Bourbon QPR 2008

[jeff]

With bourbon prices on the rise I think it is time to start another discussion on the best QPR bourbons currently available. My choice a few years ago was Weller 12yo, but now it's approaching $23 here in Lexington. Still a great bourbon, but not as great a value as when it was $12 just a short while ago. Maker's is pushing $25, Buffalo Trace is over $20...what happened to the good deals?

For me right now, the Weller Special Reserve @ ~ $12 is probably the best value out there, maybe only a slightly better value than AAA 10yo for about the same.

So what is your favorite QPR bourbon?

[gothbat]

The price has gone up a few dollars over the past year or so but Weller Antique can still be had by me for ~$17. It's a good value neat and probably a better one with a bit of water added to it.

It's not bourbon but Rittenhouse: BIB is probably the cheapest glass bottle on the shelf. I think I paid $14 the last time I bought it. An excellent value next to the $25 WT Rye (also quite good imo) strangely located a few shelves down from the Rittenhouse.

[OscarV]

Definitely W L Weller Special Reserve neat.

Evan Williams on the rocks.

These two bottles can be had for about $25.00.

Both not each.

[barturtle]

When I was...lets just say, younger...I drank Very Old Barton BIB. I graduated onto having Eagle Rare 101 as a QPR pour in the 90's and stuck with that until it went missing, that went with Old Charter 12yo...that didn't last too long, did it?..So I've gone full circle and am back to my VOB BIB.

[melting]

Around here the Rittenhouse cost about 5 bucks more than the WT rye. I think the best around here is Eagle Rare at $19.99 and absolutely Old Grand Dad BIB for less than 14 bucks.

Chris

[nor02lei]

For American prices as far as I know them it would be Dickel number 12 for any American whiskey. For bourbon specifically it’s tougher but I would say OFBB al roe there are several cheaper candidates like heaven hill 10Y BIB, VOB 100, WT 101 and OF100 proof for instance.

For Europe prices I would say it’s a tigh between Forester 96 and WT 12 y export.

Leif

[tsangster]

Old Weller Antique @ $19.99 gets my vote. Not a bourbon but Rittenhouse Rye BIB is a close second @ $17.99.

Saw a 2007 Stagg on the shelf last week with a $199.99 price tag. Relatively speaking, my $57 bottle was a steal.

[birdman1099]

For me,

Elijah Craig 12 yr. I can get it for $17 most of the time.

[Dr. François]

I second Oscar's EW Black.

I also nominate Old Charter 10YO. Still under 18 bucks here in pricey MI.

I also like McAfee's Benchmark. 8-11 bucks. Uncomplicated but nice.

[gothbat]

Around here the Rittenhouse cost about 5 bucks more than the WT rye.

It's really funny how much prices can vary. Around here the WT Rye is around $25 and the Rittenhouse BIB costs about $14.

[craigthom]

Saw a 2007 Stagg on the shelf last week with a $199.99 price tag. Relatively speaking, my $57 bottle was a steal.

That's crazy. Where was it?

[Virus_Of_Life]

Dumb ole me, QPR? What does that mean, Quality Price Ratio? Obviously I get the gist of the thread, so:

I'd say AAA no doubt for the $13.99 I paid in Illinois is up there. Also the EW BiB for $9.99 is hard to beat especially at 100proof. Give me those two cheapies and throw in a Weller SR and I could be perfectly happy as a budget drinker.

I am going to agree with Leif on the OFBB, one of my new favorites. I'll eat crow on the fact that I dissed the bottle shape for so long only to discover I love the bourbon inside. And for under $40 now when all the other premium limited editions are easily exceeding $50 and $60 a bottle, well, it is a bargain!

Fighting Cock when compared to EW BiB may not seem so great but around here at about $16 and at 103 proof is quite attractive.

Great thread Jeff.

[tsangster]

That's crazy. Where was it?

Athens, GA.

I've been told by the store owner that BTAC is unavailable in GA. Apparently he's received numerous requests and felt that some desperate soul would be willing to pay 3X the value. I'm counting on it being a future dusty find. At the current rate of inflation it should be a deal in about 48 years. Might even grab the $300 Pappy 23 sitting beside it as well.

[mozilla]

I agree with all the selectons so far.... the only one I could add is Tom Moore Bib. It sells for about $20/ 1.75. Very affordable on any budget especially when OGD Bib 750ml sells for $19. BTW, the T. Moore also taste better.

[craigthom]

Athens, GA.

I've been told by the store owner that BTAC is unavailable in GA. Apparently he's received numerous requests and felt that some desperate soul would be willing to pay 3X the value. I'm counting on it being a future dusty find. At the current rate of inflation it should be a deal in about 48 years. Might even grab the $300 Pappy 23 sitting beside it as well.

If he's telling the truth that the BTAC is not available in Georgia from a distributor, then he's breaking the law by selling it. He must buy his liquor from a distributor.

[nickynick]

I'll put another vote in for Evan Williams. For under $10 it is great. It ok neat, pretty good on the rocks, and cheap enough I don't hesitate to mix it with ginger ale. Old Ftiz BIB is another bottle, I think maybe about $10-$11, that I like. Old Charter 10 YO is about $15 here in Chicago and it is another. I normally can get BT for under $20 at Binnys, as well as OGD BIB. Even the Four Roses Yellow label is only $17-$18 and I enjoy that quite a lot as well. I rarely spend more then $25-$30 dollars a bottle. There is plenty of good stuff in that range.

[George]

Is it too soon to start a thread about "Bourbon QPR 2009?" Being new around here, I wasn't sure if I should start it, but I am curious about opinions on how things may have changed over the past year. I searched and didn't find a 2009 thread.

[OscarV]

George,

good job on reviving an old thread,

you'll probably get some responses,

if not there is still good info in here.

[texascarl]

I drink a lot of Old Overholt rye @ $11/750. Wellers is still a good buy at $20-$24/1.75, and I can still buy Buffalo Trace 750ml for less than $20 if I shop around.

[shoshani]

Probably the best bang for buck around Chicagoland is Very Old Barton. The BIB is $12 a bottle, the 90, 86 and 80 proof expressions are slightly less. All have a 6 year age statement, but the ones that aren't Bottled in Bond can contain much older whiskey if they feel like throwing it in.

And, it's very tasty whiskey that will impress your friends.

[hjminard]

For me,

Elijah Craig 12 yr. I can get it for $17 most of the time.

I'll second the EC12.

[NYtaster]

Weller Antique is the winner in my book. While I cant get it as cheap as some of you guys in the "better states" even at $21 a bottle its a bargin in NY.

Also on the list

WT101 - Never goes out of style

EC - Good .... Sometimes

Bullit - A buck or two more but always smooth and dependable

[Special Reserve]

If I remember my arithmetic correctly, Weller Special Reserve is a better bang for the buck when it come to cost/alcohol content over Weller Antique.

[NYtaster]

I can't get the Weller Special Reserve around here. If its anything like the Antique you may well be right.

[smokinjoe]

Old Grand Dad 114. Barrel Proof Whiskey for a tad over $20. I've even seen it under $20, in some places. I just opened a bottle, and the flavor profile is still superb. The slightly burnt corner of the brownies in the pan. :yum:!!!!!!

Also, Evan Williams Single Barrel. A Super Premium, at a very doable price.