottles are finished, and I need to stock up again. Fortunately, that is not a problem as they are both readily available and not too expensive.

I have done a similar comparison between Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve.

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Also Read: Jack Daniel’s Rye vs Old No 7 Whiskey

Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 10/11/2021

In Whisky Comparison

In this engaging three-part comparison series, I embark on a journey to dissect two iconic American whiskey giants: Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

My exploration commenced with a clash between Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7, a showdown that divided our preferences. John leaned towards the robust charms of Jim Beam, while I preferred the smoothness of Jack Daniel’s.

Ultimately, the mellow notes of Jack Daniel’s, characterized by its blend of easy-drinking qualities, sweet vanilla, and toasted oak, clinched victory.

Next, on our tasting odyssey, we ventured into a captivating battle between Evan Williams and Jim Beam bourbon. Choosing a favourite between these two proved to be a more intricate challenge. However, the Jim Beam surged ahead. Its slightly heightened complexity and overall drinkability took centre stage, casting a formidable shadow over Evan Williams.

And now, my voyage through the world of American whiskey brings us to the eagerly anticipated Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s showdown. These releases share a similar price range and boast global recognition.

Evan Williams Bourbon Whiskey

Evan Williams, a distinguished straight bourbon from the Heaven Hill range, traces its origins back to 1783 when Evan Williams commenced bourbon distillation in Kentucky.

Heaven Hill introduced this specific bourbon release to the American market in 1957, and it continues to be distilled at the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville. With an age spanning 5-7 years, Evan Williams’ mash bill comprises 78% corn, 12% malted barley, and 10% rye, retailing for R250 in South Africa.

Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 Whiskey

On the other side of the ring stands Jack Daniel’s, a legendary Tennessee whiskey that began its journey around 1875 thanks to the vision of Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel. His innovative Lincoln County process, which involves filtration through sugar maple charcoal before maturation, distinguishes this whiskey as a Tennessee classic.

While the distillery remained in Jack’s family until 1956, it subsequently found a new home with Brown-Forman. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey features a mash bill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% barley, and after charcoal filtration, the new spirit ages for a minimum of 4 years in new charred American oak barrels.

Evan Williams Bourbon vs Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

	Evan Williams Bourbon	Jack Daniel's Old no 7
Type	Bourbon Whiskey	Tennessee Whiskey
Mash Bill	78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye	80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Dark reddish gold	Light amber
Nose	While it has the traditional bourbon notes of toasty oak and vanilla on the nose, there is an element of corn syrup floating around. The nose is very one-dimensional and not layered or complex.	Quite sweet with honey, vanilla and toasted oak with a hint of smoke. Dried red fruit and marzipan.
Palate	It offers little complexity. Toasty oak, vanilla and bits of spice. All kinds of rough edges and alcohol notes. It has a light body and mouthfeel. Adding water does little to increase the complexity. It unlocks notes of chilli and bitter orange peel.	Oak and butterscotch sweetness. A hint of sour cherries and cereal. Bits of fruit and loads of vanilla. It is quite an oily whiskey and has a medium body.
Finish	A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long.	Medium length with some toasty oak, butterscotch and spice.
My Rating	Good	Very Good
Price	$12	$27

To maintain objectivity, we conducted a blind tasting, ensuring our personal biases would not influence the evaluation. Evan Williams bourbon whiskey has notes of toasted oak, vanilla, orange peel, and corn syrup, accompanied by a discernible alcohol burn. It showcases a straightforward profile but lacks complexity.

On the other side, Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 whiskey offers oak, cherries, and cereal with hints of vanilla. It proves to be a smoother, more easily sippable option, though not exceptionally complex.

Placed side by side, Jack Daniels emerges as the clear standout, boasting a richer sweetness and greater depth on the palate, with cherry and vanilla notes accentuated in comparison to Evan Williams.

Evan Williams embodies the quintessential bourbon character, but I found it one-dimensional with unwelcome raw alcohol notes. Unlike Jack Daniel’s, its sweetness leans towards a corn syrup artificiality. The finish on Evan Williams is notably short and laden with spice.

In contrast, Jack Daniel’s offers an oily, longer finish. In our final verdict, Jack Daniel’s emerges as the more memorable and favoured choice between these two distinguished releases, a testament to its enduring legacy in American whiskey.

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Also Read: Elijah Craig 12 yo vs Evan Williams Bourbon

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 09/13/2021

In Whisky Comparison

Another fun side-by-side bourbon comparison, and this time I am looking at the Evan Williams vs Jim Beam bourbon whiskey. As part of my comparison series, I put these two well know budget brands next to each other so you can make an informed buying decision.

Two of the most famous bourbon whiskey brands on the market are Jim Beam and Evan Williams. These bourbons are available in many countries around the world. Both brands have histories that date back a long time. But if you can get only one bottle, which bottle is worth buying?

Evan Williams Bourbon Whiskey

The Evan Williams Straight bourbon whiskey is a brand from the Heaven Hill range. Evan Williams decided to settle in Kentucky, which is where he began distilling his bourbon in 1783.

This specific bourbon release was first introduced to the American market in 1957. Evan Williams is distilled at Heaven Hill’s Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky.

It is between 5-7 years old. The Evan Williams’ mash bill is 78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye. It retails for R250 in SA and around $12 in the USA. Over on THIS blog post I explored more comparisons with other Evan Williams releases.

Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Jim Beam is one of the best selling brands of bourbon in the world. In the early 1700s, a group of German immigrants moved to Kentucky to farm the new land. Jacob Beam (Boehm) grew grains and corn. The region allowed abundant cereal farming.

In 1795 he founded Jim Beam and used his excess grain to distil whiskey. He began selling it under the name of Old Jake Beam, and in 1820 his son David began managing the distillery. The distillery and brand grew from strength to strength. In 2014, Suntory Holdings acquired Jim Beam to create Beam Suntory.

The Jim Beam Straight bourbon whiskey is distilled at lower temperatures and aged for 4 years in oak. The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. It retails for around $15 in the USA and is readily available. I have also done a side by side comparison between the Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s whiskey comparison.

Evan Williams vs Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

	Evan Williams Bourbon	Jim Beam Bourbon
Type	Bourbon Whiskey	Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill	78% corn, 12% malted barley and 10% rye	75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Dark reddish gold	Golden Mahogany
Nose	While it has the traditional bourbon notes of toasty oak and vanilla on the nose, there is an element of corn syrup floating around. The nose is very one-dimensional and not layered or complex.	Subtle vanilla, spice, pine forests, toasted oak and lemon zest with hints of toffee. Sticky pudding and caramelized fruit.
Palate	It offers little complexity. Toasty oak, vanilla and bits of spice. All kinds of rough edges and alcohol notes. It has a light body and mouthfeel. Adding water does little to increase the complexity. It unlocks notes of chilli and bitter orange peel.	Spicy with toasted oak and mint freshness. Hints of dry paper and pepper. A faint hint of vanilla. Water brings more citrus and pepper. It has a light body and is not very complex.
Finish	A bit rough and fortunately does not linger too long.	Long and dry with citrus and pepper.
My Rating	Good	Very Good
Price	$12	$15

It was not difficult to choose the one I prefer. Even in our blind tasting, the difference between the Jim Beam and the Evan Williams is noticeable. The Evan Williams is more bourbon-y, meaning that it has the expected textbook bourbon notes that I was looking for with toasted wood and vanilla.

However, it was very one dimensional and had raw alcohol notes that were not pleasant. The sweetness was also more corn syrup and less warming caramel. The finish was short and has a lot of raw alcohol notes.

The Jim Beam was less bourbon’y, with the oak and vanilla notes being less prominent. However, the sweetness was more caramel, and the taste was a bit more complex. There was notes of mint, lemon zest and caramelised fruit. It also had a bit more of a pepper bite. The Jim Beam gets my vote in this round.

At the price point, you get what you pay for. These are some of the cheapest bourbons available, and if you want to experience bourbon, I would instead add a couple of bucks and look at the Buffalo Trace or Wild Turkey. If you are looking for an affordable drink to add to your cola or lemonade, this will work very well.

The last comparison in this three some is where I looked at the Evan Williams vs Jack Daniel’s whiskey.

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Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 Bourbon

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 08/02/2021

In Whisky Comparison

One of the more recognizable bottles of bourbon on my shelf is the Maker’s Mark bourbon. With the bright red wax closure, you can spot this bottle at a distance. Today, I want to compare the Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 bourbon whiskey to see how they differ.

Sadly, the variety of Maker’s Mark bourbon available in South Africa is (currently) limited to these two releases only. So what is the difference between these two bottles?

The mash bill for these two releases is similar. They are aged in the same barrels in the same warehouse. However, the Maker’s 46 is aged longer when compared to the standard Maker’s Mark bourbon. The Maker’s 46 also have seared French oak staves added to the barrels.

There is a slight difference as well in the ABV and the price. Let’s see if the extra wood and time changes the liquid enough to pick it up on my blind tasting.

Beam Suntory distils Maker’s Mark bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky. Production of Maker’s Mark started in 1954 after T. William “Bill” Samuels Sr. purchased the distillery known as Burks’ Distillery.

His wife, Marjorie “Margie” Samuels, gave the whisky its name. She designed the now-classic label and came up with the red wax-dipping top that provides the bottle with its distinctive look. 1968 saw the first bottle of Maker’s Mark whiskey.

Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Woodford Reserve

Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey

It is the bourbon that made me fall in love with bourbon; a regular whiskey in my cocktails and my glass. First released in 1958, the Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey has no age statement.

It is bottled when the tasters agree that it is ready, roughly around 6 yo. The Maker’s Mark mash bill does not include rye. Instead of rye, Maker’s Mark uses red winter wheat (16%), along with corn (70%) and malted barley (14%).

It is an excellent introduction to bourbon for someone who wants to explore it American bourbon more broadly.

Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whiskey

According to Maker’s Mark, Maker’s 46 Kentucky bourbon whiskey is the first new expression to the range since the 50s. It was released in 2010. The goal was to take the standard release and ad something spicier.

Maker’s 46 starts as standard Maker’s Mark bourbon. Then, heavily seared French oak staves are placed in just-emptied traditional Maker’s Mark barrels, refilled and returned to the warehouses to finish ageing. The number reflects the experiment’s number that created what the team was looking for; experiment No. 46 was just perfect.

Also Read: Maker’s Mark vs Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Maker’s Mark vs Maker’s 46 Bourbon Whiskey

	Maker's Mark	Maker's 46
Type	Bourbon whiskey	Bourbon whiskey
Mashbill	Red winter wheat (16%), corn (70%), malted barley (14%)	Red winter wheat (16%), corn (70%), malted barley (14%)
ABV	45%	47%
Colour	Light golden copper	Dark polished copper
Nose	Cherries, brandied fruit, toasted wood and vanilla spice. Adding a few drops of water brings out more spice and woody notes.	Rich and sweet with heaps of plump maraschino cherries, oak, vanilla and caramel. There are hints of honey and buttery cinnamon toast.
Palate	Full of vanilla, followed by sweet cherries and fresh red fruit. Cinnamon and toasted oak. A few drops of water brings butterscotch and warming nutmeg. Delicious and very easy drinking.	Rich and creamy. There are notes of oak, vanilla cinnamon, all perfectly balanced. The Maker's 46 has a big mouthfeel. It is smooth like creamed honey. After the second sip, butter toffee, toast and hints of pepper show up. Water softens the heat a bit, but it is easy enough to drink without water.
Finish	Long with hints of sweetness, vanilla and caramel.	Long and lingering and ends in notes of caramel, pepper and vanilla.
My Rating	Excellent	Excellent
Price	$33	$43

Starting at the nose, the initial wafts coming from the two glasses are pretty similar. Both have cherries, vanilla and oak. After a while, the Maker’s 46 shows a bolder, creamy wooden note on the nose.

Looking at the Maker’s Mark, the vanilla and cherries continue on the palate. Easy drinking with cinnamon and fruity sweetness; it is lovely. However, when you put the Maker’s 46 next to it, you can immediately taste what the extra time in the wood did to the whiskey.

The Maker’s 46 is creamier and more decadent with bolder cherry and toasted oak notes, more spices with added complexity and an oilier mouthfeel. The complexity continues on the finish. A fantastic glass of bourbon.

Both of these bourbons are wonderful to have in the cupboard. However, the extra time and effort on the Maker’s 46 bourbon show its superiority: a lovely dram and worth the extra few bucks.

Which one is your favourite?

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Also Read: Johnnie Walker Red vs Black Label Whisky

Jim Beam vs Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

By Jeannette Wentzel

On 06/14/2021

In Whisky Comparison

This week, my side-by-side comparison is two high-volume brands against each other; Jim Beam bourbon vs Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey. Both are from large commercial distilleries, and between these two brands, they command quite a bit of bottle space. They are in a similar price category and are both known globally.

However, Jim Beam and Jack Daniel’s are distinctly different in several ways. Jim Beam is a straight bourbon whiskey made in Kentucky, while Jack Daniel’s is a whiskey distilled in Tennessee.

But what happens when you put them side by side in a taste test?

Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

Jim Beam Kentucky Straight whiskey is one of the best selling brands of bourbon in the world. In 1795 a group of German farming immigrants founded Jim Beam. Jacob Beam noticed how fertile the Kentucky region was for cereal farming, and he grew corn and grains, which he eventually used in his whiskey.

He began selling it under the name of Old Jake Beam, and in 1820 his son David began managing the distillery at just 18 years old. The distillery and brand grew from strength to strength. In 2014, Suntory Holdings bought Jim Beam to create Beam Suntory.

The Beam Suntory bourbon portfolio includes Makers Mark and Knob Creek. The whisky portfolio includes Yamazaki, Laphroaig and Bowmore and a few more.

The Jim Beam White Label bourbon is distilled at lower temperatures and aged for 4 years in newly charred American oak. The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley. I have also done a comparison between this bourbon and the Evan Williams bourbon and you can read all about it by following the link.

Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 Tennessee whiskey

Love it or hate it, you will find Jack Daniel’s all around the world! Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel’s started the Jack Daniel’s distillery around 1875 in Moore County, Tennessee. Jack Daniel developed the Lincoln County process.

This is where the whiskey is filtrated through sugar maple charcoal before maturation. This process is of crucial importance to the finished whiskey’s character. Whiskey from the Jack Daniel’s distillery is bottled as Tennessee whiskey.

The distillery remained in Jack’s family until 1956. It was sold to Brown Forman, a Kentucky distilling company. The Jack Daniels’ brand of Tennessee whiskey has become the highest-selling American whiskey in the world.

The Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 whiskey has a mashbill of 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% barley. After the charcoal filtration, the new spirit is aged for at least 4 years in new charred American oak.

I paired this bourbon with some KFC to see how it would work. See which bourbon paired best with the fried chicken. I have also done a side-by-side comparison between the Old No 7 and Gentleman Jack to see how big the difference is.

Jim Beam vs Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

	Jim Beam Bourbon	Jack Daniel's Old no 7
Type	Bourbon Whiskey	Tennessee Whiskey
Mash Bill	5% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley	80% corn, 12% barley, and 8% rye
ABV	43%	43%
Colour	Golden Mahogany	Light amber
Nose	Subtle vanilla, spice, pine forests, toasted oak and lemon zest with hints of toffee. Sticky pudding and caramelized fruit.	Quite sweet with honey, vanilla and toasted oak with a hint of smoke. Dried red fruit and marzipan.
Palate	Spicy with toasted oak and mint freshness. Hints of dry paper and pepper. A faint hint of vanilla. Water brings more citrus and pepper It has a light body and is not very complex.	Oak and butterscotch sweetness. A hint of sour cherries and cereal. Bits of fruit and loads of vanilla. It is quite an oily whiskey and has a medium body.
Finish	Long and dry with citrus and pepper.	Medium length with some toasty oak, butterscotch and spice.
My Rating	Very Good	Very Good
Comments	A bit bland. Great inoffensive for cocktails.	Not very complex, easy-drinking and comforting. It is a very mellow and smooth whiskey.
Price	$15	$20

The Jim Beam Kentucky bourbon whiskey has notes of pine forest, toasted oak, vanilla, and lemon pepper. It is quite spicy with not many sweet notes. It is also a bit cheaper than Jack Daniel’s whiskey. The Jim Beam makes for quite a light drinking experience, and I found it a bit bland.

The Jack Daniel’s Old No 7 whiskey has more butterscotch sweetness, vanilla notes, marzipan, and toasted oak. Again, it is not the most complex dram but more memorable than the Jim Beam. The Jack Daniel’s also has an oily note that helps to capture the sweetness.

I have a sweet palate, so Jack wins hands down. John enjoyed the more spicy notes of the Jim Beam bourbon, but in the end, the mellow note of the Jack won him over.

So in my book, the Jack Daniel’s whiskey easily takes the crown for the best between these two.

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Last but not least, I did a side by side comparison between the Evan Williams and the Jack Daniels to see how they stack up against each other.