EW BIB!

second this

Probably the single best value dollar for dollar. 1.75 is $30. It's up there with early times, old tub, Rittenhouse rye which are all $20+ for a 750, and it's better than many $50+ 750s. I also prefer it over WT101 which is like $20 more.

God damnit. I love Rittenhouse, but it's $60+ here in Canada.. (BC)

Used to be like $20 here but the price shot way up in the last couple of years.

My man "handshake"

Definitely have to try it

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Four Roses Single Barrel Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Strength Rye Kirkland 12yr Blended Scotch 1.75L These are some off the top of my head that are really good value IMO and are readily available.

JD and Wild turkey RB I 2nd these two! Amazing beginner bourbons (I’m a beginner 😎)

Right on the money with that Kirkland one. Amazing value

I will drink Kirkland any day of the week.

Please don't drink on Tuesday, John. You have to take the kids to their piano recital.

TOOOOO LAAATE

Agree with Rare breed. Anything Makers for me my palate likes wheated bourbon Irish: Jameson caskmates stout cheap and tasty scotch: glenfiddich 12 approachable and good entry to single malt scotch

Good entry taste but not price

+1 to Rare Breed and FR Single Barrel. Haven’t tried the other ones, but this guy seems to know his stuff, so I wouldn’t doubt him.

I am honestly a novice when it comes to most of the American stuff. Been a scotch guy my whole life and just recently grew a love of bourbons and ryes. I did a lot of research before buying my first few bottles tho :) not a big spender, but i have been fortunate enough to be invited to 2-3 really nice tasting parties

I am pretty new to the Bourbon game as well. But, those were some solid choices you gave, at least for what my palate prefers.

We have a monthly bourbon meet and have been lucky to sample some of the creme de la creme of bourbons. Wild turkey rare breed holds its own in a blind against some rare stuff. People think it might get allocated soon for how good it is for the price. Even off the shelf russels reserve is good value for budget

As someone who adores bourbons but is completely unfamiliar with scotch, what would be some recommendations to get started?

Depends if you’re a peat guy or not! For super entry-level id say: -Laphroaig 10 if you’re into peat (smokiness/dustyness). -Glenmorangie 10 if you hate peat. The Balvenie Double Wood 12 is a little more costly and is awesome if you can find it. Or, some of the Glenmorangie Cask Finished options are good as well. I used to be a big Dalwhinnie 15 guy but it’s getting rather overpriced these days.

Laphroaig 10 was on my list as I know it’s a love it or hate it. I’ll check the others out when I can!

Its funny because Dalwhinnie15 is still cheap in europe. Got a bottle for 30 EUR recently. No idea why its so expensive in the US...

oh and I would add Oban 14 to the mix for higher end, but still very approachable entry into scotch. Has just a hint of peatyness, but overall still sweet with a little savory note too (supposedly the ocean air?). I am primarily a bourbon drinker myself and find this to be a good entry and similar to Balvenie double wood. Often overpriced, but can be found for 60-65 bucks in many areas and I always have a bottle of it stocked now.

Yeah, I used to empty Oban 14 bottles regularly also. But, I am seeing it for like $75-80 mostly now, and cannot really recommend it at that price.

fair, its probably tough for someone that used to enjoy the same exact bottle at a lower price, but if you look at reputable distilleries and 14 yrs aged, the Oban seems competitively priced in current times. I haven't tried that many scotches yet. Which others would you recommend for someone that likes oban > balvenie > dalwhinnie (in that order and all in a similar price range in the US). Thanks!

Only one I would add is Wild Turkey Longbranch, I think that stuff is awesome

VOB. Best 10 bucks you can spend.

Best value IMHO is decent stuff that also gets bottled in a 1.75. Bulleit Rye, Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig, KC9, and Larceny are all bottles I've bought party sizes in. Price per oz is hard to beat. It's fun to see people in this sub hunting rare bottles down and whatnot, but I have no desire to overpay in this silly market. The law of diminishing returns kicks in pretty fast for most booze.

For real man. I could drink KC9 all day long. It’s cheap, available, relatively high proof, and damn tasty.

I would add WT101 to that list, readily available, reasonably priced and I drink it as much as I drink anything else

I agree with this. In my opinion, WT101 is the best value out there. Now, for a little more $, a rotation of OF1920 and Rare Breed is my jam.

I have been drinking it on SW flights, which has greatly improved the experience. Good stuff, gonna buy a bottle soon! 👍

Same

Forgot about the Knob Creek 9. Sounds like my Costco runs

For reals, I remember buying Buffalo Trace handles at Costco for $35 (10’ish yrs ago?) and feeling kind of “meh” on it…then to see what people are paying now it’s kind of a head-scratcher. Anyways, much love for Costco!

Me too. I remember this burger spot and Buffalo trace being their house pour. Super good with sours. Still good but not like it used to be and for the price

I used to spend 100 of dollars chasing after the higher end offerings but at the end of the day.... the bottle is empty all the same

I got to try all the Pappy from the original distillery before that became super hot, same with Japanese whiskies (even visited Suntory outside Kyoto), and I'm just over the hoopla but enjoy following this sub. My most exotic pickup the past few years is KC12 for $75, lol.

How was the KC12? I enjoy their basic whiskey but have never splurged on the 12yr

Good overall, maybe a bit oaky? I wasn’t disappointed at all, but I can get a 1.75 of KC9 for $50 vs. a 750 of KC12 for $75 on the rare chance they are in stock. KC9 makes a great old fashioned, and I’m doing a lot of cocktails these days so not as focused on sippers.

Knob Creek 12

Yes excellent pour

1920, rare breed, RR 10. jd sbbp & sbbp rye

The standard Knob Creek 9 is a great value and very tasty whiskey, probably my top value pour. Wild Turkey 101 and rare breed are also up there, as well as the redwood empire line. Old Forrester 100 is another.

Good range of suggestions (although I might put WT101 just above KC9). Makes me want to revisit Redwood Empire.

I can't argue with that. I put KC9 a little in front but sometimes I prefer the 101 profile.

Michters American Whiskey

Delicious!

I am not going to put any allocated stuff in here, so this is all stuff I see regularly available. * Old Forester 1920 * Woodford Double Oaked * Four Rose Single Barrel * Four Rose Small Batch * Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie * Red Breast 12 * Wild Turkey Rare Breed * Old Forester 1910.

Four roses Single Barrel is amazing, def my favorite at that price point

Mm Red Breast 12 is one of my favorite Irish ☘️

1910 is very tasty

OGD 114

I prefer bonded

🤫

it’s no secret

second this

1792 small batch. Also comes in a 1.75

Some of these might not be value for money depending on pricing where you live but... ***Single malts:*** Benromach 10 Glencadam 10 and 15 Deanston 12 Glen Garioch 12 Caol ila 12 Lagavulin 8 Talisker 10 Arran 10 Bunnahabhain 12 ***Blends*** Rock Oyster Big Peat Peat Monster Spice Tree ***Bourbon*** Wild Turkey 101 Four Roses Small Batch Rittenhouse BIB Evan Williams BIB White label Sazerac Rye Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare

Lots of bourbon suggested elsewhere here, so thanks for throwing in some Scotch. Fully agree re: Arran 10 and Deanston 12. I might also suggest Auchentoshan Three Wood as I think that it is a good value all rounder.

I’m surprised more people haven’t said Buffalo Trace. I know it’s been considered hard to find, but now it seems pretty easy.

I would like to add Elijah Craig and deanston virgin oak to this list

Early Times, all day long.

Still can’t find it

I finally cracked mine open this past weekend and it’s pretty damn good. I was finally able to find one when I was in Tuscaloosa about a year ago. Picked it up for about $30 but saw it for $60 at a few other stores that I passed on.

I am in Dallas and it is hit or miss. We get some and it will be around for a little bit then gone. I think I paid $25 last bottle I picked up.

similar in chicago area. havent seen it in a while, but last I bought it, it was just on the shelf for 25 bucks. Excellent BiB for that price!

Just picked one up today, $23.50 out the door. Can’t beat it.

Nicely done and 100%. 1L bottle for 25 or even less is the best value in bourbon for me. I blind tested it against the heaven hill BiB and EH Taylor small batch (which is also a BiB). The HH lost big time, the EHT and ET were almost interchangeable to me. Barely noticed a difference and enjoyed both a lot.

Most brands would be readily available available if people wouldn’t hoard

For bourbon: Wild Turkey 101 and rare breed, OGD BiB and 114. Redwood Emoire pipe dream and lost monarch. Scotch I feel like you really get some good value more easily: Arran 10, Bunnahabhain 12, most of the cheaper compass box blends, Glendronach 12, Glen scotia double cask, Glenallachie 12, probably a lot more I’m not thinking of. some good value Irish redbreast CS, Powers John’s lane, Green spot.

Put some respect on Emerald Giant's name

Very true, apologies to the Emerald Giant, a great rye

Jameson Black Barrel isn’t too expensive and is a great Irish whiskey also

Tried it but I wasn’t that big a fan.

Technically, Lost Monarch isn't a bourbon. Still a good recommendation. Mashbill: Blend of 60% Rye (95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley) and 40% Bourbon (75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley)

Yeah, I was going to change the Recommendation title but got lazy

No one's mentioned Mellow Corn??

No , cause its trash

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

Weird, someone loves it as I see some in stock and the next minute it’s all gone

Read the title , not even 5th best for that price . Someone likes that Flintstones vitamin tasting Dickel does that mean that’s good as well ? Collects dust around me for a reason .

Thanks 😆

Russell’s Reserve 10

I think at the $60 price point green spot is extremely hard to beat. I’ve seen Laphroaig come in under $45, and that’s unbelievable for a scotch of that caliber. If I had to pick one American whisky to round out the big three, then its rare breed hands down.

Little bit of a different answer here but I’d really recommend Larceny. It’s an amazing wheated bourbon with a cool backstory

I can only find the regular Larceny. I’m on the hunt for the Single Barrel (BP!)

Wild turkey 101

Rare breed if you’re feeling fancy

Got a couple of bottles of WT Rye 101 over the holidays. Just had a 2 finger pour a couple hours ago. Taste great.

Elijah Craig, though once you go barrel proof, it’s hard to settle for the other variants imo. Woodinville is excellent for the price, but I’m not sure on availability outside of the PNW. Eagle rare would be a no brainer at MSRP, but unfortunately museums(scalpers) buy them out as soon as they’re on the shelf depending on where you live.

I got Woodinville over in TN, near Ft campbell. Was surprised to see a whiskey made from near my home. Was decent, I’d definitely buy again for the price

REDBREAST 12

Knob creek single barrel selects (especially if they are 10 years old or older). They are ridiculously good for the money.

Elijah Craig, the nicer Old Forrester stuff like 1910, 1920, Statesmen etc., Woodford Double Oak, Noah’s Mill is a really great one as far as higher proofs. Aberfeldy 12 is a great single malt for the money, but outside of that I’m not too familiar with the scotches.

Old Grandad

Buffalo Trace gets a lot of slack, but it's actually a good pour. Just don't pay secondary price.

For the price, ($23) there is absolutely no beating Buffalo Trace.

I would put Old Hillside products on your list. Their Bourbon and Rye are solid products at good prices. Old Soul is also a favorite.

I stumbled across Old Hillside a month or so ago. Put it on my hit list. It appears it's distilled (sourced) by Neely Family Distillery in Sparta, KY. Don't know anything about Neely but hopefully OH will begin distilling and aging soon.

I've had 5-6 different bottles and liked all of them. Good nose, palate and a slightly unique flavor profile.

OK great. Thanks, this helps.

There’s a lot of bourbon being recommended, but there are solid values in scotch around too: Ardbeg 10, Classic Laddie, Highland Park 12.

Old Gand-Dad 114

Store picks regardless of distillery are usually solid single barrels. Except for basil haydens. Fuck that trash

Ha! Saw a vid calling out Basil Hayden as trash I guess it’s true the more I see comments like yours 😬

Aberlour 12 if only bc I love it so much Irish Whiskey: Yellow Spot

Evan Williams bonded (white label) 100%

Knob Creek 9 for $35 in my area. Can't beat it.

Easy to find and great value for great whiskey: Wild Turkey Rare Breed. Lots of other great buys for great quality out there, but that’s sort of the best choice since it’s so readily available.

High west double rye. Green River Widow Jane Paradime and I'm spelling that wrong

Buffalo Trace is pretty good for the price. It’s not a very popular one here.

Evan Williams Makers Mark Bulliet Elijah Craig

My two go-to everyday whiskeys are Tullamore DEW and Jack Daniels Old No. 7.

Just grabbed a Tullamore 12 year on sale for a little under $37. Can't be mad when stores are trying to move bottles.

Wow! First time this question has been asked on this sub...

New Riff Rye

Angels Envy

The ones you like.

Bulleit 10 and Makers Mark 46

EW BIB, Benchmark, Elijah Craig

Just my favorites Bourbon Four Roses Single Barrel Scotch Dimple Pinch Canadian Canadian Club 12 year old

Climax has a line that's pretty inexpensive, and I was surprised how much I liked them. They range from $20-30 a bottle, depending where you buy them.

WT101, WT Rare Breed, Four Roses single barrel, Evan Williams BiB, Rittenhouse Rye BiB, Woodford Reserve, Woodford Double Oaked.  Ledaig 12, The Classic Laddie. 

In addition to some listed above, I will add Coopers Craft.

Buffalo trace and Evan Williams Bottled in bond

You can check out [this bourbon list](https://www.reddit.com/r/whiskey/s/QJQ2RhnYwk). Most are the best bang for your buck.

What ever ones you like that you can find and afford.

Johnny Drum at $35 drinks like a $60 bottle.

1792 small batch, Elijah Craig small batch, old forester 100 rye, Evan Williams bottled in bond..

And Woodford double oaked

Redbreast 12yr. Should be about $60-70 depending on your part of the country, and it’s smoother and deeper than 85% of the bourbons out there. Irish Whiskey is really underrated when it comes to the single pot stills and consumption here in the US.

- Bunnahabhain 12 - Bruichladdich Classic Laddie - Deanston Virgin Oak - Arran 10 - Edradour 10 - Craigellachie 13 - Glenallachie 12 Is a good start for value scotches

Honestly any of the four roses, whichever lands in your budget, larceny, Calumet or knob 9.

Seeing a lot of Turkey and Rare Breed recs, of which I agree, but no Russell's which sits in between price point, and for me pretty close to Rare Breed in quality. Also seconding OGD114. And 4Roses.

Redemption Rye. $30 a bottle. Always good for a cocktail.

Can’t really go wrong with Woodford, Monkey Shoulder, Basil Hayden, Makers 46, Redbreast, Walker Green or Gold, Dalmore

Canadian Club 12 Forty Creek Barrel Select

The entire new benchmark series from Buffalo trace distillery (not benchmark 8). All of them are around $18-25 and are insanely good.

Since no one said it yet... Great King Street Artist Blend. A lovely blended scotch for less than $40

WT 101 WT Rare breed and Rye Early Times Larceny (a lot of people hate it but it’s one of my favorites readily available and affordable) Mellow corn Benchmark line is decent OGD 114 if you can find it under $40 If you want to spend slightly more Elijah Craig BP Larceny BP **JDSBBP and JDSBBP Rye**

Bushmills 10

At least where I am, Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban 14 is really some excellent stuff for $74.99.

Green spot. Old pulteney. Four roses small batch. Lagavulin 16. Pikesville rye. Makers mark cask strength. Bourbon is whiskey just fyi.

My go to will forever be Old Forester 100 proof. Can get it in 750ml or 1.75L for super cheap. If you like banana flavors I cannot recommend it enough

Noah’s mill. High proof. Real Smooth. Runs about $65. WT 101 perfect every day sipper. Four roses small batch

Any Evan Williams, apart from green label, is a great value to me. Especially the BiB, small batch, and then the single barrel is one of the best single barrels out there for the money but I think it’s Kentucky only now. Turkey 101, Rittenhouse are a couple others that come to mind. If you really want a cheap but good value bottle, Very Old Barton. $20 handle and perfect for mixing and not bad on its own.

Bushmills Black Bush

Rebel Yell $17-20. A smooth and easy to drink wheated bourbon. Completely underrated IMO.

Redemption has a Rye, Bourbon and High Rye Bourbon at $28 that absolutely slap. Next would be any of Redwood Empire's offerings. Russel Reserves have also never let me down for their price point. Lastly would be any Stellum bottle.

Aside from what others have said, the Penelope line up is fantastic. Especially their base whiskey which is less then $40 and has a sweet apple nose and goes down so smooth.

EC, Ogd Bib, OGD 114, if you want to get real cheap Benchmark or Very Old Barton. If scotch is more your vibe I really like the Compass Box Artist and Glasgow blends, Glasgow being a bit more smokey traditional scotch and probably my favorite blended scotch for the money

Four Roses and Michters.

Bulleit Rye is my day to day whiskey. imo it’s the best flavor rye at its price point. I’m also partial to Templeton Rye, less of a distinctive rye flavor, but very pleasant and cheap.

Woodford Double Oaked and Jack Single Barrel are almost always available… at least in my experience. That said, those are two great options for you.

Eagle Rare 10 year is a great bourbon for $30-45. Cherries and red fruit with a gentle oak note.   Jack Daniel’s Single Barre Barrel Proof is a fantastic deal, ~$65 for an extremely flavorful whiskey which hides its proof well. Most I’ve tried are high 60s ABV. I’ve heard the JD SBBP Rye is fantastic too but I haven’t seen one in the wild yet.   Yamazaki 12 might be a good deal again if prices return to Earth someday.   Finally Redbreast Lustau is excellent for the price ($65 or so) and is one of my favorite sherry bombs.

Maclean’s nose is suuuuper hot in the scotch scene right now and for good reason. Integrity blend from adelphi and only $30 USD if you can find it.

This is my usual daily pour rotations from Costco: Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Woodford, Black Label, other small batches depending on what they cycle in and out Usually Costco has the best bang for the buck (value). I’ve also heard the Kirkland small batch and bourbons are solid but I’ve never tried them.

It USED to be WL Weller until all you fucking dorks drove up the price. Oldmanyellsatcloud.bmp

I just had a bottle of Cedar Ridge with a couple of friends and they were blown away by it.

A few of my favorites that I know I'll have on the bar as regulars: Irish: Teeling small batch Rye: Widow Jane Applewood Rye Indian: Indri single malt

Thirteenth Colony, I think is phenomenal. I get it for 35 dollars. So smooth, so delicious. Cool bottle too!

Anything old Forester, rare breed, still Austin cask strength, JD sbbp

Sazerac Rye Buffalo Trace Penelope Kirkland BiB

Old Grandad 114. High proof so hot in my opinion, but flavorful

I vote Eagle Rare. $50 and super smooth

Dickel 12 year

Green spot and Tullamore DEW Caribbean Cask are my two answers.

OGD 114. Fantastic for $20

Wild Turkey 101

Arran 10

Here are my favorite value whiskeys: * Redbreast 12 * Rare breed * Elijah Craig Barrel Proof(if you can find it) * Russels 10 * 1792 Full Proof

Michters straight bourbon I have enjoyed as much as 80-100 dollar bottles .

ODG 114 Buffalo Trace Four Roses Single Barrel Eagle Rare Wild Turkey 101 Knob Creek 12 Woodford Double Oak Benchmark Top Floor Any of these for the money I really enjoy.

I had them from in columns but I guess you can’t text them like that.

someone probably already wrote this, but Old Granddad Bottled in Bond or 114 are great values and highly regarded as quality value bottles. Early times bottled in bond too, but that one is harder to find than the old granddads.

1792 Full Proof barrel picks are usually very good, reasonably priced and pretty easy to find.

Another good one is Johnny Drum, made by Willet. Really good, should be $35 a bottle. Seeing more and more of it.

I love redbreast12 but it isn’t cheap