If you like ____ you will probably like ____

[mbroo5880i]

I often hear and read about comparisons of various bourbons and ryes where someone says "If you like ___ you will probably like ____. I assume because the mashbills, distillation and a few other factors are similar.

Two examples that come to mind are comparison of Van Winkle and Weller 12, and comparison of Blanton's and Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year. I have never had Van Winkle so I can't comment on that comparison but I have had Blanton's and AAA10 and I do taste some similarities.

For those of us who prefer to not drop big bucks on ever increasingly over priced bourbon, it would be great if more experienced bourbon enthusiasts could guide us to cheaper alternatives.

[black mamba]

AAA10 is VERY similar to ETL. I have a decent palate, and it took me several glasses of each to be able to identify the difference, going back and forth between the two. Same distillery and mashbill for both.

One that's a little stranger because it's two different distilleries with very slightly different mashbills is EWSB10 and ER17 from the BTAC. After both were open a couple of months, the Evan 1B tasted almost the same as the 3 times more expensive 2011 ER17. No guarantee that this is consistent from release to release, or even bottle to bottle, as these are single barrels, but interesting none the less.

[GaryT]

You are correct about many of the pairings being based on mashbills/distillery/age, as well as folks experience. What I WISH I would have done is bought a lot of 200 mL bottles of some bourbons at the low end of the price range, and then blind taste those. You can pick up 4 or 5 of those for the price of one 750mL. Not everything is available in that size, but you can find a fair amount. I've found that I like EW black label as well as bourbons that are twice the price - along with OGD BIB and OF. You can find on this site things that are similar (check out the "Whiskey Tree" - that gives an excellent breakdown of which labels come from where on a lot of them, as well as mashbills where we know!), although the only way you'll know if you like - say AAA 10 Star as well as ETL - is to try them. The way I look at it is - who cares if my OGD 114 doesn't taste like a more expensive brand; if I get as much enjoyment out of it as I do a bottle that is half-again more expensive, good on me!

[Meruck]

I'll give you an inverted selection if you will. I really don't care much for high rye mash bills, but Recently i learned i do like Rit BIB. Go figure.

[Flyfish]

I'll give you an inverted selection if you will. I really don't care much for high rye mash bills, but Recently i learned i do like Rit BIB. Go figure.

Ritt is probably the most bourbony rye I can think of off hand. The mashbill is "barely legal." Even so, that is about twice as much rye as a high rye bourbon. As you say, "Go figure."

[Flyfish]

But, back on topic: If you like Baker's and/or KC, you may like Kirkland's. At $20 L, the equivalent of $15 per 750, it is a 7 YO, 103 proof value pour.

[smknjoe]

Wow, that is pretty much $15 for Bakers. Not bad.

The whiskey tree was mentioned and it's a must read, but don't read too much into it. For example WSR, OWA, and W12 are all the same mashbill, same age (first two), same distillery and they all have very different flavor profiles. Also, personal taste varies quite a bit. You'd be hard pressed to find more than a few people who don't like W12 and I'm one of them, but I didn't know that until I tried it. You can find alot of info and opinions here but you never really know until you try it.

If you still don't want to drop the cash on a bottle just to try it then ask some of the "old timers" around here that seem to have similar taste preferences as you.

[smokinjoe]

If you like Wild Turkey 101 (or, are disappointed with it's recent iteration), you will probably like Old Ezra 7yr 101 (or, Virgin Bourbon if you are close to one of the few uber-control states that carry it).

[GaryT]

smknjoe makes a great point - the whiskey tree gives you some insight, but I'm with him (I love OWA - not a fan of W12 - but will buy W12 to mingle with OWA).

Sometimes you can sort out folks who may have a similar taste profile as you. I've found some reviewers/bloggers line up fairly close to my tastes, while others don't. Even then, not everything they really like hits me just right. At the end of the day, you've got to try it (and ideally try it a few times on different days, as our tasters vary).

Finally - make friends with folks who share the passion. A group were everyone brings a couple bottles to a party is a great way to try several whiskies as well as meet new friends!

[squire]

For years I have maintained the quality is the same across the board and I'll use Buffalo Trace as an example. On any given day the whisky running off the still may be eventually bottled as 4 year old 80 proof Benchmark selling for $16.00 per family size which works out to about $6.80 for a 750.

Or it might be bottled at 8-9 years as one of the premiums that sell for $49.95 per 750.

Or at 9-14 years barrel proof in the Antique Collection for $79.95.

The difference is the barrel's age and location in the warehouse(s). The costlier bottles come from selected barrels that are either batched or bottled singly. We pay more for the extra aging and careful selection but the quality level is the same because it was all the same whisky in the beginning.

[ramblinman]

AAA10 is VERY similar to ETL. I have a decent palate, and it took me several glasses of each to be able to identify the difference, going back and forth between the two. Same distillery and mashbill for both.

[Flyfish]

If you like Wild Turkey 101 (or, are disappointed with it's recent iteration), you will probably like Old Ezra 7yr 101 (or, Virgin Bourbon if you are close to one of the few uber-control states that carry it).

I have had both recently and prefer the OE 101.

[soad]

If you like Wild Turkey 101 (or, are disappointed with it's recent iteration), you will probably like Old Ezra 7yr 101 (or, Virgin Bourbon if you are close to one of the few uber-control states that carry it).

Yes, yes, yes. Listen to Joe. His advice a few years ago caused my love affair with Old Ezra and Virgin. If you like WT, pay less and get MORE with those two.

[MauiSon]

For years I have maintained the quality is the same across the board and I'll use Buffalo Trace as an example. On any given day the whisky running off the still may be eventually bottled as 4 year old 80 proof Benchmark selling for $16.00 per family size which works out to about $6.80 for a 750.

Or it might be bottled at 8-9 years as one of the premiums that sell for $49.95 per 750.

Or at 9-14 years barrel proof in the Antique Collection for $79.95.

The difference is the barrel's age and location in the warehouse(s). The costlier bottles come from selected barrels that are either batched or bottled singly. We pay more for the extra aging and careful selection but the quality level is the same because it was all the same whisky in the beginning.

I don't buy that argument because I don't buy white dog. The quality is a function of barrel-aging and selection. Some barrels will produce high-quality bourbon, others will not. The human factor - selecting, blending, filtering, diluting - determines the quality of product sent to market. Even the best white dog can lead to uninspired bourbon.

Edited June 9, 2013 by MauiSon

[mbroo5880i]

AAA10 is VERY similar to ETL. I have a decent palate, and it took me several glasses of each to be able to identify the difference, going back and forth between the two. Same distillery and mashbill for both.

One that's a little stranger because it's two different distilleries with very slightly different mashbills is EWSB10 and ER17 from the BTAC. After both were open a couple of months, the Evan 1B tasted almost the same as the 3 times more expensive 2011 ER17. No guarantee that this is consistent from release to release, or even bottle to bottle, as these are single barrels, but interesting none the less.

I have never had ETL but it has been on my buy list (which just means someday I will try it). The comparisons of AAA10 and ETL (and even Blanton's) makes some sense give the same distillery and mashbill while at the same time recognizing warehouse location MIGHT account for some differences. I like AAA10 and Blanton's. I only tried AAA10 once but I tasted enough similarity between the two recognize AAA10 as a significantly better value. I would like to compare ETL to both (with an expectation that they will be similar). ETL would be a nice alternative to Blanton's because AAA10 is not available where I live (Indiana).

[mbroo5880i]

You are correct about many of the pairings being based on mashbills/distillery/age, as well as folks experience. What I WISH I would have done is bought a lot of 200 mL bottles of some bourbons at the low end of the price range, and then blind taste those. You can pick up 4 or 5 of those for the price of one 750mL. Not everything is available in that size, but you can find a fair amount. I've found that I like EW black label as well as bourbons that are twice the price - along with OGD BIB and OF. You can find on this site things that are similar (check out the "Whiskey Tree" - that gives an excellent breakdown of which labels come from where on a lot of them, as well as mashbills where we know!), although the only way you'll know if you like - say AAA 10 Star as well as ETL - is to try them. The way I look at it is - who cares if my OGD 114 doesn't taste like a more expensive brand; if I get as much enjoyment out of it as I do a bottle that is half-again more expensive, good on me!

You are correct...the fun is in the trying! :grin:

I haven't looked at smaller size bottles. I will begin to look a little closer to see if there are sample options available for bourbons that I would like to try.

[mbroo5880i]

I'll give you an inverted selection if you will. I really don't care much for high rye mash bills, but Recently i learned i do like Rit BIB. Go figure.

Interesting. Based on Flyfish's comment below, it sounds like Rit BIB might be more bourbon-like than other ryes.

[mbroo5880i]

But, back on topic: If you like Baker's and/or KC, you may like Kirkland's. At $20 L, the equivalent of $15 per 750, it is a 7 YO, 103 proof value pour.

This is great example. I have never tried Baker's and its been long enough ago that I tried KC that I don't recall any thing about it. I pass Kirkland's every time that I am in Costco. I guess I didn't realize that it was so similar to Baker's. Do they share the same distiller and mashbill?

[mbroo5880i]

Wow, that is pretty much $15 for Bakers. Not bad.

The whiskey tree was mentioned and it's a must read, but don't read too much into it. For example WSR, OWA, and W12 are all the same mashbill, same age (first two), same distillery and they all have very different flavor profiles. Also, personal taste varies quite a bit. You'd be hard pressed to find more than a few people who don't like W12 and I'm one of them, but I didn't know that until I tried it. You can find alot of info and opinions here but you never really know until you try it.

If you still don't want to drop the cash on a bottle just to try it then ask some of the "old timers" around here that seem to have similar taste preferences as you.

That is a great suggestion. So looking at it from the other direction, my favorite bourbons (right now are) EC12, OWA, WL12, Blanton's, VOB BIB. I guess outside of Blanton's it might be difficult to find less expensive alternatives. Suggestions on alternatives? Or other relatively inexpensive bourbons (different mashbills, etc.) to try? ETL is on my buy list but it may be too similar to others that I have tried.

[boneuphtoner]

But, back on topic: If you like Baker's and/or KC, you may like Kirkland's. At $20 L, the equivalent of $15 per 750, it is a 7 YO, 103 proof value pour.

I could not agree more. The Kirkland's is becoming a staple in my household!!!

[mbroo5880i]

If you like Wild Turkey 101 (or, are disappointed with it's recent iteration), you will probably like Old Ezra 7yr 101 (or, Virgin Bourbon if you are close to one of the few uber-control states that carry it).

I am ok with WT101. Old Ezra is on my buy list but I haven't seen it at any of the stores that I frequent in Indiana.

[boneuphtoner]

This is great example. I have never tried Baker's and its been long enough ago that I tried KC that I don't recall any thing about it. I pass Kirkland's every time that I am in Costco. I guess I didn't realize that it was so similar to Baker's. Do they share the same distiller and mashbill?

Yes to both questions! The best online review to sum up the Kirklands I've ever seen is as follows...it is Baker's and KC's love child! LOL!!!

[suntour]

Maybe I've got a particularly rough bottle of Old Ezra 101, but I enjoy the WT101 much more. The OE is rough and spicy, WT smooth (if a little bland) and sweet.

[Flyfish]

Maybe I've got a particularly rough bottle of Old Ezra 101, but I enjoy the WT101 much more. The OE is rough and spicy, WT smooth (if a little bland) and sweet.

Some of you fans of the old and current WT 101 weigh in on this. "Smooth," "bland," and "sweet" are descriptors I have never associated with WT. I've always thought of WT as a more in-your-face bourbon.

[Richnimrod]

I don't buy that argument because I don't buy white dog. The quality is a function of barrel-aging and selection. Some barrels will produce high-quality bourbon, others will not. The human factor - selecting, blending, filtering, diluting - determines the quality of product sent to market. Even the best white dog can lead to uninspired bourbon.

I totally agree with you MauiSon! However it may start, the quality of the bottled end-product is certainly a bigger function of the skill used in the aging (which rickhouse, location of barrel in the rickhouse, which side, how high, etc.) then the 'barrel selection for profile' done by the Master Distiller, or whomever assists. All of that is what we pay more for in the finer offerings, as well as less for the lower shelf ones.