Logic would have it that “bottom shelf” whiskey, the really cheap stuff, would absolutely be no good... certainly NOT something you would choose on purpose. However, I have discovered that is not necessarily true!

A few weeks ago I decided, for whatever reason, to try a small bottle of cheap whiskey. What I bought was Heaven Hill blended Kentucky whiskey... about as cheap as it gets for an American whiskey.

Dangit if the stuff isn’t actually good! While it is certainly no Jack Daniels black label, for a mere fraction of the price it is rather smooth and tasty! That is now my preferred label in distilled spirits, at least until life allows me to buy much better stuff.

Am I surprised? Dang sure I am!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bronicabill,

If you like rye, Rittenhouse Bottled In Bond is a tremendous value

Funny enough I almost started a thread about the same topic.

I have a lot of bottles of different bourbons on my shelf from $20 to over $100 but the one I drink the most of is Evan Williams. I get it for about $18 a 1.75l. I only drink it as a mixer but I drink more of it than any other bourbon.

For my tastes the best value for a bourbon I drink neat is Buffalo Trace. It goes for less than $30 for a fifth around here.

Samuel Grant was the one that pleasantly surprised me.
Very drinkable.

Bruce

I keep going back to Old Forester Signature at $22.00 1.75l

Old crow.

Like many I hate to spend a lot on bourbon. I have made more than a few stoops to the bottom shelf. There is a brand here called Sam Clay that works fairly well as an end of work day refreshment. $19.49 for 1.75L.

https://www.abc.virginia.gov/p...roduct?productSize=0

Laird’s Applejack.

If it was good enough for George Washington, it is good enough for me...

Henry McKenna 1/2 gallons for $22 is a pretty good bargain here in VA.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
<snip> For my tastes the best value for a bourbon I drink neat is Buffalo Trace. It goes for less than $30 for a fifth around here.

Buffalo Trace (who also produces Blantons) is in my opinion one of the best kept secrets in bourbon. It is as good as any of the pricy stuff, and always available.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
Funny enough I almost started a thread about the same topic.

I have a lot of bottles of different bourbons on my shelf from $20 to over $100 but the one I drink the most of is Evan Williams. I get it for about $18 a 1.75l. I only drink it as a mixer but I drink more of it than any other bourbon.

For my tastes the best value for a bourbon I drink neat is Buffalo Trace. It goes for less than $30 for a fifth around here.

I have to second the advice concerning Buffalo Trace, you get 95% of the flavor of Blanton's and a distinctly smooth drinking Bourbon. BTW, Blanton's is worth the nearly double cost compared to Buffalo Trace but IMO a bit too costly for an every day Bourbon.

Unfortunately I'm still recovering from my heart surgery so I have to go alcohol free for at least another 2 months. Once I get clearance to have a bit of a sip I will be pulling the cork on that bottle of Blanton's I have stashed.

I know a few guys who drink Evan Williams to save money. They call it the poor man’s Jack. I tried a bottle after drinking Blanton’s during my post-op convalescing. Very traumatic.

four roses is what I use for mules/cocktails. It will do on ice in a pinch.

The blended American whisky is nasty stuff. Its mostly neutral grain spirits (vodka) with enough whisky to give it some color and flavor.

Good inexpensive straight bourbons (under $15) include Evan Williams Black label and Benchmark.

I used to tip my hand quite frequently with Old Crow or Old Grandad.

One of the bars in the Brewery District (when it was the place to go in Cols OH) would have quarter a drink from 9pm to Midnight, and my drink for those three hours was Old Crow.

I drank McNaughtons (blended Canadian) many years ago,

tasted and mixed just like Crown Royal

Coming from the guy who bought some top shelf bottles yesterday, I drink Buffalo Trace. It is my usual drink and I pay $19.99.

Very Old Barton is good at $12.99 and use it for old fashions.

Buffalo Trace is my go to as well. Wild Turkey 101 is still good. Rebel Yell tastes better than it should for ~$10 a fifth.

Heaven Hill actually distills the bourbon for a few of the top shelf "boutique" brands that don't have distilleries of their own. Allegedly.

My usual "frugal" bourbon is Four Roses Single Barrel. I can get it around $30 and a bottle lasts me a good while. It's the Glock 19 of bourbons. A perfect balance of price and quality. I have cheaper bourbons on my shelf (for guests who don't appreciate the difference) and more expensive, but I just keep going back to it as my standard.

The $30 t0 $50 range is where I tend to stay in regards to bourbons I drink regularly. Knob Creek Single Barrel is excellent. I'm not usually a fan of Wild Turkey products, but their Russel's Reserve Single Barrel is very good and reasonably priced for what you get at about $50.

Base line Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek, and Eagle Rare all come in cheaper than that and are solid bourbons, I just find the upgrade worth it given how long a bottle lasts me these days. I do NOT like the base expressions of Jim Beam or Jack Daniels. At all.

I learned to drink Old Crow with my crusty old FIL, a Marine Korean War vet and old school police officer. It was either drink that or turn in my Man Card to him. Now that he's passed I still have a sip now and then to honor him. "The Bird" has quite a bite until you get used to it.

My MIL, however, was fond of Ancient Age which I still enjoy on a regular basis as my "utility bourbon." Weller is the house bourbon on the weekends, and Blanton's is for special occasions.