Underrated Bourbons

[smokinjoe]

I have been a fan of Maker's 46 since it was released several years ago.  The extra oak stave finishing provides a significant addition to regular Maker's (of which I am a fan of in its own right), by adding a healthy dose of spiciness and complexity.  I have often thought that it has been underappreciated and underrated, here on SB.   I can also think of a handful of other bourbons that seem underrated by our group of enthusiasts, from my observations.  You know, when you think to yourself:  "Why don't more people talk this whiskey up more?  It's dang good?"

So I ask:  What bourbon do you think is "underrated" by the rest of us?

I look forward to hearing y'alls opinions as I sit back enjoying this pour of 46...

 

[GaryT]

My vote is AAA10*

I personally did several blind sbs with this and AAA 10-yr, and found that I preferred the 10-star more often than not (and not by a wide margin, but even if it was a dead heat - I count that as a WIN since 10-star is always available in Georgia while I only found 10-yr in Kentucky!)  I've never had a bottle of 10* that disappointed me.  We all have different tastes, so I don't mean to imply that those who love AAA 10yr are "wrong" - but I always wonder how many folks have done a true, blind SBS - and what their thoughts after that were.  It isn't a complex pour, but I find it has more punch and rich sweetness than any other pour I can pick up for $16 (although Ezra Brooks 7yr 101 is right there too!)

I think folks are afraid to admit they like AAA10*, just to keep folks away from it.  The same way I try to tell people OGD114 is swill and should be avoided at ALL COST

[starhopper]

5 minutes ago, darylld911 said:

I think folks are afraid to admit they like AAA10*, just to keep folks away from it.  The same way I try to tell people OGD114 is swill and should be avoided at ALL COST

I agree - OGD114 is TERRIBLE - just leave it on the shelves folks!

[fishnbowljoe]

Great topic Joe!

I wholeheartedly agree with you about MM. It doesn't get much love here on the site, but like I've said before, it is what it is. A pretty decent bourbon, at a fair price. When all else fails, I know I can count on MM. It's my gateway bourbon, and I always have a bottle or two in my stash. FWIW, I also like MMCS. As for MM46, well, I haven't had that in a while. Might have to remedy that this weekend. One place I shop regularly (and that has a liquor department) has all three at good pries. MM-$23.99, MMCS-$48.99, MM46-$31.99. What's a mother to do? 

Cheers! Joe…..the other one

 

[smokinjoe]

12 minutes ago, darylld911 said:

My vote is AAA10*

...We all have different tastes, so I don't mean to imply that those who love AAA 10yr are "wrong"

Great point Country, on your particular observation, or anyone elses.  There is no "wrong" answer to this question! 

[fishnbowljoe]

21 minutes ago, darylld911 said:

 The same way I try to tell people OGD114 is swill and should be avoided at ALL COST

 And I thought it was just me Gary.  I've given OGD 114 it's due here as a value pour just because so many people have such high praise for it. Personally speaking, I don't care for it much. It just ain't my cup of tea.

On the other hand, I thought of another somewhat underrated bourbon. FRYL. Decent, inexpensive, and readily available. FWIW, I prefer FRYL to the FRSMB. 

Cheers! Joe

[jaxn slim]

I'm a big fan of Larceny.  It does appear to get some love around here, though.

[ken_mays]

Good luck finding an underrated bourbon with this crowd.  I would have to say EWBIB or JBBIB. 

[Paddy]

I agree, 46 does not get the love it deserves.  Most everything else does either get discussed and/or some love here, IMO (hell, that's what we're here for isn't it). 

My first thought (besides the aforementioned AAA10* and 46) would probably be Woodford Double Oaked.  Overpriced, but underrated...

P. S. for those newer members who may not be aware, the AAA 10 yr that Gary speaks of above, is a discontinued brand.

[KyleCBreese]

After having a pour tonight, I think the 4RSmB is underrated. Everyone seems to go straight the Single Barrel store selections and pass right by the YL and SmB. I purchased this bottle for $25. The value is there and the taste is great. 

[bullitt]

Each to his own. I've already stated on several occasions how I feel about Willett Pot Still Reserve and Michter's Bourbon. Maybe it was the atmosphere. I've enjoyed several of these over many settings and have never been disappointed.

[Harry in WashDC]

4 hours ago, fishnbowljoe said:

  . . . On the other hand, . . ., I prefer FRYL to the FRSMB. 

Cheers! Joe

This.  While I love the 4RYL and most of the 4RCS's, the SmB and even the SB, unless I'm really in the mood, get left on the shelf while I pick up just about ANYthing else.  Also, I know why VOB bonded is such a big seller - good thing the rest of the world leaves it alone.

Under-appreciated by SBers? That's tougher.  I guess some of us old fahts would be happy if the rest of you would leave our OGD bonded alone.  I've had non-SB people in stores smirk when I pick up multliple bottles while they grab top shelf NDPs.  My problem here is: most of us SBers are just too aware of what's going on to NOT know what's good, generally, vs. what's not even if we DON'T like a particular brand. 

[b1gcountry]

I hear a lot about EWBIB here. I hear a lot of snickers about Jefferson's. I think they make pretty good stuff, although it is priced pretty high.

[flahute]

If I had been asked this question by Joe without hearing his take on it, I just might have said Maker's 46 as well. I've only had one bottle of it, and while it took about 1/3 of the bottle to get the hang of the stave finishing, it really shone after that. For some reason, I haven't bought another since. Need to revisit.

Because I don't have enough time invested with 46 to really get behind it, I'm going to go with Baker's. We read a lot about Booker's and KCSB (and other Beam's) on these pages but rarely hear about Baker's. It was mentioned once a while back and a bunch of us went out to get it but that didn't result in much fanfare. It made an impression on me however and I do wonder why more don't like it. Might be the price.

[mosugoji64]

For the longest time I felt like I was the only one who enjoyed HHs Old Fitzgerald line  (aside from Prime). It's getting more love these days but,  besides Larceny,  harder to find. Larceny is still unavailable here in AZ so I have to stock up when traveling east or to CA.

[GAbiker]

I'm submitting WLWeller Special Reserve. Dollar for dollar the best wheater on the marker today.  No, it doesn't have a lot of age.  No, it's not the most complex tasting bottle out there.  But at under $15 for a 750 and under $30 for a handle, I don't think there's anything in that price range that's better quality.

[starhopper]

Wild Turkey 101 (WT101) at $19.95 for 750ml is on the top of my list!

[squire]

10 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said:

. . . .  My problem here is: most of us SBers are just too aware of what's going on to NOT know what's good, generally, vs. what's not even if we DON'T like a particular brand. 

That's my take on it as well.  I don't think there's any Bourbon rock out there the SBers haven't turned over.  Hell, we've even measured and weighed the rocks.

[squire]

10 hours ago, b1gcountry said:

I hear a lot about EWBIB here. I hear a lot of snickers about Jefferson's. I think they make pretty good stuff, although it is priced pretty high.

Actually they don't make a damn thing.  A complement to Jeffersons is really a complement to who they bought it from.  HH is a good a candidate as any because they've been in the bulk sales business for over half a century.

[starhopper]

Perhaps it would be even more interesting to have an "OVERRATED BOURBONS" thread! It certainly would be more controversial.

Edited January 7, 2016 by starhopper

[jaxn slim]

3 hours ago, GAbiker said:

I'm submitting WLWeller Special Reserve. Dollar for dollar the best wheater on the marker today.  No, it doesn't have a lot of age.  No, it's not the most complex tasting bottle out there.  But at under $15 for a 750 and under $30 for a handle, I don't think there's anything in that price range that's better quality.

Before I looked at your location, I was thinking, "This person has to be in GA.  I've never seen Weller that cheap anywhere else."  And boom.  :-)

[starhopper]

17 minutes ago, jaxn slim said:

Before I looked at your location, I was thinking, "This person has to be in GA.  I've never seen Weller that cheap anywhere else."  And boom.  :-)

Yep, up the street, a 750ml of WSR is $12.99! NEVER see OWA or W12

Edited January 7, 2016 by starhopper

[PaulO]

JTS Brown and JW Dant are two that are always in my line up.  I think the low price scares people away.  I can't imagine the uproar if a craft distiller made these.  I like Old Fitz bond and Larceny too.

I have not seen AA 10* available locally.  I started liking the 10 year around the time it was discontinued.  I picked those up in Louisville.

Also, I have had some store selected Knob Creek Single Barrel under $40 120 proof just incredible bourbon.  If an NDP put this in a vodka bottle, you couldn't find or pay $$$.  The Facebook server would crash.

 

Edited January 7, 2016 by PaulO

[O'DubhGhaill]

Evan Williams Black ($22/1.75L) and Four Roses Yellow ($19/1.0L) and I couldn't be happier that they are.

[smokinjoe]

11 hours ago, flahute said:

If I had been asked this question by Joe without hearing his take on it, I just might have said Maker's 46 as well. I've only had one bottle of it, and while it took about 1/3 of the bottle to get the hang of the stave finishing, it really shone after that. For some reason, I haven't bought another since. Need to revisit.

Because I don't have enough time invested with 46 to really get behind it, I'm going to go with Baker's. We read a lot about Booker's and KCSB (and other Beam's) on these pages but rarely hear about Baker's. It was mentioned once a while back and a bunch of us went out to get it but that didn't result in much fanfare. It made an impression on me however and I do wonder why more don't like it. Might be the price.

Sometimes Steve, I think we're brothers separated at birth.  I picked the 46, because I was drinking it at the time and facilitated the thoughts that led me to start this thread.  But, when I mentioned that there were a handful of other bourbons I thought were underrated, Baker's was at the top of that list!  For some reason, I underrate it, though I really enjoy it when I drink it.  I see it at the whiskey mongers store every time I'm in there, and I want to get it, but just don't pull the trigger.  I'm not sure I've seen it on anyone's Top List, but a nicely aged, delicious, fairly priced, 107 proofer seems worthy of more appreciation from us.