00:00 01:30 Jim Beam White Label 03:06 Jack Daniel's 04:26 Very Old Barton 06:36 Old Forester 86 Proof 07:48 Evan Williams Black Label 09:44 What is your favorite hot chicken place? 10:19 Old Forester 100 Proof 12:13 JTS Brown Bottled in Bond 14:30 Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
Fred, thanks for catering to us mere mortals. There are too many bourbons out there with a much higher price that don't stand up to this list. My personal favorite is Old Fo 100. I appreciate your service to the bourbon community. Keep up the great work.
Love the list and I totally agree with EW BIB being the best bourbon under $20 (it’s my go to everyday pour), but I’d dispute Jack Daniel’s being close to under $20. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen it anywhere near that price in central WI.
Wild Turkey 101, Old Grand Dad 114, and Buffalo Trace are all right at $20 in my area. I’d reach for one of those over anything on this list. Though I do find Evan Williams BIB quite enjoyable.
Under $20 in middle TN is more restrictive, it seems than a lot of places. Prices are higher here. WT101, OGD BIB and 114, Old Forester 100, Jack, Buffalo Trace, and just about everything on the list is over $20 here. If I had to be at $20 or less, my list would be: Evan Williams BIB, Four Roses, Very Old Barton 100, Old Charter, Old Forester 86, Benchmark, Ancient Age, Rebel 100.
Sadly, all three of these have crested the $30 mark in Tennessee. 101 was my go to - love that cinnamon note! OGD 114 has a similar flavor profile, so that was also a staple. Buffalo Trace is becoming rare in these parts. I did land a bottle of Eagle Rare, from a dimly lit corner, the other day, though! 😎 I'm sipping VOB 100 right now... By the way, Early Times BIB is about to go over $30 here...
@@JoeScar412 I'm in South Texas. Old Forester 100 is just barely north of $20. Buffalo Trace is as low as $19. But, reliably $25 at the one place that always has it on the shelf near me.
Thanks, Fred. As long as good whiskies are out there at this level, we don't have to reach $50 or (much) higher price points to find something worth drinking. This review is a service to the bourbon-drinking community.
Just yesterday I bought a bottle of (new to my store) Benchmark Bonded at $18, I happened to blind taste it against EW Bonded, and the Benchmark came out clearly ahead in my nosing and tasting. Just sharing a data point.
Yessssir. It starts with 100-proof Evan Williams BiB. Then Wild Turkey 101 with me. Add on Old Forester 100 & Old Grand Dad 114 which are under $28 in my area. All the liqour i need with my Cigars.
By coincidence I tried the EW BiB for the first time this weekend. I've had a decent amount of the 'big' names (Four Roses, Knob Creek 9, Woodford Double Oak, WT101, Maker's Mark, Jim Beam white label among others), and I agree with you on your #1 choice. I'll all about the bang for the buck factor, so I'm going to keep the 1.75L sizes of this and WT101 on hand at all times.
That is exactly what I do. Where I live the 1.75L size is $23 for the EW Bonded and $39 for the WT 101. I also buy Beam Devil's Cut for $33 and Dickel #12 for $35. All the 1.75L size. Multiply those prices by 0.43 to see what the equivalent price is for a 750ml size.
@@txmike1945 Where I am, the 1.75L of WT101 comes to around $20 per 750ML and I'm pretty sure the EW BiB is a little less. Also looking forward to trying the Jim Beam Devil's Cut.
Thanks Fred. I knew EW BiB was going to be #1. In the numerous videos I've watched of yours it seems I remembered you commenting on it as a an every day sipper. Thanks for all your insight.
I love learning about good affordable bourbons to try. My brother-in-law shared a Weller 12 year with me (over $150 back then) and yes, it was VERY good. But I would rather have 8 bottles of a very good $20 bourbon than 1 bottle of a great bourbon. Unless I were dying, then maybe I would splurge.
Came to see where Evan Williams BIB was on the list, and did not leave disappointed. As another reviewer said, I also really enjoy Dickel 12 as a budget bourbon, but it's usually around $25 in my area
The ~$20 bourbon recommendations, when I was getting into bourbon 5 years ago, was an important segment: it let me experiment with many different labels and flavors. sad to see this segment get limited. When $60 bottles are considered ‘value’, the novice can easily be discouraged from bourbon, and may go to tequila, or other spirits.
Great list. In this range, I can get Dickel No. 12 for about $18. I get that it’s polarizing, but I really enjoy it. My non-whiskey aficionado wife likes it, so I will be keeping a bottle around just for her. Suggestion: Similar list, but for ryes.
I was gonna comment before the video ended, yup, that Evan Williams BIB is amazing, drank almost the whole bottle, extremely drinkable straight, and I found it in Chicago under $15, I think it was $13.99 at this craft beer shop on the Northside. Old Tub is great too, under $20, it was hard to find during the pandemic but I've now seen it across the country
I just bought a 1.75 bottle of Very Old Barton 86 proof for $25 in WV. Last week I saw the same bottle for $99 while on vacation in Ocean City MD. They also had Weller 12 for $899. Old Forester 100 would be my go to on your list.
A previous commenter thanked you for remembering "us mere mortals" for dollar value, I agree 100%! Far too many whisky reviewers stick with the higher price, higher quality logic: so not true! My favorite, everyday drinker is Evan Williams Black label, my favorite "special" drinker is Evan Williams Bottled-In-Bond 100 proof. Excellent pours at great value prices. The $60 & up crowd don't fit a retired, fixed income so Heaven Hill fills the void wonderfully with quality products at reasonable prices! Thank you for a very enjoyable video, very much appreciated! Cheers! 🥃🙂
Upstate (Utica, NY) 2 1/2 hrs from NYC - Evan Williams BIB $20.99 (750 ml)-$23.99 (1 ltr) + 8.75% sales tax. Thanx for your service and expertise. Good luck-stay safe.
I agree. I have both Evan Williams and the Old Forrester 100 and Jim Beam, which is nostalgic for me. I also have a few more expensive bottles that family members are part of the production of that I keep on hand, but would stick with the list you gave otherwise. Thank you.
Great video! Would have loved to see the "kicking chicken " Fighting Cock make this list. At 103 proof and under 20 bucks, it's hard to pass up. I would like to see a list of underdog substitute bourbons. For example instead of Wild Turkey, I reach for Wheel Horse Bourbon. And instead of Elijah Craig, I go for George Remus. Old Forester, naw. I grab Coopers' Craft. I think it would be an interesting list.
Great list. Old Forester is my go-to because that banana-y, almost maraschino cherry note is so strong on my palate and I love it. I think I'd also flip JTS Brown and EW BiB - don't think you will find a more dense brown sugar note at that price point than what you get with JTS Brown.
Catching up on old episodes. Great list for this category. Big fan of OF 86, OF 100 and EW BIB. If Early Times BIB was in a 750 ml bottle, the price would be
Given the following prices, for me in 2024, how would you rate them in best value. Prices are total w super high sales tax: Wild Turkey 101 1.75L $32.50. Evan Williams BiB 1.75L $28.81. OGD Bonded 1L $23.99. Old Forester Rye 100P 1L $28.17. Evan Williams Black 86P 1.75L $18.20. Old Forester 100P 1.75L $46.59. Knob Creek 9yr & 7yr Rye 1.75L each are $54.99. In my view I think most would say the WT101 is best value here.. Like that stuff, OGD & OF Rye or Bourbon. Though get them all, just more of some.
In SoCal, I can find Wild Turkey 101 for under $20 pretty easily. It's a tossup where I prefer it to EW BiB or OF 100. On the other hand, I have literally never seen a bottle of JTS Brown, ever.
My local Liquor Store Owner told me that it is rumored that JTS Brown B-I-B and JW Dant B-I-B are the same product. if you can't find JTS he recommended looking for JW Dant. As far as Bourbon prices rising it just encourages me to try more expensive Scotch, Irish Whiskeys and Japanese Whiskeys that would normally cost more than I would spend on Bourbon.
Depending on the price, my "everyday drinker" is either Wild Turkey 101 or Evan Williams BiB. Typically I can get a 1.75 liter bottle of Turkey for about $34 at select stores. When I can, I grab that. But if WT is $36+, I grab Evan Williams which is almost always under $30 for a 1.75 handle. Can't beat that value. Of the bourbons you featured, I'm not really a Beam white label fan. Love Beam products, just not that one so much. Also I'll take George Dickel 12 (and even 8 actually) over JD Black any day of the week. But that's me. I don't use Coke as a mixer, but love ice. Dickel shines with lots of ice, IMO. Excellent job as always, Fred.
Fred, I really appreciate the fact that with all the great bourbons that you have had over the years, that you can still appreciate what these budget bourbons have to offer. I have some pretty good bourbons in my collection, but I get as much pleasure out of finding a good budget bourbon that hits above its weight class as I do when I find a popular hyped brand that is probably over-priced. I can get all of these in my area (south Mississippi) with the exception of JTS Brown and I would say Evan Williams BiB is probably my favorite. I will be going to Cincinnati next week and am planning on stopping in Kentucky to do a little bourbon shopping. Cheers!
Great to see Evan Williams get some serious recognition & recommendations from a RU-vid Reviewer! Thank-you! I love the taste of it and in Oregon it Runs $21 for the Black & BIB about $24, Worth every dollar and I pick them up 2 or 3 bottles a month to stock up. Cheers! Respectfully, Beretta9MMUSA Sr. 😎🇺🇸👍
Evan Willian Bottle In Bond (I've purchased for $17.99) really IS a VERY GOOD value for a sub / low $20 bourbon....BUT let's be serious. Almost beat Old Forestor 1920? How deep were you into that tasting? :) Bang for buck I don't think you can beat Old Forestor 100. About $25 where I live. I'm surprised Old Tub didnt' make this list. I'll have to try the Very Old Barton and JTS Brown Bottled in Bond. I think they are the only two I haven't tried on this list.
Great video as always, Fred! Evan William BiB is my absolute favorite every day bourbon. I sip it neat. I mix it in boulevardiers. I buy it by the 1.75L. Old Fo 86 and 100 are also great. Bolton's is my favorite Nashville hot chicken spot. Super good!
As someone just getting into Bourbon, this is a really nice list and great commentary. Sadly in my town Old Forester 86 costs $27 and the rest are either unavailable or all over $30. Pretty much the only bottles under $20 (ex-tax) are 750ml Evan Williams Black and Wild Turkey 81.
I've got a bottle of Very Old Barton 100 proof at my parents' place in Chicago for when I visit (alongside an Evan Williams BiB). I was excited when I found it as I can't seem to come across it in NYC. I'm eternally on the hunt for JTS Brown Bottled in Bond so I'll need to keep my eyes open next time I head to Binny's when I visit.
When I was in Cali I could find EW BIB easily but since moving back to NJ its not around. 1 store near me finally got it in stock and it surprised me for sure! I got a green apple note, very tasty
Thanks for the info. I'm new to Bourbons, so this was helpful. At the local Target, Evan Williams Black Label was on clearance for $7.99. Holy cow! So, I bought a bottle.
Fred, I love your reviews. You are the only one I really consider valid when it comes to whiskey reviews. I find our palates are aligned about 90% of the time. I recently did blind tasting of qty(8) 100 proof bourbons under 20 dollars with 3 of my friends. To my amazement Benchmark BIB won for all 3 of us. I am not someone who chases Buffalo Trace Products and this is not widely available yet but can be found for under 20 bucks. We had to ship it in. JTS Brown 100 also had a strong showing, so that is a nice pick. For me Old Bardstown 100 was second place and also one to keep an eye on, but has not been released outside of Kentucky yet. Very good review, thank you. Keep them coming. Others that did very well in the competition in this group are Early Times BIB, Old Tub and Old Forester 100.
Fred, Thank you for a GREAT video. When I first got into bourbon about a year ago, you mentioned these bottles in some way shape or form. I went out and bought every one of them (except the JTS Brown which I have never seen in my wonderful bourbon state of Arizona). Told my wife we are going to drive out to Kentucky soon and I'll pick up a couple then (as well as a number of other bottles you've recommended). Appreciate ALL you do for the bourbon community. Thank you Fred and from one Oklahoma State Cowboy to another, have a FANTASTIC day my friend!
Excellent video my friend. This is my favorite category. Very Old barton is a hard find in Michigan but I have scored a bottle. Old Forrester 86 and 100 are two must haves that are always on my shelf. Just like Evan Willams 100. I don't drink much Jack and very seldom have Jim Beam, maybe that will change. Evan Williams 1783 is another high up on my list under 20. I have never hear of JTS Brown. But now I'm on the hunt. I might have seen them in Bardstown at a store but didn't know what it was. What's cool is I always learn something new when I watch your videos and thats why I love them. Keep it up buddy!
This is a great video. I’ve watched so many bourbon videos where they talk about all the different notes they get with bourbons that cost way more than what I want to spend. I can’t tell the difference. When I taste bourbon whether it’s expensive or cheap the notes are “yep… tastes like bourbon”
I grabbed a bottle of JTS Brown for $10.99 in Lexington over the weekend. Like you, I am expecting some kind of Heaven Hill re-marketing magic someday soon. JTS and Dant are two of my favorites.
Thanks Fred, what a great video. It's so easy to overlook some of these and get caught up in the hype if other things. Evan Williams BIB is my #1 budget option too. Cheers!
Did a spot check at my discount liquor store that I cruise for unicorns. 4 of the 5 were on the shelf. Evan Williams BIB was the most affordable at $16. Beam and Jack were both $22.
Very old Barton 100 proof is $13.99 at every liquor store I have ever seen it at. Benchmark bonded is $18 and the most I ever paid for Ancient Ancient Age 10 star (90 proof), which is one of my absolute favorite bourbons, is $15.
Favorite Nashville Hot Chicken places: Pepperfire, 400 Degree’s, Bolton’s, Slow Burn. Hattie B’s is the favorite among tourists. And The Godfather of all Nashville Hot, Prince’s
JTS Brown BiB is not in Ohio, but luckily for me, I live in Cincinnati. A quick drive across the Ohio River, and I get all the JTS-B-BiB I can handle. Crazy good value.
Great list! Thanks for putting it together. Much appreciated. Here north of Boston, we have limited distribution. There are a lot of whiskeys that are readily available elsewhere, that are not stocked locally. Very Old Barton and JTS Brown are not to be had without a serious road trip. Still have access to plenty of great whiskeys though.
Not sure if these 3 excluded from your list are under $20 everywhere but they are in Southern California-Jim Beam Repeal Batch, Old Tub, Wild Turkey 101. No need to mix anything into these bourbons. They taste wonderfully on their own!
Prince’s Hot Chicken is money, whenever I’m in Nashville I gotta stop. I got the extra hot and it almost burned my tongue off so maybe stick with medium😆 Great review on the drinkers, I just bought this weekend three bottles of JTS Brown, a jug of OF 100 and one you didn’t mention, JW Dant BIB, which I’ve been getting over the EW BIB lately.
My favorite $10-$12 bourbon is Ezra Brooks, all day long, the bourbons on your list except for Evan Williams Black Label which is my 2nd pick, is priced closer to $20-$25 in Upstate New York.
Hey Fred, thank you for giving us the lowdown on whiskeys, and bourbon that are affordable, but good. I haven't had all of the different ones that you mention, but I'm looking forward to trying them! Also, I love Hattie B's Nasville hot chicken, especially the " Shut the cluck up" super hot!!
