Benchmark 1.75L

McAfee's Benchmark Old No. 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 1.75L is a high-value, entry-level bourbon bottled at 40% ABV in a large-format 1.75-liter handle. Produced at the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery, it has earned a 90-point rating and "Best Buy" designation from Wine Enthusiast. It serves as a highly respected, budget-friendly staple, utilizing the exact same low-rye mash bill found in some of the world's most sought-after premium whiskeys.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40% (80 proof) | Origin: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA | Age: Non-Age Statement (NAS) | Owner: Sazerac Company | Size: 1.75L

Production & Heritage

The whiskey's name honors the pioneering McAfee brothers—James, George, and Robert—who in 1773 traveled from Virginia to explore and survey the uncharted Kentucky wilderness. The surveyor marks they left behind just north of Frankfort came to be known as benchmarks, a site that is now home to the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Originally launched by Seagram's in the late 1960s as a premium brand produced at the Four Roses distillery, the label was acquired by the Sazerac Company in 1992, which integrated it into its flagship portfolio.

Benchmark is distilled from Buffalo Trace’s famous Mash Bill No. 1, a proprietary low-rye corn recipe (estimated at under 10% rye) that it shares with elite stablemates like Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, and the core Buffalo Trace bourbon line. The spirit is aged in charred new American oak barrels inside traditional wooden rackhouses. Because it is pulled from younger stocks and brought to an approachable 80 proof with pure limestone-filtered water, it emphasizes light, fruit-forward characteristics rather than heavy oak tannins.

Tasting Notes

• Aroma: Soft, sweet, and classic. Upfront notes of creamy caramel, vanilla bean, and sweet corn meal arrive first, backed by a delicate, fruity undertone of fresh stone fruits, apricot, and green apple.

• Taste: Medium-bodied, robust, and straightforward on the entry. The palate is treated to an immediate layer of brown sugar, honey, and corn oil, before transitioning into mid-palate complexities of fine leather, dry tobacco leaf, and a distinct hint of dried red cherries.

• Finish: Medium in length, smooth, and calming. The sweet oak char and baking spices taper off efficiently, leaving behind a clean, warm signature of vanilla and light kitchen spice that is completely free of sharp alcohol bite.

How to Drink Benchmark

Serving it on the rocks or over a large clear ice cube is an excellent, everyday way to enjoy this whiskey, as its smooth, 80-proof profile needs no extra dilution to remain highly approachable. Beyond neat pours, this bourbon acts as a highly effective, cost-efficient anchor for casual highballs and standard mixed drinks. It holds up perfectly against sweet mixers without getting lost: it blends seamlessly in a classic Bourbon & Cola where the sweet corn elements match the effervescence, and it functions as a highly reliable, smooth base in a high-volume batch of Whiskey Sours or backyard Mint Juleps.

Best For

• Stocking a high-volume home bar with an ultra-affordable, everyday house bourbon

• Mixing batch cocktails, punches, and casual highballs for large parties and backyard gatherings

• Budget-conscious buyers seeking an authentic, Buffalo Trace-distilled straight whiskey

• Transitioning from light blended whiskies into traditional, char-forward Kentucky bourbons

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Benchmark Bourbon taste like? Benchmark leads with sweet upfront notes of caramel, vanilla, and sweet corn, shifts into a savory middle defined by leather, dry tobacco, and dried cherries, and concludes with a smooth, clean finish.

• How does Benchmark compare to standard Buffalo Trace Bourbon? While both share the exact same low-rye Mash Bill No. 1 and are distilled at the same facility, Buffalo Trace is typically aged for 7 to 9 years and bottled at 90 proof, yielding a deeper, richer, and more oak-forward profile. Benchmark is pulled from younger barrels and bottled at 80 proof, resulting in a lighter, gentler, and significantly more affordable product.

• Is the 1.75L bottle made of glass or plastic? The 1.75L handle format for Benchmark is widely distributed in a lightweight, shatterproof plastic bottle with a built-in molded grip, making it highly practical for outdoor use, barbecues, and large parties.

• Where is this bourbon distilled? Every drop of Benchmark is fermented, double-distilled, aged, and bottled at the Buffalo Trace Distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky.

• What foods pair well with Benchmark? Barbecued pulled pork or smoked chicken wings mirror the bourbon's light char and sweet caramel notes. Mild cheddar cheese or roasted peanuts balance the sweet corn element, while simple apple tarts or vanilla pudding cups harmonize with the spirit's natural stone fruit and vanilla profiles.

Why Benchmark 1.75L?

The primary advantage of Benchmark lies in its pedigree-to-cost ratio. By utilizing the exact same fermentation and distillation mechanics that produce some of the world's most collectible premium bourbons, it offers a structural correctness that generic bulk value whiskies cannot match. This value is reinforced by its 90-point rating and "Best Buy" status from Wine Enthusiast. In this massive 1.75L handle format, it delivers unbeatable volume value for regular drinkers looking for a reliable, smooth cocktail anchor.

Specifications

• Varietal/Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Low-Rye)

• Product of: USA (Kentucky)

• Size: 1.75L

• Proof: 80

• Brand: McAfee's Benchmark (Buffalo Trace)