Shopping the Bottom Shelf??

[shantytownbrown]

I am an avid reader here, but infrequent poster, I get some great selections here (from what I can get in Connecticut) form my reads of posts and the reviews, and wanted to extend a gracious thanks to all of you gentleman.

I have always been curious about the "bourbon on the bottom" (shelf that is), and wondered what in the under $20 (even under $15/fifth) price pint is worth trying. I am always happy when I find value in a good sipper. (the only mixing I do is in manhattans and boulevardiers, but sip neat with a splash of still water most of the time to wrap up an evening).

The only two value bourbons I have had at WT101 and Weller Antique 107 (I had one with had an age statement, who's botlle was similar to a Van Winkle, and one that didn't, and in a new bottle), I really enjoy the WT101, and the Weller with the age statement I found better than the current incarnation (tho admittedly havent had it in a few years)...

so is there anything deeper down than those two that are worth a go? Crow, Ancient Age, HH, and which ones so I can see if they are available where I am...or, should I keep my head above the line and stay in the under $30 range for my "value" shopping....

just thinking out loud here

thanks in advance

[393foureyedfox]

its all purely subjective. bottom shelf by no means means inferior. there is some really good stuff there.

for $20, I dont think you can beat OGD 114. I dont like the 100 BIB, but at $20-21 here, the 114 is unbeatable at that price.

next down the list to me, in price terms, is EW BIB or HH 6 year white BIB, both of which are in the $10-15 range here. theres barely any difference between the two, just 2 years age.

but unless i am just wanting to try something new, my $20 is going to put an OGD 114 in my basket.

i also love KC 120, but it is nearly $40 here, and i dont like to spend that......especially since I am quickly coming to the conclusion that i am starting to enjoy the 114 OGD more anyway.





you're gonna find a lot of varying opinions. varying distilleries have 'house' profiles......when you find a particular style (house) flavor that appeals to you, start buying multiple offerings from that company. I seem to love upper level Beam stuff (OGD 114, bakers, bookers, KC 120).....but nothing that says "jim beam" on the label. youre gonna find a lot of people seem to thing beam stuff is 'funky', but i am not one of the people who pick up on that. one particular style that i do pick up on is HH house style, which i by no means find offensive, but its not my preference.

[Squire]

As a point of reference shanty you might try Evan Williams black label which is very popular and can be found on sale for less than $10.00.

[shantytownbrown]

Looks like I have a place to start..appreciated...!

Is there anywhere online to check what bottlings are distributed to what states???

[393foureyedfox]

im still experimenting with "bottom shelfers" myself. next on my list are Ezra 7/101 and Fighting Cock 6/103. both are just over $15 here, and one of them will be my next purchase.

as squire said, EWB is a popular one. one of my friends says that is his favorite. but youll notice that anything i consider is over 100 proof, as i find paractically everything lower to be too 'watered down' for my taste. however, most people seem to prefer things in the 90 proof ballpark.

[shantytownbrown]

I tend to find myself as well in the high proofed whiskies, 94 and above...90 is ok, and anything lower I just dont often find carries much depth or complexity..

I am in the group of non-Larceny appreciators...my Dad and his drinking buddy seem to love it for the price, but I found it quite flat. Devil's Cut was maybe one step better, and was the best I could find on vacation once that was at a price point that was not unreasonable for evenings sitting at the cottage...but at that time I knew nothing of the bottom shelf and am sure now I could have done better. Costco's Kirkland Juice (??young KC??) was better than either of those.

I know I have seen at least one variation of HH and Ancient Age around here, but I am not sure which iterations are available, and I think I have only seen "regular" OGD. But I will ask.

We just got in a Total Wine in our area, they have some low priced selections, Lexington, and a few others I cannot recall the names of at this point...the sales guy says they are good, but I have been hesitant...

[Birdo]

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.

[Mike]

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.

Birdo, old buddy, I just noticed that you have been around now for three years, and what a great addition to this forum you have been. Probably the most sensible among us........ and lord knows, with folks like me loose here, we need sensible. You have paid your dues and made your place. May I raise a sip of $9 Very Old Barton (a damn good bourbon) in your honor!!

[Bob Barker]

I'd like to throw another vote in favor of Evan Williams black label and ancient age. Amazing value and quality given the price tag of around $10-15

[EllenJ]

Birdo:

I'd like to echo Mike.
So, where were you last week?

[Birdo]

Birdo:

I'd like to echo Mike.
So, where were you last week?

My computer got reconfigured, and I lost my BE Password. Just back shopping from for value bourbon. Grabbed a Heaven Hill BIB 4/yo with a brown label, Very Old Barton 100 6y/o, and Weller 107 on the high end. Out the Door for $46 bucks.

An old guy at the golf course said brown label HH is the best of the HH offering, at $10/750ml, I had to try it.. Details in a few days.

[JPBoston]

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.

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!!!

[shantytownbrown]

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!!!

Great advice from all, haven't had a chance to stop into the shop just yet, but hope to this afternoon...
I will look for Fighting Cock (I think I have seen this) I know EWB is available and may be worth a try at some point...I will see if OGD 114 is to be had

I would love to be able to try HH or AA if the right bottling be in Connecticut at some point...

I have had Beam Black, at a bar (when there wasn't anything notable to try)..it was passable on the rocks, not usually how I take it, but certainly more depth than Beam White, which (for lack of a better term) is flat...

Maker's..I must admit, I don't mind...if nothing else good is around, I can enjoy it, I know that that goes against the grain here on the board, but thats just me...albeit not my favorite, but it does better than most, especially in the "comp" drinks I can get when gambling in LV or our local casino...WT101 and Weller107 yes, beat the pants off Maker's and hoping I find one of these others to keep in the cabinet!

[shantytownbrown]

So I went to one shop today (I plan to look one other place for other bottlings, and to inquire about ordering (it is closer to work, and easier to pick up a special order, so I didnt bother at this other shop asking)

I was able to get a 750 of Fighting Cock and will side by side it with WT101 in the next few days..

I did take note of several $20 and under offerings they had...many were $15-18/750mL
Old Crow
Heaven Hill (gold label?)
Virginia Gentleman
JW Dant 100
WL Weller Special reserve 90(only 1.75l) $24.54
McAfee's Benchmark Old No. 8
Johnny Drum Green and Black Label
Ezra Brooks Black
Blue State and Red State (says from Bardstown)
Old Fitz 100
Old Fitz "1949"
EW Black
OGD BIB and ??Standard...no 114
Evan Williams "1783"-cheaper than EWB

any of these worth sampling?
will hope to report soon on the fighting cock ... I paid $19.99 FIW

[hn4bourbon]

i have tried many of the lower dollar selections. So far, i find any of the wellers that can be found around $20 range have been enjoyable to me. I have also been really enjoying a bottle of VOB 86 proof recently and at its price, i think it is hard to beat (for my taste).