Thanks for all the quick responses!
But nobody mentioned the magic words of 'similar to Buffalo Trace'... so I assume it probably doesn't exist for anything cheaper then BT itself.
I definitely have been meaning to check out just about all the bourbons mentioned here...
Old Forester Signature... BevMo may carry it, and just didn't label it correctly online. There's no pic of the bottle, and no 'signature' listed in the title, but it is 100 proof. They only list as having the 1.75L bottle available, for $37.99.
Is Old Forester (standard) a good bourbon to explore? It's similar in price to Evan Williams here.
Also ---
Old Grand Dad -- I've been meaning to try. It's only $17.99 for 1.75L here at Total Wine (for the 86 proof version). We also have OGD 114 for $21.99 for 750ml... but that's a few dollars more then BT ($18.99), so it better be damn good.
I've never tried Wild Turkey... I think because the name turned me off (much like Buffalo Trace would have if I didn't read about it here first, lol).
Total Wine also has a brand called Black Eagle bourbon that is very inexpensive. Though the description turns me off: "Best enjoyed with a splash of cola or ginger ale". Hrmm... I'm assuming that means it tastes like gasoline then.
Eagle Rare Single Barrell -- Lol. I said value pour. Not top shelf! But ER has been on my radar for sure, as well as Bulleit. As has a ton of of other not-so-cheap stuff that I'll be harassing you guys about much later on, as my palate matures. Right now, I'm hoping to find a cheap alternative to EW:B to compliment my bottle of Buffalo Trace.
Jack Daniels SB -- My dad always had a bottle of JD Black around, and I grew up hating that taste. It was a relief when I looked up forums like this that seemed to agree. So it'll be awhile before I venture back to JD, even though I'm sure the SB is much more refined.
Old Ezra -- we have Ezra Brooks 90proof, but only in 1.75L for $26.99... and an Ezra 12yr, priced at $33 for 750ml. Neither of those sound like the one mentioned here, unfortunately for me.