Best bourbon under $50?

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  • melensdad

    Grandmaster
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    18   1   0
    Apr 2, 2008
    24,075
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    Far West Suburban Lowellabama
    Walked out of the local Fencing Club last night and stepped into a manhunt for 2 misguided youths who tried to do an armed carjacking of some lady. Literally walked out the door was was surrounded by local SWAT team officers. Got questioned, they asked if I had building keys and could lock the door. I went back inside, locked the doors, alerted the members we were all leaving as a group. A short while later everyone followed me upstairs, I unlocked the door, we were greeted by even more officers, a helicopter with a spotlight, etc. etc. 2 of us locked the building and we were all escorted to our cars. Cars were checked by the police as we entered them. A short while later 1 misguided youth was arrested about 250' from our club's front door. Another was chased across the front of the building.

    So yea, I stopped at the local adult beverage store on my way home and BOOM, got these 3 ... bourbon barrel aged Scotch, a bottle of Baby Saz rye, and a Yellowstone bourbon that I'm not sure I actually want, but it was an impulse buy. The Glen is $49, and while its Scotch Whisky and technically doesn't belong in this thread, it was aged in bourbon barrels so its fair game. The Sazerac, technically a rye whiskey was $32 and the Yellowstone is a limited release, a few thousand bottles, a bit north of $100.

    image.jpg1_zpsbdkaqhvo.jpg
     

    indiucky

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    12   0   0
    NO PROBLEM, I was just unsure if you had it both ways or which way.

    WELCOME to the thread and thanks for the contribution :yesway:

    Can you tell us a bit more about it? Spicy? Sweet? Burn in the mouth? Burn in the belly? Oaky? Etc? Honestly I've heard of the brand Zachary Boone, but many brands seem to be very regional in distribution and we don't have Kroger where I live so I can't go look there. I know my regular shop doesn't have it.


    A little spicy, slight burn that was more a tingle, a hint of oak...Reminded me a bit of Bulleit with a little less spice....
     

    indiucky

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 100%
    12   0   0
    At melensdad's request I will review Zachory Boone Bourbon....

    While at Kroger last night picking up some dead cow and chicken for the grill I went ahead and picked up a bottle and decided to give this reviewing thing a go...


    After prepping the Weber I got a small fruit jar (because it works) and filled her to the brim with ice....I went ahead and opened the bottle of bourbon and poured it on the ice about 3/4's the way full and took a decent sip....I chewed on it, swished it, then swallowed it...

    It's kind of a blended taste with a hint of spice...The oak is there but subtle...The burn is pleasant...My wife, who swears the only Bourbon she will drink on the rocks without a mixer is Woodford Reserve requested a sip and I was happy to oblige....She liked it.....Even said, "How much is this again?" I answered $12.99 with the Kroger plus card.....

    I continued sipping...By this time the coals were glowing and on went the dead critters....I got some fresh ice and poured another...The meat and fowl simmered and I noticed quickly my glass was empty and I needed another...I also noticed my wife was looking more beautiful than normal...Interesting....I feel a strong urge to pinch her the next time she walks by....

    The food is nearing completion and is at the smoky stage....I gauge the height of our privacy fence as the wife walks by and decide not to risk anymore than a pinch.....She notices my leer and easily avoids the pinch...Three small fruit jar glasses slowed down my reflexes while it seems a half of a glass made her's more acute...Interesting......

    One more glass before the meal (for the benefit of science) and I find myself drawn to the cheap CD player I keep in the garage...I feel a sudden desire to hear the Pogues and locate the CD and place in the disc....I know this sudden rush to my head is soon to be dulled by a heavy meal and I want to milk that magical feeling for just a wee bit longer and the Pogues seem like my salvation....

    [video=youtube;XcPODoian0Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcPODoian0Q[/video]



    Wife brings out the plates and notices I am buck dancing around the grill and singing 80's Irish Punk in a very loud voice. She reminds me that the privacy fence is not, in fact soundproof and between myself belting out "USA" by the Pogues and our Mountain Cur dog bawling at a squirrel in our maple tree we are running the risk of offending our neighbors...She also reminds me the food is still on the grill....

    I remind my Argentine bride that she should respect other people's culture....She tells me that it is arguable whether redneck is an actual culture...I respectfully disagree and remind her my great grandpa killed a man in a Kentucky feud and The History Channel does mini series based on such folk...She reluctantly agrees and sweetly tells me to shut myself and the Cur dog up anyway...

    With the sun fully set, the bottle safely put away and the food on the table we sit down to eat....I realize that drinking when your old is fun because you have restraint....You can get close enough to the Devil to dance with him yet still his influence with a steak and Texas Toast....


    I tip my glass to this thread and melensdad.....Salute'

    21160350481_13e02c33d7.jpg


    Review written in the style of and with a nod to Louisville's Hunter S. Thompson may he rest in peace....
     
    Last edited:

    Ballstater98

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    Jan 18, 2015
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    Picking up a bottle of Duke for $26. I'm guessing John Wayne royalties are being covered by Monument Valley Distillers? :dunno:
     

    jblomenberg16

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    67   0   0
    Mar 13, 2008
    9,920
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    Southern Indiana
    Couple to taste this weekend.




    I'm not as versed in the finer points of bourbon tasting, but here are my thoughts. I poured each onto two ice cubes and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After the initial sip I added equal parts water, which is how I prefer to drink my bourbon most nights of the week.

    The Lexington has some initial heat to it, has a pretty bitter flavor, but doesn't have the "ew gross, I just drank straight alcohol" that sometimes follows the initial bitter burn. It actually had a really nice after taste and a nice tingle on the lips and tongue. After cutting it with a bit of water it was actually quite smooth. Still a little bitter, so for me would be something I'd like to sip on with some pretzels or cashews or something salty.

    As expected, the 4 Roses is excellent. It was much smoother on ice, and had a little sweeter flavor, and much less alcohol burn to it. It isn't bad cut with some water, although I'd say in the future I'll probably just use more ice and let it slowly melt the ice as I sip on it. No need to have anything to much on in between sips either. I liked it enough to have a second taller glass to finish the evening.

    I'll be keeping the 4 Roses back for more of the special occasion bourbon I think since it is both good, and a bit more on the expensive side at ~$40.


    I have a tough choice to make though...I've been really enjoying the Elijah Craig small batch...to the point I have as much taste for it right now as for my typical Maker's Mark.

    I'm really glad I found this thread and am trying some different bourbons. I now have a pretty good selection in my cabinet whereas in the past it was Makers, or Makers. :)

    Angel Envy (Special blend for our local Liquor Store)
    Larceny
    Elijah Craig Small Batch
    4-Roses Single Barrel
    Maker's Mark
    Lexington


    Will probably add in some Maker's 46 and Woodford to fill in a few gaps on the shelf, and then just mix and match and enjoy. Might even try a few new ones next time I'm in the store.
     
    Last edited:

    451_Detonics

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    6   0   0
    Mar 28, 2010
    8,085
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    North Central Indiana
    Walked out of the local Fencing Club last night and stepped into a manhunt for 2 misguided youths who tried to do an armed carjacking of some lady. Literally walked out the door was was surrounded by local SWAT team officers. Got questioned, they asked if I had building keys and could lock the door. I went back inside, locked the doors, alerted the members we were all leaving as a group. A short while later everyone followed me upstairs, I unlocked the door, we were greeted by even more officers, a helicopter with a spotlight, etc. etc. 2 of us locked the building and we were all escorted to our cars. Cars were checked by the police as we entered them. A short while later 1 misguided youth was arrested about 250' from our club's front door. Another was chased across the front of the building.

    So yea, I stopped at the local adult beverage store on my way home and BOOM, got these 3 ... bourbon barrel aged Scotch, a bottle of Baby Saz rye, and a Yellowstone bourbon that I'm not sure I actually want, but it was an impulse buy. The Glen is $49, and while its Scotch Whisky and technically doesn't belong in this thread, it was aged in bourbon barrels so its fair game. The Sazerac, technically a rye whiskey was $32 and the Yellowstone is a limited release, a few thousand bottles, a bit north of $100.

    nothing wrong with scotch...bought this on my Alaska Cruise this year...very tasty stuff...

    walker_zps1ixrmnic.jpg
     

    Ballstater98

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    Jan 18, 2015
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    Picking up a bottle of Duke for $26. I'm guessing John Wayne royalties are being covered by Monument Valley Distillers? :dunno:

    If Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey had a love child, it would probably resemble this brandy tasting bourbon. Starts off lightly, as it really activates the sides of the tongue, the finish leaves much to be desired. Peppery, light sweetness, vanilla, seems like a greener smokey wood. Not sure The Duke would give his final seal of approval compared to the current offerings out there.
    KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON - Duke Spirits
     

    kickbacked

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    Jan 12, 2010
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    I think the 4 Roses Small Batch is actually better than the single barrel. Just my opinion but you should give it a try.
    i also agree with this. Ive had all three levels they offer, and would pick small batch even if single barrel was the same cost. Here i can get small batch for 26 so im happy.
     

    perry

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    Nov 18, 2010
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    Fishers, IN
    Went to Kentucky last Friday and Saturday. Friday I visited Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve. Did tastings at the first two and the tour at Woodford. The drive between WT and WF was through beautiful rolling country side on a small lane surrounded by horse farms. Woodford's tour was great, if not a bit touristy. They give you a walkie talkie and ear buds so you can hear the guide. Awesome to be able to hear what was being said the whole time!

    Saturday I did a tour of Buffalo Trace and then did a GORUCK event there. The tour was great. Very historical place and saw much more industrial stuff than at Woodford. The GORUCK event was an ass kicker.. A couple of former special operations guys taught us teamwork and made us better Americans. Here is our motley crew at the end in front of Warehouse C, the one hit by a tornado in 2006. That bourbon near the top was bottled in the Col Taylor Tornado Suvivor bottles. If you're ever in the area, and it's a short drive from Indy, check them out and get some Bourbon Cream! And if you need your butt kicked and a real challenge, check out GORUCK.

    TdiEJZ5.jpg
     

    perry

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    I only brought back a 375 of Rare Breed, a 375 of BT White Dog Mash #1 (125 proof), and a fifth of Bourbon Cream. Wild Turkey had a good selection to sample from, but just two samples. BT just had Eagle Rare and BT, as well as Wheatly Vodka and the White Dog, again pick 2. Tried all 3 FR offerings, the two Woodfords. I wanted a Four Roses barrel strength but they didn't have any for sale, so nothing was bought there, but I got to keep my branded sampling glass.
     

    melensdad

    Grandmaster
    Rating - 94.7%
    18   1   0
    Apr 2, 2008
    24,075
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    Far West Suburban Lowellabama
    Broke open a $150/bottle Wild Turkey Master's Keep tonight. Its a little spicier than I normally like but this is some amazing juice. Worth the price. Amazingly long finish with flavor that just stays with you. Burn is modest but not harsh. No tingle in the mouth, just loads of vanilla and caramel flavor with some peppery spice for interest.
     

    Cygnus

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    Apr 24, 2009
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    I saw Makers Mark Cask Strength (116 proof) this last weekend, please advise.


    Buy it and tell us about it!
    Are you a Maker's fan? If so try it. Or try Maker's 46. That is a little stronger than regular Maker's at 94 proof, with some extra oak stave aging.

    I plan to get some for the holidays. Proof varies a bit I think. It is $74 out here.....The 46 is $38
     

    melensdad

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    18   1   0
    Apr 2, 2008
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    Far West Suburban Lowellabama
    I saw Makers Mark Cask Strength (116 proof) this last weekend, please advise.

    By far my favorite offering from MM. Way better than Makers 46, in fact there is no comparison, the 46 offers some different flavors from the added oak staves, but not better flavors. Solid bold flavors, its a big drink that is not in any way mild but it is still smooth. Just don't water it down. Maybe a single ice cube and don't let the cube melt down too much. It is amazing. Rivals Bookers, which in my mind is a very high compliment.
     

    melensdad

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    18   1   0
    Apr 2, 2008
    24,075
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    Far West Suburban Lowellabama
    A little bit of JEFFERSON'S pre-mixed MANHATTAN in my glass tonight.

    I've had it a few times before, thougth it was OK but not great. I must really be in th moodd for a Manhattan cocktail tonight because this is tasting just about perfect tonight. The right amount of vermouth, the right amount of orange and cherry and bitters. I'm really enjoying this. Not sure what the proof is, I'm guessing about 70, maybe I'll have a second glass a bit later and check it out. As it is a pre-mixed drink it is not required to have the minimum 80 Proof that a bourbon must contain because bourbon is only 1 of the ingredients in the bottle.

    Seems like pre-mixed libations are becoming a lot more common. Several brands are offering various cocktails in bottles these days. I may have to try some of the other offereings. One I've NOT yet seen is an Old Fashioned, but maybe someone will offer that classic of all drinks one of these days.
     

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