rmoore926 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 You input is appreciated. As I ask my wife and kids what they want for Christmas, and they turned the tables and asked the same of me. I have about everything I need: don't need anymore work shirts, have a stack of books waiting to be read, etc. So my thoughts turned to bourbon. I'll admit to not really enjoying a high rye/spicier bourbon. I tend to like a sweeter pour. What would you recommend in the $50-60 range that's readily available (we live in So Cal if that helps)? Doesn't need to be that much. If there's a cheaper bottle you'd pick that's great too. -Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCwhammie Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Knob Creek 12 year 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottledInBond Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 obviously there are a lot of different flavor profiles and some people prefer higher proof more, while others look for more age as a priority. The bottles I buy in that price range the most recently seem to be mainly Wild Turkey. Rare Breed, Rare Breed Rye, and Russell’s Reserve single barrel bourbon or rye. Pricing varies obviously. Another bottle that is fairly popular around that price point is Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Depending on the area you may also find some of the EH Taylor lineup, Stagg Jr, Old Forester 1920, or Four Roses Small Batch Select as some other options. I also have liked what I’ve tasted of the new Baker’s single barrel offerings and there have been some very hood Knob Creek barrel picks out for a while as well as the new 12 year KC version. Personally I’d be pretty happy with a of the above in that price range. Hard to go wrong. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWBadley Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Knob Creek 12 is a good one. Russell's Reserve store picks are also pretty good sometimes. OF 1910 is a sweeter bourbon around that price that is readily available these days. I still like Henry McKenna 100 proof. If you can find the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, that's pretty tasty especially with a dose of ice. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob_Loblaw Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 My initial thought would be WT RB or a RRSiB. But if you are not a high rye fan then I would actually steer clear of WT entirely as the entire line uses the same mash bill and is a bit on the spicy side. Think KC Single Barrel picks picks are $50 now and I would suggest looking for something on the younger side (9-10) years where you get all the sweet brown sugar flavors without the oaky dryness of the older barrels. I like the OF1910 suggestion and also would also add OF1920 to that list. As others have mentioned, not always on shelf, but I would say EHTSmB and SiB will fit the bill of a sweeter, cherry cola type profile. The SmB should be under your price range and the SiB above. Also, YES on Elijah Craig BP! Huge flavors and can be cut with ice or if you are a neat drinker you can cut with regular ECSmB to your wheelhouse. I'll throw out a few new ideas right at your $60 mark. 4R Small Batch Select should be on shelf and athough a higher rye content then the WT mash, I do not find it to be nearly as spicy. Also, maybe something in the Makers line, possibly even the new "droid" (named after a bunch of random letters/numbers) limited edition may also be in your palate range and would be cool as its a single release. The wheated mash tends to smooth out or soften the bourbon and gets those sweeter notes. My ultimate recommendation is to go down to your liquor store and make a list of what intrigues you. I actually do this every year around the holidays. Family members/friends know my love of the bourbon and want to gift me bottles. So, I provide my wife a list of 10-15 bottles that are on shelf and range from $20-$65 or so and she passes that information along to anyone who asks. Gotta be proactive as 3-4 turd bottles is quite the chore to polish off! I am also working on remembering to just answer "WT101" anytime a guest who is coming over insists on bringing something. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clueby Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 KC12 or even a cheaper KC120 PS. OF1920 is also one I routinely recommend for people that want to give a good, readily available bottle as a gift. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSkyDrams Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 I’d second (or third?) the EH Taylor if they can find it. Ditto the Old Forester 1910. I recall seeing someone in a thread earlier this week describing it as “cloying”, which I think is fair given the differences in palates and preferences, but to me it was just the right amount of sweetness, so if you prefer sweeter bourbons it may be up your alley and is roughly in your price range. I also thought it had a similar profile to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, which you may also like and find around those prices. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcbt Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Echoing others, I'd say Rare Breed or OF 1910 for bourbons readily available. Bowman Port Finished could be a nice holiday pour as well if you like finished bourbons. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvd99 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 4R small batch select 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhettro Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 +1 to both Old Forester 1910 and Woodford Double Oaked. Pretty delicious and sweet drams in your price range that I regularly enjoy. I'd also highly recommend Redwood Empire Lost Monarch. It's out of northern CA, so I'd assume it should be available. 90 proof bourye that just bursts with fresh red fruit on the nose and palate. Plus it's around $35 or so. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore926 Posted October 23, 2020 Author Share Posted October 23, 2020 Thank you for the recs so far. The Old Forester 1910 sounds good. I'll have to look around in my area to see if I can find it. The KC12 also looks good. If I see either I'll make a note for my wife. Thanks and cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JvW Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 I enjoy a good bottle of Noah's Mill... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzhead Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 If you can find it, and I know I've seen it at Total Wine when I was in LA, I'd recommend a McKenzie's Wheated Single Barrel. If you'd prefer a high-rye bourbon, don't hesitate if you see a Belle Meade Reserve (although I think that one's closer to $75-$80 but oh Lordie is it worth it . The OF 1920 is fantastic I didn't care for the OF 1910 but then again I have yet to find a double-oaked bourbon that I really like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzhead Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 5 minutes ago, JvW said: I enjoy a good bottle of Noah's Mill... Good choice. especially if you prefer peanut brittle to vanilla. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry in WashDC Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 42 minutes ago, rmoore926 said: Thank you for the recs so far. The Old Forester 1910 sounds good. I'll have to look around in my area to see if I can find it. The KC12 also looks good. If I see either I'll make a note for my wife. Thanks and cheers! I just read through the comments and "liked" some recommendations I agreed with a lot. OTOH, if you've already tried some or all of these, maybe a better choice would be something you HAVEN'T tasted. New Riff and Wilderness Trail have some nice, relatively rare offerings, and even Jack Daniels Barrel Proof (or whatever they call it) is worth the money in my humble opinion. It harkens back to WHY I started drinking bourbon fifty+ years ago. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Yes, forget what you may recall about regular Jack Daniel's. The single barrel is a whole other experience. Do you like pecan pie. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeTen Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Harry in WashDC said: I just read through the comments and "liked" some recommendations I agreed with a lot. OTOH, if you've already tried some or all of these, maybe a better choice would be something you HAVEN'T tasted. New Riff and Wilderness Trail have some nice, relatively rare offerings, and even Jack Daniels Barrel Proof (or whatever they call it) is worth the money in my humble opinion. It harkens back to WHY I started drinking bourbon fifty+ years ago. "Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof" maybe? Me likee, too. Edited October 23, 2020 by GeeTen 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven s Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 banana pudding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parksmart Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Since you’re in CA, I’d suggest a trip to a Total Wine that has Jim Beam Distillers Cut in stock. 3 bottles will come in at less than $60 OTD, and you’ll have a solid daily drinker that even an aficionado wouldn’t sniff at. Or “upsize” to a bottle of the aforementioned Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof along with the JB DC, and it’ll be less than $80 OTD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz June Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 For a sweeter pour in that range, I'd look at a Maker's Mark cask strength ("CS") release (the regular CS, the 46 CS, or the 2020 Wood Finishing Series). As to products from the other major Kentucky distilleries in that price range: Four Roses - the Single Barrel or Small Batch Select Wild Turkey - Rare Breed or Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Heaven Hill - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Larceny Barrel Proof Barton - 1792 Full Proof Jim Beam - Knob Creek 12 Brown-Forman - Old Forester 1920 Woodford Reserve - Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Buffalo Trace - LOL (out of stock at regular prices, but Blanton's is $60 MSRP and would fit the bill) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fosmith Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 Probably not going to be easy to find but Larceny Barrel Proof would fit the bill. Packed with flavor but smooth and sweet (in a good way). I haven't tried it but have heard good things about the new Maker's Mark 101. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepler Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 (edited) On 10/22/2020 at 10:01 AM, rmoore926 said: I'll admit to not really enjoying a high rye/spicier bourbon. I tend to like a sweeter pour. What would you recommend in the $50-60 range that's readily available With your requirements in mind... - Knob Creek single barrel or 12 Year - Old Forester 1920 - JD barrel proof single barrel - Baker's - MM cask strength Can NOT go wrong with any of these and readily available. Edited October 24, 2020 by Kepler 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore926 Posted October 26, 2020 Author Share Posted October 26, 2020 Thanks again for the help and suggestions. Added the Old Forester 1920 to the wish list. It seems like it was a crowd pleaser and it is easy to find at Total Wine. Don't want my wife to have to drive all over stopping at liquor stores for me. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Larceny BP is your jam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mako254 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Russell’s Reserve single barrel. Store pick preferred but a shelfie is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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