The BEST Bourbon For $30-40 dollars - We Were Shocked! 

I am soooo sorry folks I forgot to add the names of what we are drinking on screen in this video. Here are the letters and what they correspond with for this video! A: Coopers Craft 100 B: Makers Mark Cask Strength C: Russells 10 D: Old Grand Dad 114 E: Eagle Rare F: Knob Creek 9

“I’ll be sure to put the names so the audience isn’t tasting blind with us” 😂😂😂

Here is a new drinking game. Any time Trent says he will add a link or put what they are drinking on the screen and then never does, everyone take a drink.

This has been my favorite episode. I've got a bottle of Maker's Barrel Proof ready to open! I'm 70 years old and don't have the room, income, or income to build an extensive Bourbon collection. Back around 2002 when the boom was about to start. Beam had the small batch collection. Buffalo Trace (Ancient Age) had Blanton's and Pappy's. Spring 2002 I bought a bottle of Booker's for a little over $50, knocked on his back door, and his wife let me in so he could graciously sign the bottle! Bought a bottle of Blanton's a little over $50. Same for George T. Stagg. When Pappy's 20 year came out, it was about $90 and from the last of Van Winkle barrels. There was Ancient Ancient Age 10 year. Very old Fitzgerald. Before Knob Creek, Beam Had Old Bourbon Hollow. Had the honour to sit for a couple hours nd drink shots with Parker Beam and listen to his stories. His favorite was Evan Williams Single Barrel. He said he wouldn't walk across the street for Bernheim, an all wheat whiskey. When we drive down 31E out of Bardstown to Barren County to visit family, we pass through Athertonville where their closed distillery still stands. Would have liked to have tasted their product. Closed in 1972.

I am unsure if this has been suggested yet, but it would be awesome to blind the winner from each tier for the overall champion!

Maker's mark cask strength is absolutely phenomenal

You guys definitely do alot for helping a new bourbon drinker out. And I’m sure even experienced bourbon drinkers get a lot from you as well. As a fellow Hoosier it’s cool to keep up with you guys.

I truly appreciate you all doing these as I am trying to learn more about bourbons. I have had many I like but you all have given me so many more ideas of ones to try and your honesty is so refreshing.

I thought you guys were going to include captions. It’s more fun knowing what you’re drinking while you’re sampling it. I really am enjoying your videos. You introduced me to several bourbons I probably would not have tried otherwise.

I’ve watched you guys many times, as well as other whiskey/bourbon enthusiasts on RU-vid, doing blind taste tests. I’ve done these myself, and have also been shocked at the results once my wife disclosed “the name behind the letter”. I love doing blinds. They’re generally a lot of fun. I do want to make a statement, not as criticism to you, but as a note to consider for anybody else watching this as a bit of a learning experience as well as for the entertainment. Over time, I’ve definitely learned that it may take more than 2-3 tastes before you can truly taste the (next) drink, especially when following a complex & higher proof whiskey. Generally, the first taste (a big one, at that) is the “burn off” as I like to call it. It’s basically your tastebuds reacting to the new flavors in the mouth. I personally (and this may just be my experience to doing blinds) don’t expect to get the real flavor until around the 4th+ taste of a whiskey, and only then can I give an accurate opinion on it. Cheers! 🥃

One of my favorites that you've done. I'm actually personally thrilled, because part of the reason I started following your videos was because I discovered that our palates are similar so I have been able to get some good directions on what to try or not try ... the reason I'm happy is that in recent months I've become kind of a MM guy ... not the basic one but the higher proof ones they've been releasing. Fun video !

At 29:52 Kurt reminded me of the bird from "Up" with his passionate "Uaaaaaagh!"😂

My 4 fav SLB characters in one video! Kurt, Trent, the wife, and the storied Kent! What an incredible episode!

I love Kurt’s reaction when he realizes how low he ranks Turkey products. Love the channel and thank you for all the hard work y’all do. For the record I also love 🦃 products as well. It's crazy how total blind testing works.

Knob Creek 9 is a nice pour and I have often, but love the 12 year for sharing with friends or special occasions. Great job guys!!

The Bonnie and clyde going over the cliff reference made me laugh. They did go out in a blaze of glory but Thelma and Louise went over the cliff😂

Glad to see that it isn't just us who really struggle to pick blind. Thanks for sharing and your honesty. Slainte

Cant wait for this one, as well as the live tonight!!! Cheers from Manitoba, Canada! 🥃🇨🇦

That's a great lineup. Without tasting, I'd tell you Coopers' Craft would be my favorite, but at this point, who knows?!? Loving this series - looking forward to next week. Have a great weekend, gents!

Makers cask w toasted char spirals for 10-14 days is probably the best pour out there…it’s INCREDIBLE

I love that you said B tasted like wax and it was makers mark haha. I love the selection. Knob Creek 9 is my number 1 though. Still amazing video as always and thank you guys for the video

I am watching at 5:30 a.m. great way to start the day. Don't feel bad, Kurt. I wouldn't know what Eagle Rare was without you guys! I will be watching tonight for the livestream!

Great stuff guys! Haven't had them all, but can see how MMCS came out on top, i really like it!

So, the funny thing about this line up is, Makers Cask Strength is what got me into Bourbon. I drank and loved Scotch for years, but never acquired the taste for Bourbon. About 5 years ago, i kept trying things in the under $40 range, and about 15 bottles in, I found Makers Cask Strength, and suddenly a switch flipped, and all 15 bottles were gone in about a year and a half. It's become my go-to recommendation for getting people into Bourbon, and it's got a pretty decent success rate so far.

Russell's is my favorite of the bunch. One of my Favorites!

I regularly drink Knob Creek 9 yr. and Coopers Craft 100 proof and love them both. I currently have a bottle of Cask Strength Makers which is good, but I wouldn't buy it regularly. I agree with Kurt on the Russells Reserve 10 year, It's a solid bourbon, but not my favorite Wild Turkey product. I rarely drink Eagle Rare because it's difficult to find in my area, but I would rank it with the Russells. I'm a little surprised the Old Grandad 114 didn't rank higher, but I enjoy the Old Grandad bottled in bond more. Another great blind! Keep up the great work.

It’s good to see Knob Creek 9 come in there. Confirms my preferences.

I enjoy your show because of your back and forth conversation. You're a great team! Also, I would come and visit my Uncle in Kokomo in the 70s from the Detroit area.

Coming off night shift, sipping a Sagamore rye while watching you guys makes me question what I'm tasting 😅!

I love it when people I respect, which is the two of you, are so surprised. Very cool.

Love this video. Blind tests are the best. We are so persuaded by what we “think” we know. Surprise! I love MM CS. I buy it all the time. And RR 10 is always an enjoyable pour. Cheers

Spot on guys. Just Re-Upped my Markers CS. I have the other Markers finished series for special occasions, but goto daily CS or even 46 CS. It's solid juice.

Really enjoying these price point shows. Gives me a good guideline. Looking forward to the live show

It would be interesting to see y’all do a poll, but have someone else tally the results and do the pours so you’re going in totally blind save the theme. Great video as always! Can’t wait for the next drop! Cheers!!!

Drinking the Makers mark cask strength tonight and I definitely agree. Great pour.

Love the videos. They are my perfect breaks in the day during work. I crack up with Trenton busting on himself as he hunts for a word. As such, I think Trenton was looking for the word "compile" or "curate" rather than "culminate".

SLB Classics 0:39 “Oopsie Poopsie” 😂 1:29 Kurt takes a turn at struggling with words 2:13 Trenton forgot to put it on screen, but he left a nice pinned comment 2:38 1|0 👃 Trenton 2:49 Candy note: Root beer barrel candy 4:04 A friendly wager is made 🤑🥔 5:14 2|0 👃 Trenton 6:05 QUINTESSENTIAL!! 6:53 Trenton is the only one that eats wax candles and candy 7:27 no one wants to eat paper with their candy 7:47 3|0 Trenton 👃 8:11 Anise flavor (Trenton shows off his obscure notes) 9:22 Trenton takes his scoring seriously 9:40 4|0 👃 Trenton 9:47 Trenton’s note is 🌭😅 11:12 Trenton’s vocab is expanding 12:24 5|0 👃Trenton 14:27 6|0 👃Trenton clean sweep 🎉🎉 17:21 Kurt doesn’t get anything on the nose, but are we surprised? 19:57 The men don’t care about what words they should and shouldn’t use 21:58 Trenton complains about it not being 65° or cooler 23:31 Trenton uses large literary terms to describe their bourbon blind 26:33 They get shook by their order early 27:05 Eagle rare is centered by Trenton and adjusted by Kurt 28:11 Trenton moves the Eagle rare back 28:42 Trenton is giving up the $5 but we want the raw potato 29:51 Super shook on 1st place 31:04 Trenton remembers the raw potato 31:21 The office hot takes

Great show. I have had all of those many times. My favs are Eagle Rare and the Makers Cask Strength and 3rd would be the Russell's. Yes, please put them up so we can see what it is while you're tasting 😂.

By far my favorite RU-vid channel!

Thank you! 👍You guys are definitely helping me find my way 😋

Crazy, how different prices are. But then again a lot of independent mark ups out there. Some of our local stores vary quite a bit, but you learn who the honest ones are by shopping around a little. Have purchased ER and EH Taylor both under 40, OGD 114 under 25, and a Weller Full Proof for 50, in the past month locally.

Love the channel, and love when you all do videos about budget bottles that the common bourbon drinker can get. I have all of these and my go out of these 6 would be coopers craft.

Very interesting lineup. Not surprised, however, that Cooper's Craft placed above Eagle Rare. And once again, it was Thelma and Louise who descended over the cliff, not Bonnie and Clyde. 😂

I'm kinda fond of Stuff and Whiskey also. Great show! Cheers!

I agree on the office being top 5! Great blind! OGD 114 is a shocker. One of my favorites.

This was one of my favorite videos you’ve done. I have every one of these in my bar and that is exactly the order I would have put them in. I love Maker’s Mark CS and all MM releases. You guys are the best.

Super fun video! I remember liking Makers CS, but it's been a while since I've had it. I'm looking forward to re- visiting it!

Loved this one! For sure your picks and descriptions were great yet the results surprising.

I want to say I appreciate your channel! You all do a great job and give my friends and I great insight before we try bottles. Gotta say the makers cask is definitely a go to of mine on a Friday pour! Keep up the great work!

Great assessment! Well done. I’m very close in your total ranking with a few exceptions which could be of the moment. GREAT Job!

Excellent lineup for this episode. My current favorite in this price point is Pinhook.

I'm a big knob creek guy, love the makers 110 too, you guy do a great job, keep up the good work, 😋

I think if I did this blind Knob Creek and Makers would have been my 1 & 2 also. Great video.

Great video! I've had all of these and really enjoy them. Not surprised about the Eagle Rare. Was never sure what all the hype is about it. I've had 4 bottles of it and they are good, but never blew my skirt up (so to speak). Thought the OGD would place higher, but there is tough competition in the line up. Love the Makers Cask Strength too, and adding a few drops of water to it really opens up the flavors of this bourbon.

Super lineup guys! I'm not surprised that the top 2 were KC9 and MM. Also not surprised that ER was down the list, or that Russells 10 where it was (although I love it), but very shocked OGD was last. I've never had the pleasure to try CC100, all I can get near me is the basic CC which I can only use as a mixer. Trenton eating a raw potato sounds like great entertainment!

Love this series. Excited for the live stream tonight!

I just bought a bottle of Cooper's today for 30 bucks and that has a kick to it! It's a good, solid bourbon for a low price with a lot of flavor.

I enjoy all of your videos and especially “the best of” comparisons. One type that never seems to be done though are the best of in proof ranges, like 80-90; 90-100; 100-110 etc. Higher proof always seems to carry the day and so it is a bit unfair to compare a 90 proof to a 110+ proofer. Thanks for all your good work.

Here in BC, Canada KC9 and Russells 10 are easily available, Eagle Rare comes out several times a year, the others I have never seen or they maybe come out once or twice a year and are all a lot more than $30 to $40 a bottle (of course as I have said before you have to add 30% for exchange roughly)

I like all of these bottles but I really expected the OGD 114 to be up high. I like the Russell's 10 year for a lower proof sipper, but I will take a Russell's single barrel or Rare Breed over that any time. Knob Creek 9 is probably the most underrated bourbon on the market. Consistently solid but mostly overlooked. Love the blind tastings, guys. Can't wait for next week's.

At last! You’re drinking the whisky I drink most often! Eagle Rare is my favorite, but it disappears from my house so fast, perhaps because I’m trying to find the missing back end. I found the Old Granddad 114 enticing at first, but determined that I was ‘tasting the proof’ more than anything. I want to like Russell’s stuff, but it always winds up tasting a little ‘flat’ to me. I think it may be the branch water they use down in Texas. I generally like Knob Creek stuff (like Old Granddad, it come’s from Jim Beam), but I have not tried their ‘9.’ I think I may have had Cooper’s Craft and Maker’s Mark Cask Strength one time each. I remember really liking them both, and would probably purchase again on a payday (I think they’re a bit pricey, but worth it). Anyway, enjoy the show, and I wish I could join you all for a tasting session, I’m sure I would enjoy it. Edit: I love Maker’s Mark at 101 proof; used to be the green wax top (I think) when I was first introduced to it in 1969, at the age of 16. I’ve always liked both Maker’s and Beam products, from the very start. Wonderful video, keep up the good work.

Ive never tried the bottom 4 but the Makers and the Knob are two of my favorites. My brothers and father will get together some times with new bottles and do the same thing with the blind taste tests. We do not agree as often as you two though. Keep up the good work guys, I really enjoy learning more about brands I know nothing of and I love the humor.

Awesome show. I’m enjoying MM 46 Cast Strength

I think you guys need to do a blind tasting with six bottles, but only two actual products, but from different batches/years. I think there may be a lot more bottle to bottle variability than we think which results in some of these extremely surprising results. I say that both as a huge fan of SLB Drinks and from personal bourbon tasting experiences. I'm sure a statistician could figure out the best design, but you get my drift.... Keep up the great work - just LOVE this show. g-

IMO, Knob Creek is consistently a great buy. From their regular 9 year up to the single barrel picks. The Ryes for the price are hidden gems.

Another great bit of fun guy's...well done...also shocked at the old grandad

Can't go wrong with any if these. Old dirty Bastard is still hanging on with his cigar and boot holster. Great list fellas.

Knob Creek SB is so underrated and is always a solid pour

Good lineup! Cooper's 100 is so good for the price, typically $30-33 in my area and it's usually available. I enjoy (and I have) all of these at home. I need to revisit the Maker's CS but from what I recall it would be behind KC, Cooper's, ER, and Russel's for me I think. So many good options in that $30-40 range!

I wish I could get Maker's cask strength for $40. I see it in the mid $60s.

Ive got three of these on my shelf (makers, Old grandad and Rusell 10) going to have to do my own blind now!

Knob Creek 9 is my go to of the line up presented, happy it got 2nd. I actually typically get it for sale under $30, great buy.

In TX we can get OGD114 for $20, so not surprised to see it at the bottom. Still a great value bottle though

Man, I think Cooper's trounces Knob 9, but that's subjective! Knob 9 SBR is much better, but Coop and Craig small are my day-to-days now. Great video, guys! I always love to see you tasting stuff we can get here in VA!

Amazing episode, such a great series

Great review, guys. Love the content and comparisons of easily attainable bourbons.

I definitely respect the blind tastings. Just goes to show how much confirmation bias plays into it when NOT drinking blind. You guys need to sneak in a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Select in the next blind to see how Trenton ranks it. He always scowls and makes faces when he knows he's drinking a Four Roses product, but would love to see a line up of 6-8 bourbons to see if Trenton puts the 4R at the low end of his list. Always entertaining, guys! Good job!

I think Maker’s 46 is much better than Maker’s cask strength. Love you guys. Keep up the good work.

Russel 10 and Eagle would be my preferred sipping. Need to see some Michters and Whistle Pig added into these taste test.

I've only tasted Maker's Cask Strength, and I love it.

Just got my first Coopers this week and looking forward to opening it....

Ahh the midwestern ruut vs root. Love it! Ha’

I think knob creek is the best of that bunch. Thanks for the video.

I'm not surprised Old Grand-Dad was last, but what i am surprised with is how well it blends with others. You guys mentioned it as part of the home made blends episode (poor mans pappy) and I also did a 2/1 blend with bakers-7 and they were both phenomenal.

I do enjoy your video reviews. Keep up the good work guys. Have you reviewed Angels Envy or Jefferson’s Ocean? 2 of my favorites.

HEYYYYY! Just picked up your barrel picks on Stellum and Sagamore from Harry's. Cheers guys!

I love the new French oaked cask strength offering !

My go to pours is OGD114. The Makers CS is $50 in my area and OGD114 is $30.

Everyone's rankings will differ somewhat, but all six would be welcome on my shelves. Great series.

Great $30-40 list. I have 3 of the bottles on my bar but Knob Creek 9yr is by far my favorite. I have had Eagle Rare at a bar but don't see it in the stores here. Makers Mark Cast Strength is a good bottle but I am surprised it beat out KC.

I love Maker's Mark Cask Strength!!

Nice blind review as always! Old Grand Dad in San Antonio, TX is in the $20-$30 category ($24.99 average). Though not a big Maker's fan, I do love Maker's 101 and am now encouraged to go get the Cash Strength (just not the 46!)! Trenton committed to eating a raw potato when he tried A (Cooper's Craft) and thought it was no more than 90 proof. 😄 See ya'll tonight!

Those top two are very underrated. Both are hitters. Great lineup.

That was a great lineup. Thanks for going back to normal common day bottles that anyone can get. Except for maybe Eagle Rare in some areas.

Makers mark and knob creek 9, 2 of my favorites.

I can’t argue 1st and 2nd place. Knob 9yr and MM cask are so solid for the price! 👍👍

Makers Mark Cask Strength and Knob Creek Nine are always on the shelf. Love OG 114, can't get it in PA. I am getting to the point where I am trimming down what is on the shelf and will probably only have 4 or 5 brands gong forward. I will continue to try new stuff, but it is getting a little out of hand with all the different brands that are available.

Old Granddad Bonded sells for bellow $30 in Oregon but is as good as anything in the thirty to forty dollar range. It’s got heavy caramel, cherry and spice notes. It’s very smooth, very drinkable.

What a great blind! I really want to do this blind now too. I think my order would be very very similar to yours, but as you say in the video, you really never know until you do it blind!

All good pours and ones I like. I will have to do this for myself blind to see what I like. In my head, ER would win this and I have wanted to blind ER vs RR10 for a bit. Great video series, looking forward to the next one!