What should my next bourbon be?

[mythrenegade]

My cabinet looks like this: Pappy Van Winkel 20 Year Old, Maker's Mark, Elmer T. Lee, Elijah Craig 12 Year.

I have been drinking the Elijah Craig 12 Year most often, and will finish it soon. I will also likely finish the Maker's Mark soon but I will replace that quickly with a 1750 from costco...

I can get Knob Creek at Trader Joe's and I can get most everything else that is available in southern california. I am looking for the next bourbon to try in the under $30 price bracket.

I will not buy Jim Beam 7 YO, that stuff kept me away from bourbon for nearly ten years before I was willing to try something else. Likewise I fear the standard wild turkey and other cheap bourbons. I am looking for low end premium. You guys suggested the Elijah Craig and that was a great call. I look forward to your next suggestion.

Joel

[Nebraska]

Eagle rare would be another inexpensive choice, one I consider to be a premium bourbon at a budget price.

Rittenhouse is a great rye, although i don't think it's available in your neck of the woods.

Mark/Nebraska

[SBOmarc]

Weller 107, Elmer T Lee and WT RR 101.

[alphaiii]

I'd have to recommend Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 year. It's easily my favorite bourbon, and I've found it as low as $17, but it typically runs about $22-25.

Another inexpensive bourbon I really like is W.L. Weller 12 year . It runs about $15-18. It's not a fancy bottle, but it's quality bourbon.

If you're fortunate enough to find it at the right price, Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel is another great choice. I've been able to find it for $30, but it's usually more than that. It's probably my 3rd favorite, behind the Eagle Rare and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year. The cheapest I've ever seen the Van Winkle is $33.

If you like you're boubon a little smokier, Buffalo Trace would be a good pick, at around $18-20. Alot of people around here really like it. I think it's decent, but a bit too smokey for me.

Another solid bourbon I've had is Evan Williams Single Barrel 1995 Vintage. I was able to find it for $16, but again, it seems to be around the $20-25 range. There's been some discussion that the 1996 Vintage isn't that great, but people seem to agree that the 1995 is a quality bourbon. I'd put it on par with the Buffalo Trace, maybe a bit more to my liking, but it doesn't compare to the Eagle Rare 10, Weller 12, Van Winkle 12, or Rock Hill, IMO.

[wskybnt]

He's right ER is good for the $$$, BT, WT RB, WT RR, Weller 12, Weller Antique 107, and Lot B is just over $30 here.

[T47]

Just plain old WT101 is great and you can find it almost anywhere. In your price target might be WT Rare Breed....a real favorite of mine and also readily accessible. Cant go wrong with the WT products as far as I'm concerned and you don't seem to have them on your shelf yet.

My current nightly pour has been Weller Centennial....great flavor! There are just so many darn good Bourbons for you still....nice problem!!!

[ProofPositive]

Just plain old WT101 is great and you can find it almost anywhere. In your price target might be WT Rare Breed....a real favorite of mine and also readily accessible. Cant go wrong with the WT products as far as I'm concerned and you don't seem to have them on your shelf yet.

My current nightly pour has been Weller Centennial....great flavor! There are just so many darn good Bourbons for you still....nice problem!!!

The only ones I would add to this advice/selection and the previous ones are Weller Antique 107, Weller 12 and for sure the SB.com BOTM - Ridgemont 1792.

[Jazzhead]

There are many great bourbons for under $30. Compared to the prices of Irish and Scotch whisky, premium bourbon is a bargain. At the under $20 price point, it's hard to beat Dickel No. 12. But at the $20 -$23 price point, there's Evan Williams Single Barrel, Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace. Heck there's one store in my area that sells bottles of 10 yr old Heavan Hill for eight bucks! That's very drinkable stuff, at twice or even three times the price!

[BobA]

Depends on what you want to do. If you share your cabinet with other less experienced bourbon drinkers, Knob Creek is a good choice; introduces you to some different whiskey and will probably be recognized by someone else as a quality product.

You've gotten some good suggestions, but I'd say that if your goal is your own exploration, you should look for variety of distillers and mashbills. Two of your four are wheaters; good ones, but there are more rye flavors out there, and I'd look to add one of those. Knob Creek will work, and get you some idea of the Beam small batch bourbons. Any WT product would be good (I would not fear the standard 101 as a "cheap" bourbon). The BOTM right now, Ridgemont, would also give you a rye flavored, different experience, from Barton; check that thread. Old Forester 100 might strike your fancy. My own favorite under $30 is Old Grandad 114, which is unlike any of your current four, and the one I'd most recommend.

If you want to find something you might like better than what you've had, but along the same lines, the wheater suggestions are good. I can't get ETL, but Eagle is the same distiller (not sure of the mashbill). I think the EWSB is similar to the Elijah Craig 12, although I'm not overly fond of either (prefer the EWSB).

And if you see something in old posts that piques your interest, but is of lesser price, well, I'd grab it for a try instead of worrying it won't measure up. A couple of my favorites are under $20 (one even under $10), found through rummaging through old posts here.

Have fun.

Bob

[Nebraska]

Hey I'm going to chime back in again. I thought the BOTM suggestion was great. In your price range and what I thought to be a pretty good pour as well.

Mark/Nebraska

[ThomasH]

I would recommend Eagle Rare 10yr. single barrel or Buffalo Trace. Both are under 30.00.

Thomas

[mythrenegade]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

As it seemed to get the most votes, I purchased a bottle of Eagle Rare for $20 and another bottle of ETL since I am running low on that and it was only $17...

You guys are the best. I look forward to trying the Eagle Rare tonight. I think next time I will buy the WT Rare Breed, which is around $27 at the wine exchange (where I got today's purchases).

Joel

[mythrenegade]

Hey I'm going to chime back in again. I thought the BOTM suggestion was great. In your price range and what I thought to be a pretty good pour as well.

Mark/Nebraska

I liked that suggestion as well, but I didn't see it at wine exchange. I couldn't spend all day running around looking for a bottle of bourbon...

Joel

[Nebraska]

I couldn't spend all day running around looking for a bottle of BOURBON!! I couldn't spend all day RUNNING AROUND LOOKING FOR A BOTTLE OF BOURBON!!!! Just what would be more important than looking for another bottle of bourbon?

Hummm..rookies

From one rookie to another...just kidding of course

Mark/Nebraska

[Nebraska]

maybe

Nebraska

[mythrenegade]

I couldn't spend all day running around looking for a bottle of BOURBON!! I couldn't spend all day RUNNING AROUND LOOKING FOR A BOTTLE OF BOURBON!!!! Just what would be more important than looking for another bottle of bourbon?

Hummm..rookies

From one rookie to another...just kidding of course

Mark/Nebraska

LOL

Truth be told I had to get to a seminary class. Yes, I'm a seminarian who drinks bourbon. Shhh :-)

Joel

[Edward_call_me_Ed]

LOL

Truth be told I had to get to a seminary class. Yes, I'm a seminarian who drinks bourbon. Shhh :-)

Joel

I will always remember being in the garage of the pastor of my church when I was a young man and seeing an open case of Heaven Hill. I don't know which expression it was. At the time I was a bit shocked, but looking back I think maybe he was on to something.

Ed

[mythrenegade]

I will always remember being in the garage of the pastor of my church when I was a young man and seeing an open case of Heaven Hill. I don't know which expression it was. At the time I was a bit shocked, but looking back I think maybe he was on to something.

Ed

I've been in full time ministry for 13 years now. One of my friends was a youth pastor at a church in the san diego area many years ago. He decided to speak on drinking and so he went out and interviewed people (on video) that were "drunks in the gutter" as well as people who were in the hospital for drinking related illness, rehab clinics, and 12 step groups. He found that in every case, with no exceptions, they had one of two backgrounds growing up: (1) Abuse of alcohol in the home. In other words, parents who got plastered regularly or were alcoholics. (2) No use of alcohol in the home. Yup, you read that right.

After finishing his research he went home and told his wife to go buy a six pack of beer and put it in their fridge. He intentionally drank one beer a week so that his kids would see it disappear at a slow rate.

I look at that and, while I do not fault people for not drinking, I feel that it is in the best interest of my kids to model alcoholic consumption in moderation. I enjoy wine, beer and spirits, but mostly wine. We go through a bottle or two a week. Bourbon is a nice treat when I don't want to open a bottle of wine (a shot or so over ice, once or twice a week). Beer is the least consumed, generally only when a few select friends come over...

Joel

[BourbonSteve]

it'll cost you $12 more but Rock Hill Farms is certainly worth it. I also like Old Whiskey River ($21) and Woodford Reserve ($29) but neither is what I've had lately. You may want to try Bulliet and be as surprised as I was at how good it is--that should be your next one.

[ProofPositive]

it'll cost you $12 more but Rock Hill Farms is certainly worth it. I also like Old Whiskey River ($21) and Woodford Reserve ($29) but neither is what I've had lately. You may want to try Bulliet and be as surprised as I was at how good it is--that should be your next one.

What is the best price anyone has found RHF? The best I have been able to do in my area is $44.99.....which BTW is the same price I can acquire Blanton's in one store here as well. Just off the top of my head (which is not a very solid foundation), I am a bit surprised at RHF being over $40. I thought it was considered on the step below Blanton's.....but, maybe not.

[mythrenegade]

What is the best price anyone has found RHF? The best I have been able to do in my area is $44.99.....which BTW is the same price I can acquire Blanton's in one store here as well. Just off the top of my head (which is not a very solid foundation), I am a bit surprised at RHF being over $40. I thought it was considered on the step below Blanton's.....but, maybe not.

The wine exhange charges $39.99 for both the blantons and the RHF.

As for the eagle rare 10 yo - WOW! This is a fantastic bottle of bourbon. It is the first bourbon I have really enjoyed neat. Generally I drink it on the rocks, but I never mixed this at all. Great selection. Thanks again to all who suggested it!

Joel

[alphaiii]

What is the best price anyone has found RHF? The best I have been able to do in my area is $44.99.....which BTW is the same price I can acquire Blanton's in one store here as well. Just off the top of my head (which is not a very solid foundation), I am a bit surprised at RHF being over $40. I thought it was considered on the step below Blanton's.....but, maybe not.

I've found it for $29.99 at one local store.

[Nebraska]

Hey alphaii, just noticed you're from Baltimore. You are lucky in regards to bourbon. Searching on line I noticed some of the lowest prices in your area for many products. And of course Maryland is one of those states where retailers cannot ship out of the state, of course.

If you are ever headed to Nebraska (so many people are) let me know, i'll give you a shopping list! LOL

Mark/Nebraska

[elkdoggydog]

LOL

Truth be told I had to get to a seminary class. Yes, I'm a seminarian who drinks bourbon. Shhh :-)

Joel

Me too. I've had whiskey tastings with other seminarians. I'm doing an M.A., though, so not headed for "the ministry", but I am a full time student at a seminary.

[pouranother]

Highly suggest Buffalo Trace, premium bourbon at an easy $