Cheap Bourbon in Ohio What would you recommend? What would you try?

[jankdc]

Ohio is a regulated state, the government states what can be sold at what price. I'm looking for a straight bourbon (no blend) that is less than $15 per 750ml that will be used for mixed drinks, but that I wouldn't mind sipping. With my list below of what is available, what would your recommend? Also, what would you like to try? Finally, what would you stay away from? Thanks!

Ancient Age 750ml $11.00

Ancient Ancient Age L $14.00

Benchmark Bourbon 8 year $9.80

Early Times 750ml $12.6

Echo Springs L $13.50

Evan Williams 750ml $11.95

Ezra Brooks 750ml $12.95

Heaven Hill Old Style L $14.00 green label 40%

Kentucky Tavern $9.80 750ml

Mark Twain L $11.50

Mattingly and Moore L $11.50 (I think this is a blend)

Old Crow L $11.90

Old Crow Traveler 750mL $10.65

Old Grand Dad (40%) 13.75

Rebel Yell 750ml $14.95

Some outliers to consider:

Old Ezra 101 750ml 7yr $15.25

Only BIB straight whiskey that I'm aware of under $15 is Mellow Corn (not a bourbon) 750ml $12.95

JTS Brown (only 1.75L) $21.50

[chrisg]

You can get Evan Williams BIB. I can't remember the price but I believe it is around $13. AAA 10-Star is certainly worthwhile. For about $17 you can also get OGD 100.

[callmeox]

Sub 15 is a tough place to shop for a sipper. Evan Williams would be my choice from the Ohio list. We used to have JTS Brown 100 which would have been my choice.

If you roll into a sub 20.00 range, Old Grand Dad bottled in bond would make the cut and would be my choice. It is in the 18.00/750 range depending on your taxes.

Don't forget that compared to the 80 proof version it is "bourbon concentrate" so you can add a bit of water to bring the proof down to 90 and you're right around your 15.00 limit.

[squire]

Bourbon concentrate, I like that. Be mindful Benchmark is not 8 years old, that big honking 8 on the label doesn't mean squat. Of the ones listed I would go with Evan Williams black label or JTS Brown BIB.

[Quintilian]

Here are my so-called thoughts. AA isn't bad as a mixer, and I've even sipped it for the heck of it. It's Sahara dry. If Ancient AA is available, I'd be all over that. EW is good, but if you can get EWBiB as chrisg notes, that's the best of the bunch, imo. I also like Old Ezra 101.

[callmeox]

JTS Brown BiB in Ohio at this time.

EW BiB white label in the 16.00 range. That's another "concentrate" option.

AAA 10* is on the list at the 1L so that's a deal.

For reference, I picked up 11/12ths of a case of Ritt BiB for 11 and change per bottle about 5 years ago. That ship has obviously sailed, but the sub 15 list was better then.

Edited August 21, 2014 by callmeox

[Dave43]

JTS Brown BiB in Ohio at this time.

EW BiB white label in the 16.00 range. That's another "concentrate" option.

AAA 10* is on the list at the 1L so that's a deal.

For reference, I picked up 11/12ths of a case of Ritt BiB for 11 and change per bottle about 5 years ago. That ship has obviously sailed, but the sub 15 list was better then.

Ritt for $11? Wow, I was happy to get it at $25.

[jankdc]

Thanks for your replies.

For reference: https://www.comapps.ohio.gov/liqr/liqr_apps/PermitLookup/AgencyBrand.aspx

EW BIB isn't available in Cuyahoga, neither is JTS Brown BIB. OGD BIB (100) is $18.75 so it's out of my constraints. I'd rather spend a little more an get a EC12 which I love. I have an Evan Williams single barrel that I just don't like, so I hesitate to get EW black. Rittenhouse isn't available. I really listed what is available in that price range.

So far I have a couple votes for EW Black, a couple for AAA, and one for Old Ezra 101.

Edited August 21, 2014 by jankdc

[393foureyedfox]

of that list, Id personally grab the Ezra 101 and the green Heaven Hill 90

[squire]

Hmm, I read the list as the regular 90 proof Ezra but if it's the 101 yes, add that.

[393foureyedfox]

Hmm, I read the list as the regular 90 proof Ezra but if it's the 101 yes, add that.

he put the Ezra 101 on the list........but looking back I also see he listed HH green as 80 proof. The green is 90 proof and 6 years here in KY.....at 80 proof, everything is a no-buy to me.

[jankdc]

he put the Ezra 101 on the list........but looking back I also see he listed HH green as 80 proof. The green is 90 proof and 6 years here in KY.....at 80 proof, everything is a no-buy to me.

It might be 90 proof. I'll need to check. I just know that it's not the BIB.

[callmeox]

Buying in Cuyahoga county is an additional handicap due to the highest sales tax rate in the state and the added sin tax.

Lake/Geauga/Summit/Lorain/Medina all have lower taxes on booze (Lorain is the lowest) and no extra sin tax.

A handle of OGD BiB in Lorain at 36.80 comes to 15.77/750...so we're getting closer.

Three stores in Cuyahoga have EW BIB listed (though that's no stock guarantee). Brand number is 2925B but it's 16.95, so that's a no go.

I've never been an Ezra Brooks fan, the others are just meh IMO.

Good luck with your search.

[callmeox]

It might be 90 proof. I'll need to check. I just know that it's not the BIB.

Heaven Hill Old Style is 80 proof in Ohio.

[Eskwar]

AAA 10*. Questionable labeling aside, it's not bad at all. Plus, 90 proof and high(er)-rye among BT products means it could work for mixing.

(Or, you could just buy the $30 ETL that so many of us don't have access to and drink it @ half-speed.)

[mark fleetwood]

My reco? cash a bond and take yourself on a Saturday holiday down to party source in KY and stock up!

[jankdc]

My reco? cash a bond and take yourself on a Saturday holiday down to party source in KY and stock up!

Yea, I don't think I'm going to spend 8 hours driving and 90+ bucks in gas and food to save a few dollars for some bourbon. It's not like there isn't any great bourbon here. I'd rather spend the money on ECSB or barrel proof and some KCSB or Bakers and enjoy it sitting on my porch.

[jankdc]

Anyone have an opinion of Kentucky Tavern? This site did a bottom shelf comparison and liked it: http://bourbonbasement.com/

[squire]

Sure, it's basic 80 proof Barton under another label, decent enough for what it is and usually bargain priced. The brand has a long and illustrious history perhaps reaching it's peak during the glut when unsold old stock was blended into the mix. I remember a tasting in the early 1980s where NAS Kentucky Tavern won out over some 8-10 year age stated Bourbons.

It is reputed (and I believe true) that in the late 1980s the stills at Stitzel-Weller were used to make rye recipe Bourbon for the Kentucky Tavern brand which was very popular at the time.

[DEelfinn]

I think KY Tavern and Benchmark are solid at their respective price points. If you have access to it, another outlier to consider is Old Crow Reserve. I greatly prefer it to Old Crow, though it may be slightly above $15/750.

[Flyfish]

Hey, Buckeye. You ain't got it easy, we know.

I'd say go with some good ol' EW Black--sip enough of it and it starts to taste pretty good.

So is Ezra Brooks. The 101 is even better.

Then, there is OGD. Ah! OGD!

[cowdery]

If Mattingly & Moore is now a blend I'm glad my parents didn't live to see it. That was their brand, for the sole reason that it was the cheapest Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the store. They were frugal, but they had standards.

[393foureyedfox]

Buying in Cuyahoga county is an additional handicap due to the highest sales tax rate in the state and the added sin tax.

is there an actual "sin tax"?! Thats funny, and rediculous.

[callmeox]

is there an actual "sin tax"?! Thats funny, and rediculous.

It is an additional tax on alcohol and cigarettes (hence the name) in Cuyahoga County that was earmarked for costs to construct the downtown arena and baseball park.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Sports_and_Entertainment_Complex

It is relatively easy to avoid if one is so inclined but that is a discussion for another thread.

[Phil T]

If Mattingly & Moore is now a blend I'm glad my parents didn't live to see it. That was their brand, for the sole reason that it was the cheapest Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the store. They were frugal, but they had standards.