On a buds recommendation I picked up a jug of Buffalo Trace Whiskey. Pretty good stuff!

He also said Eagle Rare was very good, but I couldn't find any locally.

Was drinking Four Roses, then Old Grandad. and now Buffalo Trace. I seem to be enjoying the flavor more with each "test"

Any ideas for another affordable Kentucky Whiskey?

Thanks! Virgil B.

Bulleit

I'm not a Bourbon fan--even though I live very close to Bourbon County, Kentucky.

But "Bookers" is old school, barrel strength, small batch Bourbon. It's not cheap--and it's strong. But it's what the local Bourbon enthusiasts drink when they want something special.

Several years ago I became acquainted with a Canadian Army Captain who was heading to Afghanistan. He liked Bourbon. I gave him a fifth of Bookers to share with some special friends while he was deployed.

https://www.bookersbourbon.com/#

Booker’s® Bourbon is a rare barrel-strength bourbon, bottled uncut and unfiltered*. But you obviously know a good bit about bourbon, because you don’t end up here by mistake. We don’t advertise. We don’t do social media. We just do bourbon.
We focus on the sweet spot. The center of the rackhouse where the temperature and humidity stars align to create the deepest and most intense flavors. Once it’s aged to perfection, which always varies, the liquid is bottled uncut and unfiltered*. We don’t add, we don’t water down, and we don’t apologize for it. For some people, it may be too much. But for true bourbon fans, it’s probably the best ever.

And this about Booker Noe:

Booker was a sixth-generation master distiller who grew up at a distillery in the heart of Kentucky. He was born to bourbon. While others rejoiced to drink bourbon at age 21, Booker was thrilled to start making the stuff.

In 1992, Booker introduced the world to small batch bourbon. He actually coined the term “small batch.” With it came his own signature bourbon, Booker's® True Barrel Bourbon. Inspired by a 200-year-old tradition, Booker's® is bottled uncut and unfiltered*.

Benchmark is the most affordable buffalo trace product i can think of........

Bulleit is a fav


Brother just got me a bottle of Willett Family Estate 4 year Rye for Christmas, I might give a go for whiskey. It's not a name I remember hearing much about here so we'll see if it's good.

W.L. Weller is pretty good. Another great selection is Henry McKenna. Try to find the bottled in bond 10 year old. Another suggestion for a great sipping Bourbon is the Russell Reserve, 10 year old.

Blantons is no slouch either...

‘Affordable’ is a relative term in this respect, but one that is generally affordable, not very common, and worth every dollar is Belle Meade.

Tried BT and didn't care for it.
Jefferson's is my fav.

It's all mainly cleaning fluid.

Not what I'd call sipping grade.

I picked up a bottle of Henry McKenna 10 year bottled in bond Saturday. It is one I certainly look for and prefer it over Buffalo Trace, even though it is more expensive.

Col. E. H. Taylor and Mitchers US1 are pretty good too. I even like the rye version of the Mitchers US1.

I prefer Eagle Rare over regular BT (even though they are both BT distilled).

Buffalo Trace is an easy drinker.
Eagle Rare, too.

Other faves (of mine):

Russell's Reserve 10 yr
Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Four Roses Small Batch
Weller Special Reserve
Benchmark Top Floor
Bowman Brothers Small Batch

I enjoy lots of bourbons. A short list of what I like.
Eagle Rare
Blantons
Burning Chair
Basil Hayden Dark Rye
Old Elk
Bowman Brothers
Woodford Reserve
Woodford Double Oak
Wild Turkey 101
Rare Breed
Longbranch
George Dickel bottled in Bond
Old Forester Bottled in Bond

Not a Four Roses fan

Buffalo Trace is my favorite in a moderately priced bourbon. Another one I've really enjoyed and never hear mentioned is Wathen's. A little more expensive than BT, but quite smooth for sipping.

My SIL works at a liquor store and when the small batch and hard to get bourbons show up, the local bourbon 'snobs' line up when they open and they sell out in minutes with a 1 bottle/person limit. He gets a heads up when something interesting is coming and snags a bottle for me before it's gone. Eagle Rare is one they only get once or twice a year.

New riff malted rye
Old forester 1920
Makers mark cask strength
Rare breed
Four Roses small batch

Ok i just tried Tim Smith Climax whiskey wood fired I thought it was very good.

Redemption Single barrel the blue label one
Basil Hayden
Stranahans Blue peak

Then you won't like Bulleit. It's a 4 Roses product, tastes like a young 4 Rose.

Buffalo Trace is my all time favorite based on over 150 bourbons I have tried so far. No one has mentioned Woodford Reserve yet, also a solid and affordable choice. (Edit: CRS did) We tried a "cheap whiskey" night in my bourbon group and found Old Tub was awarded the top spot. It goes for just under $20 a bottle here and the rule that night was no whiskey over $20, minis not included. I have tried 4 Roses many times, but I find it undrinkable, seems to have a dish soap taste to it.
There are some outstanding Japanese and Irish whiskeys for $50 and under if you are interested in expanding beyond bourbon.

Redneck Riviera

I like Buffalo Trace if you can find it. My go to is Wild Turkey 101. Also like Bulleit Rye and Knob Creek. When I feel like spending a little more it's Russel Reserve.

Wild Turkey isn't bad for a regular whiskey.

Cheap and expensive are relative terms.

@ $80 per, try some Penelope. I prefer the Toasted variety.

I remember with longing the days before brown spirits became trendy and people with more money than sense got into the market.

I'm sipping Baker's right now, 107 proof. I miss Bookers, but it's been priced right out of existence to me.

Anyone ever tried Clyde Mayes? I like the 85 (my favorite) & 92. I have never heard of some of these (old tub, smith climax, blue peak). I will see if they are available in my area. BT is hard to come by here.

Correct, tried Bulleit a couple of times. Even the 10 yr. Not for me.

The thing about bourbons, like what you like. No apologies. Best enjoyed with friends and family over good conversation. Drink what you like, like what drink. However you want to drink it. To heck with the snobs.

Forgot to mention that I like Elijah Craig and Jack Daniels Bottled in bond also.

Not able in my addled mind to follow how this thread has segued, so I'll just offer this: We sell 7 figures of booze annually. "Flights" are one of our biggest hits. The best "cheap" juice out there is Old Forrester 100 proof and Wild Turkey 101. If you want to argue the difference between a $25 bottle and a $29 bottle you're seriously not playing in a league where your opinion means a [bleep]...

Not sure if you tried it or the standard version, but my favorite affordable is Old Grandad Bonded. I keep trying others but still like OG BiB the best for the price and even a bit more.

But, I'm not a fan of Four Roses (seems bland until you get to the older stuff) or Buffalo Trace (reminds me of perfume) so OG BiB may not suit you. I don't like Maker's either but it reminds me of FR and BT.

If you want to splurge, I really like everything that I have tried from WESTWARD, up in WA. Really good stuff to me, but obviously not KY likker!

Lots of good advice here!

I'll keep looking for Eagle Rare, and try some of the others mentioned.

Old Grandad Bonded sounds like it might be to my liking.

Thanks! Virgil B.

OGD 114 for the win. Might be right up your alley, but its alot of proof.

Woodford is a can't miss bottle as well in my mind. Store picks are often quite good, you might find some of them.

Wild Turkey 12 year old is the daily tot at home and with the guys at deer camp. Surprisingly good and affordable. When a deer is killed, we get one shot of Weller Supreme. Now that is tasty stuff!

I don't know that Weller variety.

Probably meant Special Reserve, or the Green label.

I tried some Devil's River a while back, not too shabby! Hooten and Young is my favorite right now when finances allow!

I found a honey hole that carries Evan Williams single barrel for under 40. Everywhere else, it is over 50 which is a bit overpriced.

The local Walmart will get in their allocation of Buffalo Trace products from time to time. I have lost some interest in chasing bottles of late, but can get Blanton's, Eagle Rare, and Weller SR for msrp when I am not being lazy. They are also the cheapest place to get Bookers, Knob Creek 12 year, and Wild Turkey Rare Breed which are all good.

On the cheaper side of things:
Wild Turkey
Jim Beam Single Barrel <- one of my favorites of the cheaper bottles.
Evan Williams BiB
Old Bardstown BiB <- only available in KY
Elijah Craig

Hard to beat Weller Special Reserve at $50 a handle.

I'll have to buy a bottle on my next trip. I do enjoy the Dickel Bottled in Bond.

I walked into a little corner gas station, liquor store the other night while filling up my truck.
There on the shelf were 4 bottles of Buffalo Trace. I've been having a hard time finding it lately, so I bought all 4.
It's a favorite for sipping or making old fashioneds

^^^^^ This. Life's to short. Enjoy it.

Not necessarily.

If you like smoooooth, BT is not your huckleberry.

MM

Lots more good advice!

Looks like I'd better head for the liqueur store.... Again!

I "need" to do more "taste testing"

Thanks again!

Virgil B

Agree with this.......

Will opt for Old Forrester's over woodford reserve

I'm not really a Buffalo Trace fan, but that's not to say it doesn't fit someone else's tastes.

My go to Bourbons are:
Four Roses Small Batch (not the base Four Roses, it's not nearly as good).
W.L. Weller Special Reserve but it's been hard to find lately
Knob Creek 9 year old.

I prefer Scotch but to get a good drinking one you need to be around $60 a bottle, the Bourbons above can be had for around $30 so most days the Bourbon gets the nod 'cause I'm cheap.

Unlike a previous poster, I am both a big fan of Buff Trace, and of Old Grand Dad Bonded. The OGD BiB is available locally for $17.49 a fifth and is probably the best bourbon for the money there is. Love buff trace too and don't find them too counter to one another. I just received a gift of a fine bottle of Whistle Pig Rye that I am saving for a special tasting and am excited to try. BUT I wonder why the heck they use a pig as their symbol. Don't they know a whistle pig is a ground hog?
Kinda the same with Buff trace - their symbol is the outline "trace" of a bison. But a "buffalo trace" is the trail they leave behind in their passing.

Oh well, they're all mighty tasty, regardless of how they market.

Rex

Solid recommendation brother! I bought a bottle tonight, based on this thread and I agree 100%. I'm a Buffalo Trace fan ($36 price point) and the Belle Meade is worth the $59 price point. Very nice sipping whiskey.

this

I found Weller Special Reserve to be unremarkable.

Old Grandad bottled in bond was surprising for the price.

Did a tour of several KY distilleries this fall. Evan Williams was a pleasant surprise. Also liked Knob Creek and Weilers. My current favorite which nobody has mentioned so far is 1792.

I used to drink Charter 10. When Buffalo Trace quit selling it. I tried Buffalo Trace. It has the sour taste like Makers Mark and Jim beam. I wouldn't buy it if it was 10 dollars a fifth.

This... for quality / $ at least.

But I am neither critical nor picky in great amount. Costco gets me whenever they have the handles for 3 @ $35 each.

I’m not much of a drinker and pretty much tried almost every bourbon mentioned in this thread. So far I have not found anything that tastes better than Russels Reserve.