Bourbon QPR 2012

[George]

Thought it would be good to get some views on current quality-price ratios. In which bottles/brands are you perceiving a high QPR? Low QPR? Any major changes to pricing in any particular product(s)?

[trumpstylz]

The all time heavyweight champion of the value category (and Whisky Advocate's value bourbon of the year last year) is Very Old Barton.

Some might also speculate and say its heaven hill white label 100 proof.

[boneuphtoner]

I would argue that ETL has a very favorable quality price ratio. As good or better than Blantons for nearly half the price. Also Evan Williams black and BIB white label are pretty tough to beat in that regard.

[JayMonster]

I'd argue that OWA has the best QPR there is. Once you start going below this, the drop in quality is far more precipitous than the savings.

For me, "drinkable" and "good enough" does not equal quality, so things like Evan Williams Black, with its Scope (or Listerine) type minty profile, may satisfy the Price part of the equation, the quality part still balances it out to a low QPR.

[Old Lamplighter]

I'd argue that OWA has the best QPR there is. Once you start going below this, the drop in quality is far more precipitous than the savings.

For me, "drinkable" and "good enough" does not equal quality, so things like Evan Williams Black, with its Scope (or Listerine) type minty profile, may satisfy the Price part of the equation, the quality part still balances it out to a low QPR.

I have to agree. I am wrestling between OWA & Weller 12. I tend to slightly lean toward OWA because of proof. Along with those, but on the lower proof end, hard to best AAA 10yo. It is the only <90 proof I enjoy and revisit from the past.

[dridge11]

Another (limited experience) vote for OWA

[WsmataU]

I have to agree. I am wrestling between OWA & Weller 12. I tend to slightly lean toward OWA because of proof. Along with those, but on the lower proof end, hard to best AAA 10yo. It is the only <90 proof I enjoy and revisit from the past.

I'll second both of these. Unfortunately, Weller 12 is very hard to come by in VA, so I normally get the antique or SR. By far my favorite pours under $30.

With the boom in bourbon's popularity, I'm wondering if I should bunker some of these before their prices go up. I'd hate to kick myself for missing the train twice (the Pappy thing has gotten ridiculous). I only wish I'd bunkered a couple cases of the Centennial when it was available (but don't we all)!

[kyrocklover]

For me it is Old Grand Dad 114.

[Parkersback]

Bourbon

Weller 12: $19.99 + tax

Elijah Craig 12: $21.95 + tax

Old Ezra 101: $16.50 + tax

Ritt BIB: $19.99 + tax

Dark Side

Glenmorangie 10: $32 + tax

Highland Park 12: $40 + tax

Irish

Black Bush (1L): $36.75 + tax

Dusty

ND OGB BIB: $17.50 out the door (This is dirty pool, but I know I'm not the only one who can still get it. It is still out there. Besides, I'd probably feel similarly with the current OGD BIB.)

[Young Blacksmith]

EC 12 is an amazing QPR I think, it's just really good, and usually cheaper than the EWSB's.

All the Weller line.

ND OGD is great too but not everyone can get some.

I have not had OE101 or VOB BIB. I have bottles of both, but waiting to clear a spot on the open shelf.

[BillP]

For me it's OWA, OGD BIB, and Rittenhouse BIB.

Bill

[trumpstylz]

I agree those are all good bottlings. I just feel that since Very Old barton, at around 12 bucks, is 25-50% less than a lot of the other bottlings. So the actual "quality to price" ratio definitely edges out the competition (I'm not saying its better than the others, just that it has a better ratio).

But, then I'm sure a lot of you get those other bottlings cheaper than they are around here.

[DeanSheen]

OWA

OGD 114

RITT Bib

[JayMonster]

I agree those are all good bottlings. I just feel that since Very Old barton, at around 12 bucks, is 25-50% less than a lot of the other bottlings. So the actual "quality to price" ratio definitely edges out the competition (I'm not saying its better than the others, just that it has a better ratio).

But, then I'm sure a lot of you get those other bottlings cheaper than they are around here.

Of course you also have people like me (or anybody in NJ), that have never had a chance to try VOB, hence we cannot add it to the equation. Of course the only Bourbons in the $12 range is Heaven Hill and EWB, so even if we get it, the price would probably be higher. But, I'd like to find out... oh well, maybe some day.

[Restaurant man]

For me its Ritt BIB, Four Roses Small Batch

[CrispyCritter]

Another one that deserves mention: Costco has a Kirkland Signature bourbon at about $20 for a liter (Chicago-area pricing). 103 proof, aged 7 years, obviously a Beam product as it mentions Clermont on the label.

It reminds me of a stronger Beam Black - and for me that's a good thing.

[clingman71]

I agree with the entire Weller line. AAA, $24.99 for a handle in NKY, hard to beat. I only wish it were higher proof. I built a good stash of ORVW 10/107 last year at $25.99, crazy value in my opinion. If I could find enough at that price it would become 90% of my bourbon consumption, if only.

[bad_scientist]

I agree with the entire Weller line. AAA, $24.99 for a handle in NKY, hard to beat. I only wish it were higher proof. I built a good stash of ORVW 10/107 last year at $25.99, crazy value in my opinion. If I could find enough at that price it would become 90% of my bourbon consumption, if only.

My wife did a blind tasting session for me last night, and the ORVW 10/107 won over the OWA, WLW2010, and a crappy whiskey not worth naming because I don't want anyone to know I bought it I actually thought it was PVW15, it was so good. I was completely floored because I'd always thought of it as an overpriced, underwhelming bridge between the OWA and the high powered wheaters. If I could find it again between $26-40, I'd get it again and leave the Pappy on the shelf.

[mosugoji64]

Another one that deserves mention: Costco has a Kirkland Signature bourbon at about $20 for a liter (Chicago-area pricing). 103 proof, aged 7 years, obviously a Beam product as it mentions Clermont on the label.

It reminds me of a stronger Beam Black - and for me that's a good thing.

I've been vatting a 1:1 of that and Devil's Cut lately, and damned if it isn't mighty fine! Each bottle is getting low so I'm trying to clear them from the shelf, but I'm enjoying the combo so much that I might have to pick up replacements!