Best Value Everyday Bourbon

[kevinbrink]

39 minutes ago, Clueby said:

You can get OWA regularly for under $20?!?!  I can barely find it all. If I do it's usually in the $30-40 range and it's a regular thing to see stores around here price it at $69.99 up to $99.99!! I'm a buyer up to $30  I will go up to $40 for a ps sb occasionally. 

My new favorite everyday under $20 Is Old Ezra 7 Year 101. That stuff is awesome for $17.99.

Pricing is weird from state to state, here OE 7 101 is $25 and OWA though not super easy to come by is $22-$29, I buy at $25 and down since one of my locals has it pretty regularly for $22.99 (I'm sure some stores that keep it behind the counter gouge for it though)

[musekatcher]

On 8/28/2017 at 9:52 PM, Eggman said:

Second: Evan Williams 1783 for just under $15

Opened and sipping my first of EW1783 this evening.  There's something going on that's different than EWBIB..maybe a little more citrus?  I'm getting used to the lower proof, thanks to the decent flavor intensity - not as intense as a 100 proof, but more intense than most sub-90 proofers imo.  I like it.  Its such a great thing to enjoy another bourbon for under $15.

[Mako254]

WT 101 and OF sig are next on my radar to try out for daily sun $25 bottles. 

[LongGone]

1 hour ago, Mako254 said:

WT 101 and OF sig are next on my radar to try out for daily sun $25 bottles. 

You'll likely find a lifelong friend with the 101. I have.

 

The OF Sig is good, but if you have access to the OF 100 Proof for pretty much the same price or cheaper - my recommendation would be to buy one of each. My money says you'll prefer the 100 proof and then sneak back to buy several more. Either way, great tasty bourbon < $25. Good times.

[Jawja Boy]

I see a lot of the bourbons that are under  $20 elsewhere are in the mid $20's to low $30's locally.  Which isn't that unusual as prices for most anything fluctuate from region to region.  

 

I will say, though, that I've been looking hard at the suggestions so far and I'm making a list of some of bottles I want to try!

[Mako254]

8 hours ago, LongGone said:

You'll likely find a lifelong friend with the 101. I have.

 

The OF Sig is good, but if you have access to the OF 100 Proof for pretty much the same price or cheaper - my recommendation would be to buy one of each. My money says you'll prefer the 100 proof and then sneak back to buy several more. Either way, great tasty bourbon < $25. Good times.

 

I snagged a WT rare breed (112.8 last batch in the old bottles) and have put away 3 more. 101 on my list. 

 

Just to be clear, OF has 3 100 proof offerings?

 

the OF signature I have seen, and the 1897 BiB whiskey row series. There is a 3rd OF 100 proofer out there?

[DCFan]

14 minutes ago, Mako254 said:

the OF signature I have seen, and the 1897 BiB whiskey row series. There is a 3rd OF 100 proofer out there?

Deleted.

Edited September 16, 2017 by DCFan

[georgemoe]

Many thanks to the OP for starting this and great follow ups. Just getting started, this provides a solid list to base off of. I'm guessing being in Massachusetts, my prices and tiers could vary. Should be an interesting first shopping excursion.

[Gorzo]

Bulleit 10yr. Can usually find it at Costco in the low $30 range. 

[DCFan]

45 minutes ago, Gorzo said:

Bulleit 10yr. Can usually find it at Costco in the low $30 range. 

I love Costco. That same bourbon is $52 at the Va ABC which I suspect is around MSRP.

[LongGone]

12 hours ago, Mako254 said:

 

I snagged a WT rare breed (112.8 last batch in the old bottles) and have put away 3 more. 101 on my list. 

 

Just to be clear, OF has 3 100 proof offerings?

 

the OF signature I have seen, and the 1897 BiB whiskey row series. There is a 3rd OF 100 proofer out there?

I've been meaning to drop an email to Brown Forman and ask them about this. The bottles are definitely branded differently. A 100 Proof Signature as well as a 100 Proof selection that is not glossed as "Signature". I have several of both and will post some pics later this evening or tomorrow so you can see the difference. To me, the bourbon in the bottle is quite a bit different, but it's possible that the "Signature" statement was removed at some point and it's just getting better over time. I have had the signature bottles for quite a while, but I still see it out there in the wild often. It's similar enough, but the 100 Proof "Non-Signature" bottles are much more enjoyable for me - and fairly similar in flavor and mouth feel to the 1920 which is one of my current favorite pours.

[LongGone]

2 hours ago, LongGone said:

I've been meaning to drop an email to Brown Forman and ask them about this. The bottles are definitely branded differently. A 100 Proof Signature as well as a 100 Proof selection that is not glossed as "Signature". I have several of both and will post some pics later this evening or tomorrow so you can see the difference. To me, the bourbon in the bottle is quite a bit different, but it's possible that the "Signature" statement was removed at some point and it's just getting better over time. I have had the signature bottles for quite a while, but I still see it out there in the wild often. It's similar enough, but the 100 Proof "Non-Signature" bottles are much more enjoyable for me - and fairly similar in flavor and mouth feel to the 1920 which is one of my current favorite pours.

Here you go - I plan to research this one a little more. If I find anything more on this, will let you know. In the meantime, I do like the Signature, but as long as I can find the 100 Proof "Non-Sig" bottles, i won't be adding any more Signature to my portfolio. Take care.

[Mako254]

33 minutes ago, LongGone said:

Here you go - I plan to research this one a little more. If I find anything more on this, will let you know. In the meantime, I do like the Signature, but as long as I can find the 100 Proof "Non-Sig" bottles, i won't be adding any more Signature to my portfolio. Take care.

 

https://www.oldforester.com/bourbons/signature-100-proof/

 

I think the top picture is updated labeling. Per the OF site, the top pic is signature. 

[Kepler]

^^^ Yes it's just a labeling change.  The bottom pic is the older label.

 

Late to this thread but my choices for the $20ish price point are WT101 if I want something spicy, Buffalo Trace if I don't.  These 2 cover most of what I want in an inexpensive bourbon.  If I am in the mood for a wheater I prefer to spend more to get into something more refined, such as W12 or M46.

 

If I were really on a tight budget, then I'd be quite satisfied with EW BiB white which is $12-15 in my market.

 

Yes, HH6BiB is indeed great but it doesn't really count if you have to travel across the country to get it. 

[Jawja Boy]

Seeing as how so many are commenting how good OF 86 and 100 are, and seeing as how the LS has both, for $20.99 and  $24.99 respectively, and seeing as how I haven't tried either one in many years, I might just have to snag one or two.

 

As it is, my go to low buck bourbon is WT 101.  If I'm entertaining and mixing is the game, then it's plain ol' Beam.

[Jawja Boy]

On 9/16/2017 at 11:58 PM, LongGone said:

Here you go - I plan to research this one a little more. If I find anything more on this, will let you know. In the meantime, I do like the Signature, but as long as I can find the 100 Proof "Non-Sig" bottles, i won't be adding any more Signature to my portfolio. Take care.

Oh, to add:  LS has 86 with both types of labels and 100 has label like top photo.  Also have 1897, 1920 and Statesman, but roughly $60 a bottle is out of my range at the moment.

[kevinbrink]

I find OF 86 to be one of the blandest bourbon's on the market, not that it's bad I just don't see any reason to buy it especially when the 100 proof costs not that much more.

[OldFitzWithTheGoldLabel]

I enjoy several Bourbons in the $20 range: Wild Turkey 101, Very Old Barton BIB, Old Fitzgerald BIB, Evan Williams BIB. I prefer to add about tenish dollars more and get Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve, Evan Williams Single Barrell, Maker's 46, Henry McKenna BIB, High West American Prairie, and Russell's Reserve 10 Year. I love all of those Bourbons in the high 20's to low 30's range.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Postal Grunt]

On 9/16/2017 at 10:52 AM, georgemoe said:

Many thanks to the OP for starting this and great follow ups. Just getting started, this provides a solid list to base off of. I'm guessing being in Massachusetts, my prices and tiers could vary. Should be an interesting first shopping excursion.

Since you live in MA, I might suggest that you investigate the Total Wine stores there. If you're in Western MA, there's a TW in the Hartford area. I find that when I visit family in Gardner that the TW stores have a wide selection although the "allocated" bottles are a case of "If you find them, buy them now".  You might also peruse issues of the "Yankee Brew News" for liquor store ads. Do they still call them package stores up there? Enjoy the no sales tax aspect of your purchases.

[OldDrinker1978]

Best for me in the really low about 20-25 Euro range:

Evan Williams BIB (heck, standard Black Label is good too!) Wild Turkey 101, Buffalo Trace

Around 10 Bucks more but still around 30-35 Euro

Elijah Craig Small Batch,  Eagle Rare, Bulleit 10, Four Roses Small Batch and Four Roses Single Barrel

[georgemoe]

On 9/22/2017 at 12:53 AM, Postal Grunt said:

Since you live in MA, I might suggest that you investigate the Total Wine stores there. If you're in Western MA, there's a TW in the Hartford area. I find that when I visit family in Gardner that the TW stores have a wide selection although the "allocated" bottles are a case of "If you find them, buy them now".  You might also peruse issues of the "Yankee Brew News" for liquor store ads. Do they still call them package stores up there? Enjoy the no sales tax aspect of your purchases.

 

Thank you. My closest Total Wine is about 25 miles away and close to Julio's Liqour's in Westborough. I'm very familiar with Julio's just never shopped for whiskey or bourbon there before. I'll be checking them both out. When I was more into beer than I am now, YBN was an issue I always picked up. Still love reading them when I get them.

[Kane]

6 hours ago, georgemoe said:

 

Thank you. My closest Total Wine is about 25 miles away and close to Julio's Liqour's in Westborough. I'm very familiar with Julio's just never shopped for whiskey or bourbon there before. I'll be checking them both out. When I was more into beer than I am now, YBN was an issue I always picked up. Still love reading them when I get them.

Just something to keep in mind: Julio's is great with their selection, and guidance if you don't know what you are doing. BUT, their pricing sucks. There are two Total Wines in close proximity to that area, do make sure you stop by one to check out the prices. You can save, say $20-30 a bottle sometimes. There is always the argument that Julio's is a local biz, and Total Wine is evil and such, but do your research and decide based on your budget.

[GeeTen]

On 9/22/2017 at 12:53 AM, Postal Grunt said:

Since you live in MA, I might suggest that you investigate the Total Wine stores there. If you're in Western MA, there's a TW in the Hartford area. I find that when I visit family in Gardner that the TW stores have a wide selection although the "allocated" bottles are a case of "If you find them, buy them now".  You might also peruse issues of the "Yankee Brew News" for liquor store ads. Do they still call them package stores up there? Enjoy the no sales tax aspect of your purchases.

Hey PG,

 

Nah, we still call them "packies"!  

 

[HoustonNit]

I think my favorite affordable pour right now is PS bottles of Buffalo Trace. Each one is different in a good way, 9 year old good bourbon under $25.

WT101 easy to find also under $25.

ER and RR10 if you can find them under $30.

[georgemoe]

8 hours ago, Kane said:

Just something to keep in mind: Julio's is great with their selection, and guidance if you don't know what you are doing. BUT, their pricing sucks. There are two Total Wines in close proximity to that area, do make sure you stop by one to check out the prices. You can save, say $20-30 a bottle sometimes. There is always the argument that Julio's is a local biz, and Total Wine is evil and such, but do your research and decide based on your budget.

 

Thanks Kane. I agree about pricing. When I can I'll support my local Kappy's (5 minutes from me) before heading east of Rt 495. But if Julio's has something on my list I can't get anywhere else, I'll pay a one time premium within reason for the experience. I will certainly give Total Wine a shot when I'm around one.