Best bourbon varieties?

[RedTails]

For someone just beginning their bourbon adventure, would Makers Mark be a good place to start?

The following advice is if you're looking to drink bourbon neat or on the rocks:

If I were you, I'd cut my teeth on one or more of these:

Makers 46 (90 proof)
Elijah Craig Small Batch (94 proof)
Old Forester 1870 or Statesman (90 & 95 proof)
Makers Mark 101 (relatively new offering)
Wild Turkey 101

If it's in the budget, my first purchase would be these three: Makers 101, one of those Old Foresters, and Wild Turkey 101.

Tasting those side by side you can see a wheated bourbon vs. a Brown-Forman offering vs. WT profile.

Depending on which you like more, you can branch out from there.

[leeman]

Beam

[zephyr]

Whistlepig

[Ragin' Realtor]

Pinhook Rye.

[zephyr]

I like some Elijah Craig for random night sipping since its cheaper than many others but feel it has a nice body to it

[bbhstiger5]

I like some Elijah Craig for random night sipping since its cheaper than many others but feel it has a nice body to it

I actually got some of that as well - someone at the store recommended it.

As for Maker’s, one sip of that and I had to add a little cola

[CajunJeaux]

Whistlepig

I 2nd this. Just add a Rocky Patel Special Edition cigar!

[dg71]

Larceny. Great Kentucky bourbon with a sweet finish.

[CajunJeaux]

Best budget bourbon: Buffalo Trace

Best Rye: Sazerac Rye

Best overall: Blantons

So many other really great choices and some mentioned above I’ve not tried.

If anyone has a chance to visit Woodford’s distillery. It’s heaven on earth!!

I've never had Blanton's, really want to try it. Seems this is the "golden ticket" of Bourbon's at the moment.

However, I have heard from a few people that it's highly overrated.

[JayWalker]

What makes people say Blanton's is overrated is because so many people want it. It's very hard to find.

I'm a fan of Angel's Envy. Buffalo Trace is a great inexpensive bourbon. I like Jefferson's Ocean but it's pricey.

A very underrated bourbon is Calumet. It's about $55 at Total Wine. Very smooth.

But, my opinion, dollar for dollar the best bourbon out there is Eagle Rare. You can't always find it, but whenever you do, you should buy a bottle and stock up. EXCELLENT.