There are specific rules regulating what exactly a bourbon is (and what differentiates it from other whiskeys). To be considered a bourbon, the whiskey must be made with a mash bill of at least 51% corn (although most have much more). While there’s no minimum time it needs to spend in a barrel (two years to be considered a straight bourbon), it must be aged in new, charred oak barrels. While there are other rules, the last essential rule centers on geography.
America’s “native spirit” must be made in the United States. This includes Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. What this means is that bourbon is made in more states than just Kentucky. There are award-winning bourbons distilled in Texas, New York, Florida, and all corners of the country, though 95% of all bourbon is made in the Blue Grass State. This includes some of the best bourbons on the market.
Five great Kentucky bourbons can you find anywhere
While we love the many expressions from non-Kentucky distilleries, today it’s the southern state’s time to shine. The best part? There are myriad award-winning, nuanced bourbons produced in Kentucky that you can find just about anywhere. Below, you’ll see some of our favorites. If you’re a bourbon drinker, you’ll want to stock up on these classic, easy-to-find Kentucky bourbon whiskeys. We’re talking about Elijah Craig, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Buffalo Trace, and more. Keep scrolling to see them all. You’ll be glad you did.
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Regarding bargains, you’d have a hard time beating the appeal of Elijah Craig Small Batch. Named for Elijah Craig, a former Baptist minister who might have created bourbon whiskey when he decided to mature his corn whiskey in charred oak. The flagship expression for this award-winning brand, Elijah Craig Small Batch, is a 94-proof sipping whiskey.
Tasting notes: It begins with a nose of vanilla beans, mint leaves, dried fruits, and oak. The palate is centered on notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla beans, charred oak, and wintry spices.
Michter’s US-1 Bourbon
Few independently owned whiskey brands are as noteworthy as Michter’s. You can’t go wrong with any of its award-winning expressions. But if you want to purchase a readily available bottle of bourbon, we suggest Michter’s US-1 Bourbon. This 45.7% ABV small-batch whiskey was matured in fire-charred, new American oak barrels.
Tasting notes: A nose of caramel corn, raisins, vanilla, and oak greet you before your first sip. Drinking it reveals flavors like toffee, vanilla, sweet corn, stone fruit, and oaky wood. The finish is a warming mix of caramel and cracked black pepper.
Buffalo Trace
There are only so many value bottles that are better than Buffalo Trace. This beloved distillery’s flagship expression is made with a mash bill of corn, rye, and barley. It doesn’t have an age statement, but it’s believed to have matured between six and eight years in new, charred American oak barrels.
Tasting notes: On the nose, you’ll find aromas of cinnamon candy, sweet treacle, vanilla beans, honey, and charred oak. The palate is a symphony of pipe tobacco, raisins, butterscotch, candied orange peels, sticky toffee, vanilla beans, and oak. The finish is a warming mix of sweetness and spice.
Maker’s Mark Cask Strength
Maker’s Mark is one of the most popular bourbon brands for a reason. Everything the distillery makes is noteworthy and worth adding to your home bar cart. Our favorite is Maker’s Mark Cask Strength. Bottled at cask strength between 108 and 114-proof (depending on the batch), it’s made with a mash bill of 70% corn, 16% wheat, and 14% malted barley.
Tasting notes: Matured for over six years in charred American oak barrels, it begins with a nose of toffee candy, toasted vanilla beans, dried fruits, and oak. Drinking it brings notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla, fresh leather, oak, and wintry spices. The finish is long, lingering, and effortlessly warming.
Knob Creek 9-Year
If you only grab one bottle of easy-to-find Kentucky bourbon on this list, make it Knob Creek 9-Year. This award-winning bourbon was matured in charred American oak casks for at least nine years. The result is a 100-proof, sublime, nuanced, sippable pre-prohibition-style bourbon you’ll enjoy all year.
Tasting notes: The nose is a mix of dried cherries, toasted vanilla beans, sticky toffee, brown sugar, vanilla, and pepper rye. Sipping it reveals hints of toasted vanilla beans, treacle, caramelized sugar, cracked black pepper, and rich oak. The finish is spicy, dry, and very warming.
Bottom line
If you love Kentucky bourbon, we suggest stocking up on all the above whiskeys. But, at the very least, grab one or two. You’ll want to keep all versatile, bargain bottles on your home bar for perpetuity.
