Tag Archives: Benchmark Rye

The Sunday Pour: The Bottle I Was Wrong About

Posted on October 11, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Was I wrong about Benchmark bourbon? I revisited six bottles, from Full Proof to Top Floor, to see whether my opinions had changed. The scores improved, but the conclusions remained remarkably consistent. Along the way, I discovered a spiritual lesson about humility, honest self-examination and the willingness to admit when we’re wrong. And there’s an unexpected ending involving my stepson and six bottles of whiskey. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Rye Cheapskate, Vol. 53: 3 Affordable Rye Whiskeys Compared

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Which affordable rye gives you the most for your money? Benchmark, Jack Daniel’s and Middle West face off on flavor, price and Cheapskate value. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 40: A Rye Blind Across the Phone Line

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Scott and I tried an over-the-phone blind tasting of affordable rye whiskeys. The lineups were not identical, but the conclusion was surprisingly clear: Old Forester 100 Rye stood above the budget rye crowd. Continue reading →

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