Updated October 2026
The best bourbon brands for most drinkers are the widely available Kentucky names that cover every style: Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve for balanced everyday sipping, Maker’s Mark for a soft wheated bourbon, Wild Turkey 101 for bold high-proof flavor, Four Roses and Jim Beam for mixing, and Evan Williams Black Label for value. This is not a ranked list. Each brand below represents a different style, with its proof verified from a US state liquor listing or a major US retailer, so you can pick by taste rather than by hype.
What every bourbon brand has to meet
Bourbon has a federal standard of identity. Under 27 CFR § 5.143, bourbon whisky must come from a fermented mash of at least 51% corn, be distilled at no more than 160 proof, enter charred new oak containers at no more than 125 proof, and be bottled at no less than 80 proof. Bourbon labeled “straight” must also be aged at least two years. “Bottled in bond” adds further requirements under 27 CFR § 5.88, including 100 proof and at least four years of age; see our guide to the best bottled in bond bourbon.
Because every brand follows the same rulebook, the real differences come from the grain recipe (mash bill), yeast, barrel entry proof, warehouse location, age, and bottling proof. If you are new to the category, our explainer on bourbon vs whiskey covers the basics.
Bourbon brands worth knowing, by style
Buffalo Trace: the all-rounder
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), per BJ’s Wholesale Club’s listing. It sits in the middle of the flavor range, sweet enough for beginners and complex enough for neat pours, which is why it shows up on so many back bars. The same distillery produces Blanton’s and the Weller line, both of which are often allocated and hard to find; read our Blanton’s guide for more.
Maker’s Mark: the wheated benchmark
Maker’s Mark is 90 proof (45% ABV), according to Target’s listing, and is made with soft red winter wheat instead of rye as its flavoring grain. Wheat gives a softer, rounder profile without the peppery edge of rye. Maker’s Mark 101, a higher-proof version, is listed at 101 proof by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. See our Maker’s Mark guide and our Woodford Reserve vs Maker’s Mark comparison.
Woodford Reserve: polished and versatile
Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon is 90.4 proof, according to Walmart’s listing. It is a common choice for Manhattans and Old Fashioneds as well as sipping neat.
Wild Turkey 101: bold and spicy
Wild Turkey 101 is 101 proof (50.5% ABV), per Spec’s. The retailer describes it as a Kentucky straight bourbon from Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, aged longer than legally required in deeply charred barrels, with vanilla, caramel, and spice. Its higher proof lets it hold up in cocktails and with ice.
Four Roses: light and fruity
The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division lists Four Roses Bourbon at 80 proof (40% ABV). The listing describes floral notes with pear and apple on the nose, honey and spice on the palate, and a smooth, mellow finish, and positions it as a strong choice for mixed drinks.
Jim Beam: the classic mixer
Jim Beam Original is 80 proof with a 4 year age statement, per the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. Its mild, corn-sweet profile makes it a natural base for highballs and sours; our Jim Beam drink recipes show how to use it.
Evan Williams Black Label: the value pick
Virginia ABC lists Evan Williams Black Bourbon at 86 proof (43% ABV). It is one of the most widely distributed Kentucky straight bourbons in the US and a frequent budget recommendation. For more affordable bottles, see our guides to the best cheap bourbon and our budget bourbon picks.
How to choose the right brand for you
- New to bourbon: start with an 80 to 90 proof bottle such as Four Roses, Maker’s Mark, or Buffalo Trace, and try it with a splash of water.
- Prefer soft and sweet: choose a wheated bourbon such as Maker’s Mark.
- Prefer spice and intensity: choose a higher-proof bottle such as Wild Turkey 101.
- Mostly mixing: Jim Beam, Four Roses, and Evan Williams are built for highballs and sours.
- Want a guarantee of age and proof: look for “bottled in bond” on the label.
Proof and standard drinks
A US standard drink contains 14 grams of alcohol, equal to 1.5 ounces of 80 proof spirits, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Higher proof means more alcohol per pour: 1.5 ounces of 101 proof bourbon contains about 1.26 standard drinks (1.5 oz times 0.505 equals 0.76 oz of alcohol, and one standard drink holds 0.6 oz). Our guide to how much whiskey affects you explains the factors that change how alcohol hits you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular bourbon brand?
Sales rankings change year to year and vary by source, so we do not publish one. Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Evan Williams are among the most widely distributed Kentucky bourbons in the US.
What is a good bourbon for beginners?
A lower-proof, softer bourbon such as Four Roses at 80 proof or Maker’s Mark at 90 proof is an easy starting point.
Does bourbon have to be made in Kentucky?
No. The federal standard in 27 CFR § 5.143 applies to bourbon made anywhere in the US, though most major brands are distilled in Kentucky.
What is a wheated bourbon?
A wheated bourbon uses wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain. Maker’s Mark is the best-known example.
Sources
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 27 CFR § 5.143 (Whisky) and § 5.88 (Bottled in bond), ecfr.gov.
- BJ’s Wholesale Club, Buffalo Trace Bourbon 750 ml listing.
- Target, Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky 750 ml listing.
- Michigan Liquor Control Commission price list, Maker’s Mark 101.
- Walmart, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon 750 ml listing.
- Spec’s, Wild Turkey 101 listing.
- Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, Four Roses Bourbon and Jim Beam 750 ml listings.
- Virginia ABC, Evan Williams Black Bourbon listing.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, What Is a Standard Drink? (niaaa.nih.gov).
More in our Bourbon Guide.