Three special releases, three proud bourbon traditions and one very good reason to raise a glass.

Veterans Day is a little different when you’re a veteran yourself. It’s an opportunity to remember the people you served alongside, reflect on the experiences that shaped your life and appreciate those who wore the uniform before and after you. It’s also an opportunity to thank the men and women whose service has helped preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

I served in the United States Air Force, and while my military experiences weren’t always what I expected them to be, I wouldn’t trade the lessons I learned or the people who helped me learn them. Military service has a way of shaping you, sometimes in ways you don’t fully appreciate until years afterward. Some of those lessons come from people you admire. Others come from experiences you’d just as soon never repeat.

For Veterans Day, I wanted to do something a little different with The Bourbon Cheapskate. Rather than searching for the best bargain or putting several bourbons through the unforgiving process of a competition, I decided to revisit three bottles that have something in common beyond their Kentucky heritage.

Each honors America’s military men and women in its own way. Each comes from a distillery with a proud bourbon-making tradition. And each is affordable enough to qualify for this column, although two of them are pushing the upper limits of what I’m willing to spend.

There’s another consideration. These are special releases, and finding them may be difficult. But the distilleries behind them have long histories of producing quality bourbon, so even if these particular bottles have disappeared from your local liquor store, there are plenty of other expressions worth exploring.

And while I’m going to give each a score, as I always do, this isn’t a competition. Today is about appreciation.

Maker’s Mark POVAT: Taking Care of Those Who Served

Price Paid: $50 | Score: 83.65

Maker’s Mark has been making bourbon in Loretto, Kentucky, for generations, and its familiar red wax seal is one of the most recognizable trademarks in American whiskey. The Samuels family built the brand around a wheated bourbon recipe that emphasizes sweetness and approachability rather than the sharper spice associated with rye-heavy mash bills.

For this special release, Maker’s Mark partnered with Project One Vet @ A Time, or POVAT, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans navigate the often-complicated process of securing benefits they’ve earned through their military service. The organization provides individualized assistance at no cost to the veterans it serves.

That’s a mission I can appreciate.

We sometimes talk about veterans as though their service ends when they take off the uniform. But the effects of military service, and the challenges of returning to civilian life, can continue for decades. Some veterans struggle with physical injuries, others with emotional wounds, and still others with bureaucratic obstacles that make obtaining earned benefits far more difficult than they should be.

There is something particularly appropriate about a bourbon that recognizes those challenges while helping draw attention to an organization dedicated to addressing them.

But how does the whiskey hold up?

Color: The bourbon presents a solid copper color, rich and inviting in the glass.

Nose: This is familiar Maker’s Mark territory, and that’s a compliment. Traditional caramel and vanilla lead the way, accompanied by stout wafts of cinnamon and light traces of oak. It’s a rich, welcoming nose that makes me eager to get to the tasting.

Palate: The cinnamon jumps straight through the gate, announcing itself before the other flavors have much opportunity to introduce themselves. Fortunately, it doesn’t overwhelm them. Warm caramel, vanilla and black cherries follow, creating an appealing combination of sweetness, spice and fruit.

Caramel and vanilla are the most distinctive flavors, and they provide the foundation for everything else. There’s nothing especially exotic about the profile, but there’s a reason those traditional bourbon flavors have endured for generations. When they’re presented this well, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.

Mouthfeel and Finish: The mouthfeel isn’t syrupy, but there’s enough richness to hold the flavors together while I evaluate them. It gives the whiskey some substance without becoming particularly heavy. The cinnamon provides a satisfying warmth, while the caramel and vanilla remain the defining characteristics of the experience.

Final Thoughts: This is exactly the sort of bourbon I expect Maker’s Mark to produce: balanced, flavorful and rich in the traditional characteristics that made the distillery famous. At $50, it’s a little more expensive than my preferred Cheapskate purchases, but the quality makes the price reasonable. The partnership with POVAT gives me another reason to appreciate the bottle.

Final Score: 83.65

Green River Army 250: A Birthday Worth Celebrating

Price Paid: Approximately $50 | Proof: 111.1 | Score: 83.38

The United States Army was founded on June 14, 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence. In 2025, the Army celebrated its 250th birthday, and Green River Distilling Company joined the celebration with a special commemorative bourbon.

Green River is no newcomer to Kentucky whiskey. Its history dates to 1885, and the modern distillery has established itself as a producer of quality bourbon at prices that don’t require a second mortgage. I’ve enjoyed several Green River expressions, and the company has repeatedly demonstrated that it knows how to produce flavorful bourbon without demanding premium prices.

For the Army’s anniversary, Green River created an official commemorative release bottled at a very deliberate 111.1 proof.

Those numbers aren’t an accident. They represent November 11, Veterans Day.

I particularly appreciate that little touch. It’s a meaningful connection between the bourbon, the military and the day we’re celebrating.

The release also supports programs benefiting soldiers and their families. That’s another important consideration, because military service involves far more than the individual wearing the uniform. Spouses, children, parents and other loved ones carry their own share of the burden, often without receiving much recognition.

As an Air Force veteran, I suppose I could complain that the Army gets its own bourbon. But after 250 years, I guess they’ve earned one.

And it’s a very good bourbon.

Color: Light copper, a little less intense in appearance than the Maker’s Mark, but still an attractive pour.

Nose: Caramel leads the way, accompanied by buttery toffee, nutmeg and oak. There’s a lovely dessert-like quality to the aromas, with enough wood and spice to remind me that this is a serious bourbon rather than something artificially sweetened. The buttery toffee is especially inviting, adding a dimension that distinguishes this from a more conventional caramel-and-vanilla profile.

Palate: The palate picks up right where the nose leaves off, with cinnamon, brown sugar, caramel and buttery toffee creating a wonderful combination of sweetness and spice. But there’s more happening here than those familiar bourbon flavors initially suggest.

Layers of chocolate emerge alongside more nuanced spices, giving the bourbon additional depth and complexity. The sweetness remains prominent, but it never becomes one-dimensional. The interplay between the chocolate, toffee, brown sugar and spice makes this an especially enjoyable pour, with different characteristics becoming apparent as I spend more time with it.

The chocolate is a particularly welcome addition. It gives the bourbon a richness that complements the toffee without overwhelming the other flavors, while the cinnamon and nutmeg help maintain balance.

Mouthfeel and Finish: The mouthfeel is solid, although perhaps a touch softer than the Maker’s Mark. It has enough substance to carry the flavors without becoming especially thick or syrupy.

The finish is a little shorter than the Maker’s Mark, but it’s still better than average. Cinnamon, brown sugar and toffee linger pleasantly, giving the bourbon a satisfying conclusion.

Final Thoughts: Green River continues to impress me with its ability to produce quality bourbon at reasonable prices. The Army 250 delivers an appealing combination of traditional bourbon sweetness, layered spice and surprising complexity.

At approximately $50, it sits at the upper limit of The Bourbon Cheapskate, but the quality of the whiskey and its commemorative significance make it an easy bottle to appreciate.

And if you can’t find this limited release, don’t overlook Green River’s regular offerings. There’s a lot of good bourbon coming out of Owensboro these days.

Final Score: 83.38

Jim Beam Freedom’s Finest: A Salute From an American Original

Price Paid: $25 | Score: 81.16

Jim Beam hardly needs an introduction. It’s one of the most recognizable names in bourbon, with roots reaching back through generations of American whiskey making. From its Clermont, Kentucky, home, the Beam family helped build a bourbon tradition that has become familiar to whiskey drinkers around the world.

Its Freedom’s Finest release is a six-year-old, 86-proof Kentucky straight bourbon created to honor the courage and service of American military personnel. Offered in patriotic red, white and blue bottle designs, it’s a straightforward tribute from one of the industry’s biggest names.

And unlike some commemorative bottles that appear on store shelves at eye-watering prices, this one cost me just $25.

That’s an excellent starting point for The Bourbon Cheapskate.

I’ve tasted plenty of Jim Beam products over the years, and one thing I’ve learned is that the Beam family flavor profile is unmistakable. That familiar nutty character tends to make an appearance, even when the whiskey takes a slightly different direction. Sometimes it’s subtle, and sometimes it’s as though somebody dropped a handful of roasted peanuts into the barrel.

Freedom’s Finest is no exception.

Color: Light copper, consistent with the traditional bourbon appearance we’ve seen in the other pours.

Nose: This might be the best nose of the three bourbons. Nice oak is softened by sweet caramel and vanilla, with brown sugar and just a touch of the familiar Beam peanut character.

It’s inviting, balanced and considerably more interesting than I expected. There’s enough going on here to make me optimistic about what comes next, and the relationship between the oak and sweeter aromas is especially appealing.

Palate: Brown sugar, peanuts and chocolate lead the way, giving the bourbon an appealing sweetness and a distinctly Beam personality. There’s also a hint of cherry toward the back end.

I like the way these flavors interact, particularly the relationship between the peanut and chocolate notes. Unfortunately, the oak becomes more prominent as the tasting progresses, eventually asserting itself over some of the sweeter characteristics.

That’s not necessarily a fatal flaw. Oak is supposed to be part of the experience, and I don’t mind a bourbon that reminds me it spent some time in a barrel. But when the wood starts pushing the other flavors aside, it affects the overall balance.

Mouthfeel and Finish: This is where Freedom’s Finest gives up some ground. The mouthfeel is thinner than I’d prefer, particularly considering how promising the nose and palate were.

The finish is similarly disappointing. Baking spice, oak and light chocolate make an appearance, but they fade more quickly than expected. A richer texture and a longer finish might have elevated this bourbon considerably.

Final Thoughts: Freedom’s Finest is an enjoyable bourbon with an especially inviting nose and a palate that showcases some of the best characteristics of the traditional Jim Beam profile. The thinner mouthfeel and shorter finish prevent it from scoring higher, but there’s plenty here to appreciate.

And then there’s that price.

At just $25, Freedom’s Finest costs half as much as either the Maker’s Mark or Green River while delivering a tasting experience that isn’t dramatically inferior. It might not have quite the same richness or complexity, but it’s still a very enjoyable bourbon.

That’s the sort of value I look for when I’m hunting for Cheapskate bargains. Jim Beam didn’t have to create an expensive commemorative expression to honor America’s veterans. It produced an accessible bourbon that ordinary whiskey drinkers can enjoy without putting a serious dent in the household budget.

For that reason alone, Freedom’s Finest deserves some special recognition.

Final Score: 81.16

Three Bourbons, Three Reasons to Raise a Glass

There’s an interesting lesson in these three bourbons, especially when you consider what each costs.

At $50 apiece, Maker’s Mark POVAT and Green River Army 250 are virtually interchangeable in terms of overall enjoyment. Just 0.27 points separate them, a distinction so small that I wouldn’t hesitate to reach for either bottle.

They take different paths to get there, of course. Maker’s Mark emphasizes caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and black cherries, while Green River brings chocolate, buttery toffee and wonderfully nuanced spices into the conversation. One is a little richer in its mouthfeel, while the other offers some additional complexity in its flavor profile.

But both deliver satisfying, flavorful experiences that justify their prices. If I were choosing between them, I’d probably let my mood make the decision rather than the numerical scores.

Jim Beam Freedom’s Finest is a different story.

At just $25, it doesn’t quite match the complexity or mouthfeel of the other two, but it doesn’t fall particularly far behind, either. Its 81.16 score puts it comfortably in the category of bourbons I’d happily drink again, and that score becomes considerably more impressive when you remember what I paid for it.

The difference between Freedom’s Finest and Maker’s Mark is just 2.49 points. The difference between their prices is $25.

In other words, I paid twice as much for the Maker’s Mark, but I certainly didn’t get twice the enjoyment.

That’s not a criticism of Maker’s Mark. Nor is it a criticism of Green River. Both are excellent bourbons, and both deserve their scores. But it’s a reminder that spending more money doesn’t always produce a proportionate improvement in the drinking experience.

And that’s really the point of The Bourbon Cheapskate.

I’m not opposed to expensive bourbon. I’ve enjoyed plenty of bottles that cost considerably more than these three. But I’ve also found that some of the most satisfying pours come from bottles that don’t require me to raid the savings account.

If we’re talking strictly about value, Jim Beam Freedom’s Finest earns the highest marks of the three. It delivers good bourbon at a genuinely affordable price, and that’s worth celebrating.

But today, value isn’t the only thing worth celebrating.

More Than What’s in the Glass

I could arrange these three bourbons by score and declare a winner. That’s what I frequently do, and there’s a place for that kind of evaluation. But it seems a little beside the point today.

Maker’s Mark has partnered with an organization that helps veterans obtain the benefits they’ve earned. Green River has celebrated the extraordinary history of the United States Army while helping support soldiers and their families. Jim Beam has created an affordable commemorative expression that allows everyday bourbon drinkers to raise a glass to the men and women who served.

Three different approaches, each worthy of appreciation.

As an Air Force veteran, I know that military service isn’t always glamorous. There are difficult days, demanding people, mistakes, lessons and experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned to civilian life. Some veterans carry visible reminders of their service. Others carry things nobody else can see.

I’ve written about some of my own experiences in the Air Force, including moments when I fell short of what was expected of me. Looking back, I’m grateful for the people who held me accountable, the people who gave me opportunities to improve and the people who helped me become a better man.

That, too, is part of what military service can mean. It’s not always about grand acts of courage or stories of extraordinary sacrifice. Sometimes it’s about learning responsibility, discovering your limitations and finding people who refuse to let you settle for less than you’re capable of becoming.

And then there are those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the men and women who never had the opportunity to return home and grow old with their families. Their stories deserve a special place in our national memory, just as the sacrifices of their families deserve our continuing gratitude.

Veterans Day provides an opportunity to remember all of them. Not just the heroes whose stories make the history books, but the millions of ordinary Americans who answered the call, put on a uniform and became part of something bigger than themselves.

I’m proud to have been one of them.

So today, I’m setting aside the usual competition. These three bourbons have earned their scores, and their prices tell an interesting story about value. But the numbers aren’t the most important things about them.

The people they honor are.

To my fellow veterans, thank you for your service. To the families who stood beside us, thank you for your sacrifices. And to the men and women still wearing the uniform, may you always know that your service matters.

Three good bourbons. Three meaningful tributes. One very good reason to raise a glass.

Cheers, and God bless America.

Enjoyed this? Subscribe and get future reflections, bourbon notes, and assorted nonsense delivered straight to your inbox.

Copyright © 2026 Doug DeBolt.