Moderator: Squire
Birdo wrote:I suspect you will be disappointed. Wild Turkey 101, and the Weller stuff is as good as it gets in sensible priced bourbon.
Here's what I found out:
Maker's Mark: Okay,but must be mixed, pricey for what it is.
Fighting Cock: Similar to WT101 at a better price, my favorite
Beam Black: Good stuff, but proof is only 86
Ancient Ancient Age 10 year: Nice stuff at good price.
Beam White: 80 proof suitable for mixing only.
Very Old Barton 100proof: Nice bourbon at low price.
Heaven Hill White 101 6y/o great mixed as old fashioned, hardcore.
Evan Williams Black: Okay for $10, but not much flavor.
Larceny: smooth but simple.
Old Forester: Excellent value bourbon.
Old Grandad: I like it, but it's not WT101.
EllenJ wrote:Birdo:
I'd like to echo Mike.
So, where were you last week?
JPBoston wrote:Squire beat me to the punch... Evan Williams Black Label is the king of value to me at $13-15 per 1.75L. For a long time, I'd abandon it for more 'exciting' and pricier labels, but every time I came back, I was amazed at how well it stacks up against it's higher proofed and higher priced competition. FWIW, I pretty much only sip neat. Not much cocktail making going on in my house.
Another value favorite for me is Fighting Cock. It's 103 proof, and has the spiciness of WT101 in the mid-palate, but much more sweetness in the front-end and the finish. Since you like WT101, this may be right in your wheelhouse and offer something a bit more than the WT. It's about $16 for 750ml here.
Starting to get a bit higher-priced than bottom shelf.... Buffalo Trace is an excellent bourbon at about $21*. I get vanilla sweetness up front, and leathery/earthy spice mid-palate. The finish allows the spice to linger.
For non-favorites on the low end, aka things I'd suggest to avoid unless you really have an itch to try:
Beam Black (or white label, for that matter) --- way overpriced at $18-ish. One of the least interesting bourbons I've tried, though by no-means 'gross'. EWB kills this, and I can get a handle of it for less than the 750ml of Beam Black.
So, I gotta ask..how "hard core" is Old Crow? That black bird seems to call my attention for a deep dive into despair, horrible hangovers and a night of terrible drunkenness, should I be afraid, very afraid?? Those birds nest regularly on bottom shelves here in my area...
Maker's Mark --- another overpriced option. Weller 107 is a much better choice, at a similar price. I bet Weller Reserve (which is closer in proof and even cheaper) is also a much better option, though I haven't tried it yet, due to the 107 being so inexpensive.
*Isn't it great that mid-shelf bourbon starts right at about $20, if not less? Take that, scotch!!!
Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 57 guests