Best Bourbon for Beginners: A Guide to Delicious & Approachable Whiskey

Bourbon can be intimidating with its rich flavors and variety, but there’s no need to worry! If you’re new to bourbon and looking for something approachable, you’ve come to the right place. Bourbon’s rich history, complex flavors, and smooth drinking experience make it a fantastic spirit to explore. However, with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

That’s why we’ve put together this beginner-friendly bourbon guide for 2025—to help you find the most approachable, easy-drinking bourbons that won’t overwhelm your palate. Whether you’re sipping neat, on the rocks, or mixing in a cocktail, these bourbons are perfect for newcomers.

What Makes a Bourbon Great for Beginners?

Not all bourbons are created equal, and as a beginner, you’ll want something “smooth”, well-balanced, and not too overpowering. Here’s what to look for:

✔️ Lower Proof (80-100): A lower alcohol content makes for a smoother, more approachable sip.

✔️ Balanced Sweetness: Many great starter bourbons have vanilla, caramel, and honey notes.

✔️ Mild Spice & Oak: A touch of spice or oak is great, but overwhelming flavors can be too intense for beginners.

✔️ Mash Bill Matters: The combination of grains used (corn, rye, wheat, malted barley) affects sweetness, spice, and smoothness.

✔️ Affordability: You don’t need to break the bank to find a great beginner bourbon!

Top 7 Bourbons for Beginners in 2025

1. Buffalo Trace Bourbon (90 Proof) – Best Overall Starter Bourbon

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: Smooth, slightly sweet, and incredibly balanced, Buffalo Trace is a must-try for new bourbon drinkers. It features classic notes of vanilla, caramel, and a hint of spice, making it approachable and enjoyable neat or in cocktails.

🥃 Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace’s Mash Bill #1 (low-rye, estimated 75% corn, 10% rye, 15% malted barley)
💲 Price: Around $30-40
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat or in an Old Fashioned

2. Larceny Bourbon (92 Proof) – Best Wheated Bourbon for Beginners

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: Larceny is a wheated bourbon, meaning it uses wheat instead of rye in the mash bill. This gives it a smoother, sweeter profile with honey, vanilla, and soft caramel notes, making it one of the easiest bourbons to sip.

🥃 Mash Bill: Estimated 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley
💲 Price: Around $25-35
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat, on the rocks, or in a Bourbon Sour

3. Woodford Reserve (90.4 Proof) – Best for Rich Flavor

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: Woodford Reserve is slightly more complex but still beginner-friendly. It offers a rich caramel and toasted oak profile with just a touch of spice. If you want a bourbon that gives you a little more depth without overwhelming your palate, this is a great option.

🥃 Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
💲 Price: Around $35-45
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat or with a splash of water

4. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond (100 Proof) – Best Budget Bourbon

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: One of the best-value bottled-in-bond bourbons, Evan Williams BIB is smooth, sweet, and slightly nutty. The 100-proof level offers more depth but remains well-balanced, making it a great entry into stronger bourbons.

🥃 Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
💲 Price: Around $20-25
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat, on the rocks, or in a Whiskey Sour

5. Elijah Craig Small Batch (94 Proof) – Best for a Slightly Bolder Flavor

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: If you’re ready to take a small step up in flavor, Elijah Craig Small Batch offers a slightly higher proof and richer oak presence. It still has a balanced sweetness with notes of toffee, vanilla, and baking spices, making it a great option for new drinkers looking to expand their palate.

🥃 Mash Bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley
💲 Price: Around $30-40
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat or in an Old Fashioned

6. Wild Turkey 101 (101 Proof) – Best for a Bold Yet Balanced Bourbon

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: Wild Turkey 101 packs more punch than other beginner bourbons but remains well-balanced with caramel, vanilla, and baking spice notes. If you want to explore a slightly bolder bourbon with a longer finish, this is a great place to start.

🥃 Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
💲 Price: Around $30-35
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat or in a Manhattan

7. Old Forester 100 (100 Proof) – Best for “Smooth” & Balanced Flavor

🔥 Why Beginners Love It: Old Forester 100 is an exceptional beginner bourbon that brings rich caramel, dark fruit, and mild spice together in a beautifully smooth sip. The slightly higher proof (100) gives it depth without being overpowering.

🥃 Mash Bill: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley
💲 Price: Around $35-40
🔹 Best Way to Enjoy: Neat or in a Boulevardier

How to Drink Bourbon as a Beginner

Now that you have some great bourbons to start with, here are a few tips on how to enjoy them:

🥃 Neat: Pour bourbon into a glass at room temperature and sip it slowly. This helps you fully experience the flavors.
🧊 On the Rocks: Adding ice slightly mellows the alcohol and makes it more refreshing.
💧 With Water: A few drops of water can open up the flavors and make it even smoother.
🍹 In a Cocktail: Classic bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Bourbon Sour are great ways to ease into bourbon drinking.
🥃 Experiment with Glassware: Different types of glasses can enhance your experience. Try a Glencairn glass for savoring the aromas or a rocks glass for a more casual sip.

🔑 Start with Low Proof: If you’re new to bourbon, start with options in the 80-90 proof range before gradually working your way up to higher proof bourbons.

Final Thoughts: The Best Bourbon for Beginners in 2025

If you’re just getting into bourbon, Buffalo Trace, Larceny, and Woodford Reserve are fantastic places to start. They offer smooth, balanced flavors that make them easy to drink, whether neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.

As you explore more, don’t be afraid to try different brands and discover what you like best. Bourbon is all about personal preference and enjoying the journey!

Have you tried any of these bourbons? Let us know your favorite or share your beginner bourbon experience in the comments below. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things bourbon!

For more bourbon reviews, guides, and recommendations, be sure to check out Bourbinsane.com for the latest trends in the whiskey world. And if you’re looking to elevate your tasting experience, be sure to download our whiskey tasting sheet for your next tasting event! Cheers! 🥃