Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best “value” bourbon?

I think a bourbon subforum would be a hoot and a half!

This.

Anybody remember George Dickel? I never drank it but used to enjoy the ads: "Give em the Dickel." I find Knob Creek locally for $22.95 a fifth and thats what I usually buy. BH is very good straight up, and I read they bottle it at 80 proof precisely to get the smoothness that most 100 proofs lack. At $29.95 for BH I always go back to Knob Creek in the long run, drink it on a large ice cube. My FIL is an Evan Williams fan, but I have no reason to change. He drinks it with a splash of 7-Up. Ugh. BTW, Knob Creek, BH and a host of other "craft" Kentucky bourbons are now owned entirely by Suntory. Check it out.

For those of you in or near the Twin Cities, relatively new distillery in Waconia. Full disclosure, the owner is a friend of mine.

https://www.jcarverdistillery.com/bourbons

I had Dickel #12 last year after seeing a positive review and it wasn't my thing. It had a mineral/vitamin (think Flintstone vitamin) note that was very dominant for me that I just could not get past. Some people apparently like it, or they don't taste it the same way, but it's a one and done for me. Knob Creek is a staple and I'm rarely without it in my cabinet. It's a solid bourbon. Basil Hayden at 80 proof is just way to watered down for me. I think it's basically the same mashbill (recipe) as Knob Creek that has just been watered down to 80 proof. Buy the Knob Creek and add your own water to the level of heat you can tolerate without knocking the flavors down. I just can't do 80 proof bourbon any more. 100-120 proof is where my preferences lie for most expressions. The flavors are really packed in there at the higher proofs, if you can stand the heat.

My local liquor guy takes pretty good care of me. I stop in once a week to see what's new and fun. He keeps a nice selection and rotates out of things, so its all good. Yesterday it was a bottle of 18yr Elijah Craig. MSRP 149...I said no thanks. My stash is a bit out of control right now anyway.

I do have my eye on a bottle of Old GrandDad 114 on the bottom shelf over there. We'll see what the afternoon brings...

I like Bulleit as good as any for inexpensive bourbon. I’d just as soon spend the extra money though and get my favorite bourbon...Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve.

I agree on the lower proofs, I have a bottle of Jeffersons Reserve at 80 proof and its too watery for me anymore. Some on the high end are way too much though. I bought a 1792 Full Proof "Bourbon of the Year" and it was way over my head...at first. I left it for 6 weeks and was about to give it to a friend so I poured a glass for myself. Wow was I surprised at the changes in that time.

Value? Jim Beam

Old Forrester 1920 has an awful lot goin' on in there, which I really like. But it sure puts the, "sip" in "sippin' whiskey".

FC

The Old Grand Dad 114 is definitely worthy. It's a high rye content bourbon so it will be on the more savory, spicy and peppery side of things, which I am sometimes in the mood for. If you like Rye Whiskey or high rye bourbons, you'll probably like the OGD 114. It's a good value.

The Old Forester 1920 is one of my all time favorite bourbons. The 100 proof signature Old Forester is a great value. Old Forester is doing many things right, right now.

Weller's. Not even close. Less than 20 bucks per 750 ml. You're welcome.

I killed a bottle of Weller's SR this winter. It didn't do it for me, wasn't even as good as Buffalo Trace in my mind. Which one do you like and what do you like about it? $35 bucks if I remember right.

Good god !!!!! With honey, vanilla, and some of the chit ya all put in it. What the fug difference does it make what kind ya drink??





Take care, Willie

Was out and about yesterday for a few necessities, etc. Went by one of my favorite chain liquor stores, Speck's, and scored a 1.75 litre of Evan Williams bottled in bond 100 proof as suggested by some here on the fire. Cheep priced at just shy of $25 OTD, cash price. At that price, I didn't see how I could go wrong. Had two decent shots of it just before bedtime. Not sure just yet if I like it or not. I will certainly drink it. I have also been wanting to try Henry McKenna, but one big bottle at a time is enough. As of now, my favorite bourbons are Weller Reserve, Four Roses Single Barrel, Basil Hayden, and Buffalo Trace, not necessarily in that order. Additionally, and I know that it is Tennessee whisky and not bourbon, I am rather fond of George Dickel black label. Just my particular taste, but I like my Dickel black label better than the yellow label. Also like Dickel better than Jack Daniel's Tennessee whisky, which is fine stuff itself. Someone also had mentioned Old Forester. I had some at an event last summer and I recall being impressed with it. Will have to put it on the "will try" list.

I'm having a couple fingers of Evan Williams Bottled in Bond right now and it's delicious. It's not overly complex and has light flavor notes (vanilla, light fruit, light oak, simple syrup) but no off notes. It's not ethanol forward or bitter. It's a bourbon that is simple and light and sweet, yet at 100 proof has some body and bite to it. For the money, I think it's a great value. IMO it's a leader at it's price point.

Yep,
to my retarded palate, It does just fine.

That is my general combo. WT101 if drinking straight, EW Black for mixing. As others have said, The EW Bottled in Bond (White Label) is a notable step up from the Black and the price is't bad.

Wanting Ethan Edwards to weigh in with his recommendation for a reasonable priced bourbon. Old Crow?
Have to confess I like Evan Black and Single Barrel.