9 Bottom-Shelf Bourbons That Are Actually Worth The Buy

[fishnbowljoe]

Another interesting article about bourbon. I can’t argue against any of the bourbons named being worth the buy. I will however raise an eyebrow as to the classification of a few of these as being “bottom shelf”. Hmmmm.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/cocktails/9-bottom-shelf-bourbons-that-are-actually-worth-the-buy/ss-BB1o1214?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=af91ff4fb4c84a02b97015efc298164c&ei=22#image=1

[b1gcountry]

I hate lists and this one didn't disappoint.

 

Nobody considers Buffalo Trace or Jim Beam Single Barrel to be bottom shelf. The lowest tier bourbon there is EW. Sometimes that is on the bottom shelf.

 

Best actual bottom shelf whiskey:

JW Dant BIB

OGD BIB

Old Fitz BIB

Very Old Barton BIB

Fighting Cock

 

What else?

[Harry in WashDC]

4R YL (bought two on sale today for $22 each), OGD BIB (bought two on sale today for $23 each). Like B1C, I don;t consider basic BT as a bottom shelfer any more.  Benchmark 8, VaGent, Old Tub - yeah, but I only buy the VaG in 375s to give to folks and pass on the others.  Bulliett and EC to me are not bottom shelf - B being too expensive for what it tastes like to me and EC being too old.  Bottom Shelf to me means something like HH's 3+ YO 80 proof rail or even JB White - OK for mixing not so hot for sipping neat is one BS category, the other being cheap sippers like 4R YL.

 

WT 101?  No, but maybe the 81 is bottom shelf.  And, for years and even now, I keep one EW Black (86 proof) on hand to give to people curious about my bourbon obsession.

 

As I type this, I'm finishing off a Bernheim wheat whiskey I opened a couple weeks ago.  Cannot consider it a bottom shelfer even though I think it is a bargain for what it is.

 

Uh, I may be overthinking this bottom shelf category.

[PaulO]

Yeah, I don't consider anything on the slide show "bottom shelf".

Bottom shelf is 80 proof and four or less years old.  The real bottom of the bottom shelf is "blended whiskey" containing grain neutral spirit (GNS).    Pass on all that stuff, and all those 80 proof house brands they sell at Total Wine.

[lemonman]

I'll pile on and say nothing BIB is anywhere near bottom shelf. As PaulO said it's usually a blended whiskey you could also use as parts cleaner... most of those completely stomp the craft whiskeys I've had the (mis)fortune to try.

 

 

 

 

[jvd99]

I buy the Barton BIB pretty often.  My criteria for bottom shelf is generally anything 40 ABV. 

[mbroo5880i]

18 minutes ago, jvd99 said:

I buy the Barton BIB pretty often.  My criteria for bottom shelf is generally anything 40 ABV. 

 

This.  Nothing says bottom shelf more than 80 proof, Jeremiah Weed, or Ten High.  Many of the bourbons they mention are actually stellar bottles compared to many of the tater faves.

[PaulO]

I consider bottled in bond to be a good indicator of quality.  Back in the day, before we had all these different variations and brand extensions - B.I.B. (with the green tax strip) was the high end product.