Every day drink

[ebo]

Ok... I know I liike the higher priced stuff that I have ($20 - $32 and more) a bottle. I can't afford to keep going through bottles at that price all the time. I turned to Bourbon (which I like quite a bit...lol) because I couldn't afford to drink Scotch on an every day basis anymore. What are some sub $20 bottles I should be looking at that are good to drink neat? I seldom drink my Bourbon any other way, other than a bit of water from timte to time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[ratcheer]

Wild Turkey 101 is a little over $20 in my area, but it seems to be less in most other places. I have said many times, in my opinion WT 101 is the benchmark for "the flavor of bourbon". If it was the only bourbon I could get, I could be happy with it.

And, for quite a bit less than $20, I always enjoy Old Grand Dad 86.

Tim

[Bentrod]

I have come to like Old Forester Signature very much. $17/750ml in N. KY

[ebo]

Wild Turkey 101 is a little over $20 in my area, but it seems to be less in most other places. I have said many times, in my opinion WT 101 is the benchmark for "the flavor of bourbon". If it was the only bourbon I could get, I could be happy with it.

And, for quite a bit less than $20, I always enjoy Old Grand Dad 86.

Tim

I agree with you...Wild Turkey 101 is a mainstay. I guess I want to know what is a decent pour for around $15.00 or less. I have been told by quite a few people, on the many Bourbon forums, that price doesn't equal quality. I know there are quite a few that are in that price range. Which ones are drinkable, and which ones should I stay away from?

[ebo]

I have come to like Old Forester Signature very much. $17/750ml in N. KY

Thanks. I can get that locally... I'll give it a try.

[birdman1099]

Weller SR.......

[smokinjoe]

I have come to like Old Forester Signature very much. $17/750ml in N. KY

Mr. Bentrod speaks with much wisdom on his first post. OFS is a terrific, low-cost pour.

[Phantos]

Old Fitz Bottled in Bond is a steal if you can get in yr area.

$14 bucks a 750ml here.

and one of my favorites regardless of price.

[ggilbertva]

My .02 would be:

Very Old Barton BIB

Old Weller Antique

Fighting Cock

and maybe not sub $20 but Baby Saz is a good choice for Rye.

[plaid_emu]

I'm very partial to JTS Brown (Bottled in Bond) as a "staple" bottle. It's just under $14 here in Ohio. Regardless of cost it's a nice Bourbon. Other than that it's WT101, or I take a little trip across the river and get what I really want.

[Waiahi]

ebo, you're a kindred spirit! I too switched to bourbon because I could no longer afford my Scotch addiction.

If you want to go for the absolute cheapest pour for the best price with decent quality...Evan Williams Black!

Wal Mart now carries it for $9.00.

[capitals83]

My suggestions would be:

Any bottled in bond - availability is very regional, try what you can get your hands on. I have never seen any bad reviews on any of them.

Evan Williams 1783 - even though it may not be as good as it was a 10yo, it still is a very solid offering in its price range.

Ezra Brooks - one of the last in the under $15 price range at 90 proof, and the only one in that category I like. (Though some will say Ancient Ancient age 10 star is better in that category, so that may be worth a try too).

Fighting Cock - since it is a wild turkey knock off it will be a few bucks cheaper than turkey, although locally it is still a bit above $15.

Evan Williams Black - we all start somewhere and this is where I started my love for bourbon.

[Phantos]

Fighting Cock - since it is a wild turkey knock off it will be a few bucks cheaper than turkey, although locally it is still a bit above $15.

I find FC to be a decent but not great bourbon that has nothing is common with WT flavor-wise.

the only thing decent about FC is the proof.

not trying to be a bitch. just stating.

[independant]

My two cents for a decent low price pour would be any and all BIBs you see. Alone with EW black, Old Ezra 90 proof, Old Weller Antique and WT 101. The WT is a bit more but well worth the extra money.

[capitals83]

I find FC to be a decent but not great bourbon that has nothing is common with WT flavor-wise.

the only thing decent about FC is the proof.

not trying to be a bitch. just stating.

I totally agree with you. When I say fighting cock is a knock off of wild turkey it is in a marketing sense more than the flavour profile. But it is a high proof with an age statement so it may be one worth exploring if you want to drop down in price.

[George]

At a price under $20, I prefer Weller SR and EW Black.

[unclebunk]

It's hard to argue with any of the recommendations made by the others. They are all quite good and moderately priced. My under $20 regular pours are: Wild Turkey 101, Old Forester Signature, Old Fitzgerald BIB, Four Roses Yellow, Old Weller Antique, Very Old Barton BIB and Ancient Ancient Age 10 (if you can find it now outside of Kentucky). I think this group is all of very good to great quality and also varied enough to give me different flavors when I set out to compare and contrast. Also, don't forget to pick up Rittenhouse BIB for some awesome rye in your liquor cabinet--it's better than any other rye under $50 in my opinion and can be had for $15 in these parts. Most of all, have fun in your search and try everything at least once!

[theDon]

I'm very partial to JTS Brown (Bottled in Bond) as a "staple" bottle. It's just under $14 here in Ohio. Regardless of cost it's a nice Bourbon. Other than that it's WT101, or I take a little trip across the river and get what I really want.

Hey, ship some of that JTS BIB down to Texas. We have a bad selection of BIB's down here.

And my everyday vote goes to Tom Moore BIB. We can get that here. OF Signature is $25 a bottle in my area, so that's out. If I was going to spend a little more I would go with a 1.75 of WT 101 at $30.

[jburlowski]

I'd second the votes for WT101.

I'm a little puzzled at the suggestion for "any BIB". Some are good; other not so much. I don't see anything special just because it a BIB... other than the 100 proof. (and that's not my main determinant in selecting a pour.

[ebo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll see what I can find on the shelves. I know a few of them are available for sure. I'll see about getting a few of them.

[PAspirit1]

I would have said Weller Antique before but I think it is at or near 20$ now. At the 15$ level, I'll put in a vote for OGD 86.

[Phantos]

I totally agree with you. When I say fighting cock is a knock off of wild turkey it is in a marketing sense more than the flavour profile. But it is a high proof with an age statement so it may be one worth exploring if you want to drop down in price.

Growing up in KY and IN we called WT the "Kickin' Chicken'"!

I get you.

[ggilbertva]

I totally agree with you. When I say fighting cock is a knock off of wild turkey it is in a marketing sense more than the flavour profile. But it is a high proof with an age statement so it may be one worth exploring if you want to drop down in price.

That's exactly why I suggested it. It won't knock your socks off but the proof and age statement to me are two plus's. It's not bad neat but as a mixer it's a good choice.

[smokinjoe]

That's exactly why I suggested it. It won't knock your socks off but the proof and age statement to me are two plus's. It's not bad neat but as a mixer it's a good choice.

I could not have said this better. Nice call, Greg.

I don't buy it often, but I usually do pick a bottle up in the Fall during college football season. When the neighbors get together for the Saturday SEC games on TV, and the "other" USC plays (That'd be the Univ. of South Carolina "Game Cocks" ), Fighting Cock makes a great bottle. Makes for great conversation. The boys holler, and the girls blush, but everybody seems to partake. If folks aren't in to drinking it neat with me, they do enjoy it mixed.

I just have to imagine that FC is a big seller in Columbia, South Carolina.

[ggilbertva]

I could not have said this better. Nice call, Greg.

I don't buy it often, but I usually do pick a bottle up in the Fall during college football season. When the neighbors get together for the Saturday SEC games on TV, and the "other" USC plays (That'd be the Univ. of South Carolina "Game Cocks" ), Fighting Cock makes a great bottle. Makes for great conversation. The boys holler, and the girls blush, but everybody seems to partake. If folks aren't in to drinking it neat with me, they do enjoy it mixed.

I just have to imagine that FC is a big seller in Columbia, South Carolina.

For sure....I view FC as a "twofer" bourbon. Drink it neat but not have any heartburn mixing it either.