trumpstylz Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I feel like it's changed a lot since they retracted the 6 year age statement and am curious if there's something else that gives it a run for it's money these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 VOB is a good one. Keep in mind the different house styles of the legacy distillers will appeal more or less to different people. Any of the reasonably priced bottled in bond brands are worth checking out. From time to time, I find great sales on WT 101 too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyfish Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 VOB, along with AAA 10YO and OWA, used to be my regular daily pours (usually not all 3 on same day) so I bought all of them by the handle. AAA went away, OWA rarely seen, and VOB, when I find it at all, is not in handles. I am nursing along my small remaining supply of AAA 10YO and OWA as if they were priceless rarities. Have been out of VOB since August. In my head, I know that hoarding is just wrong. In my heart I am not ready to part with the old favorites and take comfort in the knowledge that they are stashed in the back of the cabinet. That said, PaulO is right. There are numerous reasonable alternatives in the VOB price range. Lately I have been going through WT101 handles at a rate I once would not have believed. But it's medicinal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richnimrod Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Just for me (and bear in my mind I like the 1792-Barton House Style) VOB 100-proof, though no longer an age-stated 6-year old is still a very good value for a very satisfying Bourbon. Certainly there are others on or near the bottom shelves that satisfy, and a few that are possibly more satisfying than VOB-100 on some days; but off hand I can't think of any that truly are it's equal in price/value. Further, I'll say I don't think VOB 100 that's available nowadays is much different than VOB 6-year BIB from years earlier. Just my opinion of course. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsandBourbon Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 (edited) I have a partial bottle of VOB BIB (age stated) left and I kind of treat it like a rare bottle since I can't get it anymore. There are different taste profiles and we all taste things somewhat differently so what to me might be a "gold standard" to me is one others don't care for. For me, bottles that are in that same league with the VOB BIB are EW BIB and the now discontinued HH BIB. For my palate I actually like the EW BIB better than the VOB BIB. On the other hand, WT 101 comes off as flat and hot to me and I don't care for it at all. So, what might be your "gold standard" might not be mine. But . . . that's OK. There's plenty of options for us to all find our "gold standard". Edited March 30, 2020 by CardsandBourbon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fosmith Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 8 hours ago, trumpstylz said: I feel like it's changed a lot since they retracted the 6 year age statement and am curious if there's something else that gives it a run for it's money these days. Since VOB is not available where I live I can't compare it to anything but my gold standard for value bourbon is Evan Williams BiB (under $15) and WT101 (under $20). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry in WashDC Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I have two unopened age stated VOB BIB's left. Since its disappearance, I've done a very few SBSBS etc., with its successors, I, personally, notice no real difference other than the subtle variations I find in any large batch value BIB year over year. My palate "fits" VOB 100's profile, and if it were regularly available here, I'd drink it more often. But since it isn't, I drink more OGD BIB than anything else but always have WT 101 open and handy. EW BIB is everywhere here which maybe is why I don't drink it much - too familiar. So, I guess the gold standard for me is how "other" stuff compares to the stuff I feel like drinking right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardsandBourbon Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 2 hours ago, Harry in WashDC said: I have two unopened age stated VOB BIB's left. Since its disappearance, I've done a very few SBSBS etc., with its successors, I, personally, notice no real difference other than the subtle variations I find in any large batch value BIB year over year. My palate "fits" VOB 100's profile, and if it were regularly available here, I'd drink it more often. But since it isn't, I drink more OGD BIB than anything else but always have WT 101 open and handy. EW BIB is everywhere here which maybe is why I don't drink it much - too familiar. So, I guess the gold standard for me is how "other" stuff compares to the stuff I feel like drinking right now. Well that's clear . . . . as mud. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flahute Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I don't think we can call it the gold standard anymore because of how lightly it's distributed. When Barton committed to the 1792 line and subsequent line extensions they clearly scaled back quite a bit on the VOB offerings. It makes sense for them because VOB was so cheap and increasing the price never goes well with consumers. Far better to launch new products in fancier bottles that you can charge a lot more for while letting the cheap product slowly fade into memory. Sucks for us though. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vosgar Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, flahute said: I don't think we can call it the gold standard anymore because of how lightly it's distributed. I have to agree with Steve, it just doesn't seem to be available around here anymore. It's really a shame as I always preferred it to HH6BIB (I may be the only one that thought that). I bought one of the NAS bottles a little over a year ago just to see if I could tell a difference between it and the 6yr. I couldn't. Still have two of the 6yr stashed away but unless the profile has recently changed, I'd have to say the current version would certainly be a buy if/when I come across it again based upon that one bottle I bought. Has this maybe turned into a KY only product? Side note: The last time I saw it locally was one of those "huh?" liquor store moments for me as they had a one bottle limit and it was kept behind the counter. Never dreamed I'd see that for a $15 bottle of booze. Hindsight tells me I should've taken that as an omen of things to come. Edited March 30, 2020 by Vosgar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TehRegion219 Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 33 minutes ago, Vosgar said: I have to agree with Steve, it just doesn't seem to be available around here anymore. It's really a shame as I always preferred it to HH6BIB (I may be the only one that thought that). I bought one of the NAS bottles a little over a year ago just to see if I could tell a difference between it and the 6yr. I couldn't. Still have two of the 6yr stashed away but unless the profile has recently changed, I'd have to say the current version would certainly be a buy if/when I come across it again based upon that one bottle I bought. Has this maybe turned into a KY only product? Side note: The last time I saw it locally was one of those "huh?" liquor store moments for me as they had a one bottle limit and it was kept behind the counter. Never dreamed I'd see that for a $15 bottle of booze. Hindsight tells me I should've taken that as an omen of things to come. Binny's has had it available on the shelf for the past 3-4 months. It's still has a 1 bottle limit and they've been rotating the lineup between the 80, 90 (only seen it once) and the 100 (most frequently seen) no 86 though, I've seen the 86 at another store along with the 80/100. Seems like the 90 is the hard to find around here. I'm glad I picked up a couple spares to get me thru to the next time they pop up.f As far as the gold standard, not sure I can add anything to this but I do find that the 100 and the 90 stand up to some midshelfers in my cabinet. I find myself reaching for the 100 over some BT products lately...… partly I think it's the price, but there's no denying the flavor/quality of VOB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourbon Sabbath Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 For me, most any 4 year BIB is good standard of value bourbon. EW, OGD, Early Times, JW Dant, VOB are all solid. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 VOB isn't available out here in CA. But 1792 Small Batch is and its a staple in my cabinet. For $23 a 750ml I always have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richnimrod Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 4 hours ago, BrokeCal said: VOB isn't available out here in CA. But 1792 Small Batch is and its a staple in my cabinet. For $23 a 750ml I always have one. ^^^That^^^ is a wonderful price for 1792 Sm. B. I'd have one open and several always backed up if I could get it for that. It's a solid pour. Not all that similar to VOB for me; but very nicely made whiskey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDanner Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Since the only Barton we get here is an 86proof for about the same price as a bottle of EW Black, I'd say no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted April 2, 2020 Share Posted April 2, 2020 Not to pick a nit, but I feel that the question in this thread title involves a bit of a false premise. That is, VOB having been “The gold standard for cheap value bourbon”. Though much appreciated (sometimes greatly) by many including me, in no way did the old VOB represent a consensus of the gold standard. Plus, the definition of cheap is a personal and moving target. There are several labels that could have vied for that title, then. Regardless of my blubbering, OGD BIB most likely would be my recommendation for consideration as a replacement for you. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz June Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 While "gold standard" is certainly debatable, I think the question points to a larger trend - the disappearance of the six to eight year age stated budget bourbon. At least the following have all lost their age statements or been discontinued: Heaven Hill BiB 6yr Virgin 101 7yr Fighting Cock 6yr Evan Williams Black 7yr Ezra Brooks 7yr Jim Beam Black 8yr Weller Special Reserve 7yr Old Weller Antique 7yr Very Old Barton 6yr BiB, 6/90, 6/86 Old Taylor 6yr Old Charter 8yr The Heaven Hill Green label 6 year 90 proof remains in Kentucky as one of the last (the last?) such offerings from the big boys. Even at the mid-shelf level, Knob Creek SmB, Basil Hayden, and 1792 SmB all lost their 8-9 years age statements (KC just returning of course). To go further back, WT 101 lost its 8 year statement. At this point I would be surprised if any of the NAS budget BiB type bourbons were more than 5 years old (and likely mostly 4). I like some of those offerings just fine, but I'm not sure you can get a more mature profile from the bottom shelf any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbroo5880i Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 (edited) On 3/30/2020 at 4:20 PM, Vosgar said: I have to agree with Steve, it just doesn't seem to be available around here anymore. It's really a shame as I always preferred it to HH6BIB (I may be the only one that thought that). I bought one of the NAS bottles a little over a year ago just to see if I could tell a difference between it and the 6yr. I couldn't. Still have two of the 6yr stashed away but unless the profile has recently changed, I'd have to say the current version would certainly be a buy if/when I come across it again based upon that one bottle I bought. Has this maybe turned into a KY only product? Side note: The last time I saw it locally was one of those "huh?" liquor store moments for me as they had a one bottle limit and it was kept behind the counter. Never dreamed I'd see that for a $15 bottle of booze. Hindsight tells me I should've taken that as an omen of things to come. I haven't seen a bottle of VOB BIB in a long time, even NAS. I really wanted to like it, but after a few bottles, I just moved on. I was never really a fan of Ridgemont Reserve or 1792 at 93.7 but have really enjoyed the single barrel. 1792 Full proof has been hit or miss. However, I have found my preferences tend to change over time. I would certainly like to try a VOB BIB 6 year again to see if my opinion has changed. That said, I agree with @smokinjoe, I am not certain you can identify one bourbon as the gold standard for value bourbon. I also agree that I would place WT101 and OGDBIB in any group identifying good "value" bourbons Edited April 4, 2020 by mbroo5880i 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyD Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 For price and quality , WT101 is untouchable. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted April 4, 2020 Share Posted April 4, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, Jazz June said: While "gold standard" is certainly debatable, I think the question points to a larger trend - the disappearance of the six to eight year age stated budget bourbon. At least the following have all lost their age statements or been discontinued: Heaven Hill BiB 6yr Virgin 101 7yr Fighting Cock 6yr Evan Williams Black 7yr Ezra Brooks 7yr Jim Beam Black 8yr Weller Special Reserve 7yr Old Weller Antique 7yr Very Old Barton 6yr BiB, 6/90, 6/86 Old Taylor 6yr Old Charter 8yr The Heaven Hill Green label 6 year 90 proof remains in Kentucky as one of the last (the last?) such offerings from the big boys. Even at the mid-shelf level, Knob Creek SmB, Basil Hayden, and 1792 SmB all lost their 8-9 years age statements (KC just returning of course). To go further back, WT 101 lost its 8 year statement. At this point I would be surprised if any of the NAS budget BiB type bourbons were more than 5 years old (and likely mostly 4). I like some of those offerings just fine, but I'm not sure you can get a more mature profile from the bottom shelf any more. Though it is sad to see the age statements go, I think Elijah Craig is still the oldest bottom shelf pour. Its not 12 year anymore but it's still a blend of bourbons ranging from 7 to 12 years, at least by all accounts I've read. So for $20-$25 in most markets it's still a helluva deal. Edited April 4, 2020 by BrokeCal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 On 4/4/2020 at 2:33 AM, BrokeCal said: Though it is sad to see the age statements go, I think Elijah Craig is still the oldest bottom shelf pour. Its not 12 year anymore but it's still a blend of bourbons ranging from 7 to 12 years, at least by all accounts I've read. So for $20-$25 in most markets it's still a helluva deal. This is the first time I've ever heard Elijah Craig being referred to as a bottom shelf bourbon. Poor dear Parker must be rolling over. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 Ha ha. Well it's $19.99 where I live. I think 19.99 is the definition of bottom shelf isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richnimrod Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 4 minutes ago, BrokeCal said: Ha ha. Well it's $19.99 where I live. I think 19.99 is the definition of bottom shelf isn't it? WOW! That is certainly a bargain, for a decidedly NOT 'bottom shelf' Bourbon. What (just for purposes of discussion) does that store charge for... say: Evan Williams Black Label? Around my area EC isn't available for under $33. 'Bottom shelfers here go for $17 or so. ...So, around half the cost of EC. If it were my experience to find EC at $20, I'd grab cases of it before the management realizes their pricing error. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted April 12, 2020 Share Posted April 12, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Richnimrod said: WOW! That is certainly a bargain, for a decidedly NOT 'bottom shelf' Bourbon. What (just for purposes of discussion) does that store charge for... say: Evan Williams Black Label? Around my area EC isn't available for under $33. 'Bottom shelfers here go for $17 or so. ...So, around half the cost of EC. If it were my experience to find EC at $20, I'd grab cases of it before the management realizes their pricing error. My local stores have EWB for $16.99 a handle. EW BIB is $24.99 a handle. WT101 is $24.99 a handle. KC 750ml for $22, KC Rye for $22 also. MM Cask Strength 750ml has been $30 recently so I've been stocking up on that. Rittenhouse 750ml for $19. 1792 SmlB for $22. That's what I've been buying lately Edited April 12, 2020 by BrokeCal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NDN98 Posted April 13, 2020 Share Posted April 13, 2020 I still love VOB a lot, but have been gravitating more towards Early Times BiB for my value pour, but I realize it is a few dollars more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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