Whiskey Review: Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star Bourbon

This week’s pour is a curious one: Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star, a 90-proof bourbon distilled at Buffalo Trace using their well-known Mash Bill #2 (the same one used in Blanton’s and Elmer T. Lee).

We haven’t reviewed this bottle since 2019, but we were surprised by what we learned going into this one. Even though Buffalo Trace distills this whiskey, the brand itself is owned by Age International, a Japanese company that retained ownership of several labels, including Ancient Age, Blanton’s, Rock Hill Farms, and Hancock’s Reserve—even after selling the distillery back to Sazerac.

At one time, “Ancient Ancient Age” had a 10-year age statement. Today, that age statement is gone, replaced with the ambiguous "10 Star" designation. It’s now rumored to contain bourbon as young as three years old. So what do you get for $16–$19 a liter? We popped the cork to find out.

This review is taken from our episode "Iron Man (2008) / Ancient Ancient Age 10-Star Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.

Nose

Brad:
This leans toward cherry and butterscotch, but there's also an astringent, young character. I’d say you can still catch a hint of what the “10 stars” used to promise. There’s nothing offensive here—it’s not bad—but it’s also not getting me excited.
Score: 5.5/10

Bob:
When you're drinking something that costs about $16 for a 750 ml equivalent, you expect very little. But for that price, this nose is surprisingly complex. I’m picking up deep black cherry, some brown sugar, and a decent amount of oak. Honestly, it smells older than its likely age.
Score: 7/10

Taste

Brad:
The palate is probably the highlight. It reminds me of cherry yogurt: there’s a tart creaminess to it. It’s oak-forward, with a touch of baking spice. Pleasant, but not especially bold.
Score: 6.5/10

Bob:
I was surprised by how much I liked this. The front of the palate didn’t offer much: it was thin and tart with a sour cherry vibe—but then the mid- and back-palate brought in some nice spice. It lacks the warmth you’d expect from a 90-proof bourbon, but there’s enough oak to give it character. This tastes more mature than Benchmark or other low-tier Buffalo Trace offerings.
Score: 7/10

Finish

Brad:
The finish really dropped off for me. It fades fast and leaves behind a cherry cough syrup note. The oak takes over, but it’s not a refined oak—more of a harsh dryness.
Score: 5/10

Bob:
I’m with you that it’s not a strong finish, but I found a little something redeeming in the sweetness. There’s a simple syrup quality that helps temper the Robitussin edge. It didn’t make me want to stop sipping.
Score: 5.5/10

Balance

Bob:
The drop-off in the finish pulls down the whole experience a bit. Still, there’s a thread of sweetness that runs through the nose and taste, and it helps everything hang together. It’s not a bold bourbon, but for a cheap daily sipper? It works.
Score: 6.5/10

Brad:
Nothing really stands out here for me, and that lack of impact hurts the balance. It’s drinkable, but not distinctive.
Score: 5.5/10

Value

Brad:
For $19 in Ohio, you’re getting a 1-liter bottle. That’s 33% more whiskey than a standard 750 ml, and it still undercuts most bottom-shelf competitors. It’s not amazing, but if you’re just looking for a cheap bottle to have on hand, this gets the job done.
Score: 7/10

Bob:
Compared to Benchmark (which is a different mash bill), I actually prefer this. The flavor is more developed, and the sweetness works better for my palate. Some of Benchmark’s special releases are better, but the standard offering doesn’t beat this.
Score: 7/10

Final Scores

• Bob: 33/50

• Brad: 29.5/50

• Average: 31.25/50

Conclusion

We typically recommend trying a pour or picking up a bottle when a whiskey lands above 35/50. This one comes in a few points short, but not without some charm. If you’re on a budget and like a sweeter cherry-forward profile, Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star might surprise you. It’s not trying to be Blanton’s, despite the shared mash bill, but it holds its own in the “springtime of swill” category.

At the very least, it’s a conversation starter. And for $19 a liter, that’s worth a star or two.