16 Best Bourbons For Mixing The Perfect Drink In 2023
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One of the best parts about making cocktails is finding just the right bourbon to mix them with. And when it comes to choosing the best bourbon for mixing, it's not always easy.
There are so many different brands and types that come in all sorts of flavors and colors. The good news is that we will feature 16 different brands worldwide, which creates delicious bourbon cocktails!
Our Top Picks
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Light and Refreshing - Early Times Bottled in Bond• Enough sweetness |
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Most Budget-Friendly - Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond• Spicy notes |
 
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Best for Parties - Four Roses Small Batch• Sweet and tangy flavors |
1. Evan Williams Black Label
ABV: 43.3%
Average Price: $32.99
Flavor Profile: Oak with honey, apple, and orange notes
Evan Williams Black Label is a great mixer for cocktails. It's affordable and versatile, with spice notes and oak flavors that can be mixed into your favorite drink or enjoyed on its own to enjoy some extra complexity in taste!
2. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
ABV: 45.2%
Average Price: $32.99
Flavor Profile: Citrus, cinnamon, and cocoa
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon is one of the best bourbons that works well as a base liquor in cocktails because of its strong wood flavor that can stand out in a drink.
3. Hillrock Solera Aged
ABV: 46.3%
Average Price: $98.99
Flavor Profile: Fig, roasted walnuts, candied fruit, and spicy rye
For mixing cocktails, Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon is one of the go-to bourbons that is perfect as a liquor base for mixed drinks.
This American whiskey has a strong flavor profile that many bartenders prefer to use as it balances the sweet spot of cocktails. It is important that you can taste the alcohol while your other ingredients do their job in creating balance and harmony of flavors for each individual drink recipe!
4. Maker’s Mark
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $26.99
Flavor Profile: Caramel, vanilla, and fruity essences
Maker's Mark is a great brand of bourbon to mix up in cocktails because it is strong enough to stand out in the glass, but not so strong that it overpowers your other ingredients.
While it has a high proof, it also has a sweet and fruity profile with caramel undertones which adds more flavor when mixed together with spices like cloves or cinnamon.
5. Old Forester 1870
ABV: 45%
Average Price: $46.99
Flavor Profile: Baking spices, citrus fruit, and shortbread
Old Forester 1870 is one of the top bourbons to mix in cocktails because it is very smooth and easy to drink. This is because it has been aged for over a decade in charred white oak barrels which have given the bourbon a smoky character that mixes well with other flavors.
6. Elijah Craig Small Batch
ABV: 47%
Average Price: $29.99
Flavor Profile: Spice, smoke, and nutmeg
Elijah Craig is a must-have for any bourbon fan. It has an amazing, complex flavor that stands out in cocktails. This is because of its high rye content and the way it has been aged.
It has a great aroma with hints of vanilla, spice, and caramel that lead into rich flavors when mixed with other ingredients.
7. Four Roses Small Batch
ABV: 52%
Average Price: $59.99
Flavor Profile: Apricot, ripe berries, vanilla, and light oak
Small Batch is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that you need in your cocktails. The versatility really shines when it comes to old-fashioned or whiskey sour blends. But even light drinks like strawberry daiquiris can benefit from adding this exceptional elixir!
8. New Riff Bottled in Bond
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $48.99
Flavor Profile: Clove, cinnamon, mint, and dark berry
New Riff bottled in bond bourbon is a playful, spicy spirit that will have you re-thinking your old ways of enjoying cocktails. This bourbon has notes of burnt sugar and fruits at the forefront with the spice coming.
This doesn't only make an excellent Manhattan or whiskey sour but also makes for delicious Boulevardiers or stirred with vanilla ice cream or topped with ginger beer!
9. Early Times Bottled in Bond
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $24.99
Flavor Profile: Sweet caramel and candy
Early Times Bottled in Bond is a great base liquor for cocktails because it's not too sweet nor does it have the burn of alcohol. It has just enough sweetness to balance out other flavors, yet still maintains its smoothness with hints at subtle flavor notes that give you something new every time you drink one!
10. Johnny Drum Private Stock
ABV: 50.5%
Average Price: $47.99
Flavor Profile: Fruits, vanilla, and spices
Johnny Drum has a strong flavor that is rich and full, with notes of cinnamon spice. The taste also includes subtle caramel flavors in addition to vanilla which makes this drink perfect for cocktails like the Manhattan!
11. Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond
ABV: 50%
Average Price: $19.99
Flavor Profile: Vanilla caramel candies and notes of oak
Old Bardstown is a great bourbon for those who want something with some bite. It stands up well in cocktails and will always turn out good when mixed into other drinks. Therefore, it can be considered an initial testing ground before moving onto more expensive brands of whiskey or liquors.
12. Wild Turkey 101
ABV: 50.5%
Average Price: $27.99
Flavor Profile: Peppermint spice, wood, and alcohol
Wild Turkey's blend is a little bit older than most bourbons out there, and the 101 proof helps add that extra heat needed for cocktails.
Shaking it in your drink really shines when mixed with other ingredients like ginger ale or even just water!
13. Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon
ABV: 46.5%
Average Price: $199.99
Flavor Profile: Notes of peaches, pears, and dried apricots
Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon is perfect as a base liquor for cocktails because of its caramel, nutmeg, and spicy notes.
Try it in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, or if you want to get creative, feel free to experiment by adding different ingredients and flavors.
14. Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 43.3%
Average Price: $49.99
Flavor Profile: Vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup, toast, and bitter chocolate
Angel's Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an amazing brand of bourbon to mix with classic cocktails and whiskey sours because of the notes of vanilla, ripe fruit, and maple syrup that add subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to a cocktail.
15. Stagg JR Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $399.95
Flavor Profile: Roasted wood and vanilla
For those who like their cocktails powerful, you can't go wrong with Stagg JR Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
With strong proof, this classic bourbon packs a powerful punch and has notes of caramelized sugar as well as spices that will instantly elevate your usual cocktails.
16. Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey
ABV: 43%
Average Price: $48.99
Flavor Profile: Dry cacao, brown sugar, vanilla, and white pepper
Breckenridge bourbon whiskey is a go-to bourbon that has been aged in Colorado for up to five years. It's known for its complex flavors and zippy spiciness, which helps balance out the sweetness of eggnog and complement other drinks like apple cider or porters.
Expect aromas of honey mixed with orange butterscotch as well!
Conclusion
While it may be difficult to choose the best bourbon for mixed drinks, we can help you narrow down your options. Hopefully, our list of 16 bourbons will give you a good starting point in finding just the right one that suits your taste buds and classic cocktail desires.
So which brand are you going to try first? Let us know in the comments!
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