Discussion What is the best "everyday" bourbon for $25 or less?

[Fritzo]

I've been a Woodford Reserve guy for years. The smaller bottle is usually around $35 if you can swing it. It's great on the rocks and nice for mules (my go-to drink ). The Double Oaked is usually under the tree every year with my name on it

 

[pete6032]

New question - what would you spend $40 on? No snide answers about inflation. Bourbon prices are not up that much.

 

[K1052]

New question - what would you spend $40 on? No snide answers about inflation. Bourbon prices are not up that much.

Four Roses Single Barrel.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Four Roses Single Barrel.

That might be my favorite for around $40! Really good stuff


I'd add another favorite ... How about Makers Mark Cask Strength? If you want it strong its strong, if you want it on rocks, it will still be strong even if rocks melt.

 

[stargazr]

I know this is an older thread, but back to the question of this thread, Ancient Age (80 proof) is really good for the price - $12.99. It's made at the Buffalo Trace distillery, which also makes Blanton's and Eagle Rare among others.

Rumor has it, Ancient Age is what didn't make the cut for Buffalo Trace (90 proof) possibly as far as ABV.

 

[thebestMAX]

Evan Williams black label, about 15 dollars a fifth. Worth trying, my favorite.

 

[K1052]

That might be my favorite for around $40! Really good stuff


I'd add another favorite ... How about Makers Mark Cask Strength? If you want it strong its strong, if you want it on rocks, it will still be strong even if rocks melt.

I personally think FRSB has more going on in the flavor department than Makers CS but it's also a good option. MMCS is often a default cocktail whiskey since I can usually get it at a good price.

 

[nakedfrog]

Elijah Craig

 

[dullard]

New question - what would you spend $40 on? No snide answers about inflation. Bourbon prices are not up that much.

I like Angel's Envy, which you can get just under $40 on sale or if you shop around. My quick online search ended up with $41.49 if you are willing to stretch your money a tiny bit. https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/bourbon/small-batch-bourbon/angels-envy-bourbon/p/119541750

For one consistently under $40, I'd go with Minor Case: https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/a...t-rye-whiskey/p/180292750?s=1901&igrules=true It is smooth, has just a touch (just a tiny touch) of smoke flavor, and any whiskey in a sweet cask is instantly a sipper for me. This one ages in a sherry cask.

Buffalo Trace is good in that price range, but at least in my state it is considered rare, allocated, and if you can find it you can only get one bottle. https://www.totalwine.com/spirits/b...urbon-whiskey/p/102882750?s=1903&igrules=true There is nothing particularly spectacular about Buffalo Trace, but it is the most consistently "good enough" one in that price range.

 

[K1052]

Elijah Craig

Sometimes Costco has Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7yr for a little more than $30. Which if you like Heaven Hill products like EC but don't want to pay the barrel proof prices ($70-80) for something a bit stronger is a nice option.

 

[nakedfrog]

Sometimes Costco has Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond 7yr for a little more than $30. Which if you like Heaven Hill products like EC but don't want to pay the barrel proof prices ($70-80) for something a bit stronger is a nice option.

Haven't seen it at either of ours but I'll keep an eye out

 

[pete6032]

Four Roses Single Barrel.

Have you ever done a taste test of that versus the regular Four Roses? How did it differ?

 

[K1052]

Have you ever done a taste test of that versus the regular Four Roses? How did it differ?

The three main Four Roses products people will encounter are their regular yellow label 80 proof, small batch at 90 proof, and single barrel at 100 proof. There are a few more higher end versions like barrel strength and limited editions but most people aren't going to run into those often. Personally I think the standard 80 proof is too thin and one dimensional for me however it is (barely) serviceable for cocktails. Small batch has a couple extra years of aging and another 10 proof which make it more interesting flavor wise but again anymore I prefer whiskey with a minimum of 100 proof, but I buy this for cocktails when I see a good price like $30 . Single barrel has the proof that I want and a lot spicier profile due to the mash bill selection which includes more rye for this product, which is ideal for me if drinking it neat.

 

[Indus]

The three main Four Roses products people will encounter are their regular yellow label 80 proof, small batch at 90 proof, and single barrel at 100 proof. There are a few more higher end versions like barrel strength and limited editions but most people aren't going to run into those often. Personally I think the standard 80 proof is too thin and one dimensional for me however it is (barely) serviceable for cocktails. Small batch has a couple extra years of aging and another 10 proof which make it more interesting flavor wise but again anymore I prefer whiskey with a minimum of 100 proof, but I buy this for cocktails when I see a good price like $30 . Single barrel has the proof that I want and a lot spicier profile due to the mash bill selection which includes more rye for this product, which is ideal for me if drinking it neat.

I fell out of love with Four Roses.. maybe it was the rye.. I prefer low rye bourbons.

Benchmark is cheaper but more my thing.. as is Evan Williams.

I can even tolerate Jack.. very smooth but peanutty.. not always in the mood for that though!

 

[pete6032]

I typically buy cheap stuff like Evan Williams. Occasionally buy mid tier. I've had most of the big ones - Buffalo Trace, Makers Mark, etc. The cheap stuff to me is starting to just have no flavor to it. It's just kind of bland, not sure if that's because it's cheap or some other reason but I thought trying a more expensive bottle would give some better depth of flavor.

 

[thebestMAX]

I ha a chance to try this and it fits the $40 a bottle in my area. I was impressed by it.

Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey​

I can barely drink Jack anymore and loath Jim Beam. Not a fan of rye either. Buffalo Trace is usuallly my go to if I want a little different flavor than Evan Williams. Buillet is good also.

 

[nakedfrog]

I was disappointed when Ezra Brooks stopped showing up on shelves in the standard 80 proof version, liked it more than Evan Williams at about the same price.

 

[K1052]

I ha a chance to try this and it fits the $40 a bottle in my area. I was impressed by it.

Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon Whiskey​

I can barely drink Jack anymore and loath Jim Beam. Not a fan of rye either. Buffalo Trace is usuallly my go to if I want a little different flavor than Evan Williams. Buillet is good also.

This isn't bad by any means but it depends on how much a person likes the profile of WT products. I just don't find myself reaching for them a lot. Sometimes I score Rare Breed for a little over $40 which is a really good deal for a 115+ proof bourbon even if it is NAS the blend has enough age to interest me. I favor using it in simpler whiskey based cocktails (old fashioned, manhattans, etc) where it can shine through a bit. Also drinkable neat to me.

 

[pete6032]

Do people drink Rye straight or not?

 

[nakedfrog]

Do people drink Rye straight or not?

Why not?

 

[lxskllr]

I much prefer rye to bourbon, and it's always neat, or with a splash of water. It used to be a fantastic budget choice when scotch prices went through the roof, but it became popular, so both choices and prices exploded :^/

 

[pete6032]

Why not?

I have heard that rye is typically for cocktails and that most people do not drink it straight.

 

[K1052]

I have heard that rye is typically for cocktails and that most people do not drink it straight.

I drink a lot of cask strength rye.

 

[nakedfrog]

I have heard that rye is typically for cocktails and that most people do not drink it straight.

I suppose it's possible that most people don't, I wouldn't know, most of the other people I know that drink whiskey only do it in shot form.

 

[stargazr]

I don't care for rye, but a lot of people do.