Frugal is good

[Kevin]

Times are tough for everyone, and being currently unemployed, I am wondering what is the best(in everyon's own respective opinion) of the el cheap-O's... Or if any you would say should never touch the lips of man.

I know, and have read about some great value bourbons, that have a great flavor for their price, in a bunch of different threads. but i'm talking about a head to head of the under 12 buck contestants(I guess I can only speak for Indiana's inflation)

I dont want to try to compare apples to oranges, since i know some of you wont even let your wives touch an eighty proofer, but most on the bottom shelf are. Tell me what you think, or if you have a strong opinion on any of them.

I am refering to the current and easily available versions.

Heaven Hill Green Label, 80, NAS

Very Old Barton, 80, NAS (have tried, and very much like)

Ezra Brooks, 90, NAS

Ten High

Old Crow

Evan Williams Green or Black, NAS

Old Fitz Prime

Ancient Age

Benchmark

Early Times Kentucky Whiskey

Kentucky Tavern

T.W. Samuels

Old Taylor

Old Overholt Rye

JTS Brown, BIB

Comments, additions, and/or debating appreciated.

[SBOmarc]

Evan Williams anything, add the Overholt Rye and I would enjoy getting my hands on the JTS Brown.

But that's just me.

[camduncan]

Evan Williams Black is the only bourbon you've listed that is available in my area, so I'd have to say go for that. I agree that the Old Overholt would be a good choice also, as it's the only rye listed. But, seeming as you've said you really enjoy Old Barton so much, it'd have to be the clear winner.

[Luna56]

From the bourbons you've listed, I've only tried the Ezra Brooks 90 NAS and the EW Black (86 proof). I found the EW to be the better whiskey. By a long shot.

Good luck!

Cheers!

[quote=Kevin;171922

Heaven Hill Green Label, 80, NAS

Very Old Barton, 80, NAS (have tried, and very much like)

Ezra Brooks, 90, NAS

Ten High

Old Crow

Evan Williams Green or Black, NAS

Old Fitz Prime

Ancient Age

Benchmark

Early Times Kentucky Whiskey

Kentucky Tavern

T.W. Samuels

Old Taylor

Old Overholt Rye

JTS Brown, BIB

[Luna56]

From the bourbons you've listed, I've only tried the Ezra Brooks 90 NAS and the EW Black (86 proof). I found the EW to be the better whiskey. By a long shot.

Good luck!

Cheers!

Heaven Hill Green Label, 80, NAS

Very Old Barton, 80, NAS (have tried, and very much like)

Ezra Brooks, 90, NAS

Ten High

Old Crow

Evan Williams Green or Black, NAS

Old Fitz Prime

Ancient Age

Benchmark

Early Times Kentucky Whiskey

Kentucky Tavern

T.W. Samuels

Old Taylor

Old Overholt Rye

JTS Brown, BIB

[independant]

Evan williams is hands down one of the best values in bourbon. The black, green and white are all under 13.00 where I live and well worth every penny.

The ezra brooks 90 is another very good bourbon but I would rate it just under the EW.

Grab the old overholt its a good rye for cheap. If you find the HH in a higher proof I would also grab that.

Good luck and tell us what you pick up and how you like it.

[Lost Pollito]

Frugal. Very Old Barton BIB, $12.00. 6 Year old bourbon at a very nice price.

[Kevin]

Good luck and tell us what you pick up and how you like it.

I Picked up a white label HH 6yr BIB last week, and liked it, not as much as EC12, but half the age, and a third the price.

As Stated, I really liked the VOB 80.

And yesterday I grabbed a bottle of the TW Samuels for $7 and change and my description of it from another post goes... "I cracked it open and had a sip of it straight, my face probably looked like a high schooler that just got a hold of his dads Turkey for the first time." Not saying it tasted anywhere as good as WT, but was a bit harsh to choke down.

as for the ryes... Is the Overholt just ok for the price or is it top notch? Would you get the Overholt if a bottle of Ritt 80 is only 4 bucks more?

[kickert]

• Very Old Barton, 80, NAS - Very good stuff, but usually for a buck more you can get the 90 proof.
  
• Evan Williams Green or Black, NAS - Good stuff, I like the 1783 as well
  
• Old Fitz Prime
  
• Ancient Age - I have been impressed with the 10 year, haven't had anything else
  
• Benchmark - I used to recommend this as my favorite "cheapie" but I got a plastic handle of it and have been choking it down. I am hoping it was the bottle, but I can't bring myself to buy another.
  
• JTS Brown, BIB - this is another good one that I would recommend.

[Bourbon Geek]

I'd say try Old Taylor ... at about 6 1/2 years, it is a pretty good buy ... even if I am a little biased (Col. Taylor was my Great Grand Uncle).

[tommyboy38]

If it's cheap, I'll get one as long as it's KSBW or even SBW. And since you want cheap, gotta go for the handle...that's like free whiskey.

I'm a long time EW drinker and locally, I usually grab a handle for $17 (but I've seen it as high as $22 or $23 while out hunting (bottles...not animals)).

Ten High is pretty common around Chicago and I grabbed a bottle because it was only $7. I recommend some dusty hunting of the bottom shelf. You may find some bargains that have older prices on them. Stopped in a store yesterday that had handles of Benchmark for $14 and some various liters of bottom shelfers for $9...just wish they had a little more proof...81 or 82...whatever it takes!

[p_elliott]

I would go with Evan Williams Black label for what I would buy I like this stuff. As for what would not touch my lips Old Forester 86 but you like EC12 and I think it's the same juice (the fire) so maybe you should give it a try also.

[Single-Barrel]

EW Black, White, 1783 are my choices. They are all under 13.00 bucks here in Va.

[sailor22]

J.T.S. Brown BiB and Old Forester 86 are high on my value pour list.

[texascarl]

Ezra, EW black, Old Overholt are my faves from your list - several listed aren't available over here. FWIW, if you mingle these three in a 4-4-1 ratio, they taste pretty good to me.

[fishnbowljoe]

I still think that the most bang for the buck is Weller SR, or OWA 107. Joe

[George]

Weller SR and EW Black are top value choices for me.

[Solomon2]

Distiller's Pride bourbon (not the whiskey), $4.99/750ml here in MC.

[ggilbertva]

Distiller's Pride bourbon (not the whiskey), $4.99/750ml here in MC.

I've shopped Monkey county before and it's crazy cheap. I picked up a OWA late last year for $15.85 a 750ml.

[Solomon2]

I've shopped Monkey county before and it's crazy cheap.

Them's fighting words, bro'. I challenge you to a duel! Now pick your weapon: the green banana or the yellow one?

20+ years ago MC residents used to pop over the DC or PG line to buy a bottle. Now MC is opening new stores near the borders to serve the traffic that goes the other way. Here are the specials.

On the downside, the county doesn't carry everything, and I suppose some folks resort to smuggling in a rare bottle when they can.

[tommyboy38]

Found a great value pour while out hunting and I should have grabbed one or two or three. Handles of Old Forester 86 proof w/older paper label (probably not that old) for $15. That works out to $6.43 per 750ml.

[OscarV]

Found a great value pour while out hunting and I should have grabbed one or two or three. Handles of Old Forester 86 proof w/older paper label (probably not that old) for $15. That works out to $6.43 per 750ml.

[tommyboy38]

Or mixed with diet coke. What was I thinking? I need to go back there but I'll spend $6 in gas so i have no choice but to buy them all to reduce my cost per bottle.

[p_elliott]

I'd use it to clean the toilet