What Am I Getting For My $$$?

[cowdery]

Instead of asking "Is It Worth It?" about an expensive bottle, the better inquiry might be "What Am I Getting For That Kind of Money?"

The former asks for an opinion. The latter asks for information, so you can decide for yourself. "Is it worth it?" is a question only you can answer. Your friends can help by providing information about the bottle to better inform your decision. I suppose if there's a 'worth it!' consensus you can just follow the pack, if that's how you make decisions. However, asking for information is probably a better use of the resources available here.

Just a thought.

[Special Reserve]

And a good thought at that!

[Richnimrod]

...If one could expect an honest and complete answer to such a question from any of the distillers, 'producers' (NDP's), marketers, 'finishers', etc......

Sifting through all the hoooooey dispensed by anybody you don't know personally (& some you do, even) is the big question mark, eh?

[squire]

All to often one can't get a straight answer which is the crux of the matter. So I won't buy mystery whisky or buy from a producer who is otherwise lying.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

The only times producers/bottlers/finishers are required to tell the truth is in court and on the bottle.

Some are more honest that others but all have the same goal. To sell bottles of whiskey.

[TunnelTiger]

All the bourbons/ryes I purchase are great value for my $$$ especially when compared to scotch, not even taking proof into account.

Being a member here though has given me great insight into what to avoid not only for taste but understanding who makes what and what all of that entails.

[The Black Tot]

"Is it worth it?" may be a disappointing question, but I'll take it any day over the far more perncious "What is this worth?"

[B.B. Babington]

"what am I getting" vs "is it worth it" maybe not that different. Maybe getting a bottle with good reviews and decent price, but is it worth taking up space in bunker in small crowded apartment, when on a tight budget, and there's an old favorite on special sale.

[El Vino]

Chuck: Since producers are limiting available information to consumers, it is not much of a stretch to conclude that producers are afraid of what would happen if consumers had all the information. Here's the question: in your opinion, how would consumers react if they complete clarity about age, mashbill, warehouse location, etc.? Would there be an outcry over pricing? Would market share swing? Or would it be a non-event?

[TunnelTiger]

Chuck: Here's the question: in your opinion, how would consumers react if they complete clarity about age, mashbill, warehouse location, etc.? Would there be an outcry over pricing? Would market share swing? Or would it be a non-event?

[El Vino]

TT, you're probably right for the bottom shelf stuff. And sales of the limited release stuff is burning rocket fuel. The mid/high shelf product, representing the bulk of my purchases, may be a different story.

[amg]

I don't think that the average consumer of mid/high shelf bourbon is necessarily educated about bourbon. They just reach for the Eagle Rare or the Rowan's Creek because it must be better than the bottom shelf stuff since it costs more.

[Xevious]

And this is exactly why I started reading these boards. When I first started taking an interest in bourbon, the liquor store selection could be a bit overwhelming. One train of thought is that if it costs more, it must be better. And since I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I may or may not like, I started looking online for the best values, which can be subjective itself. But it led me to do some research on the different distilleries, where each bourbon comes from, mash bill, barrel selection, age, etc. I've since found some fantastic sub $20 bourbons that satisfy me day in and day out. If I hadn't educated myself a little, I probably would never have sought them out.

[ebo]

All the bourbons/ryes I purchase are great value for my $$$ especially when compared to scotch,

Really? How so? It's a given that Scotch is more expensive than Bourbon.... for the most part. If things continue as they are, Bourbon may catch up. Then, how does one determine what is the better value..... if it even is?

Edited November 24, 2014 by ebo

[B.B. Babington]

Really? How so? It's a given that Scotch is more expensive than Bourbon.... for the most part. If things continue as they are, Bourbon may catch up. Then, how does one determine what is the better value..... if it even is?

or worse, all the scotch drinkers figure out bourbon really is better.

[squire]

Well then let's not tell them.

[Grain Belt]

I don't think that the average consumer of mid/high shelf bourbon is necessarily educated about bourbon. They just reach for the Eagle Rare or the Rowan's Creek because it must be better than the bottom shelf stuff since it costs more.

One of my favorite bourbons was a barrel select Eagle Rare at my local for $24. I put it's "tastes like" value at $60. I bought more than a fair amount over a two year span until the well ran dry. Sometimes it might be had to find the right scapegoat for overpriced bourbons because you might be illustrating your point to a fan.

[mbroo5880i]

I think more information to the enthusiast is great and I want as much information from the distiller/bottler as possible. However, I don't think more information makes a hill of beans to the average bourbon buyer. While "what am I getting for my $$$" is important to me, I don't think most bourbon buyers care. This isn't a bourbon only phenomenon. It applies to fruit juice at the supermarket, cereal boxes, fast food restaurants. People look for convenience and catchy packaging. Think about the "generic" movement in supermarkets in the 1970s and 1980s. Buying boxes of generic oatmeal seemed like a no brainer. However, sale of generic boxes still trail those with the Quaker dude on them 30 to 40 years later. A fancy bottle of MGPI product with a fake story is still more appealing than a bottle of $10 Jim Beam. If it costs more, it has to be better.

[squire]

Of course one can always buy generic and decant it into the dude box, I've heard of such things.

[Paddy]

Of course one can always buy generic and decant it into the dude box, I've heard of such things.

And I hear it works great for the mixed drink crowd. "Why, yes.... that is a very fine bourbon for you to mix with your Diet Coke. Only the best!" :grin:

[garbanzobean]

Really? How so? It's a given that Scotch is more expensive than Bourbon.... for the most part. If things continue as they are, Bourbon may catch up. Then, how does one determine what is the better value..... if it even is?

Edited November 24, 2014 by garbanzobean

[amg]

One of my favorite bourbons was a barrel select Eagle Rare at my local for $24. I put it's "tastes like" value at $60. I bought more than a fair amount over a two year span until the well ran dry. Sometimes it might be had to find the right scapegoat for overpriced bourbons because you might be illustrating your point to a fan.

[Flyfish]

I once had a conversation with our Corporate Secretary about the cost of a project I was about to report on to the Board of Directors. His observation: If they like it, they won't care what it cost. If they don't like it, they won't care how cheap it was.

[TunnelTiger]

Really? How so? It's a given that Scotch is more expensive than Bourbon.... for the most part. If things continue as they are, Bourbon may catch up. Then, how does one determine what is the better value..... if it even is?

[squire]

Let's see, for $12.00 I can get a bottle of 4-5 year old Bonded Bourbon or for twice that amount buy a bottle of one of the recognized Scotch brands. The Bourbon is mature and 100 proof whereas the Scotch is 80 proof and their blends now contain grain whisky barely older than the legal three year age minimum.

Yes, I know, high end LE Bourbons and double digit aged single malts are approaching parity in price but for the remaining 90% of both in the market Bourbon wins the value for money comparison every time.