Best bourbon under $50?

[Ballstater98]

Today, I am thankful for bourbon.

 

[Methane Herder]

Bakers 7 is good if you like congac.
MH

 

[melensdad]

Today, I am thankful for bourbon.

Almost polished off an entire bottle of Jefferson's Manhatten yesterday with the help of a few friends.

 

[Brandon]

Me and a few friends took care of a bottle of Costo's Kirkland brand 7 year whiskey.

My first impression was it was to hot to like.
Put an ice cube in and came back to it. Took out the some of the heat without watering it down.

I think I will get another bottle to keep on hand. I think it was right around 20 bucks.

 

[melensdad]

The last 3 ounces of Jefferson's Manhatten is out of the bottle. About an ounce left in my glass. Its a pretty good pre-mixed Manahatten too. Easy to drink. If I recall its only 56 proof. Nice flavors. Not sweet, but just enough Sweet Vermouth in it to cut the bourbon down and lend a bit of complexity.

 

[melensdad]

Installed a wood floor in my friend's kitchen today. Tonight I'm sore. So I poured a little bit of WILLET'S Pot Still Bourbon in a glass. As a pain killer.

Didn't like this stuff the last couple times I tried it. Don't like it this time either. Its spicy, harsh, mildly aserbic and just hot enough in the belly to be unpleasant but not so hot that it is seriously objectionable. It is just not good enough in any way to be considered good. Some are hot but taste great. Some are mild but don't taste great. I just can't like this one.

I'm thinking it needs to be gone from my cabinet. Perhaps mixed into a Whiskey Sour or a Manhattan or something? Clearly its not good enough to drink neat.

Only good thing I can say about it is it comes in a really cool bottle.

 

[HKUSP]

Holy smokes this is a big thread! Adding my $.02, I humbly suggest Evan Williams Single Barrel. I've caught it at the occasional Walmart for $26. I think it's fantastic.

 

[melensdad]

Holy smokes this is a big thread! Adding my $.02, I humbly suggest Evan Williams Single Barrel. I've caught it at the occasional Walmart for $26. I think it's fantastic.

Expand your horizons.

Same price range, but tastes better: Makers Mark. Weller 12. Weller Special Reserve. Larceny.

A bit more $, but not expensive and awesome: New Holland's Beer Barrel. Weller Antique. Makers 46. Knob Creek 120 proof, Starlight (made here in Indiana).

 

[7.62]

Holy smokes this is a big thread! Adding my $.02, I humbly suggest Evan Williams Single Barrel. I've caught it at the occasional Walmart for $26. I think it's fantastic.

Yes it is! Never thought it would grow this big when I originally posted it! It's cost me a lot of money too lol! But found some really good bourbon out of it!

 

[HKUSP]

Expand your horizons.

Same price range, but tastes better: Makers Mark. Weller 12. Weller Special Reserve. Larceny.

A bit more $, but not expensive and awesome: New Holland's Beer Barrel. Weller Antique. Makers 46. Knob Creek 120 proof, Starlight (made here in Indiana).

Oh, I agree. I've been clear to Pappy Van Winkle and back. The OP was looking for a balance of price and quality.

Personally, I like my bourbons with a high rye content in the mash bill. I've also stopped buying anything from Maker's Mark since the Chinese bought it. They get enough of my money now. The Knob Creek is also a favorite that won't break the bank.

I haven't tried the New Holland (but I like their beer offerings) or the starlight. I'll give them a whirl.

 

[SchwansManDan]

Angel's Envy is damn good. I received a bottle for my 50th b-day last year.

Otherwise, I would lean towards Maker's Mark.

 

[Brandon]

Installed a wood floor in my friend's kitchen today. Tonight I'm sore. So I poured a little bit of WILLET'S Pot Still Bourbon in a glass. As a pain killer.

Didn't like this stuff the last couple times I tried it. Don't like it this time either. Its spicy, harsh, mildly aserbic and just hot enough in the belly to be unpleasant but not so hot that it is seriously objectionable. It is just not good enough in any way to be considered good. Some are hot but taste great. Some are mild but don't taste great. I just can't like this one.

I'm thinking it needs to be gone from my cabinet. Perhaps mixed into a Whiskey Sour or a Manhattan or something? Clearly its not good enough to drink neat.

Only good thing I can say about it is it comes in a really cool bottle.

This was my thought as well, won't keep a bottle on hand once this one is gone.

Expand your horizons.

Same price range, but tastes better: Makers Mark. Weller 12. Weller Special Reserve. Larceny.

A bit more $, but not expensive and awesome: New Holland's Beer Barrel. Weller Antique. Makers 46. Knob Creek 120 proof, Starlight (made here in Indiana).

I'd add one more to the list, Eagle Rare. Love the stuff!

Oh, I agree. I've been clear to Pappy Van Winkle and back. The OP was looking for a balance of price and quality.

Personally, I like my bourbons with a high rye content in the mash bill. I've also stopped buying anything from Maker's Mark since the Chinese bought it. They get enough of my money now. The Knob Creek is also a favorite that won't break the bank.

I haven't tried the New Holland (but I like their beer offerings) or the starlight. I'll give them a whirl.

Do you buy anything from Jim Beam?

 

[GNRHOSH]

I would have to agree with a lot of people here...

Below is the Bourbon that I found I tend to like, as most are on here already. All at or below the $50 mark if you find the right time of the year to buy them. Big Red Liquors or just across the state line Liquor Barn in KY.

Eagle Rare
Elijah Craig 12
E.H Taylor Small Batch or Single Barrel
Woodford Reserve
Knob Creek Small Batch or Single Barrel
Jim Beam Signature 12yr.
Four Roses Small Batch or Single Barrel
Makers Mark 46

Looking forward to trying the Billet and others at one of the next year's unlimited testing and rare bourbon chance to purchase raffles.

 

[Ballstater98]

Kentucky Owl ("Kentucky Owl Batch #3, #4 and #5 will be sold only in Kentucky. Dedman believes the suggested retail price will be in the $180-190 range.")
Kentucky Owl Hatches Three New Batches

 

[RevoWood123]

I'd say Woodford Reserve, Eagle Rare, Makers Mark, and if you can find a sale, Blanton's (usually runs about $60-$70).

note: Scotch is also delicious. Johnny Walker black or double black would be in the range.

 

[Ballstater98]

At the Chicago Blackhawks game drinking Bullet that will definitely not be under $50 by the time I'm done. I wish they had a better selection here.

 

[melensdad]

At the Chicago Blackhawks game drinking Bullet that will definitely not be under $50 by the time I'm done. I wish they had a better selection here.

Honestly never tried Bulleit Bourbon. I see it at the stores, just didn't ever pick up a bottle. And at a Blackhawks game that is probably about $500 a bottle if you buy it by the pour! But Bulleit is easily under $50 at the liquor stores. I paid $12 for a "double" Knob Creek 100 a couple days ago at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, I'm guessing you paid that much for the Bulleit at the Blackhawks game?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulleit_Bourbon

 

[littletommy]

We toured the Evan Williams experience in downtown Louisville, yesterday. It's not much like some of the other distillery tours we've done, as far as, you don't get the smell of a distillery, like at Beam, or Buffalo Trace, but it's a cool little step back in time to 1700s Louisville and the Ohio River. You get a nice tasting at the end.

 

[Ballstater98]

Honestly never tried Bulleit Bourbon. I see it at the stores, just didn't ever pick up a bottle. And at a Blackhawks game that is probably about $500 a bottle if you buy it by the pour! But Bulleit is easily under $50 at the liquor stores. I paid $12 for a "double" Knob Creek 100 a couple days ago at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake, I'm guessing you paid that much for the Bulleit at the Blackhawks game?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulleit_Bourbon

Just under $10 per. The bourbon selection at the UC is very limited. Maker's is only available in the restaurant (which you can do as a walk in, walk out at the bar), but we had club seats with in seat service, so when in Rome...

 

[Ballstater98]

Thought I'd share these if you are interested or need a stocking stuffer idea for something a little different BOURBON BULLET WHISKEY STONE: https://www.aklysdefense.com/itemdetail?pid=6bab8053bfb440c6b6179671efd24132