Favorite value/mixer bourbon?

[clindt]

If I need to pick up something cheap for mixers, or just want a good, don't have to think about it bourbon, what to do usually buy?

For me, my go to budget bourbon is Ancient Age. It's cheap enough that I don't mind using it in mixers, or letting friends use it in mixers, but i think it is also good enough to drink neat. Sometimes I think to just sit back and have a drink without having to give it any thought.

[squire]

Another would be the Ancient Age 10 Star, or, my choice, Evan Williams Black Label.

[PaulO]

I like any of the Bonds from Heaven Hill.

[jonhalter]

EW black is my go to for mixing, and its just fine neat

[clindt]

Ancient Age 10 Star

I would love to try that, but haven't been able to find it in Texas. I'll try to look for it when I go to Kentucky in May.

[Max Power]

Heaven Hill 8 year. $10 for a liter and pretty darn good.

[JonRob]

Bulleit and Rittenhouse are my favorites.

[clindt]

Bulleit and Rittenhouse are my favorites.

I guess one man's value brand is another's mid-shelf. I was thinking more of the under $15 bottles.

[petrel800]

Costco's Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon. (7 yo knob creek).

[squire]

During the holidays I saw Evan W. black on sale for $9.99, now that's value no matter where you are.

[higgins]

I can't argue with EWB, but if I'm reaching for something in my cabinet it's a cheap BIB like Evan Williams White or JTS Brown.

I need to give Ancient Age 10 Star a try, I've heard good things but haven't gotten around to picking up a a bottle.

[smknjoe]

Recently, VOB BIB. I think it drinks better neat than EWB, but I don't mind using it as a mixer at all. It's about $13.80 around here.

[TunnelTiger]

Here's another vote for AAA10star, great mixer, need to pick up a bottle tomorrow

[TVojtko]

I always have Evan Williams Black around.

None of the more highly regarded bottom shelf brands are available here in SoCal, but recently, the local national retailer had Fighting Cock for $14 and I really enjoyed it.

[393foureyedfox]

HH 6 90, HH 6 BIB, OGD114....fairly cheap stuff that is good alone, and I dont mind if someone wants to mix them

[jonnyd]

HH Green 6Yr 90- Nice simple flavors and not really harsh to drink straight.

EW BIB- Good with a splash of H20.

AA- Different flavors than any other bourbon. Like OGD 114 not in flavor or proof, but that it is distinctive from everything else so that makes it a brand that I go back to. There's a flavor in the AA that makes me think of me of tea? Call me crazy.

OGD 114- Can't beat it on proof to price ratio. Like I said with AA, there is something distinctive about the flavor. With this it's the orange and spice flavors that I haven't found anywhere else.

Edited January 24, 2014 by jonnyd

[jonnyd]

How could I forget the VOB line? They are a good solid ryed bourbon at a great price.

[Oboe Cadobro]

Bottom shelf for me is WT101...at $19 a bottle, a double shot in a cocktail costs a whopping $2.50...I don't think that's gonna break me...:cool:

During the holidays I saw Evan W. black on sale for $9.99, now that's value no matter where you are.

That's the standard 365-days-a-year price at my local grocery store. The only thing I use it for is my holiday eggnog from scratch, which also includes brandy and rum...:yum:

Edited January 24, 2014 by Oboe Cadobro

[wildrnesxperienc]

VOB BIB and Old Fitz BIB depending on whether I want a rye or wheated.

[BigBoldBully]

Heaven Hill 8 year. $10 for a liter and pretty darn good.

$10 a liter?? Man, you are killing me. Although I have not seen it at any price, being on the wrong side of the river, I am sure it's good stuff and I'd buy it by the case. Maybe when I come back to mpls someday to reminisce, you can point me to right place (after we sample a little tequila). :cool:

[ratcheer]

It was Old Grand Dad 86, until they cut it to 80. Now, I don't know.

tim

[squire]

I know the feeling Tim, it's enough to drive a man to martinis.

[Renegator]

Old Forester 86. Can get around here for $15. Makes a great Manhattan.

[Flyfish]

It was Old Grand Dad 86, until they cut it to 80. Now, I don't know.

tim

OGD BIB is still well under $20. It counts in my book as a great value. OGD 114 is sometimes on sale for less than $20 as well and qualifies as an even greater value. (AAA 10YO and VOB 6YO were once my leading candidates.)

[miller542]

Costco's Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon. (7 yo knob creek).

If only.

My favorite bourbon for mixing used to be Ancient Age 10 star but I can't get that here. Now its Ancient Age or Benchmark, or even Old Crow Reserve. While EW black label is a great value and I often have it on hand, I don't like it for mixing, it just doesn't play well with mixers for me.

Edited January 24, 2014 by miller542