Best Sipping Bourbons for Beginners
Sipping bourbon neat can seem like a lot to take in, especially if you’re new to it. The alcohol can be pretty noticeable, and the flavors may be unfamiliar. And some bottles? They have more heat than others.
If you’re just starting out, it’s usually a good idea to try a bourbon that’s approachable on its own. The best sipping bourbons for beginners often balance sweetness, spice, oak, and alcohol without letting any one element take over.
What Makes a Bourbon Good for Beginners?
A good beginner bourbon should have enough flavor to show you what bourbon can offer without overwhelming your palate.
Proof is one thing you’ll want to factor in. For a first sipping bourbon, 90 to 100 proof is a good place to start, but don’t treat that as a hard rule. That’s usually enough alcohol to give the bourbon some character without bringing as much heat as you’ll find in higher-proof bottles.
You’ll also want a balanced flavor profile. Look for familiar notes like vanilla, caramel, fruit, and gentle spice rather than a bourbon where oak or alcohol takes over.
From there, it comes down to what you like. Some bourbons lean sweeter and softer, while others bring more oak, spice, or fruit to the glass.
4 Best Sipping Bourbons for Beginners
1. Buffalo Trace
If you want one bottle to start with, Buffalo Trace is a pretty safe bet. It comes in at 90 proof, so you get plenty of bourbon flavor without a big wallop of alcohol.
Take a sip, and you’ll get some vanilla and caramel, followed by fruit, oak, and a little spice. It’s got enough going on to keep things interesting, but it’s not trying to knock you over. That balance is part of what makes Buffalo Trace such an easy bourbon to come back to, especially when you’re just starting out.
2. Maker’s Mark
Want to try a bourbon on the softer, sweeter side? Maker’s Mark is a good place to start. It uses wheat instead of rye in the mash bill, which helps give it that rounder feel.
Give it a try, and you’ll get plenty of vanilla and caramel, along with some sweet fruit underneath. There’s not a lot of sharp spice getting in the way, either. At 90 proof, it’s got enough kick to remind you you’re drinking bourbon without bringing too much heat.
If Buffalo Trace is your usual pour, Maker’s Mark is an easy bottle to reach for when you want to change things up.
3. Woodford Reserve
Woodford Reserve is worth a pour if you’re ready for a little more going on in your glass. At 90.4 proof, it brings a little more weight without turning up the heat too much.
Along with a nice mix of dried fruit, you’ll get plenty of vanilla and caramel. You’ll also notice baking spice and oak, but none of it comes on too strong. It’s richer and a little more layered than the first two bottles, but it’s still easy enough to sip neat. This is a good bottle to reach for when you’re ready to explore a bourbon with a little more depth.
4. Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Small Batch brings a little more fruit and spice to the glass. Red fruit, honey, caramel, and baking spice all show up here, giving it plenty of character without making it a tough pour for a beginner.
You’ll notice a little more spice than you get with Maker’s Mark, along with a fruity sweetness that keeps things balanced. It’s got enough character to make things interesting without being too much for a first-time bourbon drinker.
How to Start Sipping Bourbon
You don’t need to know all the right tasting terms to enjoy your first pour. Start with a small amount in a glass and give it a minute before taking that first sip.
Take a few small sips and give yourself some time to get a feel for it. You may pick up sweetness, spice, oak, or other flavors that weren’t obvious at first. And if the alcohol feels a little too strong, add a few drops of water or pour it over ice.
Remember, there’s no wrong way to drink your bourbon. The best way is the way you enjoy it.
Find Your First Sipping Bourbon
It takes a little trial and error to find a bourbon you enjoy. Try different bottles, pay attention to the flavors you like, and don’t worry too much about whether your palate matches someone else’s.
Ready to start exploring? Browse The Barrel Tap’s bourbon collection and find a bottle that sounds like your kind of pour.
