Happy New Years! Lately, a common theme I seem to come across when reading bourbon blogs and watching WhiskeyTubers are the articles and videos on the top 5 starter bottles for new bourbon drinkers. Now I know what you are thinking, then why are you writing one if I can find the lists everywhere? Well, great question and the answer is because I wanted to. In all seriousness though, I chose to write on this topic because I do not seem to agree with most of the starter bottle lists that are out there and wanted to provide a bit of a different perspective.

Now you will probably find two of the bottles on my list on many of the other reviewer’s lists as well (Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare). However, the other five bottles will more than likely not be on their lists. The biggest difference you will see with this list is there is no Wild Turkey 101, nor any Wild Turkey products; as I prefer their more expensive releases. Now I know someone will go “keyboard warrior” on me for saying this, but Wild Turkey 101 is just ok, not great. But as you can see from the cover photo, I too bought into the new bourbon drinker hype of this whiskey and have reviewed it HERE, because of recommendations I read and watched.

Below are my top 5 starter bottles for new bourbon drinkers, and *two more for fun, if you can find those bottles. Let me caution that I did not focus on cost, but rather the quality, and in most cases availability, of these bottles. The majority, if not all, should be able to be found under $100 and in most cases under $75. I have provided links to the reviews that I have done, to hopefully help expand a bit more on why these bottles are on my top 5 list. Additionally, by creating this list I realized I have not written reviews on a few of these bottles yet. What can I say, sometimes I just enjoy sipping bourbon rather than writing about it… we are all human. With that said, here is my list!

• Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10-Year-Old (James B. Beam Distilling Co.) BOSSMAN REVIEW
• Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Buffalo Trace Distillery) BOSSMAN REVIEW
• Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 10-Year-Old (Buffalo Trace Distillery) BOSSMAN REVIEW
• *Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 12 or 15-Year-Old (James B. Beam Distilling Co.) BOSSMAN REVIEW
• Penelope Architect Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Penelope Bourbon) BOSSMAN REVIEW
• Red Breast Single Pot Still 12, or 15-Year-Old (Irish Distillers International Limited)
• *Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey (Redwood Empire Distilling) BOSSMAN REVIEW

Now I realize the list above may not be for you, and nor should it be the only list you look at when getting into bourbon. So to make it a bit easier, here are a few additional website articles and YouTube videos that I believe provide additional bottles for new bourbon drinkers to consider.

• Best Bourbon for Beginners – Top 5. (2022) Brewzle YouTube Channel. By TJ Gamble.
• Bourbon for Beginners: 7 Bottles That Every New Bourbon Drinker Must Try. (2019) Whiskey Advocate. By Aaron Goldfarb.
• 5 Bourbons For Beginners! UNDER $50! (2022) ADHD Whiskey YouTube Channel. By Matt Porter.
• The Definitive Beginner Bourbon Buyers Guide! (2021) Bourbon Junkies YouTube Channel. By Dan and Sean.
• The First 10 Bottles I’d Buy If I Was A New Bourbon Drinker. Bourbon Culture. By Mike & Mike.
• TOP 5 Bourbon Whiskeys for BEGINNERS. (2021) Stuff & Whiskey YouTube Channel. By Erin and Josh.

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman