OT: Bourbon reviews

[NTDawg]

Dollar for dollar on a bourbon nobody that is a regular bourbon drinker will turn their nose up to, I suggest Wild Turkey Rare Breed. It's Barrel proof at 116.8 and a blend of 6, 8, and 12 year old WT. At under $45 a bottle, it's considerably a step up over everything on the reviews from the OP. @NTDawg mentioned it to me a while back and I hadn't had it in a while. As other premium, but gettable bottles have shot up to $70+ a bottle you ain't beating the value for rare breed on something you can regularly find

Rare Breed is so good at that price point especially when you can get it at Costco for $40. Another regular shelf bottle that is really good is Four Roses small batch select. It is a lot better than the regular small batch or single barrel. However the single barrel is good too. You can get the Four Roses small batch select at Sam’s for $50, great deal.

Back to the op KC is good deal. 9 year old whiskey for less than $30 is hard to beat. Since it’s from Jim Beam it can be nutty which doesn’t bother me but some people hate whiskeys with a nutty profile. Another cheaper bottle that is good but can be harder to find is Early Times bottle-in-bond, one liter for around $26. Some people claim that it was better when it was as distilled by Brown Forman. Now it is distilled and blended by Sazerac.

Around 2019 I started “collecting” bourbon which has become a problem. So I currently own more than I can drink. So what I drink just depends on my mode. I tend to like stuff sourced from MGP, single barrel picks from Four Roses and Wild Turkey, ECBP and ryes that are finished. But whatever your tastes are their is something out there for you.

 

[TXDawg.sixpack]

Bardstown is putting out a lot of good stuff. Their High Wheat Origin Series bourbon is aged 6 yrs and bottled at 106 proof. It’s absolutely delicious and at $50 (sometimes $45 at Specs), it’s practically unbeatable.

YMMV, but in Houston, pretty much every liquor store carries it.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

Heaven Hill bottled in bond is pretty good for a decent price

 

[The Cooterpoot]

I know this is a bourbon thread but to slightly change directions I'm looking for a couple cool decanters. I've got one that's a family decanter that was my GGF's but anything of you have cool ones?

 

[Mobile Bay]

I know this is a bourbon thread but to slightly change directions I'm looking for a couple cool decanters. I've got one that's a family decanter that was my GGF's but anything of you have cool ones?

While I don't own one, the original I Dream of Genie bottle was a Jim Beam decanter.

 

[She Mate Me]

Heaven Hill bottled in bond is pretty good for a decent price

Where are you finding that? I know about it, but don't think I've seen it in Mississippi.

 

[NukeDogg]

Where are you finding that? I know about it, but don't think I've seen it in Mississippi.

Heaven HIll BiB is everywhere in MS, you're probably just not recognizing it when you see it. Costco has it fairly frequently too.

It's price tends to be a little all over the place. I can get it for $42, and I've seen it for up to $60. If you can find it for $50 or less though it's excellent.

 

[NTDawg]

Where are you finding that? I know about it, but don't think I've seen it in Mississippi.

It was on the shelf regularly at Costco in Ridgeland for a decent price but I haven’t looked for it in a while so I’m not sure if it is still there. It’s a good bourbon but there are better for the price, proof and age. As I stated earlier the Rare Breed and Four Roses small batch select are both more complex with better finishes. The Heaven Hill is a one note. On hating on it I have a bottle or two at home but if you are buying one or bottles there are better options.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

Where are you finding that? I know about it, but don't think I've seen it in Mississippi.

Hattiesburg and Collins but it's going to be getting pretty limited because of the ABC soon is what the store guy said

 

[She Mate Me]

Heaven HIll BiB is everywhere in MS, you're probably just not recognizing it when you see it. Costco has it fairly frequently too.

It's price tends to be a little all over the place. I can get it for $42, and I've seen it for up to $60. If you can find it for $50 or less though it's excellent.

I haven't been looking for it, so I probably missed it. It sounds like they've significantly increased the regional distribution of it and the quantities they're producing along with the price.

It used to be a best buy kinda thing that I'd find in liquor stores in Kentucky and bigger cities. I think it was in the $20 range.

I may be wrong about all this.

 

[She Mate Me]

It was on the shelf regularly at Costco in Ridgeland for a decent price but I haven’t looked for it in a while so I’m not sure if it is still there. It’s a good bourbon but there are better for the price, proof and age. As I stated earlier the Rare Breed and Four Roses small batch select are both more complex with better finishes. The Heaven Hill is a one note. On hating on it I have a bottle or two at home but if you are buying one or bottles there are better options.

That matches my remembrance of Heaven Hill. Good value at $20 or less, but if they've increased the price and the quantity released, it sounds like you're paying more for probably less age and quality. I'd buy Rare Breed all day long if they are similar price points.

As indicated thru this thread, I'm a Wild Turkey nut.

 

[NTDawg]

I haven't been looking for it, so I probably missed it. It sounds like they've significantly increased the regional distribution of it and the quantities they're producing along with the price.

It used to be a best buy kinda thing that I'd find in liquor stores in Kentucky and bigger cities. I think it was in the $20 range.

I may be wrong about all this.

The HH BiB used to be 6 year, have a green label ,a crappy looking label and I think was KY only. I think was $20 something. They changed the label to blue and cream and made it 7 year. They also increased the distribution. The one extra year, label change, increased distribution translated to more than doubling the price.

if you want a BiB from HH at a low price you can get Evan Williams white label or if you are in KY you can get JTS Brown or JW Dant. JTS Brown and JW Dant are both $16-$18. I’ve never had the JW Dant but the JTS Brown is probably the best value in bourbon. It isn’t complex but you can sip it neat and for $16 you can’t beat it.

 

[She Mate Me]

The HH BiB used to be 6 year, have a green label ,a crappy looking label and I think was KY only. I think was $20 something. They changed the label to blue and cream and made it 7 year. They also increased the distribution. The one extra year, label change, increased distribution translated to more than doubling the price.

if you want a BiB from HH at a low price you can get Evan Williams white label or if you are in KY you can get JTS Brown or JW Dant. JTS Brown and JW Dant are both $16-$18. I’ve never had the JW Dant but the JTS Brown is probably the best value in bourbon. It isn’t complex but you can sip it neat and for $16 you can’t beat it.

Well that explains it well. The bottle you described is what I remember. I probably only ever got it in Louisville the more I think about it.

EW White label is one of my go to's.

 

[JonJuanQuixote]

I've seen a couple mentions of Costco, and I just want to add that this a great place to find mid-shelf bourbons for $5 - $15 off. Some mentions on here that they've had in recent months: Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Knob Creek 9, Elijah Craig Small Batch.

My go-to is Basil Hayden, which Costco always seems to have in stock. It would probably be Eagle Rare if I could find it in large enough quantities, but it's getting more and more difficult to find in this state. And those that have it, keep it behind the counter for their friends or overcharge for it.

 

[RebelRH]

I've drank $15.00 to $50.00 bourbon and never met one I didn't like. And that is over ice with maybe a shot of water. Don't really have a favorite. So to me if I spend more the $30.00 a bottle it is kind of a waste.

 

[She Mate Me]

I've seen a couple mentions of Costco, and I just want to add that this a great place to find mid-shelf bourbons for $5 - $15 off. Some mentions on here that they've had in recent months: Wild Turekey Rare Breed, Knob Creek 9, Elijah Craig Small Batch.

My go-to is Basil Hayden, which Costco always seems to have in stock. It would probably be Eagle Rare if I could find it in large enough quantities, but it's getting more and more difficult to find in this state. And those that have it, keep it behind the counter for their friends or overcharge for it.

Last time I was in Costco they were unboxing the Eagle Rare and putting it behind glass with the Dom Perig Non.

I 17'n knew I shoulda spent $500 stocking up when it was $25.

 

[FormerBully]

I am a big fan of Crittenden’s Cut Above. He is here in Mississippi and makes everything in house. His BiB is great. I am currently sipping on his Cigar Blend and it is amazing for $65.

 

[aTotal360]

Where are you finding that? I know about it, but don't think I've seen it in Mississippi.

I see it at Costco all the time. I don't like it. It's always had that marker/sharpie taste to it. People either love it or hate it. Same with Old Grandad 114.

 

[The Cooterpoot]

I haven't been looking for it, so I probably missed it. It sounds like they've significantly increased the regional distribution of it and the quantities they're producing along with the price.

It used to be a best buy kinda thing that I'd find in liquor stores in Kentucky and bigger cities. I think it was in the $20 range.

I may be wrong about all this.

At $35/40 it's not bad. We get up to that $60 and I'm not interested

 

[The Cooterpoot]

I've drank $15.00 to $50.00 bourbon and never met one I didn't like. And that is over ice with maybe a shot of water. Don't really have a favorite. So to me if I spend more the $30.00 a bottle it is kind of a waste.

Well, you're alcohol lol. I'm kidding
If you ever drink the higher end stuff, you'll see the difference and it's huge. I drink both low, mid, and higher end bourbon. But I ENJOY the better stuff.

 

[Ranchdawg]

I am a big fan of Crittenden’s Cut Above. He is here in Mississippi and makes everything in house. His BiB is great. I am currently sipping on his Cigar Blend and it is amazing for $65.

I tried it a couple of months ago and enjoyed it. Amazing that we have a couple of distillers here in Mississippi.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I know this is a bourbon thread but to slightly change directions I'm looking for a couple cool decanters. I've got one that's a family decanter that was my GGF's but anything of you have cool ones?

 

[BulldogBlitz]

View attachment 744055

I can't remember the brand, but the globe glasses have been a part of a few different gift sets.

I engrave decanters, but they are all boring.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I can't remember the brand, but the globe glasses have been a part of a few different gift sets.

I engrave decanters, but they are all boring.

I got it Christmas 2022.

 

[missouridawg]

What are the bourbon drinkers opinion of this review?

Bourbon Review

Basil Hayden
Woodford Reserve
Willett
Henry McKenna Single Barrel

 

[PooPopsBaldHead]

Age and health concerns have greatly reduced my alcohol consumption in recent years but every time I get to Wyoming I pick up a bottle of Big Horn Bourbon. It is made in Montana and is my favorite by a mile. I have never seen it around here. Also I really like Old Elk. It is excellent too. Don’t waste either one of these by mixing them. Neat or on the rocks makes for a very pleasant drink to sip in front of the fire.

A buddy of mine picked up a bottle of Million Acre Bourbon in Ennis a couple years ago. It's the best of the Willie's bourbon by all accounts.

We'll probably go up this summer for some fishing and I will see if they will hold one back for me. I think it's an annual release of only 100 bottles. A portion of proceeds go to protecting open lands in Montana.




If not, I got Bighorn on the shelf and will be happy to send you a bottle to warm that fire up a bit.

 

[hailmari1]

Dollar for dollar on a bourbon nobody that is a regular bourbon drinker will turn their nose up to, I suggest Wild Turkey Rare Breed. It's Barrel proof at 116.8 and a blend of 6, 8, and 12 year old WT. At under $45 a bottle, it's considerably a step up over everything on the reviews from the OP. @NTDawg mentioned it to me a while back and I hadn't had it in a while. As other premium, but gettable bottles have shot up to $70+ a bottle you ain't beating the value for rare breed on something you can regularly find

Yes. I just got into whiskey a few years ago, and I’m definitely a turkey head now. Rare Breed has been hard to top. I love WT 101 too. $25 and it’s good neat but awesome as a mixer.

Woodford Double Oak is very tasty, although the bottle I have now seems off. Not as maple-y. Larceny BP is very good- I hated it at first bc it was just too hot, but it made a huge difference by letting the bottle sit and open up.

 

[msudogsrule]

Blanton’s is my sipper. Bulleit Rye/Maker’s 46/Woodford Double/Kirkland are my all-purpose.

Don’t sleep on the Kirkland labeled bourbons… they are terrific for the money.

 

[Pilgrimdawg]

A buddy of mine picked up a bottle of Million Acre Bourbon in Ennis a couple years ago. It's the best of the Willie's bourbon by all accounts.

We'll probably go up this summer for some fishing and I will see if they will hold one back for me. I think it's an annual release of only 100 bottles. A portion of proceeds go to protecting open lands in Montana.

View attachment 744184


If not, I got Bighorn on the shelf and will be happy to send you a bottle to warm that fire up a bit.

Poo Man, thanks for the offer but I’ve got enough to see me through the winter and assuming that we draw licenses I will be in Wyoming next fall chasing mule deer and will replenish my supply then.