Cheap bourbon...

[DitchPanda]

So the past few years I've gotten really into whiskey. Mostly bourbon and rye but also scotch and Irish to a lesser extent. Going thru my collection I noticed I don't have much in the way of truly cheap bourbon. It made me wonder if I'm missing out on some cheap gems. So for you bourbon guys out there, are there any cheap bourbons you honestly enjoy? Lets say $15 and under

[casts_by_fly]

For mixing or drinking on its own?

 

not quite at your $15 price point but four roses yellow label is usually $20 or so and is the best at that price point I know of. Buffalo trace is similar quality (different taste) and not far off price wise. But price varies depending on your stores. 

[MediumMouthBass]

I got into bourbon and whiskey last year and didnt quite like it at first, but now really enjoy it.

Ive had $2 shots, and $10 ones too. Theres a difference definitely but after a few shots you cant taste the difference. So ive been buying quite a few of under $20 bottles.

Are you mixing? Doing shots? or Slow sipping?

 

My choices of budget bourbon, whiskey, and "bourbon whiskey" as a few companies call it is

Jack Daniels, its really cheap, an American Icon when it comes to alcohol and known by everyone, including people that dont drink. I like it, gives me a banana marsh mellow flavor (i know thats odd).

Fireball Cinnamon is used alot in bars nearby for mixing. Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is great to have just for fun, mixed with Baileys sounds like a good idea tho.

Evan Williams is another popular one too, Buffalo Trace and Makers Mark are among the other great options, Quality House Heaven Hill is extremely cheap but alright, Crown Royal has various different fruit flavored options (apple, and also just came out with blackberry). 

Wild Turkey 101 is another great budget choice, Four Roses also.

If you can go up a bit more in price i really enjoyed Knob Creek.

 

I know i know you said bourbon, but might as well type out all the good budget offerings while im here. Most of these can be picked up from $3-20 depending on size.

 

[dave]

Jim Beam Black at about $20ish.

[DitchPanda]

I've actually got buffalo trace, WT 101 and knob creek 9--I'm not a fan of regular Jack Daniels, although I like some of their other expressions. I'm a whiskey neat or 1 rock type of guy, also I'm not opposed to an old fashioned. The Heaven Hill quality House is more the price range I'm talking about. That said $20 in this market is still cheap...I like Jim beam and 4 roses products but have never tried the regular 4 roses or the JB black, so those are definitely good options as well.

[throttleplate]

I wonder if i should freeze my leftover minnows in jack daniels instead of cheap vodka, maybe catch more fish?🤑

[FishTax]

Try some of the 'better' Evan Williams. Bottle on bond or single barrel. Still cheap, but not bad considering price point.

[TnRiver46]

Jack Daniels is not bourbon…… dickel is good cheap whiskey 

 

teachers is decent for cheap scotch 

[spartyon8]

Old Grandad Bonded has been my go to lately, that and Early Times bottled in bond. I am usually a $30 and under kinda guy and right at or around 100 proof. 

[MN Fisher]

30 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Jack Daniels is not bourbon

Ya - bourbon tastes better...even the cheapest stuff.

[roadwarrior]

7 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Jack Daniels is not bourbon…… dickel is good cheap whiskey 

 

teachers is decent for cheap scotch 

 

Jack Daniel's is often mistaken for bourbon.  It is technically classified as Tennessee whiskey. The distinction lies in the additional step of charcoal mellowing, also known as the Lincoln County Process, that Tennessee whiskey undergoes.

[DitchPanda]

21 hours ago, FishTax said:

Try some of the 'better' Evan Williams. Bottle on bond or single barrel. Still cheap, but not bad considering price point.

I've got a bottle of EW 1783 and think its good, reminds me of regular buffalo trace. I've had the BIB and actually like it...should pick up another bottle.

 

12 hours ago, spartyon8 said:

Old Grandad Bonded has been my go to lately, that and Early Times bottled in bond. I am usually a $30 and under kinda guy and right at or around 100 proof. 

I've got OGD bonded and like it fine but much prefer the 114. I wish I could find the early times around me, I've always heard how good it is.

 

12 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Jack Daniels is not bourbon…… dickel is good cheap whiskey 

 

teachers is decent for cheap scotch 

I've never had a Dickel product I've liked. I bought a bottle of the 8 yr bourbon after several recommendations... I really tried to like it but got thru less than half and just couldn't do it. Gave it to my buddy. As far as Jack goes I don't like the regular black label...the bonded is decent, the bonded rye is better IMO and the single barrel barrel proof rye is delicious.

[Functional]

I've tried a lot of high and low dollar bourbon but the only one for me worth drinking is Elijah Craig. 

 

based on my cabinet and what gets drank I'm primarily a scotch drinker (try Lagavulin 16) so take that as you will. However, everyone I've given the EG to now has a bottle or several of it in their cabinets. 

[spartyon8]

4 minutes ago, Functional said:

I've tried a lot of high and low dollar bourbon but the only one for me worth drinking is Elijah Craig. 

 

based on my cabinet and what gets drank I'm primarily a scotch drinker (try Lagavulin 16) so take that as you will. However, everyone I've given the EG to now has a bottle or several of it in their cabinets. 

I agree with the scotches. Lagavulin and Ardbeg are what goes the quickest in my cabinet. The wife can't stand scotch so she hits up the bourbons a bit more than I. Lately, I have been mixing more OGD/Early Times with cherry Coke if I do pick bourbon. 

[Functional]

21 minutes ago, spartyon8 said:

I agree with the scotches. Lagavulin and Ardbeg are what goes the quickest in my cabinet. The wife can't stand scotch so she hits up the bourbons a bit more than I. Lately, I have been mixing more OGD/Early Times with cherry Coke if I do pick bourbon. 

We have similar tastes. I'll PM you some of my favorites when I get home but if you have an opportunity to try Glenmorangie 18yr I'd recommend it. Its a bit more expensive than even Lag16 but its incredibly smooth and good. Its my special occasion/holiday scotch. 

[TnRiver46]

13 hours ago, Functional said:

I've tried a lot of high and low dollar bourbon but the only one for me worth drinking is Elijah Craig. 

 

based on my cabinet and what gets drank I'm primarily a scotch drinker (try Lagavulin 16) so take that as you will. However, everyone I've given the EG to now has a bottle or several of it in their cabinets. 

Lagavulin mmmmm 

13 hours ago, spartyon8 said:

I agree with the scotches. Lagavulin and Ardbeg are what goes the quickest in my cabinet. The wife can't stand scotch so she hits up the bourbons a bit more than I. Lately, I have been mixing more OGD/Early Times with cherry Coke if I do pick bourbon. 

My wife doesn’t even like the smell of scotch in a glass 10 feet away hahaha.

[fishhugger]

why are you guys mentioning lagavulin 16 yo in this thread??? it really doesn't belong. for me, it's the best whiskey i've had..... i suppose when i'm on my death bed, i'll spring for a bottle, but before i even get to sniff it.......... oh oh.

 

for cheap bourbon, i'd go standard knob creek, i guess..............  but i normally get the 120 proof version, lol.  never been a jack daniel's person --- but it's been a long time since i've had it. but i think there's a number of bourbons in the $30 plus range that seem ok, at least to me.

[thediscochef]

On 4/22/2024 at 6:31 PM, DitchPanda said:

I've got a bottle of EW 1783 and think its good, reminds me of regular buffalo trace. I've had the BIB and actually like it...should pick up another bottle.

 

I've got OGD bonded and like it fine but much prefer the 114. I wish I could find the early times around me, I've always heard how good it is.

 

I've never had a Dickel product I've liked. I bought a bottle of the 8 yr bourbon after several recommendations... I really tried to like it but got thru less than half and just couldn't do it. Gave it to my buddy. As far as Jack goes I don't like the regular black label...the bonded is decent, the bonded rye is better IMO and the single barrel barrel proof rye is delicious.

The Williams bottled in bond is a slept on daily drinker...it's good juice. I also like Hirsch Horizons for a cheap drinker, it's about 40/750 but a solid high rye mashbill that drinks well a few different ways. Has some fruity notes, not so smoky. I don't love smoky. 

I'm not much for Dickel either.

Liked the Early Times as a mixer.

I like the old heaven hill stuff as well. Haven't tried the newer juice. I'm a Crazy Naz fan too. His palette is great.

I inherited my dad's bourbon collection when he passed, I am lucky to have tried many things. One of my favorite production alcohols is Barrell Bourbon. Those folks make some excellent blended products 

[fishhugger]

i asked my friend if i should buy this very very pricey bottle of scotch. i said i hadn't had that particular scotch in decades. she said "buy it. you never know how long you'll be around...."

so i did. target has lagavulin for 10% off!!! omg - target is so terrific! i haven't picked it up yet....  

yeeeeeee-haw!!!

sorry - no, it's not a cheap whiskey.....