Maker: Buffalo Trace, Frankfort, Kentucky, USA (Sazerac).
Style: High corn bonded bourbon (BT Mash bill #1).
Age: At least 4 y/o (by straight & bonded regulations)
Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
Price: $20 (Binny’s)
Appearance: Copper.
Nose: Ghost pepper, overdone creamed corn.
Palate: Full-bodied and sweet. Caramel, grape soda.
Finish: Hot with a little char.
Mixed: OK in every cocktail I tried it in, but unremarkable.
Parting words: Benchmark had been a punchline for me for many years. The “Old No. 8” is, to me, the worst bottom shelf bourbon available from a major distiller, with the possible exception of Ten High. I joked about it frequently in the old forum days. I never blogged about it for that reason, although it may have been worth it just for the mental exercise of coming up with gross tasting notes.
This bonded version isn’t too bad, though. I do struggle to justify buying it over, say Evan Williams white label at around the same price or Early Times BiB and Very Old Barton 100 proof at an even lower price. Plus it’s not even available in Michigan at the moment.
In the end, Benchmark Bonded is a decent mixer, but there’s not much of a reason to seek it out. It’s mildly recommended.
Sipology 
Exactly, what’s the point when Evan Williams Bottled In Bond is a fabulous mixer and decent sipper. It’s even on sale in Pennsylvania this month $34 for a 1.75 liter bottle. This way my gateway to bourbon. I’m amazed that more bars don’t make EW 100 the well / rail bourbon.