Nothing beats a nice glass of whiskey on the rocks after a long day. Of course maybe a nice cold beer, but that’s a matter of preference. At Imbibe we love whiskeys, and whether you’re a novice trying to get into the vast world of this popular spirit or whether you’ve been sipping this drink for some time, we can point you in the right direction.

If you’re curious about diving into the world of bourbon, and not sure where to start, we have a lot of fantastic choices. Yet before we get into that you are probably itching to know the difference between a bourbon, and any other whiskey. Which is great because we’re itching to tell you.

What Makes Bourbon, bourbon?

The mash bill is what sets bourbon apart from the rest. For a bourbon to be a bourbon, it must be made with at least 51% corn. Most bourbons have about 70% corn. The mash bill typically consists of fermented grains, yeast and water. Then it is aged in unused charred oak barrels.

If you are looking to try some great bourbons we compiled three of our favorites that we really believe stand above the crowd in terms of quality, and price. Give these bourbons a try, you absolutely can not go wrong with any of them.

1. Bardstown $59.98

Honestly, if you are looking for a whiskey that closes the gap between quality, and affordability, look no further. The Fusion series brings a delightful twist between young and aged bourbons. The whiskey is a blend of bourbons ranging from 3-13 years. This bourbon is a steal for the price. The nose carries phenomenally youthful tones in it. Green apple with honey, roasted nuts and caramel dance in a pleasant aroma, and sit on the palate in a unified fashion. It finishes in a fantastic balance that leaves you satisfied and wanting more at the same time. When it comes to value you can’t get any better.

2. Redwood Empire Pipe Dream $32.98

Redwood Empire is a younger distillery out of Sonoma County. Each one of their delicious whiskies are named after a iconic redwood tree in the mighty Redwood Empire in Sonoma county. There are so many great things we could say about this whiskey. From its delicious taste and smooth palate, to the unique mash bill and distillery process, to the pristine quality, and marvelous value for the dollar. We can not get enough of this bourbon. Not only does it stand out like the redwood trees in a forest but so does the distillery. Redwood Empire plants a tree with every bottle purchased. So do the planet a favor a buy a few. You wont regret it.

We also recommend using this delightful bourbon to shake up a few delicious cocktails you can prepare at home. Especially in the summer months when it pays to have a few refreshments on hand. Take a look at Redwood Empire’s website where they have a few recommendations for making great cocktails with their products.

3. Joseph Magnus $99.98

My mouth is watering as I write this. Joseph A. Magnus Bourbon is by far one of our favorite Bourbons. It far exceeds expectations, and raises the bar on what a bourbon can be. The triple cask is aged in white oak barrels and finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry, and cognac casks. The palate is layered in apricot, roasted nuts, caramel, and vanilla. Put this bourbon down on your list of must tries. Its supreme quality and prestigious look make it the perfect gift, or sipper for a special occasion. Whatever you do don’t skip on this bourbon.

Imbibe With These Bourbons

Ask for an expert, and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction. If you are looking for good bourbons, one of these are definitely going to be on the list of recommendations.

• Bardstown Bourbon $59.98
• Redwood Empire Pipe Dream $32.98
• Joseph Magnus Bourbon $99.98