Vinepair iconVinepairSep 10, 2026

We Asked 16 Bartenders: What’s the Best Bourbon for Beginners? (2026)

The category presents a wide swath of delicious expressions for novices to try, and discovering a bottle that particularly grooves with your palate's sensibilities can often inspire further exploration. Fortunately, there are plenty of terrific bourbons on the market that can excite your palate without requiring a full-on splurge.

We Asked 16 Bartenders: What’s the Best Bourbon for Beginners? (2026)

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The category presents a wide swath of delicious expressions for novices to try, and discovering a bottle that particularly grooves with your palate's sensibilities can often inspire further exploration.

Fortunately, there are plenty of terrific bourbons on the market that can excite your palate without requiring a full-on splurge.

Like any new hobby, getting into bourbon can be fun and exciting.

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The useful part

The category presents a wide swath of delicious expressions for novices to try, and discovering a bottle that particularly grooves with your palate's sensibilities can often inspire further exploration. Fortunately, there are plenty of terrific bourbons on the market that can excite your palate without requiring a full-on splurge. Like any new hobby, getting into bourbon can be fun and exciting.

Details worth keeping

Like any new hobby, getting into bourbon can be fun and exciting. Of course, it costs money to begin your bourbon journey.

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