Best (Accessible) Gift Bourbon ~$500?

[monroe]

Hi, I have a budget of $500-$600 to spend on a nice bottle of bourbon for my husband's birthday.  Spoke with somebody yesterday at rarewhisky.com who recommended:  Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon (although he advised against the most recent 2016 release), and the Blade and Bow 22 Year.  The last bourbon gift I got for him was the Rhetoric Orphan Barrel 22 year and he does love the taste of that one.  I know Pappy isn't an option, but I see there is an Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year available.  Any advice on these I have listed or others?  He doesn't like rye.  Thank you!

[meadeweber]

Monroe,

 

The problem I see is that you don't have to spend anywhere near that much money to get a great bourbon.  If you are spending that much, you are usually paying ridiculously overpriced secondary prices.

 

I assume you want to get him something "special" right?  How about this?  How about something that he can't get locally?  I would recommend Blanton's Straight From the Barrel.  This is not sold in the US.  You have to order it from overseas from a retailer that ships to the US.  With shipping it will probably cost you around $150.  It's a great gift!  Blanton's Gold is also not sold in the US and also great if the retailer is out of Straight From the Barrel and you don't have time to wait for them to get it back in stock.

 

Good luck!

[Paddy]

It's just one man's opinion, but there is no bourbon worth $500 (outside of now discontinued unicorns).  For well under $200, I'd look for one of the Wild Turkey special releases (Diamond and Masters Keep come to mind).  Although a bit under proofed, they check off all the other boxes nicely (available, refined, and pretty presentation's/decanter's). 

 

As to Michter's, I'll be taking a pass on this years 10 SB (only based on other's opinions). 

 

At least with the Turkey, you know where it came from! 

[kevinbrink]

Both of these are good suggestions if you are spending $500 you could really buy both.  What bourbons does your Husband drink most frequently?  Everyone on this message board will have an opinion based on their tastes but your Husband's are what really matters.

[monroe]

Thank you for the advice!  Please keep it coming.  Will definitely check out the Blanton's, but not sure it would arrive in time for his birthday later next week.  Good idea to get two instead of one $500ish bottle.  As for what he normally drinks, I know that when we are at restaurants he will order Basil Hayden's, Angels Envy, Woodford Reserve double oaked and he is definitely enjoying the Rhetoric that I got him recently.  Just looking for something really special as it's a "big" birthday.   

[kevinbrink]

Angels Envy Cask Stregnth is around $200 a bottle and is overpriced but fantastic, it is the kind of thing I would want someone to splurge on for me as I would never spend that much.  Here is a link to places that have it in IL or will ship to you, you can use this site to find other bottles you can't find locally.  

 

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/angel+envy+cask+strength+port+barrel+straight+bourbon+whisky+kentucky+usa/1/usa-il-y

[kevinbrink]

Another suggestion would be this years Woodford Reserve Master's Collection it is supposed to be pretty solid unlike past years:

 

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/woodford+brandy/1/usa-il-y

 

 

[meadeweber]

6 minutes ago, kevinbrink said:

Angels Envy Cask Stregnth is around $200 a bottle and is overpriced but fantastic, it is the kind of thing I would want someone to splurge on for me as I would never spend that much.  Here is a link to places that have it in IL or will ship to you, you can use this site to find other bottles you can't find locally.  

 

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/angel+envy+cask+strength+port+barrel+straight+bourbon+whisky+kentucky+usa/1/usa-il-y

I like this idea a lot since you have seen him enjoy Angel's Envy before.  

 

If you want to do my Blanton's idea as well, I would recommended you purchase from Master of Malt.  They have Gold in stock and they ship quickly.  You will receive it before later next week.

[tanstaafl2]

36 minutes ago, meadeweber said:

I like this idea a lot since you have seen him enjoy Angel's Envy before.  

 

If you want to do my Blanton's idea as well, I would recommended you purchase from Master of Malt.  They have Gold in stock and they ship quickly.  You will receive it before later next week.

 

I agree, the Angel's Envy Cask Strength would fit the bill if you can find it. It is pricey but if you've got the money burning a hole in your pocket (and I certainly wouldn't judge anyone for it as I bought one myself recently!) it is a pretty unique whiskey in a nice presentation box that would make a really nice gift. But it is certainly a very different whiskey from the regular Angel's Envy! 

[IncredulousNosco]

9 bottles of ECBP. 

 

[tanstaafl2]

3 minutes ago, IncredulousNosco said:

9 bottles of ECBP. 

 

 

Well, she did say accessible. About the only place you can find nine bottles of ECBP in one location is in some of the bunkers of SB members!

[IncredulousNosco]

Just now, tanstaafl2 said:

 

Well, she did say accessible. About the only place you can find nine bottles of ECBP in one location is in some of the bunkers of SB members!

 

Okay! 8 bottles. Use the extra cash for gas money and phone bills. 

[kevinbrink]

3 minutes ago, IncredulousNosco said:

9 bottles of ECBP. 

 

Yeah that's kind of close to what I would want too, though doesn't really fit the description of Accessible, nor is it an exciting "Big Splash" bottle really. IMHO when someone is buying a gift and willing to spend up to $500 the criteria are different and involve things like fancy packaging and the likely hood someone would buy the item for themselves. My parent's, who are the best, bought me a bottle of WTMK for Christmas and even though I objectively like ECBP better, I was much more excited to get the WTMK for a gift since I basically buy every bottle of ECBP I see.

[IncredulousNosco]

In all seriousness, if you can move away from bourbon then a couple of really good things are available in rye. Lock, Stock & Barrel 16yo in the ~$140 range. And WPBH (the curent one) in the ~$250 range. 

 

If bourbon is a must and RVW10 is in available in your price range, then that's a no-brainer, particularly if he has expressed interest in that line. 

 

Orphan Barrels are really hit and miss. WTMK is a decent option. But yeah, for me, no bourbon out-classes ECBP. 

[PaulO]

If you can get the Old Rip 10, that sounds good.

A local store chain still has the Old Fitzgerald 20 year in their computer system.  I don't know if stores really have any left?

[monroe]

Wow, thanks so much for all of this help.  I'm a wine drinker and am obviously clueless when it comes to bourbon.  Glad to have found this forum today.  Yes, bourbon is a must for him.  I know that he does not care for the "rye" bourbons/whiskeys, if that makes sense.  Question: Does "cask strength" mean that it is stronger/higher alcohol content than the bourbons I mentioned above that he normally drinks?  

 

Am sure that these prices are super inflated, but after reading all of your helpful responses, I'm thinking about one of these (may try to shop around for better price):

 

https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/angels-envy-cask-strength-2015-750ml

https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/angels-envy-cask-strength-2016-750ml

https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/elijah-craig-18-year-old-bourbon-750ml

https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/old-rip-van-winkle-10-year-750ml

 

Still investigating the Blanton's, too, as I do love the idea of getting him something that isn't available here.  I looked on Master of Malt's site and it appeared to be sold out, but will double check.

 

Please feel free to continue to weigh in.  Just want to get him the most special gift that I can, but tough given my very limited knowledge on this subject!  Thanks again, cheers!

[fishnbowljoe]

My advice would be to skip the online sites, and visit a few liquor stores. I see that you're from Chicago. You might want to check out Binny's. Their Lincoln Park store is amazing, and I'm sure that someone there could steer you in an appropriate direction.

 

Joe

 

[OldFitzWithTheGoldLabel]

Wow, thanks so much for all of this help.  I'm a wine drinker and am obviously clueless when it comes to bourbon.  Glad to have found this forum today.  Yes, bourbon is a must for him.  I know that he does not care for the "rye" bourbons/whiskeys, if that makes sense.  Question: Does "cask strength" mean that it is stronger/higher alcohol content than the bourbons I mentioned above that he normally drinks?  
 
Am sure that these prices are super inflated, but after reading all of your helpful responses, I'm thinking about one of these (may try to shop around for better price):
 
https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/angels-envy-cask-strength-2015-750ml
https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/angels-envy-cask-strength-2016-750ml
https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/elijah-craig-18-year-old-bourbon-750ml
https://www.rarewhiskyshop.com/collections/bourbon-1/products/old-rip-van-winkle-10-year-750ml
 
Still investigating the Blanton's, too, as I do love the idea of getting him something that isn't available here.  I looked on Master of Malt's site and it appeared to be sold out, but will double check.
 
Please feel free to continue to weigh in.  Just want to get him the most special gift that I can, but tough given my very limited knowledge on this subject!  Thanks again, cheers!

The prices on the Rare Whiskey site look very expensive to me. Of what I saw on there, I would recommend the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

If you live near Chicago, there are probably plenty of premium bottles there.

To join in with some other recommendations, I would recommend something from Woodford Reserve Master's Collection, Wild Turkey Master's Keep (great presentation), and the Angel's Envy Cask Strength.

Other recommendations would be a 1.75 L bottle of Willett (beautiful bottle), and a bottle of Very Special Old Fitzgerald.

You could also blow his mind with a $500 basket that could include like half a dozen to a dozen bottles of great bourbon that we could recommend.

You are clearly a great wife.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Louisiana]

 

Those online prices are terrible. See if a local store has a nice selection of private barrels & get him several different bottles. Your intentions are great. Good Luck.

 

Jeff

 

[fishnbowljoe]

I just remembered something a fellow member once told me. It was my first time getting together in KY with other members here, and I wanted to bring something special/expensive to share. Here's what I was told, "It's not the cost or provenance of what you bring to share, it's simply the act of sharing." I tend to think that this philosophy might somewhat apply to your situation. 

 

Joe

[The Black Tot]

Buy a Binny's store selection of any of the 10 Four Roses recipes, Smooth Ambler Old Scout Single Barrel, or whatever else they've got a store select of.

 

The 4Rs should cost about 70, so you could get him 7 of the recipes for 490, if they're available. That'd be awesome, and take him until his next birthday to get through.

[Mosser]

Warehouse Liquors in the South Loop just got in 5 different recipes of Four Roses Private selection (OBSV, OBSQ, OESV, OESK, OESO). They also have Eagle Rare, Blantons, and Old Scout store picks in. While I know its not the wow factor of one bottle, 2-3 FRPS, a Blanton's and Eagle Rare store pick would be one great gift and run you around $400

[jvd99]

Here's another idea - buy him a sub $100 bottle as suggested above, then use the remaining $400 to take him on an epic night of drinking/tasting PVW, BTAC etc at a place like Delilahs or someplace else that has a deep LE inventory.  He drinks, you drive.  It's the best of both worlds 

[KrispinD]

Here's another idea - buy him a sub $100 bottle as suggested above, then use the remaining $400 to take him on an epic night of drinking/tasting PVW, BTAC etc at a place like Delilahs or someplace else that has a deep LE inventory.  He drinks, you drive.  It's the best of both worlds [emoji6]

As a fan of trying new things - I like this idea. What I don't like about it is paying the $50-$80 per ounce at a bar. Even for a birthday that would bug me. I'm with the previous mention of a basket of 3 or 4 above-average but not so expensive you hesitate to drink bottles.

[jvd99]

47 minutes ago, KrispinD said:

As a fan of trying new things - I like this idea. What I don't like about it is paying the $50-$80 per ounce at a bar. Even for a birthday that would bug me. I'm with the previous mention of a basket of 3 or 4 above-average but not so expensive you hesitate to drink bottles.

Yeah, but I'd rather drop a huge sum on a local bar that is dedicated to, and caters to my hobby, rather than a flipper who's charging $500 for a $50 bottle of ORVW and is only out for a shameless buck.  I'd also rather do the bar thing over getting multiples of easy to get stuff.  The point I was getting at is that it would be a truly memorable night/gift not soon forgotten and a chance, maybe once in a lifetime, to try unicorn pours when price is no object (so to speak)

Edited February 15, 2017 by jvd99