Recommend on: Bourbon

zhen_rogue

Central US here, looking for "mid"-shelf recommendations on bourbons to try.
For reference, my "lower"-shelf staple is Jim Beam Black, and my absolute favorite "top"-shelf is Jefferson's Reserve.
I'm looking for something that's one step up from Beam Black, but not up to the $90 price of the Jefferson's.
Please let me know your opinions/advice on some labels to try, and maybe a bit about the character of each.

I like a LOT of smoke/caramel/body in my whiskey, so anything bold/complex is preferred over subtle and delicate.
For example, i'm an absolute slave to Lagavulin - the smoky/peaty character of this scotch makes me smile every single time I sip it.

Thanks in advance - I really want to branch out on my bourbon, but want to make an informed choice before I drop the cashola.
Cheers!

Esh

If you don't mind going to $50, Blanton's is my favorite single-barrel.

Justice

Isn't Maker's Mark the next step up from Jim Beam?

Of course, I didn't know there were different labels of Jim Beam, so I might not be qualified to comment here.

Are you drinking this neat?

zhen_rogue

Justice wrote: »

Are you drinking this neat?

Neat, absolutely.

zhen_rogue

Esh wrote: »

If you don't mind going to $50, Blanton's is my favorite single-barrel.

I'll keep an eye out for Blanton's - the $30-$50 range is what I was shooting for.

Esh

zhen_rogue wrote: »

Esh wrote: »

If you don't mind going to $50, Blanton's is my favorite single-barrel.

I'll keep an eye out for Blanton's - the $30-$50 range is what I was shooting for.

Plus, collectible caps!

schuss

Blantons, Eagle Rare. Bulleit for a cheaper option.

Niceguy Myeye

I like Knobb Creek and Woodford Reserve

Veevee

I love me some Eagle Rare. It's $20-$25 for a fifth here in south central Wisconsin, but it is so good I'm always shocked it's not higher

Lepton

Try some 4 Roses small batch or single barrel.

Dongs Galore

Four Roses is a good choice. I think it's usually about twice as expensive as Jim Beam ($30-40 range, IIRC). Dunno how available it is in other parts of the country.

It's full bodied, but it is a bit, I dunno, sweeter? (I'm terrible at describing flavors) than charcoaly or caramely though. Kind of vanilla, I guess

Giggles_Funsworth

Old Weller 107 is delightfully smooth and tastes like caramel and vanilla.

Donovan Puppyfucker

Seconding Maker's. A step up from that is Buffalo Trace. Then something like Basil Hayden's or Russels Reserve.

Donovan Puppyfucker

schuss wrote: »

Blantons, Eagle Rare. Bulleit for a cheaper option.

Bulleit is cheaper than regular Beam here.

Esh

chrishallett83 wrote: »

schuss wrote: »

Blantons, Eagle Rare. Bulleit for a cheaper option.

Bulleit is cheaper than regular Beam here.

Where is that? Bulleit is almost $30 a bottle here while Beam clocks in sub $20.

ASimPerson

Esh wrote: »

chrishallett83 wrote: »

schuss wrote: »

Blantons, Eagle Rare. Bulleit for a cheaper option.

Bulleit is cheaper than regular Beam here.

Where is that? Bulleit is almost $30 a bottle here while Beam clocks in sub $20.

Dude's in Aussieland.

Here in California, Bulleit is usually around $25, with the rye being a dollar or two more.

My standard $20 is Buffalo Trace. Around the $30 mark I usually get Eagle Rare or Woodford Reserve. I've tried a bunch of other ones around that price point but I keep buying those two.

honkymcgoo

Bookers is fantastic, but it's getting up to about $50 a bottle, so might be over what you're looking for. Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve are also personal favorites.

mts

buffalo trace, that was the one i was trying to remember. i like it though i prefer scotch

zerzhul

mts wrote: »

buffalo trace, that was the one i was trying to remember. i like it though i prefer scotch

I was going to mention Buffalo Trace, but I wasn't sure it fit exactly what the OP seems to be after. However, Buffalo Trace is my absolute favorite dollar:value bourbon.

KrubixCube

Not bourbon (I know, breaking the point) but I've been in Japan and Yamazaki whiskey is really nice, very smooth. Mixes well, nice on the rocks. It's not harsh, it stands nicely on its own, worth a try. I want to say it's in the $25-40 range in the US.

EggyToast

Japanese whiskeys are really something special; they're doing interesting stuff and their prices are still low. Of the ones I've tried, they've all been pretty "moderate," nothing too smooth but nothing too overwhelming, either.

As for bourbon, my fav is Bulleit as it's tasty, not too expensive, and smooth. Finding something smooth but still with a great flavor is what I generally look for overall.

Donovan Puppyfucker

ASimPerson wrote: »

Esh wrote: »

chrishallett83 wrote: »

schuss wrote: »

Blantons, Eagle Rare. Bulleit for a cheaper option.

Bulleit is cheaper than regular Beam here.

Where is that? Bulleit is almost $30 a bottle here while Beam clocks in sub $20.

Dude's in Aussieland.

Here in California, Bulleit is usually around $25, with the rye being a dollar or two more.

My standard $20 is Buffalo Trace. Around the $30 mark I usually get Eagle Rare or Woodford Reserve. I've tried a bunch of other ones around that price point but I keep buying those two.

Twenty bucks? I hate you. Trace is $50 here...

Sir Carcass

Another vote for Bulleit.

Gafoto

Both Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare are great (made by the same distillery) but they're both fairly strong on the rye. They're spicy and strong. I find myself leaning more towards Woodford Reserve. It's more vanilla and caramel.

jefe414

My favorite bourbon is Willet. Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve and tasty as well. Here Bulliet represents the best dollar to taste ratio around. It's $25 or so a bottle but the rye is actually a couple of bucks cheaper.

msuitepyon

Second (third? fourth?) Woodford Reserve. Good sipping bourbon.

Bullhead

Makers -> Knob Creek -> Woodford for me. I've tried a number of the others listed here and none really grab me like woodford does, love that stuff. If you have the cash, their new double barreled version is amazing (and potent!).

superhappypanda

I used to drink mostly Maker's but switched over to Bulleit Rye lately. Had some at a bar, neat, and it was good enough for me to switch. Never been a big fan of Woodford Reserve, bought a fifth once and it took about two years for me to finish off.

amateurhour

I'm also in the Buffalo Trace fan club. It's good stuff.

Griswold

Buffalo Trace and Woodford are very smooth, but not at all smoky/caramel/full-bodied.

I'd go with Bulleit or Blanton's. If you're amenable to branching out into scotch, Macallan 12 is super smoky and not outrageously expensive.

Evil_Reaver

Going to throw in another vote for Woodford Reserve. Also, check out Ri if you get a chance. It's pretty good Kentucky rye whiskey and it's very affordable at $20-$25.

Invictus

Already mentioned, but I tend to have the small batch of either Knob Creek or Four Roses in the house. Depending on how good the stores are near you, there are a lot of small variations in the Four Roses; they actually distill something like 17 different bourbons. You might also try the single barrel of both; I don't know too much about the Four Roses, but the single barrel Knob Creek is really, really awesome if you like it cask strength.

zhen_rogue

Update:
Have thus far tried Woodford Reserve and Four Roses.
The Four Roses had a lot more "fire" than the Woodford, tasted much better than standard bottom-shelf bourbons, and had a nice finish.
Woodford on the other hand had no fire at all - just glorious warmth and unbelievable flavor notes of caramel. Blew me away, this is some fantastic stuff.
Can't wait to try a few more, will likely sample the Bulleit and the Buffalo Trace next (when wallet allows).

musanman

woodford reserve is the nectar of the gods

I have four roses single barrel right now, and it's great...but there is always room for woodford.

Donovan Puppyfucker

I can tell I'm going to have to get me a bottle of that Woodford...

Surely this is the tipple of choice?

msuitepyon

I had some Woodford Reserve Double Oak. A very deep flavor--no burn, just amazing. I highly recommend it (even with the $50 price tag).

prfntbtr

Woodford is good, but boring. Too refined, with no single characteristic really coming through.

Best distillery for bourbon of ever: kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/products.php

If you can find a bottle of their Rowan's Creek it is superb for $30-35, and their higher end Willet is great but more like $50.

musanman

chrishallett83 wrote: »

I can tell I'm going to have to get me a bottle of that Woodford...

Surely this is the tipple of choice?

uh yes but it's $30/bottle around here. The double oaked is alright but I don't think worth the $50. I do typically buy their yearly limited release for like $80