Few questions from the noobie

[WatchUrSix]

So the last few weeks I've really been on the hunt for bourbon. I've always been a whiskey sour kind of guy, but I wanted to try and find some bourbons I could enjoy straight up. I've been able to enjoy Weller 90 and 107 proof just this past week and I only wish I could order this by the case. I missed a bottle of the 12 year by 15 mins. The local stores here have a few bottles they have suggested to me but I wanted to get some opinions on price. 

 

Blade and Bow: local store price is $59.00. This price didn't seem too bad. 

 

Elmer T Lee: Single Barrel Sour Mash  local store price is $115.00. I know this is sometimes hard to find but I thought this price to be a little high. Any suggestions?

 

Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon. local store price is 80.00. This price seems a little high but not near as bad as the Elmer. 

 

Most importantly I'm looking for suggestions about some everyday, easy to get bourbons, close to Wellers. 

 

Thanks,

 

Joe 

[dcbt]

35 minutes ago, WatchUrSix said:

Blade and Bow: local store price is $59.00. This price didn't seem too bad. 

 

Elmer T Lee: Single Barrel Sour Mash  local store price is $115.00. I know this is sometimes hard to find but I thought this price to be a little high. Any suggestions?

 

Blanton's Original Single Barrel Bourbon. local store price is 80.00. This price seems a little high but not near as bad as the Elmer. 

 

Most importantly I'm looking for suggestions about some everyday, easy to get bourbons, close to Wellers. 

 

B&B - high.  I think it's usually around 45-50.

ETL - that's insanely high.  Even secondary market is less than that.

Blantons - highish but it's been creeping up.  Last bottle I bought was $70 in May.

 

Having said that, prices are very much regional so YMMV.

 

As far as Weller substitutes, the other wheaters on the market are the Makers family and Larceny.  I think Larceny is probably closer in profile but it isn't available in every state I don't think.  MMCS or MM46 might be decent options that are available everywhere.

 

I can't really think of a rye-recipe bourbon that approximates the Weller profile, at least not off the top of my head.

 

Edited September 15, 2016 by dcbt

[WatchUrSix]

I've been meaning to try MMCS and MM46. I tried Larceny but something about it doesn't speak to me. lol

 

Thanks for the help and suggestions. 

[Paddy]

At the prices noted, I'd go for the Blanton's and skip the ETL.  They share the same mashbill, but the Blanton's is the more refined of the two.  

 

As for wheaters, your other options are Old Fitz and/or Berheim (but I realize they may not be available in your area).   

 

Another suggestion (to quench the BT thirst) would be the standard BT or ER10, if available to you (hopefully they are and at a lessor cost than the selections mentioned above).  That's about as close to the Weller/wheater profile as you'll get (outside of actual wheaters), as they are both low rye. 

[petrel800]

I think I'd find a new shop. I don't mind paying a few extra bucks in a store where I get great service and build a relationship with a knowledgable owner and staff, but I don't get that sense based off his pricing and suggestions.

 

Paddy's advice is good. Regular BT and ER10 are great suggestions. Might even consider adding the 4R yellow label and SIngle Barrel to that list. All should be under 40 bucks and will be a good journey into enjoying bourbon "straight up."

[Flyfish]

We all need a frame of reference.  There was a time when I thought $2500 was too much to spend for a car. Now you have to add a zero just to get basic transportation. Those of us who are quite happy with the quality of bourbon we can get for $20-30 find it ludicrous to even consider ETL at that price. I, for one, was disappointed when it broke through the $30 barrier. On the other hand, I have not seen it at any price whatsoever for quite a while. I bought Blanton's for $53 this spring but I was much happier when I could get it for $40. My advice is to go see what you can still find in that $20-30 range. Even less. I have been enjoying OGD this afternoon, for example, and I like it better than several of the $60+ bottles in my cabinet. Get acquainted with the mid and lower shelves before you go spending mass quantities of $$$. Consider BT, WT101, EWSB, even EC without an 12YO statement, Knob Creek, Eagle Rare, 4R Small Batch or Single Barrel. If you have been accustomed to mixed drinks, you may very well not know yet what flavor profile really appeals to you.  Heaven Hill produces some amazing value bourbons. For the football season, I try to have some Fighting Cock on hand for the South Carolina games. (Though this year I may be drinking a lot less FC.) Be patient with yourself. There is a lot to learn. And to enjoy. You might go over to the Bourbon of the Month thread for some more ideas.

[starhopper]

Prices are all over the place these days - so buy what you want to buy at a price you're comfortable with.

[PaulO]

The prices you quote seem really high to me.

Makers Mark and the various Old Fitzgerald brands are going to be the closest to the Wellers.  Hey, if you can easily buy Old Weller Antique for retail price, and like it, just get that.

I suggest trying some bottled in bond brands if you're into trying new things.  Most won't be too close to Weller.  I bet any could make a great cocktail too.

[WatchUrSix]

I can get OWA for about $31 750ml. $39 for the liter. Its a little over what I'm used to paying but I thinks it's like starhopper said. I am happy playing the price because I love the flavor. Going to look into some of the suggestions one here. Thanks all for posting. Like to hear the feed back.

 

 

 

[Queball]

I don't know where you're located (Wikipedia lists all cities named Inman as Midwest or farther east), but if you ever get to Oregon, you can find bottles at these prices:

 

(Per OLCC website, 750ml bottles, 16 September 2016)

 

Weller 12, Status - available, $28.95

Old Weller Antique, Status - available, $26.95

Wellers Special Reserve, Status - available, $24.95

Elmer T. Lee, Status - available, $33.95

 

Larceny, Status - available, $26.95, with additional $10 off with mail-in rebate.

 

I mention the Larceny because it's a good wheated bourbon, and may sate your wheated bourbon craving!

 

FYI, Oregon is a control state, and the prices are fixed at all OLCC stores in the state. Additionally, OLCC runs monthly discounts on selected items, and those prices are released on the website the 20th of every month.

 

Dean

Edited September 17, 2016 by Queball
Don't seem to have a signature option at SB

[GeeTen]

7 hours ago, Queball said:

I don't know where you're located (Wikipedia lists all cities named Inman as Midwest or farther east), but if you ever get to Oregon, you can find bottles at these prices:

 

(Per OLCC website, 750ml bottles, 16 September 2016)

 

Weller 12, Status - available, $28.95

Old Weller Antique, Status - available, $26.95

Wellers Special Reserve, Status - available, $24.95

Elmer T. Lee, Status - available, $33.95

 

Larceny, Status - available, $26.95, with additional $10 off with mail-in rebate.

 

I mention the Larceny because it's a good wheated bourbon, and may sate your wheated bourbon craving!

 

FYI, Oregon is a control state, and the prices are fixed at all OLCC stores in the state. Additionally, OLCC runs monthly discounts on selected items, and those prices are released on the website the 20th of every month.

 

Dean

 

Dang it!  Weller 12 gets delivered to OLCC on 8/25 and I fly out of PDX on 8/24 with only two (2) bottles of wine (albeit Eola Hills Reserve Chardonnay and King Estate Library Pinot Noir) in the suitcase.   Still no Weller 12 sightings here in New England . . . . . .  

 

Count your blessings and buy what you want at a price you're willing to pay.  At least you have it available.  

Edited September 17, 2016 by GeeTen
Spelling and grammar corrections

[MOwhisky4me]

If it's available in your area I'd recommend Very Old Barton Bottled in Bond. A very good bourbon at a very good price! I've recommended it to friends who primarily prefer wheated bourbons and it has become a staple for most of them.

[Queball]

7 hours ago, GeeTen said:

 

Dang it!  Weller 12 gets delivered to OLCC on 8/25 and I fly out of PDX on 8/24 with only two (2) bottles of wine (albeit Eola Hills Reserve Chardonnay and King Estate Library Pinot Noir) in the suitcase.   Still no Weller 12 sightings here in New England . . . . . .  

 

Count your blessings and buy what you want at a price you're willing to pay.  At least you have it available.  

 

 

 

If you get to Portland regularly, you should check the OLCC's website to see what's available -- or plan your trips around the availability!

 

http://www.oregonliquorsearch.com/

 

Dean

[Xevious]

Don't ignore the bottom and middle shelves. There are some inexpensive gems to be had. Heaven Hill has a number of bonded bourbons that vary in availability depending on where you are. They are all priced reasonably and worth trying though if you can find one. You may have to shop at a different store, but chances are you can find one near you. Very Old Barton, Old Grand Dad, and standard Buffalo Trace are all worth trying also.

 

If there is one thing I'm passionate about these days it's money. So when I purchase a readily available whiskey I enjoy for under 20 bucks, that brings me far more enjoyment than spending more money on something rare.

[WatchUrSix]

I have seen both OGD and HH here in town. I'll have to look into those. This the current stock I'm working with. A friend and I already put a dent in the ER10.

This I'll pick up some OGD next time I see it. I have seen it mentioned quite a bit on here.

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[mbroo5880i]

I am not familiar with availability or prices in SC.  However, the prices on the Blanton's and ETL are really high.   At those prices, I would pass.

 

I think OWA at the prices you note is actually a nice value.  When available in Indy, it is generally a little less expensive.  However, it is rarely available.  At $31 per bottle, I would try to always have a few bottles on hand.  MMCS is another option for a wheated bourbon.  Obviously, it is more expensive but I think worth the price I generally see, $50 to $60.  Fortunately, I am lucky to enjoy Larceny so while I prefer OWA, Larceny is a reasonable alternative. Not much of a MM46, especially for the price.

 

OGDBIB is a must try for the price as is EC and EWSB.  HMcK is slight step up in price but is worth trying.  Another staple for me is KC.

[Xevious]

Yes, Knob Creek is another good option.  A lot of people ignore it because it is available everywhere. But at 9 years, 100 proof, and around $25 a bottle (here anyway), you can't miss. And the 120 proof single barrel is a big step up for not that much more money.

[b1gcountry]

Any of the 4Roses standard bottlings are good value for the money too.