Tonight is the first time I saw your channel. I was impressed by a couple that enjoyed bourbon together. You are great, really enjoy the interaction. Nice job.
@@TheBourbonVan Awesome! It’s great stuff. And if you ever make to their distillery, try as many of their experimental bottles as you can. Some of them are incredible.
Great list! OGD for the win (your full list was spot on). The Russell’s 10 and the Knob Creek 9 are both fantastic and really it’s personal preference there. Eagle Rare is great under $40 but it’s really hard to find.
Eagle Rare is without a doubt a Top under $40 bottle. Sadly availability and market now days for most so understand why not on list. ER was one of my entries to bourbon over 20 years ago. Thanks @Tristen L for comment🥃
Another great video. You had me worried for a while! Knob Creek is definitely #1 in my book. No question. I really have no argument with any on that list or anything that got snubbed. People are mentioning Eagle Rare but there's only a couple states that even see it sitting on a shelf. Also Elijah Craig is ok, but wouldn't beat anything that was mentioned on your lists. Great job! Now I think I'll drink some of that 1792 FP Store pick I just recently picked up for $39.99! Cheers🍷
The cheapest I have seen BT is $36 around here (and it's usually not there at all). 10 stores (so far) and seen it once. My favorite store has early times BIB for $25 for a liter, and nobody else has it at all. Really good. Cooper's Craft is about $33 here. I like it but not as much as the Early times. (here is savannah - I think Texas is the sweet spot for good prices.) Russell is 42-50 here. Do we need to move? :) as always, great video from the van!
I can't find Cooper's Craft here in Houston but I can find it whenever I go to Louisiana. That one, along with Early Times B-I-B are both bottles that I bunker in case they ever lose their "under the radar" status. Great list guys! I would add Eagle Rare but I am fortunate to occasionally run across it here - typically around $35 when I have a lucky day.
Great video as always! I love all those except I've never seen a bottle of early times anywhere here in Southern California. I would have to add Woodinville 90. It's 37 by me and super unique and awesome.
Woodinville 90 got just a tiny bit of buzz when we were putting this list together. We really like it, but it can be a polarizing bottle. We find that people either love it or hate it. $37 is solid for that whiskey though. We've seen it over $40 a few times.
Have always loved list videos and this is a great one. It’s tricky to do them and keep them interesting. Y’all did an outstanding job. Love the top two. It’s wild how little love they get in most online whiskey communities.
Great list. Agree with them all. ET BIB is only one I don’t have - have never even seen it. Lost Monarch is my favorite of all on your list. As for those left off, maybe consider Belle Meade, Michters, Eagle Rare, and Maker’s 101.
We definitely considered all of those. The Michter's sells around $45 in our area, and every time we talk about Eagle Rare we get screamed at because people can't get it anywhere, haha. We just avoid talking about it completely these days.
Well done! Can get 3 of them here (Knob Creek, Russell’s and 1792), so that’s good to know. Sadly, the KC I have is the non-age statement release, so not sure how that compares? Have yet to try the 1792, so may just have to grab that (at right about $40 USD here). Cheers P&J!!
Cheers, Paul! That KC might just be the old bottle from before the age statement was brought back. We'd be curious to know if there's a big difference with that one as well.
This is like the pro version of our "Best Bang for your Buck" list. Thanks for sharing your picks and I love the list, except maybe Russell's 10. I cannot explain why it does not light up my palate like it should. I love Rarebreed and WT101. Otherwise I am totally with you. Cheers!
Another fantastic video! Obviously great choices! None of those behind you are in that price range though, are they? I'd love to see a top 10 (or 25!) $40-$100! Or perhaps $40-$80 and then $80-$125? Thanks again! Cheers, guys! 😁👍❤
We're way ahead of you...kind of, haha! We're working on a list of our favorites between $40 and $80. Beyond that, we're working on a video where we identify bottles over $80 and say whether or not we'd ever pay that amount again.
I’ve been scooping up bottles of early times this past week so that I can still secure some that’s pre-sazerac owned, and there’s quite a few bottles around of course you guys use the find liquor in Oregon site I did a quick look and there’s a lot of it out there- the shop here in Corvallis had 22 bottles in stock
Another well done video, addressing an impossible topic. I agree with all your picks (maybe a different order), but one of my favorites under $40 was missing ..... Eagle Rare. Keep up the good work!!!!!
Thanks a lot! We can't win with Eagle Rare. When we mention it, everybody tells us to shut up about it because nobody can find it out there. When we don't discuss it, we're told we missed it, haha.
Great show and excellent tips for the novice and/or uninitiated. Comfortable pricing on respectable bourbon products. Price point not always a determining factor for obtaining a good & very tasty bourbon beverage.
Terrific list! I have not had the Early Times here in NC, but I am a big fan of each of the other four. I might go with Four Roses Small Batch which is available here in the low $30s. Great job!
Great list guys! So tough to narrow it down to 5. Did not expect KC9 to win it but totally agree. It is lovely. Elijah Craig small batch too worth a mention as much if not more so (for me) as Buffalo Trace. And OGD 114 and Early Times have become golden unicorns around NY (but I'll keep my lasso close by).
Love the Russell's 10, Knob Creek, WT101, only like the Old Grandad 114, I think there are better high proofs, would rather spend a little more. Not sure if you have tried Wheel Horse bourbon, $23.99, different, has an apple taste to it.
Enjoyed list. Wish more had availability to ET BIB(one of my fav for $) but, like said most whom want have thankfully. Hard to beat KC for $. Also glad kept prices legit for most. Cheers🥃
We were wondering when somebody would bring this one up! This sells for $50+ in many places. We really only left it off because of how limited and polarizing it can be. It's certainly good whiskey if you can find it for a reasonable price, and it's a good value under $40.
I love OGD 114, I drink it to kick start my pallet because it just has good classic flavors and the bottle is really cool. I just found a new bottle of Early Times BiB because I killed the first one. For some reason, I can't get into 1792. All the ones I've had I just get too much heat and not enough flavor. One thing I've tried recently and really enjoyed is Bowman Brothers Small Batch. It was like $30 and had a great flavor for 90 proof whiskey. Now I'm on the look out for John J. Bowman.
Can’t argue with the list . If I only had $30 Coopers craft is the bottle I would grab. OG 114 second and BT if it was a store pick. Trace and Eagle Rare store picks are great for around $30. Cheers!
No surprise OGD 114 made the list! High proof, high rye and delicious. ET BIB another great choice! I am surprised that OF 100 and WT 101 did not make the list. My favorite wheated is Larceny. These are the 5 i try to always have on hand.
That's a fair question. Woodford products have a strange flavor on the finish that doesn't appeal to everyone. Apparently it's a more popular opinion than we thought, because nearly all of our supporters left it off their list.
@@TheBourbonVan I think it is as good as Makers and better than Knob Creek. Then again come to think of it there are some popular bourbons I do not like but like Woodford's a lot so the people that like the other bourbons might not care for Woodford's. Fair enough.
I feel lucky, I can find all of the ones mentioned in Iowa. Plenty of ET BIB sitting on the state alcohol ordering site. The New Riff line is becoming my favorite, those I find $30-45.
Great review, really enjoyed the information and opinions! Eagle Rare can’t even be considered for anything until people can agree that they are able to get it from one coast to the other. Early Times doesn’t taste the same and the bottle has definitely changed, it’s so disappointing! Coopers Craft is great but.... I’m having to get it from a friend in Atlanta. I’d completely agree though, for an easy sipper at under $40...... you rankings are great. Like stated elsewhere in these comments, Larceny and Elijah Craig!
Thanks, John! We had fun with this list. Everything is always subjective and personal. No list video will ever please everyone, but if we can help someone new to bourbon make a good decision to help them on their journey, we feel satisfied. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts!
Knob Creek 9 is my go to bourbon when traveling thru airports!! Easily the best bourbon under $40. 1792 small batch is completely underrated and let’s keep it that way along with the Cooper’s Craft 100!!
Always surprised that Fighting Cock doesn’t get more love in these lists! I have blinded it against some of the other distilleries standard offerings like KC9, WT101, ECSB, etc and it keeps coming out on top!
@@TheBourbonVan I am a big fan and f WT101, it’s my go to when I just want something to sip and not think about. That’s how I feel about FC, from heaven hill as a direct competition to 101. I get some rich flavor from it, not quite as spicy. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
What’s a good rye to start off in? Have no Ryes in my collection at the moment. Currently only have Buffalo trace, Weller 107, Weller SR, and Col EH Taylor small batch.
Hi Dean, it sounds like you're big on Buffalo Trace products. If that flavor profile appeals to you, Sazerac Rye is made by that same distillery and is a very bourbon-like, well-balanced, affordable rye.
I love a good Rye. My favorites: under $40= Knob Creek 100 pf Best at $55= Pikesville Rye. Best I've had for the money. If you can get it, buy a bottle. I buy 2 at a time.
I would add Eagle Rare to the top 5 and Elijah Craig small batch as a mention. You could squeeze in a 375ml Blanton!😂😂. Great list and a great video to share with friends just getting into bourbon.
Cheers, Steve! We stopped talking about Eagle Rare. Every time we mention it we get screamed at by angry people who can't find it and it's not worth the trouble anymore.
It's funny what some people can get and some people can not. I can find Buffalo trace in almost every store I go to here in WA, but I have never seen early times BIB or Russell's 10 SiB. M46 is in my top 5 for sure. I am surprised that eagle rare did not even get an honorable mention. KC9 is wonderful, just grabbed a bottle on sale for $21
I know this is 2 year old video I’m commenting on but I’m catching up on their videos lol have you found Early Times yet?? I live in Spokane and we have it!
1792 FP for what? Where I'm moving there, seriously very good picks ,can't wait to find that Coopercraft I've been hunting it , must have been difficult to leave out the WT 101 out of any contest under 50 .
Cheers, Ray! Every time we talk about Eagle Rare we get screamed at because people can't get it anywhere. We just avoid talking about it completely these days.
Here the list would be under $60 for what you can find. Fortunately Knob Creek 9 is fairly common at $51 before taxes of course. WT 101 comes in at $36 along a couple others.
I’m Canadian, so any of the bottles you mention are significantly more expensive here. That being said, Woodford Reserve is one of my staples. Just wondering if price was why it didn’t make it on your list, or is it taste?
Hi Karen, good question. In this case, it's simply personal preference. Woodford features a polarizing flavor profile and people either really like it or really dislike it. To be fully honest, it wasn't mentioned once during our discussions. Although it's readily available, we wouldn't put it in the top 10 of the bottles under $40. Again, simply personal preference!
I know it’s not always available, but I’m surprised Eagle Rare didn’t make your list. I’m in California and I find it for less then $39 and I emptied the shelf when I found it at my local grocery store for $29. It’s a great bourbon.
"I emptied the shelf" is why we don't discuss this bottle anymore. We haven't seen it on a shelf in a store in over a year. Every time we mention Eagle Rare, we're met with a barrage of angry commenters who have never seen it.
Can't argue with anything on this list but was a little surprised not to see Elijah Craig Small Batch. It's readily available and an easy daily drinker for $30 ish.
We wondered how long it would take for somebody to mention this one. It surprised us too that it didn't really get any love. Seems like the Barrel Proof gets all the attention for this brand these days.
I’ll have to revisit my bottle. When I started the process of building my current selection of 70+ bottles, ECSB went straight to my shelf of shame. Didn’t like it at all. I otherwise really like the list Phil & Julie put together here. I’m a new Patreon to their channel but didn’t participate in this particular survey. I was super happy to see Four Roses SB as an honorable mention since I would’ve suggested it as one of the top 5 under $40 for sure ($35 here in MT). I do like my Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121, but the SB was a big disappointment to my particular palate. As I said, I’ll have to revisit it soon!
@@dennisrogers4665 I find my palate changes from one day to the next. A bottle that I'm in love with one night night just be ok the next. Except Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue. That's awful every time.
Ruby, we definitely agree. It probably deserves a top-5 spot. But one thing we've learned: if you say good things about Buffalo Trace products, especially the harder to find ones, the angry trolls come for you with pitchforks. Simply mentioning Blanton's in a video will get you downvotes. The funny thing is, when we don't talk about Eagle Rare, nice people like you simply talk about how much they enjoy it. We'd rather have happy, sweet people in the comments section than the angry trolls!
@@TheBourbonVan, well, I can’t blame you there! I guess there’s a difference between the comments from angry trolls and having a discussion with friends.
Someone tell me if this has been their experience, regarding Buffalo Trace: It's absolutely not available everywhere where I am, in Des Moines. But the places that DO carry it pretty much ALWAYS have it on hand.
We had that same initial reaction. The deeper we get in that bottle, the more the raspberry note shows up and the spice dissipates. Let us know how it goes down the road for you.
101 is solid, but the extra oak on the 46 really makes the whiskey something special. There are rich, sweet caramel notes on the 46 that are tremendous.
A friend of ours was venting about a group of people on a trail deep in the forest blaring music on a Bluetooth speaker. The phrase made us laugh so hard, we had to put it on a t-shirt.
Buffalo Trace Runs $35 in Eastern panhandle WV Rare Bread $35 Four Roses $25-35 To Many Honorable mentions might as well just do the top 10. Early Times is in NoVa
Thanks for the heads up, Robert. This is actually the first we've heard of that, but it doesn't surprise us. It would be strange if Sazerac was able to mimic the Brown Forman flavor profile perfectly.
Try them side by side The bottle changed and the whiskey tastes different They are not the same IMO Anyone living North of Dallas is welcome to do another side by side comparison with me. I’ll even use to unopened bottles The whiskey flavor profile is different, period.
Yeah here in Indiana I’ve seen both Rare Breed and 4 Roses single barred for $36 each.
Drank 1792 single barrel store pick last night. It was $40 . The barrel proof was $41 and they also had some 1792 Bib for $35 . I live in ND .
Hello Good day I have few bottles left Dm me if you are interested 🥃
It's hard for me to imagine that the Old Forester 100 proof at $25 isn't on that list. Also, a bit surprised Elijah Craig SB is missing.
I recently had some Elijah Craig small batch and thought it was fabulous. Very similar to 1792 small batch.
I kept getting distracted by that Russell 13 yr in the background 😲🤤
Great video ! You covered just about everything I can think of besides Bernheim, Larceny, and Very Old Barton BiB.
I really like Bernheim and Larceny, haven't tried the Barton.
Tonight is the first time I saw your channel. I was impressed by a couple that enjoyed bourbon together. You are great, really enjoy the interaction. Nice job.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Jeff! Cheers!
Found 9yr Knob Creek for $21 in the Army base shop, unbelievable value!
Wow. That's ridiculous!
What base? I think it’s time to PCS. Haha
Yea its incredible
Great list! I'm on board with the Evan Williams line and Knob Creek! Love a Henry Mc bib10 yr old when I can get it! Cheer's
Coopers' Craft 100 is my absolute favorite under $40 bourbon. It feels like a steal at $30. Love it!
Great list. I have absolutely no problem with any of the choices. Two I can think of right away is Eagle Rare and Elijah Craig SB
Great list! Knob 9 is an insane value. I would throw in Chattanooga 111 and Woodinville. Craft and not available everywhere but both are so tasty 😋
We have a bottle of Chattanooga 111 being held for us by family in the midwest, and we can't wait to finally get to try it later this year.
@@TheBourbonVan Awesome! It’s great stuff. And if you ever make to their distillery, try as many of their experimental bottles as you can. Some of them are incredible.
Great list! OGD for the win (your full list was spot on).
The Russell’s 10 and the Knob Creek 9 are both fantastic and really it’s personal preference there.
Eagle Rare is great under $40 but it’s really hard to find.
Absolutely, Tristen! You really don't have to spend a lot to get some great, satisfying bourbon.
Eagle Rare is without a doubt a Top under $40 bottle. Sadly availability and market now days for most so understand why not on list. ER was one of my entries to bourbon over 20 years ago. Thanks @Tristen L for comment🥃
@@davidbayse5320 I have had no luck finding ER in the Cleveland Ohio area ! Im dying to try it!
Just subscribed. Your channel came up on my feed and this video was great ✌🏼
Great list folks. Gives me some ideas for my next trip to the store (not Knob Creek or Russell's; I actually already knew about them).
Another great video.
You had me worried for a while! Knob Creek is definitely #1 in my book. No question. I really have no argument with any on that list or anything that got snubbed. People are mentioning Eagle Rare but there's only a couple states that even see it sitting on a shelf. Also Elijah Craig is ok, but wouldn't beat anything that was mentioned on your lists.
Great job! Now I think I'll drink some of that 1792 FP Store pick I just recently picked up for $39.99!
Cheers🍷
Haha, we're completely on board with this, Jim. Cheers!
The cheapest I have seen BT is $36 around here (and it's usually not there at all). 10 stores (so far) and seen it once. My favorite store has early times BIB for $25 for a liter, and nobody else has it at all. Really good. Cooper's Craft is about $33 here. I like it but not as much as the Early times. (here is savannah - I think Texas is the sweet spot for good prices.) Russell is 42-50 here. Do we need to move? :) as always, great video from the van!
This was a solid list, I very much enjoyed this vid. Thanks, guys!
Cheers, Regs!
I can't find Cooper's Craft here in Houston but I can find it whenever I go to Louisiana. That one, along with Early Times B-I-B are both bottles that I bunker in case they ever lose their "under the radar" status. Great list guys! I would add Eagle Rare but I am fortunate to occasionally run across it here - typically around $35 when I have a lucky day.
Great video as always! I love all those except I've never seen a bottle of early times anywhere here in Southern California. I would have to add Woodinville 90. It's 37 by me and super unique and awesome.
Woodinville 90 got just a tiny bit of buzz when we were putting this list together. We really like it, but it can be a polarizing bottle. We find that people either love it or hate it. $37 is solid for that whiskey though. We've seen it over $40 a few times.
Have always loved list videos and this is a great one. It’s tricky to do them and keep them interesting. Y’all did an outstanding job. Love the top two. It’s wild how little love they get in most online whiskey communities.
It’s tricky and you’ll never please everybody. That’s all we know!
@@TheBourbonVan ain’t that the truth! 😂
Russells Reserve 10 year is the best glad you two show it love 😃🥃Always have a bottle !!
I love this vid. But OF 100 is my jam, sooo versatile. Knob 9 is great for $27. MM 46 $27 as well is as good as it gets.
Nice list. I would throw Eagle Rare on the list. I can get bottles in California for about $30ish. Cheers!
Haven't seen a bottle of Eagle Rare in my area (outer Austin, TX) in months. Great stuff, but very hard to find around here, especially under $40
Nobody can find it
Great list. Agree with them all. ET BIB is only one I don’t have - have never even seen it. Lost Monarch is my favorite of all on your list. As for those left off, maybe consider Belle Meade, Michters, Eagle Rare, and Maker’s 101.
We definitely considered all of those. The Michter's sells around $45 in our area, and every time we talk about Eagle Rare we get screamed at because people can't get it anywhere, haha. We just avoid talking about it completely these days.
I hear ya. It’s been a little easier to find BT and ER in VA in the last year. Certainly easier for those two than ET BIB - again, have never seen it.
This is a fantastic list. Redwood Empire Lost Monarch is a hitter. Great job!
Thanks Rick!
Well done! Can get 3 of them here (Knob Creek, Russell’s and 1792), so that’s good to know. Sadly, the KC I have is the non-age statement release, so not sure how that compares? Have yet to try the 1792, so may just have to grab that (at right about $40 USD here). Cheers P&J!!
Cheers, Paul! That KC might just be the old bottle from before the age statement was brought back. We'd be curious to know if there's a big difference with that one as well.
This is like the pro version of our "Best Bang for your Buck" list. Thanks for sharing your picks and I love the list, except maybe Russell's 10. I cannot explain why it does not light up my palate like it should. I love Rarebreed and WT101. Otherwise I am totally with you. Cheers!
Cheers, Jon!
Another fantastic video!
Obviously great choices! None of those behind you are in that price range though, are they?
I'd love to see a top 10 (or 25!) $40-$100! Or perhaps $40-$80 and then $80-$125?
Thanks again! Cheers, guys! 😁👍❤
We're way ahead of you...kind of, haha! We're working on a list of our favorites between $40 and $80. Beyond that, we're working on a video where we identify bottles over $80 and say whether or not we'd ever pay that amount again.
@@TheBourbonVan I was hoping! Perfect, brother! Cheers! 😁👍❤
I’ve been scooping up bottles of early times this past week so that I can still secure some that’s pre-sazerac owned, and there’s quite a few bottles around of course you guys use the find liquor in Oregon site I did a quick look and there’s a lot of it out there- the shop here in Corvallis had 22 bottles in stock
Yeah, it's everywhere here in Oregon. The state must have stocked up long ago.
Can't think of anything missing. Great list!
Cheers, Joshua!
Another well done video, addressing an impossible topic. I agree with all your picks (maybe a different order), but one of my favorites under $40 was missing ..... Eagle Rare. Keep up the good work!!!!!
Thanks a lot! We can't win with Eagle Rare. When we mention it, everybody tells us to shut up about it because nobody can find it out there. When we don't discuss it, we're told we missed it, haha.
@@TheBourbonVan No good deed goes unpunished.
@@TheBourbonVan I realize you're in a "no win" situation. ER is difficult to find in my areas of NC and VA too. Sorry to be the one to bring it up.
No problem at all! And for the record, it's still one of Julie's favorite bourbons.
Missed Woodinville, so good
Great show and excellent tips for the novice and/or uninitiated. Comfortable pricing on respectable bourbon products. Price point not always a determining factor for obtaining a good & very tasty bourbon beverage.
Terrific list! I have not had the Early Times here in NC, but I am a big fan of each of the other four. I might go with Four Roses Small Batch which is available here in the low $30s. Great job!
cross the border , I live in NC also, ET everywhere in SC, I buy 3-4 every time I'm there for myself and friends. $22-$25 depending on store
@@Farcry-yh4mu I will have to remember to go whiskey shopping next time I am in SC. Thanks for the tip.
Great list guys! So tough to narrow it down to 5. Did not expect KC9 to win it but totally agree. It is lovely. Elijah Craig small batch too worth a mention as much if not more so (for me) as Buffalo Trace. And OGD 114 and Early Times have become golden unicorns around NY (but I'll keep my lasso close by).
Love the Russell's 10, Knob Creek, WT101, only like the Old Grandad 114, I think there are better high proofs, would rather spend a little more. Not sure if you have tried Wheel Horse bourbon, $23.99, different, has an apple taste to it.
Enjoyed list. Wish more had availability to ET BIB(one of my fav for $) but, like said most whom want have thankfully. Hard to beat KC for $. Also glad kept prices legit for most. Cheers🥃
Great list, the one I would add is Henry mckenna, I actually just got a backup bottle yesterday for 39.99
We were wondering when somebody would bring this one up! This sells for $50+ in many places. We really only left it off because of how limited and polarizing it can be. It's certainly good whiskey if you can find it for a reasonable price, and it's a good value under $40.
I love the Russell's 10 and the Knob 9. But, also Elijah Craig, 4 Roses small batch and George Remus rounds out my daily drinkers on the cheaper side.
I randomly found 2 bottles of Early Times BIB on the shelf last week (after I stopped looking for it months ago). It was like a miracle!
It sounds like you now have 2 bottles of Early Times BIB lol.
@@TheBourbonVan There were actually 3 on the shelf. I wasn't a complete monster. ;)
@@kimm.7116 Look at you scooping up all that good whiskey karma!
I love OGD 114, I drink it to kick start my pallet because it just has good classic flavors and the bottle is really cool. I just found a new bottle of Early Times BiB because I killed the first one. For some reason, I can't get into 1792. All the ones I've had I just get too much heat and not enough flavor. One thing I've tried recently and really enjoyed is Bowman Brothers Small Batch. It was like $30 and had a great flavor for 90 proof whiskey. Now I'm on the look out for John J. Bowman.
Last visit to local liquor stores had no bourbon on the shelf. Closest was Jack sour mash
Great list, I would have Russell's Reserve no.1 but I understand why Knob Creek was 1, its delicious..
We're in the same boat, Michael! It totally comes down to personal preference on this one.
Great picks. I think a few of them are better than many bourbons at higher prices.
We completely agree.
I love OGD 114! I still have have a bottle of Early Times BIB as well. I can’t get any Buffalo Trace here in the Carolinas.
Can’t argue with the list . If I only had $30 Coopers craft is the bottle I would grab. OG 114 second and BT if it was a store pick. Trace and Eagle Rare store picks are great for around $30. Cheers!
No surprise OGD 114 made the list! High proof, high rye and delicious. ET BIB another great choice! I am surprised that OF 100 and WT 101 did not make the list. My favorite wheated is Larceny. These are the 5 i try to always have on hand.
Great list! I would add Eagle Rare as a top 5. :)
I will have to give these a shot at some point. Is Woodford's not under $40?
That's a fair question. Woodford products have a strange flavor on the finish that doesn't appeal to everyone. Apparently it's a more popular opinion than we thought, because nearly all of our supporters left it off their list.
@@TheBourbonVan I think it is as good as Makers and better than Knob Creek. Then again come to think of it there are some popular bourbons I do not like but like Woodford's a lot so the people that like the other bourbons might not care for Woodford's. Fair enough.
I feel lucky, I can find all of the ones mentioned in Iowa. Plenty of ET BIB sitting on the state alcohol ordering site. The New Riff line is becoming my favorite, those I find $30-45.
Great review, really enjoyed the information and opinions!
Eagle Rare can’t even be considered for anything until people can agree that they are able to get it from one coast to the other.
Early Times doesn’t taste the same and the bottle has definitely changed, it’s so disappointing!
Coopers Craft is great but.... I’m having to get it from a friend in Atlanta.
I’d completely agree though, for an easy sipper at under $40...... you rankings are great.
Like stated elsewhere in these comments, Larceny and Elijah Craig!
Thanks, John! We had fun with this list. Everything is always subjective and personal. No list video will ever please everyone, but if we can help someone new to bourbon make a good decision to help them on their journey, we feel satisfied. Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks again!
eagle rare and buffalo trace both hard to find in Virginia(allocated).but both are great for the price.wt 101 also very underrated.
Knob Creek 9 is my go to bourbon when traveling thru airports!! Easily the best bourbon under $40. 1792 small batch is completely underrated and let’s keep it that way along with the Cooper’s Craft 100!!
Nothing better than a satisfying airport pour, especially if you're not being price gouged!
@@TheBourbonVan Indeed, a great airport pour IF you aren't the pilot
Always surprised that Fighting Cock doesn’t get more love in these lists! I have blinded it against some of the other distilleries standard offerings like KC9, WT101, ECSB, etc and it keeps coming out on top!
We’ve never even tried it! But we’ll look out for that bottle. It’s not something we see much.
@@TheBourbonVan I am a big fan and f WT101, it’s my go to when I just want something to sip and not think about. That’s how I feel about FC, from heaven hill as a direct competition to 101. I get some rich flavor from it, not quite as spicy. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
What’s a good rye to start off in? Have no Ryes in my collection at the moment. Currently only have Buffalo trace, Weller 107, Weller SR, and Col EH Taylor small batch.
Hi Dean, it sounds like you're big on Buffalo Trace products. If that flavor profile appeals to you, Sazerac Rye is made by that same distillery and is a very bourbon-like, well-balanced, affordable rye.
I love a good Rye. My favorites: under $40= Knob Creek 100 pf Best at $55= Pikesville Rye. Best I've had for the money. If you can get it, buy a bottle. I buy 2 at a time.
Nice job. Thanks.
I would add Eagle Rare to the top 5 and Elijah Craig small batch as a mention. You could squeeze in a 375ml Blanton!😂😂. Great list and a great video to share with friends just getting into bourbon.
Cheers, Steve! We stopped talking about Eagle Rare. Every time we mention it we get screamed at by angry people who can't find it and it's not worth the trouble anymore.
It's funny what some people can get and some people can not. I can find Buffalo trace in almost every store I go to here in WA, but I have never seen early times BIB or Russell's 10 SiB.
M46 is in my top 5 for sure. I am surprised that eagle rare did not even get an honorable mention. KC9 is wonderful, just grabbed a bottle on sale for $21
That KC9 price is absurd. That’s $14 less than it is here, and it’s currently on sale…
I know this is 2 year old video I’m commenting on but I’m catching up on their videos lol have you found Early Times yet?? I live in Spokane and we have it!
@@Rizzo6666 Yes, thanks for checking!!! The total wine near me started carrying it again last year 👍
Julie ...size of the cork is it? Guess size matters then? Guess you can count me out!
I really enjoy Knob Creek 9 year. I would put Eagle Rare as number 1 if it was more readily available. I have to get the Russell's 10.
1792 FP for what? Where I'm moving there, seriously very good picks ,can't wait to find that Coopercraft I've been hunting it , must have been difficult to leave out the WT 101 out of any contest under 50 .
Right on, Frank, sounds like you feel the same as us. Apparently Minnesota is the place to be for 1792 FP.
Good list guys. Hard to beat wt101 for the money
Eagle rare is hands down my favorite
Gonna need to see the shelf stickers for the 1792 FP picks and Rare Breed under $40. Would load up a cart of both under $40
Seriously. Sounds like it's time for a Minnesota road trip.
It’s $38 here in some IL stores! I have proof but can’t attach a pic in TH-cam comments. Haha
I paid 36 for a store pick 1792 FP. I like 1792 but the FP was more heat than flavor. Wasn’t impressed.
Love this channel. Sorry Rebel didn't make the cut.
Cheers, Lee!
Bring back the yell and I’d agree
Great list and you two are great! But... Doesn't Eagle Rare at least need an honorable mention here?
Cheers, Ray! Every time we talk about Eagle Rare we get screamed at because people can't get it anywhere. We just avoid talking about it completely these days.
@@TheBourbonVan cheers to you, too! Guess I'm just lucky because it's pretty available in LA.
makers 46 is the best!
Here the list would be under $60 for what you can find. Fortunately Knob Creek 9 is fairly common at $51 before taxes of course. WT 101 comes in at $36 along a couple others.
Have you experienced a russells 10 yr having an old dusty oak flavor?
I’m Canadian, so any of the bottles you mention are significantly more expensive here. That being said, Woodford Reserve is one of my staples. Just wondering if price was why it didn’t make it on your list, or is it taste?
Hi Karen, good question. In this case, it's simply personal preference. Woodford features a polarizing flavor profile and people either really like it or really dislike it. To be fully honest, it wasn't mentioned once during our discussions. Although it's readily available, we wouldn't put it in the top 10 of the bottles under $40. Again, simply personal preference!
I know it’s not always available, but I’m surprised Eagle Rare didn’t make your list. I’m in California and I find it for less then $39 and I emptied the shelf when I found it at my local grocery store for $29. It’s a great bourbon.
"I emptied the shelf" is why we don't discuss this bottle anymore. We haven't seen it on a shelf in a store in over a year. Every time we mention Eagle Rare, we're met with a barrage of angry commenters who have never seen it.
My favorite local store has Eagle Rare for $40 IF (that is a big if) you happen to be there on the day they get it. I have not seen it yet.
Can't argue with anything on this list but was a little surprised not to see Elijah Craig Small Batch. It's readily available and an easy daily drinker for $30 ish.
We wondered how long it would take for somebody to mention this one. It surprised us too that it didn't really get any love. Seems like the Barrel Proof gets all the attention for this brand these days.
I’ll have to revisit my bottle. When I started the process of building my current selection of 70+ bottles, ECSB went straight to my shelf of shame. Didn’t like it at all. I otherwise really like the list Phil & Julie put together here. I’m a new Patreon to their channel but didn’t participate in this particular survey. I was super happy to see Four Roses SB as an honorable mention since I would’ve suggested it as one of the top 5 under $40 for sure ($35 here in MT). I do like my Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A121, but the SB was a big disappointment to my particular palate. As I said, I’ll have to revisit it soon!
@@dennisrogers4665 I find my palate changes from one day to the next. A bottle that I'm in love with one night night just be ok the next. Except Orphan Barrel Copper Tongue. That's awful every time.
Glad to see all the love for Eagle Rare. If you added up all of the votes in the comments, I think it might come in first. 😉
Ruby, we definitely agree. It probably deserves a top-5 spot. But one thing we've learned: if you say good things about Buffalo Trace products, especially the harder to find ones, the angry trolls come for you with pitchforks. Simply mentioning Blanton's in a video will get you downvotes. The funny thing is, when we don't talk about Eagle Rare, nice people like you simply talk about how much they enjoy it. We'd rather have happy, sweet people in the comments section than the angry trolls!
@@TheBourbonVan, well, I can’t blame you there! I guess there’s a difference between the comments from angry trolls and having a discussion with friends.
Someone tell me if this has been their experience, regarding Buffalo Trace:
It's absolutely not available everywhere where I am, in Des Moines. But the places that DO carry it pretty much ALWAYS have it on hand.
cant find it locally but stopped at the next town over, $45....im in an allocated state and it sux
I'm a simple man. I see kitty, I like.
This is the way.
Well, I got the coopers craft, kind of “bitey”. I can see some love for it, but not my style.
We had that same initial reaction. The deeper we get in that bottle, the more the raspberry note shows up and the spice dissipates. Let us know how it goes down the road for you.
Eagle Rare and Cooper’s Craft
How does the MM101 compare to the MM46?
101 is solid, but the extra oak on the 46 really makes the whiskey something special. There are rich, sweet caramel notes on the 46 that are tremendous.
@@TheBourbonVan thanks!
I just wish we had those prices here in Tennessee :(
Is this list ranked by you or the Patreons? A bit confused.
It's both. We tallied the suggestions from our Patreon post, then added our own votes to the ones we liked.
I have the special reserve around me for around $250 in several liquor stores 😂
Great video, and you're both adorable.
Thank you! 😊
How about top sherry and port finished whiskies?
We honestly wouldn't know where to start. We only have 2 finished whiskeys on the shelf at the moment and both of them were gifted to us.
I would add Four Roses single barrel to that.
We called it out in the honorable mentions, but it's $50 in many spots, so we couldn't include it in good conscience.
@@TheBourbonVan Wow. It’s $35 where I live but I’m in Kentucky.
I gots to know.....what's the meaning behind your shirt!?
A friend of ours was venting about a group of people on a trail deep in the forest blaring music on a Bluetooth speaker. The phrase made us laugh so hard, we had to put it on a t-shirt.
Knob Creek left me disappointed. I would pick Larceny over it.
I think an under $30 list is appropriate as well.
Someday, probably. A $40 list was requested, so that's what we did this time!
Elijah Craig 🎈💥
Eagle Rare
Sure if people could get it
Move that Stagg Jr out of camera shot Julie! ;)
She falls asleep staring at it on the nightstand every night.
So size DOES matter!
Smoke Wagon
Buffalo Trace Runs $35 in Eastern panhandle WV
Rare Bread $35
Four Roses $25-35
To Many Honorable mentions might as well just do the top 10.
Early Times is in NoVa
Surprised elijah craig didn't make the cut
The new Early Times is not as good so look for the old stock!
Thanks for the heads up, Robert. This is actually the first we've heard of that, but it doesn't surprise us. It would be strange if Sazerac was able to mimic the Brown Forman flavor profile perfectly.
@@TheBourbonVan It's still the same stuff. They bought the existing stock and have contracted with Barton. New stuff won't be out for 3 years.
Try them side by side
The bottle changed and the whiskey tastes different
They are not the same IMO
Anyone living North of Dallas is welcome to do another side by side comparison with me.
I’ll even use to unopened bottles
The whiskey flavor profile is different, period.
Larceny for a wheated. Come on now
Wolcott!
Used to be able to get Buffalo race everywhere. With everyone on youtube saying what a great deal it is it ruined my secret bourbon.
No Four Roses? Go stand in the corner. :)
Double-check the honorable mentions!
@@TheBourbonVan oops. I'll go stand in the corner.
LOL we're already working on the $40 - $80 list and Four Roses is most definitely on it.