Anyone who's a longtime fan had no doubt what #1 was gonna be. Love this channel. Your humble demeanor is so key to communicating the flavors without the eye roll-inducing buzzword salad that so many whiskey channels fall into.
That $40-$50 spot it’s so crowded. I guess that speaks to how fortunate we are as bourbon drinkers that we have so many wonderful choices and so many amazing flavors!
Would love to see a video series where you compare bourbons from the same family, such as four roses vs four roses small batch vs single barrell, a good way to learn about the differences as you move up in price point
Kurt, I appreciate your $40 price point reviews the most. That’s my price point and you examining your favorite Bourbon, Rye, Irish is spot on for me. Thank you, my friend!
Love watching your channel grow. I have a modest collection going of 24 bottles. I watch your videos, sip bourbon, take notes, and then go find the bourbons you feature. Almost all of what I have and sip on are bourbons and whiskeys you have talked about. Thank you for the videos. I look forward to each and every one of them.
This "series" is great! Keep it going! Next, do the best five bourbons in the $50 range, then the best five bourbons in the $60 range, then the $70 range, etc... Love it! I'm new to bourbon, so I appreciate these videos.
My favorite of this group is the New Riff. I first heard of it on Bourbon Up with Fred Minnick. That episode also turned me on to blues sisters band, “Larkin Poe”. It’s always on the shelf at my house and one I always recommend to my friends. I’d kind of forgotten about it until about a month after seeing the episode, I was in Indianapolis visiting my daughter and we’d gone to Costco. As I was perusing the liquor aisle, a guy said, “I recommend the New Riff.” I bought it and haven’t turned back. Great recommendations, as usual.
In my area, Rare Breed is $50-55 and 1920 is $55-60. For my money, they are the best options I can count on finding at any local liquor store. I know this is a $40 list, but I had to share this when I saw Rare Breed on it. I can find Makers 101 for $35-40, which I'd take every time over anything from Bulleit
Thanks for doing this video. This price range is typically my sweet spot, and there are many to choose from in this category. The New Riff, Four Roses and Rare Breed are outstanding.
Enjoyed this video. Nice to see some bourbons in there that don’t make seemingly everyone’s top 10 or top 5 lists for bourbons (Bulleit, New Riff, and OF 1870). Also, I like that you do not give us the history of the distillery as so many other channels seem to do (distillery history has absolutely zero bearing on or importance to me when it comes to choosing whisk(e)y).
I just can’t do the history lol. No offense to any other RU-vidrs but I fast forward that stuff to be honest. I just like to give a brief intro of the bottle and that’s it.
I haven't tried the Bulleit 10 year, but was pleasantly surprised by their rye. Honestly, I bought it because I couldn't get the rye I was looking for and thought what the heck. Very tasty in an old fashioned! Side note as an idea for a show: Best bourbons for mixing, pouring over ice, drinking straight. (I was intrigued when you said you enjoy the Rare Breed over ice.)
In all honesty Holly Bulleit 10 would have been my 5th favorite on my list. Solid, very balanced, easy sipper, but nothing that will blow you away per say. I love your ideas here. Been thinking of a show to be titled “how to drink bourbon “. I want it to be diversified and educational. I like your thinking here thank you!
It is so refreshing to see some solid bourbons within an affordable price range compared to the craziness going on in the scotch whisky world these days. All these are in the $50 range in the great white north but these are all solid nonetheless.
Catching up on all of your content. We are spoiled in KY with a wide range of Bourbon! It’s nice to see what your opinions are and I always enjoy trying to see all the different bottles you’ve got on the shelf in the background. Would love to see a tour of what you’ve got in the background! Best wishes and cheers!
Great list. 1870 really seems to get dismissed by almost everyone. I know it's younger, but really think it holds up against more popular 90 proofers like Eagle Rare or Russels 10
Three of these are on regular rotation at my own home bar. Have never had New Riff and Bulleit has disappointed me in the past - I'll give it another shot after seeing this vid. Thanks for this video, Kurt.
Perfect video and choice of bourbons as always. I have WT-RB and FR-SB on my shelf and absolutely love them. But sometimes I dont have a good mood for these high-proof bourbons. I should try they on the rocks probably. Nowadays I really enjoy woodford reserve destilers select and it is my daily sipper. I think its underrated, and not attractive for many people, but I really like something on this bourbon I cannot exactly explain.
It's funny, when Four Roses came up, the first thing that popped into my head was that I would put Michter's Sour Mash (and Belle Meade) before OBSV. Was great that Michter's got a mentioned at the end. I appreciate high rye whiskies as well.
Love the rarebreed. I did a 1:1 mix with Russle reserve 10 and it is an awesome blend. One gives an awesome initial taste and the other gives a better mid palate.
Thanks for adding in information about the mash bill. I know many like the wheated bourbons, but I find that that my palate prefers the high rye blends for whatever reason. I knew that I liked Four Roses and Bulleit and now I know why.
Another winner. What you folks do, with your honest, non gimmicky presentations is a lesson some others would be smart to follow. Your videos make the “star” the product… as it should be.
Old Forester 1920 is my typical go to. But as of late,Stellum has become a definite go to. I also enjoy Jack Daniel's Single Barrel,Barrel Proof,the Gold label. Also are delicious, all carry awesome baking spice and just a great sip- ability . 😋 I should also mention Woodford Double Oak as well. My top 4 for sure. I really enjoy EH Taylor, but I can only find it in the Fall it seems. Then I buy up what they allow.
So many fantastic bourbons at this price point, and Kurt, you nailed it with all five of those picks. The only one I'm not familiar with is the Bulleit 10, but I love their single barrels.
I have the 4 Roses single barrel and have been looking for Rear Breed for a while now and nobody has it. But I will be picking up some of the Bullet since it's everywhere I go.
Have been fruitlessly trying to find Rare Breed for so long now. NC being a controlled state really sucks, and I have been really wanting to get my hands on a bottle. Loved the video, now I’ve got some others to try to hunt down too!
I'm with you on the Four Roses. I got myself a bottle of it last year and really enjoyed it. Like you say, it's got a lot of spiciness to it but I think it's got a nice overall balance also. The others, New Riff doesn't seem available in my area and the stores are out of stock of all the rest. Maybe some day I'll get to try them. In the meantime I'll content myself with another bottle of Four Roses.
4 roses makes good shit. I stayed away from it when I started getting into whiskey because I’m an egotistical meathead male. I didn’t want a damn flower at my bar. I know, I’m sorry. Now it’s more prominent than any other brand
It's funny, I've watched a good amount of your videos now, and I've come to the realization we have very different tastes. If I was making my own video about overhyped, I think 4 roses single is on it, and bullet might be tops. BUT, that's also what makes this stuff fun. My taste is way different from yours here. And I still learn so much just from your descriptions, and how you approach things (and I'm still on the lookout for some of the recs cause it's always fun trying new things). Keep up the great videos.
Good stuff. My collection is rarely without Four Roses Single Barrel. I also often have Russell's Reserve 10 (basically an age stated Wild Turkey) which is in that price range around where I am. For some reason that is easier to find around here than the Rare Breed.
Hey thanks for the great content! I've only recently within the last 4-5 months started getting into bourbon and really trying to appreciate it. Any tips on how to built a more sensitive palate? I'd love to be able to get all the different flavors in bourbon. Your channel is my new "go-to"!
Thanks so much. I can only speak from experience. What helped me the most was sitting down with a pour while checking other reviews and comparing tasting notes. While sipping try to find a flavor or two that is mentioned in the reviews. That’s how I was able to secure some flavor recognition but still keep working on it all the time. Hope that helps!
Nice picks! At that price point, lots of great choices available. Never been a Bulliet fan, but will have to give the 10 yr a try after your recommendation. Love the New Riff line - trying to get a malted rye, unsuccessfully so far., but will get one sooner or later. You could do another best 5 at this point without duplicates!
Haven't tried the Bulleit 10. I always stop and look at it for a second, but just haven't pulled the trigger. 4RSB is a great bottle and sub $40 in my area. I am always surprised how the caramels and sweetness comes out over a rock. Nice choices!
Bulleit 10 $40.99 New Riff Single Barrel $59.99 Four Roses Single Barrel $47.99 Old Forester 1870 $43.99 Wild Turkey Rare Breed $57.99 Prices from Total Wine in Denver, CO
Nice!!! The Michter's Sour Mash got an honorable mention. That 1 was on my mind when this video started and it got the mention. Sweet! For me it is 4 Roses and WT Rare Breed. I think I'm going to have to open my mind regarding the OF 1870. I normally just save up for the 1910 or 1920.
I've heard the Bulliet 10yr is sourced 4Roses through 2024, not sure if that is true or not. I love that expression and their single barrel store picks. Kurt, keep up the fun work, enjoy your videos!
Couldn't agree more on that Rare Breed. If I could only buy 1 bourbon knowing how important value is in the equation, it would be the WTRB. I love the WTRB Rye as well, but it comes in quite a bit higher on the price point here.
I am with some of the others, the $40 to $50 could easy be top 10 and you would not make a dent. Its the sweet spot in my opinion. are you going to do a blind for Monday with these???? see you on Fridays show.... congrats on almost 45K!!! that is awesome.
That is awesome John thank you! Trent and I decided not to do the blind with this grouping, thought it might get “old”. This is such a solid price point though for sure!
@@slbdrinks it won a double gold rating at the SanFrancisco spirits competition in 2021. Also won the best straight bourbon award . Although I wouldn't say it's the very best bourbon on the planet , I do like it better than 1792 full proof . A must buy for sure .🥃👍
Gday Kurt, I really enjoy your channel and look forward to each video you put out. It’s always informative and honest, really appreciate how you get your family involved as well. Your prices brackets are irrelevant down here in Thailand as the tax is an issue on alcohol but it’s still fantastic to see your choices. Looking forward to the next video guys.
The 40 dollar range is a very tough range to pick from. Honestly from what I have been able to try in that range I would say the Rare Breed is standing on top of the pile. I never realized until I started watching your channel that the Wild Turkey products were as good as they are. A bazillion years ago when I was young I remeber buying Jim Beam white lable and some times the green label. My buddies and I basically did shots then cringed..lol After hearing you talk about Wild Turkey and then realizing that is a Jim Beam product I thought it would be the same. I bought a bottle of 101 and it's not even close and no way in heck I would poor it for shots. That brand is something you want to taste. Then I heard you or someone say the Russel Reserve is a Jim Beam product and it's considered their top shelf. Brother if I could get my hands on one more bottle of the single barrel reserve I would be a happy man. My area apparently houses all the RR lovers because those never hit the shelf. I was in California around Christmas time and saw two bottles just sitting there waiting on anyone. I should have bought them both and shipped them home.
Great choices from a price point loaded with great options. Again, the regional differences on availability and price come into play. In SoCal I can get the very underrated Bulleit 10 for under $35, but finding any New Riff product is difficult. Penelope Single Barrel would be an excellent alternative.
I know it would be tough for a lot of people to find but I think it would be awesome if you did a show dedicated to our home state bourbon - Starlight, West Fork, Bear Wallow, Hard Truth, Old 55, 18th Street, Three Rivers, etc etc. so many craft bourbons in Indiana many of which are not MGP sourced
I have a Rare Breed that is Rye forward. Not the biggest fan of rye yet after just getting into bourbon, but now I want to find this one. I’d put Russell’s and Woodford Double Oak in my top 5.
Great video. Any of these bourbons give one scent on the nose neat, and others notes on ice. I like to start neat and follow on ice just to enjoy them.
Like your choices, for me everything mentioned was closer to $50. Binny’s prices - Rare Breed $57, New Riff SB $50, Four Roses SB $50…. Therefore imo the better Old Forester to complete this list would be the 1910 OFW at $55. I could be happy for a long time just drinking those 4 bottles.
Great selections for the money. I was caught off guard by the Bulleit 10 as well. I still haven't found New Rif in MD stores. I will see you tomorrow night 👍
Rare Breed is my number 1 in this spot but I'd actially put John J Bowman single barrel right up there with it as well as honestly just regular Woodford Reserve though I put the other two above it. Not too much a fan of the Four Roses single barrel for some reason. It's not bad but I just don't think it's as good as cheaper options.
Crazy how random the market is. I'm in Tennessee. RR 10 year about 42, RR SIB 45, Rare Breed 55. For your list in my world I'd have had to have Knob Creek 12yr ($45 here), or Knob 9 (40here). I can't seem to get on the New Riff train, haven't found one I like but a lot of folks love it. Good picks though!!
@@slbdrinks I've looked at online whisk(e)y prices around the country a bit and prices can vary so much that it's hard to do this kind of video when you have a national audience.
Purchase my 1st bottle of Blanton’s, the cork was bad, moldy with grey fungus on cork, the bottle tasted like earthy fungus, fortunately the store refunded me and i pick up a Elijah Craig private single barrel, very tasty!
If you like a nice easy sipper try the OF 1870. If you want something that gets after you a bit try the New Riff single barrel. Digging your Instagram by the way!
I've really enjoyed your channel, I've put several bottles on my bar based on your reviews. I haven't been disappointed yet! Looking forward to more episodes and reviews. 👊
I don't know why i found FRSB to be too syrup burn like. When i had it, it was like high proof cherry and i just did not enjoy it at all. And i don't mind single barrels or some high proofs but that one just really sticks on my pallet too much
Your not alone. Have read a decent amount of comments in another video where FRSB was mentioned of folks who just don’t care for it. Love / hate whiskey.
Having so many open bottles, how do you feel about oxidation? I'd like to expand my collection but I'm afraid stuff will lose its potency after being open long...
I've been feeling the same way lately. When a bottle gets down to 20-25% left, I try to focus on finishing it off quickly as I've heard that makes a big difference, whereas if it's 80-90% full, it will take a very long time to go bad. Long before I had the knowledge on whiskey that I have now, I left about 1oz left in a bottle of Blanton's and kinda forgot about it for a couple years... I then went to go finish it and saw this disgusting looking, murky like mud-water filth in the bottle, and learned that spirits do not last forever.
That’s a good question that I need to really dig into for answers. All I can tell you is at the moment I have several bottles that have been opened a couple yrs but I can’t tell a difference. But, if I see there is only very little left I finish those off.
When a bottle gets about half empty I transfer the contents to smaller bottles. I have a bunch of 200 ml bottles and a funnel. Less air, less oxidation so the whiskey doesn’t go bad.
There's also a can of argon gas you can buy which is inert, harmless, tasteless, odourless, colorless, and heavier than air. So you spray a little into the bottle before closing it and it'll form a layer between the liquid and the oxygen. It was designed and marketed towards wine, especially considering how fast wine goes bad after opening, but I've heard of people using it for spirits too.
