Nice! If I started with this list a little over a year ago I would have saved myself about 800 bucks and wouldn’t have about 35 bottles that I have or have given away to friends and family! In the first month I didn’t need a lot of bottles that I started with and I bought too many the first couple of weeks. Cheers!
Solid list. Honestly there are so many options to fit into these 'you only need 5 bourbons lists' if you're just starting out. Allocated bourbons are nice and all if and when you can find them, but you're better off focusing on bottles you can readily access.
If you are doing an either or on Knob Creek, I would say KC 120 or KC 12 year 100 proof. They are different enough in flavor profile to make it a proof vs oak preference. Both widely available.
Excellent list. I couldn’t/wouldn’t argue any of those selections. Agree it’s a tough call on the WT RB vs RRSB. Love both. For me, it just depends on if I want a little more spice (RB) or a little more sweet (RRSB) on a given day.
Solid list. I am not a huge fan of wheated bourbons but completely understand your logic of including one in the collection. I love the FRSiB and the OF1920. I am not a huge fan of the Rare Breed so I would probably out in a Woodford Double Oaked. I like OF 1910 but that would make 2 OF products.
So I've blinded my entire collection and picked out my three that you need. 1. Knob Creek 9 year. It's almost as cheap in the 1.75liter as most "mixers you can sip"... IE WT101, EWBIB... And it's much better. Winds up about $30/750 in the the 1.75liter... which I consider cheap enough to mix if you want to... but it's a great sip too. 2. Rare Breed. It just beats absolutely everything in the price range. It beats unobtainiums sometimes. It's a HITTER at $50. And I will occasionally even mix it (my local bar runs out of 101 a LOT and subs it)... it's great for that too... way better than Russels 10 (which they also sub for 101). 3. Jack Daniels SB BP Rye. $70 bottle that is just an incredible sipper. The only bottle I continually look for new barrels dropping locally. Some day I'll find a hazmat of it. If you WANT a cheaper bottle, I love Turkey 101 as a mixer... but it costs almost the same as KC9... so It's not necessary. If you get this in 1.75... it does come in a good bit cheaper... about $20/750... so this would for sure be my #4. That said, those 3-4 make up my BAR... and then I'd go out and experiment to buy interesting stuff to add on for the sake of variety. ECBP's, Store picks that interest me, and stuff from new/smaller distillers. I'm done trying to "do better" than Rare Breed on a quality/$$. Because you can't. Until they bump it up to a $70 bottle (And I fully expect they will in the next couple years)... it's just too damn good for other bottles to unseat. After a ton of blinds where I was back and forth on WT101 and OF100 (and now Makers 101)... I've decided; I like them all about the same... And WT101 is the cheapest (esp in 1.75s)... so it's the winner. I do occasionally get a taste for OF100 instead... but not often enough I'd consider it a better bar add. But frankly, cant go wrong... and when there's a OF coupon/sale and the bottle gets down in the $20 range (which it does on occasion in PA), it's a fine alternative. MM101... eh... $40 here... so same price as KC9... and KC9 just ruins it. Slaps it around and laughs in its face. Eventually I will swing over to Ohio and grab a Early Times BIB to put up against turkey 101... but not today.
Nothing to argue with here, all very solid pours. I’d stick with Rare Breed too as the single barrels vary more. But life is too short to only drink these 5. That’s why you shelves are full of Four Gate and Old Carter, as are mine 😊
I have a list on my phone called “Shelf Staples”. It is longer (slightly) only because it’s not just bourbon. I have bottles like Sagamore Double Oak, Pikesville Rye, and Port Charlotte in there. Every bourbon you have in this list, I have on mine except I also have Coopers 100 (took over the BF Early Times spot). Cheers Scott! Hope you enjoyed the DR🥃
All great distilleries. These guys have been around for a long time for a reason. Thought these were for old people but when you taste them you realize why you grandfather drank them. Must haves for sure.
One of the main issues it didn't is juat its overall availability for most. It forcsome reason along with Eagle Rare are just limited with allocation and really one of thexonky reasons they aren't on the list, but I do agree they are nice everyday kind of bourbons. Cheers, and thanks for watching and sharing 🥃
I’ll agree with all of these but I’m a rye guy so for the rare breed I’ll take the rye same with the Russell I’ll go rye. unfortunately my area doesn’t get the ECBP. We do see larceny so if I see the SB I’ll get that. Enjoy!!
This is a good list and I find myself always going to Eagle Rare and Elijah Craig BP (or private barrels). Both are fairly easy to come by these days. I know ECBP varies from batch to batch but none of them are "bad" or taste terrible.
Russell’s single barrels have increased in price over the last 6 months to a year in KY and OH. Most places to include grocery stores (Kroger) and Liquor Barns have these going in the $70-80. Good bourbon but would like to see it back down in the $50-60 range.
great list...i can get all of them regularly except the four roses and never see ECBP...but I am lucky enough to have a 4 roses ...i love all these ! cheers buddy !
Can't disagree with any of these, Scott. And I'd lean towards the Rare Breed as well. I think another option for the OF line would be the 1910. I like the 1920 a little better myself but the 1910 is solid. Cheers!
THat is a perfect list Scott. I have some of each and a lot of KC and EC most of which are picks. I'm not a huge wheat fan so I don't have many Maker or 4 Roses but I really like the profile of Larceny. Cheers!
I did kind of mention maybe adding water to bring the proof down, but I get what you're saying. I juat wouldn't want a 100 proof bourbon if it were my only 5. I'd add water as needed if it were me, but I fully understand having a great 100 proof whiskey in your collection. I'm a bug fan of that proof also. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. Cheers 🥃
Hard to debate your picks. All good choices. Old Forester 1910 is a contender. JD Bonded. JD SIngle Barrel. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. All could be contenders.
Lol, but if you could only have five tge rest of your life, I'm sure you could put a list together. I we don't have to, but we could. Cheers buddy and thanks for watching and commenting! 🥃
spot on.. prob would have put woodford double oak in over 4 roses and makers 101 or makers cask for sure a solid wheater to add. I think the of1920 or wt rb should be 1 and a rye should be in there somewhere. cheers
Just 5? I’ve got my personal list down to 10. Great list you gave that I can highly respect. Rare Breed for me can compete with ANYTHING on a given night - so you know which way I’m leaning with the Russels Single Barrel. I might want to add JDSBBP and a couple of lower proof warm up bourbons and for friends. The Makers Cask got me to quit hunting Weller Antique. Cheers.
My only argument would be the overall availability of a couple of those included Eagle Rare and the NBC bourbon. I'm NOT saying they aren't good, as they both are, but overall availability to buy off a shelf is a bit low (eagle rare) or almost impossible to get on a shelf (NBC) that's the only reason I'd exclude. I appreciate you watching and commenting, Cheers 🥃
Nice list, but these lists are so funny when the presenter has hundreds of bottles on the shelves behind them. The Rare Breed is also one of my favorites.
My only issue with eagle rare is the fact that it's difficult to get for most people. If it was easier, it may have had a shot at making the list. Until that happens, it's just not one I can add. I do enjoy the ER a lot, though. Great everyday kind of bourbon. Cheers, and thanks for watching and sharing. 🥃
I would not give $20 for 1920, If I imagine what paint thinner must taste like, 1920 is probably pretty close. How this JUNK gets so much hype I will never understand. The 1910 is a much better offering, as it actually has a very desirable flavor. Your other selections are pretty good, although at $25 for WT101, doubling the price or more for Rare Breed or Russell's Single Barrel is hard to justify. Then again I have found that if I am going to spend more than $60 for a 750ml bottle of whiskey, I will go for Scotch.
Respectfully, we'll agree to disagree, but that's ok. At the end of the day, we drink what we like, and that's what it's all about. Appreciate you watching and sharing, Cheers 🥃
There should be some caveat that the picks represent high quality but quality does not equate to personal enjoyment. I’m this close to completely giving up on Old Forester for example after having bought and finished 1910 and 1920 over a two year period. Definitely not a prevailing opinion but I just don’t enjoy the way that the oak presents itself in either. The balance against the other notes of fruit, maple, earthiness, vegetal notes, etc. just isn’t right as far as my palate goes. A few times at the beginning and at the end of the bottle, the 1910 tasted just like a waffle breakfast with maple syrup and butter. But the middle and end also showcased some stuff I just don’t want to find in my bourbon anymore. The Makers Mark and MM46 are wheaters and they are too smooth and too simple for me at this point. Definitely try before you buy for sure.
The point was, if you were ONLY have 5, the ones discussed you could get away with and be 100% satisfied having. I understand I don't juat have 5, but these would be 5 great selections. Cheers, and thanks for watching 🥃
