alcoholica Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 The term value is thrown around a lot, and for good reason. Everyone's budget and passion for bourbon differs as much as palettes. So I thought this would be an interesting discussion to have where value is the focal point and not a side comment or discussion. For my list, I decided to use TotalWines Lexington site for prices, since it's a big box in KY with a good website. Feel free to use your local prices, if you'd like. Let use pre-tax limits (for 750ml) of $15, $25, $45 and $65, with no more than 3 per category, along with an overall winner. Bourbons should be readily available. $15 EW BiB HH Green Label 6yo Beam Repeal Batch $25 1783 EW Elijah Craig WT 101 For those with BT availability or pricing for EC, honorable mention to EW SiB $45 KC SiB WR Rare Breed Eagle Rare HM10yr BiB prior to supply issues $65 EC BP Russell's SiB Overall best value - WT 101 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Nice analysis. In my market in Texas here are the ones I consider the best values among readily available bourbons, in no certain order. I won't delve into the "premium" products like Rare Breed, KCSiB or RR because those are more open to personal preferences at higher price points. - EW BIB $13 - BT $20-$22 - WT101 $20-22 - KC 100 $25-$30 - WSR $18-$20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam777 Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Dang, Texas prices are awesome. Here’s Ohio control state value bourbons where I do most of my shopping: OGDBIB - $20.99 OF Signature - $20.69 BT - $25.10 WSR: $22.99 WT101 - $23.99 EWBIB - $17.99 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 6 minutes ago, Adam777 said: Dang, Texas prices are awesome. Prices aren't the only thing that's awesome about this place. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Prices are inflated here so somewhat moot.. I do see a recurring theme though.. I’ll echo the values here on: EWBIB EWSiB KC100 WT101 and throw in ECSmB which is a good buy here at a shade less then $30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 If you shop at my favorite two LS in So. Cal. Then the value bourbons are... EC $19.99 WT101 $14.99 750ml / $28.99 Handle BT $21.99 WR $23.99 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCwhammie Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 OP, I think you've put together a nice list. I'd add: RR10yr-$30 4R SiB -$33 VOB BIB (crafted?) $15 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCFan Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 At the Va ABC we can get these all day long: VOB 100 $13.99 OGD BIB $23.99 (on sale this month for $21.99) WT 101 $26.99 (on sale this month for $24.99) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis Reed Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 (edited) (Put a few Ryes in there) $15 EW BiB $25 Elijah Craig SB WT 101 OGD114 OF Sig 100 OF Rye $45 WT Rare Breed 1792 FP HM10yr BiB FR SiB (never had a bad one) Bakers $65 EC BP Stagg Jr OF 1920 Russell's SiB Overall best value - Stagg Jr if you can find it for $50, if not then OF Rye Edited May 11, 2019 by Curtis Reed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzhead Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 Best value right now is JB Double Oak, just $16.99 at the Pennsy State Stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoholica Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 On 5/13/2019 at 10:16 AM, Jazzhead said: Best value right now is JB Double Oak, just $16.99 at the Pennsy State Stores. Maybe I had a bad bottle, but just wasn’t a fan when I tried it. Probably need to revisit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwperry Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 3 hours ago, alcoholica said: Maybe I had a bad bottle, but just wasn’t a fan when I tried it. Probably need to revisit. I felt it fell pretty flat too. But, maybe in JB's defense, I was expecting Woodford Double Oak like flavor and it couldn't compare. It is less than half the price though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan1311 Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 On 5/11/2019 at 7:51 AM, DCFan said: At the Va ABC we can get these all day long: VOB 100 $13.99 OGD BIB $23.99 (on sale this month for $21.99) WT 101 $26.99 (on sale this month for $24.99) I'll have to check the ABC stores, next time I head South. I love VOB, but haven't seen it in MD. I usually have a friend pick up a couple handles in Kentucky, but it's usually the 90. I've never seen the 100, anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCFan Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 2 hours ago, Skinsfan1311 said: I'll have to check the ABC stores, next time I head South. I love VOB, but haven't seen it in MD. I usually have a friend pick up a couple handles in Kentucky, but it's usually the 90. I've never seen the 100, anywhere. If it's not in stock it can be special ordered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnbowljoe Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 I gotta say that my 2018 Weller Blend is still holding it’s value pretty well. To quote Walter Brennan in The Guns Of Will Sonnet, “No brag. Just fact.” Biba! Joe 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz June Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 For stuff you can get without too much effort (being generous to the BT on that one) and for my tastes: VOB 100 $14 (assuming it's as good as the BiB) Evan Williams BiB $15 Virgin 7yr $16 OGD 114 $27 Buffalo Trace $27 Wild Turkey 101 $27 Eagle Rare 10yr $33 Four Roses SiB $45 Russell's Reserve SiB $60 Of the major distillers, Wild Turkey probably has the best QPR now. If you could still easily get McKenna 10 and EC BP, Heaven Hill would probably give them a run for their money. If Buffalo Trace products were actually available, they would probably also compete. I'm not a huge Beam fan to begin with, but their prices are pretty bad (save for OGD). Barton is good at the lower end, but their pricier stuff hasn't been doing it for me. Nothing from Brown-Forman wows me, although plenty of it is serviceable. Overall best values are probably Eagle Rare and OGD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alcoholica Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 11 hours ago, Jazz June said: For stuff you can get without too much effort (being generous to the BT on that one) and for my tastes: VOB 100 $14 (assuming it's as good as the BiB) Evan Williams BiB $15 Virgin 7yr $16 OGD 114 $27 Buffalo Trace $27 Wild Turkey 101 $27 Eagle Rare 10yr $33 Four Roses SiB $45 Russell's Reserve SiB $60 Of the major distillers, Wild Turkey probably has the best QPR now. If you could still easily get McKenna 10 and EC BP, Heaven Hill would probably give them a run for their money. If Buffalo Trace products were actually available, they would probably also compete. I'm not a huge Beam fan to begin with, but their prices are pretty bad (save for OGD). Barton is good at the lower end, but their pricier stuff hasn't been doing it for me. Nothing from Brown-Forman wows me, although plenty of it is serviceable. Overall best values are probably Eagle Rare and OGD. I didn’t know Virgin Bourbon was available stateside. Do you know what states it is supposed be available? I’d love to try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcbt Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 2 hours ago, alcoholica said: I didn’t know Virgin Bourbon was available stateside. Do you know what states it is supposed be available? I’d love to try it I think it's in NC and maybe VA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 I think it's in NC and maybe VA.It’s also in Alabama and Mississippi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinbrink Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 I don't know if I would say these are the best values but if I could only buy one bottle in each $10 range: Sub $20 JW Dant BIB, it was going to be a HH BIB and not only is JWD cheaper than EW here I like it more Sub $30 WT 101 Sub $40 Ezra Barrel Proof it's getting harder to find Rare Breed sub $40 around here Sub $50 KCSiB Sub $60 ECBP 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz June Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 9 hours ago, dcbt said: I think it's in NC and maybe VA. It is sold by Virginia ABC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 9 hours ago, lcpfratn said: It’s also in Alabama and Mississippi. I’ve never tried it, but it is readily available here in AL.. It’s one of the most affordable pours here, and ALWAYS on the bottom shelf.. It’d be nice to find that it’s a gem in the rough so to speak.. Maybe I should take her for a spin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 I’ve never tried it, but it is readily available here in AL.. It’s one of the most affordable pours here, and ALWAYS on the bottom shelf.. It’d be nice to find that it’s a gem in the rough so to speak.. Maybe I should take her for a spin...You absolutely need to give it a try! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. FacePlant introduced it to me a year or so ago, and I was very impressed with how good it was for the money. I’ve since picked up several bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywood Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 5 minutes ago, lcpfratn said: You absolutely need to give it a try! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. FacePlant introduced it to me a year or so ago, and I was very impressed with how good it was for the money. I’ve since picked up several bottles. Frat, thanks for the insight.. again, it’d be nice to find a gem on the bottom shelf.. similar in profile/taste to any other bourbons that I’ve more then likely partaken of as a comparison? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcpfratn Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 Frat, thanks for the insight.. again, it’d be nice to find a gem on the bottom shelf.. similar in profile/taste to any other bourbons that I’ve more then likely partaken of as a comparison?It’s similar to the Old Ezra 101 7yr that has been discontinued, and better than EWBIB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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