7 Bourbons to Try – Taster’s Club Bourbon Bucket List

Bourbon aficionados are always looking for new spirits to discover and enjoy. However, you may find the sheer variety of bourbons a bit overwhelming when looking for bourbons to try. If you want recommendations for tasty and off-the-beaten-path bourbon, this post is for you. We have compiled in this article some of the best selections from the past few years. We carefully select rare, high-quality spirits each month to send to our club members, so if you are interested in exploring the varieties of America’s native spirit, our bourbon club will be perfect for you.

Eastside Distilling Burnside Buckman Reserve 10YR Bourbon

The first recommendation in this bourbon bucket list is the Burnside Buckman Reserve Bourbon, aged for no less than ten years in Portland, Oregon.

The nose exudes a bold aroma of spiced fruit bread with citrus and peppercorn. There are also undertones of wood and apple fruit. As you take the first sip, you will notice a strong and warm oak flavor followed by notes of dry floral tannin, lemon peel, and burnt sugar. The finish is rather long and dry.

Eastside Distilling launched this limited-edition bourbon in 2018 to celebrate its tenth anniversary. As such, the Burnside Buckman can be a bit hard to find, but that makes it all the more sought after – it was one of Taster’s Club’s selections in recent years.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 84
• ABV: 42 %
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: Undisclosed

Lucky 7 Jokester 6 Year Bourbon

The second recommendation in this list of bourbons to try is a 6-year-old straight bourbon from Kentucky – the birthplace of bourbon. Made by Lucky Seven Spirits, a spirit company themed around the film industry, the Jokester charms you right away with its packaging and light honey color.

As you pour some of it into your glass, you will appreciate the smell of dark fruits, vanilla, and spice. And with its creamy mouthfeel accompanied by a pronounced flavor of brown sugar and dried fruit, chances are you will find this bourbon to be a delightful drink. The finish is characterized by brown sugar, spice, and berry notes.

This bourbon won two Gold Medals at the 2020 edition of the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and that was certainly no luck – beating the other spirits in the competition is a testament to the Jokester’s quality. In fact, this was a Taster’s Club selection in 20XX.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 95
• ABV: 47.5%
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: Undisclosed

Taconic Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Strength

Coming from the iconic Hudson Valley in New York, the Straight Bourbon Whiskey Barrel Strength is aged in charred oak barrels placed in shipping containers – a unique maturation process that brings out the flavors of wood.

The nose is rather low on ethanol but rich with the sweetness of black cherry cola, caramel, vanilla, and a hint of butterscotch. The palate mostly consists of brown sugar, pepper, toast, caramel, and apple cider. As you can imagine, this is quite sweet, but there is still a lingering spice to be enjoyed along with a good amount of oak and a bit of heat. The finish is warm, tannic, and mostly spicy.

While delectable, this bourbon is not the easiest to come by. Our club members received it before as a Taster’s Club selection and we may send it again at some point in the future.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 115
• ABV: 57.5%
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: Undisclosed

Split Rock Organic Single Barrel Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Distilled exclusively in Newcastle, Maine by Split Rock Distillery, this bourbon is aged for 3+ years in 30-gallon barrels. It’s also certified USDA organic by the Maine Organic Famers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).

The nose is a mix of cinnamon, corn, honey, and dark fruits. As you take the first sips, you will enjoy the taste of cinnamon you just smelled along with the creamy mouthfeel and a bit of oak, zest, and leather. The finish has a creamy, almost buttery note that’s quite sweet. Overall, you will most likely spend a lovely time savoring every sip of this bourbon – it was one of our selections in 20XX and deserves a spot on your bourbon bucket list.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 122.7
• ABV: 61.35%
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: 60% corn, 20% wheat, 15% barley, and 5% rye.

Coppersea Excelsior Straight Bourbon

Another bourbon made in the iconic Hudson Valley in New York, the Coppersea Excelsior is named after the Empire State’s motto which means “Ever Upwards”. It’s also the first 100% New York bourbon and is aged for 2+ years in 30-gallon barrels made from white oak found in that state.

The Coppersea Excelsior catches attention right away with its bright color and opens with the smell of cereal and spice. The palate has vanilla, caramel, and black pepper with strong notes of cinnamon, almond, and cedar, all of which combine to deliver a rich and distinct taste. The finish has a lingering spice to it that’s quite enjoyable as well. The Excelsior is among the TC selections in the past few years.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 96
• ABV: 48
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: 60% corn, 30% rye, and 10% malted barley.

Bull Run Cask Strength Straight Bourbon

Another straight bourbon, the Bull Run Cask Strength Straight Bourbon is aged for a minimum of 4 to 6 years during which it acquires its dark copper color.

This bourbon opens with warm vanilla notes followed by a warm smoky and spicy mid-palate, and finishing with a lasting honey taste with a slight metallic note. The aroma is mostly sweet and smoky. According to Bull Run Distillery, it is best paired with chocolate, coffee, cherry, and pineapple.

Suggested reading: to learn about tasting tips, read this blog post.

While perhaps not as experimental as some of the other Bull Run Distillery whiskeys, the Bull Run Cask Strength Straight Bourbon is a perfectly fine choice for anyone looking for neatly distilled, tasty bourbon. Furthermore, as a former TC selection, it should definitely be on your bourbon bucket list.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 115.32
• ABV: 57.66%%
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: 65% corn, 25% rye, 10% malted barley, and 5% heirloom malted barley.

A.D. Laws Four Grain Bourbon

To end this list with a bang, the last recommendation is another Taster’s Club selection and a must for every bourbon hunter. The A.D. Laws Four Grain Bourbon, which comes from Colorado – Denver to be more precise – and is made with what is labeled as the “four American mother grains”. This bourbon is aged for four years to meet the standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, which requires whiskey to be “the product of one distilling season from one distillery, aged in a federally bonded warehouse for at least four years, and bottled at 100 proof”.

The Laws Four Grain Bourbon has a sweet and floral nose that invites you to take a sip. The palate can be described as a complex combination of flavors, with notes of vanilla, caramel, dark fruit, toasted nuts, spice, and malty cereal, leading to a rich and dry finish.

Bottle Information

• Proof: 100
• ABV: 50%
• Size: 750mL
• Blend: 60% corn, 20% heirloom wheat, 10% heirloom rye, and 5% heirloom malted barley.

7 Bourbons to Try – Final Thoughts

And there you have it! Each of these 7 bourbons was a Taster’s Club recommendation before, so we’re fairly confident you will enjoy whichever bourbon you choose from this list. We curate new and rare bourbon and send it to our club members monthly so they can discover bourbon that otherwise can be hard to get one’s hands on.

For more bourbons to try, join our Bourbon of the Month Club and each month you will receive a unique bottle of bourbon with a digital course that includes tasting, distillery, and history notes.