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Posted on 12/03/2025 4:11:03 PM PST by simpson96
(snip) All you need to do is buy the right product, and you'll be experiencing top-shelf tastes at a bottom-shelf cost. To make sure you're getting the best of the best without overpaying, we turned to a slew of experienced bartenders from across the country to get their choices for the best whiskeys that not only won't break the bank, but that are also readily available for anyone to find.
Evan Williams Bottled In Bond
Evan Williams bottled-in-bond has both the glowing endorsements of numerous bartenders, and an authentication from the U.S. government to boot. The government supervised requirements for a liquor to be labeled as 'bottled-in-bond' come courtesy of the appropriately named Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897, which is responsible for establishing quality bourbon in the U.S. But enough with the history lesson — we're looking to drink some quality whiskey on the cheap here. Though prices may vary for all of these options of course, Evan Williams bottled-in-bond is a good place to start, coming in at $20 for a liter.(snip)
Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch
Same brand, different batch — the only difference is that this one's a lot smaller. Pulled from only 200 barrels but still readily available, Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch honors its centuries-old heritage by naming this extra-aged bourbon after the year the company founded the first distillery in Kentucky. (snip) it generally comes in around $15 for a 750 milliliter bottle (snip)
Elijah Craig Small Batch
lijah Craig Small Batch is an award winning whiskey that's been stored in a level 3 charred oak barrel, meaning that the bourbon barrel was charred in fire for 35 seconds. There's certainly a reason that bourbon has to be aged in charred oak barrels, but to keep things simple for our purposes, just know that it helps with the flavor and at least in this case, helps provide a warm spice and smoky taste. It's a bit pricier, averaging between $28-$30 for a fifth, but with all the work involved, it's easy to see why.(snip)
Rittenhouse Rye
Rittenhouse Rye may have a notable flavor difference with some of the other bourbons on our list, which may have to do with the fact that it's a slight deviation from the Kentucky dominance of this list. Though it's now produced out of the Heaven Hill distillery in Kentucky, it's name actually comes from up north, specifically Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. Wherever it's from however, it has fans from all over the country. General manager and beverage director Sebastian Estes of Katsubo in Charleston, South Carolina recommends it not only from the price perspective (it comes in at around $25), but from a nostalgia factor as well.(snip0
Old Forester 86 Proof
(snip) "Old Forester 86 Proof is one of those bourbons that proves you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy something truly good," says Villani. "It's got that distinct Kentucky character — rich with caramel and spice — that makes it just as enjoyable neat as it is in a cocktail. It's a wallet-friendly whiskey that's become a reliable go-to for me."
Four Roses Yellow Label
Four Roses knows how to make a good bourbon — and you need look no further than a bottle of its Yellow Label to prove it. We can get into all the facts to know about Four Roses bourbon another day, and instead, focus our attention on the bartenders who swear by it (snip) "A high-rye, 80-proof blend of 10 different Four Roses whiskies, their flagship bourbon showcases honey, vanilla, caraway, and orchard fruit. A real value for money when you don't have a single barrel budget."
Wild Turkey 101
"The gold standard for high-quality, at-home bourbon cocktails," and lists notes of a diverse list of flavors from brown sugar to seasoned oak. All told, McLaurin claims that 101 provides "unmatched flavor and complexity for the price." That price by the way, comes in around $22 for a 750 milliliter bottle
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
If you're looking for value when it comes to popular bourbons, then look no further than Buffalo Place distillery's namesake — Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Not every distillery can earn the honor of being designated as a National Historic Landmark, but when you can make the claim that your bourbon has won over 100 awards from various competitions since 2000, what's one more accolade to add to the trophy case? (snip) "It's versatile, it goes in anything or nothing and is well priced." With it coming in at $30 for a 750 milliliter bottle, we'd have to agree.
Tullamore D.E.W.
We're not only getting out of Kentucky for our final entry, we're leaving the whole dang country and heading over to Ireland for — what else? — good old fashioned Irish whiskey. Tullamore's Original Irish Whiskey is triple-blended for a taste that combines elements of sweetness, fruitiness, and spice that'll make you feel like you've taken a vacation to your local pub for a glass of the good stuff. (snip) while Tullamore D.E.W. is good in cocktails, it's a great choice if you're looking for a simple whiskey on its own, saying, "You don't need to hide any off-putting flavors or "cheap" notes."
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Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
While I prefer a whisky you can almost chew, the stuff from Islay, I must admit Tullamore has killed more of my liver while it was getting in touch with its Irish ancestry.
Glen Cullen single malt Scotch whisky is excellent and very affordable.
Three thoughts:
Wild Turkey is the best whiskey on the list. You can’t beat that dry, woody palette. And it’s smoother than it ought to be.
Jamesons is the best Irish whisky (the standard green $24 bottle) for the price. And far superior to the Dew.
Surprise you taste buds and add Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond. It’s darn near a Rye and comes in under $25.
Really enjoying a bottle of Elijah Craig small batch. Fair price, good bourbon.
Jameson does the trick for me👍🏻
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“I’m shocked Wild Turkey 101 is as good as it is. Actually, it’s amazing (considering it’s Wild Turkey which has a “mid-shelf” kind of reputation.)”
It was the best whiskey on the list.
I’m not much of a whiskey drinker, but I really enjoy Evan Williams Eggnog this time of year.
https://www.tastingtable.com/1723666/boozy-eggnog-ranked-worst-best/
Bookmarked!
Evan Williams!! Excellent!!
A raccoon that tasted all nine... 🦝
A raccoon had broken into the store, ransacked several shelves, become intoxicated, and then passed out in the bathroom.
https://www.wric.com/news/weird-news/furry-suspect-ransacks-hanover-abc-store-found-passed-out-in-bathroom/
My dad passed and left me two bottles of pre-war Scotch.
I opened one last year at a family Thanksgiving. A Red Hackle in a ceramic jug. It had been aged for 27 years in the cask. The cork was almost powder. I decanted it into a better bottle and it tasted great. It was blended. A year later, oddly, it tasted even better.
This Christmas season I will open the other bottle. It is a Haig and Haig Pinch.
Yes, but specifically the bottled-in-bond bourbon (usually in a 1 liter bottle). There's an Early Times blended whiskey too, nowhere near as nice.
Where does Maker’s Mark with Blue Bell homemade vanilla or vanilla bean ice cream come in?
Jameson Black Barrel. A little pricey but still within reach.
Gentleman Jack.
I have a shopping list now and I will be raiding a few liquor stores tomorrow.
We drank Wild Turkey 101 until we discovered Jim Beam double oaked. Its twice as good and about the same price.
There you go, but I noticed a drop-off in quality when they went from the octagonal style bottles to the current one. Still very good but too often overpriced.
Someone mentioned the Heaven Hill distillery. They make an outstanding Bottled-in-Bond if you can find it.
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