Needing to be a vip private club patreon subscriber just to get some bottle that then gets touted about in 10 videos and articles is becoming annoying. The bots buying up online and resellers because idiots want to pay triple and don’t care. It’s not the distilleries with the problems, it’s too many tater idiots that feel the need to scarf everything no matter the cost. The big distillers still put out great value bottles for us to try. (70th WT101, Beam black 7, winter reserve, four roses did more barrel strength store picks). I saw more bowman than before also. It’s not the distilleries, it’s all the consumers and need to have some super subscription to get anything semi limited.
Taking a break from beer and decided to try bourbon. Lifetime JD and Windsor drinker. Love bourbon and rye, but getting into it, and job market trying to drink $40 or less bottles. Splurged on a Makers pick and the 4R SIB . Feel that i wasted money since i prefer OF 100 bib. So far my favorite ryes, especially for the price, is Old Overholt.
I live in PA and can never get hands on any allocated bottles or limited release.Refuse to pay secondary, so rely on regular every day bottles and craft distilled that ship. Legacy distillers should pick 1 allocated or limited bottle a year and mass produce that one. Guaranteed to increase sales
Rather than new releases, how about having legacy distillers actually distribute enough higher quality product to allow people willing to pay a $150 or $250 MSRP to acquire them? We were at Wild Turkey in November and got to try Russell's 13. Nice stuff! Could we buy a bottle? Nope, and of course there was no trying RR 15. There are a fair number of people who would gladly pay MSRP for bottles like that, but balk at paying Frootbat prices.
I am your biggest fan in the Czech Republic! Here in Prague, I have access to about 1% of the bourbon market. But I don't buy any bottle without first checking with your channel. You guys are doing a super job.
@mattschmitt9924 For under $30 I like Wild Turkey 101, Buffalo Trace and Old Grandad Bonded. In the $50 range I really like Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Four Roses single barrel. We also have some craft distillies in Ohio that are making some great whiskey in the $40 to $90 range.
Its kind of depressing where it feels like distilleries would rather sell one bottle at $150 vs 100 bottles at $60. Probably speaks to the insane profit margin on the $150 bottles frankly
Coming from a wine background, paying $150-$250 for a premium wine that will last one evening is commonplace. Even $200 bottles of whiskey are a great value in comparison to premium wine and will last much longer. I don’t blame businesses for trying to make a profit and I don’t even mind the taters running up prices on “good bottles”. It’s the free market.
It's the top end releases to get attention for the brand. Just like with graphics cards for computers. Very few people can afford the RTX4090, for example, but the RTX4090 being "the best" means more people will buy the lesser models in Nvidia's lineup. Problem is that many distilleries are making the same mistake Nvidia is making: they're releasing great top end products to get consumer attention, but not always releasing quality products at the low end that the majority can actually afford to buy.
I truly like what Bardstown is doing. The Origin series is in the sweet spot of age + proof + price. Discovery 11 & 12 go head to head with bottles twice their price or more. I also have to give Jack Daniels kudos too. They introduced the BP Rye as a standard release product and their limited release bottles are actually fairly priced at msrp (unfortunately they can't control secondary).
Bardstown is great. Disco and collabs are (almost) always great and findable. (Disco 10 and Goose Island were misses for me). Price is a bit high but what are you gonna do? Also, everyone should visit the Bardstown bourbon company distillery. Great experience.
Those Jack SBBP whiskey and rye are instant buys if you’re looking. The Green River FP, Barrell Foundation, Chattanooga 111, Sagamore CS, Still Austin CS, and Knob Creek SB are all really great pours 🥃
Everyone thought the pandemic helicopter money was amazing during Covid. The end result is sky high insurance, 6$ dozen eggs, 4$ loaf of bread and 60$ bottle whiskey. Charging more is the only option. The solution would have been to demand accountability back in 2020 and 2021 but no one cared as everyone was getting their stimmy checks so here we are. Raising prices has a negative impact as well. Workers start demanding significant raises to keep up. Workers start striking and unionizing. We are in the middle phase where large corporations are price gouging as they know they will have to raise wages or be left without a work force.
their 8 year bourbon is great, haven't had the 8yr rye yet. Stumbled across a special release Malted Rye finished in sherry barrels and that's one of my favorite bottles currently. just stay away from their winter party one (forget the exact name but the one with the chocolate malt and rice), could have gone without buying that one.....
Happy New Year, guys! One good thing about 2024 was discovering your channel! Really love the thoughtful insights and recommendations! Love the genuine banter and great chemistry you two have! Keep doing what you do and I will be there to enjoy it! (raising his glass) Here's to SLB Drinks!
A very happy new year to the entire SLB family! Love watching your content that’s just plain down to earth, real and relaxed. I look forward to spending the next year with y’all and wish you a year of peace and happiness. Cheers!
The guys that got me into bourbon look at me now like I am crazy! I have WAY more bottles than they do and have surpassed their knowledge. I completely nerd out on any new hobby and I have been enjoying this one WAY TOO MUCH! Love what y'all do. Keep up the fantastic work!
Happy New Year SLB! My biggest issue is the cost that some distilleries are charging for relative young whiskey, less than 10 years. I think that time and patience is the key. Do not fall for 2ndary prices and search for the best price.
Happy New Year from the Great White North. Unfortunately up here we don't get any craft products as only the big guys can ship to Canada at a decent price point and anything allocated is impossible. Looking forward to your content in 2025.
I’ve done some amateur internet sleuthing on spirit distribution. It definitely looks like the Wild West and very loosely regulated. And there’s some really crazy metrics and formulas and just mental-gymnastics to the way these couple dozen companies distribute allocated, special releases, and limited editions. I don’t see it getting any better. Especially with all the illegal sales on secondary pages and forums. Plus there’s many cases of managers and even politicians in Washington making sure they get the rarest bottles themselves. It’s sad that there’s all this dishonesty. Cheers 🥃
It’s simple stop simping over allocated bottles. Only reason these bottles go for as much as they do is there is a moron willing to pay it. A fool and his money are easily parted.
@@CelticsRepeat2025 Dont try to shame those who have the means to buy bottles for more than MSRP. I selectively do so, but i have limits. I'll think of you the next time I'm enjoying something you wont spring for.
You guys do a great job! Always look forward to your reviews. When I see a bottle I'm interested in at the store I always come back and research your review on it before I buy or don't buy.
Happy New Year from Virginia. Watching this while working out. All this makes sense, but please consider doing another video on the top readily available shelf picks at various price points.
12:52 tomorrow is my birthday, I’m going on the hunt here in MD to look for a birthday bourbon. Thanks for the tip about the craft distilleries! Subscribed ❤
Looking forward to the Channel’s content in 2025. For myself, when making decisions of purchasing it comes down to economics. I simply can’t afford to broaden my horizons. My main space is between $30-$50 with one purchase every few months. I’m also needing to limit consumption of those budget bourbons to make those purchases last even longer. Thank you gentlemen and family for the great content!
Always appreciate you guys and agree with your sentiments. Having grown up in Indiana, and your personalities, the group dynamic, I watch you guys almost exclusively for whiskey recommendations. That being said, I'm new to all of it. The only person I know that drinks whiskey like this is my dad. But, we didn't even know we both liked to sip whiskey until recently and he isn't as tied into all of this as you guys. He's got the few that he sticks to and thats that. I got a bonus maybe 3 years back and my wife said to get something nice for myself. I took some time to think about it and said, "You know what I'd like to celebrate? A nice bottle of whiskey." No research at all, didn't know bourbon from scotch. While I preferred beer in college, whiskey sours were my hard drink of choice. I left the store with Woodford's Double Oak and enjoyed it quite a bit. Most expensive bottle of hard liquor I had ever purchased. Found your guys review of it which confirmed for me, yea this is actually a pretty good pour. Fast forward to today. I don't drink a lot. But, I've now tried Woodford's Double Oak, Rare Breed, Old Grandad BIB, a sip off of some bottle of Jeffersons my dad had, and a Russels 10 year I just popped. I have some Wild Turkey 101 I plan to open once I finish this last pour of Old Grandad BIB. But, that's everything I've tried. It takes me a while to finish off an entire bottle by myself, so I'm not buying super often. I have no problems blowing $30 on a whim. $60 is starting to become a bigger purchase for me, but is still in my comfort zone. I could stretch that zone to $80, but it better be good. And, at $100 I'm starting to feel bad spending all that money. I know I'm new, but I think a lot of your average guys probably feel this way. I really hope that these heritage distilleries really take some time to ensure that they continue to innovate at a reasonable price point for the average person. Thank you guys for everything. Keep it up and happy new year!!
Happy new Year! Keep on doing what you are doing. I love hearing about the craft/small distilleries. I live in small town western Ohio. Not much locally except the usuals for the most part, but your coverage gives me ideas of what to look for when I am away from home. I was in Indiana (not far from home) and your commentary led me to both Hard Truth Four Grain, and Hard Truth Rye. Another trip it was Starlight Hubers Rickhouse Select. All home runs for my palette. Great video content and you are friendly and entertaining. Love SLB! TonyB
The allocated market is out of hand. Even stores are asking secondary prices now and the sad part is for every allocated i have had i can tell you a non allocated that is just as good or better. I stopped hunting two years ago and don't even miss it , I don't buy them now unless they are at msrp or close to it. Some of the craft stuff is great and fun to try. same with a lot of the finished stuff. What would be nice in 2025 is to get some youtube channels that you can trust and not just hyping bad products . I'm down to 2 channels i watch and trust now.
@nefarious_saint This one mostly. I watch bourbon Junkies on occasion. Everyone else just seems like they are trying to sell something or show off their overpriced allocated bottles they got last week.
I am so glad I subscribed to your channel. Whenever I see both of you on these videos, I learn more. It gives me info to decide which whiskey to try, and to maybe wait on.
1) Hope you guys have a great new year! 2) "How many bottles of 1920 can you buy" Umm, 6? Oh no, did I just tell on myself? 3) Spot on about why buying is down 30%. I was buying lots of stuff as I developed in my bourbon journey so a) I have a lot of bottles and b) I started drinking more and more as I got into my hobby. Now I would rather buy and drink less, but of better quality bourbons.
Great video, gentlemen. I'm getting a bit of deja-vu from what you guy mentioned last year, but these things need to be repeated until things change. Keep up the good work! Thanks from us.
Happy New Year and thanks for all your great content and commentary. One thing I would like to see more of in 2025 are your cocktail videos. I miss them and finding new ways to drink bourbon or rye is exciting. The Hunter cocktail is one of my favorites.
Happy New Year, seems that your message today is similar to a message that Ralfy gave a few days ago before he named the Arran 10 bottle as bottle of the year from a distillery that seems to focus on providing value at reasonable prices. Since I'm retiring this year I would like to see more reasonable pricing for some good spirits rather than paying/chasing special releases. I have found a few that I like and will continue to buy those, but it would be nice that more become available in 2025.
I love the channel and the family contribution in making it work. I think because of channels like SLB, Lui Fernandes(Tequila Channel) and Whiskey is a journey Channel it’s making it easier for consumers like me to skip the bad spirits and go straight for the more pure and enjoyable spirits! Not blaming the Channels just stating why sales could be down for some spirits. Can’t wait to see all the content in 2025! Happy New Year SLB! 🎉
Totally agree with you guys. The large distilleries are pricing themselves out of the market on special releases. There are too many great craft releases now that I’ve stopped chasing/buying many of the special releases. I can order and pay shipping and still save money and be just as happy with what I’m drinking. Stay safe and stay SLB! Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥃
Seen as we’re in the mood for feedback in the suggestions box. Disclaimer: big fan of this channel. It’s been immensely helpful to me on my whisky journey. Suggestion: Take a bit more time to consider the view of your bar that we get on camera. Like it or not, it has a big impact on the quality of what we perceive. As delicious as Amaro Nonino is, or Ancho Reyes is, on a whisky channel id love to be browsing some whiskies in the background while I listen to you guys. As I said, love your work. Hope to see this channel continue to grown.
Appreciate this channel so much! Thank you Kurt, Trent, the entire family and crew for continuing to bring content driven by the passion you have for this business. Your views/opinions reflect our thoughts, your followers and patrons. Keep speaking from the heart, we are right there with you. 🥃
Happy New Year!!!! I bought a sample pack based off a previous video of the Jimmy Red which had the classic, sherry finish and a bonded 100ml bottles, I agree every one’s pallets are different, I am glad I was able to buy just a sample pack
Happy New Year! I wonder if I might be typical. I never buy online. I only buy what I can find in local stores (St. Charles County, MO). And I never spend more than about $60-70. I believe I can find plenty to keep me happy in the $30-50 range. I do like trying your recommendations if they are in my range. And I like trying bourbons, ryes, American single malts, Irish whiskey, etc. I have made one trip to Frankfort, KY and it was fun to pick up some allocated bottles at a few distilleries. When you taste a bottle that is over $!00, I like watching, but I'll leave that bottle to others.
@@mattschmitt9924 Sorry, just saw this. I like Royal's as well. I've never been in Mirage so I will check it out. I usually shop at Total Wine or Dogwood on K. Sometimes I'll go down to Friar Tuck's.
@@bobborgstede837 the allocated stuff is crazy priced at mirage, but for instance Larceny and Elijah Craig barrel proofs are at least 5 bucks cheaper than anywhere and they always have a backlog of them. Not everything is on the shelves so don't be afraid to ask if you don't see your batch. Dogwood is nice but it's been a while for me. Cheers local friend.🥃
For the most part, y'all are on point with the limited offerings. However, I did enjoy an offering of Russell's Reserve 10yr and Kentucky Spirit which seemed to up their game while maintaining the same price point. Great show as always! Happy New Year! Cheers!
The one craft distillery that I'm digging is Traverse City Distilling Company out of Traverse City, Michigan. I may have the name wrong, but they have some offerings that have serious potential to be VERY GOOD naturally aged. I want to say that I dig your channel and live in Michigan. CHEERS!!
Love your channel! Keep up the good work! You were spot on about Jim Beam releasing new products at a reasonable price. You have got to get your hands on another Beam release from 2024. Winter Reserve!! It is really good! I think you'll love it!
I'm a rye forward guy in my bourbon selection. Rye's are limited in my area, I did pick up a pint of Woodford reserve Rye in FL. last spring and it was great. I'm not a $40 dollar up shopper, but love the midlevel offerings.
Great video! Exactly how I feel. My 2025 bourbon hunting will be reduced to just a few bottles. Russell’s 15 & 13, Limestone Farms Private Stock, Booker’s The Reserves, and Old Forester single barrel 100 proof (black label). I have a fairly good selection of bourbon already and will be drinking them down.
Kurt is like a character Bob Parr from The Incredibles when he retires from being a hero. Trent reminds me of Edna “E” Mode from the incredibles. Keep up the good work guys. Looking forward to seeing 2025 lists
This is a review I can agree with you guys 100%; sweet price range for me and all my friends is $30-50; I can’t find 90% of the bourbon you guys review, I live in Coastal S Carolina
Hi guys. New to whisky tasting. Found you guys and your channel by accident but, have really enjoyed the content your putting out. Can you link your top picks video for 2024? Looking to expand my collection and my palate. Love to pair with Perdomo cigars.
My go to has been ben holladay bottled in bond and soft red wheat. Readily available here in Indianapolis. I'd like to try old 55 here soon. You guys should do a review of it.
Live the channel. Just getting into bourbon. On Long Island I have found the big guys like Wild Turkey, Makers Mark, Jim Beam and even Buffalo Trace fairly priced but the higher end releases are pretty expensive. So many bottles now seem to be sourced and yet expensive. Would love to buy a Widow Jane but at more than $70 a bottle for the 10 year and more than $100 for Decadence it just becomes unaffordable. I wish some of these guys would release 375ml bottles even at a slightly higher price to allow newbies the ability to try. I would think it would stimulate large bottle sales if stores aren't going to allow you to sample.
You guys are right on the money, no pun intended, living in Ct, I’m unable to get any bourbon or whiskey shipped in our state, that needs to be changed, I too have cut back on my purchases, only when I see one of your videos that interest me and I’m able to find it in my area, however, you guys are great giving great advice on great bourbon choices
In 2024 I tended to spend my limited budget on bourbon I had before and knew I would enjoy. I was cautious exploring different bottles and watched your review before buying Hard Truth. In 2025 I hope distilleries put more emphasis on attainable bottles in the $30-60 range.
You mentioned Beam doing well putting out new stuff. I agree. Knob Creek line is one that continuous to evolve with the BouRye and also 12 year is pretty available and priced well.
Now that BT has the 2nd still do you think 4 rotating bottles will come off allocation in the near future with the increased production? I have already seen on multiple occasions Weller being available on off days.
Situation is even more complicated in state controlled systems like inNC (ABC) where distributors spread out the special stuff in unannounced “drops”. They’re gone as soon as they arrive. Otherwise on the shelf is a lot of mediocre stuff and only a small portion of the really good bottles like the ones you guys review. We just can’t get them without going to a different state.
I think there is a lot of shady goings on in NC ABC stores, and probably everywhere else. I have seen some stores pulling rare bourbons, hiding them in the back room and making them available to “friends”. I was in a store in another part of the state with a friend who lived in the area. I walked thru the store, nothing interesting, just standard shelfers . My friend, who knew the store employees, asked what they had in the back….Eagle Rare, Blantons, Col. E.H. Taylor. It’s not what you know, but WHO you know.
@fredc.meekinsjr.5553 I experienced something similar in Eden NC. They had some older men in the store before opening selling products. At opening time we had to wait till they left out before we could go in.
Wild Turkey needs to stop using the chilled filtering on Rare Breed in the US (and possibly pass the savings on with a lower price). Why only NCF for overseas?
Rare Breed is my daily sipper. In the UK, it is chill filtered if you buy retail. Twice I've had the NCF version from Duty Free when going on holiday and honestly, the difference isn' t worth fretting about. The lower price is a bigger boon than the marginal flavour improvement IME.
We need more distilleries to do what Bardstown did with their Original Series. Great $50 bottles in four varieties. Their high wheat bottle is amazing …. 106 proof for $50 … love it!
Thanks guys, you hit the nail on the head with this one. I think some of the more expensive stuff isn't as good anymore. I will be looking for more craft distilleries in 2025. Thanks for all you do SLB, looking forward to a awesome 2025 with you guys.
Thanks for a great year of shows in 2024! I agree that we need more readily available "Daily Sipper" Bourbons for $50 and under. I a;ready own enough Special Occassion Bourbons ($100+). We also need more readily available "Weekend Sipper" Bourbons in the $50 - $100 price range. I too was disapponyrd by Wild Turkey 101 this year. It just wasn'y as good as previous years. Up to this yerar Wild Turkey 101 was my "go to" bourbon. Dur to thier consistancy issues it is sadly no longer. My favorite Bourbon this year was Heaven Hill 7 year Bottled in Bond. Great taste and a great price.
You bring up Rum. May I suggest Flur de Cana 12 year. It’s the national drink of Nicaragua. The make 4, 5 and 7 year but the 12 is reasonable priced and great neat
I’ve searched high and low for the 70th anniversary bottle and it’s no where to be found here in the northern Illinois/ southern Wisconsin area. Hopefully that changes as I keep hearing how good it is.
Wild Turkey 70th was at Costco in California. Distribution is a weird business. Here in Washington I bought it at a liquor store and they had probably 10 cases left the guy told me. It’s pretty decent but I wouldn’t lose sleep over not finding it. I’d much rather buy an EHT single barrel at twice the price
A message to big corporations of all kinds: Put yourself in the customer's shoes for a moment. We want a product that is worth the time we spend searching for it, and the time we spend using it (in the case of bourbons, the time spent drinking it). We want a product that is also worth the money we spend on it. And that's the bare MINIMUM expectation that customers have. If you want to earn a customer's respect and appreciation, a product that sells for less than what it's worth is a bargain. Those are the products that get the most love from customers, and the brands which get the most respect and goodwill (and trust, which is a type of currency that can help keep a brand afloat during rough times). Ultimately, a brand will rise or fall depending on whether their products are worth it or not. And right now, most bourbon products on shelves aren't worth the money they're priced at, and a lot aren't even worth the time spent drinking them even if they were free. The bourbon market is being flooded with products that are either overpriced nonsense, or it's affordable junk that isn't even worth being used as drain cleaner. The category is being destroyed by greed and oversaturation. I've started venturing into cognac because it's offering better value than bourbon. Let that sink in for a moment. Cognac. Better value. Than bourbon. Bourbon. Which was originally a blue collar beverage. And cognac has been for the past two hundred years one of the most expensive beverages in the world. Produced in France, often from champagne grapes and then distilled (which produces a smaller amount of liquid to be bottled then if you just wine). Once people realize that you can get better enjoyment and value from drinks that aren't bourbon, and they take put their money where their mouth is by spending their time/attention and money elsewhere, that's when the bubble will burst.
Are releases planned after the stuff in barrels is done aging, or is it planned before any liquid is made (I realize that’s probably not the case, but wondering.)
Michigan decides what can be sold and there is still just alot not offered here. Not a single Willett product is sold here. Walleye run and hard truth is though so thanks for recommending them. I need to hear what you think of the walleye run double barrel
I opened a new Wild Turkey 101 along with an old label one (not very old, just one before the label changed a while ago) and i did think there was a downturn in quality. That was in september, so i think i'll be better able to ascertain a difference tonight now that they've opened up - but it speaks to your point. 101 is a legendary bottle for a reason, it represents alot of value, alot of flavor for your money. If the focus and the good barrels go to the exclusive stuff, what of that reputation?
I look forward to trying more craft bourbons....I've found my sweet spot as to what my flavor profile is, so if I can try some craft distilleries to match it, I think that would expand my bourbon fun.
As more states legalize home distilling I expect we will see the same effect on the spirits market as we saw in the beer industry: an explosion of creativity and new products coming to market putting pressure on the legacy brands. You are starting to see the trend now with craft distilleries.
I’m noticing a lot more Buffalo Trace offerings showing up on shelves. EH Taylor small batch and Stagg Jr seem to be coming down in secondary prices here in California since there is more supply
Thanks for watching! What are your thoughts? Are distilleries doing enough to keep us happy? Let’s discuss in the comments below! 👇
Needing to be a vip private club patreon subscriber just to get some bottle that then gets touted about in 10 videos and articles is becoming annoying. The bots buying up online and resellers because idiots want to pay triple and don’t care. It’s not the distilleries with the problems, it’s too many tater idiots that feel the need to scarf everything no matter the cost. The big distillers still put out great value bottles for us to try. (70th WT101, Beam black 7, winter reserve, four roses did more barrel strength store picks). I saw more bowman than before also. It’s not the distilleries, it’s all the consumers and need to have some super subscription to get anything semi limited.
@@slbdrinks i guess it will take a continued decrease in sales to get distilleries to become more creative.
Taking a break from beer and decided to try bourbon. Lifetime JD and Windsor drinker. Love bourbon and rye, but getting into it, and job market trying to drink $40 or less bottles.
Splurged on a Makers pick and the 4R SIB . Feel that i wasted money since i prefer OF 100 bib. So far my favorite ryes, especially for the price, is Old Overholt.
I live in PA and can never get hands on any allocated bottles or limited release.Refuse to pay secondary, so rely on regular every day bottles and craft distilled that ship. Legacy distillers should pick 1 allocated or limited bottle a year and mass produce that one. Guaranteed to increase sales
Rather than new releases, how about having legacy distillers actually distribute enough higher quality product to allow people willing to pay a $150 or $250 MSRP to acquire them? We were at Wild Turkey in November and got to try Russell's 13. Nice stuff! Could we buy a bottle? Nope, and of course there was no trying RR 15. There are a fair number of people who would gladly pay MSRP for bottles like that, but balk at paying Frootbat prices.
This is my favorite of your 2025 videos so far 😂!
Definitely the best one yes
Lol
I see what you did there
@ happy new year
I am your biggest fan in the Czech Republic! Here in Prague, I have access to about 1% of the bourbon market. But I don't buy any bottle without first checking with your channel. You guys are doing a super job.
On the other hand, you have access to some wonderful unpasteurized Czech pilsners that I have always wanted to try....
What are your go-to bourbons over there? Curious about pricing as well.
@mattschmitt9924 For under $30 I like Wild Turkey 101, Buffalo Trace and Old Grandad Bonded. In the $50 range I really like Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Four Roses single barrel. We also have some craft distillies in Ohio that are making some great whiskey in the $40 to $90 range.
@@paulhendershot111 I do like your list, but I was curious what Bourbons are available in the Czech Republic
I love that you don’t edit and just let it roll. Clearly you have a chemistry that totally works!
Kudos to Jack Daniels and Green River the JD SBBPs and the Green River full proofs are some great bottles that are reasonably priced and available!
Its kind of depressing where it feels like distilleries would rather sell one bottle at $150 vs 100 bottles at $60. Probably speaks to the insane profit margin on the $150 bottles frankly
Except they sell 100 bottles of the $150 stuff...Why would they stop when people are buying?
Coming from a wine background, paying $150-$250 for a premium wine that will last one evening is commonplace. Even $200 bottles of whiskey are a great value in comparison to premium wine and will last much longer. I don’t blame businesses for trying to make a profit and I don’t even mind the taters running up prices on “good bottles”. It’s the free market.
It's the top end releases to get attention for the brand. Just like with graphics cards for computers. Very few people can afford the RTX4090, for example, but the RTX4090 being "the best" means more people will buy the lesser models in Nvidia's lineup. Problem is that many distilleries are making the same mistake Nvidia is making: they're releasing great top end products to get consumer attention, but not always releasing quality products at the low end that the majority can actually afford to buy.
@@davebeck59if you want top quality juice at a good price, drink tequila lol. Best blancos in the game are usually only like 70-80 bucks
Cause suckers keep buying these 300 dollar limited releases.
I truly like what Bardstown is doing. The Origin series is in the sweet spot of age + proof + price. Discovery 11 & 12 go head to head with bottles twice their price or more. I also have to give Jack Daniels kudos too. They introduced the BP Rye as a standard release product and their limited release bottles are actually fairly priced at msrp (unfortunately they can't control secondary).
100% have to agree ☝️
Bardstown is great. Disco and collabs are (almost) always great and findable. (Disco 10 and Goose Island were misses for me). Price is a bit high but what are you gonna do? Also, everyone should visit the Bardstown bourbon company distillery. Great experience.
Agreed Scott!!
The Disco releases aren’t a great value for me personally, but you’re spot on about the Origin series. Also highly recommend visiting the distillery!
Those Jack SBBP whiskey and rye are instant buys if you’re looking. The Green River FP, Barrell Foundation, Chattanooga 111, Sagamore CS, Still Austin CS, and Knob Creek SB are all really great pours 🥃
Can I just say I love your end credits music? It’s a small thing but so appreciated.
You nailed it. Need more choices under 50 bucks.
As a small business owner I'm not sure how it's feasible. Our liability insurance increased 25% in 2024. Property tax 15%.
Everyone thought the pandemic helicopter money was amazing during Covid. The end result is sky high insurance, 6$ dozen eggs, 4$ loaf of bread and 60$ bottle whiskey. Charging more is the only option. The solution would have been to demand accountability back in 2020 and 2021 but no one cared as everyone was getting their stimmy checks so here we are. Raising prices has a negative impact as well. Workers start demanding significant raises to keep up. Workers start striking and unionizing. We are in the middle phase where large corporations are price gouging as they know they will have to raise wages or be left without a work force.
You guys are NOT letting us down!
HappyNewYear!
I have learned so much from you guys, i just wanna say thank you, and Happy New Year!
New Riff was the biggest surprise for me this year. I picked up a single barrel bourbon this year that would stand up in any blind!
Love me some New Riff! Single Barrel and BiB are available in my market. ISO Balboa Rye!
Agreed. They're back on their A game.
their 8 year bourbon is great, haven't had the 8yr rye yet. Stumbled across a special release Malted Rye finished in sherry barrels and that's one of my favorite bottles currently. just stay away from their winter party one (forget the exact name but the one with the chocolate malt and rice), could have gone without buying that one.....
Wish they distributed to my state 😢
Same, I purchased a store pick that is the best whiskey I've drank under $100
Happy New Year from Romania !
Happy New Year, guys! One good thing about 2024 was discovering your channel! Really love the thoughtful insights and recommendations! Love the genuine banter and great chemistry you two have! Keep doing what you do and I will be there to enjoy it! (raising his glass) Here's to SLB Drinks!
I’ve been watching the channel for some time, and to see the patron list grow from a few to so many is amazing! Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉
Bardstown Hi wheat 46-dollar 6-year great bourbon That is what we want more releases like that
The whole origins series is great. For the $50 range, they are hard to beat.
A very happy new year to the entire SLB family! Love watching your content that’s just plain down to earth, real and relaxed. I look forward to spending the next year with y’all and wish you a year of peace and happiness. Cheers!
The guys that got me into bourbon look at me now like I am crazy! I have WAY more bottles than they do and have surpassed their knowledge. I completely nerd out on any new hobby and I have been enjoying this one WAY TOO MUCH! Love what y'all do. Keep up the fantastic work!
Happy New Year SLB! My biggest issue is the cost that some distilleries are charging for relative young whiskey, less than 10 years. I think that time and patience is the key. Do not fall for 2ndary prices and search for the best price.
Happy New Year from the Great White North.
Unfortunately up here we don't get any craft products as only the big guys can ship to Canada at a decent price point and anything allocated is impossible. Looking forward to your content in 2025.
Something needs to be done with distributors. Around me, they are charging stores secondary prices for allocations
I’ve done some amateur internet sleuthing on spirit distribution. It definitely looks like the Wild West and very loosely regulated. And there’s some really crazy metrics and formulas and just mental-gymnastics to the way these couple dozen companies distribute allocated, special releases, and limited editions.
I don’t see it getting any better. Especially with all the illegal sales on secondary pages and forums. Plus there’s many cases of managers and even politicians in Washington making sure they get the rarest bottles themselves. It’s sad that there’s all this dishonesty. Cheers 🥃
It’s simple stop simping over allocated bottles. Only reason these bottles go for as much as they do is there is a moron willing to pay it. A fool and his money are easily parted.
@@CelticsRepeat2025 Dont try to shame those who have the means to buy bottles for more than MSRP. I selectively do so, but i have limits.
I'll think of you the next time I'm enjoying something you wont spring for.
You guys do a great job! Always look forward to your reviews. When I see a bottle I'm interested in at the store I always come back and research your review on it before I buy or don't buy.
Happy New Year from Virginia. Watching this while working out. All this makes sense, but please consider doing another video on the top readily available shelf picks at various price points.
12:52 tomorrow is my birthday, I’m going on the hunt here in MD to look for a birthday bourbon. Thanks for the tip about the craft distilleries! Subscribed ❤
Looking forward to the Channel’s content in 2025.
For myself, when making decisions of purchasing it comes down to economics. I simply can’t afford to broaden my horizons. My main space is between $30-$50 with one purchase every few months. I’m also needing to limit consumption of those budget bourbons to make those purchases last even longer. Thank you gentlemen and family for the great content!
Happy New Years to the best channel on TH-cam
Always appreciate you guys and agree with your sentiments. Having grown up in Indiana, and your personalities, the group dynamic, I watch you guys almost exclusively for whiskey recommendations. That being said, I'm new to all of it. The only person I know that drinks whiskey like this is my dad. But, we didn't even know we both liked to sip whiskey until recently and he isn't as tied into all of this as you guys. He's got the few that he sticks to and thats that.
I got a bonus maybe 3 years back and my wife said to get something nice for myself. I took some time to think about it and said, "You know what I'd like to celebrate? A nice bottle of whiskey." No research at all, didn't know bourbon from scotch. While I preferred beer in college, whiskey sours were my hard drink of choice. I left the store with Woodford's Double Oak and enjoyed it quite a bit. Most expensive bottle of hard liquor I had ever purchased. Found your guys review of it which confirmed for me, yea this is actually a pretty good pour.
Fast forward to today. I don't drink a lot. But, I've now tried Woodford's Double Oak, Rare Breed, Old Grandad BIB, a sip off of some bottle of Jeffersons my dad had, and a Russels 10 year I just popped. I have some Wild Turkey 101 I plan to open once I finish this last pour of Old Grandad BIB. But, that's everything I've tried. It takes me a while to finish off an entire bottle by myself, so I'm not buying super often.
I have no problems blowing $30 on a whim. $60 is starting to become a bigger purchase for me, but is still in my comfort zone. I could stretch that zone to $80, but it better be good. And, at $100 I'm starting to feel bad spending all that money. I know I'm new, but I think a lot of your average guys probably feel this way. I really hope that these heritage distilleries really take some time to ensure that they continue to innovate at a reasonable price point for the average person.
Thank you guys for everything. Keep it up and happy new year!!
Happy new Year! Keep on doing what you are doing. I love hearing about the craft/small distilleries. I live in small town western Ohio. Not much locally except the usuals for the most part, but your coverage gives me ideas of what to look for when I am away from home. I was in Indiana (not far from home) and your commentary led me to both Hard Truth Four Grain, and Hard Truth Rye. Another trip it was Starlight Hubers Rickhouse Select. All home runs for my palette. Great video content and you are friendly and entertaining. Love SLB! TonyB
The allocated market is out of hand. Even stores are asking secondary prices now and the sad part is for every allocated i have had i can tell you a non allocated that is just as good or better. I stopped hunting two years ago and don't even miss it , I don't buy them now unless they are at msrp or close to it.
Some of the craft stuff is great and fun to try. same with a lot of the finished stuff.
What would be nice in 2025 is to get some youtube channels that you can trust and not just hyping bad products . I'm down to 2 channels i watch and trust now.
What channels do you watch?
@nefarious_saint This one mostly. I watch bourbon Junkies on occasion. Everyone else just seems like they are trying to sell something or show off their overpriced allocated bottles they got last week.
Right there with you! Cheers 🥃
@@FakingANerve every time I see your comment I think it’s me because our profile pics look so similar with the same color scheme 😂
@@nefarious_saint hahaha, cheers, my whiskeytubing doppelganger! 😂🥃
Happy New Year to you both and your family. Looking forward to see your growth this year with more great reviews.
Happy New Year SLB family! Enjoy your content. Cheers!
I am so glad I subscribed to your channel. Whenever I see both of you on these videos, I learn more. It gives me info to decide which whiskey to try, and to maybe wait on.
1) Hope you guys have a great new year!
2) "How many bottles of 1920 can you buy" Umm, 6? Oh no, did I just tell on myself?
3) Spot on about why buying is down 30%. I was buying lots of stuff as I developed in my bourbon journey so a) I have a lot of bottles and b) I started drinking more and more as I got into my hobby. Now I would rather buy and drink less, but of better quality bourbons.
Happy New Year from the Netherlands! Keep up the fantastic videos!
Gelderland?
Happy New Year guys! Great video
Good stuff .happy new year .they need to calm down on the secondary market.i feel like everything is allocated and secondary prices
Great video, gentlemen. I'm getting a bit of deja-vu from what you guy mentioned last year, but these things need to be repeated until things change. Keep up the good work! Thanks from us.
Happy New Year. May 2025 be a wonderful year for you and your family. 🎉
Happy New Year and thanks for all your great content and commentary. One thing I would like to see more of in 2025 are your cocktail videos. I miss them and finding new ways to drink bourbon or rye is exciting. The Hunter cocktail is one of my favorites.
Cheers to all the SLB peeps.
Thank you for this video, your video is just what distillery needs to see. As a regular customer. Thank you and keep up the great videos
Happy New Year from Winnipeg, SLB! 🥃🥃🥃🥃
Happy New Year, seems that your message today is similar to a message that Ralfy gave a few days ago before he named the Arran 10 bottle as bottle of the year from a distillery that seems to focus on providing value at reasonable prices. Since I'm retiring this year I would like to see more reasonable pricing for some good spirits rather than paying/chasing special releases. I have found a few that I like and will continue to buy those, but it would be nice that more become available in 2025.
Great video! Happy New Year! Thank you.
@SLBDrinks Great Video! So Many Great Points! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! CHEERS🥃🥃🥃
I love the channel and the family contribution in making it work.
I think because of channels like SLB, Lui Fernandes(Tequila Channel) and Whiskey is a journey Channel it’s making it easier for consumers like me to skip the bad spirits and go straight for the more pure and enjoyable spirits! Not blaming the Channels just stating why sales could be down for some spirits. Can’t wait to see all the content in 2025! Happy New Year SLB! 🎉
Totally agree with you guys. The large distilleries are pricing themselves out of the market on special releases. There are too many great craft releases now that I’ve stopped chasing/buying many of the special releases. I can order and pay shipping and still save money and be just as happy with what I’m drinking.
Stay safe and stay SLB! Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥃
I’m right there with you on the product selection for those of us who love the juice but limited budget.
Seen as we’re in the mood for feedback in the suggestions box.
Disclaimer: big fan of this channel. It’s been immensely helpful to me on my whisky journey.
Suggestion: Take a bit more time to consider the view of your bar that we get on camera. Like it or not, it has a big impact on the quality of what we perceive. As delicious as Amaro Nonino is, or Ancho Reyes is, on a whisky channel id love to be browsing some whiskies in the background while I listen to you guys. As I said, love your work. Hope to see this channel continue to grown.
Appreciate this channel so much! Thank you Kurt, Trent, the entire family and crew for continuing to bring content driven by the passion you have for this business. Your views/opinions reflect our thoughts, your followers and patrons. Keep speaking from the heart, we are right there with you. 🥃
16:07 Trenton's comment. You're not only listened to, but you are also very appreciated.
Happy New Year!!!! I bought a sample pack based off a previous video of the Jimmy Red which had the classic, sherry finish and a bonded 100ml bottles, I agree every one’s pallets are different, I am glad I was able to buy just a sample pack
BEST video of 2025 EVER!!! (so far)
Happy New Year! I wonder if I might be typical. I never buy online. I only buy what I can find in local stores (St. Charles County, MO). And I never spend more than about $60-70. I believe I can find plenty to keep me happy in the $30-50 range. I do like trying your recommendations if they are in my range. And I like trying bourbons, ryes, American single malts, Irish whiskey, etc. I have made one trip to Frankfort, KY and it was fun to pick up some allocated bottles at a few distilleries. When you taste a bottle that is over $!00, I like watching, but I'll leave that bottle to others.
I'm in your county as well. Do you have a favorite store or 2? I like Royal's for more allocated stuff, but Mirage liquor has got some great prices.
@@mattschmitt9924 Sorry, just saw this. I like Royal's as well. I've never been in Mirage so I will check it out. I usually shop at Total Wine or Dogwood on K. Sometimes I'll go down to Friar Tuck's.
@@bobborgstede837 the allocated stuff is crazy priced at mirage, but for instance Larceny and Elijah Craig barrel proofs are at least 5 bucks cheaper than anywhere and they always have a backlog of them. Not everything is on the shelves so don't be afraid to ask if you don't see your batch. Dogwood is nice but it's been a while for me. Cheers local friend.🥃
For the most part, y'all are on point with the limited offerings. However, I did enjoy an offering of Russell's Reserve 10yr and Kentucky Spirit which seemed to up their game while maintaining the same price point. Great show as always! Happy New Year! Cheers!
Great topic gentlemen! Spot on!!!
Great video. I’m looking forward to even lower prices on allocated bottles like Weller, Blanton’s SFTB, OF Barrel Strength Rye, etc.
The one craft distillery that I'm digging is Traverse City Distilling Company out of Traverse City, Michigan. I may have the name wrong, but they have some offerings that have serious potential to be VERY GOOD naturally aged.
I want to say that I dig your channel and live in Michigan. CHEERS!!
Love your channel!
Keep up the good work!
You were spot on about Jim Beam releasing new products at a reasonable price.
You have got to get your hands on another Beam release from 2024. Winter Reserve!! It is really good! I think you'll love it!
I'm a rye forward guy in my bourbon selection. Rye's are limited in my area, I did pick up a pint of Woodford reserve Rye in FL. last spring and it was great. I'm not a $40 dollar up shopper, but love the midlevel offerings.
EH Taylor’s at MSRP here in Alabama if you line up early one Saturday a month, my favorite being the single barrel for $59 is a great buy IMO.
I enjoy your reviews. Keep em coming.
Great video! Exactly how I feel. My 2025 bourbon hunting will be reduced to just a few bottles. Russell’s 15 & 13, Limestone Farms Private Stock, Booker’s The Reserves, and Old Forester single barrel 100 proof (black label). I have a fairly good selection of bourbon already and will be drinking them down.
Happy New Year!
Glad I'm not the only one feeling this way!
Kurt is like a character Bob Parr from The Incredibles when he retires from being a hero. Trent reminds me of Edna “E” Mode from the incredibles.
Keep up the good work guys. Looking forward to seeing 2025 lists
This is a review I can agree with you guys 100%; sweet price range for me and all my friends is $30-50; I can’t find 90% of the bourbon you guys review, I live in Coastal S Carolina
Hi guys. New to whisky tasting. Found you guys and your channel by accident but, have really enjoyed the content your putting out. Can you link your top picks video for 2024? Looking to expand my collection and my palate. Love to pair with Perdomo cigars.
My go to has been ben holladay bottled in bond and soft red wheat. Readily available here in Indianapolis. I'd like to try old 55 here soon. You guys should do a review of it.
Live the channel. Just getting into bourbon. On Long Island I have found the big guys like Wild Turkey, Makers Mark, Jim Beam and even Buffalo Trace fairly priced but the higher end releases are pretty expensive. So many bottles now seem to be sourced and yet expensive. Would love to buy a Widow Jane but at more than $70 a bottle for the 10 year and more than $100 for Decadence it just becomes unaffordable. I wish some of these guys would release 375ml bottles even at a slightly higher price to allow newbies the ability to try. I would think it would stimulate large bottle sales if stores aren't going to allow you to sample.
You guys are right on the money, no pun intended, living in Ct, I’m unable to get any bourbon or whiskey shipped in our state, that needs to be changed, I too have cut back on my purchases, only when I see one of your videos that interest me and I’m able to find it in my area, however, you guys are great giving great advice on great bourbon choices
In 2024 I tended to spend my limited budget on bourbon I had before and knew I would enjoy. I was cautious exploring different bottles and watched your review before buying Hard Truth. In 2025 I hope distilleries put more emphasis on attainable bottles in the $30-60 range.
You mentioned Beam doing well putting out new stuff. I agree. Knob Creek line is one that continuous to evolve with the BouRye and also 12 year is pretty available and priced well.
Happy new year 🎉🎉
Now that BT has the 2nd still do you think 4 rotating bottles will come off allocation in the near future with the increased production? I have already seen on multiple occasions Weller being available on off days.
Situation is even more complicated in state controlled systems like inNC (ABC) where distributors spread out the special stuff in unannounced “drops”. They’re gone as soon as they arrive. Otherwise on the shelf is a lot of mediocre stuff and only a small portion of the really good bottles like the ones you guys review. We just can’t get them without going to a different state.
If you live near Madison NC...go to their store...lots of opportunities.
One of the more logical comments here.
I think there is a lot of shady goings on in NC ABC stores, and probably everywhere else. I have seen some stores pulling rare bourbons, hiding them in the back room and making them available to “friends”. I was in a store in another part of the state with a friend who lived in the area. I walked thru the store, nothing interesting, just standard shelfers . My friend, who knew the store employees, asked what they had in the back….Eagle Rare, Blantons, Col. E.H. Taylor. It’s not what you know, but WHO you know.
@fredc.meekinsjr.5553 I experienced something similar in Eden NC. They had some older men in the store before opening selling products. At opening time we had to wait till they left out before we could go in.
Wild Turkey needs to stop using the chilled filtering on Rare Breed in the US (and possibly pass the savings on with a lower price). Why only NCF for overseas?
Write to Campari
Rare Breed is my daily sipper. In the UK, it is chill filtered if you buy retail. Twice I've had the NCF version from Duty Free when going on holiday and honestly, the difference isn' t worth fretting about. The lower price is a bigger boon than the marginal flavour improvement IME.
I can honestly say that I haven’t bought any new bottles all year (2025) either:) Happy New Year!! Cheers!
I only bought one bottle of bourbon this year and it was as a gift. I’m slowly enjoying what I have.
Where you seeing these secondary prices Elmer and Weller 12 for $150ish. Just curious I’ve not seen that 😊
We need more distilleries to do what Bardstown did with their Original Series. Great $50 bottles in four varieties. Their high wheat bottle is amazing …. 106 proof for $50 … love it!
Well said Bourbon brothers !! Here's to an even better 2025 !!
Big bourbon & rye fan but I've been diving into rum for the last two years. You should do more reviews on rum.
Thanks guys, you hit the nail on the head with this one. I think some of the more expensive stuff isn't as good anymore. I will be looking for more craft distilleries in 2025. Thanks for all you do SLB, looking forward to a awesome 2025 with you guys.
RR15 is one of the best releases in many years IMO. Idk what you’re talking about.
@@jondilly1974I agree with you on that. But some of the others are not. Just my opinion.
Thanks for a great year of shows in 2024! I agree that we need more readily available "Daily Sipper" Bourbons for $50 and under. I a;ready own enough Special Occassion Bourbons ($100+). We also need more readily available "Weekend Sipper" Bourbons in the $50 - $100 price range. I too was disapponyrd by Wild Turkey 101 this year. It just wasn'y as good as previous years. Up to this yerar Wild Turkey 101 was my "go to" bourbon. Dur to thier consistancy issues it is sadly no longer. My favorite Bourbon this year was Heaven Hill 7 year Bottled in Bond. Great taste and a great price.
Happy New Year 🎉😊
I have noticed that a few allocated products (ECBP, LBP, JD BP, JD BP rye) have become much easier to find over the past year
Happy New Year guys... God bless...
You bring up Rum. May I suggest Flur de Cana 12 year. It’s the national drink of Nicaragua. The make 4, 5 and 7 year but the 12 is reasonable priced and great neat
I’ve searched high and low for the 70th anniversary bottle and it’s no where to be found here in the northern Illinois/ southern Wisconsin area. Hopefully that changes as I keep hearing how good it is.
The same here in Kentucky where it is made.
I've seen it once in MO near STL. It was $90 so I passed.
Zero in Ohio also!!
@srheinz TW had them in November all over SE WI. I believe they were 47.99, but definitely under 50.
Wild Turkey 70th was at Costco in California. Distribution is a weird business. Here in Washington I bought it at a liquor store and they had probably 10 cases left the guy told me. It’s pretty decent but I wouldn’t lose sleep over not finding it. I’d much rather buy an EHT single barrel at twice the price
You guys should do a tasting of the "new" distillery out in KY called Larrikin. They have a Bottled In Bond I've been hearing is really good
A message to big corporations of all kinds: Put yourself in the customer's shoes for a moment. We want a product that is worth the time we spend searching for it, and the time we spend using it (in the case of bourbons, the time spent drinking it). We want a product that is also worth the money we spend on it. And that's the bare MINIMUM expectation that customers have. If you want to earn a customer's respect and appreciation, a product that sells for less than what it's worth is a bargain. Those are the products that get the most love from customers, and the brands which get the most respect and goodwill (and trust, which is a type of currency that can help keep a brand afloat during rough times).
Ultimately, a brand will rise or fall depending on whether their products are worth it or not. And right now, most bourbon products on shelves aren't worth the money they're priced at, and a lot aren't even worth the time spent drinking them even if they were free. The bourbon market is being flooded with products that are either overpriced nonsense, or it's affordable junk that isn't even worth being used as drain cleaner. The category is being destroyed by greed and oversaturation. I've started venturing into cognac because it's offering better value than bourbon. Let that sink in for a moment. Cognac. Better value. Than bourbon. Bourbon. Which was originally a blue collar beverage. And cognac has been for the past two hundred years one of the most expensive beverages in the world. Produced in France, often from champagne grapes and then distilled (which produces a smaller amount of liquid to be bottled then if you just wine). Once people realize that you can get better enjoyment and value from drinks that aren't bourbon, and they take put their money where their mouth is by spending their time/attention and money elsewhere, that's when the bubble will burst.
My only gripe with cognac is high proof cognac doesn’t really exist but at 40 percent abv cognac flavor blows 40% abv whiskey out of the water
Are releases planned after the stuff in barrels is done aging, or is it planned before any liquid is made (I realize that’s probably not the case, but wondering.)
Michigan decides what can be sold and there is still just alot not offered here. Not a single Willett product is sold here. Walleye run and hard truth is though so thanks for recommending them. I need to hear what you think of the walleye run double barrel
Love your videos!!
I opened a new Wild Turkey 101 along with an old label one (not very old, just one before the label changed a while ago) and i did think there was a downturn in quality. That was in september, so i think i'll be better able to ascertain a difference tonight now that they've opened up - but it speaks to your point. 101 is a legendary bottle for a reason, it represents alot of value, alot of flavor for your money. If the focus and the good barrels go to the exclusive stuff, what of that reputation?
I look forward to trying more craft bourbons....I've found my sweet spot as to what my flavor profile is, so if I can try some craft distilleries to match it, I think that would expand my bourbon fun.
Happy New Year to you and everyone watching! 🎉🎉🎉🎉
As more states legalize home distilling I expect we will see the same effect on the spirits market as we saw in the beer industry: an explosion of creativity and new products coming to market putting pressure on the legacy brands. You are starting to see the trend now with craft distilleries.
I’m noticing a lot more Buffalo Trace offerings showing up on shelves. EH Taylor small batch and Stagg Jr seem to be coming down in secondary prices here in California since there is more supply