Can’t argue with any of these. OF 100 is probably “King Dingaling” for me as well😂😂😂. The only issue is I only keep one or two of these on the shelf these days. Great vid Ben!
I think my list would be Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek 9, Old Forester 100 and Wild Turkey 101. I think the Knob Creek might be just over $30 but I think it is too good to exclude. The 1792 Small Batch is not a standout in my opinion.
Nice list. Early Times BIB is my all time favorite budget bourbon. I also would include Redwood Empire Pipe Dream ($30ish) and Evan Williams 1783 Hero Edition. 🥃
Ben, great list! I would add EW 1783 liter ($26), OGD Bonded liter ($24), OGD 114 ($26), Jim Beam 7 Year ($25) and Wheel Horse ($24). All solid. Also, I was able to find JTS Brown in Minneapolis but it’s only the 80 proof version ($10.99).
Most including me have evolving favorites, my list was a lot different just 2 years ago. At this moment, my 4 favorites are 100 proof Old Grand-Dad, 100 proof Early Times, 100 proof Coopers' Craft, and 90 proof Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey. All are easily available here, however you usually have to pay $35 to $37 for the Coopers' Craft, and wait a few weeks to find the Early Times for $27.
That's a decent list. Really... when it comes down to it... there are quite a few very drinkable bourbons at that $30-ish and under. In addition to your first 5, there's Maker's, Maker's 46, Old Grand Dad BiB and 114, Four Roses, Woodford, Knob Creek 9yr, Elijah Craig... and a few others. A couple of those might be a couple bucks north of $30, but you don't have to spend a lot to get decent bourbon. I just picked up a Jim Bean Winter Reserve for $23 the other day, and that's even pretty decent.
Green River Wheated for ~35 is really good. Redwood Empire Lost Monarch is very good, also around that price or lower, saw heaven hill 7yr bib at tw the other day for 39 which is a good one
I've had and enjoy all those but haven't tried JT Dant. I heard that the Sazerac ET BiB that is coming Summer 2025 will be their 1st barrels of strictly 100% their own juice. My state has been out of it for several months. Hope it stays at $22 a liter. KC9 at $28 is in my Top 5.
Just bought 2XO American oak for $31.00 and a Buffalo Trace Store pick for $32.00. Love WT101. Also Makers 101. OGD114. Super cheap bottles I love are all The Benchmarks.
Whoops, I posted this early without watching the whole thing. By the time I got to the end, I realized I was conflating the Dant with the JTS Brown you mentioned near the end. Would love to be able to find the latter at 100 proof, though
Sure, I could add more to the list, but there's no arguments with what you brought out for review. If I had to pick an overall winner from those bottles, it'd likely be the OF 100.
Nice choices! I would add Knob Creek 9, Elijah Craig small batch, and Evan Williams 1783. Cheers!
Love the Lady Luck sign in the intro. You’re the only other person I’ve seen with one.
Can’t argue with any of these. OF 100 is probably “King Dingaling” for me as well😂😂😂. The only issue is I only keep one or two of these on the shelf these days. Great vid Ben!
I agree with the first 4 and I love Early Times. I would add Jim Beam 7r. and Elijah Craig.
J W Dant is one of my go favorite budget bottles too. It just pops out more than the Even Williams BIB label wise.
I think my list would be Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Knob Creek 9, Old Forester 100 and Wild Turkey 101. I think the Knob Creek might be just over $30 but I think it is too good to exclude. The 1792 Small Batch is not a standout in my opinion.
1792 small batch is what got me into drinking bourbon neat. Cheers!
Nice list. Early Times BIB is my all time favorite budget bourbon. I also would include Redwood Empire Pipe Dream ($30ish) and Evan Williams 1783 Hero Edition. 🥃
Ben, great list! I would add EW 1783 liter ($26), OGD Bonded liter ($24), OGD 114 ($26), Jim Beam 7 Year ($25) and Wheel Horse ($24). All solid.
Also, I was able to find JTS Brown in Minneapolis but it’s only the 80 proof version ($10.99).
All good choices!
Most including me have evolving favorites, my list was a lot different just 2 years ago. At this moment, my 4 favorites are 100 proof Old Grand-Dad, 100 proof Early Times, 100 proof Coopers' Craft, and 90 proof Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey. All are easily available here, however you usually have to pay $35 to $37 for the Coopers' Craft, and wait a few weeks to find the Early Times for $27.
Those are all great bottles!
My top 4 would be: Benchmark single barrel, buffalo trace, Ben holladay, Weller special reserve. Benchmark single barrel is a banger.
That's a decent list. Really... when it comes down to it... there are quite a few very drinkable bourbons at that $30-ish and under. In addition to your first 5, there's Maker's, Maker's 46, Old Grand Dad BiB and 114, Four Roses, Woodford, Knob Creek 9yr, Elijah Craig... and a few others. A couple of those might be a couple bucks north of $30, but you don't have to spend a lot to get decent bourbon. I just picked up a Jim Bean Winter Reserve for $23 the other day, and that's even pretty decent.
I agree with all of those!
My favorite cheapie.... Very Old Barton 100 proof.
I guess that's why I haven't found those Benchmarks besides No 8.
Solid list. I'd add OGD 114, EC 94 proof Bourbon and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, both just under 30 bucks in So Cal.
Woodford double oak for under 30 is a great price!!!
@@TheBourbonNote Yep, at our local Total Wine.
Green River Wheated for ~35 is really good. Redwood Empire Lost Monarch is very good, also around that price or lower, saw heaven hill 7yr bib at tw the other day for 39 which is a good one
Looking forward to trying Green River. That just became available in Minnesota recently.
I've had and enjoy all those but haven't tried JT Dant. I heard that the Sazerac ET BiB that is coming Summer 2025 will be their 1st barrels of strictly 100% their own juice. My state has been out of it for several months. Hope it stays at $22 a liter. KC9 at $28 is in my Top 5.
Give Ancient Age Bourbon a try--pretty good juice at bottom price.
The 90 proof 10 star Ancient Age is pretty good.
Green River and Old Grand Dad 114
Just bought 2XO American oak for $31.00 and a Buffalo Trace Store pick for $32.00. Love WT101. Also Makers 101. OGD114. Super cheap bottles I love are all The Benchmarks.
It better have some bangers after that intro lol.
im a bit of a proof whore, my top 3 'budget' would be Benchmark full proof, Old Grand Dad 114, Makers Mark cask strength
Where are you finding the Dant BiB locally? I only ever see it at 80 proof :(
Whoops, I posted this early without watching the whole thing. By the time I got to the end, I realized I was conflating the Dant with the JTS Brown you mentioned near the end. Would love to be able to find the latter at 100 proof, though
Dant all day! And that Benchmark FP…awesome. Got a JTS Brown and didn’t like it. Way below Dant IMO.
Sure, I could add more to the list, but there's no arguments with what you brought out for review. If I had to pick an overall winner from those bottles, it'd likely be the OF 100.