I started watching SLB because I liked the bourbon reviews but I've stayed because I love the father-son dynamic. It's so cool seeing the bond that you two have over bourbon. Keep making fantastic content!

The Benchmark series is a breath of fresh air for my wallet. I'm getting tired of secondhand prices here in Texas. OGD 114 is my go-to as I cannot justify spending more than $60 for a bottle of bourbon. Thank you guys for the awesome review! Keep up the wonderful content gentlemen!

After searching for more than a year, I FINALLY came across the expanded Benchmark line! I picked up a Single Barrel and some Full Proof, and after tasting FP... WOW, what a value!

I had pretty much given up on Buffalo Trace, until Benchmark Full Proof came out. As long as that is readily available at $25-$30,... I'm all about it.

Best review of Benchmark I have seen online. Thanks guys, great channel!!!

Buffalo Trace used to be my go-to for years. I turned so many people on to it. And for fun, Eagle Rare. Now, I can barely find it here in northern Indiana, though I have seen it more lately. What that lack of availability has done for me though, is it made me start buying lots of other bourbons after much research, so now I have found many others of quality. It will always be my first love, and the memories are so fond, as first loves are. And when I find her now and then, we'll go for a spin, and remember the good things. LOL what just happened there🤣😂🤣

KURT - TRENT!!!! This was very interesting!!! At these price points, I wasn't sure what to expect, but you guys really did these bottles justice!!! Great review!!! CHEERS!!!

Benchmark 8 was the first bourbon I ever bought and drank, I have bought single barrel twice (enjoyed it, but probably not going to get it unless its on sale), but I am going to definelty try the Full Proof soon

12:48 LOLOLOLOL "Wait (trying not to spit out the juice)... pie's horrible!?! Who are you?!" 😆

Fellow Hoosiers! Y'all are my new favorite whiskey channel for sure. I just picked up a single barrel bottle of Buffalo Trace (store pick)-phenomenal. Far and away the best bourbon I've ever had. I'm desperate to find something similar to it now. I've had Blanton's, EH Taylor, regular Buffalo Trace... man this bottle was just magic!

I got Full proof today at a store close to me for $26. I still think it's a solid pour at that price. I had just watched your pie compliment video and just lol at Trent's remarks on this video. Great job guys 👏 👏 👏

Benchmark 8 definitely a decent mixer, especially w/ something like coke or sprite.

I would've liked to hear your opinions on Ancient Ancient Age. Nice to sip on to warm up for more expensive stuff, and it makes a great mixer too. Retails for like $20-23 a handle.

I love the Benchmark lineup!! All great bottles for very little money!!

I'm very glad you said chocolate for the full proof. I've only been drinking bourbon 3 years, and have a hard time picking out flavors. To me, benchmark full proof is a chocolate bomb, and I love it!

Love full proof i just bought two bottles. They are 27.99 here some store’s want 50. But for me at 27.99 i love it!

Great review guys, thank you for this drinkthrough. The full proof sounds like the one to go with.

Watching this review sipping on eagle rare 10. But warmed up on bench 8. Niiiiice

Sipping on some Top Floor as I watch this. It's the only one I 've seen in my area. Definitely keeping an eye out for the Full Proof.

Trying out Benchmark 8 tonight for the first time, tryin to lock down a true budget bourbon as my staple. Totally been the best one by far and the cheapest! Gonna bacon wash it. Thank you guys!

Never knew much about Ancient Age nor tried it until I watched your earlier videos guys. It's an easy bourbon for 10 bucks. Great video!

Thanks for doing a lot of reviews on available whiskey. Its nice to watch your video and drive to the store and find it.

Tried the 8 and BIB. Both were good but just bought the Full Proof today. The Full Proof tastes great and like this the best out of the Benchmark selection. Bad thing is in Atlanta the price has increased from $19.99 to $24.99. May have to grab an extra bottle before these prices increase anymore.

Been watching lots of your videos lately, learning quite a bit, am usually an aged rum drinker, but started to pick up some Bourbons/Whiskeys...interesting video, as always!

I think it was 3 videos ago I suggested you do the Benchmark lineup and here we are, thank you! It's funny to contrast your take on these with how Dan at Bourbon Junkies was raving about them, clearly there's a huge preference divide. But fortunately, here's a lineup that is super affordable so if you get burned, it's ok. Can't say that much anymore experimenting with other brands. I have the Bonded coming in and I can't resist trying the Top Floor, not really drawn to the others thusfar. Tell Trenton I know he's an alien. Never had pie? Is butterscotch sweet? Fooling nobody. 👽

Kurt and Trenton thank you this video. I was thinking my palate was a mess because like you I found Benchmark Bonded taste burnt and harsh. Watching your vid I had a sip and its not any better some months later.

Another great video. Really liking this channel. I have not been a fan of Benchmark. I've tried about 4 of those so far (have not tried the full proof or small batch), and none have been to my liking. Saying that, Buffalo Trace is one of my favorites, so I was surprised when I found out Benchmark was from the same distillery.

As I let my Full Proof breathe it's getting sweeter and sweeter. Has to be the sweetest bottle I have, even more than the Makers Cask strength. Crazy...

Thanks for this great, informative and entertaining video, guys! I recently heard of Benchmark from you and looked for it at my local liquor store here in SE Texas. Our prices are WAY higher than yours! Ugh! I'm gonna seek out that Full Proof, though! Thanks, again, and keep up the awesome videos!

Thanks for giving us the rundown! Gonna have to find some bottles here in SE Michigan. I want to try most of these. Namely the top floor and full proof

As always, great overall review. I really look forward to these videos. I’m looking forward to the next one.

Bourbon in the morning! 😀 Great review. I'll have to look for these in my area. Thanks!

I believe the Buffalo Trace distillery used to be the Ancient Age Distillery. Very early in my bourbon journey, I used to drink Ancient Ancient Age 90 proof. I know a lot of folks who can't find Buffalo Trace have started buying Benchmark 8 and like it. I've never seen the remaining Benchmark products in my area but would like to try them.

Good review guys & very helpful. Gonna have to give Benchmark small batch & full proof a try.

Very interesting show. Love a good value bourbon. Now I have to go out and search for some of these. Thanks!

Had to revisit this episode. I would love to see these in double blinds against their big brother equivalents and some other competition.

I don't remember when I came across your channel. It was a while ago. Below 5k subs. I was intrigued by your setup and simple approach. It's been really cool to see how your channel has evolved and the channel has grown. Great work! Really like these kinds of videos. Would also still like to see the cocktail recipe videos when you get a chance. Maybe a run down of your favorite cocktails of each base spirit? Anyway, keep up the good work!

Back in the day, the water tower at Buffalo Trace water tower used to have Ancient Age painted on it. Ancient Age 90 goes for 10 bucks in this neck of the woods (KY). The Bonded is my favorite. I like to open it and give it a month to "air" out.

Picked up Single Barrel the other day. Solid pour. Classic BT notes. Gonna buy the rest just to do the Blind myself

This episode was so good, thank you! I have never had any of these, so I went after work to Goody Goody Liquor in Ft. Worth and purchased Benchmark 8. I am surprised by how creamy this is for an 80 proof! The flavors are good, but a tad faint to me. Paid just under $11. Probably better than Jim Beam but not as good as Jack Daniels...but half the price of JD! Still, this is a win-win! Thanks for your show.

The only one of these bottles that I have ever seen is Ancient Age. I’ve been hunting for any one of those bottles and have never seen one. Can’t wait to try the Full Proof. I’m in CA

Picked up the Single Barrel today....I personally loved it. Very sweet and easy to drink, very tasty.

I enjoyed the Full Proof Benchmark, and the price is so great for a high-proof whiskey! It won't, however, be replacing my go-to bourbon under $50: OGD 114.

I love your relationship. I enjoy your conversations as much as the tastings. You make me laugh every time.

I love that you guys have the bonded in last place. It just goes to show how everyone's palettes r so different. The bonded is the one gaining all the attention right now with whiskey tubers etc. Glad you guys did that video! 👏

The Benchmark Full proof is by far the best in your lineup! I love it. Do a comparison to 1792 full proof. It will surprise you. Bang for the buck.

Just picked up a BT today for $29.99 at Binny's in Gurnee, IL. Huge store with a great selection but it was the first time I'd seen BT there. They have the Benchmark 8 for less than $10. I have tried the Benchmark Small Batch and really liked it for a mixer.

Another outstanding episode...your scientific approach is great and loads of fun! I have not tried Any of these...I must try them...

I drive an hour across state lines to get me a couple bottles of full proof every couple months, i love that 25 dollar 125 proof bottle

My Grandma made butterscotch pie, too. Was pretty phenomenal with hand made crust!

Honestly I think the Small Batch is almost identical to Buffalo Trace itself.

So glad I watched this video of you guys trying out the budget line from them. I just picked up the Small Batch Benchmark and wanted to see what other people thought about it and found you guys did a video about the whole line up and we had similar thoughts on it. I think next run I'll pick up the Full Proof and see how they stack up next to each other. I've had the higher end Buffalo Trace releases and never heard of these releases until I moved away from the PNW. Cheers guys.

What a great comparison, especially since I have never tried any Benchmarks. Congrats on 53k subs! Amazing - must be the Trenton effect!

I'm so happy I came across your channel, this really helps me at my job at Big Red.

This video is a year old but when I was in Evansville, IN over the summer every single store had a full line up of Benchmark stacked deep. Like 20/20 on stores having every single bottle.

Excellent video... I have only seen the Benchmark No 8 at the VA ABC by my house

Oh man...im drinking the full proof right now. Good stuff, drinks like a $60+ whiskey. So much tobacco, Candy corn, Caramel. Finish is tad bitter but it'll do.

😂 no pie? Pie is my favorite class of food! You're effing up Trenton!

Great, great review! Want to get the single barrel now, have a good holiday! ❤️ from MI 🥃

Like the idea of this series all the bourbons from under the same umbrella

I picked up the Benchmark Full Proof yesterday before watching this video and I'm glad I did. LOL

Great job guys, used to find the 1.75 Benchmark for under $18.00, now never see it. Benchmark 8 has otherwise been a great low budget drink, and I can find it for under $9.00 on sale. But, with this review, I can see folks trying a budget bottle themselves, and then it will not be on the shelves. Thanks.....

Guess the only benchmark I have seen and tried is a 37% version..which I guess they released to compete against the Jim beam white label 37% lol definitely watery..lol just when I thought it couldn't get worse seeing as our Buffalo trace is only 80proof for $65 so I guess $45 for 37% benchmark is good hearing what you guys pay makes me think dam ..I'd be able to buy lots more bottles to try if I was living in the states that's forsure...cheers mate .keep up the good work guys

It's so much fun watching y'all get buzzed 😂

I've had the benchmark 8 as a mixer and was pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price. I picked up a single barrel yesterday and honestly for $25 I'm more than happy with it. I pick up a nice cherry note and the oak is actually pleasant. I'm done going on wild goose chases to spend $50+ on a bottle that is marginaly better if not equal to or worse than my go to bottles under $30. Just going to stick to my cheap regulars and keep an eye out for anything new that seems interesting for under $30

I found Buffalo Trace here for $26 a bottle recently. I’ll keep buying at that price for sure!

I am sitting here sipping Four Roses Signal Barrel laughing my butt off as y’all sip something that does not measure up!

i have a few of the benchmarks and was not overly impressed with any of them so they went to the mixed drink shelf. I think there are more flavorable options out there in the price range

Looking for the Full Proof in SC, nice job on the reviews

Full proof $19 crazy ..if our 37% is $45 I'm guessing full proof be over a hundred if they ever decide to send the good stuff over ..lol..sounds good ,you's be enjoying it more knowing it was under $20...but if it's $100+ would you still like it and want to buy it.at these rates I wouldn't run out of bottles to drink ..think I'm living in the wrong country lol .cheers guys great video .I like to hear what things are worth and what you's think helps me work out what's good and what's not here

Really enjoyed this budget episode

Another great video! Little does Trenton know at this time but you will be eating some pie soon!

2nd?????-------------------------->YESSSSSS!!!

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but will share my thoughts on what I've had. I just tried the Top Floor based on the Bourbon Junkies review. Top Floor is ok, but not great IMO. I remember enjoying Small Batch but not enough to repurchase. The Bonded surprised me, because I kinda liked that one! The Full Proof also surprised me. It is SOOOO simultaneously sweet (thinking butterscotch too) and HOT on the nose. I believe it drinks SO hot as well. Not refined at all. Hard to find in my area and for sure more expensive, but 1792 Full Proof at same 125 proof so outshines this as a proper higr proof sipper. I generally agree with your takes, but differ on this, but it's all good (figuratively and literally :) ).

I wish I had watched this before trying any of these! I just got the Bonded and the Full Proof and love the Full Proof and am very disappointed in the Bonded. The Bonded is harsh and a lot of spice and burn in the mouth - very unbalanced. And based on your review, I think I will pass on all the rest. Thank you again for a great review! P.S. I added a splash of chilled Topo Chico mineral water to the Bonded (about a cap-full to a 30ml shot) and gave it a stir, resulting in a toned-down expression that was easier to drink. I still would not ever buy the Bonded again; but this will get me through the bottle without tossing it out! 😆

Wonder how the rankings would go if you reviewed these again. The Bonded has always been very good for me. Maybe you had a bad one somehow. Normally stay away from the inexpensive bottles but Benchmarks aren’t bad at all for budget.

Trent - I'm still drinking the Ancient Age 🤣Curt, Happy to see you took my advice and now the two of you are a team !! Mike Atlanta GA

Iowa got the BiB, Top Floor, and SmB last week. Also got in some Ancient Age 10 Star. So far I’ve tried the BM BiB and the AA 10 Star. Both are decent, but nothing special. Hoping we get the BM FP at some point while it’s still priced fairly.

Great video as usual. Thanks, gents.

Can’t imagine a bottle for 10 bucks ! Blows my mind

I had Ancient Ancient Age recently, which is 90 proof, and thought it was surprisingly good. I also had some Benchmark Old #8 and was not impressed with it at all. I guess everyone has a different palate. Good informative video regardless. Cheers!

Guys great job!

Great vid guys keep them coming

Young Matt Damon did well. Just needs to not hate butterscotch, it’s common in bourbon. Great job overall, I always considered Benchmark8 a great mixer. The others are not available where I live. I will keep my eye open for the full proof.

My friends used to make fun of me for bringing by the Benchmark 8 back in the day. But I knew better then, and I still do now. I keep a case in my closet. And now I'll be hunting up some Full Proof.

I just got some bench mark bottles while in Georgia and the full proof is incredible at $22!

Was able to find the single barrel for $24 in OH. A good pour for the price. Now I want to look for the FullProof.

Nice video guys! Blind the single barrel against 101 and EW

I had to circle back to this video. I got a bottle of Full proof. I REALLY like it. To me, it's like a butterscotch cookie with ginger spice, or maybe like a payday candy bar (peanuts and caramel). Surprise Trent liked it not liking butterscotch, but I don't usually like peanuts so,,, I paid $22 and change and am calling it my new favorite regardless of price (at least for this particular bottle and time). At 125 proof it is a bit spicy but still smooth as a straight sipper. Best regards to all.

Trent was still sipping on the first one! Haha 😂

For Trent. A Bulleit and butterscotch cocktail!!!! Thats another one I need to make!!!

These are all over middle Indiana/Fishers area. I’ve stocked up

Didn't realize that Benchmark had such an extensive lineup as I've only seen the Benchmark base in my area. Will definitely be on the lookout for the full proof in my travels. And Trenton never having had pie is almost Un-American! Did you give him bourbon instead growing up? Geez man, perhaps a lineup of 7 pies for the next video would be extremely high in entertainment value!!!

boy, that John guy seems like a stand up dude.... I wish we could get the others.. glad you did. Hoping one of these days to try the others... you are right, for 11 bucks (where I am) the 8 is a pretty decent pour. Sounds like the Small Batch/full proof is the best for the money... besides the 8. thanks for the vid... very cool..... cheers fellas!!

Your right that benchmark 8 is great for the price but the thing I hate about it is after the fist day I open it I find it to be thin. I have come to prefer Ezra brooks for the price over benchmark 8. I do want to try that ancient age and full proof now. Most of the time because I’m in college and on a budget I go for wild turkey 101 or Ezra brooks.

I have always liked the Benchmark 8 for the money it’s always been a good sip but have never seen the others

The legendary pie episode.. I came back to this for some research on this lineup and ran into that Gem!

So far the BB is my favorite

Curious. Is there anyone else out there that likes Eagle Rare but doesn't like Buffalo Trace?

you guys are a riot! Good dad! Good son!