Do You Ever Go Bottom Shefing?

[ken_mays]

I don't always go bottom shelfing but when I do here's what I buy. 

 

EWBIB

JW Dant BIB

JTS Brown BIB

OGD BIB

JB BIB

[CUfan99]

1 hour ago, ken_mays said:

I don't always go bottom shelfing but when I do here's what I buy. 

 

EWBIB

JW Dant BIB

JTS Brown BIB

OGD BIB

JB BIB

You are....the most interesting BIBer in the world!

[Skinsfan1311]

Damn straight!   

 

I'm always on the lookout for good, cheap juice.   Mellow Corn, EWB, McKenna, etc..

[kaiserhog]

My favorite pastime.

[Bullseye]

Regardless of shelf location, I am fond of Early Times BIB... good juice.  I also keep EW BIB in stock st all times. 

[Kane]

Am I the only one who thinks *any bourbon* above 40% abv is worthwhile, shelf height be damned? And then even at 40% there is some enjoyment to be found. I mean, I won't actively seek it, but I'll gladly drink a few pours of JB White or JD at a work reception or college party. Blended stuff is where it gets really nasty.

[kevinbrink]

42 minutes ago, Kane said:

Am I the only one who thinks *any bourbon* above 40% abv is worthwhile, shelf height be damned? And then even at 40% there is some enjoyment to be found. I mean, I won't actively seek it, but I'll gladly drink a few pours of JB White or JD at a work reception or college party. Blended stuff is where it gets really nasty.

nope right there with you, I can even think of a specific night where a 200ml JB White was particularly glorious. 

[Mako254]

2 hours ago, Kane said:

Am I the only one who thinks *any bourbon* above 40% abv is worthwhile, shelf height be damned? And then even at 40% there is some enjoyment to be found. I mean, I won't actively seek it, but I'll gladly drink a few pours of JB White or JD at a work reception or college party. Blended stuff is where it gets really nasty.

 

I’m on board with this.  I have seen WT 101 listed and (my hand is raised as a resident WT fan) it seems to me listing a flag ship bourbon that is 101 proof, aged6-8 years as a ‘bottom shelfer’ with likes of sub 4 yr plastic handles is a little off putting. 

 

Next time your group gets together for a blind, slip a bottle of 101 in. More times than not, it punches above its price point. 

[kaiserhog]

22 hours ago, ken_mays said:

I don't always go bottom shelfing but when I do here's what I buy. 

 

EWBIB

JW Dant BIB

JTS Brown BIB

OGD BIB

JB BIB

It is hard to go wrong with Bottled in Bond.  I hope we see more brands bringing out bonded whiskey.

[kaiserhog]

11 hours ago, kevinbrink said:

nope right there with you, I can even think of a specific night where a 200ml JB White was particularly glorious. 

Kevin, the Old Overholt Bottled in Bond was delicious.  Thank you for the heads up.

[kaiserhog]

On 2/22/2018 at 3:31 PM, kevinbrink said:

I don't think of WT101 as bottom shelf it is between $23 and $27 here which is the same as BT, it's still my favorite in that price range though OE 7yr and DN are close. Of what is actually available on the shelf here below $20 Dant is probably my favorite since the current iteration of FC seems to have lost it's luster but I can't think of a Straight Bourbon sub $20 HH product that I find particularly offensive and would take most maybe all over Makers or Woodford. 

I bought a handle (1.75 liters) of WT101 for $28 and change at Macadoodles in Jane Mo.  Just across the Arkansas state line.

[cdcdguy]

12 hours ago, Bullseye said:

Regardless of shelf location, I am fond of Early Times BIB... good juice.  I also keep EW BIB in stock st all times. 

I have a case of EWBIB at all times! I have NEVER seen early times BIB anywhere.

[cdcdguy]

12 hours ago, Kane said:

Am I the only one who thinks *any bourbon* above 40% abv is worthwhile, shelf height be damned? And then even at 40% there is some enjoyment to be found. I mean, I won't actively seek it, but I'll gladly drink a few pours of JB White or JD at a work reception or college party. Blended stuff is where it gets really nasty.

There are some nice 80 proofer out there. Nice and light when on the patio on a warm summer evening.

[Curtis Reed]

My two favorite lower priced bottles are WT101 and EW1783

Edited February 25, 2018 by Curtis Reed

[musekatcher]

I've got to add a new find, that isn't news for those in the know here at SB - Heaven Hill Green Label.  A friend brought me back a couple bottles from the 15th state recently.  It lives up to the excellent reputation.  I hesitated to share, for fear the distiller and LS's will find out, and start hiking the price....now that I think of it, its really not that great - pretty bad actually.  Stay away....;)

[kaiserhog]

WT101 for $23 and change for a handle.  Wild Turkey is getting older so they are clearing out their existing stock.  Maybe a new marketing campaign with the return of the age statement?

[emr454]

5 minutes ago, kaiserhog said:

WT101 for $23 and change for a handle.  Wild Turkey is getting older so they are clearing out their existing stock.  Maybe a new marketing campaign with the return of the age statement?

I'll have to keep my eye out for the price drop. $40 is the going rate for a handle by me. 

[CUfan99]

1 hour ago, kaiserhog said:

WT101 for $23 and change for a handle.  Wild Turkey is getting older so they are clearing out their existing stock.  Maybe a new marketing campaign with the return of the age statement?

Wow! I haven't seen any prices like that, but would love to.

[BDanner]

Seems everyone's bottom shelf is a little pricier than mine. When I think bottom shelf it's $15 and under for a $750. Above that is what I consider mid-shelf.  EWBIB and 1783 are usually around $17 here, OGD BIB is $20, WT81 is $23, WT101 is $26 as is any Beam other than White Label. So for me (In order of price, not preference)...

 

Benchmark: $11

Virgin 101 7 YR: $13

Ezra Brooks 90pf: $14

Evan Williams: $14

Edited April 17, 2018 by BDanner

[Stump1998]

3 hours ago, BDanner said:

Seems everyone's bottom shelf is a little pricier than mine. When I think bottom shelf it's $15 and under for a $750. Above that is what I consider mid-shelf.  EWBIB and 1783 are usually around $17 here, OGD BIB is $20, WT81 is $23, WT101 is $26 as is any Beam other than White Label. So for me (In order of price, not preference)...

 

Benchmark: $11

Virgin 101 7 YR: $13

Ezra Brooks 90pf: $14

Evan Williams: $14

I really like the Virgin 101, always pick up a couple bottles when traveling through NC.

[BDanner]

28 minutes ago, Stump1998 said:

I really like the Virgin 101, always pick up a couple bottles when traveling through NC.

It is surprisingly good! There aren't many $13 7yo bourbons around anymore.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

Yes!  Of the bottles that are literally found on the bottom shelf I very much enjoy and return to VOB, OGD, and OF all BiB and Rittenhouse Rye.  If you define Bottom Shelf at $15 or less then its just the VOB BiB.  Oh and I would add HH6 even though its not readily available.  Increasing the price cutoff to $23 (my Rittenhouse Price) adds WSR; W107; Regular BT; and WT101.  I recognize the Weller's are not found on any shelves, but if defining bottom shelf purely on price then they make the cut.  I prefer the literal definition as it just feels wrong to consider those last four as bottom shelf.  

 

 

[kevinbrink]

10 hours ago, BDanner said:

Seems everyone's bottom shelf is a little pricier than mine. When I think bottom shelf it's $15 and under for a $750. Above that is what I consider mid-shelf.  EWBIB and 1783 are usually around $17 here, OGD BIB is $20, WT81 is $23, WT101 is $26 as is any Beam other than White Label. So for me (In order of price, not preference)...

 

Benchmark: $11

Virgin 101 7 YR: $13

Ezra Brooks 90pf: $14

Evan Williams: $14

I like Ezra 90 plenty, it wasn't in NJ until last year but a few years back I picked up a 375 when I was in Kentucky on a whim and was really surprised at how good it was when I cracked it, a few friends and I drained the little bottle in a couple hours. When it started hitting the shelves in NJ last year I picked up a 1.75 basically the first time I saw one. 

[Kepler]

Had my share of JB White back in college.  But these days, the cheapest bottles I actively purchase are EWBIB and HH6BIB / HH6 Green (but the HH don't really count because they are special treats I bought back from Ky road trips).  I have some FC6 and VOB BIB 6yr age stated I picked up here and there, but again those don't really count because they're dusties (not a buyer of the new NAS). 

 

So I guess my final answer is EWBIB.  Great pour for the price.

[JTaylor]

Yep! My summertime drink of choice is AAA and Sprite. I can usually get AAA 1.75's for around $22.