What’s your go-to shelfer bourbon?

[Pmo13]

As the title states, what’s the bottle that you can not only always find for a reasonable price, but always stock at home?

I know prices and availability vary quite a bit from market to market, so let’s say $70ish and below. Just to make things slightly more interesting, what’s the one bottle you wish you could have as the above, but never seem to be able to find/afford?

I’ll go first just to get things going. My shelfer is sort of a toss up between Wild Turkey 101 (the 8 year if I can find it) and Old Forester 100. Both absolutely punch above their price point and kick over any rock and you’ll find them. For my  “wish it was more available bottle” I’d have to go with E.H. Taylor SB or SiB. For whatever reason the market in Massachusetts has never recovered from the bourbon boom and everywhere near me still prices it $100+ which I flatly refuse to pay, even though I love it.

[chasy]

When I was drinking bourbon, I always wanted to find Buffalo Trace but never could. It would be gone as it was being unpacked at the store. I forget how much it cost but it wasn’t that bad.

[Pmo13]

18 minutes ago, chasy said:

When I was drinking bourbon, I always wanted to find Buffalo Trace but never could. It would be gone as it was being unpacked at the store. I forget how much it cost but it wasn’t that bad.

It’s a great daily if you can find it $25-35. Beyond that lies only disappointment.

[my happy place]

Old Forester is my #1 and I wish more single barrel picks were available at 90/100 proofs. There's only so much barrel strength I can take.

[Nevrknow]

Weller Antique 107 and Weller 12. To be fair, I have an IN, so I get them at retail.

Without an IN, Wild Turkey Rare Breed or Eagle Rare 10. The first I get in NC and the latter in GA.

Helps to travel for work.

 

[painfreefishing]

Eagle Rare 10 or 4 Roses Single Barrel, FTW.

[Çnote]

OGD114

[JDoughty]

25 minutes ago, Çnote said:

OGD114

That one punches well above its price point for flavor and complexity. +1 on OGD. 

[qs210]

John J Bowman Single Barrel. 

[Boxer31]

McKenna 10yr bottled in bond And Eagle Rare 10yr. Colonel Taylor Single Barrel bottled in bond 

Our ABC store is finally stocking the McKenna, so no limit right now, and when we get shipments of Buffalo Trace, Eagle is usually last to get picked up - I am ok with that. Love paying under 70 for these. 

Taylor not so lucky - haven’t seen it in awhile. 

[JoshD]

Best bottle that sits on the shelf for under $70 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

Best bottle that is harder to find for under $70 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

 

[Lucas Buck]

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Stagg

[loose_axle]

In Aus the prices are a lot different but my top 3 picks would be: 

Russell Reserve Single Barrel $99 (absolute belter this)

Johnny Drum $120

Blanton's -$150

If things are tight Wild Turkey 101 is pretty decent at $65 or so on special. 

[Duxnutz]

Couple of my regulars... 

Knob Creek SB 120 proof. Unbeatable for under $50. Usually most liquor stores do barrel picks of these and can be great. 

Larceny Barrel Proof. Usually hits the spot. 

Maker's Lost recipe series/Heart Release/Keeper Release. 

Jeffersons Limited Edition cask strength - grabbed a couple on a recommendation and pretty good for the coin. I liked it better than a recent Stagg (jr) ‘24 batch. 

[AshMe Nothing]

Below $70 and always have—Bulleit 10yr—I always have some. It’s my go to. I can always find it $42-45. Consistently good straight up or mixed. I typically have Buffalo Trace ($29 and found everywhere) for mixing as well.

Below the $70 mark—Wish I could find—Weller Antique. You would think that living in KY would make finding bourbon easier. It’s much more difficult here because everyone knows what secondary markets are paying. Some enjoy and some just profit. Bottles are allocated and too many people have “buddy deals” going on.

Above the $70 mark—wish I could find—Any of the Antique collection from Buffalo Trace. Any Russell’s Reserve 13yr+

[JohnS]

8 hours ago, Pmo13 said:

As the title states, what’s the bottle that you can not only always find for a reasonable price, but always stock at home?

Always stock at home? One word...Blanton's!

[Çnote]

3 hours ago, JoshD said:

Best bottle that sits on the shelf for under $70 - Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

Best bottle that is harder to find for under $70 - Elijah Craig Barrel Proof.

Fantastic both. The single recipe 4Roses are IMHO better and cheaper, but are market to market.

$ for $ though, OGD114.

[Çnote]

2 hours ago, loose_axle said:

Johnny Drum

Yezzzzz

[loose_axle]

2 hours ago, JohnS said:

Always stock at home? One word...Blanton's!

Yeah it's good stuff eh - the bourbon that got me into bourbon up until then I wasn't a fan. Although that Stagg Jr we had is still the best bourbon I've tried. I still dream about it. I'll have to get one eventually. 

I did pick up a Confiscated Kentucky Owl Takumi edition that I will wait for a special occasion to open and drink society have an Angel's Envy single barrel Australia exclusive I'm eyeing with a degree of lust. But I'm low on Brandy de Jerez which is a favourite tipple these days so it might have to wait. 

Wouldn't mind a Weller single barrel at some stage either. 

[Çnote]

1 hour ago, loose_axle said:

Brandy de Jerez

I'd rather $50 brandy than $50 bourbon.

[JohnS]

1 hour ago, loose_axle said:

Yeah it's good stuff eh - the bourbon that got me into bourbon up until then I wasn't a fan. Although that Stagg Jr we had is still the best bourbon I've tried. I still dream about it. I'll have to get one eventually. 

I agree. That is one quality bourbon. I'm glad I saved it to enjoy together! 👍

[Nevrknow]

2 hours ago, loose_axle said:

Yeah it's good stuff eh - the bourbon that got me into bourbon up until then I wasn't a fan. Although that Stagg Jr we had is still the best bourbon I've tried. I still dream about it. I'll have to get one eventually. 

I did pick up a Confiscated Kentucky Owl Takumi edition that I will wait for a special occasion to open and drink society have an Angel's Envy single barrel Australia exclusive I'm eyeing with a degree of lust. But I'm low on Brandy de Jerez which is a favourite tipple these days so it might have to wait. 

Wouldn't mind a Weller single barrel at some stage either. 

Which Stagg? I got/had ( one I opened and gave away, the other is sitting on a shelf ) a couple of 23B bottles that just aren't hitting on much.

[loose_axle]

3 hours ago, Nevrknow said:

Which Stagg? I got/had ( one I opened and gave away, the other is sitting on a shelf ) a couple of 23B bottles that just aren't hitting on much.

I’m not sure which batch it was sorry @JohnS might be able to help? I’ve heard it varies but this one was bang on. 

[ElLoboLoco]

Went to a Buffalo Trace dinner/tasting last week. BT, Eagle Rare, Blantons and EH Taylor. For me hands down Eagle Rare. Then Taylor, BT and Blantons brought up the rear.

For ease of availability and price, Elijiah Craig Single Barrel.

[Mike Mecklenburg]

My GO-TO: 

1) E. H. Taylor Small Batch  (only because I can never get the Single Barrel) 

2) Blanton's.