Tequila Ranch | Local Liquor Experts – Delivered to You
Tequila Ranch | Local Liquor Experts – Delivered to You
The Bourbon Beginner's Guide: What Every Paramount Whiskey Lover Should Know
Written by Tequila Ranch • June 19, 2025
8 minute read
Welcome to the wonderful world of bourbon! Whether you're a tequila lover looking to expand your horizons or a complete spirits novice, this guide will help you navigate the rich, complex landscape of America's native whiskey. At Tequila Ranch in Paramount, we've assembled an outstanding bourbon collection that ranges from everyday sippers to allocated unicorns. Let's explore what makes bourbon special and discover which bottles deserve a spot on your shelf.
WRITTEN BY
Tequila Ranch
PUBLISHED ON
June 19, 2025
Bourbon 101: Understanding the Basics
What Makes It Bourbon?
Not all whiskey is bourbon, but all bourbon is whiskey. To legally be called bourbon, a whiskey must meet these requirements:
- Made in the USA (not just Kentucky!)
- Mash bill of at least 51% corn (the rest is usually rye, wheat, or barley)
- Aged in new, charred oak barrels (no minimum time for standard bourbon)
- Distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% alcohol)
- Entered into barrels at no more than 125 proof
- Bottled at no less than 80 proof (40% alcohol)
The Flavor Components
Understanding what creates bourbon's flavor helps you identify what you enjoy:
- Corn: Provides sweetness and body
- Rye: Adds spice, pepper, and complexity
- Wheat: Creates smoothness and subtle sweetness
- Barley: Contributes nuttiness and aids fermentation
- Charred Oak: Imparts vanilla, caramel, and smoky notes
Age Statements Explained
- No Age Statement (NAS): At least 4 years old
- Bottled-in-Bond: Exactly 4 years old, 100 proof
- Age Stated: The youngest whiskey in the bottle
- Straight Bourbon: Aged at least 2 years
Your Journey Through Bourbon: From Beginner to Enthusiast
Entry-Level Excellence ($15-35)
Perfect for newcomers or mixing in cocktails
Don't dismiss Jim Beam because of its ubiquity. This is America's #1 selling bourbon for good reason. The classic bourbon profile – vanilla, caramel, and oak – makes it perfect for understanding what bourbon tastes like. The 200ML size lets you try without commitment.
Tasting Notes: Light caramel, vanilla, gentle oak, slight peanut finish
Best Enjoyed: In a Whiskey & Coke or Bourbon Sour
The Overachiever: Benchmark Old No. 8
This is Buffalo Trace Distillery's entry-level offering, and it punches well above its weight class. Made from the same mash bill as their premium bottles, Benchmark offers incredible value.
Tasting Notes: Brown sugar, light spice, oak, clean finish
Best Enjoyed: Neat with a splash of water or in an Old Fashioned
The second-best-selling bourbon in America offers consistency and affordability. Their traditional process and patient aging create a smooth, approachable bourbon that works in any application.
Tasting Notes: Caramel corn, vanilla, medium oak, hint of cinnamon
Best Enjoyed: On the rocks or in cocktails
Created by a former professional boxer, this small-batch bourbon is currently on sale and represents exceptional value. The higher rye content gives it more character than typical entry-level offerings.
Tasting Notes: Baking spices, honey, leather, long warm finish
Best Enjoyed: Neat or with one large ice cube
Named after the Baptist minister credited with inventing bourbon, this small batch offering is many enthusiasts' daily drinker. The extra aging (typically 8-12 years) adds complexity while maintaining approachability.
Tasting Notes: Rich caramel, toasted oak, nutmeg, dark fruit
Best Enjoyed: Neat in a Glencairn glass
Mid-Range Marvels ($40-80)
For exploring different flavor profiles and production methods
Finished in port wine barrels, Angels Envy pioneered the finishing trend in American whiskey. The port influence adds subtle fruitiness without overwhelming the bourbon character.
Tasting Notes: Vanilla, ripe fruit, maple syrup, subtle wine influence
Best Enjoyed: Neat to appreciate the unique finish
Everything's bigger in Texas, including the flavors in this bourbon. The extreme Texas heat accelerates aging, creating bold, intense flavors that stand apart from Kentucky bourbons.
Tasting Notes: Big caramel, dark chocolate, leather, Texas oak
Best Enjoyed: With a few drops of water to tame the intensity
This wheated bourbon (like Maker's Mark and Pappy Van Winkle) comes straight from the barrel without dilution. Each batch varies in proof (usually 120-125), offering an intense flavor experience.
Tasting Notes: Thick caramel, baking spices, bread pudding, long finish
Best Enjoyed: With a splash of water to open up flavors
Using a solera aging system (borrowed from sherry production), Blade And Bow contains whiskey from the legendary Stitzel-Weller distillery. This creates remarkable consistency and complexity.
Tasting Notes: Dried apricots, winter spice, old leather, honey
Best Enjoyed: Neat, contemplatively
Premium Pours ($80-150)
For special occasions and developing your palate
Sourced from Indiana but proofed with limestone-rich water from the Widow Jane mine in New York, this bourbon showcases how water affects final flavor.
Tasting Notes: Butter cream, orange marmalade, pecans, mineral finish
Best Enjoyed: Neat at room temperature
From Northern California's Redwood Empire Distilling, this blend of 5-12 year old bourbons shows how craft distillers are pushing boundaries while respecting tradition.
Tasting Notes: Toffee, dark cherry, cocoa, redwood tannins
Best Enjoyed: With a single ice cube
Double-distilled for extra smoothness, Bib & Tucker represents modern bourbon-making at its finest. The extended aging in #1 char barrels creates exceptional depth.
Tasting Notes: Vanilla custard, cinnamon roll, light smoke
Best Enjoyed: Neat in proper glassware
Released in small batches and named after locations important to Booker Noe, each release is unique. This uncut, unfiltered bourbon showcases pure barrel strength flavor.
Tasting Notes: Dark caramel, roasted nuts, leather, powerful finish
Best Enjoyed: With equal parts water, adjusted to taste
At 115 proof, this recreates the bourbon that Old Forester produced under medicinal license during Prohibition. It's a history lesson in a bottle.
Tasting Notes: Banana bread, dark chocolate, cherry, vintage oak
Best Enjoyed: In a proper Boulevardier or neat
Ultra-Premium & Allocated ($150+)
The holy grails of bourbon
Part of the legendary Van Winkle line, "Old Rip" is the entry point to the most sought-after bourbons in existence. The wheated recipe creates unparalleled smoothness.
Why It's Special: Limited production, cult following, and exceptional quality create massive demand
Named after the master distiller who created Blanton's and pioneered single barrel bourbon, each bottle represents one exceptional barrel selected for bottling.
Why It's Special: Hand-selected barrels, limited availability, historical significance
Nearly two decades in the barrel pushes the limits of bourbon aging. This limited release shows how extended aging can create complexity without over-oaking.
Why It's Special: Extreme age for bourbon, limited annual release, perfect balance
Same mash bill as Pappy Van Winkle but at a more accessible (though still challenging) price point. The 107 proof provides bold flavor while maintaining the wheated smoothness.
Why It's Special: "Poor man's Pappy," exceptional value in the secondary market
How to Taste Bourbon Like a Pro
The Setup
- Use proper glassware (Glencairn, snifter, or rocks glass)
- Pour 1-1.5 oz at room temperature
- Have water nearby (still, not sparkling)
- Cleanse palate with plain crackers between tastes
The Process
- Observe: Note the color and viscosity
- Nose: Smell with mouth slightly open, rotate glass
- Taste: Small sip, coat entire palate
- Finish: Notice how flavors evolve after swallowing\
- Repeat: Add water or ice to see how it changes
Common Tasting Notes in Bourbon
- Sweet: Caramel, vanilla, honey, butterscotch, toffee
- Grain: Corn sweetness, bread, cereal
- Fruit: Cherry, apple, orange peel, dried fruits
- Spice: Cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, clove
- Wood: Oak, char, smoke, tobacco
- Other: Leather, nuts, chocolate, coffee
Classic Bourbon Cocktails to Master
Old Fashioned
- 0.25 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
Manhattan
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes bitters
- Maraschino cherry
Whiskey Sour
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- Egg white (optional)
Mint Julep
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- Crushed ice
Bourbon Storage and Serving Tips
Storage
- Keep bottles upright (unlike wine)
- Store in cool, dark place
- Avoid temperature fluctuations
- Once opened, bourbon is stable for years
Serving Suggestions
- Neat: For premium bourbons, full flavor experience
- With Water: Few drops open up aromas and flavors
- On the Rocks: One large cube for slow dilution
- In Cocktails: Entry-level bourbons shine here
Building Your Bourbon Collection
The Starter Set
The Enthusiast Collection
Add different mash bills and proofs:
Visit Tequila Ranch for Your Bourbon Journey
Our knowledgeable staff at Tequila Ranch is passionate about helping you discover the perfect bourbon for your palate and budget.
Whether you're starting with a bottle of Jim Beam or splurging on that Old Rip Van Winkle, remember that the best bourbon is the one you enjoy drinking. Visit Tequila Ranch today and let us help you find your perfect pour!
