What are your reasonably priced gems?

[deathevocation]

Virgin Bourbon 101. A steal at $11.95 ($10.95 on sale)!

Yeah, that's a nice drop.

[trumpstylz]

I can't compare the prices...for me, Johnny Drum/Ezra Brooks/Evan Williams/most of the Beam stuff is under 20 €, which I would consider still "cheap"...the WT Rare Breed is in Germany 23€, and it is a very good bourbon, but still hard to get...so, it depends. :cool:

I thought bourbon is a lot cheaper in the US???

yeah, it sounds like you're getting pretty decent prices over there in germany. Especially on the rare breed. Even with the weaker dollar, you might still be betting a better deal than the 40 dollar cost that We pay around here.

[stiffchainey]

Yeah, not too bad. I have a very good online retailer, who has around 350 brands on the shelve, so I still have always something new to try...

[Photodudems]

Depending on what you can get locally, there is a lot out there for less than $30.

Personally, my favorite bottle in that category is Evan William BIB (white label, 100 proof). A 750 of that can be had for $13 in VA. Best of the EW line in my book.

Other than that, Wild Turkey 101, Four Roses yellow label, and for just a bit more cash, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Woodford Reserve (yes, I do like it), and Knob Creek become available.

I've personally not yet spent more than $35 for a bottle, but I'm quite happy with what I can get on that budget.

Happy hunting!

[Stormeh]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions all. I appreciate it. Looks like I'll be making a big value purchase soon. :grin:

Any thoughts on Old Fitz Very Special?

[BourbonGuy]

BenchMark for $7.50

[PaulO]

Here are a couple good ones for under $20; Old Forester Signature 100, and Fighting Cock 103. Both of these taste to me like they could be more expensive whiskey. Also consider anything with a label that says "bottled in bond", or "bonded". For example; JTS Brown, or Very Old Barton. Make sure to get the 100, not the 80.

[JayMonster]

Here are a couple good ones for under $20; Old Forester Signature 100, and Fighting Cock 103. Both of these taste to me like they could be more expensive whiskey. Also consider anything with a label that says "bottled in bond", or "bonded". For example; JTS Brown, or Very Old Barton. Make sure to get the 100, not the 80.

[AaronWF]

There is nothing magical about bonded whiskey. Bonded junk is still junk. (Not saying all bonded is junk, but if it is lousy whiskey, bonding isn't going to help it).

I don't know about that. True, it's not magical, but there aren't many [any?] companies that go the lengths required to produce a bonded product that could be called throw-away junk. I agree with Paul that BiB is a good thing to look for when seeking a bargain.

It's a lot harder to hide an unpleasant profile in a bonded whiskey.

[mrviognier]

AAA 10, JW Dant BiB, 4R SB, Pure Kentucky, Barton BiB, ETL, Johnny Drum Res...

[bigtoys]

Eagle Rare 10 yr old

[Kalessin]

I'd bypass the Four Roses Yellow Label and go straight to the Small Batch. Great whiskey for only a few bucks more, and readily available. Many SB'ers seem to find the Yellow Label a little thin and lacking on flavor.

Of course, you can keep climbing that "just a few bucks more" ladder with Four Roses Single Barrel and the Limited Editions, but the prices for those are a little outside "value pour" range...

[ILLfarmboy]

I don't know about that. True, it's not magical, but there aren't many [any?] companies that go the lengths required to produce a bonded product that could be called throw-away junk. I agree with Paul that BiB is a good thing to look for when seeking a bargain.

It's a lot harder to hide an unpleasant profile in a bonded whiskey.

Indeed, and I suspect that's the reason Bonding was created; the product of a single distiller in a single season at 'full' proof........ makes it far more difficult to blend away barrels with significant off flavors. Over time this should mean a more consistent, and consistently good, product than your typical "cat and dog" labels.

[boneuphtoner]

EC12 - when it is on sale, there is nothing out there that beats this in bang for your buick. It still is a reasonably priced gem at regular price.

ETL - as good or better than Blantons IMHO at half the price.

Rittenhouse BIB - it has been mentioned a million times before, and I'm in complete agreement.

OWA - hope the rumors aren't true

Pikesville Rye - when on sale, less than $8 a bottle. I like to call it Baby Rittenhouse, as it is the same formula, aged a little less, and cut to 80 proof. For a bottom shelf pour, I don't think you can do better.

[JayMonster]

I don't know about that. True, it's not magical, but there aren't many [any?] companies that go the lengths required to produce a bonded product that could be called throw-away junk. I agree with Paul that BiB is a good thing to look for when seeking a bargain.

It's a lot harder to hide an unpleasant profile in a bonded whiskey.

It really depends on what you call "junk." For example, I personally do not care for OGD, and I don't think bonding changes that.

[JayMonster]

Indeed, and I suspect that's the reason Bonding was created; the product of a single distiller in a single season at 'full' proof........ makes it far more difficult to blend away barrels with significant off flavors. Over time this should mean a more consistent, and consistently good, product than your typical "cat and dog" labels.

Actually, Bonding was started to quash fake products, bonding guaranteed you were getting wjat was on the label. In reality it is a fairly antiquated process. In theory every "single barrel" could in most cases quailfy for Bonding of the distiller wished to do so. But theu don't bother because most people don't even have a clue wha"Bottled in Bond" means, let alone care.

[ILLfarmboy]

Actually, Bonding was started to quash fake products, bonding guaranteed you were getting wjat was on the label. In reality it is a fairly antiquated process. In theory every "single barrel" could in most cases quailfy for Bonding of the distiller wished to do so. But theu don't bother because most people don't even have a clue wha"Bottled in Bond" means, let alone care.

You're right. I was forgetting my history and all the shenanigans the rectifiers were up to back in the days pre-1894(?) Bottled in Bond Act. How could I have forgotten? The BIB act was, I think, the first consumer protection legislation. In some ways you could look at it as a harbinger of the Pure food And Drug Act of 1906.

[Brisko]

The BIB act was, I think, the first consumer protection legislation. In some ways you could look at it as a harbinger of the Pure food And Drug Act of 1906.

This is how I explain it to my non-bourbon-nerd friends.

But your earlier point is accurate. You can't hide bad barrels in a BiB.

[Restaurant man]

This is how I explain it to my non-bourbon-nerd friends.

But your earlier point is accurate. You can't hide bad barrels in a BiB.

[p_elliott]

Only 4 seasons in a year. A lot of distillation can occur in a season. Some could be weak barrels blended in. Also one of the big guys recently f'ed up and blended 8 and 11 year old whiskeys in a "BOB" and then lied about it. I won't mention any names But....

As for BIB there are only two distilling seasons spring and fall.

[soad]

Virgin Bourbon 101. A steal at $11.95 ($10.95 on sale)!

Walked out of a NC ABC store this weekend with a bottle of Virgin 101 and Mellow Corn for under $22. Talk about a steal!

It made me forget about my OWA depression for awhile.

[Brisko]

Only 4 seasons in a year. A lot of distillation can occur in a season. Some could be weak barrels blended in. Also one of the big guys recently f'ed up and blended 8 and 11 year old whiskeys in a "BOB" and then lied about it. I won't mention any names But....

As Paul pointed out, there are only two distilling seasons... and with a non-BiB you can do a lot with say 90% 4 y/o and maybe 10% older stock. But, whatever.

What evidence do you have for your other claim? The last I heard was what I've quoted below, do you have other info?

Well, I just heard officially from Buffalo Trace and even they chided me for not catching it sooner.

The "married into a single batch" line was a mistake by the press release writer, who is very sorry. In fact, it was bottled in several batches, according to distilling season, and is, therefore, BIB.

[JayMonster]

As Paul pointed out, there are only two distilling seasons... and with a non-BiB you can do a lot with say 90% 4 y/o and maybe 10% older stock. But, whatever.

What evidence do you have for your other claim? The last I heard was what I've quoted below, do you have other info?

There is still plenty of distilling that can go on in a season (regardless of whether it is two or four seasons per year). Meaning as Restaurant Man points out, there is still room for some "weak barrels" to be blended into a batch.

Of course, this isn't really what I was going after when I pulled this thread off on this tangent. It is probably my fault for using the word "junk" but I simply meant, if you don't like how a particular Bourbon tastes, it probably isn't going to suddenly be good (in your eyes) simply because it is Bonded.

[Brisko]

I think the "same season" aspect probably had more to do with taxation than quality, anyway.

[PaulO]

My main reason to suggest bonded whiskey is; to keep a person from wasting time and money on the 80-86 proof no age statement bottom shelf stuff. If you like a bonded whiskey from a given distillery, then you can rationalize trying some of their higher end labels. :grin: