Review: McAfee’s Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon
August 11, 2010//
Review: McAfee’s Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon
Benchmark Old No. 8 (from our friends at Buffalo Trace) has been winning awards right and left of late — and it’s easy to see why. At about $14 a bottle, it offers outstanding quality for a pittance.
Benchmark, made with a fair amount of rye, has a deep amber color, and the nose is sweet, with lots of citrus. The body is medium in texture, offering huge caramel notes, a hint of chocolate, cinnamon, and some orange. The traditional rye spiciness is played down, but there’s a good amount of heat on the finish; the whiskey is a standard 80 proof but feels hotter than that.
For the money, though, man, this is one to stock up on.
80 proof.
A- / $14 / bourbonwhiskey.com [BUY IT NOW FROM DRIZLY]
McAfee's Benchmark Old No. 8 Bourbon
$14
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Wow an A-. I’ve seen this in my local stores but never thought to pick it up, even though I’m a big fan of Buffalo Trace’s self titled bourbon, I’ll have to remedy that on my next trip.
hope this is as good as you rate it. i just searched and found it for 19.99 per handle in Pittsburgh. can’t wait to try it when i get back out there this semester
I live in Kentucky and didn’t like Burbon until I found this. Over ice with a little filtered water, man it’s heaven.
It’s $7.49 for 750ml at Astor Spirits in Greenwich Village in NYC.
I agree it’s quite good, but I would put more emphasis on the fact that’s sweet. Mine’s a B+ for that reason.
Got us all wasted. Its did its job well A+
It is under $9 at The Shoppe in Columbus Miss. It is a little thin, but reasonably good. It is good quality.
I just bought a bottle at VA ABC store for 10 dollars. Have’nt tried it yet but I know the Buffalo Trace distillery.
Yeah i ve been lookin for a cheaper alternative to my favorite makers and i found that benchmark is just that. i ten to lean towards a sweet bourbon and this hit the spot. i am getting it for $16.5 in louisville.
Have been siping on alot of canadian whisky, as of late its been Black Valvet reserve (8 years old) I must say this Benchmark is much not as hot and to me has a smooth finish. The Black Belvet I must have ice to drink but the Benchmark requires only a glass. Great whiskey in my opinion.
I mentioned earlier that I thought it was kind of sweet. It is not! I mean not really. I’m working on a second bottle right now. It’s quite probable that I hadn’t finished my breakfast of Honey Nut Cheerios prior to tasting it for the first time. It’s really, really good stuff! (the bourbon, I mean)
I saw this at the liquor store for the first time a few months ago, bought it because it fit the budget($9.99 in MA), was extremely surprised when I first tasted it. I’m definitely a fan, and I’m actually pretty pumped to see that others are as well. Stay thirsty my friends.
I tasted it first time with water. taste is good. After a long time i mixed with coke …taste is tooooo good…njoyed
Responded to the 5 dollar rebate 3 times never recieved a rebate . When i contacted the company they said i never sent anything in . Wiskey is good with the rebate it would be much better .Probably wont by again why lie
Dont believe the rebate
$15.99 for the 1.75 Liter in Southern Indiana. I notice an earthy taste, and not too sweet. Almost has some green oak flavor as if the aging barrel was not well charred. But that doesn’t make it bad. Very unique.
This a very outstanding bourbon for the money. A friend left a bottle at my fish camp. After trying it I was pleased enough to search some out. I was amazed to find it for $13.99 for a 1.75ml. It is now my everyday bourbon. Makes great cocktails and is not bad on the rocks either.
Outstanding — Hate those glass bottles so I actually got it because of the container ” the prize was inside”. Satisfying and smooth, now where do I find the tea that came attached in a pony size loved that also.
buy this wiskey dont bother with the rebate they dont pay. tried several times havent gotten one yet
I love this stuff. It has now become my cheap bourbon of choice. great mixed with coke, and on the rocks. in fact, sounds so good I think I’ll have one now
Albertson’s for $8. Baton Rouge
Great with diet ginger ale…smooth
I got it from albertson’s in baton rouge, la also. It was 7.99 and is very good for the price.
I saw this bourbon in Hyderabad(INDIA), tasted it, i like it
I first tried Benchmark on a whim: Just for the helluvit I picked the cheapest bourbon in my liquor store and Benchmark was it. At the time it was eight bucks a bottle. I was stunned at how good it was, and have been buying it for years. I get a two liter for about $16. Sometimes I splurge and get Woodfords or something more expensive, but Benchmark is the regular whiskey on my bar.
If the rating were based on bang for your buck, this would have to get an A+ and be at the top of the list. Is it one of the best boubons ever? Hell no. But it is damn good. I too like to splurge on a nice bottle of whiskey or scotch, but I don’t ever feel bad for my wallet after buying this. I just drink it on the rocks and enjoy it. Always have to talk people into trying it because of the plastics bottle, but once they do, they become believers.
Think its made it over to the UK now, saw it my my local offy for £15. Very pleased with it. It’s sweet and tastes great with Coke. For neat I’ll stick with Jack’s
Agreed. This is a tough bottle to turn down. It’s not the smoothest, tastiest, most enjoyable or satisfying drink out there, but it’s such a good value. Does its job well without completely sapping your wallet. Can even get a 1.75 liter bottle with a 2 liter Coke for $16 at my grocery store.
been buying this for the last 3 yrs…saving alot of dough having been a beam guy for years..quite smooth with a splash of coke zero..do yourself a favor and pick up a handle..22 bucks in pa.
I’m a bartender at a country club which only serves top self. I enjoy all different types of spirits but had a taste for bourbon tonight. Picked up a bottle of this for $10 and couldn’t believe how good it is. Really having a hard time differentiating this from JD. Actually think is smoother. Great drink mixer however question shot quality.
I could not agree more! On a cold night in southwest Virginia… this was a great choice. It had the perfect amount of bite. I recommend would recommend it to anyone.
I keep Benchmark in a 2-liter Oak barrel…really opens it up; like a decanted wine. Inexpensive AND Delicious.
I live in united kingdom and l love this bourbon rich smooth taste and one of the top three ive tasted. no1 heaven hill no2 buffalo trace no3 benchmark
forgot to mention I also love bulleit. in England benchmark costs me £20 but its worth every penny
This stuff goes for $10 here in Kentucky……
Best-kept secret out there. Inexpensive, flavorful and absolutely great whiskey.
Superb bourbon!
This is my absolute FAVE “cheap bourbon”. Widely available, and just so good!!! This is one spirit that I keep in my “cabinet” at all times. My fave “everyday” bourbon. It’s $10 for a fifth in NE Ohio, where I dwell. How can you resist THAT bargain?! Mixes great, & tastes great neat as well. It’s the perfect bargain bourbon. Don’t disdain it because of its price………bourbon drinkers, give it a try. How can you go wrong, at that price?!
this stuff is good. it tastes better than ten high and even much better than jack daniels. very good for the jim beam drinker.
A great value bourbon. I use this with my apple juice or cider and it will get you to the church on time.
Benchmark noooooo! My first bottle this season (chilly weather=bourbon season) has hurt me. The tipsy to hangover ratio is not what it was. Well, it was a good good run but I’m going to have to “bench” this mark # 8 (sorry). I hope it’s just me and not the Benchmark
Terrible. Young, thin. Gets lost in cocktails. Maybe OK as a shooter, but when you’re gulping down spirits more for function than form, bottom shelf vodka does it for cheaper. Evan Williams is worth the maybe $2 extra investment. Even college kids can afford $13 vs. $10.