What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

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Dead Man Walking
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What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Dead Man Walking »

I drink bourbon neat with no ice. I've purchased some expensive bourbons and received some as gifts. To date, Four Roses Small Batch is my favorite. It is reasonably priced and has great flavor. I'm open to suggestions and criticism from my fellow Bogleheads. What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

DMW
Chip
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Chip »

There are several past threads that might be worth reading; search on bourbon.

Obviously it's very much an individual taste thing. I tend to like "wheated" bourbons. An inexpensive one that's good enough for me to drink neat is the W.L. Weller 7 year.

I am NOT an aficionado. They will be along shortly. :D
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climber2020
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by climber2020 »

Jim Beam Black or George Dickel white label. I think both are a good value for the dollar and taste fine without adding anything to it.
fkampere
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by fkampere »

Jim beam black
Eagle rare
Bulliet
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heathshuler
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by heathshuler »

Henry McKenna Single Barrel. 100 proof, 10 years old, and Bottled in Bond at $30-$35 price point.
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Sheepdog
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Sheepdog »

Wild Turkey, Makers Mark
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BTDT
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by BTDT »

Gentlemen jack, Makers Mark
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TheHouse7
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by TheHouse7 »

+1 Makers Mark
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bottlecap
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by bottlecap »

Rowan's Creek, if you can find it. Runs about $35 for 750ml, but depending on where you are, it might run higher.

I think the Four Roses Small Batch is good (although I never buy it because I think their single barrel is worth the extra $$), so our tastes might coincide.

The Elijah Craig is typically reasonably priced, widely available, and is on par with the FRSB. I haven't had them side by side, however.

Don't be afraid to try your bourbon with a few drops of water as well...

Good luck,

JT
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bottlecap
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by bottlecap »

heathshuler wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:17 am Henry McKenna Single Barrel. 100 proof, 10 years old, and Bottled in Bond at $30-$35 price point.
Think I might have to try that. Thanks!
RadAudit
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by RadAudit »

Virginia Gentlemen.
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Ketawa
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Ketawa »

Maker's 46
Four Roses Single Barrel
Four Roses Small Batch
Eagle Rare
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TeamArgo
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by TeamArgo »

Maker's Mark is my favorite bourbon for regular drinking or mixing. It has wheat instead of rye as its second grain, which gives it a smoother and less hot taste, but is inexpensive enough for everyday use.
W.L.Weller and 1792 brands are my go to for sipping. A bit more expensive, but not extravagant.
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BanquetBeer
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by BanquetBeer »

My favorite in that whole category is glenlevit 15yr and TX whiskey.

TX is more caramel and smooth. https://www.frdistilling.com/tx-blended-whiskey/

I've tried many many different things but I'd have to say TX has been a crowd favorite. Only think I drink mixed is rum and coconut water.
emoore
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by emoore »

Walking stick
Knob Creek
Makers 46
aristotelian
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by aristotelian »

Bulleit
Buffalo Trace
dbr
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by dbr »

George Dickel, if that counts. I am a little biased by having actually visited the distillery, which is a fun trip.
trav867
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by trav867 »

A whiskey buff friend and I organized a 10 part blind tasting and what we both chose as our favorite was Old Grand-dad Bonded, about $20 a bottle. Produced by Jim Beam.

I think buffalo trace is one of the best values in whiskey. It's high end brother Blantons is my favorite bourbon but it's a little expensive at $55ish.

Wild Turkey 101 is another great inexpensive option.

If we're talking cheap, I find ancient age and old crow solid, delicious whiskeys despite their price point.
TerryDMillerMBA
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by TerryDMillerMBA »

I am "proud" to see so many Bogleheads share my love of Maker's Mark.

I actually recently decided Knob Creek is good for me, too.
mw1739
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by mw1739 »

In no particular order:

Eagle Rare
Bulleit
Makers Mark
Basil Haydens
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Kenkat
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Kenkat »

One of the things I like about bourbons is the variety - so many to try - I have 5 bottles in various states that I am currently going through. A few of my favorites:

Agree that Four Roses is very good
Buffalo Trace
Angels Envy
Makers / Makers 46
Basil and Hayden
chevca
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by chevca »

I agree with others about the Makers/Makers 46 and Bulleit picks.

The wife and I tend to go through bottles pretty quickly, so even those seem high priced to us. We like good old Jim or Jack for our reasonable choices.
jhurst0503
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by jhurst0503 »

Basil Haydens
Knob Creek
Makers Mark
open_circuit
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by open_circuit »

Lately, it's Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. It is not technically a bourbon because the mash is 100% barley, but otherwise it is made like bourbon.
arsenalfan
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by arsenalfan »

Knob Creek.
Though I'm starting to think the people and situation are almost as important as the bourbon.
I had a great old fashioned on vacation - and it was made with old grandad.
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Alexa9
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Alexa9 »

A bourbon snob suggested: Four Roses, Bulleit, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek
I was also told to put a little water in it. He thought Maker's Mark was good but overrated and what everyone seems to drink. To each his own.
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alpenglow
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by alpenglow »

If you like Four Roses Small Batch, you'll probably also like Four Rose Single Barrel. I think it's a big step up.
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Kenkat
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Kenkat »

Alexa9 wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 1:35 pm A bourbon snob suggested: Four Roses, Bulleit, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek
I was also told to put a little water in it. He thought Maker's Mark was good but overrated and what everyone seems to drink. To each his own.
The water thing is why I like mine on the rocks - chills it down a bit as well as dilutes it which I prefer for sipping.
Mndiver
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Mndiver »

Buffalo Trace
Lazy River- Just got my first bottle of this at Total Wine and was very happy with it.
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bottlecap
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by bottlecap »

Chip wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 5:38 am
Obviously it's very much an individual taste thing. I tend to like "wheated" bourbons. An inexpensive one that's good enough for me to drink neat is the W.L. Weller 7 year.
I generally like more rye content, but this is a good suggestion, too.

This thread has made me thirsty today. Spent some time in the liquor cabinet...

JT
moghopper
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by moghopper »

Evan Williams.
edge
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by edge »

Woodford Reserve

A bit shocked it hasn't come up.

Bulleit is an ok substitute. Eagle Rare/Four Roses

Knob creek is not a favorite, nor is Jim Beam.
medical_bartender
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by medical_bartender »

Hudson Baby Bourbon
Buffalo trace
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Traveller
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Traveller »

-Makers/Makers 46
-Woodford
-Bulleit
-New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon (local for me)

These four stand out for me, but I enjoy trying many varieties. :beer
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Dendritic Tree
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Dendritic Tree »

Woodford Reserve
mfng
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by mfng »

heathshuler wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 7:17 am Henry McKenna Single Barrel. 100 proof, 10 years old, and Bottled in Bond at $30-$35 price point.
Don't tell people about this one! I don't want the price to go up.
JDP
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by JDP »

Buffalo Trace
Larceny
Maker's Mark
Knob Creek
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El Greco
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by El Greco »

Knob Creek.
Knob Creek Single Barrel ( when it's on sale at my favorite discount liquor store)
MJW
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by MJW »

My tastes gravitate more toward Scotch and Irish, but I like Eagle Rare for a bourbon.

I've tried the Four Roses Small Batch and enjoyed it.
Jim85
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Jim85 »

For me, best bang for the buck - Buffalo Trace or Jim Beam Black. A step up - Four Roses Small Batch or Single Barrel.
Walleyewhacker
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Walleyewhacker »

Buffalo Trace
Markers

Both exceptional for the price IMHO. Enjoy!!
SledgeHammer
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by SledgeHammer »

Jim Bean Black is my "go to" Bourbon. Also try Buffalo Trace. It's one that I buy if I want to splurge a little. Your original post said bourbon. A lot of people are recommending whiskeys. Gentlemen Jack is not a bourbon. Here is a link to explain the difference.

http://www.mensjournal.com/food-drink/d ... y-20140905
Frank Grimes
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Frank Grimes »

For me, "reasonably priced" = my daily driver bourbons that I'm comfortable having every day and don't feel like I'm wasting it by having it so frequently. Typically in the $20-30 range.

So some of my favorite daily drivers are Evan Williams white label BIB (punches way above it's $15 price tag), Henry McKenna BIB, Elijah Craig, Buffalo Trace, Larceny, Old Granddad 114 and Old Weller Antique (at least when this was findable).
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alpenglow
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by alpenglow »

I think you've gotten a lot of suggestions that may be tough to make sense of. You might want to consider whether you like high-rye, low-rye, or wheated bourbon. I'm partial to high-rye bourbon and like full fledged rye whiskey quite a bit (High West Rendezvous Rye is my favorite). This guide from the fine folks at /r/bourbon might help you make sense of all this.

Forum:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/

Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10zd ... SNfBk/edit
Markov
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Markov »

Buffalo Trace distillery makes some of my favorite bourbons,

1. Eagle Rare - reasonable price and consistently available.
2. W.L. Weller - reasonable priced but limited/no availability. (W.L. Weller I learned from a bourbon tour in Louisville is considered a poor man's Pappy Van Winkle, just good luck finding it.)
AZAttorney11
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by AZAttorney11 »

Buffalo Trace is a damn fine bourbon and distillery. Four Roses single barrel is a delight. Regular Four Roses is awful.
Frank Grimes
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Frank Grimes »

The demand from the Weller = poor mans Pappy connection has unfortunately driven one of my favorite cheap bourbons off the shelf. Or when it's there the price has been jacked way up.

It is true that the Pappy line is made from the same mashbill as Weller, however the mashbill is only a part of what makes the final bourbon product taste like what it does (barrel influence, aging time, location of the barrel in the warehouse, etc).

The Weller lines that I've had (never seen the 12 year old in my area) are pretty good, better than Makers at least at a similar price point.
indexonlyplease
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by indexonlyplease »

Dead Man Walking wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2017 1:21 am I drink bourbon neat with no ice. I've purchased some expensive bourbons and received some as gifts. To date, Four Roses Small Batch is my favorite. It is reasonably priced and has great flavor. I'm open to suggestions and criticism from my fellow Bogleheads. What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

DMW
I did a tour of the Makers Mark Distillery years ago. Bought the botlle that I witnessed being Dipped into the candle was. Each bottle is hand dipped. It makes a great Manhattan. I tried it on ice disgusting. My drink on ice is Crown Royal Reserve. I will go have one now. Thanks for the reminder.
Polymath
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by Polymath »

Buffalo Trace.
ERguy101
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Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

Post by ERguy101 »

alpenglow wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2017 10:40 am I think you've gotten a lot of suggestions that may be tough to make sense of. You might want to consider whether you like high-rye, low-rye, or wheated bourbon. I'm partial to high-rye bourbon and like full fledged rye whiskey quite a bit (High West Rendezvous Rye is my favorite). This guide from the fine folks at /r/bourbon might help you make sense of all this.

Forum:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/

Guide:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10zd ... SNfBk/edit
Yup! HWRR is basically the best whiskey you can buy in most stores. And their double rye is almost as good at half the price.
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