The 7 Best Bourbons for Mint Juleps, According to Kentucky Bartenders

Buffalo Trace

Few Kentucky whiskeys have the reputation of the flagship bourbon from Frankfort’s legendary Buffalo Trace Distillery. In certain parts of the country, Buffalo Trace’s popularity has made this whiskey difficult to find, but if you can find it at the suggested price of $25, it’s an incredibly versatile spirit. Approachable and sweet, it offers mellow notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and toffee with a hint of rye spice and a light oakiness. 

With its classic bourbon flavor profile, this whiskey should be one of the first you consider for a Julep.

“Buffalo Trace is an obvious choice for a cocktail that is whiskey-forward,” says Roach. “It will partner up perfectly with the mint and sugar, allowing the accompanying flavors to shine without losing the body and character of the whiskey.”

Larceny Small Batch

Larceny Small Batch is what’s referred to as a “wheated” bourbon, meaning that the secondary grain in the mash bill is wheat instead of the more commonly used rye. This style of bourbon is prized for its easy sipping profile, but it works beautifully when mixed as well. “The softer, rounded profile of this wheated bourbon creates a really great balance in a Julep,” says Knott. “The caramel notes go extremely well with the mint, making both flavors stand out instead of masking each other.”

Worth noting, there's more complexity to Larceny than the spirit's smoothness lets on. “Its palate is delicate, with cinnamon spice, nutmeg, and baking spices contrasting with notes of sweet honey,” says Roach. “This is a very inviting bourbon, sweet and smooth but also bold. Its softness makes for a Julep that will be balanced and slightly sweet.” 

Woodford Reserve

Since 1999, Woodford Reserve has held the title of “official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby,” and deservedly so — it’s an excellent choice for a Mint Julep.

“Woodford’s mash bill of 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% malted barley allows it to be bold and complex, with flavors of dried fruit, cinnamon, toffee, and chocolate, with hints of mint and citrus,” says Roach. Woodford Reserve releases a limited edition Kentucky Derby bottle to commemorate the race every year.

Wheat also recommends upgrading to the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, if available. “It is less spice and [more] vanilla cotton candy mixed with dark cherries,” he says. “With Double Oaked in a Mint Julep you don’t need additional sugar, just add fresh mint crushed ice and enjoy the races.”

If you’re lucky enough to visit Churchill Downs, Woodford Reserve offers a special Thousand Dollar Julep that comes in a handmade silver cup. This year, Woodford Reserve is donating the proceeds from the Thousand Dollar Julep to the Backside Learning Center, an independent non-profit organization that provides support and resources for the racetrack workers who make the Kentucky Derby happen every year.

J.W. Dant Bottled in Bond

This affordable offering from the Heaven Hill Distillery is bottled-in-bond bourbon, giving it all of the strength and flavor necessary to make a great Julep.  “[J.W. Dant] is one of the most underrated bottles of bourbon on the market,” says Wheat. “It has a finish of warm baking spices that play beautifully with the brightness of fresh mint in the Julep.”

“Its vibrant spice bouquet and mild sweetness plays well with the earthy freshness of mint, and the 100-proof point will ensure you can still actually taste your bourbon after you’ve crowned it with a hefty scoop of shaved ice,” says Baker. “It retails for a modest $15-20 per bottle, so you can make Juleps for the entire infield.”

Four Roses Single Barrel

The Kentucky Derby is often referred to as “the run for the roses,” so it makes perfect sense to mix a Julep with Four Roses Single Barrel. This widely available single-barrel product has notes of ripe plums, blackberry, and rich cherry with baking spice, citrus fruits, and a slight herbaceous flowery accent that provides contrast. 

“Despite the palate of this 100-proof bourbon being somewhat of a flavor bomb on its own, [when] diluted into a frosty, minty concoction, it mingles well with the components of the drink... its natural fruity sweetness bolsters the crisp mint and warming spiciness,” says Baker.

Given that this pick is a single-barrel bourbon, no two barrels will taste exactly the same. “Using a single barrel expression in your cocktail will deliver a libation that is unique in character and will have a noticeable contrast to a small batch label,” says Roach. 

Knob Creek 9 Year

Hailing from the James B. Beam distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, Knob Creek is a 100-proof workhorse that plays beautifully alongside the sugar and mint in a Julep. This small batch, no age-stated bourbon is affordable, readily available, and packed with flavor.

“[Knob Creek] is one of my all-time favorite bourbons,” says Baker. “There is a note reminiscent of spiced, roasted nuts, with warm vanilla, brown sugar, green peppercorn, and baking spice that I like juxtaposing with something verdant like herbs.” 

If you like your Juleps made with high-octane bourbon, consider picking up one of Knob Creek’s 9-year-old, 120-proof, single-barrel offerings. If you favor oaky sweetness, Knob Creek 12 is another excellent option.

Blanton’s Takara Gold

The Kentucky Derby has a well-earned reputation for extravagance and there are few bourbons as extravagant as Blanton’s Takara Gold. Topped with a miniature jockey riding a horse, Blanton’s is already closely associated with horse racing, but this export-only single-barrel bourbon ratchets up the opulence. For a Mint Julep that matches the over-the-top nature of the Derby, this expression of Blanton’s is sure to impress. 

Wheat fully acknowledges the apparent absurdity of using an incredibly rare and expensive single-barrel bourbon in a cocktail, but according to him, the results are too good to ignore.

“It’s 8 years in the barrel giving it a raisin quality similar to Cognac that really shines when you add mint and a small drop of sugar to it,” he says. “A light pepper finish from the rye washes the sweetness off your palate, making an extremely balanced and inviting cocktail that continually holds your interest as the ice slowly melts and Julep tin frosts over.”