quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Henry McKenna 1/2 gallons for $22 is a pretty good bargain here in VA.

We drink that as well, surprisingly good, especially for the price.

+1 for Buffalo Trace.

Another sleeper is Dickel #12.

If you can find it Buffalo Trace makes a bourbon cream liquor too. Kinda like Baileys but better. I usually grab a bottle around the holidays to enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
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.

Buffalo Trace is certainly not much of a secret around here, for that reason, it's hard to get. When it does hit the shelf, it's gone within hours.

Two highly regarded sub $20 bourbons not mentioned are Very Old Barton and Virgin Bourbon, and they sell quickly as well.

Evan Williams 1783.
This bourbon is a nice smooth alternative to some expensive bottles in the cabinet.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
If you can find it Buffalo Trace makes a bourbon cream liquor too. Kinda like Baileys but better. I usually grab a bottle around the holidays to enjoy.

It is mighty fine in coffee.

Evan Williams was my preferred until I tried the Heaven Hill. With all of the recommendations for Buffalo Trace, I will have to see if I can find it locally and give it a taste.

Unfortunately bourbon is, and has been, the "it" liquor for the last 3-4 years. I've been a bourbon drinker for about 10 years (37 years old). I've been fortunate enough to try a lot of the high priced bourbons, and I will say most of them aren't worth retail, let alone secondary prices. The whole Pappy Van Winkle craze is insane. I've had all of it, back into the Stitzel-Weller vintages. Is it good? Some of it is, but for the price (even at retail) it's not worth it. People are paying absurd's amounts of money just to be able to say they've had is

Dickel used to be a few dollars cheaper.

I am a huge Dickel Rye fan but it has crept up to Bulleit Rye zones around here. I consider "cheap" under $20. For a half gallon.

I'm telling you Kentucky Gentleman for $17.95 a handle is an awesome mixer.

quote:

Originally posted by snidera:
four roses is what I use for mules/cocktails. It will do on ice in a pinch.

Four Roses was my go to for a shot & short beer. .35 cents a drink back then.

Evan Williams here....

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
About a month ago I picked up a bottle of Kentucky Gentleman. $16.95 per 1.75L (regularly $17.95).

It is actually decent! Makes a great mixer.

I've seen that one locally and thought about trying it. I drink mine neat though, so will start with a very small bottle as a taster first...

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
R&R.

Tastes just ever so slightly different than Crown at about 1/3 the cost. $20 for 1.75L whereas Crown is ~$60. When I was in Maine last month we bought a jug for $12.99! If I were to ever move to Maine it would be for the lack of liquor taxes.

I have consumed a good bit of R&R when I was sampling the Canadian stuff. It was my preferred before I switched to Kentucky stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Fundman:
These booze threads always go the same way. OP asks about bottom shelf and half the people mention $30-40 brands.

LOL... yeah, I've noticed that too! It's okay though, folks are just recommending what THEY like for "inexpensive" whiskey/bourbon. My wallet makes the final decision based up local prices as theirs may vary widely from north Alabammy!

Never considered Buffalo Trace a bottom shelf liquor. Over $30 a bottle around here. Same as Eagle Rare.

quote:

Originally posted by sig229-SAS:

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Henry McKenna 1/2 gallons for $22 is a pretty good bargain here in VA.

We drink that as well, surprisingly good, especially for the price.

Visiting family in Virginia so stopped in an ABC store yesterday for the Black Friday 20% off sale. They had Henry McKenna 10 year single barrel on sale for $29.95 (regular $33.95) so at $24 for a 750 ML I had to pick up a few. Had to spend over $100 to get the 20% so tossed a couple each Russell's Reserve 10 year, Four Roses Single Barrel, Eagle Rare, Makers, and even a vodka for the wife.

My favorite rotgut was Very Old Barton.

I much prefered Baker's

quote:

Originally posted by sig229-SAS:

quote:

Originally posted by mutedblade:
Henry McKenna 1/2 gallons for $22 is a pretty good bargain here in VA.

We drink that as well, surprisingly good, especially for the price.

I have a bottle of Henry McKenna 10YO Single Barrel. It’s decidedly not bottom shelf, but for single barrel and its age, reasonably priced. I don’t like it much. It tastes like soil. I’m not trying to be disparaging, I didn’t say “dirt,” but it has a very earthy taste that I don’t care for.

I do not consider Wild Turkey 101 a “bottom shelf” bourbon, but in comparison to premiums, it’s half the price. I try to always have a bottle on hand, and have been buying 1.75 L bottles. I am perfectly content to sip a glass with a single ice cube.

Gotta agree with Fundman, mbinky, and Swain0351. Avoid the vodka-bourbons unless you mix them with soda pop.

Old Overholt (overcoat), Evan Williams 1783, and Old Grandad are good value. I used to keep a bottle of Kentucky Gentleman at the shotgun club as it was cheap enough that if it were stolen then the loss was minimal. Did not taste good, did not taste bad.

A paradox, the Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond is only $13/fifth. It is thin and hot but guaranteed not to be vodka-bourbon.

Oh yeah, Mellow Corn B-i-B! Damn good value, $10/fifth. MELLOW CORN!! The whisky of reverse snobs!!