Find Your Perfect Bourbon in 60 Seconds

Take the bourbon Matchmaker quiz and get 5 personalized bourbon recommendations based on your budget, flavor preferences, proof comfort, and bourbon style.

Discover Your Bourbon Profile

If you've ever searched for what bourbon should I buy, best bourbon for beginners, best bourbon gift for a whiskey lover, or where to buy bourbon online, our Bourbon Matchmaker quiz is your go to. The quiz helps simplify the process by recommending bottles based on your taste preferences, budget, proof comfort, and bourbon style.

Looking for sweeter bourbons, or bolder high proof options, the quiz helps guide you toward bourbons that match your palate more closely.

Many people searching for the best bourbon for beginners are looking for options that offer smooth flavor without overwhelming heat. The quiz simplifies your bourbon search and helps you discover bottles worth trying.

Find My Bourbon

Takes about a minute. Answer a few quick questions about your taste, proof, and budget. You'll get your bourbon type, 5 personalized bottle picks.

How it Works

Tell us what you like. Sweet or spicy, smooth or bold, a bargain bottle or a splurge. There are no wrong answers.
Get your bourbon type. We match you to one of six bourbon styles, from Sweet & Smooth Sipper to High Proof Explorer.
Get 5 bottle picks. Your results arrive by email, so you can pick your next bottle with confidence.

What You'll Get

Your bourbon type, so you understand what you like and why
5 personalized bourbon recommendations based on flavor, proof, and budget
Tasting notes so you know what to expect before you buy
A simple tasting guide for trying each recommended bottle

Your full results are sent to the email you enter at the end of the quiz.

white labeled bottles on brown wooden table

The Six Bourbon Profiles

Every taker lands in one of six styles. Here's what each one means. Select a style to learn more.

Sweet & Smooth Sipper

You like bourbon that's soft, easy, and a little sweet. Think caramel, vanilla, honey, and a gentle finish with very little burn. Wheated bourbons are often a great fit. Explore Sweet & Smooth bourbon

Bold & Spicy Lover

You want flavor with a kick. Peppery rye spice, cinnamon, and a bold, lively finish keep you coming back. High-rye bourbons are your territory. Explore Bold & Spicy bourbon

You love classic bourbon character: toasted oak, char, deep caramel, and a rich, woody finish. You appreciate age and tradition. Explore Oak-Forward bourbon

Oak Focused Traditionalist

High Proof Explorer

You like intensity. Higher-proof bourbons bring big flavor and a long finish, and you enjoy adding a drop of water to see how the whiskey opens up. Explore High Proof bourbon

Budget Friendly Drinker

You want a great pour without overspending. You know good bourbon doesn't have to be expensive, and you like a dependable bottle you can pour any night. Explore Budget-Friendly bourbon

Premium Allocated Hunter

You chase the special bottles: limited releases, store picks, and hard-to-find pours. You care about rarity and the story behind the bottle. Explore Premium Allocated bourbon

Who is the Quiz for

Bourbon beginners. Not sure where to start? The quiz turns "I don't know what I like" into a short list of bottles to try. If you're not sure you like whiskey, you'll be pointed toward softer, sweeter styles first.

Enthusiasts. Already have a shelf? Find out which style you lean toward, and get ideas for what to try next beyond your usual bottles.

Gift buyers. Shopping for a bourbon lover? Take the quiz with them in mind, or ask them to take it. See our best bourbons under $50 for gift-friendly picks.

Example Bottles by Bourbon Profile

Your quiz results are personalized, so yours may differ. A bottle can fit more than one type. Prices vary by store, so confirm locally.

Sweet & Smooth Sipper: Maker's Mark, Larceny Small Batch, Basil Hayden
Bold & Spicy Lover: Bulleit Bourbon, Old Grand-Dad Bonded, Wild Turkey 101
Oak-Forward Traditionalist: Elijah Craig Small Batch, Knob Creek 9 Year, Russell's Reserve 10 Year
High Proof Explorer: Old Forester 100, Wild Turkey 101, Sazerac Rye Full Proof (a rye at 125 proof)
Budget-Friendly Drinker: Buffalo Trace, Four Roses Yellow Label, Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
Premium Allocated Hunter: Weller Special Reserve and Eagle Rare 10 Year are popular allocated bottles that are often hard to find at fair prices.

Looking for more recommendations? Take the quiz or checkout our full list of the best bourbons under $50.

What to do with Your Results

Got your bottles? Here's how to get the most out of every pour.

Pour a small amount into a rocks glass or a tulip-shaped tasting glass.
Smell it first. Bring the glass close with your mouth slightly open and notice caramel, fruit, spice, or oak.
Take a small sip and let it sit on your tongue.
Try it neat first. Then add a few drops of water to see how the flavors change.
Take notes. Write down what you taste so you can compare bottles later.
Compare. Pour two bottles side by side. It's the easiest way to learn what you like.

Want to taste with other people? Join a local bourbon club in your area or attend a whiskey tasting.

Frequently asked questions

How does the bourbon quiz work?

You answer a few questions about the flavors you like, how much proof you want, and your budget. We match you to one of six bourbon styles and send you 5 bottle recommendations by email.

Is the bourbon quiz free?

Yes, the quiz is free. You'll get your results by email.

What bourbon should I buy as a beginner?

Start with something soft and slightly sweet, with a lower to moderate proof. Buffalo Trace, Larceny Small Batch, and Maker's Mark are popular starting points. Take the quiz for picks matched to your taste.

What's the difference between bourbon and whiskey?

All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. To be called bourbon, the spirit must be made in the United States from at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels, with nothing added but water. Other whiskeys, like Scotch or rye, follow different rules.

What does proof mean?

Proof is double the alcohol percentage. A 100 proof bourbon is 50% alcohol by volume. Higher proof usually means more intense flavor and more heat. Lower proof tends to feel gentler.

Do I have to give my email to get my results?

[Yes, your full personalized results are sent by email.

How should I taste the bourbons I'm matched with?

Pour a small amount, smell it first, try it neat, then add a few drops of water. Take notes so you can compare bottles later.

What is a wheated bourbon?

A wheated bourbon uses wheat instead of rye as its secondary grain, which usually makes it softer and sweeter. Maker's Mark and Larceny are well-known examples, which is why they often match the Sweet & Smooth Sipper type.