What do you think, more bottom shelf reviews? Mid Tier Gold? Let me know! Also, check out the link to pick up one of these cocktail kits, I put a lot of work into these, I think you’re gonna love them- just in time for the holidays too! How to Drink Cocktail Sets: bit.ly/htdspiritsshelf Glencairn Whiskey Glass Set: amzn.to/3E5wpwN Twitch: bit.ly/2VsOi3d H2D2: bit.ly/YTH2D2 twitter: bit.ly/H2DTwit instagram: bit.ly/H2dIG Blog: bit.ly/H2DBlog Patreon: bit.ly/H2DPatreon Gear: amzn.to/2LeQCbW Whiskey: What you Need to Know: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TYIkr7MIfSM.html $3000 Whiskey worth the Hype?: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KG-UYeQBtrI.html Bourbon can be for Anyone!: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YPoFIOs2pZg.html
Greg, you do not ever need to apologize for having "low-energy" videos or anything like that. This was great stuff and I want more bottom shelf reviews, like these. They're refreshingly mellow compared to, say, recent cursed cocktail episodes
I like these also, theyre a great guide for "i need some bottles for a get together, and most of these are gonna be mixed, so quality aint a priority, but i dont wanna give em trash"
10:25 I love this. It really shows that doing anything other than a completely blind taste test is largely meaningless. The second you know what price bracket your working in your judgement is tainted. Good on you for keeping this in the video.
I've never gotten to try Pappy's but when I saw that come up I'm like I thought it must have been some cheap version they were making or something. I was totally confused for a while
This video should turn into a "bottom shelf" series. I love and appreciate the good stuff, but when you need 6 matching bottles to host a party, cost becomes more of a consideration for most of us.
Do you appreciate the _good_ stuff, or the _expensive_ stuff? Let that question mull about in your head, for a bit, because they're not mutually exclusive.
@@NaruSanavai Not entirely, no, and I suppose the question would be "what counts as expensive?" Most of my typical bottles(talking base spirits) range around $60-$70 for a 750mL bottle, and I find that when I venture much cheaper than that, the quality of what I'm drinking starts to noticeably suffer. There are exceptions, of course, but that's been my general experience. For the sake of comparison, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka(because it's available everywhere) runs about $30 in my area.
@@bradsimpson8724 very true and that is like $15-20 in my area. I think the most I ever played for a 750ml bottle was for J.R. Reverly cask strength, which is 115 proof, it was $70. But it tasted like pure caramel with a toasted peanut finish. I would mix it with cream soda for a delightful treat. like most things like Jack Daniels, Jim Bean and the like are in the $15-20 price range for me. But most of what I enjoy and use the most like Jameson, or Plymouth Gin are around $25-30 for 750ml.
@@bradsimpson8724 Jeez, I think there's loads of great bottles less than 60-70 each, ESPECIALLY in the world of rum, gin, and bourbon. With only a few exceptions, 60-70 is pretty much god tier level and the most I would spend before thoughts of diminishing returns creep in
@@nevadanate4957 Unfortunately, I think you're failing to comprehend what's being discussed here. I suggest you read the entire comment thread, then re-read your comment, and see how little it contributes to the discussion.
@@LeatherDaddy97 $120??? Where you gonna find Pappys at srp?? And do t even come at me with “well one time I won a lottery..” this routinely goes for $3000+ on secondary.
@@sn0wb00ts secondary isnt the price of the whiskey. A $20 microwave in a grocery store isnt an $800 microwave just because you bought it online for that.
@@LeatherDaddy97 difference there is I can actually go to the store and buy the microwave for $20. You can hardly go to a liquor store and buy the pappys for retail. You can stick your head in the sand and argue semantics all you want, but the reality is that hardly anyone gets to buy pappys at retail.
@@sn0wb00ts You're really not getting the point. Pappy's MSRP is $120. The manufacturer values their product at that price point. The price become artificially inflated on the secondary market due to rarity. It isn't worth $3000 just because that's what some people pay.
From all us young people with 0 extra money to spend on "good" bottles, thank you. Bottom shelf review is great, would love to see this become a regular series.
Its worth mentioning that Greg's notes on the pappy definitely show that it was the hardest to pin down. There's something to be said for complexity even if it's complex in a way that you don't like.
Could also mean that Pappy is more hype then quality, that the nostalgic limited stock market ploy is stronger than the quality. I mean even wine “experts” when in a blind test with expensive and cheap options can’t perfectly distinguish. Find what you like and enjoy it, don’t let the hype guide you’re taste 😃
@@agecali7893 He gave his own rationale in the video of why he disliked Pappi's. He even believes that hype and reputation can have an affect on taste.
The way Greg feels about Pappy is how I feel about truffles. I love savory foods but no matter how hard I try, I just don't like truffles and much prefer other mushrooms.
That's because truffles don't actually have much taste. The mushroom itself is almost entirely aromatic, which is why it lends itself to a good oil and not a good raw ingredient. It's shaved thin over hot fatty foods because that bit of heat is all it takes for the aromatic element to hit your nose, especially when thin. And then whatever is left is given to the fat. And since it's an aromatic, it loses all value a day or three after being unearthed. Its expense is from mystique and difficulty of production.
@@veraducks well, it really depends on which truffle you try. I'm extremely lucky since I live near a tuscanian (? Not sure it's the right adjective) town where cheap ass white truffles are searched in march ("bianchetto" truffle). I love the flavour and it surely need something fatty to trap and bring flavor (e than chewbosky vid about salads actually explains how this helps in general), but grated last minute while emulsifying some butter (& parm) tagliolini it's a 5-10€ per person pleasure that is surely worth once a year. (in general, however, not liking truffle is kinda lucky, like I save a lot on wine and I'm glad of that)
Truffle, I find, is one of those things that gets abused. A little must be good, so a lot must be better, right? The judicious application of truffles is great, but too much ruins things. And I can't afford to even dream about buying Pappy; that breaks my liquor budget just thinking about it.
Poor Greg, that Pappy surprise absolutely broke him, haha. Respect for leaving that segment in. Trust your palette, Greg! You do excellent work here. You’re one of maybe 3 channels I subscribe to.
I work in a liquor store and I've tried many of the highly sought after Buffalo Trace products (BT, Blanton, Pappy, Weller, etc). I can confirm they range from mediocre to bland and uninteresting (and all way overpriced). I will never tire of telling people it's ...okay-ish stuff, but not very good for the money. Their reactions are priceless. I would only ever buy a bottle of Pappy to trade for a case of something good.
@@1995pieter If we're just talking American whiskies, Old Forester makes fantastic bourbons. Best bourbon I've ever had was a store pick single barrel Old Forester. Their rye is great too. Also Henry McKenna 10yr Bonded Single Barrel is constantly fantastic. Overall best rye whiskies would go to Michters. Especially if you can get hold of their toasted or 10 year rye. Rittenhouse is a great all arounder if available in your state too. Or Dad's Hat green label if you really want a tasty, punch you in the mouth rye.
While it's true that tasting a whiskey you know is expensive will color your opinions, it's also true that tasting a whiskey you know is cheap will color your expectations. Often, expensive whiskeys are doing something wildly unique and different; in one frame of mind you might think "that's really cool, not what I want all the time but nice" and in another you might think "wow, this is awful".
I had this same thought, because I almost certainly DON’T want my bottom-shelf whisky to be doing anything wildly unique or different. In that context, a curve ball would immediately make me question the quality of the whisky
That’s how scotch and Irish are for me. When I first started drinking them, it was fun because they were different and tasty in their own ways. Eventually I realized I was tired of fun and different and just wanted something that agreed with my preference. That’s when I went back to rye and bourbon. Now the few times per year that I crack open scotch or Irish, I actually appreciate them more.
For sure, let alone the impact of a vertical comparison, inebriation, etc. One of my Laga DE's is both one of the best and worst scotches I've ever had depending on what my palate is doing that day.
It can be like looking at a Picasso without knowing who he is and what he is trying to achieve. His bold risks or intentional style can be lost if you don’t know what they are going for. The opposite can be true as well.
@@BlkHunterGatherer This is how I feel about single malt so far. They're all different and interesting to try but I have yet to find one that hits right every time. I honestly prefer blended for this reason lol
Istg, I just about died laughing at Greg’s reaction to seeing that bottle of Pappy being pulled out - and then I saw the price, and promptly died inside right along with him. Goddamn.
Since I started watching your channel, I've had a monthly house cocktail at my apartment for entertaining. This video has inspired me to use more absolute swill when hosting friends and family.
FYI, "charcoal mellowed" is the exact same thing as what the world's best selling bourbon calls the "Lincoln County Process", which they idiotically claim makes them different from all other bourbons. You pour the whiskey into a big vat of charcoal and let it filter through, which will remove some harsh compounds and impart some new flavors.
I went out and Bought the Henry McKenna and I actually really dig it ESPECIALLY as someone who usually only drinks whiskey in a cocktail (I drink a Boulevardier every single week when I get home from work on my Friday) and am not drinking bourbon neat or anything like that. For $13 you can’t beat that lol
here's the thing I think I understand with Whiskey/Bourbons in particular. The best one for you is never the most expensive, it's what fits your palate the best. Some folks' favorite can be that bottom shelf stuff aged at the minimum to check boxes, meanwhile someone else could prefer some random novelty bottle that to anyone else tastes off at best. It seems to be commonly accepted that you find the one you like, and you drink it. That's why there's so many varieties and distillers out there
Also Bourbon is (one of?) the most regulated spirits. So the minimum Quality is already solid and there's no cutting corners or mixing in other stuff. Jim Beam is boring as hell, but it's still a 4+ years aged Straight Bourbon without any additives. Compare that to blended colored Scotch, sugared and flavored Rums, Mixto Tequilas, Canadian Whiskies ...
Can confirm this opinion. Like I love Turkey 101, and I've got friends that look at me like I've got 3 heads because I do lol. I've always thought it to be pretty bang solid stuff for not too much money
This is the only channel of its kind to give actual notes AND throw in a high end. Every other channel that does the low end tastings just trash each selection to feel self entitled. Kudos.
Henry McKenna was my first introduction to whiskey alongside Maker’s Mark, and I still have a soft spot for both. Glad you agree it makes for a solid budget choice!
You have surely mistaken. Greg clearly says many times in this episode that he was drinking McKenna Henry, and not Henry McKenna as you have suggested in your comment. 😂
As a member of the Whiskey Tribe, the best Whiskey is: The one you like to drink, the way you like to drink it. Taste is subjective, not everyones preferences are the same. Just because someone doesn't like what you like is no reason to be a "snob" and belittle them.
Straight Bourbon whisky actually can't have coloring added to it, unlike other types of whisky including scotch (which commonly has caramel coloring). So that Ezra Brooks color is just from the barrel
Correct, bourbon is heavily regulated in the US. If you buy in the US and it says straight bourbon with no age statement it’ll probably be at least palatable
This is the most honest pappy review I've EVER heard. It's the most GAWDAWFUL OVERRATED SWILL on any shelf ever. I have no idea how they swindled their way to the top dollar spot.
It's actually not. It's just that it's become so over hyped and everything else along with alot better options now. That It's nothing special anymore other then it's made a name.
It's 107 proof. Any whiskey that strong is gunna throw off a taster undiluted. If he was tasting a 90 or lower proof pappy I would put more stock in this result
The Pappy Van Winkle BLEW me away as much as you did. I didnt know about it until this video so when I saw your review than the price tag, Im honestly blown away. Greg youre great
I love the reaction to the curve ball, it proves how much perception plays into how much you like something. My personal stance is anything over $20 is worthy of being tried as a sipping whiskey, but there are certainly gems below that price too. It's Bourbon Night has done comparisons of Bourbons at a few different price points, it would be nice to see others do something similar. I recently retried Makers Mark, which I had never liked before, and found it much softer and sweeter than the last time I tried it.
I've always loved you and this show, and I've used a ton of what I've learned watching it over the years. Including the take of you ripping on Pappy has made me respect you even more than I already had. It was definitely brave, but it was totally worth it. Meredith deserves a raise!
Evan Williams: my go-to bottle since sophomore year. The bottled-in-bond is good, if you're all fancy-dancy. The standard black label is my favorite. You can keep the Pappy.
The bottled in bond is higher proof but has less age than the black. IMO, the black is the better whiskey on its own but the BIB will stand up better in highballs and whatnot.
@@cptjeff1 I didn’t know that bib was less aged. I know it’s at least 4 years, and I like the extra proof. honestly even their single barrel is a great value.
Went into this expecting to see bottles of Canadian mist, old crow, R&R, and black velvet lol. Left with trying to find out where I can get mellow corn in Oregon because my curiosity has been piqued
I am not a whiskey man myself but after watching this I want to try McKenna and Mellow Corn for sure. At 20 bucks a pop it's worth the risk. Also small correction: it's 'piqued' (don't hurt me 🙈)
This is one of the best videos of your's. It's so honest, and genuinely shows your opinions of these tastes, not just clickbait stuff. Thanks for putting out your content!
Fun video, I wish you had been able to try even more inexpensive whiskies (and perhaps spit out to save yourself from getting drunk). The fact that you dislike Pappy is very amusing and very authentic. I'd love to see you do one on scotch- both traditional islays and some of the japanese ones.
So many of these are from the Heaven Hill distillery, which IMO, does a good job with the lower end whiskey. Heaven Hill (Which is basically the Evan williams) is my cheap whisky favorite.
Luxco just bought a distillery, so Ezra probably will change in a few years, but it's likely to be Heaven Hill juice still at this point. If that is the case, every drop he tried except for the Pappy(and possibly that one too if he's right about his pappy being fake) was distilled by Heaven Hill. They just own the bottom shelf.
Dude that was a mind blowing moment on the Pappys. You could also always do a range of $30-$50 or $60. I really like this kind of info for finding more affordable or enjoyable whiskeys.
Meh, I feel like there's a quality drop in that price range. Most of the best bourbons are below 30, and often the so called craft whiskeys are too young and too overpriced to really qualify as good.
@@singincowboy Somewhat. My two favorite whiskeys fall into that range. Makers 46 and Willet Pot. Basically more taste and less diluted feeling, but you don’t pay for cask strength.
Evan Williams has been my go-to mixer bourbon for a while (and I'll put the sour mash against Jack Daniel's any day of the week). Inoffensive, has enough character to mix, if you drink it straight you don't hate yourself. Though my big handle has been getting dusty since I found a handle of Larceny for $40 😂
I really wanted to like Evan Williams but something about the flavor really puts me off. If it's a cherry note then I think I don't like cherry notes in bourbon. Not sure. I'm more into Old Grand-Dad and Earlytimes.
Just turned 21 here! Ive been watching the channel since I was 17 and I'd love a review on bitters infused sugar cubes or "instant cocktails" there are several varieties and I was lucky enough to receive the yescocktailco instant old fashioned pack, but I'm a bit apprehensive using them with my nice new bottles of whisky. I also think it would just be a super fun watch! Love the channel and everything you do!
Jamison, crown royal, and jack Daniels all are pretty solid base line whisky's. However each one of them will have a different taste to them. But for mixers I would suggest finding an inexpensive option you like for yourself. And an old fashioned is supposed to highlight the whisky not overpower it. So using a more top shelf whisky should be fine if the instant packs taste fine. But use a lesser bottles first and then try the fancier stuff. To see if you actually like them. That Evan Williams BnB he used in this video isn't that bad for something like that. It's cheap like dirt cheap and is pretty neutral imo. Perfect for simple mixed drinks. As I like Jamison sours, I subbed the EW BnB for the Jamison I could tell there was a slight off taste but nothing crazy that made it feel like it was something else.
I really enjoyed the low-energy, informative style. I've been binging HTD as background noise while recovering from a recent surgery, and this one was really great for that. Super chill, very cozy.
I absolutely love Evan Williams BiB for the price. It punches well above its price range in my opinion for drinking neat or mixing. I find EW BiB to be almost cloyingly sweet, like drinking caramel and peanut brittle. I can see how he got bubble gum off that.
I have been watching your videos on and off for years now, and I respect you so much more for including the blind of pappy. Thank you, and keep being honest.
The Mellow Corn and the Evan Williams are mainstays in my cabinet. You described them well, they're things I reach for when I'm not looking for a challenge. It's like a movie you've already seen before but enjoyed.
I think it might have been juuuuuuust outside the price bracket, but Old Forester is pretty dang nice stuff for the money. kinda sweet, and I always get banana bread flavors out of it. Honestly most of their portfolio is pretty nice, consistently good.
@@claytonbigsby69 absolutely, and the 1910 is fantastic as well in that 50-60 tier. Their rye is super reasonable too, like about 35 iirc? Nice and floral stuff. I think I remember Greg liking that one in the Manhattan matrix video?
I would love to see a bottom shelf Irish or Canadian review. I'm an Irish drinker myself. Wolfhound and Sextant are my favorites, and Wolfhound is very reasonably priced if you can find it.
I appreciate your honesty. Alot of bourbon reviewers look so pretentious when talking about the flavor notes they find. Half the time they look like they're trying to imagine a flavor that isn't there. The fact that you question your own abilities to taste the bourbon makes you very relatable and I will be watching more of your videos.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't really care for Pappy. I think if more people tried it blind they wouldn't think its the greatest thing on earth too. I'm not saying Its bad, I just agree with Greg, people 'force' the like because of the price/reputation. Or I have the palette of a peasant, who knows.
Have you tried it blind? I had a friend who swore up and down that he hated Pappy (mostly due to the hype) who unknowingly put it in first place and said he loved it in our most recent blind tasting. Preconceived notions are a hell of a drug
@@jamesn5625 I've been lucky enough to try it twice. First time I knew what it was, and enjoyed it. Second time blind, didn't enjoy it nearly as much. I'm not saying Pappy is bad, that would be asinine. I'm just in line with Greg's thinking that your brain can translates $$$ into enjoyment. Or again, my palette sucks.
@@Cormier66 Your palette doesn't suck; it's just your palette. Taste is subjective, and there is no standard on it (other than societal admonishments or praise; more or less, peer pressure). Also, without the "peasantry", we wouldn't have what's regarded as some of the best tasting/most-eaten foods in the world. See, you're still comitting to that preconceived notion that higher price=good, low cost=bad, and that's just not true, generally; you have to take it case by case and judge it on its merit, to you, as an individual.
I had just checked Curiata yesterday for the first time! I noticed the cocktail kits go live while I was going through the collections lol. Thought I was going crazy when clicked back to your page and I saw two new things on there. Good to know it was probably an actual technical process and not just me losing my mind.
I love videos in this vein because I'm normally a mid-shelf guy myself, feeling guilty anytime I reach for top shelf. Finding a bottom shelf bottle that's drinkable mixed or not has been my goal for a while. You've given me a couple to try!
The EW BiB is one of the best value whiskeys to hold up to a whiskey and coke, you don't lose all of the flavor and the extra proof really helps. Around here its dirt cheap, In Texas I can pick up the bottle for $14 after tax.
Ezra Brooks is the only reasonably priced straight rye and bourbon I can get in my country (liquor import tax is 100%), and I think they're both great in cocktails. 90 proof, decent price
Low energy? I friggin loved it!! especially your blind review of pappy! You spoke your mind and that can only be respected. I sat back and watched it all while drinking a Maker's rocks.
But not only Greg, who is excellent as always, but I would like to take a moment to appreciate your editor. The text animation was spot on! I know the number of hours spent to make animation such as that look so in sync. Kudos.
2:18 - Most of the whiskey made it into the glass, so that's a pretty big clue it wasn't you pouring it! I like these low-key episodes a lot more than going over the line of drunkenness
EW BiB is my favorite cheap pour. Hits way out of its weight class. The bottom shelf Henry McKenna is not bad for the price, however for the same money, EW Black is a better pour imo.
This video actually came at just the right time for me, trying to find a good whiskey on a budget. I'm sure he'll be getting a STRONGLY worded email from Pappy Van Winkle though.
this is why I love watching this show.... bring out the Pappy and tell us truth.... half of the other Whiskey Tubers should do this.... proof that expensive does not mean great... one of my fav bourbons is Benchmark 8... 13 bucks.... BiB, goes to 20, and is wonderful. cheers Greg, and crew.... this is wonderful.......................
Ezra is my go to for drinking. Not expensive but goes down smooth. Another one I enjoy is Evan 80 proof. I dig the low to bottom shelf reviews. Need more of these for all the things... Gin, vodka, tequila, etc. Keep em coming, guy.
Honestly I really liked having the pappy in this video. It's pretty clear now that Greg doesn't like it, and I think that is more than valid. I haven't tried it myself, but it's interesting seeing the differences of taste
It's like wines you can have a preference for wines of varied price range and it all be valid and try expensive ones that make you wish it were polite to visibly gag. It's in how you interpret the flavour as much as it's purported value.
First time commenter. Thanks for this! I really enjoy the bottom shelf exploration. I think it’s important to help refine a pallet completely. Also if you need a few cheap bottles on deck… Very helpful
In terms of that bottom tier bourbon, I think McKenna has a lot more going for it that the budget regaled Benchmark 8. McKenna is super heavy in that hutlacoche note - which I'm now even picking up in WT101.
My brother is a die hard old fashioned fan, so this may just be a gift for him this year! Love the show, Greg, and I’d love to see more of these review style videos. :)
I like that a cheaper bourbon beat out “pappy”. Can’t afford pappy myself, but wouldn’t want to have to buy it because it was a thousand times better. Hooray for reasonably priced bourbon!
That tonal shift slap to the face when he realised he misdiagnosed the Pappy - I think I got vertigo from that sudden shift to immediate depression. Just goes to show that like all wine and whiskey aficionados, he couldn't tell a good one from a bad one without seeing the label and price. Reminds me of the time a work colleague insisted that he only drank expensive whiskeys - your Glenlivets, Glenfiddichs, Taliskers, nothing less than 18 years, etc - so I got him a glass of the nastiest bottom shelf shit I could secure at the bar and told him it was a Glenfiddich 18 year. The sap savoured it like it was, never knowing he was drinking something worse than JW Red, barely fit for mixing.
With respect, but he didn't "misdiagnose" it as good or bad, he just offered his opinion about whether or not he liked the flavour profile. Which proves a point he's made over and over, that there are two layers of "good and bad" that people operate with, one being whether it's expensive or not, and the other being personal taste. What's wrong is when people like your colleague correlate price with taste; Greg going in blind and willing to make calls without prompts is different and much more objective: in that context "good" and "bad" is almost entirely ruled by personal taste. He's also said it many times as well that he's not an "aficionado"; he's not a trained sommelier or anything, he just knows what he likes and doesn't like, and speaks to us like any of us would.
@@Zzyzzyzzs His immediate reaction and tonal shift when he realised he didn't pick up it was a $3,000 bottle of booze was a clear tell, If he liked the whiskey for the whiskey, he would have liked this despite not knowing it was Pappy or not. It's clear his opinion is forged purely by label. Also, in a prior episode he extolled the virtues of the Pappy, total opposite of his blind taste this time.
First off, Mellow Corn is DELICIOUS and I know a bunch of "whiskey people" who won't drink it 'because the label looks dumb'. That's fine, more for me. Second, Larceny > Pappy ALL DAY. Pappy is awful and I don't understand why people think it's worth the money.
I hung around people that wouldn't give it a chance because it had a plastic cap. People just love to let their judgements ruin their potential experiences. Personally, I'm not a Mellow Corn fan, but I do like Evan Williams BIB (another plastic cap hero).
I think videos like this and the original Pappy video just go to show that it's all up to preference. People like what they like, high price doesn't equal universal enjoyment because people are looking for different things
I think the cocktail kit is a really awesome idea! I'm a little surprised by the El Dorado 3 for the mai tai. I'm sure it makes a great drink, just wondering how you landed on that to pair with the Smith & Cross. I suppose I'll have to try that combo myself!
It'd be really interesting to see you do a collab with the modern rogue, they've done a few 'how to make drinks' videos and I feel like your video styles would mesh really well together
They're probably too far apart geographically but yeah it'd be fun to see him do a tasting with the Whiskey Tribe people. Or a video focusing on the Old Fashioned.
Also good to note that price, reputation and age don't determine how good a whiskey is. He hated Pappy and loved a cheapo. Pappy 'might' be better on the rocks than Henry McKenna.
