101 Proof or Lower Recommendations (26 Viewers)

[Mandos]

If you have a Costco membership they get Barton 1L bottles once a year or so:
Kirkland signature Small batch ($20)
Kirkland signature Bottled in bond ($26)

These are my go to for just a basic bourbon (my "well" bourbon so to speak) whenever people want something to mix with Coke or for old fashioneds, the only drawback is you never know when they'll be available and they typically disappear within a day or two.

If you asked me my favorite sub100-proof sub-$50 bottle i'd probably go with Woodford Double Oaked which are 47 here but it looks like they run closer to 60 in Michigan. Four Roses Small Batch, Small Batch Select and Single Barrel are also contenders (looks like those run about $10 more / bottle there but still in the 35-50$ range), they should all come in right at 100 proof or below. I'd also add another vote for Legent (although the new Legent label looks stupid compared to the original with just the symbol straight on the glass) and Heaven Hill 7 yr Bonded. I've gotten good feedback from serving both of those.

(on a side note this thread is giving me sticker shock looking at the total wine listings in Michigan. Do they just tax liquor through the roof?)

 

[detroitdad]

A friend of a friend chef who helped do fancy meals for large events (Derby, Olympics, Super Bowls, etc.) once shared his preference that Woodford is the best-value, broadly available bourbon on the market. There are obviously better, more expensive, and more rare bourbons (the reverse of all 3 is also true) but I have come around to agree that Woodford is dead center in the sweet spot of price, quality, and availability.

Woodford reserve double oaked is a favorite of mine. The price point in Michigan is $65 bucks. Not a fan of that price, for that bottle.

 

[Mandos]

Woodford reserve double oaked is a favorite of mine. The price point in Michigan is $65 bucks. Not a fan of that price, for that bottle.

Yeah. That's the rub. I see it at Costco/Total Wine every week for 47.

 

[krafticus]

Woodford reserve double oaked is a favorite of mine. The price point in Michigan is $65 bucks. Not a fan of that price, for that bottle.

I found mine for 45.99 at Costco in DC.
It actually cost me $245.99 since I got a speeding camera ticket for going 37 in a 25 for $200. FU DC !!

 

[mike32]

Basil Hayden toasted is really good imo, or the dark rye. Both 80 proof.
Also Evan Williams 1783 is very solid for around $30. For cheap bourbon EW is one of my favorites.
Also BH may be above price point.

 

[detroitdad]

Yeah. That's the rub. I see it at Costco/Total Wine every week for 47.

I found it in Indiana a few months back at 42 per bottle. I wish I would have bought all of them lol

 

[Josh Kifer]

Fresca.

 

[mike32]

I haven’t had it in a while but I remember the double oak Jim Beam was also pretty decent for the price.

 

[BruceWayne]

Let’s add…

Early Times BiB
4 Roses small batch and single barrel
Coopers Craft
OGD BiB

The 3 core releases from Redwood Empire are solid $35-40 bottles and 90 proof

Coopers Craft is an amazing budget bottle at 100p, great rec

 

[detroitdad]

Any more suggestions. I'm going shopping on Friday!

 

[Labrat]

Yes! Can't believe I forgot Rabbit Hole Cavehill and Early Times BiB

 

[BruceWayne]

You won't go wrong with what's already been mentioned, many flavorful pours to meet your criteria.

here's a few more:

Various New Riff - I'd definitely add something from them in this next shopping experience

Eight and Sand (very good at like $20-25 if you find it)

Chattanooga BiB
Chattanooga 99rye (delicious chocolatey notes)

Middle West Dark Pumpernickel Rye

Woodinville 90p rye (nice in an old fashioned!)

Driftless Glen 96p Rye
Can also take a chance on any SiBs

Blue Note Juke Joint 93p

 

[detroitdad]

 

[cpac54]

@detroitdad forgive the small thread hijack, but it seems this is the place to ask!

I'm not a huge drinker, but when I reach for something, I enjoy bourbon, especially cocktails like an old fashioned, paper plane, new york sour.

I am almost out of bourbon and need a new bottle. I don't stock a lot of liquor in my cabinet, so if if I was to buy one bottle of bourbon, which one do I absolutely need to try. Something I could either drink by itself, but also not feel terrible about putting in a cocktail. I like a range of alcohol, but I tend to prefer flavour profiles that tend towards sweet.

 

[detroitdad]

If you want to keep it under $30. I would say Wild Turkey 101. I like it neat. I also like it as an Old Fashioned

 

[cpac54]

If you want to keep it under $30. I would say Wild Turkey 101. I like it neat. I also like it as an Old Fashioned

No price restriction per se, but maybe under $80-100.

 

[detroitdad]

Old Forester 1920 is one of my absolute favorites.

 

[Labrat]

Heaven Hill Bonded. 50 bucks.

 

[detroitdad]

Any of the Elijah Craig Barrel proof bottles.

I like old Granddad 114 and wild turkey Rare Breed neat and with old fashioneds.

 

[cpac54]

Thanks, I’m off to the internets to order me some bourbon, along with a drink for myself and the Missus

 

[dmoney]

Something I could either drink by itself, but also not feel terrible about putting in a cocktail. I like a range of alcohol, but I tend to prefer flavour profiles that tend towards sweet.

allow myself to repeat…myself

A friend of a friend chef who helped do fancy meals for large events (Derby, Olympics, Super Bowls, etc.) once shared his preference that Woodford is the best-value, broadly available bourbon on the market. There are obviously better, more expensive, and more rare bourbons (the reverse of all 3 is also true) but I have come around to agree that Woodford is dead center in the sweet spot of price, quality, and availability.

 

[Saoliver]

I’ll be grabbing one of these: Jim Beam Winter Reserve.

 

[dazoki]

Whistle pig 6 year rye - good for cocktails and straight sipping

 

[elemeno]

A friend of a friend chef who helped do fancy meals for large events (Derby, Olympics, Super Bowls, etc.) once shared his preference that Woodford is the best-value, broadly available bourbon on the market. There are obviously better, more expensive, and more rare bourbons (the reverse of all 3 is also true) but I have come around to agree that Woodford is dead center in the sweet spot of price, quality, and availability.

The original? Or one of these?

BOURBON
DOUBLE OAKED
MALT WHISKEY
RYE WHISKEY
WHEAT WHISKEY
DISTILLERY SERIES
BACCARAT EDITION
MASTER’S COLLECTION

Pardon the all caps. It was copy/pasted.

 

[cpac54]

Difficult to find some of the bottles mentioned in the thread here in Switzerland, but I ended up going with these here and am looking forward to the weekend now...

 

[dmoney]

The original? Or one of these?

BOURBON
DOUBLE OAKED
MALT WHISKEY
RYE WHISKEY
WHEAT WHISKEY
DISTILLERY SERIES
BACCARAT EDITION
MASTER’S COLLECTION

Pardon the all caps. It was copy/pasted.

just the straight bourbon. 90.4 proof, about $45 for 750mL

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Difficult to find some of the bottles mentioned in the thread here in Switzerland, but I ended up going with these here and am looking forward to the weekend now...

View attachment 1411444

Fantastic picks, enjoy! Both bourbons you can lean on.

 

[GreekRedEye]

No one mentioned Rittenhouse Rye. 100 proof. This is my "well" whiskey. Works great in every cocktail I've thrown at it. It's also good neat/on rocks. I think both rye drinkers and bourbon drinkers would like the flavor profile (mashbill is 51% rye, 37% corn, 12% malted barley). $25 a bottle in the U.S.

Affordable ryes can be hard to find in Europe...Honestly, you can get away with using Wild Turkey 101 in place of Rye, as it has some rye in the mash and the strong oak (maybe over-oaked for serving neat) gives it enough spice to punch through when mixed in cocktails.