There’s been a lot of chatter lately about the new Traveller Full Proof, a 121-proof release that runs about $40 a bottle. If you’ve watched the whiskey channels on YouTube, you’ve probably noticed something else: the reviews have been… less than enthusiastic.

But I had taken a couple of early sips and thought it was pretty enjoyable. So instead of taking anyone else’s word for it, I decided to find out for myself.

The best way to do that is blind.

I lined up six other bottles on my shelf that live in roughly the same proof range and price neighborhood:

1792 Full Proof ($60, 125 proof)
Blackened Volume 01 Cask Strength ($40, 121 proof)
Knob Creek Single Barrel Cask Strength ($60, 125 proof)
Kentucky Rambler Cask Strength ($55, 125 proof)
Benchmark Full Proof ($25, 125 proof)
Sazerac 125 ($40, 125 proof)

Seven glasses. One and a half ounces in each. Numbers on the bottom of the glasses. Then I mixed them up and tasted them completely blind.

So… were the critics right about Traveller Full Proof?

Glass A opened with tree fruit and cinnamon on the nose, and those same notes carried over onto the palate with a little caramel behind them. The body wasn’t remarkable, but it was tasty and very enjoyable. Score: 78.01

Glass B was darker in color, and while I try not to put too much stock in that, it matched the richer aroma. Chocolate, spice, and oak came through clearly, with a depth the others hadn’t quite reached yet. Score: 84.52

Glass C started with vanilla and caramel on the nose, then rolled into spice, orange zest, brown sugar, and more caramel on the palate. This one was simply a great sipper. Score: 80.51

Glass D had a lighter nose—mostly cinnamon and vanilla—but those same notes jumped forward quickly once it hit the palate. A little caramel showed up late. It wasn’t complex, but it was very “smooth,” and in this case that’s a compliment. Score: 77.69

Glass E leaned fruity and sweet. Red fruit, berries, vanilla, and brown sugar showed up in both the nose and palate. It didn’t blow me away, but it was extremely drinkable. Score: 77.58

Glass F brought peanuts, brown sugar, and caramel right up front, and those same notes carried through with maple and cinnamon joining the party. At this point it was probably my second favorite of the group. Score: 81.48

Glass G had a lighter nose but stayed in classic bourbon territory—caramel, vanilla, and oak. The palate was straightforward but solid, with caramel, vanilla, and just a hint of light chocolate. Score: 77.58

Then came the reveal.

A: Sazerac 125
B: 1792 Full Proof
C: Kentucky Rambler Cask Strength
D: Traveller Full Proof
E: Blackened Volume 01 Cask Strength
F: Knob Creek Single Barrel Cask Strength
G: Benchmark Full Proof

The final rankings looked like this:

1. 1792 Full Proof
2. Knob Creek Single Barrel Cask Strength
3. Kentucky Rambler Cask Strength
4. Sazerac 125
5. Traveller Full Proof
6. Blackened Volume 01 Cask Strength
7. Benchmark Full Proof

A few conclusions jumped out pretty quickly.

First, 1792 Full Proof is simply excellent. Even at $60, it’s one of the better bottles on my shelf. The Knob Creek Single Barrel isn’t far behind, but if I’m choosing between the two, the 1792 wins every time.

The Kentucky Rambler, a Total Wine Spirits Direct offering, actually showed pretty well in this lineup. That said, if it wants to run with the big boys, it probably needs to shave a few dollars off the price.

The Sazerac 125 held its own too, which is impressive considering it’s a rye—and I’ve never been quite as enthusiastic about ryes as some people are.

Then we get to the bottle that started this whole experiment: Traveller Full Proof.

The verdict? It’s not a train wreck. Not even close. It’s a perfectly enjoyable pour, and in this lineup it edged out Blackened at roughly the same price point.

But the real story here is Benchmark Full Proof.

At roughly half the price of most of these bottles, it landed only a fraction of a point behind two competitors that cost significantly more. That’s the kind of math the Bourbon Cheapskate appreciates.

In fact, the practical answer might be simple: skip the Traveller and buy two bottles of Benchmark Full Proof instead.

Then you can sit back, pour a glass, and think about the subtle differences between bargain bottles and their pricier neighbors—while enjoying every sip in whatever glass you choose.

Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.