BENCHMARK
KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY
In 1773, three McAfee Brothers named James, George and Robert left Virginia westward to explore the uncharted territory that would later become known as Kentucky. Traveling by canoe at first, the McAfee Company eventually followed a native trail overland that led to the great buffalo crossing, where the brothers surveyed the land now home to the world’s most award-winning distillery – Buffalo Trace Distillery. The surveyor marks left behind are known as benchmarks and this bourbon whiskey honors the pioneering spirits of these early American explorers.
TASTING NOTES
The nose bears caramel notes with a delicate stone-fruit backdrop. A robust and sturdy palate with some fine leather notes mingling with dry tobacco, a touch of oak and a hint of dried cherries. The finish is smooth and calming.
COLLECTION
Awards
Most Recent Awards
- 2024 Silver Global Whiskey Challenge
- 2024 Silver International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2024 Silver Whiskies of the World
- 2024 Silver American Whiskey Masters
- 2024 Silver Whiskies of the World
- 2024 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2024 Gold ASCOT Awards
- 2024 Silver International Spirits Challenge
- 2023 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2023 Silver International Spirits Challenge
- 2023 85 to 89 Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2023 Gold American Whiskey Masters
- 2022 Silver International Spirits Challenge
- 2022 Excellent / Highly Recommended (90-94 pts) Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2022 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2021 Gold American Whiskey Masters
- 2019 Silver Outstanding Whiskies of the World
- 2019 Silver New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2019 Silver Denver International Spirits Competition
- 2019 Great Value Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2019 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2019 Silver International Spirits Challenge
- 2019 Gold Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2019 Silver North American Bourbon and Whiskey Competition
- 2018 Silver Denver International Spirits Competition
- 2018 Tried & True Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2018 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2018 Gold Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2018 Gold New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2017 Great Value Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2017 Gold Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2017 Silver Denver International Spirits Competition
- 2017 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2017 Silver International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2017 "Best Buy" Beverage Testing Institute - International Review of Spirits
- 2016 "Great Value" Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2016 Silver Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2016 Silver International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2016 Double Gold New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2015 Silver Outstanding International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2015 Silver New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2015 "Great Value;" "Tried & True" Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2015 Gold San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2015 Silver Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2014 Silver Spirits of the Americas
- 2014 Very Good / Recommended (85-89 pts) Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2014 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2014 Silver Beverage Testing Institute - International Review of Spirits
- 2014 Gold Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2014 Gold International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2014 Silver New York World Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2013 Silver Spirits of the Americas
- 2013 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2013 Great Value Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2013 Gold Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2012 Excellent / Strong Recommendation (90-94 pts) Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2012 Silver San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2012 Gold Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2012 Silver The Washington Cup Spirits Competition
- 2010 Very Good / Recommended (85-89 pts) Ultimate Spirits Challenge
- 2010 Gold San Francisco World Spirits Competition
- 2010 Silver Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition
- 2010 Gold International Wine & Spirits Competition