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Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:57 am
by jr1968
We have had a worst you ever had thread, how about the best bottom shelf you have ever had?
Mine would have to be EWBL.






jr1968

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 12:56 pm
by Birdo
I was gonna start this sort of link last week but forgot to.

I really like Very Old Barton 6y/o 86 proof bourbon at only $17.49/1.75. My buddy swears Benchmark is the best in this price range. We both like Evan Willians also. What can you say about Weller SR other than it is very good and smooth at a fraction of the price of Makers.

Yep, us tighwads can enjoy good bourbon on the cheap.

Cheap as I can be, I usually spend a few bucks to upgrade to Fighting Cock which goes for $15-16/750ml.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 3:11 pm
by JPBoston
Evan Williams Black seems to be my favorite go-to super-value pour... at $14.50 per handle, it's a great deal. No real off notes, a slight hint of cherry... good stuff for the price.

I do enjoy Benchmark once in awhile, although it's a little too rough for me to fully recommend.

OGD 86 is a really nice, dry bourbon for the price... only a few dollars more in my area then EWB.

And of course, if you want to bump the price up a notch -- OWA (sweet, almost chewy), Weller SR (I'm assuming on this one, haven't had it yet), OGD 100 (heavy rye spice flavor), and Buffalo Trace (rye spice, leather, vanilla) are all very nice as well, in the $16-19 per 750ml range.

FWIW, Buffalo Trace may be my favorite bourbon, period... regardless of price. I believe currently, for my tastes, it's between BT and Knob Creek ($26 per 750ml). Haven't stepped up to the Van Winkle line yet though ($39.99 and up). Been living with KC as my highest priced pour till I get a bit more experienced with my palate.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 5:10 pm
by Mike
Me bottom shelf is reserved for empties.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:31 pm
by ebo
EWBL and Ezra Brooks.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:49 pm
by WhiskeyBro
Very Old Barton 100 proof.

$11.99 with the best bourbon punch you can buy. Not bad at all.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:09 am
by JakeDPR
I always have Old Crow on hand, a great bargain whiskey!

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 3:00 pm
by vince
Very Old Barton 100 proof, OGD Bottled in Bond

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:48 pm
by EllenJ
I'm with Vince.
Although, strangely enough, Linda enjoys VOB 86 and I enjoy OGD 86 better than the BIB.
Of the OGD's, though, my favorite is still OGD114, reduced (with water or ice) to about 90 proof.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:04 pm
by gillmang
VOB 86 (perfect balance), Banker's Club, Fighting Cock, EW Black Label.

Gary

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:28 pm
by vince
EllenJ wrote:I'm with Vince.
Although, strangely enough, Linda enjoys VOB 86 and I enjoy OGD 86 better than the BIB.
Of the OGD's, though, my favorite is still OGD114, reduced (with water or ice) to about 90 proof.

John,

I am with you on the OGD 114. I love it and it is my favorite of the OGD. I just wasnt sure you could classify it as Budget bourbon since it is in the $25 range

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:21 am
by PaulO
I would say any of the bottled in bond brands from Heaven Hill; particularly the 6 year old Heaven Hill. VOB also, as everyone said. If you want to move up a little more to what I'd call mid-shelf then we have Old Forester Signature, and Fighting Cock (good values maybe under $20).

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:12 pm
by EllenJ
vince wrote:
EllenJ wrote:I'm with Vince.
Although, strangely enough, Linda enjoys VOB 86 and I enjoy OGD 86 better than the BIB.
Of the OGD's, though, my favorite is still OGD114, reduced (with water or ice) to about 90 proof.

John,

I am with you on the OGD 114. I love it and it is my favorite of the OGD. I just wasnt sure you could classify it as Budget bourbon since it is in the $25 range


Fair enough, BUT... if you were to reduce the 114 ($21.99 at Party Source in Bellevue, KY) to a more bottom-shelf 80 proof (i.e., just under 30% dilution) you'd be paying more like $15.50, and the bourbon would be much better, since the OGD 114 neither requires nor gets as much chill-filtration as any of the 80-proof bourbons do.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:07 pm
by William
JTS Brown, the first bottle I had actually. After that it wasnt as good. SO I dont know if I can strongly recommend it, but aas long as you dont walk with it for too long and shake it up a bit, itll be fine. and im talking actual bottom self.

Re: Bottom shelf.

Unread postPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 2:28 pm
by JPBoston
I hear a lot of good things about Ancient Age 10 year (Ancient Ancient Age). But I'm not sure that it's readily available outside of KY. At least, not here in AZ. I've only seen standard Ancient Age.