Do SBers Stock Up on Value Bourbons?

[CoMobourbon]

Every time I walk by a four roses yellow for $13, I ask myself this question. Most threads about showing our stocks on this site seem focused toward the premium or limited edition stuff (which is fine). Considering that all Bourbons are limited edition given a long enough timeline, though, I just wonder why we don't stock up on the good cheap stuff while we can. Or, I wonder if we are all secretly stocking up on this good cheap stuff and I just don't know about it.

In any case, no judgment either way; I can think of a lot of good reasons for stocking up on values or not stocking up on values. Just curious: do you stock up on values?

Edited July 2, 2013 by CoMobourbon

[squire]

I don't need a reason to buy good value Bourbon.

[Flyfish]

A couple years ago I decided to bunker Old Ezra 101 not because of concerns about price but because of the trend toward NAS and/or reduced ABV. The effort didn't succeed because I drank it all--and then some.

I stock up on family size jugs of my Big Three (AAA, VOB, and OWA) whenever I am in KY just because they are unavailable in OH. Also, when I am in a non-control state, I stock up on what is on sale. Blanton's in AZ for $40 tastes even better than Blanton's in OH at $50+.

I have been tempted to put aside some bourbon as "benchmarks" to which I can compare the versions that are sure to emerge a few years down the line. Rather like having dusties in 10 years without having to search all over hell's half acre for them. Same problem keeps popping up, though. Whenever I buy bourbon, I drink it. What a problem!

[squire]

I just buy and drink, my way of stimulating the economy.

[Yeti]

I have more than a few unopened HH6 BIB, Ritt BIB, OWA, and W12.

[Richnimrod]

I don't necessarily 'stock up' on the less expensive Bourbons; but, I do have my favs among those that rest on the lower shelves. I'm rarely without Four Roses Yellow label for long, nor Evan Williams Black Label, nor W.L. Weller Special Reserve, nor Old Grand Dad BIB. None of those is anybody's idea of a classy dram, yet all are very tasty in their own unique ways, and always find favor with me.

I don't bunker 'em mostly because I expect 'em always to be easy to get.... I hope I'm not too foolishly trusting in that regard.....

[sutton]

I've got a handful of WT101 Rye and recently have tried to keep a couple each of VOB BiB and/or 90, AAA10, and OGD 86. But I wouldn't call it a bunker as like Flyfish says, I don't hesitate to bring the next one up as required ...

[squire]

Then the next one and the next one, just their presence is a reassurance.

[suntour]

Yellow label for $13?!?! That's almost $10 cheaper than here. We must get hosed on FR products though, I remember seeing small batch and single barrel for $30ish in Indiana, where they are both $50 here. Most other prices seem to be similar here, and we don't get gouged on things because there is only one possible price they can be sold at.

I have to say that I've become hooked on value bourbons. Once I fell down the Heaven Hill "which BIB is best" rabbit hole I decided I liked the bottom shelf almost as much as the top shelf. OGD114 is my alpha and omega on this - sometimes I get bored and go back to that one and its like "ahhhhh"

[suntour]

I'm rarely without Four Roses Yellow label for long, nor Evan Williams Black Label, nor W.L. Weller Special Reserve, nor Old Grand Dad BIB. None of those is anybody's idea of a classy dram

But what about if I drink them out of my glencairn with pinky raised toward the heavens?

[MauiSon]

I find I can't really resist WT101 @$16, EC12 @$20 or even handles of OldCrowReserve @$11. It's decent bourbon and I just export 'em in care packages (I gift more juice than I consume, frankly). I'll buy any bourbon at the right price and some bourbons at the wrong price.

Edited July 2, 2013 by MauiSon

[HighInTheMtns]

The two bottles I have the most of are HH6 BIB and WTR101.

[DBM]

I keep at least a few bottles each of Weller 12, OWA and Ritt BIB on hand, but mostly because I blow through it so fast, not because I want to bunker it for later. I know Rittenhouse is in the middle of a distillery change, but I use it for Manhattans so I'm not concerned about minute flavor profile differences. Weller 12 is the only one I kinda sorta bunker in the sense that I probably keep 6 bottles on hand just in case something changes with the contents or availability, at which point I will start rationing. Until then, I consume (and gift) and replenish without much thought.

[Restaurant man]

Ritt, OWA and 12 year, OGD bonded and 114,

That's my list. I'm keeping 6-12 bottles each

[Phil T]

I do bunker value pours, but they usually meet this criteria: they are going away, they are going NAS, or they are one-off. And then I buy it by the case, which gives me even more value. Case in point:

-RittBIB DSP 354, its going away.

-HHBIB 6yr. Its moving to NAS

-OWA SB or FRSB (both private selections). They are one offs, and if they're in my wheelhouse, I'm buying.

PS...and if I see OE101 going NAS, look out!

Edited July 2, 2013 by Phil T

[MyOldKyDram]

OWA, and Weller 12, Ritt BiB, HH BiB, OGD114, AAA 10 yr, WT101 when I see it.

[GaryT]

I don't have more than 2 of any bottle/label (and those I have two of - one of the two is opened!) Sometimes it is a premium bottle (like a THH), but not always (like an OF 1849 - not a dusty or anything, but I don't see it around home so I picked two up while in KY last year). I'd say about 40% of my collection are bottles I paid under $30 for, so I don't shy away from the values. Hell - SB Blend cost about $22 to make and that is one of my favorites!

[bllygthrd]

I stash one of every bourbon I buy (if I can get 2 bottles) ... open/drink one, add the other to the collection. I do have several bottles of AAA 10YR and VOB BIB on hand ... my friends and family expect me to bring the bourbon ...

[savagehenry]

I typically stock up on VOB BIB when I order from TPS as I can't get it out here in the sticks, but that's about it as far as stocking up goes.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I have managed to pack away quite a few away of the following W12,Ritt BIB,HH 6yr and WTR101.I think we can all agree with fear three things the most in our world,shortages,rising prices and change and I want to be well prepared for all three.

[Bourbon Boiler]

1792, WT (I don't mind the 81 even though I prefer the 101), VOB, and FC are easy for me to find, so I let the liquor store carry the inventory. If there were shortages, I might react by stocking up.

[theglobalguy]

Starting to think i should be.

I assumed being new to bourbon that they can always make more (as in, i wouldn't stock up on Pepsi...it'll be on the shelf somewhere when i need it next), but realizing supply and demand being forecast 5-20 yrs in the future is inexact to put it nicely i think it's time to buy some shelving, buy what i like in bulk (save a bit of $ in the process).

[Richnimrod]

But what about if I drink them out of my glencairn with pinky raised toward the heavens?

OK, OK... if you have the pinky completely extended and properly elevated, and are facing KY, then I guess they'd be special enough pours to be considered 'classy'. .....IMHO

[wmpevans]

Bunkered the value pours that I like and that I think may go away: Ritt BIB, AAA 10 yr, Old Charter 10 yr, Old Ezra 7/101, OGD 114, and the BIB's just cause I like them: VOB, HH-6 and EW

For what they cost putting some away for a rainy day can't hurt.

[squire]

A five year supply isn't stocking it's a sensible precaution.