What is your favorite bourbon worth?

[Flyfish]

The thread "Rising Prices from Distributors" got me to wondering how we determine the fair price for bourbon. Prices vary from state to state and with the boundaries of non-control states. Not to mention on the secondary or black market. Any price that deviates either low or high from what we are accustomed to paying is either a bargain or gouging.

Sometimes we just draw an arbitrary line: "I will never pay more than $XX for any bottle." Sometimes we say, "I like ETL better than FRSB so why would I ever pay $10 more for the FR?"

So, SBers, what is the benchmark, so to speak, that helps you decide the "fair" price for your favorite beverage?

[Mr. Bourbon]

My favorite Bourbon so far is Bookers. I paid $75 Canadian for it and I think the bottle I had was worth that much.

[Kartofel]

I guess the Iowa ABC price book helps me decide. Most of the prices I read about on this board seem very low to me, but I guess I'm used to paying Iowa prices. The biggest treat when going to a non control state is seeing substantial sales on liquor, that never happens here.

All that being said, you can get Baker's for about $50 here, and if taste is my sole concern, Baker's is tops in any whiskey category in my book and well worth the money.

[flahute]

I'm thinking we shouldn't answer this question. Too many "x bourbon is a bargain at x price and I would pay as much as x" responses just give the distilleries and distributors all the more reason to increase prices.

[BFerguson]

I'm thinking we shouldn't answer this question. Too many "x bourbon is a bargain at x price and I would pay as much as x" responses just give the distilleries and distributors all the more reason to increase prices.

In that case, I think 20yr Pappy is worth about $20, maybe $25..... Of course, I'd wait to buy it on sale......

The games we play.

B

[flahute]

In that case, I think 20yr Pappy is worth about $20, maybe $25..... Of course, I'd wait to buy it on sale......

The games we play.

B

That works for me.

[Darwin]

I prefer single malts over bourbon at this point in life. I have not tasted any bourbon under $20 that I would drink again. I have found a few at $25 to $30 that I keep on the shelf. I really like FRSB and I picked up several when the price was $34. I don't see me spending more than that any time soon. The single malts that I enjoy the most is $70 and I have a few of those. I don't think I will chase after anything more expensive than that.

[GaryT]

Honestly, if I could never get my hands on another BTAC, PHC, any other LE - I'd be happy with the generally available retail offerings of EC12 and Bookers. But I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss some of those truly magnificent pours :-)

[alstevens]

I've enjoyed more of the "cheaper" stuff than the more expensive bottles.

For example I'm enjoying OFBIB and EWW each at $15 far more than the Michters and FEW I picked up for $40ish.

I guess the sweet spot for me is $15-32.

I don't have a favorite bourbon but a lot of my favorites fall in there.

[kjbeggs]

I don't even know what I'd consider my "favorite" bourbon at this point. If we are talking about something to keep on hand as a daily drinker, I'm pretty comfortable in the $25-35 range.

I can get EC12 or Larceny there, and OGD114 for even less. and when it's to be found, ETL at that price point too.

[The Black Tot]

What I'm willing to pay is mostly going down as the market goes up. I spent some high coin getting the bunker built, but the hatches are battened down for quite some time.

[GerryM]

Booker's for $40 is my hands down fav, especially the round table releases.

[mbroo5880i]

In that case, I think 20yr Pappy is worth about $20, maybe $25..... Of course, I'd wait to buy it on sale......

The games we play.

B

Even then, I would probably only buy it on sale if it had a rebate coupon on the bottle neck.

[mbroo5880i]

I don't even know what I'd consider my "favorite" bourbon at this point. If we are talking about something to keep on hand as a daily drinker, I'm pretty comfortable in the $25-35 range.

I can get EC12 or Larceny there, and OGD114 for even less. and when it's to be found, ETL at that price point too.

This is kind of where I am. At today's prices, I lean toward EC12, Larceny, EWSB based on enjoyment for the price. The price is currently $25 to $30 for these bourbons. If the price increases, say to the mid-$30s for the same bourbons, I will lean toward other options. A good example is FRSB. A few years back, it would have been my primary choice. However, that was when the price was in the mid-$20s. Now that the regular price is closer to $40, I don't buy it as much.

[Richnimrod]

After giving this some thought, I have to say IT DEPENDS!

I wouldn't pay much over Michigan State minimum for most things, and not even that much for a good many 'hard to find' ones. My days of bribing purveyors of liquor for chances to pay way too much for some limited release are over.

I find there are far too many very satisfying pours available in the $20-$50 range. Most of the Bourbon I reach for on a regular basis is under $40/750. ...And, I enjoy it as much (well, almost as much) as Pappy or one of the BTACs.

The only real exception to that is the two SB picks I was lucky enough to be a part of that were rather more than that (HHSS). If these were to become available again, I'd pay $75 for a bottle of either.

[JvW]

Booker's for $40 is my hands down fav, especially the round table releases.

I concur with you Gerry, Baker's (for me) and Booker's are hands down my favorite pours; will pay $40 and $50 respectively. In addition I love Noah's Mill and it's worth $50 any day.

[squire]

It's worth it if I want it. Usually I want what's on sale.

[fozzy71]

Booker's for $40 is my hands down fav, especially the round table releases.

mbn

I concur with you Gerry, Baker's (for me) and Booker's are hands down my favorite pours; will pay $40 and $50 respectively. In addition I love Noah's Mill and it's worth $50 any day.

50 and 60 up here for baker's/booker's, so I have yet to try either of these unfortunately as I am done spending that much on a 750ml bottle. I am trying to keep my avg/bottle price under 30 when purchasing now going forward. If I do decide to grab a $40 bottle (say another FRSB perhaps) then I will buy a couple 15 - 30 dollar bottles to bring my out the door average down to something I can stomach easier.

[Madhatter]

"So, SBers, what is the benchmark, so to speak, that helps you decide the "fair" price for your favorite beverage?"

My favorite bourbon has been undergoing a steady, but not outlandish, price increase for the past two years. Because it is my favorite, I'll continue to buy it at higher prices. If the price every becomes onerous or less conscionable, I'll just drink it less often. My favorite is only one of the range of bourbons and ryes I drink in rotation. If I had to drink the same bourbon every day, bourbon would not be a favorite hobby.

[jakerthesnaker79]

"...My favorite is only one of the range of bourbons and ryes I drink in rotation. If I had to drink the same bourbon every day, bourbon would not be a favorite hobby.

I completely agree with this. I think the ability to change as my palate desires is one thing that keeps me around. With that being said, I tend to think in terms of how many bottles of FRSB and EC12 I can purchase within the said bottle(s) price range. So if the price on those two crept up a bit (in addition the prices on bourbon in general) they would still be my measuring stick --> I guess the question is what is the breaking point on which I will find new 'go-to faves' should those two continue to see the same price increases over the next 5 or 10 years...that will require more rumination, and deliberation with a pour this evening.

[squire]

. . . . If I had to drink the same bourbon every day, bourbon would not be a favorite hobby.

I can think of worse fates to suffer.

[Madhatter]

I can think of worse fates to suffer.

Have you noticed how bourbon geeks want to try and compare variety in bourbons and ryes? Those who drink for the buzz or who are alcoholics are satisfied with the same bourbon (affordable and available are necessary priorities).

[squire]

If it didn't contain alcohol we wouldn't drink it and anyone who claims otherwise is deceiving themselves or attempting to deceive others.

[jonhalter]

Non barrel proof Id pay up to $50.. BP up to $65. Good news is that most of my favorites are in the $35 or less range. Im eyeing a WTRB at $35.99 for my next purchase. Its been awhile, and I recall enjoying it immensely.

[meadeweber]

Non barrel proof Id pay up to $50.. BP up to $65. Good news is that most of my favorites are in the $35 or less range. Im eyeing a WTRB at $35.99 for my next purchase. Its been awhile, and I recall enjoying it immensely.

Go for it Jon! WTRB is a great bourbon. You are probably recalling correctly and I doubt you will be disappointed. That's also quite a fair price.