These are both Amazing. They are even more amazing for what they are. Benchmark Top floor is an amazing summer pour. Not a sipping in a dinning room late at night. Summer poolside fun.
If you’re going to “invest” in a bottom-tier line, Benchmark is where it’s at. I’ve already stumped a number of people on blinds. They aren’t the greatest, but the bourbons that come out of the Benchmark line are the best budget bourbon I’ve had by a long shot.
I love Benchmark Top Floor, Bonded, and Small Batch, but I also swear by most of the budget bonded selections from any of the staple distilleries/brands like Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, Old Bardstown etc.
Wild how location changes what's available and what's not. No where local to me has any of the Benchmark lineup. However, Buffalo Trace is fairly available at $30 to $35. By the way, regular M&M's.
I've never seen Benchmark here, and I've only seen Buffalo Trace on the shelf once (and didn't realize at the time that it's such a unicorn here, so I didn't grab what would've been my second bottle). I do like Buffalo Trace, but Bluff Springs is easy to get here, and is a good alternative.
I can find buffalo trace anywhere around me for $27 to $30. It's a good pour but id much rather drink something like OF 86 or 100 Signature for the price
It’s so crazy that Buffalo Trace is so allocated. I can get it at the grocery store for $30, Costco and a couple liquor stores for $20. Other Buffalo Trace products are jacked up though.
I think I've seen the standard Buffalo Trace one time in the past year. So many common bottles not by me: Benchmark, Early Times, Coopers Craft, Heaven Hill, Knob Creek 12, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.
I tried these side by side and they are really close. The BT is richer, spicier, and more oily than the top floor, but it’s very obvious that they are from the same recipe, same distillery. They both have that unique BT flavor profile. I have to find the video and edit my comment because I gave the Benchmark full proof a bad review, but when I let the bottle breathe and open up, it became a completely different bourbon and got super nice. I actually prefer the full proof over both of these. That being said, BT is $35-$45 in NJ and hard to find. I’ll take 1792 small batch over all of them everyday all day. So much more flavor, body, finish, and aroma than all of the Benchmark lineup and BT. It’s cheaper than BT and just a few dollars more than BM
I enjoy Buffalo Trace on occasion, but not my usual preference. I haven’t tried the Top Floor, but the Benchmark Bonded is good. I think Erin is right, darker is better
Peanut M and M’s. I’ve never had the top floor, but I still enjoy the Buffalo trace. But I wouldn’t pay more than 35 for it. Great content and points on both whiskeys though. Cheers.
Fun comparison - definitely prefer BT over the Benchmark if I had to choose. However, there are so many really good bottles of whiskey for that price range that chasing BT isn't all that, like you stated. Cheers y'all
I can get 2 bottles of BT for $40 at my favorite local liquor store every day, then then go across town to Total Wine & More and it's $25 each, limit one, and they're always sold out. I don't get why people hunt it. I like Benchmark Full Proof and Bonded, but found the other expressions pretty lacking. I'm with Erin: always chips. Give me salty & crunchy all day every day.
Bought Top Floor yesterday. Only one at the local store of the newer ones. Haven't opened it yet. Got a Bonded earlier. It's ok to me. I like BT. Nice discussion.
I found 2 bottles of Buffalo Trace about 3 weeks ago, haven't gotten into them yet. I'm looking for Benchmark Full Proof. I've got to be in the mood for peanut M&Ms and usually gravitate to the regular ones. And I love Sun chips or jalapeno kettle chips. 🥃❤️👍👍
50 / 50 Benchmark Full Proof and Buffalo Trace = 107.5. Doesn’t taste like exactly like OWA, OWA is a little brighter, but it makes Benchmark better imo. If you can get a bottle of each then it’s a nice mix of BT and BFP 🥃
I’m lucky where I live in northern cali, in the last 3 days i walked in and bought eagle rare and buffalo trace at retail. I am a beginner but after watching some hunting videos i couldn’t pass them up
Top Floor is available every day in my area for $18. I'm not chasing BT for low end juice, especially when I can also find Benchmark Single Barrel *cougheaglerarecough* for less than BT. 😏
Forget any M&M’s of any kind. Skittles all the way. Also, Buffalo Trace….. why??? I mean it’s good, not a thing wrong with it, but I just don’t get the hype. 🤷♂️
If you don't mind, can you mention some places to pick up BT ? Also, if you know of any stores that may have anything else from the BT distillery. Thanks in advance. I'll be in New Orleans in 2 weeks.
@@forcedair92gt94 Total Wine. Pretty much any Rouses grocery store. Martin's Wine Cellar. Those are all my go-tos. Most of the other BT products are hit or miss, but they all have plenty of BT and Sazerac Rye. Are you going to be in the city or suburbs?
Regular M & M 's. But I do agree with Erin that I am far enough in my whiskey journey that I would probably not buy another bottle of BT. Not overly impressed with Eagle Rare for that matter. Not enough to pay the 60 that places want around here.
When I was a kid I loved Peanut butter M&Ms because they were harder for me to get meaning I wasn’t able to buy from a store and most people just buy peanut and regular. But now I lean towards peanut M&Ms when I actually eat them 🤣
I've had Buffalo Trace multiple times and have never had the desire to buy a bottle, and even had no desire to finish my sample at the distillery. I've found through multiple experiences that most of their standard lineup does not match my tastes. More for everyone else, I guess 😃
I've never seen a live bottle of Benchmark. I've only seen Buffalo Trace on the shelf once. I do like Buffalo Trace, and if I ever do see it I'll grab it, and drink Bluff Springs as a good alternative in the meantime. As for M&Ms, plain is good and peanut is even better. 🙂
Weirdly, we can usually only get BT at 40%. We can only get 45% in a store pick. I bought one store pick, which was fine, but I won't seek it out. I'm team peanut and would rather have salt & vinegar chips (or crisps as they are called over here).
Is there anywhere or anyway to get any of the other Benchmark flavors in Middle TN? I love the nose on the No. 8 but the pallet is SO watered down! I wish it were 100 proof...
@@stuffandwhiskey Yeah, my daughter is coming down from Michigan in two weeks so, I called a half a dozen stores in her area last night and all they had was No. 8, peach flavored and, some other awful sounding non whiskey.
Buffalo trace appears once a month here and is gone in minutes. I consistently dont like buffalo trace blind. It has so little flavor, and what is there i just find unpleasant, like soggy bread. Ill never understand how crazy people go for it. I have no interest in ever buying another. Benchmark full proof smokes both imo.
Garden Veggie Sun Chips. #teambrowniefudgem&ms I used to like the peanut ones more until I found out I had an intolerance for peanuts! I only grab BT for two reasons. 1. If it’s a store pick and 2. The regular to keep on hand to bring places/parties/friends houses.
Peanut BUTTER M&Ms is the superior M&M followed by the Fudge Brownie. Peanut M&Ms are better than plain though, but the Mini M&Ms are better than both of those.
I don't get the Buffalo Trace hype. I like it but I'm not going to pay more than $25 for it. I can remember five years ago I could get it anywhere for about $22.
I see Buffalo Trace as low as $23 before tax. No Benchmark with a 100 miles of me. So, no idea what I am missing. When I see BT for >$30, I am a no go.
Buffalo Trace is good but it isn't that good (i.e. worth waiting in line in the rain for hours, etc) - and in the past it would have been peanut M&Ms forever, but since they added titanium dioxide to the recipe, it's neither anymore, sadly.
#teampeanut Saw a bottle of Buffalo Trace once when out shopping, paid far more than retail for it. Won't get fooled again. Not sad I have it, sad I paid too much.
Peanut all the way! And peanut butter even better. And buffalo trace is meh. Standard low proof pour over hyped. Give me Russell's 10yr all day over that.
6:58
Him: "U matter more than me"
Her: " No, u matter"
SO SWEET, SUCH A CARING WOMAN!
These are both Amazing.
They are even more amazing for what they are.
Benchmark Top floor is an amazing summer pour. Not a sipping in a dinning room late at night. Summer poolside fun.
Need to find the Benchmark Full Proof 125 proof for $25, blows these away.
Nose, pallet, mouth feel. Whiskey Emasculated 😂
😂😂
Team peanut. Without a doubt. Peanut M&M’s are heaven. Oh and by the way, this kind of fun is why I love you two so much.
Thanks so much Chris! Cheers!
If you’re going to “invest” in a bottom-tier line, Benchmark is where it’s at. I’ve already stumped a number of people on blinds. They aren’t the greatest, but the bourbons that come out of the Benchmark line are the best budget bourbon I’ve had by a long shot.
It's a great mixer especially the higher proofs IMHO.
I love Benchmark Top Floor, Bonded, and Small Batch, but I also swear by most of the budget bonded selections from any of the staple distilleries/brands like Heaven Hill, Evan Williams, Old Bardstown etc.
PEANUT M&Ms every damn day.
Unless cherry sours are on the table.
The superior M&M choice is always Almond :)
Wild how location changes what's available and what's not. No where local to me has any of the Benchmark lineup. However, Buffalo Trace is fairly available at $30 to $35.
By the way, regular M&M's.
I've never seen Benchmark here, and I've only seen Buffalo Trace on the shelf once (and didn't realize at the time that it's such a unicorn here, so I didn't grab what would've been my second bottle). I do like Buffalo Trace, but Bluff Springs is easy to get here, and is a good alternative.
I can find buffalo trace anywhere around me for $27 to $30. It's a good pour but id much rather drink something like OF 86 or 100 Signature for the price
Nice! I've been hoping these two would pop up.
It’s so crazy that Buffalo Trace is so allocated. I can get it at the grocery store for $30, Costco and a couple liquor stores for $20. Other Buffalo Trace products are jacked up though.
I think I've seen the standard Buffalo Trace one time in the past year. So many common bottles not by me: Benchmark, Early Times, Coopers Craft, Heaven Hill, Knob Creek 12, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.
@@BeThr_Best_Served_Neat_On_Ice all of those are readily available near me, but I’ve never even seen a bottle of Early Times.
@@martybarrett523i've seen a bottle of ET only once.
I tried these side by side and they are really close. The BT is richer, spicier, and more oily than the top floor, but it’s very obvious that they are from the same recipe, same distillery. They both have that unique BT flavor profile. I have to find the video and edit my comment because I gave the Benchmark full proof a bad review, but when I let the bottle breathe and open up, it became a completely different bourbon and got super nice. I actually prefer the full proof over both of these. That being said, BT is $35-$45 in NJ and hard to find. I’ll take 1792 small batch over all of them everyday all day. So much more flavor, body, finish, and aroma than all of the Benchmark lineup and BT. It’s cheaper than BT and just a few dollars more than BM
I enjoy Buffalo Trace on occasion, but not my usual preference. I haven’t tried the Top Floor, but the Benchmark Bonded is good. I think Erin is right, darker is better
Peanut M and M’s. I’ve never had the top floor, but I still enjoy the Buffalo trace. But I wouldn’t pay more than 35 for it. Great content and points on both whiskeys though. Cheers.
Peanut M&M’s all the way. These where my dad’s favorite candy and it’s a great memory for me
That "Bye Felicia" cracked me up!
I don't eat much candy anymore, but when I do, PEANUT M&Ms!! My kryptonite.
Regular m&Ms and Benchmark is better with the higher proof pours.
Fun comparison - definitely prefer BT over the Benchmark if I had to choose. However, there are so many really good bottles of whiskey for that price range that chasing BT isn't all that, like you stated. Cheers y'all
I can get 2 bottles of BT for $40 at my favorite local liquor store every day, then then go across town to Total Wine & More and it's $25 each, limit one, and they're always sold out. I don't get why people hunt it. I like Benchmark Full Proof and Bonded, but found the other expressions pretty lacking.
I'm with Erin: always chips. Give me salty & crunchy all day every day.
It was so sweet when I started hunting bottles, that hunt for Buffalo Trace was so much fun. Now I see it in stores and don’t even look at it…
Erin, i’m a little disappointed you didn’t have a “that’s what she said“ quick wit comment when Josh talked about putting M&Ms in his mouth, lol!
The rare missed opportunity. We gotta do better! 😂
I've only had one bottle of Buffalo Trace. I would buy Wild Turkey 101 or Old Tub over it everyday of the week
Bought Top Floor yesterday. Only one at the local store of the newer ones. Haven't opened it yet. Got a Bonded earlier. It's ok to me. I like BT. Nice discussion.
Dark chocolate M&Ms are where it’s at!
You both matter!
I found 2 bottles of Buffalo Trace about 3 weeks ago, haven't gotten into them yet. I'm looking for Benchmark Full Proof.
I've got to be in the mood for peanut M&Ms and usually gravitate to the regular ones. And I love Sun chips or jalapeno kettle chips. 🥃❤️👍👍
I use Buffalo Trace as a primer bourbon. I found some Benchmark and picked up the Full Proof and BIB, which I have not opened yet. 🥃
I am a beginner, have the Top Floor currently, only $14.99 which to me is a bargain. Easy sipper, would like to try something else next time.
Chips first, preferably salt n vinegar. If I had to choose M&M it would be peanut all the way Erin!
50 / 50 Benchmark Full Proof and Buffalo Trace = 107.5. Doesn’t taste like exactly like OWA, OWA is a little brighter, but it makes Benchmark better imo. If you can get a bottle of each then it’s a nice mix of BT and BFP 🥃
I’m lucky where I live in northern cali, in the last 3 days i walked in and bought eagle rare and buffalo trace at retail. I am a beginner but after watching some hunting videos i couldn’t pass them up
Top Floor is available every day in my area for $18. I'm not chasing BT for low end juice, especially when I can also find Benchmark Single Barrel *cougheaglerarecough* for less than BT. 😏
Lifelong M&Ms fan but have been Team Smarties for the last couple years... 😅
Top Floor is my go to starter! Love the whole Benchmark lineup!
Peanut m&m’s over the regular every day of the week and twice on sunday
Ok, I’m all in on regular M&Ms. I do enjoy sampling some of the other flavors, but will always come home to the original.
Peanut M&M's rule!
Btw peanut m&ms for sure. Easy choice
Peanut or Almond M&M’s all day!!!
Peanut M&M's ALL DAY!!
Buffalo Trace is easy to find around me for $27 for 750ml or $51 for the big boy 1.75ml
Forget any M&M’s of any kind. Skittles all the way. Also, Buffalo Trace….. why??? I mean it’s good, not a thing wrong with it, but I just don’t get the hype. 🤷♂️
Peanut butter M&M's FTW
Here in Louisiana Buffalo Trace is $20 and can be found anywhere and there is definitely no limit on it. I enjoy it as a mixer
This is true. I have no problems finding it, and I usually have a bottle on my bar for guests, but I don't personally like it.
If you don't mind, can you mention some places to pick up BT ? Also, if you know of any stores that may have anything else from the BT distillery. Thanks in advance. I'll be in New Orleans in 2 weeks.
@@forcedair92gt94 Total Wine. Pretty much any Rouses grocery store. Martin's Wine Cellar. Those are all my go-tos. Most of the other BT products are hit or miss, but they all have plenty of BT and Sazerac Rye. Are you going to be in the city or suburbs?
@@bo_mccroskey The burbs. Metairie, Kenner, and the Westbank. Thanks
@@forcedair92gt94 Ricky's in Kenner. River Ridge Discount in Harrahan. Rouses on Power. Star Gas in Kenner
Peanut, and I also would rather have a bag of those than either of those bottles.
Regular M & M 's. But I do agree with Erin that I am far enough in my whiskey journey that I would probably not buy another bottle of BT. Not overly impressed with Eagle Rare for that matter. Not enough to pay the 60 that places want around here.
Peanut M&M’s over plain 100%
And.. peanut butter M&M’s above all. 🤤
Regular m&ms. All day, any day.
Peanut all day. Sorry Josh. 🥃
Can't get either in NC, so I guess I don't have an opinion.
Truth be told you’re not missing out on too much if you ask us.
Peanut all the way. But I always like to side with beautiful redheads. Haha love the channel yall are great.
Appreciate you watching Richard. Cheers!
Peanut M&M's all day! They also go great with Bourbon Barrel Beer :)
When I was a kid I loved Peanut butter M&Ms because they were harder for me to get meaning I wasn’t able to buy from a store and most people just buy peanut and regular. But now I lean towards peanut M&Ms when I actually eat them 🤣
I've had Buffalo Trace multiple times and have never had the desire to buy a bottle, and even had no desire to finish my sample at the distillery. I've found through multiple experiences that most of their standard lineup does not match my tastes. More for everyone else, I guess 😃
Definitely Team Peanut M&Ms. By a laarge margin, Josh 😉
I've never seen a live bottle of Benchmark. I've only seen Buffalo Trace on the shelf once. I do like Buffalo Trace, and if I ever do see it I'll grab it, and drink Bluff Springs as a good alternative in the meantime.
As for M&Ms, plain is good and peanut is even better. 🙂
Definitely Peanut m&m's
Peanut M&Ms. chocolate is always better mixed with peanuts or peanut butter
Weirdly, we can usually only get BT at 40%. We can only get 45% in a store pick. I bought one store pick, which was fine, but I won't seek it out. I'm team peanut and would rather have salt & vinegar chips (or crisps as they are called over here).
Oh wow, that’s super interesting about Buffalo Trace being 80 proof there. Didn’t know that was a thing!
Peanut every time
Peanut M&M’s, the plain one are just filled with disappointment. Still waiting to see any of the Benchmark lineup other than the small batch.
Pretzel M&M's is the best.
Is there anywhere or anyway to get any of the other Benchmark flavors in Middle TN? I love the nose on the No. 8 but the pallet is SO watered down! I wish it were 100 proof...
They’re not in market here but if you ever travel they’re pretty readily available in most markets. Benchmark Bonded sounds right up your alley!
@@stuffandwhiskey Yeah, my daughter is coming down from Michigan in two weeks so, I called a half a dozen stores in her area last night and all they had was No. 8, peach flavored and, some other awful sounding non whiskey.
Peanut M&M's I like sweet & salty. I'd eat chocolate covered potato chips.
Buffalo trace appears once a month here and is gone in minutes. I consistently dont like buffalo trace blind. It has so little flavor, and what is there i just find unpleasant, like soggy bread. Ill never understand how crazy people go for it. I have no interest in ever buying another. Benchmark full proof smokes both imo.
Peanut M&Ms are the fucking GOAT. Eat them with popcorn or chips. Best combo out there.
Peanut M&Ms all the way!
Dark chocolate peanut. All. The. Damn. Time.
Not regular M&Ms, or peanut M&Ms, Erin said it best, and Josh talked her off of it, the best M&M is the peanut butter M&M!
Garden Veggie Sun Chips.
#teambrowniefudgem&ms
I used to like the peanut ones more until I found out I had an intolerance for peanuts!
I only grab BT for two reasons. 1. If it’s a store pick and 2. The regular to keep on hand to bring places/parties/friends houses.
Peanut BUTTER M&Ms is the superior M&M followed by the Fudge Brownie. Peanut M&Ms are better than plain though, but the Mini M&Ms are better than both of those.
Peanut m&m’s all day over regular!
#TeamErin
Peanut M&Ms all day!
Peanut M&Ms 👍🏻 as far as bourbon I love Buffalo Trace bourbon I'm seeing it more here in Colorado ya the Total Wine on Denver one per person 🤣
Today I was fortunate to buy a bottle (750ml) of Benchmark Bonded for $12.99.
I don't get the Buffalo Trace hype. I like it but I'm not going to pay more than $25 for it. I can remember five years ago I could get it anywhere for about $22.
Erin is always right
Peanut M&Ms 💯%
I see Buffalo Trace as low as $23 before tax. No Benchmark with a 100 miles of me. So, no idea what I am missing. When I see BT for >$30, I am a no go.
Buffalo Trace is good but it isn't that good (i.e. worth waiting in line in the rain for hours, etc) - and in the past it would have been peanut M&Ms forever, but since they added titanium dioxide to the recipe, it's neither anymore, sadly.
Peanut M&Ms. Is that even a question? And 101 bourbon OR rye over either of these.
Team Peanut!!!! #Team Erin!!!
Peanut M&Ms are the best. Regular are a waste of production resourcesw
There are two types of people in the world. People that prefer peanut m&ms and then psychos. #teampeanut
Peanut Butter M&M's are the best. Then Peanut. Then some other candy. You're wrong Josh.
You think I’d be more used to it by now, but I just don’t learn my lesson. 😂
Prefer the express version!
Us too Scott. Thanks for letting us know!
I wouldn't hit a dog in the butt with a regular m&m. Team Peanut and PB M&Ms 💯
😂😂
Sorry Josh, Team Peanut....Erin is not wrong, peanut M&M's are so much better
peanut m&ms
Peanut m&m all day.
#teampeanut Saw a bottle of Buffalo Trace once when out shopping, paid far more than retail for it. Won't get fooled again. Not sad I have it, sad I paid too much.
Peanut all the way lol
Team peanut for sure
#TeamPeanut Sorry Josh. Erin's right again.
You think I’d learn by now but I’m hardheaded.
Peanut m&m
Peanut all the way! And peanut butter even better. And buffalo trace is meh. Standard low proof pour over hyped. Give me Russell's 10yr all day over that.
Team Peanut M&M's all the way!!!
Peanut mms totally no contest
Peanut