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How about top 5 Bourbons under $25.00?

Telling others how to enjoy their liquor is so pompous. Doubly so when the subject at hand is "cheap" liquors.


Anyway:
I'm a hop, skip, and a jump away from the KY bourbon distilleries. I grew up with it being the default liquor choice when you wanted cheap high-octane booze. Bourbon is my liquor of choice.
Typically, if I'm going to be mixing bourbon for cocktails I don't want to use some expensive single-barrel or whatever. I definitely go for the <$20 a bottle territory.
My go-to choices for a cheapy are: Jim Beam black label, Wild Turkey, and Ancient Age.

Ancient Age is bottom-shelf cheap, but is remarkably good. It's not as layered or complex as a lot of the higher end stuff, but sometimes you don't need to analyze every drink you take, you just want to enjoy a rip of booze. I like it straight with a few cubes of ice in it when I just want a quick couple of fingers of booze. As a mixer it's a no-brainer.
Ancient Age is from the Buffalo Trace distillery, and I find that I like most everything coming from them.

+1

+2 on the Wild Turkey for cheapies ... especially the WT 101. Stands up great in a cocktail
 
Warning... thread resurrection..... But I just got a liter of Early Times Bonded, for $23. Excellent stuff!! Not as good as Woodford or Four Roses Small batch, but very close.
 

TexLaw

Fussy Evil Genius
This isn't a bad necro to resurrect. The way prices have gone up, some things may have fallen off the list.

As for what's still on the list, Turkey 101 certainly is. I'll nominate Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, as well. I can get Knob Creek for $24.99, so add that. Let's round out my list with Four Roses Yellow Label and Old Forester 100.
 

Chandu

I Waxed The Badger.
My favorite would be J.Carver, but as I'm a heathen and invented a little drink I like to call Jack O-Jay. (Yup, bartenders everywhere look at me like I've got a third eye) It's Jack Daniels and Orange Juice. And when they give me the stink eye I say... It's not just for breakfast anymore.

Since I mix, spending money on top shelf stuff for that would be silly, so it's JD, Old Grandad or similar.

Actually bourbon and orange juice is much better than a screw driver. The more pulp the better.
 
A few more that I like: Jim Beam Bond, Larceny (tried that one a few months ago. Makes a nice Manhattan.) and Old Grand Dad 114.
 
Here in Oklahoma the DANG price keeps going up!!!!!!!!!!!

Sooooooooo....$25.

Larceny...smooth wheated bourbon.

Jim Beam Repeal Batch...the more I drink, the more I like.

*** If you can find it, limited supply*** ...Jim Beam Distiller's Cut.

Great taste for the money...Evan Williams Single Barrel

I always have a bottle in my liquor cabinet...George Dickel #12.

Jack Daniel's....Gentleman Jack
 
Here in Oklahoma the DANG price keeps going up!!!!!!!!!!!

Sooooooooo....$25.

Larceny...smooth wheated bourbon.

Jim Beam Repeal Batch...the more I drink, the more I like.

*** If you can find it, limited supply*** ...Jim Beam Distiller's Cut.

Great taste for the money...Evan Williams Single Barrel

I always have a bottle in my liquor cabinet...George Dickel #12.

Jack Daniel's....Gentleman Jack

That was what was going through my head as I read this thread. This is more of a thread on which states have cost effective Covid 19 balm. Woodford listed here is almost 40 bucks in our state ( Pa ). The college kids sneak over to NJ / Delaware for purchases, this thread makes it obvious why.

regards
avi
 
1792
Old Granddad Bottled in Bond
Buffalo Trace
Knob Creek
Woodford

Wow, in the Washington, DC area, which gives one access to DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and where I think of prices as being fairly competitive, OGD BNB might make the cut, barely; Buffalo Trace, too, by 1 cent, if it were available, which it is not. But I do not see anywhere around here where one can get Knob Creek or 1792 for under $25, much less Woodford!
 

tankerjohn

A little poofier than I prefer
Wow, in the Washington, DC area, which gives one access to DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and where I think of prices as being fairly competitive, OGD BNB might make the cut, barely; Buffalo Trace, too, by 1 cent, if it were available, which it is not. But I do not see anywhere around here where one can get Knob Creek or 1792 for under $25, much less Woodford!
I found a bottle of Buffalo Trace once at the ABC store down the street from me. $27.99, as I recall. It was good. But in my humble opinion, Bowman Brothers is just as good, cost only two buck more, and is a lot easier to get around here.
 
Virginia ABC lists Buffalo Trace at $26.99 for 750 ml, but I am confident there is none in stock. Montgomery County Maryland lists it for $24.99, but it is on allocation, which usually means subject to a lottery. I like it, but probably not my fav even at that price point, which is a bargain. I would consider Rittenhouse a bargain and under $25. A rye, I know. Lots of decent bourbon right around the $25 mark around here.
 

IMightBeWrong

Loves a smelly brush
Wow, in the Washington, DC area, which gives one access to DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and where I think of prices as being fairly competitive, OGD BNB might make the cut, barely; Buffalo Trace, too, by 1 cent, if it were available, which it is not. But I do not see anywhere around here where one can get Knob Creek or 1792 for under $25, much less Woodford!

Sorry to hear that! Here in AZ, some shops will mark them up but I can frequently find all of these. This said, I have to admit I’m cutting it close because Woodford and Knob Creek need to be on sale but I frequently find them for $24.99 so they just make the cut. I can almost always find 1792 for $24.99 and it’s one of my favorites at that price range out here.

This said, I have never once found a bottle of Weller in AZ that wasn’t at a bar being overcharged for pours. I’d really like to be able to find bottles of it locally.
 

TexLaw

Fussy Evil Genius
Wow, in the Washington, DC area, which gives one access to DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and where I think of prices as being fairly competitive, OGD BNB might make the cut, barely; Buffalo Trace, too, by 1 cent, if it were available, which it is not. But I do not see anywhere around here where one can get Knob Creek or 1792 for under $25, much less Woodford!

Taxes may have something to do with it.

I can get Old Grand Dad 114 for $19.99 (I haven't seen the Bonded around here in some time), Buffalo Trace for $22.99, 1792 for $23.99, and Knob Creek for $24.99. I'd be rather surprised to see Woodford Reserve under $25 around here, but finding it under $30 isn't difficult.
 

tankerjohn

A little poofier than I prefer
Taxes may have something to do with it.

I can get Old Grand Dad 114 for $19.99 (I haven't seen the Bonded around here in some time), Buffalo Trace for $22.99, 1792 for $23.99, and Knob Creek for $24.99. I'd be rather surprised to see Woodford Reserve under $25 around here, but finding it under $30 isn't difficult.
If you're not aware, liquor sales in the Commonwealth of Virginia is a socialist cabal. Only the state-owned ABC stores are allowed to sell spirits. I don't know how the prices are set. Probably higher than most places, but just low enough to make it not worth your while to buy your booze over the border. Yeah, sure, the ABC stores are totally communist, but I can't say I miss not having grungy liquor stores on every street corner.

Now, DC has plenty of grungy liquor stores and plenty of high taxes too. The District is overrun with affluent hipsters gentrifying all the neighborhoods west of the Anacostia River, so I'm sure that doesn't help the booze prices.
 
I grew up in Northern Virginia, so I am aware. I do not really have anything against the state running the liquor stores in Virginia. The selection is not bad and neither are prices. And beer and wine is for sale in grocery stores. I do not think Virginia tries to make its restaurants buy beer and wine through its ABC stores. I buy liquor in Virginia from time to time. Sometimes Va has things I cannot find in DC or Maryland or the prices for particular items are better.

I lived for awhile in Philly, where everything (beer, wine, and liquor) goes through state stores and prices and selection are both poor. Lots of BYOB restaurants in Philly, though, so alcohol regulation there is not all bad!

I now live in Montgomery County, Maryland, which is the only county in the US to own all the liquor stores and to monopolize wholesale sales of beer and wine. The store prices and selection for liquor are actually quite good. This is an affluent and demanding county and DC is right near by. I assume that competition helps. The county's control over wine and beer that goes to restaurants is an awkward and limited factor for selection and prices there, though. One would think it would not have to be that way, as the county liquor stores seem decently well-run, but I hear is really is. It does bring in some revenues for the county, which is fine by me. <I can't say I miss not having grungy liquor stores on every street corner> Absolutely! The adjacent PG county is loaded in place with grungy liquor stores. I like that Montgomery County limits liquor stores to its own and also limits the number of stores that can sell beer and wine.

<The District is overrun with affluent hipsters gentrifying all the neighborhoods west of the Anacostia River, so I'm sure that doesn't help the booze prices.>

Wow, I do not think so. I think DC has liquor stores with some of the best selections on earth and does not have the kinds of restrictions that would disable a store from getting whatever you could possibly want. And the very best DC liquor stores in my experience are in the long established expensive neighborhoods or in the downtown business district. I have been to some stores in, let's say, newly gentrified areas that were wonderful on a smaller scale in what they were stocking. I would be willing to pay a mark up to get something special I was really interested in. I have no idea about run of the mill stuff in gentrified neighhoods. My impression is that prices at those grungy stores in the non-gentrified neighborhoods have always been high and have remained so for the most mundane selection of commercialized products.

I suspect that DC taxes on liquor are high, but the competition engendered by the lack of unduly restrictive regulations seems to keep prices pretty reason, although apparently not compared to Texas!

Easy to ship wine as an individual person into DC, too, unlike Maryland and I assume Va, even though there was a Supreme Court case over it.
 

tankerjohn

A little poofier than I prefer
I grew up in Northern Virginia, so I am aware. I do not really have anything against the state running the liquor stores in Virginia. The selection is not bad and neither are prices. And beer and wine is for sale in grocery stores. I do not think Virginia tries to make its restaurants buy beer and wine through its ABC stores. I buy liquor in Virginia from time to time. Sometimes Va has things I cannot find in DC or Maryland or the prices for particular items are better.

I lived for awhile in Philly, where everything (beer, wine, and liquor) goes through state stores and prices and selection are both poor. Lots of BYOB restaurants in Philly, though, so alcohol regulation there is not all bad!

I now live in Montgomery County, Maryland, which is the only county in the US to own all the liquor stores and to monopolize wholesale sales of beer and wine. The store prices and selection for liquor are actually quite good. This is an affluent and demanding county and DC is right near by. I assume that competition helps. The county's control over wine and beer that goes to restaurants is an awkward and limited factor for selection and prices there, though. One would think it would not have to be that way, as the county liquor stores seem decently well-run, but I hear is really is. It does bring in some revenues for the county, which is fine by me. <I can't say I miss not having grungy liquor stores on every street corner> Absolutely! The adjacent PG county is loaded in place with grungy liquor stores. I like that Montgomery County limits liquor stores to its own and also limits the number of stores that can sell beer and wine.

<The District is overrun with affluent hipsters gentrifying all the neighborhoods west of the Anacostia River, so I'm sure that doesn't help the booze prices.>

Wow, I do not think so. I think DC has liquor stores with some of the best selections on earth and does not have the kinds of restrictions that would disable a store from getting whatever you could possibly want. And the very best DC liquor stores in my experience are in the long established expensive neighborhoods or in the downtown business district. I have been to some stores in, let's say, newly gentrified areas that were wonderful on a smaller scale in what they were stocking. I would be willing to pay a mark up to get something special I was really interested in. I have no idea about run of the mill stuff in gentrified neighhoods. My impression is that prices at those grungy stores in the non-gentrified neighborhoods have always been high and have remained so for the most mundane selection of commercialized products.

I suspect that DC taxes on liquor are high, but the competition engendered by the lack of unduly restrictive regulations seems to keep prices pretty reason, although apparently not compared to Texas!

Easy to ship wine as an individual person into DC, too, unlike Maryland and I assume Va, even though there was a Supreme Court case over it.
Excellent perspective, sir. Thank you. My reply was aimed at Tex, but I do appreciate your view as you have clearly lived in this area much longer than me. My hipster comment was intended with a healthy dose of snark. Yours is considerably more balanced and thoughtful.

I realize “miss” should have been “mind”, so I’m glad you saw past the double negative. Perhaps I should have added that state-owned liquor stores are far preferable to dry counties (I used to live in one of those too).:a54:
 
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