Buckky Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Now that Christmas is over and we all have impending credit card bills due to arrive in January, what are the best bourbons out there for less than $20? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 It is hard to say what are the very best bourbons for under $20 since everyone has different opinions as what is good and what is bad. That being said these are my favorites that are under $20, or right around there like $22-$24 are:-Old Forester 100 Proof-Ridgewood Reserve 1792-Wild Turkey Russel's Reserve-Evan Williams Single Barrel-Elmer T Lee Single Barrel-Buffalo Trace-Eagle Rare 10YO 101 Proof -Eagle Rare 10YO Single Barrel-WL Weller 12 YO-Ancient Ancient Age 10 YO-Ezra Brooks 15 YO-Old Commonwealth 10 YO (if you can still get it)And my wife loves it so I'll add Four Roses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 I think Mark summed it up nicely, and I would like to emphasize the Weller 12yo and the AAA 10yo. Both are bourbons I would pay twice the price asked and still feel like I got a good deal. Try the Old Forester 100 proof if you can find it with the "Black Diamond" label. One that Mark did not mention is Old Charter 12yo "The Classic". At only $15 or so it's a steal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneCubeOnly Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 That's a pretty representative sub-$20 list. My only addition would be Elijah Craig 12yo. (Beware though...EC12 is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it type of bourbon!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 My only addition would be Elijah Craig 12yo. DOH, how could I have left that out! You are right, it is a love it or hate it bourbon Gary. It's one of the few bourbons I can say I only care for if it has a cube or two in it, but nonetheless, it is a very good bourbon for its price. Now let's just hope we don't see its price get inflated in 04'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 The ones on your list that I am familar with are all more like $25-26, not less than $20. (Not that I would quibble with your list for quality at reasonable cost.)The only low cost bourbon that I have tried is Evan Williams 7 yr. I think it sells for about $11. And it is a pleasant bourbon, good but subtle flavor, medium body but a short finish.Regards, jimbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascarl Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 A state line divides Kansas City so prices vary widely. Some of these will cost more than $20 at various stores in the metro, but all can be found for sale under $20 somewhere on a regular basis. At the $20 price point I can (and do) buy & recommend the following:BOURBON Old Fitz 1849David Nichols 1843Makers MarkKnob CreekOld Forester BIB & 86Old Ezra 7 yr Elijah Craig 12 yr Old Grand Dad BIB & 114Wild Turkey 101Old Weller 12 yrEvan Williams Single BarrelOld Charter 10 & 12 yrRYE Old Overholt RyeWild Turkey RyeRaise the price point to $25 and I'll add:Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve Elmer T. Lee. Old Ezra Brooks 12-15 yrOld Rip Van Winkle 10 yrVan Winkle Rye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Yeah, some of em' can be around $25+, just depends where you live or how well you know a store owner and how close to his cost he is willing to sell you the stuff. The place I get my EWSB in the city charges near $30 for EWSB (don't forget that is Manhattan price) but I get it for somewhere around $22-24... If I get it while in VA at one of the Air Force or Navy bases class six stores, the price drops to $20 no tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texascarl Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Elijah Craig 12yo (snip ) it is a very good bourbon for its price. Now let's just hope we don't see its price get inflated in 04'! Just to be on the safe side I bought a couple of 1.75L bottles of EC12yr on sale last week @ $22 each. Roughly $10/750ml for EC 12? Seasonal sale or no, THAT'S a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 Jeff,I also agree with the items in Mark's list and glad to see you've added "The Classic"...it is excellent. I'd also like to mention Barton's BIB. It is a good bourbon for the money!Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gr8erdane Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 I found a pretty good bargain (I think) last week and picked up a coupld of bottles of ORVW 10yr 90pr for 15 bucks apiece. Other stores in the area has the same for 25. But then, almost all the prices you guys give are a lot less than stores around here sell it for. Danged old state of Missouri (pronounced in this case MISERY)Dane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paradox Posted December 27, 2003 Share Posted December 27, 2003 I just did a search and found a fairly old thread that discusses this exact topic as well... Seems like prices on some of the 'cheaper' pours have not changed much over the past few years while on the more 'boutique bourbons' we have seen a bit more of a price jump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcheer Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 Before I read what everyone else answered, I will list mine:Wild Turkey 101Elijah Craig 12-year oldOld Forester 100-proofNote that prices are higher here than in most areas, so some things I have to pay more than $20 for might be under it where you live. But all of those are actually under $20, here.Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcheer Posted December 28, 2003 Share Posted December 28, 2003 Oh, that is ironic. In Alabama, December is the only month when they don't run any sales at the ABC stores, because they know they will sell more than usual, anyway. (I just stock up in November.)Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted December 29, 2003 Share Posted December 29, 2003 I've no quarrel with anybody's list so far, but:I know it's not available everywhere -- and, that I'm showing my simple tastes here -- but Rebel Yell is closer to $10 than $20, and I think it's a fine drink. Add Weller Special Reserve and Antique 107 as items usually at or under the $20 price point.And (I know, not a bourbon!), but I'd also include Wild Turkey rye to my "best under $20" list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 but Rebel Yell is closer to $10 than $20, and I think it's a fine drink.Tell me more about Rebel Yell. I have seen it in local liquor stores but have never tried it. What is another bourbon similar in taste and body?Regards, jimbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted December 30, 2003 Share Posted December 30, 2003 Originally a Stitzel-Weller product, my understanding is that Rebel Yell -- which once was marketed in only a handful of Southeastern states -- was an 80-proof version of 'wheatie' W.L. Weller's Special Reserve (90 proof). Weller, of course, is now owned and bottled by Buffalo Trace/Sazerac, and the Rebel Yell label belongs to David Sherman Corp., St. Louis. I've been told -- and, I believe from my own tastebuds -- that it retains its original wheat grain bill. It is very similar to the 7yo Special Reserve, with caramel and molasses undertones, and a great bourbon for its low price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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