Top 12+ bourbon brands you should skip buying

Calumet Farm

Calumet Farm isn't a budget brand. It features several nice offerings, including the once discontinued Single Rack Black 12-year. However, one of my mantras with whiskey is to be cautious with spirits packed in fancy bottles. If the bourbon inside is good enough, then it should sell itself. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, but it's something to think about. The likes of Calumet Farm can catch your eye with premium packaging but let you down where it matters most. It's far from being the worst brand on the market, but the quality doesn't match the price point.

When it comes to flavor profile, many bottles fall flat and showcase unremarkable tasting notes. The whiskey is often muted or unbalanced, especially when compared to other labels that are around the same price point. If you're gifted a bottle or are able to get a reasonably-priced glass at a bar, then it can be worth trying, but buying a bottle won't be money well spent. For the price of most Calumet Farm labels, you can get several affordable alternatives. Unless you want a bottle that looks great on your bar shelf, look elsewhere.

Two Stars

I always chuckle when I come across the brand Two Stars. The name was intended to be a nod to the municipal flag of Louisville but seems more like a self-fulfilling prophecy given the review scores it's often given. Even if you're a casual bourbon drinker, you expect your whiskey to have a certain level of flavor and balance. Two Stars is a brand that does not fulfill the expectation. It lacks a distinctive character that typically helps bourbon to remain unique and differ from its rivals.

A bourbon such as Two Stars has no personality. Because of this, the sharp alcohol will immediately overpower any aroma and taste. Besides that, the mouthfeel comes off as weak and tastes thin. There is perhaps some muted caramel and spice, but that's also a stretch. Even as a mixer, it doesn't stand out. The distinctively thin body makes it hard to taste any whiskey and feels like you've just added pure alcohol to your drink. When it comes to a review score for this whiskey, even two stars may be too generous.

Lexington Bourbon

Lexington markets itself as "Finest Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey," which is something most bourbon lovers don't necessarily agree with. Inspired by the state's horse racing heritage, this whiskey doesn't have the quality or grace of the horse that inspired its name. The label and marketing no doubt catch the eye but the bourbon isn't a winner. Coming in at the mid-price range, there are countless other bottles with a similar price tag that have more complexity. The nose of this bourbon isn't bad but doesn't offer much beyond the basic notes. The taste is decent, with some caramel sweetness and a touch of charred oak. It also has a fairly creamy mouthfeel with a touch of warming spices.

The range of tasting notes is quite decent, but they are quite weak and don't have the quality of other bourbons. It's one of many whiskeys that attach themselves to a famous bit of history or nostalgia, and I hope this will appeal to a wider audience. Lexington Bourbon may be intriguing for lovers of horse racing, but serious bourbon drinkers will have little reason to add this to their collection. It's another bourbon that is not bad, but it's also not good enough that we would recommend buying.

Blade and Bow

Blade and Bow is another brand with elegant packaging. With bottles often selling for $50, it's ultimately a bourbon that doesn't justify the price tag. With such a great name and ties with the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery, it's easy to see why many would be tempted to buy this brand. Additionally, the brand has a clever marketing strategy by selling five different keys attached to the bottles. Anyone who collects all five can redeem prizes and gain access to a club that gathers the most loyal and fervent fans.

The nose is fairly light, but you do get faint notes of honey, apricot, and vanilla. It's a nice range of aromas, but they are too muted and somewhat difficult to recognize. The palate has many similar issues. There is a fruity element with some honey sweetness and a gentle spice. The finish isn't harsh, but it is a little short. Blade and Bow doesn't have the warmth or character that you associate with great bourbon. Again, we have a familiar issue of great marketing that does not equally successful product. The only viable reason to get a bottle of Blade and Bow is to satisfy your curiosity. But if you're looking for substance over style, look elsewhere.