Top 10 Best Bourbons & American Whiskeys of 2020

[@evanbranscum6126]

The fact that Pikesville, Rare Breed, and Knob Creek 9 yr sib are in the top 10 means that we all win

[@clintondeabreu8565]

Rare Breed so underrated, always good, always consistent

[@timgallivan6127]

Hi Sara, Tim and Therese (TNT) from the Chicago area. We had the pleasure of meeting you at the Break Room a little more than a week ago on our way to Gatlinburg. We are home now and wanted to drop you a quick note-taking you for your kindness and hospitality that afternoon. You're even more kind and adorable in real life. Completely enjoyed our visit. Thank you for bringing out the "special stuff". Love your channel and BTW, Chad is pretty cool too. We aren't normally very vocal in the comments. But perhaps after meeting you we will be a bit more. Again, cheers and keep up the great clogs. You are awesome!

[@danielprice3394]

What a fun watch that was! Professional presentation, blind, and fair. Couple great surprises in there, well done!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Well, thank you!!

[@Rick_McKee]

Couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been drinking Knob Creek 9yr for over 25yrs. Only in the past six months I’ve ventured into other bourbons. Hard to justify paying over double what you pay for your favorite.

[@mikehorton1934]

I did not acquire a taste for whiskey until I was in my 50s. To be more specific, it wasn't until I moved to Tennessee three years ago. It's been a slow and satisfying journey to enlightenment. It's vids like this that make that journey more fulfilling. I've been fortunate in that I work with people that are passionate about this glorious liquid and I have sampled some incredible bottles. Many that I have tried are well out of my price range and, to an extent, my physical reach due to availability. I am not surprised by some of your choices because I have come to similar conclusions. My pallet isn't remotely as experienced as yours, but I appreciate how you emphasize that you "like what you like" and make no apologies. I have added several to my list, thanks to this video.

[@cgbach]

Wish I had a woman who enjoyed whiskey in my life! Great video. Love you guys!

[@jeremybamgbade]

Love my wife....but I feel you on that.

[@cgbach]

@@jeremybamgbade haha can’t ease her into it?

[@jeremybamgbade]

@@cgbach lol no ive been trying for years. She can't handle any whiskey neat not even with ice. She'll only drink bourbon in a cocktail.

[@cgbach]

@@jeremybamgbade well that’s better than most and a good start. Couldn’t get my previous one off the wine, sangria, and margaritas.

[@MrNoName813]

@@jeremybamgbade mine will only sip on bourbons on the sweet side like Eagle Rare. I might try Bookers next. Any other suggestions?

[@steveno7058]

Blind is best! Best way to make a top 10. Pikesville changed my mind about Rye, thanks to your recommendation.

[@scooter2d2]

I missed this episode! It popped up on my suggestions as I was watching another one of your vids! How the hell did I miss this??? Nice vid y’all….even though I’m friggin late to the party!

[@maxdarrow939]

Man honestly you guys are doing such an awesome job. WAY more personality than comparable channels. Keep up the good work and keep ‘em coming!

[@gocats132]

Love seeing the Knob Creek and Rare Breed in the top 10, I love them both and they are affordable and available. Winner winner chicken dinner

[@bocain812]

Your uploads get better and better. Thanks!

[@drgallup]

I think my bottle of KC 9 yr old 120 is different from yours as it's a store pick but seriously good for $44. Enjoyed the show, I'm a big fan of blind tasting, appreciate all the "work" you put into it. Love seeing Pikesville and Rare Breed scoring so high as they are always available. There is just too much overpriced limited availability bottlings out there. I get why the distilleries do it, good business for them but I learned long ago with wine that there is an upper limit on how good a bottle can be but there is no upper limit on price. Establish your comfort point and just walk away from the uber expensive stuff. 2 bottles of good $50 whiskey beats 1 bottle of $100 whiskey every day of the week.

[@KvndS29]

Great job guys, I am watching almost a year later and still solid relevent information. The more I learn the more I realize that cost is not a true measure of the best bourbon available alot of the time it is finding out what is out there before everybody else does that's when the price skyrockets. But fortunately we live in a product rich country where there are many great bourbons to choose from at any given time.

[@mpkcordoc1220]

U guys r great as always. Love that you did this blind with the double check. The results left us with a great variety of the readily available and ones to hunt for. Awesome job and Happy New Year to u both!

[@carolinakayakadventures270]

Thanks for sharing!!! You are both fantastic and fun to watch. I appreciate your honesty and I'm glad you guys did the test blind. Can't deny it when its blind!!! Cheers and Happy New Year!!!

[@jdwinfield8598]

That 9 year 120 proof is awesome in my opinion. So, I'm not surprised. So happy to see it rise to near the top.

[@incorbanated]

My jaw literally dropped open when you revealed #3 😱😲😯😂 It will definitely be my next purchase, I’ve put it off long enough!

[@GPosner8]

Happy New Year you crazy kids😉😀🎉 Thank you for all your reviews and most of all for making me smile and laugh during an otherwise horrendous year🥰🥃🥃

[@WineGuide]

I can't wait to get my hands on the Knob Creek 9 year. Loved this episode. Extremely helpful and a load of fun to watch. Cheers.

[@thereddog223]

Definitely good

[@steelbob3]

Great video guys. Cracked me up when you revealed the Knob Creek 9. It's always cool to see stuff like that happen in a blind pick.

[@jasonc.5718]

Great transparency and well put together!

[@SippersSocialClub]

Love the approach for your whiskey of the year. Great stuff guys! Cheers on another awesome year on the channel!

[@jsmoth174]

I love the video. I’m new to bourbon. I’m still trying new and bourbons. I will give these a try.

[@bennetthasty7886]

As a bourbon 🥃 lover on a budget glad some non-LEs were on the list. I’m trying the Knob Creek smoked maple 🍁 now & just finished the 9 yr happy to find out I’m a Knobhead never had them before this fall

[@jasono.1629]

Thanks for the honest blind taste rankings, and the very detailed notes you guys recited on each. Much appreciated!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Of course! Thanks!

[@timrainey4907]

Love your insightful input along with your best picks... I couldn't disagree with any of it!!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Thank you!

[@Rozz-1334]

Really enjoyed the video & appreciated the list. I think doing the blind tasting was definitely worth it, even if some aren't accessible to me. I was surprised to see wheated & finished bourbons doing so well.

[@joefair4139]

This was one of my favorite episodes of 2020. Cheers!

[@markwanner3633]

Loved this vid, great work! And love that many in your top 10 are reasonably easy to find and afford. Would be interested in a behind-the-scenes blog too to find out what happened to my beloved ECBP.

[@mark5ization]

I'm surprised the A120 or C920 didn't make the list :-O

[@Squatch-Shine]

Great year guys . Yall had great content and can't wait for new adventures .

[@MartinMcClellanGT]

Happy New Year 🥳 2021 ! Thanks for the entertaining KZbin videos during the entire 2020. Drink more bourbon 🥃

[@Rrix36]

This is the first time I have watched and it's clear that Sara is the most perfect woman on the planet.

[@kirk-uk2yo]

Great Show! Happy New Year!!

[@MrZanzibar123]

Much respect for all the time (fun time, but still) put into this fun list! Thanks for the great videos, and happy new year!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Happy New Year to you!

[@bb4726-h5e]

You guys make me want to move to Kentucky, and I live in beautiful Prague, Czech Republic!

[@craig947]

Really respect the method. Well done, IBN!

[@brianstauffacher]

We have been subscribed to you many years now. You are still a perfect Rose Byrne look-alike! We love every last video you have ever made! Thank you.

[@stevenreed007]

Cheers and happy New Years bourbon night peeps! I’m stoked that KC 9 yr SiB came in so high! I made a FB post recently saying that I felt this offering was the best bourbon on the shelf for $50 or under (and I got very mixed reviews... some loving it too and others saying I needed to expand my collection). Glad you two loved it so much... I kinda feel a little bit more justified now ;-). Love the channel and enjoy watching your stuff all the time! Blessings to you and the channel viewers in 2021!

[@matthew354]

What an awesome team you both make up, I love watching your reviews and this top 10 was really fun. I found the KC 12 CS and I’m still working my way into it but its really good, as is the regular KC 12 year 100 proof. So hard to pick between them

[@rclem21]

Awesome video. Its going in my Top 5 of 2021!! Try to beat it.

[@freddieslaughter1107]

It is amazing that all the top whiskies shown online by different reviewers do not like the same ones, just goes to show you every bodies taste is different, no body likes the same thing.

[@djenob1]

Rare breed and eagle rare are my favorite, daily sippers! Will try noob creek 9 next!

[@TheCs1968]

Such great content! Thamks for all you do for our education.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

You’re welcome and thank you!

[@dgl52495]

wowsas, you all were gushing over the 2020 GTS and didn't even crack top 10! Love what happens blind...Thanks for a great year of whiskey!

[@hombreleon]

Loved the Top 10 list. 👍🏼 I put W.L. Weller 2020 as my top pick for a store lottery, right above Pappy 15. Wish me luck!

[@mark5ization]

Sending some (luck) your way.

[@BourbonOfTheWeek]

Ive literally only had 3 of these Stagg Jr. Rare Breed and the Knob Creek 9 year. I could get my hands on the 12 and now ill have to but the rest have always been on the list of must finds. Hopefully one day! Cheers and Happy New Year.

[@deanwiegand661]

I received the Knob Creek 9 year for Christmas. Impressed where you ranked it. It is VERY good!

[@chrismarshall4486]

Oh yeah. That knob creek 9 is super nice. Definitely my favorite

[@jefftaylor5462]

Great list, but where can you find W. L. Weller, especially under $1,000?

[@alwayslovewhiskey6450]

just watched, thank you for being you. amazing couple. your honesty just got you another patreon fan.

[@000006ify]

About got the 12 year a couple times but never pulled the trigger.

[@natebauermeister270]

What a fun past month of videos!

[@garth3r879]

Idk what it is, but I personally don't like any Weller products. I give them a shot every year, but not for me. The important thing is it makes you happy, and that makes me happy. Happy New Year guys.

[@wiscowhiskeyreview]

Awesome list, guys! I think there's a great balance there of harder-to-find hitters and every day things that are on the shelves but fantastic values. Makes me feel better about still being new to the game and not being able to score all of the allocated stuff. I'd love to see where the other choices landed too. Cheers to 2021 you two! -Jeff R.

[@glennfyfe1357]

Happy New Year and thanks again, nice to have someone to drink with.

[@tobaccoman1542]

I searched for a bourbon rating video because I bought a bottle of 9 yr KNOB cr and was surprised to see it at no 3 lol nice 👍🏻

[@wildlifewhiskey3636]

Really awesome to see some great every days make the list.. three that I always have on the shelf. Any chance of more blind videos this year? those are always my favorite from yall. but great video and cheers to yall

[@sregusa]

What was the full list of 29 that you started with??? Really appreciate the walk thru of the process and the absence of certain criteria used by others. Very transparent and informative!

[@warrendinCLE]

First watch of you guys! Awesome. Like what and how you are doing things!keep it up. Enjoyed it!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Thanks for the watch and comment! We hope you’ll stick around, cheers!

[@jasonmencias3480]

Great job! Always enjoy the top 10 of the year! Would love to hear how 11-25 played out...

[@andrewmainprice2179]

When I look at pappy I think of the 20 bottles of rare breed I could buy instead.

[@joepastrana7287]

I just caught this video and really enjoyed how you guys came about your list. Great job and great list. I’m in a lottery for a WLW so I’m keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 Cheers 🥃

[@tms022tube]

I would be interested in your opinion of Chattanooga Bourbon. I am admittedly a noob, but I love it, even over Weller...

[@evanimeksabinodasilvaberna241]

Hello guys! I have doubts about straight and barrel proof, Is it equal?

[@johnwallace6853]

HI, have your reviewed Birddog 7 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon? What about Leiper’s Fork Tennessee Whiskey Bottled in Bond? Can you share a link to your review or do a review?

[@scottmecham3651]

Great list guys, always entertaining. Wishing you all the best for the new year. Oh, my wife wanted let Sara know she loved her hair. Cheers!

[@mark5ization]

"What's not to love?!!"

[@jamesmay887]

I'm in VA and can only get a few of your top 10. I'm a Beam fan and have not had Little Book yet. That'll be my next bottle.

[@timtimtimmay4654]

Still can't believe ECBP didn't sneak in somewhere other than the notable mentions

[@DSM4CK]

Happy New Year! I salute your bravery for doing this blind, I better stock up on rare breed while I still can.

[@stephenwoicik6012]

Love the presentation and the fact it is blind. A little heavy on Beam but that's your palette. Most, but three, you can get. Not surprised about WT because it's my go to and obviously you and I go for the higher proof.

[@calebweintraub1]

Great list and ...- good work on lighting, b-roll shots, and the camera shifts/ zooms.

[@ryankoehler3170]

The great thing about this, as I'm more of a cigar guy...its all about what you love.

[@alexwebb3726]

great job guys! Some fun surprises (Go Pikesville!). Any idea how distributed the KC 12 cask is? Love the regular 12 so that is one I want to find. Of course love the store picks as well

[@MrMortimer0122]

Surprised no Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof.

[@mbtious87]

Really enjoyed your review!

[@jamessocal8946]

Great list, superb content as always. I can’t help thinking as you focus on the best of 2020 ..... If I could get half price resale for all the bottles I picked up during the year that I don’t really care for ...... I could buy a bottle of WLW. At secondary. 🤔

[@ryanjames8933]

Great list 👌 Happy New year!

[@mikecheeseman7866]

Thanks! Happy New Year!

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

On the bookers 2020-01 I got a lot of dusty corn like over anything else I have now had 3-4 pours and it’s the same it’s almost off putting but y’all say such good things about it. Is mine a fluke.

[@sweezey1981]

Good list. I'd like to see the full list of what yall were comparing.

[@the_jtown1952]

Great video. Definitely had to sub after that. I'll have to check out some of these.

[@saleen12]

Out of curiosity, with how much experience you 2 have, it should be fairly easy for you to tell distilleries if not exact bottles even blind right? I mean I can nail distilleries and certain bottles pretty easily and I'm not expert. I wonder if that has any impact on rankings, even though it's blind.

[@Ando2k10]

Sadly, in PA, I only have the opportunity to get one of those....the Rare Breed. Our state store doesn't have any of the others.

[@alecm4295]

I'm in Ohio. The struggle is real.

[@jsmoth174]

Any advice for a new bourbon drinker

[@bill-qv3er]

Last time I saw the WLW it was 2K. I have never seen it for less that 1K.

[@flyingirish31]

Wow little book was terrible this year. Can’t believe you put it there.

[@Springcreekadventures]

Great job guys.

[@clintondeabreu8565]

Really surprised Elijah Craig C920 didn’t make the list.

[@brucebelitz3451]

I really like it! As we as a family find regular EC kind of boring, this one stood out and is delicious!

[@alansomebody6886]

Rught? Rare Breed is the hidden gem that I hope not too many others find because its my cool secret treasure!

[@BretSimmons]

The Knob Creek 12 is in my local Costco for $55. Maker's 46 Cask Strength is also at Costco for $55

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

Surprised by the WT Rare Breed. Like how thorough y’all are on the blind tastings. I’ve never seen WLW in the wild but my next pickup will be the KC9SB.

[@markjoppru8015]

Great list. You guys are great

[@kbarnes0]

Love you guys! Any little bourbon Knights in the near future? P.S. It's all about that long finish.........Happy New Year!!!

[@miguelgallardo4504]

Great stuff, I love it! Have you guys thought about including some Scotch in 2021? I know “Its Bourbon Night” and lord knows there’s a lot of American to choose from but a scotch or two comparison would be great.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Would love to, we're just not the people you would want reviewing Scotch! haha.

[@royalcat10]

@@ItsBourbonNight Personally, I think your guys' opinion and reviews on different scotches would be very valid and interesting to hear. Even if you feel you're inexperienced with it, or just don't like it, or whatever your reason may be... It gives other people that have your similar preferences, tastes, and experience an idea how they may or may not feel about it. Whether you give it a good or bad review, it's gonna be worth something to somebody. But, either way, your content is great, as usual!

[@mark5ization]

@@ItsBourbonNight ;-O

[@mark5ization]

If this was a Top 20, would any of the Wilderness Trail stuff have ranked? Just wondering.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Ya know, hard to say! We could guess but as this blind experience the has shown, we would be probably be wrong! ;) haha!

[@tylerdeputy1463]

So if I have an extra Stagg Jr Batch 15 and would consider sending the bottle your way as a thank you for all the bourbon education, how would I go about doing that?

[@JmanEspresso]

what are you guys paying for William Larue Weller in KY? Cuz Im lookin at 999.99 in NY. 499.99 for George T Stagg, which sucks but was kinda expected. 199.99 for Stagg JR. NY, gotta love it.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Don’t even know! Haven’t seen a single bottle for sale anywhere in KY yet.

[@baaa4698]

Not sure where u are in NY but far from NYC in the western (and slightly more sane) part of the state, I’ve picked up a few Stagg Jrs at $80 a piece. My G.T. Staggs were found in TN at $350 each. After playing in the whiskey world a bit, I think it’s fair to say a high acquisition price doesn’t always correlate to a great pour but rather the price is simply based on availability in your area and the monetary foolishness of the local buyers. The only WLW I’ve seen in the wild was in the San Jose, Cali area at a mere $799.😘)

[@mark5ization]

@@baaa4698 $799 for WLW? Omigod, that's a steal! (-as in, the store's stealing your $$$)

[@baaa4698]

@@mark5ization I left it there for ya.

[@Avalk9724]

Do you like malt whiskies too? Or only bourbons?

[@Rez311]

So blind you preferred the 9 yr knob creek over the 12 yr knob creek? Or was 12 yr knob not part of this test?

[@WhiskyMaltContent]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is the best value for money burbon ever... even me a little Polish KZbin whisky reviewer sad so when I was able grabbed a few bottles in Poland for around $18 per bottle....