What Is a Good Bourbon Whiskey?

Updated June 2026.

“Good bourbon” is not a TTB class. Bourbon is ≥51% corn, US, charred new oak, bottled at 80 proof or more. Straight adds two years. Maker’s Mark prints Proof 90. Knob Creek 9 Year prints Proof 100 — not bottled-in-bond. A 1.5-ounce pour at 45% is 1.13 NIAAA drinks. Weller is allocated — no street price.

Related: straight bourbon, Knob Creek vs Maker’s Mark, what bourbon is made from.

Class vs pour

Language 1.5 oz drinks
Bourbon 1.00 at 40%
Maker’s Mark 1.13
Knob Creek 9 Year 1.25
“Good” / top-shelf

A 750 mL 45% bottle is about 19 drinks. Four Maker’s pours are about 4.5 drinks. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • 27 CFR 5.143 / 5.88. Maker’s Mark Proof 90 official this project. Knob Creek 9 Year Proof 100 official this project.
  • Weller/Pappy/Blanton’s allocated — no street or unpublished mash %. NIAAA December 2025.

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