Novice here, I think I just fell in love...

[a1w1ll]

So as a novice I've made the conscious decision to start at the base of the pyramid and work my way up. In other words I'm exploring all the quality budget bourbons that I can find in MI. Today I stumbled across Ancient Ancient Age 10 star, and all I can say is.....wow....For $16 a bottle this stuff is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I was so excited about trying the 10 year, then realized it's not sold in MI...damn...

[BigBoldBully]

The base is the place! Someday I hope to stumble across 10 star as well. Here we only have AA 36 month (which I bought last year but have not yet had the courage to open). Cheers to you and happy pyramid excavating.

[Jackinbox]

So as a novice I've made the conscious decision to start at the base of the pyramid and work my way up. In other words I'm exploring all the quality budget bourbons that I can find in MI. Today I stumbled across Ancient Ancient Age 10 star, and all I can say is.....wow....For $16 a bottle this stuff is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I was so excited about trying the 10 year, then realized it's not sold in MI...damn...

I was in your shoes about 2 months ago and can relate to starting at the base of the pyramid. I think that's the way to go. My first purchases were all the basics like Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey 101, Evan Williams Black, Old Grand Dad Bottled-In-Bond, Maker's Mark, etc. From there you can work your way up. You'll be able to figure out which types of mash bills taste best to you. Ancient Ancient Age uses a higher amount of rye, so you might be a good candidate for one of the Old Grand Dads.

Welcome to the wonderful world of bourbon! Once you become more experienced at tasting, you'll be better able to appreciate the premium stuff. Just about everyone here will attest to the fact that sometimes the $15-20 bottles are better than some of the ones going for $40+.

[JLH3]

It is a lot of fun to go through the boards to find bourbons you think you'll like and then go try them. Just when you think you're good, you decide to try one more and then now what do you buy....

I was that way until I tried EWSB 2003 and WTRB. Now I want more of those. Then I hear good things about RR10 and that is good, but how does this Hancock's taste y'all are talking about? And on and on it goes.

[GaryT]

That AAA 10 Star is one of my favs in that price range. I did some blind taste tests with that and AAA 10 yr (which is pretty similarly priced - maybe $1-2 more), and on three different occasions, I landed on them being close enough for me (YMMV). The one challenge I've found on my journey is that there is a LOT of really good bourbon out there. I used to try to pick "winners" in price bands, with the thought that I only needed 10 bottles for enough variety. And then you try something new

[squire]

Bourbon education begins at the base of the pyramid which is a good place to start, or stay for that matter.

[HighHorse]

I used to try to pick "winners" in price bands, with the thought that I only needed 10 bottles for enough variety. And then you try something new

How's that "I only needed 10 bottles for enough variety" thing working out for you Gary??

[GaryT]

How's that "I only needed 10 bottles for enough variety" thing working out for you Gary??

Yeah . . . not so much. Just like my "I'm not buying any more whiskey this year except for commitments already made". I'm proud that I made it 6 weeks - and hopefully that I can climb back on that horse Although I explained to my wife that the mixed bag of 200 & 375 mL bottles I picked up this morning hardly counted since it was less than $25 for 5. She seemed to buy into that logic :grin:

[HighHorse]

Completely understand. Keep most of my bunker at my office with two full cabinets. The stash I brought back from our visit with you guys in ATL is on the floor so we picked up lumber to build a new 6 ft. long shelf for me. One day my wife is going to drop by and I'm gonna have some 'splainin' to do. :bigeyes:

[squire]

Female logic also seems more accepting of "they were on sale".

[HighHorse]

Female logic also seems more accepting of "they were on sale".

I'll try that,Squire, when she finally discovers the stash. Let you kow how that works out!:hot:

[p_elliott]

I have bourbons and ryes that cost well over $50 and some well over $100. What do I drink most of the time WT 101 a $22 bourbon I think it's great you don't need to spend a fortune on whiskey to get great quality. Drink what you like not what is going to impress someone.

Edited June 15, 2013 by p_elliott

[squire]

Right on Paul, I figure if I can't get there with a grade Bourbon I ain't trying.

[393foureyedfox]

It is a lot of fun to go through the boards to find bourbons you think you'll like and then go try them. Just when you think you're good, you decide to try one more and then now what do you buy....

I was that way until I tried EWSB 2003 and WTRB. Now I want more of those. Then I hear good things about RR10 and that is good, but how does this Hancock's taste y'all are talking about? And on and on it goes.

sounds like me....

[a1w1ll]

As a younger guy who will probably get married in the next few years, it's good to see that I'm getting all these helpful relationship tips in addition the all the accumulated bourbon knowledge that SB is known for.

[a1w1ll]

Back to the original topic, what are you guy's thoughts on the AAA 10 star in relation to other bourbons in that price range?

[GaryT]

Back to the original topic, what are you guy's thoughts on the AAA 10 star in relation to other bourbons in that price range?

Thumbs up from me. For my palate, it is one of the better buys for the buck. And if you're looking to get married in a few years, you've got a chance to set expectations early It is more challenging (in my experience) to go from buying a bottle every 3 years to 5-10 bottles a year. I can't go back to that tried-and-true explanation of "But dear, you knew this is who I was going in, and lucky for me - you married me anyways!"

[Richnimrod]

As a younger guy who will probably get married in the next few years, it's good to see that I'm getting all these helpful relationship tips in addition the all the accumulated bourbon knowledge that SB is known for. :lol:

You might not necessarily want to take relationship advice from most of these guys.... just sayin'...

Now, Bourbon advice; that's another story! You will certainly come to love some brands more than others; but as several have pointed out, you do NOT need to spend like a sailor to enjoy some very satisfying Bourbons. Most of my top-20 list are under $42,:cool: and many are under $32:cool::cool:... and those are Michigan prices, not the less expensive ones available in many states.

Taste away, and make some notes about what you prefer, and why. Those notes can be great fun to look back at in a year or two; and can be quite informative, too.

[a1w1ll]

Richnimrod-we're practically neighbors...I'd love to catch you on chat sometime.

And on the topic of people feeling like they need to spend gobs of money to have "good tastes", I'm not a big fan of doing something solely because society tells you to..In my household we ruthlessly ridicule that "brand whore" mentality...