Decent Bourbon for < $20?

[Photodudems]

As I mentioned in my newbie thread, I'm currently in VA and am in the market for a decent bourbon to drink/mix/cook with. I've gone through a bottle of EW BIB and almost finished a bottle of Ten High (not blended). From that experience, the TH is not going to be bought again for any use other than cooking. Not very good tasting stuff.

As for the EW, I like it rather well. It's smooth.

So, I guess what I'm asking is this- does anyone more experienced in the bourbon world than I have some suggestions for good bourbons in the less than $20 range?

All info appreciated.

[VERITAS]

Not sure of prices out there, but in CA some decent bourbons for around $20 are:

Jim Beam Black (8yr)

Bulliet

Maker's Mark

Buffalo Trace

If you go to under $30 the # of great bourbons increases greatly

[nor02lei]

As I mentioned in my newbie thread, I'm currently in VA and am in the market for a decent bourbon to drink/mix/cook with. I've gone through a bottle of EW BIB and almost finished a bottle of Ten High (not blended). From that experience, the TH is not going to be bought again for any use other than cooking. Not very good tasting stuff.

As for the EW, I like it rather well. It's smooth.

So, I guess what I'm asking is this- does anyone more experienced in the bourbon world than I have some suggestions for good bourbons in the less than $20 range?

All info appreciated.

I’m not sure if you can get very old Barton 100 proof at your location, but if you can that is very good bourbon for far under 20 buck.

Leif

[ebo]

WT 101 is still under $20.00. I think Dickel 12 is at $20.00 or just a bit more.

[OscarV]

Evan Williams on the rocks does the trick and there will be plenty left over to buy a pack of Camels.

Both a favorite of mine.

[hambone]

If $20 is a hard limit....Evan Williams Black and Old Grand Dad BIB are two that come to mind. If you can stretch slightly north of $20; Wild Turkey 101, Elijah Craig 12, Dickel 12, Old Grand Dad 114 and Buffalo Trace are available here in VA.

[jburlowski]

Ancient Ancient Age

[sailor22]

I’m not sure if you can get very old Barton 100 proof at your location, but if you can that is very good bourbon for far under 20 buck.

Leif

What he said. I picked some up in Kentucky last Spring and it is really a bargain.

[OscarV]

Ancient Ancient Age

[smokinjoe]

Pricing is a weird thing. Pricing on particular bottlings can fluctuate greatly between regions, here in Bourbonia. So, I'll just give what I find here in Georgia, and would recommend to you. Prices may be higher, or lower, in your area:

Maker's Mark at $19.

Evan Williams Black ~$15

Ezra Brooks 90 proof $19 for a 1.75

4 Roses Yellow $14

Old Forester Signature $18

Jim Beam Black ~$19

Jim Beam Distillers Series 7yr ~$18

I'd add any EW BIB, but I see you've already found that beauty.

And, I'll agree with Hambone. He is Spot-On with his list of wonderful whiskies, that are just a few dollars more. But, I'll just go one farther with his list... You really, really, REALLY must try the OGD 114. It's a spectacular low-$20 whiskey.

Sometimes, I look at these low-dollar bourbon lists, and wonder why the heck I keep dropping good coin on so many expensive ones. :crazy:

[StraightBoston]

I was just making a similar list for myself!

Old Granddad BIB

Four Roses Yellow Label

Fighting Cock 6/103

Virginia Gentleman 90 (if you can find any -- still on the ABC price list!)

Dickel No. 12 (just out of reach by your pricing)

Not on the ABC list but worth it:

Old Weller Antique and/or Weller Special Reserve

Rittenhouse Rye BIB

(The Ancient Ancient Age in Virginia is the 6 Star which is not the same as Kentucky's 10yo.)

[Bourbon Boiler]

Bulleit

Four Roses

Buffalo Trace

Fighting Cock

would be the bargain grand slam in my book.

[Parkersback]

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13925&highlight=cheap

[Parkersback]

I just Googled which bourbons are available in Virginia, and it is really appalling how meagre the selection is.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16214

One whiskey nobody's mentioned yet is Weller Special Reserve. It's $18 here in NYC, but I know it's cheaper elsewhere, and I've seen 1.75's for $32. It's a solid little whiskey.

[trumpstylz]

I’m not sure if you can get very old Barton 100 proof at your location, but if you can that is very good bourbon for far under 20 buck.

Leif

Not just the 100 proof. The 90 proof very old barton is also good.

I also agree with old forester, old grand dad, dickel, rittenhouse, wild turkey, AAA and buffalo trace.

You could also stick with the evan williams bonded. Its a spectacular deal.

[BBQ+Bourbon]

If $20 is a hard limit....Evan Williams Black and Old Grand Dad BIB are two that come to mind. If you can stretch slightly north of $20; Wild Turkey 101, Elijah Craig 12, Dickel 12, Old Grand Dad 114 and Buffalo Trace are available here in VA.

Evans Williams BIB is head and shoulders better than black label. I agree on the OGD 114 and also suggest Weller 107 as always. This topic comes up every few months and the same contestants are always mentioned.

[moose]

Jim Beam Black

Jim Beam White

Evan Williams Black

Ancient Ancient Age

Buffalo Trace

Bulleit

Corner Creek

Ezra Brooks Black

Fighting Cock

Four Roses Yellow

Old Charter (8 year or BiB)

Old Forester

WL Weller Special Reserve

All of those are good, if not great, value bourbons, great entry level, can be consumed many ways (neat, mixed, cooked with) and they all offer a great bang for the buck. Tastes will vary, and you ought to find a favorite out of those. Of the widely available offerings, I suggest you look for the WL Weller Special Reserve, or the Jim Beam Black, both are easy to find, and are pretty good bourbons.

Best of luck

[mosugoji64]

I highly recommend the HH BIBs. They are a spectacular value. The CVS near me frequently has handles of EW Black on sale for less than $20, so that might be worth your time.

[p_elliott]

I was trying to think of something not already mentioned it's not bourbon but right on your price line is WT rye. It's very good.

[bgageus]

If you are willing to drive a little, keep an eye on the monthly and weekly specials here. You wont find many premium or specialty bottles in the stores, but I go about once a month to pick up the basics that they have on sale.

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dlctmpl.asp?url=/Content/dlc/liquor/home/index.asp

[timd]

Here in TX, Weller 12 is just a smidge over $20... and it's a favorite.

The other lists are great - and other than Weller 12, I'm duplicating other folks:

Ryes:

Ritt BIB

WT 101 Rye

Bourbon:

Weller 12

Weller Special Reserve (the 107, if not too expensive, is better)

Elijah Craig 12

Buffalo Trace

Very Old Barton

Dickel

Four Roses

Fighting Cock

[jburlowski]

Yep, and I'll be picking up some AAA 10yo on Saturday, ya ready John?

Yup... I've told all the neighbors to shield their daughters. :slappin:

[Photodudems]

Does anyone know what the difference between EW Black/BIB and EW Green? I'm heading to the store to buy a bottle of EW (probably BIB as I know that I like it and I'm having company this weekend). I can't really figure out what the differentiating characteristic is supposed to be. Is it proof?

[Bourbon Boiler]

Elijah Craig 12 is a good call as well. I missed that one.

[mosugoji64]

Does anyone know what the difference between EW Black/BIB and EW Green? I'm heading to the store to buy a bottle of EW (probably BIB as I know that I like it and I'm having company this weekend). I can't really figure out what the differentiating characteristic is supposed to be. Is it proof?

I would recommend against picking up EW Green. My experience was not good. Maybe I got a bad bottle (someone else feel free to chime in here) but it was thin and not very flavorful. EW Black is much better and only a couple of dollars more. I haven't tried the BIB, but I assume it's light years better than Green.