McAfee Brothers Benchmark
Top Floor
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distilled, Aged & Bottled at Buffalo Trace Distillery
86 Proof
MSRP: ~$15
Review

This is an update of our Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon review originally posted in December 2020. Please enjoy our updated review!

Five Bourbons Were Added To The Benchmark Line In 2020

Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon is one of the five bourbons that make up the new additions to the Benchmark line. The others are Small Batch, Single Barrel, Bonded and Full Proof. I had written about the Benchmark Bourbon Collection a while back after driving to Indiana to pick up the set back in the Fall of 2020. I’m not sure what has happened with this line expansion, because I have seldom seen any of them around at all. It is unclear why they seem to only be available in Indiana. (update – as of 2023 they seem to be pretty much everywhere now) The Benchmark bourbons are produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. (Read more about the Benchmark Bourbon Collection in my other related post.)

Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon Is Aged On The Top Floor

Top Floor is quite simply, bourbon that has aged on the top floor fo the warehouse. The label eloquently states: “Bourbon that matures on the top warehouse floors tends to age faster as heat rises. This top floor Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is smooth and well-rounded to be enjoyed straight, with ice or in your favorite cocktail”. So there you have it. Apparently the marketing folks at Buffalo Trace aren’t aware of the ire that the word “smooth” arouses in some bourbon enthusiasts….

Tasting Notes

Let’s taste it:

Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

Nose: Cherry candy is dominant, then apple, light cinnamon and vanilla, light butterscotch, mild rye spices, very light oak; subtle alcohol
Taste: Caramel, cherry, apple, light oak, light brown sugar sweetness; touch of cookie dough
Finish: White pepper spice builds, with some hot cinnamon, too; however, the spices stay relatively mild; fairly long; mild warmth and burn

So what’s Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon like? For starters, it was priced under $25. So there’s that. It’s not an overly complex bourbon, and it certainly tastes on the younger side. There is no age statement, so we have to assume that it is at least 4 years old, but I wouldn’t guess much more. But it is smooth….

It’s a very pleasant and easy bourbon to drink. If I had to describe it in one word, I would have to go with apple-butterscotch-cookiedough, but I have to admit, it’s a little difficult to describe in one word…

Summary

Overall, this is a fun set of bourbons. When combined with the bottom shelf Benchmark Old No. 8, you get 6 bourbons which all are a bit different. I paid about $130 for all 5, and bought the Old No. 8 for less than $10. Have you tried any of the Benchmark Bourbons? What did you think? Cheers!

We hope you have enjoyed our Benchmark Top Floor Bourbon Review! Would you like to learn about another Benchmark bourbon in this collection? Then read our Benchmark Bonded Bourbon Review!

Have you heard of Bourbon Charity and Bourbon Hood? Learn more right here.

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