Ode to the Low "Rye"-der

[boss302]

Yes, yes, we all know how great this forum is at pointing you toward the next Small Batch, Single Barrel, Limited Release, or whatever other "flavor of the minute" is out there that is rare, limited, and exclusive-- the ultimate expression of the distiller's art.

This thread will not be about ANY of those...

Instead, this will be an ode to the bottom-shelf stuff that remain the unsung heroes of the business. Those El Cheapos that bring in the necessary revenue to make all that limited-production, "artisan-quality" stuff possible.

So, without further adieu, please post your favorite Low "Rye"-ders, adhering to the following criteria:

1) Less than $20 for a 750mL bottle. If it isn't cheaper than Jack Daniel's, it doesn't make the cut!

2) It has to have a "Low Rye" mashbill, with close to 80% corn.

So, now is the time to wipe away any potential embarrassment or judgment-- if you have a favorite bourbon that fits those criteria, but have been previously too embarrassed to admit, here is your chance to let us know!

[ErichPryde]

I'd like to nominate the Kirkland signature 7 year 103 proof small batch bourbon. It cost me 20 dollars for a liter. Great quality for the price.

[boss302]

Okay, so I'll get the ball rolling.

1) McAfee Benchmark No. 8

2) Four Roses

3) Ezra Brooks

4) Ancient Age

5) Evan Williams

[boss302]

I'd like to nominate the Kirkland signature 7 year 103 proof small batch bourbon. It cost me 20 dollars for a liter. Great quality for the price.

Hi Erich,

I live in PA, so the Costco's around here can't carry liquor. Do you know what bourbon it *really* is?

Just curious!

[Stu]

I have to second 4R Yellow Label and add HH Ultra Deluxe. It's less than $20 for a 1.75 handle! Whille not as cheap, but still cheaper than Jack, JB Black label.

[MarkEdwards]

I found some liters of Old Forester 4 year old for $15.99. Paper labels, not the painted on the bottle labels. Actually pretty tasty. I wil probably go back for more once I remember which store I bought it at.

[ThomasH]

Old Charter. If it weren't for the charred barrel, it would be corn whiskey, which makes it very low rye!

Thomas

[cigarnv]

4R Yellow is always a good pour

[jburlowski]

I'm not sure if 4R Yellow would meet the low rye requirement..... but certainly a good pour.

[OscarV]

I'm not sure if 4R Yellow would meet the low rye requirement.....

I was thinking the same thing.

Of the 10 recipes 4R uses 14.

[jburlowski]

Also don't know about the rye content but, for the price, it's hard to beat VOB BiB.

[jburlowski]

I was thinking the same thing.

Of the 10 recipes 4R uses 14.

And don't both the 4R mashbills have more than 20% rye?

[OscarV]

And don't both the 4R mashbills have more than 20% rye?

[QUOTE][/QUOTE]

E= 20% rye

B= 35% rye

[ethangsmith]

Cabin Still

Heaven Hill white label

Old Heaven Hill BIB

Evan Williams 1783

[squire]

Evan Williams BIB, Barton 50%, Dant BIB, Forester Signature.

[TNbourbon]

You're shooting too high. A $20 750ml isn't 'bottom shelf'. Try under $10-$11.

I'd nominate Beam's Old Crow Reserve (yes, the white-label 3yo is dreck:rolleyes:). It's 4 years old and 86 proof, has some definitive taste, and I buy it for $18.99 per handle.

[squire]

Tim's right of course, two of my choices retail for less than $12.00 each.

[squire]

Does that make them upper lower shelf?

[boss302]

I'm drinking Ancient Age and Dr. Pepper. AA is my "mixer" bourbon-- it also works well for Old Fashioned's and Manhattans.

My fave "everyday" bourbon is McAfee No. 8-- a good mixer, a good sipper. I love this stuff. At $21 for a 1.75L PET, it is definitely one of the best values in the bourbon business, IMHO.

[Rotgut]

I'm kinda partial to the Old Fitzgerald BIB. I can get it for ~$15/liter.

Mike

[CorvallisCracker]

My favorite bottom shelfer is Heaven Hill Green Label 6/90, which goes for $10.60 here in the Beaver State. I recently compared this side-by-side with EWBL ($12.95). Although they smelled the same, the HHGL was darker, richer and smoother. Definitely older whiskey.

VOB? Sure, love it, but it's not bottom shelf here, being $15 for the 90 and $16 for the BiB.

[unclebunk]

I'd have to go with VOB BIB too. It's delicious and at $12 a bottle is unbeatable value.

[Tucker]

- Benchmark and Old Charter were once favorite value pours.

- I always pick up a bottle of AAA 10 year when visiting family (from the BT "higher rye" mashbill but still not too rye-heavy) . Not exactly bottom shelf but relatively inexpensive.

[squire]

A candidate is Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey from Tom Moore under the Kentucky Gentleman label. A blend of 51% Bourbon and 49% GNS, it is a blend but labeled Whiskey. $13.29 for a 1.75 ltr.

[flintlock]

Old Charter is coming to be a fave. The 10 year is consistently $23+ a 750 in TN, but if I drive to Atlanta it's $13-14. At that price it's a steal.

VOB is definitely bottom shelf here, in the $13 range.

I don't know McAfee's mashbill but it's often less than $10. (Amazing.)

What about Fighting Cock? It's a bottom shelf bargain ($12 or so) but I don't know the mashbill.