New member with a quick question

[Norton]

Hi all, great forum you have here. During the last several months I have sampled some really good bourbon such as Rare Breed, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek and Old Rip 10/107. A few weeks back I purchased a bottle of OGD BiB and was quite happy with it. Not the most complex bourbon but I like the straightforward approach sometimes! Now I am on the lookout for "bang for the buck" bourbons. So what is your favorite pour for under $20 a bottle? There is a Binnys 15 min. from my house so I am blessed with an excellent selection.

[CrispyCritter]

Some good buys:

• Weller 12/90
  
• Weller Antique 7/107
  
• Ancient Ancient Age 10yo (Binny's is one of the few places outside of Kentucky you'll find it)
  
• George Dickel #12 (technically not bourbon, but close enough)
  
• Old Fitzgerald BIB
  
• Rittenhouse Rye BIB (my local Binny's only has the 80 proof version, though I've seen the BIB at other locations)
  
• Buffalo Trace (right at the $20 mark)
  
• Wild Turkey 101 (ditto, have seen it cheaper elsewhere though)
  
• WT Rye (as with WT 101)
  
• Virginia Gentleman 90 (just above $20)

[jburlowski]

Definitely Buffalo Trace. Also Elmer T. Lee single barrel (sometimes on sale at or near your price point).

[BobA]

Two under $20 bourbons come to mind to be classed with the OGD BIB. Old Charter 12 year is probably under $20 for you (a buck or two more than the OGD here), and any Very Old Barton (the 90 proof at $10 is what's here).

You might try Old Overholt rye. I think it has a unique character, but suffers from a low proof. And don't forget, especially when you start talking about "for the money," everything on the shelf is someone's favorite.

Bob

[cowdery]

This is an oft-asked question here, so some searching using terms such as "value" might yield some good answers. Here are some that come to my mind, including some that have already been mentioned.

Old Forester 100 proof

Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond

Weller 12-Year-Old

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond

Old Fitzgerald 1849

Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10yr.

Elijah Craig 12-year-old

Jim Beam Black Label

[BobA]

In addition to all of the above, since you like the OGD BIB, here the OGD 114 is about $22 compared to $17 for the BIB, a difference I gladly pay. I think the 114 is definitely that much more whiskey, and it's not the alcohol; you barely notice the proof. So if you're willing to stretch your $20 a bit, you might find a favorite.

Bob

[Isoflex]

Ditto the OGD 114º and WT Rye 101º You might also like Fighting Cock 103º though not all are as enamored with it as I am....it is well under your $20 mark though.

[smokinjoe]

I would recommend the Evan Williams Single Barrel. The 1996, which is on most shelves now, is excellent for around $20. If your store has the 1994 version still available, grab that one too! It's a favorite of mine.

Also, if you already haven't done so, you might as well start clearing out a place for your new bunker! These bottles tend to multiply....rapidly!

JOE

[elkdoggydog]

Joe is right- EWSB is a great buy. Anything with "Evan Williams" on the label is good stuff, including the 7 yo and the 1783 (which I like, but some here don't). I think the Evan Williams line is the best value in bourbon, with the possible exception of OGD 114.

Someone recommended Dickel 12 early on, and though it isn't bourbon, it gets my vote for the best whiskey under 20 bucks. Jack who?

OGD products are also very solid- I agree with the comment above- consider spending 2 or 3 bucks more to get the 114. I water it down just a bit, so it goes farther, and it's quality bourbon.

[mythrenegade]

I am fairly new to the bourbon world, but here's what I've found:

(1) Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Year Old - I paid $19.99 for this, so it's at the top of your price point. As of today, this is my favorite bourbon, and the only one I really enjoy neat (the rest I put on the rocks. this is also good on the rocks).

(2) Maker's Mark - In california we can get this for about $17.99 a bottle, or $33 for a 1750 from costco. Great stuff. This was what got me into bourbon, and I still really like it.

(3) Elijah Craig 12 Year Old - Some people (like me) really enjoy this, others not so much. I am wondering if it's simply not very consistent, because I don't experience the same flavors that others point out as not caring for. I paid $15.99 for it though, so it's hard to complain.

(4) Elmer T Lee - I pay $16.99 for a bottle of this, and I do like it, although not as much as others around here do. I have listed these four bourbons in MY order of preference. Your mileage may vary :cool:

Joel

[asnigro]

I just picked up a bottle of Eagle Rare 10yr @ Binny's in Schaumberg for $23.99, it has been recommended on the list previously, I think it is worth trying. I'm also a fan of the George Dickel #12.

[ProofPositive]

I would have to second most of the selections already mentioned. If I had a twenty bucks and no bourbon at home (Heaven Forbid!), I would shoot for the Elmer T Lee if I could find it on sale. However, in my area, ETL is never under $24. So, I would have to go after the first of the following in order:

1) Weller Antique 107

2) Weller 12

3) Buffalo Trace

4) Wild Turkey 101

5) Elijah Craig 12

In Tennessee, to cover any of these with a $20, they would have to be $17.99 and under in order to allow for the excessive sales tax. Also, I would be going after a 750ml bottle - assuming that is the size we are targeting here. If so, I could not include Eagle Rare SB in the group to be under $20 where I live.

[Norton]

Thanks for all the opinions everyone. I went with Ancient Ancient Age 10 year old. It's a little drier than I usually like but a good pour all the same. Once I finish the OGD BiB I will be picking up a bottle of 114. Oh, to the people who recommended Dickel #12, I have already converted a few JD drinkers myself! :grin:

[barturtle]

AH, heck! I just realized that you said you were close to a Binnys (and mapquest says your about 20 miles from the nearest Sams), in that case go get yourself some Rittenhouse BIB rye. If you like the high rye OGD, you'll love this stuff! And at about $13 a bottle it's the deal of the decade.

[kitzg]

I went with Ancient Ancient Age 10 year old.

In my humble opinion that was a good choice. It is one of the bourbons I usually keep on hand.

Interestingly I did not see anyone mention Knob Creek (maybe I missed it) -- which would sure be on my list. I just got some at $19.99 here so assume you can match that at Binny's.

Buffalo Trace would have been my first choice since it should be available way under $20. And Weller 12 is one of my favorites but you've heard about it.