There are some bourbons people may reserve for specific occasions. Those moments could include unwinding after a hard day at work, toasting a surprising burst of good news, basking in the afterglow of a life event, or even just enjoying some unexpected good weather. Whatever the reason, they compel the imbiber to reach for a singular bottle to match the moment’s zeitgeist.
But then, there’s the bourbon that we find perfect for any occasion. The aromatics, palate entry, and flavor profile deliver enough satisfaction and comfort to transcend any context. It’s a go-to bourbon simply because it’s a damn good dram, and no other reason needs to exist. There are no wrong answers when it comes to choosing yours, but given the bourbon market’s broad selection, people are bound to have different favorites that work for them.
To explore this variance, we asked 18 bartenders what they choose when they simply want a bourbon that brings joy to the palate every time, any time.
The best go-to bourbon, according to bartenders: Elijah Craig Small Batch Garrison Brothers Small Batch Chattanooga 111 Wyoming Whiskey Double Cask Bourbon Whiskey Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon Wild Turkey 101 Buffalo Trace Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled in Bond Laws Four-Grain Bourbon George Dickel 8 year FEW Bottled-in-Bond Straight Bourbon Old Tub Bourbon The Family Jones’ Elia Jones Bourbon Larceny Bourbon Kentucky Gentleman Four Roses
“Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon has long been a go-to of mine for making cocktails, especially a classic Old
