Best tasting inexpensive bourbon?

[brian12069]

What is the best tasting inexpensive bourbon you have ever had? I would say inexpensive is around $15.00 to $18.00 for 750 ml. My hands down choice would be old Fitzgeralds 1849, I believe it was an 8 year 90 proof. I just happened to grab the bottle in the liquor store and bought it because it was only $15.00 but boy was I surprised when I tasted it. Real thick rich maple flavor. Its probably my second favorite pour next to Van Winkle. Anybody else have a favorite cheap one?

[angelshare]

Any of the Barton varieties; it's just too bad they're not easily available to us Virginians. I've tried ordering a case of the BIB version. Five weeks later, I'm still waiting on big government (VA ABC) to deliver.

[brian12069]

mmm...I live in upstate NY....I have never seen Barton around here yet...

[TNbourbon]

I'm continually fond of Rebel Yell (80 proof), originally a Stitzel-Weller wheater now marketed by David Sherman Corp. (don't know who distills the bourbon) reputedly using the same mash bill.

It's $10-$12 per liter, the same range as the VO Bartons.

[jeff]

My two favorite "cheap" bourbons are Weller 12yo at $14.99, and Ancient Ancient Age 10yo at $12.99. If I had no other bourbons the rest of my life, I would die a happy man

[brian12069]

I agree, I love the Weller 12 year and Rebel Yell is very good as well. I haven't had ancient age yet.

[brian12069]

Anybody ever had Kentucky Gentleman? I tried it once and it was good, very inexpensive too.

[TNbourbon]

The Ancient Ancient Age 10yo -- not to be confused with the 10-Star, which is just 6 years old -- currently is only marketed in Kentucky and Virginia. I always buy a bottle anytime I pass through KY which, fortunately, is right next door. I've read (perhaps on these forums) that it is Buffalo Trace master distiller Gary Gayheart's favorite, so likely will continue to be produced in its somewhat limited quanities.

[OneCubeOnly]

Cast my vote for Buffalo Trace. Catch a sale and it's $12.99/750ml in Maryland. Honorable mentions need to go out to Ancient Ancient Age 10yo ($9.90/750ml) and VOB BIB (not available in VA, but was $9.99/750ml in KY).

IMO, all three of these are superb and very affordable!

[Paradox]

That's a very good sale price for a great bourbon Gary! I agree, BT is a good choice as is AAA 10yo. I also like Weller 12yo for the price, it is for the price.

[LeNell]

I like Old Ezra 7 year 101 in that price range. It's got the intensity from the higher proof and a little more age on it to round it out a bit.

[pete_d]

In Australia, where everything's expensive and the lack of choice is enormous, I found that my favourite is the Evan Williams Single Barrel. Below that, ordinary Wild Turkey is the go. I haven't tried the Evan Williams 7 yet, but it surely must be better than JD Black label.

If we actually had any Elijah Craig in the country at the moment I'd probably confirm how good that was too.

[ratcheer]

Prices have apparently gone up here in AL. At the new prices:

1) Old Forester 100-proof, $17

2) Elijah Craig 12-yr old, $17

3) Old Grand Dad 86-proof, $15, but occasionally on sale for $11

Tim

[brian12069]

In Australia, where everything's expensive and the lack of choice is enormous, I found that my favourite is the Evan Williams Single Barrel. Below that, ordinary Wild Turkey is the go. I haven't tried the Evan Williams 7 yet, but it surely must be better than JD Black label.

7 year Evan Williams is underrated. It is a very good bourbon, especially for the price.

If we actually had any Elijah Craig in the country at the moment I'd probably confirm how good that was too.

[gr8erdane]

Guess I'm just lucky living in a market where I can get Old Rip Van Winkle 10/90 for $16 and make it my 'well bourbon'. I still can't figure out how they sell it so cheap compared to everyone else.

[robbyvirus]

I vote for Weller 12 yo as well. Absolutely delicious, and only about $15/bottle. You have to look hard for it out here in California, though.

[camduncan]

Jim Beam White at 26.99 and Cougar at 24.99 are probably the best cheap buys for me.

(In comparison, Evan Williams Single Barrel is $45 and Elijah Craig 12yo is $40 - both are definately worth the extra money)

[Tallica]

Jim Beam Black & EC 12 YR would be two of my favourite cheapies, but for ultimate value for money could not go past Buffalo Trace.

[camduncan]

but for ultimate value for money could not go past Buffalo Trace

I didn't think it was available in Australia?

[Tallica]

It's not but even after air freight & tax it's still a bargain.

[cowdery]

This week I have been enjoying Elijah Craig 12-year-old ($16.99) and Ancient Ancient Age 10-year-old ($14.99), both great values.

Must say I am jealous of people who are paying $12.99 for Buffalo Trace. In Chicago, it has been staying around $20.

[cowdery]

The Ancient Ancient Age 10yo -- not to be confused with the 10-Star, which is just 6 years old -- currently is only marketed in Kentucky and Virginia.

And yet I bought it last week at Binny's on Clark Street in Chicago.

[cowdery]

Kentucky Gentleman is a Barton brand. It appears in wells here in Chicago. I tried a taste not long ago. Not good.

[BourbonitisBlues]

Well, there's nothing better than good, cheap bourbon,and believe it or not, there is such a thing. For me, the hands down winner is W.L. Weller Special Reserve. It's a 7 year old wheated bourbon that can be picked up for UNDER 10 bucks here in the bluegrass. I used to work in a liquor store as the bourbon buyer, and I would often conduct blind taste tests with friends and co-workers. Put up against Maker's Mark, the Old Weller would win 8 out of 10 times.Not bad for a bottle that was less than half the price of the MM.

My other favorite is Old Fo'. Even with last year's slight price increase I can still find it for 10 to 12 dollars. This is a great bourbon that has stood the test of time and the onslaught of boutique brands.

Old Grandad is also an old fav.

BourbonitisBlues

[TNbourbon]

Two notes re AAA 10yo:

1)I, too, have purchased it in TN within the past year, but always old stock; and

2)I think Binny's is a big enough retailer to be able to get whatever it wants.