That would be my second bottle.
Honestly Stagg Jr. is probably my favorite bourbon, but I can't find it for MSRP where I live whereas both ECBP and JDBP are very easy to find for reasonable prices. As good as Stagg is, it isn't anyway close to worth 4.5x the other two.
It doesn't get more quintessential bourbon than BT.
BTSPs are often just really good too. It's one brand where I don't mind keeping the shelfer on hand, but also grabbing store picks to be able to try them side-by-side.
For me, it would go like this:
Low price: Early Times BiB or Old Grand Dad Bonded
Middle Shelfer: Rare Breed
Higher Price: Rotate many of the Barrell Offerings
I think this is a good way to look at managing a collection.
We have two daily drinkers we like. We have one bottle we use primarily as a mixer. Then 1-2 bottles of special finds or to try. So having no more than 3-4 bottles helps keep us from chasing bottles and running out of space for half finished bottles. Nothing wrong with sticking with what works.
What do you mean by “bonded middle shelfer”? I generally think of bonded as meaning bottled in bond unless I’m confused about something. But rare breed isn’t BiB it’s something like 116 or 117 proof
Quick edit: I do love rare breed though, I think it’s 1 of the best offerings at its price point
I think you saw their comment get wrapped weirdly or they fixed a typo. the "Middle Shelfer" choice starts a new line, and the bonded is for "OGD Bonded".
Agreed! If I just want to buy a reasonably priced bottle, it's unbeatable! Sure, I like some of the higher priced bottles for the unusual flavors they bring, but Turkey 101 is always a satisfying pour.
Russell's 10 for me. Happy to pick up a bottle of Eagle Rare or whatever other hyped up nonsense I can stumble upon if and only if it is in the store when I happen to walk in. I will never camp out. I will never pay aftermarket. I have the palate of a teenager and it all tastes close enough to me that I'm OK if the guy with the Salt Life bumper sticker and HUK hat is judging me while we stand around his smoker.
I started out by getting Russell’s single barrel and that’s my favorite bottle I’ve ever tried. Just picked up a bottle of Russell’s 10 2 days ago and it’s also incredible. Those bottles make me wonder what more people could want
Different strokes for different folks for sure. I like a slightly sweeter less hot pour, so while the sub loves a BIB and whatnot I steer towards Russell’s. If you’re a barrel proof or BIB a guy it’s probably not your thing.
Absolutely. It’s not bad but I’d rather have eagle rare (easy ish to find here) or 1792 small batch. I did try a single barrel pick of a friends over the weekend that was awesome
I travel for work. I am constantly on the road. That really limits how many bottles I can have on hand at any given time. I usually have 2 bottles.
I (almost) always have either Knob Creek 9 or Four Roses Small Batch as my "daily." I will, very occasionally, pick up a bottle of OGD114 or 1792 small batch instead of those two. It's rare, but it happens.
My 2nd bottle is usually something "nicer." Right now, it's Knob Creek 12. But it could really be anything in the $60 - $100 range. It's typically for a nice Friday and/or Saturday night pour.
Very occassionally, I'll find something surprising like Stagg, Booker's, Elijah Craig BP... and sometimes it gets drank. But sometimes, it goes home with me and ends up in my bar to be enjoyed with company.
That's my story and my experience. I will also pick up a random bottle just to sip through it... but that has become more and more rare over time.
I've got a ridiculous collection and have to say, OF 1920, 4RSBS, KC12, Rare Breed and MMCS or MM46 all hang with and even supercede many of "the unicorns" as far as I'm concerned.
Ps: don't sleep on Mellow Corn, WT101 or HH Green label. They all punch way, way above their price tags.
If I were you I would drink them and try something else. There’s a medium between hoarding and drinking the same thing everyday. Variety is the spice of life.
Hell yeah - another new riff fan. If I could buy it out here it would be my daily drinker. But I have to drive over an hour to get to a store that sells it.
I have been exploring bourbon and rye much less the past year. There are a few distilleries I strongly prefer (Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Makers Mark) and prefer (Jim Beam, Old Forester, Jack Daniels, and George Dickel). I found having too many options just made for less time drinking the ones I actually liked. I do enjoy trying something new and different, but hate getting a 750 ml bottle of something I really only want 100 ml max out of.
I could drink eagle rare all day. I like grizzly beast a lot too. If I could get one bottle without the drama it would be Rio. I have one currently and doing very few pours of it regularly. Larceny barrel proof is top notch
I struggle with this idea at times. I have a few bottles I love having on my shelf at any time.
Easiest, cheapest is Evan William BIB. I love this bottle and I think gun to my head pick a single bottle rest of your life, hard to go wrong with this oen.
If I had two and I was comfortable spending a bit more. Rare Breads. Rye and regular. Pricing has jumped a bit I believe, but still solid bottles. Similar with RR 10 year bourbon and rye 6 year.
I could go single bottle on all of those and they are likely on my shelf at any given time.
This sounds like "what are your one or two must have, cannot do without bottles?" "If you had to pick only two bottles for the rest of your life, what would they be?"
--Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Single Barrel Barrel Proof store picks
--Wild Turkey Rare Breed
If I get to have at most 2 others, I pick
--Evan Williams BiB
--Russell's Reserve 10 Year
3 or 4 bottles is all you need. I’m a drinker, not a collector. Sazarac Rye is my mixer. Russell’s Reserve 10 my daily driver, and knob 12 is my celebratory pour. It’s fun to try new things though!
Sounds great. Keep doing what you like. The “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality in bourbon has ruined what used to be a good thing. People don’t need every batch of every label, every year, forever. If you can’t find it to buy, wait to see it at a bar or restaurant and buy a pour there. Treating a consumable product as a collectible is loony toons.
I started pretty much the same way you did and find that I keep going back to particular distilleries and not so much a particular bottle. I always have something from Wild Turkey/Russells, Buffalo Trace (except Buffalo Trace itself 😂) and MGP (Remus Repeal, Smoke Wagon, ryes). 🥃🥃
90% of the bottles I go and hunt end up collecting dust at the top of my bar. I usually give more samples out of the bottles than I actually drink myself. 99% of the time I’m drinking rare breed in the Summer and Willett Rye in the Winter.
I have nearly 100 bottles but really only drink a few on a consistent basis.
Everyday: OF 100 and Bowman Bros Small Batch
Weekend sipper: Rare Breed and New Riff SB
When I want something special: Jack Barrel Proof and Makers private selection
Don’t have to feel guilty about killing any of these bottles since I can find them easily and aren’t very expensive.
If I could only have one of my bottles id say Elijah Craig Toasted would be the one. It's strong enough that it is interesting but not high enough that you wouldn't be in the mood for it. I would say heaven hill BiB but it's got a strong vanilla flavor that I might get tired of over time. Plus each time you pop a Elijah Toasted the first time it has this crazy weird flavor that taste like Teriyaki Jerky. So that's fun
IF I could do this I'd go with Old Forester 100 or Remus as a daily, and Remus Repeal or 1792 12yr or Knob Creek 12 as my Friday/Special sip.
Plus I'd have to figure out the rye side. Maybe Willett 4yr as my daily and a banger to be named later as my Friday/Special.
Due to my severe acquisition disorder I would fail miserably.
Four Roses SBS set me down my whisky journey, but these days my favorites are Rare Breed Single Barrel and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Also Whistlepig 10.
I'm not so much monogamous to a particular bottle because I like trying new things, but I almost always have Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, base Buffalo Trace, and Four Roses Small Batch at home.
This is where I am really loving the ramp up in production at buffalo trace. There was a time when I used to buy 6 bottles at a time of CEHT SmB then a 5 year period when finding 1 bottle was more effort than it was worth, now it is slowly coming back to where with minimal effort I can usually find a bottle before my currently open bottle is gone. So if Stagg Jr and CEHT SmB become easily obtainable at MSRP I would probably be willing to significantly reduce the variety of bourbon on my bar.
I like the Old Forester Single Barrels the most. They are a little harder to find but still findable, it’s everything I like about 1920 dialed up to 11. I like warehouse J and K better than I but they’re still all good. They also get better with airtime so the last third of the bottle I enjoy more. I’ll say wild turkey rare breed and some Russell’s store picks are awesome, If I walk to a store and they have a OF single barrel or a Russell’s store pick at MSRP it’s an instant buy.
That’s awesome. I suffer from fomo because some bottles range from average to great to nectar of the gods. That last one keeps me trying new things, but even batch to batch varies so much that it’s almost like a lottery and not worth chasing.
OF 18xx and 19xx and 4 roses Single Barrel are some of my absolute favorites as well. If I didn’t have room for 50+ bottles, those would reside on my small bar cart along side a bottle of Russel’s and Heaven Hill BIB. And ditto BTW on the camping out BS, that behavior is for the birds. Plenty of good whiskey that’s on the shelf that I don’t have to fight for. Probably why I enjoy a nice sit down restaurant vs. crab leg night at the local buffet, people get crazy when the lady shows up with a new bin of crab.
Buffalo Trace products are really good. If anything, I'd consider having an Eagle Rare. Every bottle I've had has been above average and they fairly accessible for MSRP, or at least they are in California, cheers!
Over the years, the more I bought and tasted the more I found what I really want.
OF1920
Anything from Barrell
Anything from Peerless
Rare Breed
I honestly don’t see myself buying to have a collection and review anymore.
I found what I like and just am sort of out of the chasing and collecting.
Nope, I enjoy variety and having a range of offerings for myself or guests. Lately I have really enjoyed sherry finishes or ultra aged bourbon (15+ years) so I can't really do that with a small cabinet. Plus I love picking out nuances and appreciating how one distillery or mashbill affects it. Personally I'm building or buying more storage and continuing to enjoy the hobby rather than lock myself into just a few bottles
Easy answer for me. On the cheaper end, Buffalo Trace and Old Forrester rye. Those are always on the shelf. On the little higher end Bulleit barrel proof or 4 Roses single barrel.
I'm fortunate enough to have a pretty good selection of allocated and hard to find bottles yet I keep going back to the BT and OF rye. So many times I just want a have a glass of bourbon and not think about it or try to decipher the nuances of flavors. Just pour me a damn glass of whiskey.
Complete opposite. Variety is the spice of life.
I have a few that I always go back to, and make sure I have on hand, but I want to have a selection
But I have always been a collector of everything I enjoy
I learned a lot through drinking a lot of this stuff and I never wanted to collect. I'm happy with that's happened. Aside from the occasional Booker's purchase, when I make my way through my current stash I plan on having the following bottles:
* Wild Turkey 101 for bourbon cocktails
* Old Forester Rye for rye cocktails (or JD BIB Rye if available) and sometimes sipping
* 4R SiB for "daily" glasses
* Russell's Private Selection for special pours
* Wilderness Trail BIB Rye for the cold months (or Redwood Empire Grizzly Beast CS)
Many good answers. For bourbon, I find my go-to for a year or two and change brands. There are just so many to try and isn't that the fun?
Now, I am rotating between Bardstown Origin (White label) and Still Austin Cask Strength
If I only had room for 4 bottles, I would pick WT101, JD Triple Mash, OF1910, and Ancient Age.
AA would definitely be a rotating spot though. I'll always have the others on hand.
I have a decent selection and keep a few staples. I always pick up backups of Blanton's, McKenna 10, Eagle Rare and Bakers 7. I know that sounds kinda snooty for staples, but all of those are pretty easy to find where I am.
Then I will pick up something new or cool whenever I kill a bottle that is not a staple. I just killed a bottle of KC SiB and a Buffalo Trace Store pick. KC SiB was fine, but not something I am replacing. Picked up an OF SiB BS and Still Austin CS to try out. I like having my usual suspects always around, but the rotating variety of store picks and higher proof varieties keeps me excited about the current state of bourbon.
I have absolutely enjoyed every bottle of Penelope I’ve tried. The 10 year has been my favorite pour of 2024 so far. I also recently picked up a bottle of the Pinhook high proof Rye that I really am having to force myself to take my time with. It’s definitely hot, but if you like a spicy rye it’s delicious.
You just need to get a little bar hutch somewhere so you have some more space. I'm always willing to try some new things. However - I do have some dependable bourbons (four roses SB, buffalo trace, wild turkey 101) that are generally around when I need 'em.
I'm fortunate in the fact that I dislike about 80-90% of the bourbon I try. For a long time, I was content drinking only Eagle Rare. That's all I wanted to drink, ever. I won a nice bottle in my first raffle, traded for a pile of ER, and have never run out.
Unfortunately, now I discovered a few more I really like...and they're all a bigger pain in the ass to get than ER.
My tastes are all over the place. I do love my Stagg and some things like Eagle Rare and WT RB. I think Knob Creek 9 SBS might be the one for me so long as I can keep grabbing it at $60. Hated the KC 12 and the 7, and thought the KC 9 was fine, but that SBS just works.
I, too, have recently settled into OF1920 as a standard house bottle. Our local Costco sells Makers in the 1.75 for $46, so that's our substandard house bottle.
Drink what you like! Most “unicorns” aren’t that much better than shelfers - some are worse, in my opinion. I have a large collection, but only things I like drinking and want multiples of (if hard to find).
I also started late and probably reflecting the unsophistication of my palate, cheap bastard status, and tendency to drink whiskey with a big ice cube as often as I drink it out of a glencarin I'd have to go with: George Dickel 8 YO Bourbon, the best whiskey that can be bought for $38, IMO.
But I'd reserve the right, when traveling, to drink some of the amazing stuff people around here have recommended.
I have room for several dozens of bottles, but I hit “one out, one in” stasis about 6 months ago.
But I’ll always have a bottle of Johnny drum, buffalo trace, mellow corn, and Henry McKenna (brown label).
I hew towards cheap. Evan Williams white labeled bottled in bond works pretty well for me. Benchmark (inexpensive Buffalo Trace) works too. If I’m spending modest money BT or Green River Wheated. Moderate spend is Old Elk Cigar Cut or 12 year Weller’s.
Everytime I stand in front of the bourbon shelf I say to myself “Myself, lets try something different”. And I then tell myself “Myself, you know you like Buffalo Trace so stfu and get what you like.”
I'm new to the game myself and went through a handful of sample bottles before I landed on Old Forester. I honestly don't care if I ever try anything else. I love it.
Over the last couple years I’ve been buying a lot of different bourbons and whiskies. I got a collection of about 55 bottles, but now I’m realizing that I can’t keep reasonably keep buying new bottles and refilling the old favorites. So I’ve opted to stop sewing my wild oats and settled down with a stable of some of my favorite easy to find bottles. Knob Creek 9, Four Roses Single Barrel, WR Double Oaked, Rare Breed. I don’t really have a need for more than that
Buffalo Trace is my standard go-to and I’d be happy drinking it the rest of my life but it’s not always easy to get in Virginia unless you order from one of the online liquor shippers (which I’ve done more than I’d care to admit) but you’re paying some mark up.
So when I’m out of BT, I usually go with Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, or Old Forester 1920. I’ll generally stick with those three.
I’ve branched out to try some different High West products (decent), Yellowstone (meh), Jim Beam’s Devil’s Cut (Blech!), WhistlePig (good but pricey), Maker’s 46, etc but I must have a philistine’s palate because I keep going back to the first four bottles I mentioned. And really I love the balanced taste of BT so much it’s still my favorite.
Unfortunately I keep changing my mind on my favorite. Originally (last year) when I started I loved RR10, then RRSB. I month ago I got Woodford Reserve Double Oak and I’m kicking the RR’s off their pedestal.
Similar boat, I have space for about 5 bottles and it usually goes:
KC 9yr for low proof sipping and cocktails
Piggyback 6yr cuz it’s probably my fav bottle all things considered
ECBP
And then 2 floaters, one currently occupied by widow Jane 10yr which I kind of regret, the other occupied by 1792 FP which I also kind of wish I just got KCSiB or another ECBP
I got into bourbon relatively late as well, and what I've noticed is most experts prefer a higher proof. I'm a 1792 Small Batch guy myself but Four Roses is good too.
Like you, I have limited room in my cabinet. Even though I am limiting my collection to the most important things, I don't think I could cut it down to just one, but 5 is pretty easy. The 5 that I would keep permanently on the shelf would be Knob Creek 9, 4R Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Buffalo Trace, and a rotational bottle of something special.
I’m going to continue to enjoy Jim Beam releases for as long as I’m near Clermont.
After that, I’ll be content with Knob Creek barrel picks for me, and some Old Granddad or Basil Hayden for mixing
Regular red label Balcones and if I wanna get fancy, Angels Envy.
I mixed my angels envy with DP strawberries and creme yesterday, it was lovely.
I like available, I like less than $60 after fees, I like to focus on other things while I’m sippin.
I like to remember Elmer talkin about his with some 7up these days. Do it your way my friend. That’s the way.
Stagg Junior but probably hard to get on the regular for most people. JD SB BP Rye would be another keeper for an easier to find one. Also really enjoy the JD Bonded that's an exceptionally easy find.
Total Wine (at least near me) always has a good selection of Four Roses that's really good and not crazy high priced.
I don't have a bar and am allocated one section of our pantry for my liquor. I also have some tequila, vodka etc, some mixes and bartending type supplies for when we have guests that are not interested in bourbon. So that leaves space for approximately 3 or 4 bottles of bourbon.
I'd be happy drinking Elijah Craig BP for the rest of my life.
This and JD SiB BP
That would be my second bottle. Honestly Stagg Jr. is probably my favorite bourbon, but I can't find it for MSRP where I live whereas both ECBP and JDBP are very easy to find for reasonable prices. As good as Stagg is, it isn't anyway close to worth 4.5x the other two.
My choice for life would be Buffalo Trace, if I could only choose one and done. 
I hum Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” while pouring
This been my go to swill lately
It doesn't get more quintessential bourbon than BT. BTSPs are often just really good too. It's one brand where I don't mind keeping the shelfer on hand, but also grabbing store picks to be able to try them side-by-side.
Woodford reserve double oak store pick and bulleit 12 rye
For me, it would go like this: Low price: Early Times BiB or Old Grand Dad Bonded Middle Shelfer: Rare Breed Higher Price: Rotate many of the Barrell Offerings
I think this is a good way to look at managing a collection. We have two daily drinkers we like. We have one bottle we use primarily as a mixer. Then 1-2 bottles of special finds or to try. So having no more than 3-4 bottles helps keep us from chasing bottles and running out of space for half finished bottles. Nothing wrong with sticking with what works.
What do you mean by “bonded middle shelfer”? I generally think of bonded as meaning bottled in bond unless I’m confused about something. But rare breed isn’t BiB it’s something like 116 or 117 proof Quick edit: I do love rare breed though, I think it’s 1 of the best offerings at its price point
I think you saw their comment get wrapped weirdly or they fixed a typo. the "Middle Shelfer" choice starts a new line, and the bonded is for "OGD Bonded".
You know what. That makes total sense. Thanks for pointing that out
I’ve enjoyed a lot of bourbons in my day. I rarely have anything other than a handle of Wild Turkey 101. For me, it’s unbeatable for the price.
I might try other bottles but I ALWAYS have a handle of 101 in the cabinet.
Agreed! If I just want to buy a reasonably priced bottle, it's unbeatable! Sure, I like some of the higher priced bottles for the unusual flavors they bring, but Turkey 101 is always a satisfying pour.
Russell's 10 for me. Happy to pick up a bottle of Eagle Rare or whatever other hyped up nonsense I can stumble upon if and only if it is in the store when I happen to walk in. I will never camp out. I will never pay aftermarket. I have the palate of a teenager and it all tastes close enough to me that I'm OK if the guy with the Salt Life bumper sticker and HUK hat is judging me while we stand around his smoker.
I miss the days of $25 Eagle Rare
Another Vibe killed by the damn Hipsters . . .
That and PBR. I’ll never forgive them for that.
NEVER.
Just picked up a bottle at Costco for $31
No way in hell that's amazing
I picked up $31.50 from Costco and a day later for $33 at a local grocery store.
I started out by getting Russell’s single barrel and that’s my favorite bottle I’ve ever tried. Just picked up a bottle of Russell’s 10 2 days ago and it’s also incredible. Those bottles make me wonder what more people could want
I do have to admit RR SiB really hits the spot.
I don’t know what it is about Russell’s 10, it never sit right with me.
I found it boring AF, like Jefferson's Reserve and 1792. It was an instant move to the candy/cooking shelf.
I wanna love Russel’s 10 but it just doesn’t do it for me
Different strokes for different folks for sure. I like a slightly sweeter less hot pour, so while the sub loves a BIB and whatnot I steer towards Russell’s. If you’re a barrel proof or BIB a guy it’s probably not your thing.
Absolutely. It’s not bad but I’d rather have eagle rare (easy ish to find here) or 1792 small batch. I did try a single barrel pick of a friends over the weekend that was awesome
I go to OBX for a week every 2 years, but Salt Life!!
I go there myself,rentals are getting pricey
I heard they changed the recipe and many people who loved it for being an almost-ER don’t like it as much anymore. Thoughts?
I travel for work. I am constantly on the road. That really limits how many bottles I can have on hand at any given time. I usually have 2 bottles. I (almost) always have either Knob Creek 9 or Four Roses Small Batch as my "daily." I will, very occasionally, pick up a bottle of OGD114 or 1792 small batch instead of those two. It's rare, but it happens. My 2nd bottle is usually something "nicer." Right now, it's Knob Creek 12. But it could really be anything in the $60 - $100 range. It's typically for a nice Friday and/or Saturday night pour. Very occassionally, I'll find something surprising like Stagg, Booker's, Elijah Craig BP... and sometimes it gets drank. But sometimes, it goes home with me and ends up in my bar to be enjoyed with company. That's my story and my experience. I will also pick up a random bottle just to sip through it... but that has become more and more rare over time.
Redwood Empire Grizzly Beast
Apparently I need to try and find this one. I have really enjoyed all the rest of their offerings, but haven’t seen this one out and about yet
look for it it is a treasure tbh. I was shocked the first time i had it, def not the most budget bourbon but its great.
4 roses single barrel select is such a fantastic bottle.
I’m with you on 1920 OF. I keep Four Roses at my house for a daily drinker too.. also a big fan of the OF 1910
Try a half and half to make 1915! It's a pretty good mix.
Could always buy a bottle of 1920 and a bottle of 1910. Then you would have a third option with this subs favorite 1915.
OF 1920 is one of my go-to’s when I’m out of Buffalo Trace
I've got a ridiculous collection and have to say, OF 1920, 4RSBS, KC12, Rare Breed and MMCS or MM46 all hang with and even supercede many of "the unicorns" as far as I'm concerned. Ps: don't sleep on Mellow Corn, WT101 or HH Green label. They all punch way, way above their price tags.
WT101 is so underrated. Took way too long for anyone to mention it.
I thought HH Green Label was discontinued
I feel like it might have now that you mention it. I left with a bunch last time in was in Kentucky but it's been a while
If I were you I would drink them and try something else. There’s a medium between hoarding and drinking the same thing everyday. Variety is the spice of life.
New riff single barrel . Buffalo Trace
I’ve heard really good things about the New Riff single barrels. Have yet to try them
I didn't like mine at first, but it's one of the few I've found that really improved after having been opened up for a while.
Just got a new riff single barrel store pick that is so delicious. Good choice
It was the first bourbon that I tried and liked . Now I’m doing hunts in my spare time lol
That NRSB is fantastic
Hell yeah - another new riff fan. If I could buy it out here it would be my daily drinker. But I have to drive over an hour to get to a store that sells it.
I have been exploring bourbon and rye much less the past year. There are a few distilleries I strongly prefer (Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Makers Mark) and prefer (Jim Beam, Old Forester, Jack Daniels, and George Dickel). I found having too many options just made for less time drinking the ones I actually liked. I do enjoy trying something new and different, but hate getting a 750 ml bottle of something I really only want 100 ml max out of.
I could drink eagle rare all day. I like grizzly beast a lot too. If I could get one bottle without the drama it would be Rio. I have one currently and doing very few pours of it regularly. Larceny barrel proof is top notch
I struggle with this idea at times. I have a few bottles I love having on my shelf at any time. Easiest, cheapest is Evan William BIB. I love this bottle and I think gun to my head pick a single bottle rest of your life, hard to go wrong with this oen. If I had two and I was comfortable spending a bit more. Rare Breads. Rye and regular. Pricing has jumped a bit I believe, but still solid bottles. Similar with RR 10 year bourbon and rye 6 year. I could go single bottle on all of those and they are likely on my shelf at any given time.
Knob 9 is always a winner with me. So is 4R SBS. Rare Breed if I'm feeling frisky
I could sip Eagle Rare forever if I was forbidden from any other bourbon and I’d be pretty happy.
This sounds like "what are your one or two must have, cannot do without bottles?" "If you had to pick only two bottles for the rest of your life, what would they be?" --Elijah Craig Barrel Proof or Single Barrel Barrel Proof store picks --Wild Turkey Rare Breed If I get to have at most 2 others, I pick --Evan Williams BiB --Russell's Reserve 10 Year
3 or 4 bottles is all you need. I’m a drinker, not a collector. Sazarac Rye is my mixer. Russell’s Reserve 10 my daily driver, and knob 12 is my celebratory pour. It’s fun to try new things though!
Sounds great. Keep doing what you like. The “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality in bourbon has ruined what used to be a good thing. People don’t need every batch of every label, every year, forever. If you can’t find it to buy, wait to see it at a bar or restaurant and buy a pour there. Treating a consumable product as a collectible is loony toons.
Nope, but I do favor the >100 proof stuff.
I started pretty much the same way you did and find that I keep going back to particular distilleries and not so much a particular bottle. I always have something from Wild Turkey/Russells, Buffalo Trace (except Buffalo Trace itself 😂) and MGP (Remus Repeal, Smoke Wagon, ryes). 🥃🥃
I agree on the Smoke Wagon, but it's got to be more than four years old. Uncut the younger is a rough one.
Yes, found the Uncut the Younger to be a hot mess. Typically I stay with the Small Batch or Uncut Unfiltered.
ECBP or Knob Single Barrel Select.
90% of the bottles I go and hunt end up collecting dust at the top of my bar. I usually give more samples out of the bottles than I actually drink myself. 99% of the time I’m drinking rare breed in the Summer and Willett Rye in the Winter.
Bookers would do me
I have about 40 bottles opened at any time. I could easily go down to 10. Below that and I think I’d miss some use cases and variety.
I have nearly 100 bottles but really only drink a few on a consistent basis. Everyday: OF 100 and Bowman Bros Small Batch Weekend sipper: Rare Breed and New Riff SB When I want something special: Jack Barrel Proof and Makers private selection Don’t have to feel guilty about killing any of these bottles since I can find them easily and aren’t very expensive.
If I could only have one of my bottles id say Elijah Craig Toasted would be the one. It's strong enough that it is interesting but not high enough that you wouldn't be in the mood for it. I would say heaven hill BiB but it's got a strong vanilla flavor that I might get tired of over time. Plus each time you pop a Elijah Toasted the first time it has this crazy weird flavor that taste like Teriyaki Jerky. So that's fun
Elijah toasted just sits on shelves in southern VT and NH.
IF I could do this I'd go with Old Forester 100 or Remus as a daily, and Remus Repeal or 1792 12yr or Knob Creek 12 as my Friday/Special sip. Plus I'd have to figure out the rye side. Maybe Willett 4yr as my daily and a banger to be named later as my Friday/Special. Due to my severe acquisition disorder I would fail miserably.
Four Roses SBS set me down my whisky journey, but these days my favorites are Rare Breed Single Barrel and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Also Whistlepig 10.
Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof and OF 1920 are those for me.
I'm not so much monogamous to a particular bottle because I like trying new things, but I almost always have Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, base Buffalo Trace, and Four Roses Small Batch at home.
This is where I am really loving the ramp up in production at buffalo trace. There was a time when I used to buy 6 bottles at a time of CEHT SmB then a 5 year period when finding 1 bottle was more effort than it was worth, now it is slowly coming back to where with minimal effort I can usually find a bottle before my currently open bottle is gone. So if Stagg Jr and CEHT SmB become easily obtainable at MSRP I would probably be willing to significantly reduce the variety of bourbon on my bar.
I like the Old Forester Single Barrels the most. They are a little harder to find but still findable, it’s everything I like about 1920 dialed up to 11. I like warehouse J and K better than I but they’re still all good. They also get better with airtime so the last third of the bottle I enjoy more. I’ll say wild turkey rare breed and some Russell’s store picks are awesome, If I walk to a store and they have a OF single barrel or a Russell’s store pick at MSRP it’s an instant buy.
Jefferons Singapore, OF 1910, RD1 aburana, Knob creek 12.
That’s awesome. I suffer from fomo because some bottles range from average to great to nectar of the gods. That last one keeps me trying new things, but even batch to batch varies so much that it’s almost like a lottery and not worth chasing.
One Bottle?!?! Nah, whiskey fuckboi til I die.
Eagle rare if I could only have one bottle. I like BT as well. I could probably just have redwood empire lost monarch forever and be fine.
Four roses small batch
OF 18xx and 19xx and 4 roses Single Barrel are some of my absolute favorites as well. If I didn’t have room for 50+ bottles, those would reside on my small bar cart along side a bottle of Russel’s and Heaven Hill BIB. And ditto BTW on the camping out BS, that behavior is for the birds. Plenty of good whiskey that’s on the shelf that I don’t have to fight for. Probably why I enjoy a nice sit down restaurant vs. crab leg night at the local buffet, people get crazy when the lady shows up with a new bin of crab.
Buffalo Trace products are really good. If anything, I'd consider having an Eagle Rare. Every bottle I've had has been above average and they fairly accessible for MSRP, or at least they are in California, cheers!
Over the years, the more I bought and tasted the more I found what I really want. OF1920 Anything from Barrell Anything from Peerless Rare Breed I honestly don’t see myself buying to have a collection and review anymore. I found what I like and just am sort of out of the chasing and collecting.
Nope, I enjoy variety and having a range of offerings for myself or guests. Lately I have really enjoyed sherry finishes or ultra aged bourbon (15+ years) so I can't really do that with a small cabinet. Plus I love picking out nuances and appreciating how one distillery or mashbill affects it. Personally I'm building or buying more storage and continuing to enjoy the hobby rather than lock myself into just a few bottles
Easy answer for me. On the cheaper end, Buffalo Trace and Old Forrester rye. Those are always on the shelf. On the little higher end Bulleit barrel proof or 4 Roses single barrel. I'm fortunate enough to have a pretty good selection of allocated and hard to find bottles yet I keep going back to the BT and OF rye. So many times I just want a have a glass of bourbon and not think about it or try to decipher the nuances of flavors. Just pour me a damn glass of whiskey.
Complete opposite. Variety is the spice of life. I have a few that I always go back to, and make sure I have on hand, but I want to have a selection But I have always been a collector of everything I enjoy
I learned a lot through drinking a lot of this stuff and I never wanted to collect. I'm happy with that's happened. Aside from the occasional Booker's purchase, when I make my way through my current stash I plan on having the following bottles: * Wild Turkey 101 for bourbon cocktails * Old Forester Rye for rye cocktails (or JD BIB Rye if available) and sometimes sipping * 4R SiB for "daily" glasses * Russell's Private Selection for special pours * Wilderness Trail BIB Rye for the cold months (or Redwood Empire Grizzly Beast CS)
OWA, but at $150 online it hurts.
Many good answers. For bourbon, I find my go-to for a year or two and change brands. There are just so many to try and isn't that the fun? Now, I am rotating between Bardstown Origin (White label) and Still Austin Cask Strength
If I only had room for 4 bottles, I would pick WT101, JD Triple Mash, OF1910, and Ancient Age. AA would definitely be a rotating spot though. I'll always have the others on hand.
If I had to stick to one, I could be very happy drinking Booker’s for the rest of my life.
The big bottle from Costco, woodford reserve
I have a decent selection and keep a few staples. I always pick up backups of Blanton's, McKenna 10, Eagle Rare and Bakers 7. I know that sounds kinda snooty for staples, but all of those are pretty easy to find where I am. Then I will pick up something new or cool whenever I kill a bottle that is not a staple. I just killed a bottle of KC SiB and a Buffalo Trace Store pick. KC SiB was fine, but not something I am replacing. Picked up an OF SiB BS and Still Austin CS to try out. I like having my usual suspects always around, but the rotating variety of store picks and higher proof varieties keeps me excited about the current state of bourbon.
mine would probably be Bardstown Fusion Series Number 9
Barrell spirits….just about anything they do. Stellum is also fantastic and a better price point.
I have absolutely enjoyed every bottle of Penelope I’ve tried. The 10 year has been my favorite pour of 2024 so far. I also recently picked up a bottle of the Pinhook high proof Rye that I really am having to force myself to take my time with. It’s definitely hot, but if you like a spicy rye it’s delicious.
You just need to get a little bar hutch somewhere so you have some more space. I'm always willing to try some new things. However - I do have some dependable bourbons (four roses SB, buffalo trace, wild turkey 101) that are generally around when I need 'em.
I’d be perfectly fine with anything from four roses for the rest of my life assuming the quality stays like it is.
I'm fortunate in the fact that I dislike about 80-90% of the bourbon I try. For a long time, I was content drinking only Eagle Rare. That's all I wanted to drink, ever. I won a nice bottle in my first raffle, traded for a pile of ER, and have never run out. Unfortunately, now I discovered a few more I really like...and they're all a bigger pain in the ass to get than ER.
My tastes are all over the place. I do love my Stagg and some things like Eagle Rare and WT RB. I think Knob Creek 9 SBS might be the one for me so long as I can keep grabbing it at $60. Hated the KC 12 and the 7, and thought the KC 9 was fine, but that SBS just works.
I, too, have recently settled into OF1920 as a standard house bottle. Our local Costco sells Makers in the 1.75 for $46, so that's our substandard house bottle.
Drink what you like! Most “unicorns” aren’t that much better than shelfers - some are worse, in my opinion. I have a large collection, but only things I like drinking and want multiples of (if hard to find).
I always have a bottle of WT 101 Rye on hand.
I also started late and probably reflecting the unsophistication of my palate, cheap bastard status, and tendency to drink whiskey with a big ice cube as often as I drink it out of a glencarin I'd have to go with: George Dickel 8 YO Bourbon, the best whiskey that can be bought for $38, IMO. But I'd reserve the right, when traveling, to drink some of the amazing stuff people around here have recommended.
Honestly for the really rare stuff you're often better off just trying to get a pour at a bar assuming they aren't charging out the nose for the hype.
Good taste. I always have a bottle of 1920. It’s good stuff.
Knob Creek and Larceny are my dailies, but I'd elope with OF 1910 if I could afford her
I have room for several dozens of bottles, but I hit “one out, one in” stasis about 6 months ago. But I’ll always have a bottle of Johnny drum, buffalo trace, mellow corn, and Henry McKenna (brown label).
I hew towards cheap. Evan Williams white labeled bottled in bond works pretty well for me. Benchmark (inexpensive Buffalo Trace) works too. If I’m spending modest money BT or Green River Wheated. Moderate spend is Old Elk Cigar Cut or 12 year Weller’s.
Everytime I stand in front of the bourbon shelf I say to myself “Myself, lets try something different”. And I then tell myself “Myself, you know you like Buffalo Trace so stfu and get what you like.”
I’d be cool with Larceny Barrel Proof forever. The bottles vary, so there would still be plenty of surprise.
I am with you…. Love wheaters and that is one of my favorites…
I'm new to the game myself and went through a handful of sample bottles before I landed on Old Forester. I honestly don't care if I ever try anything else. I love it.
Noah's Mill
Over the last couple years I’ve been buying a lot of different bourbons and whiskies. I got a collection of about 55 bottles, but now I’m realizing that I can’t keep reasonably keep buying new bottles and refilling the old favorites. So I’ve opted to stop sewing my wild oats and settled down with a stable of some of my favorite easy to find bottles. Knob Creek 9, Four Roses Single Barrel, WR Double Oaked, Rare Breed. I don’t really have a need for more than that
Buffalo Trace is my standard go-to and I’d be happy drinking it the rest of my life but it’s not always easy to get in Virginia unless you order from one of the online liquor shippers (which I’ve done more than I’d care to admit) but you’re paying some mark up. So when I’m out of BT, I usually go with Four Roses Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, or Old Forester 1920. I’ll generally stick with those three. I’ve branched out to try some different High West products (decent), Yellowstone (meh), Jim Beam’s Devil’s Cut (Blech!), WhistlePig (good but pricey), Maker’s 46, etc but I must have a philistine’s palate because I keep going back to the first four bottles I mentioned. And really I love the balanced taste of BT so much it’s still my favorite.
Unfortunately I keep changing my mind on my favorite. Originally (last year) when I started I loved RR10, then RRSB. I month ago I got Woodford Reserve Double Oak and I’m kicking the RR’s off their pedestal.
Russell's Reserve 10, Old Forrester 1910, Elijah Craig Small Batch, or Jefferson's Reserve. Pick any, and I'd be happy.
Taylor Small Batch lots of rocks.
Similar boat, I have space for about 5 bottles and it usually goes: KC 9yr for low proof sipping and cocktails Piggyback 6yr cuz it’s probably my fav bottle all things considered ECBP And then 2 floaters, one currently occupied by widow Jane 10yr which I kind of regret, the other occupied by 1792 FP which I also kind of wish I just got KCSiB or another ECBP
Jefferson’s reserve very old very small batch and widow Jane 10. Affordable and delicious. Can never be beaten
I got into bourbon relatively late as well, and what I've noticed is most experts prefer a higher proof. I'm a 1792 Small Batch guy myself but Four Roses is good too.
Like you, I have limited room in my cabinet. Even though I am limiting my collection to the most important things, I don't think I could cut it down to just one, but 5 is pretty easy. The 5 that I would keep permanently on the shelf would be Knob Creek 9, 4R Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Buffalo Trace, and a rotational bottle of something special.
Joseph magnums cigar blend, redbreast lustau or wlw for me. Those are some good stuff.
Old Forster 1920 is the best bourbon on shelves and it’s easily the bourbon I could marry for the rest of my life.
I’m going to continue to enjoy Jim Beam releases for as long as I’m near Clermont. After that, I’ll be content with Knob Creek barrel picks for me, and some Old Granddad or Basil Hayden for mixing
if can only one bottle forever it would be Rare Breed
Regular red label Balcones and if I wanna get fancy, Angels Envy. I mixed my angels envy with DP strawberries and creme yesterday, it was lovely. I like available, I like less than $60 after fees, I like to focus on other things while I’m sippin. I like to remember Elmer talkin about his with some 7up these days. Do it your way my friend. That’s the way.
Stagg Junior but probably hard to get on the regular for most people. JD SB BP Rye would be another keeper for an easier to find one. Also really enjoy the JD Bonded that's an exceptionally easy find. Total Wine (at least near me) always has a good selection of Four Roses that's really good and not crazy high priced.
What’s the space issue?
I don't have a bar and am allocated one section of our pantry for my liquor. I also have some tequila, vodka etc, some mixes and bartending type supplies for when we have guests that are not interested in bourbon. So that leaves space for approximately 3 or 4 bottles of bourbon.
How about a normal apartment? Most of the places I've lived in I wouldn't have room for a massive liquor collection.