So I am a bit of a Bourbon drinker. I like good bourbons, with a good to high Rye mash bill. Bulleit, Four Roses small batch, Booker's, Blanton's, Buffalo Trace. All great stuff. Blanton's is my favorite if pricey but Bulleit is my preferred purchase due to the great price for a great drink. For the record, I am not a fan of wheated Bourbons; I will leave you guys all the Maker's Mark or Weller you care to drink.
But I wondered... what about all this cheap stuff? Is any of it any good? Is there a diamond in the rough out there?
I figured I would try some out.
I wandered into my local package store and browsed around. First, to recount what I have tried in the past. I have had Evan Williams, the basic cheap Four Roses, and Rebel Yell before. They are all pretty decent. I think the Four Roses (13.49 per 750mL) was technically the most superior. I liked the E Dub the best, and at 8.99 per 750mL it's a steal. The Rebel Yell (13.99 per 750mL was drinkable, but tasted somewhat watered down... smooth but a bit weak. Alsp remembered Early Times, but didn't even note the price today as I remember how I did not care for it much in my college days.
I am trying to keep the price at $15 or less per fifth. That is deliberate, as it knocks out some stand-by brands such as Jim Beam Devil's Cut, Wild Turkey 81, George Dickel 12 (I know, not technically a Bourbon, but good). I want to make this a challenge. I want to find the best of the "swill."
I picked up four half-pints to try out:
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Started with the Kessler. Not a Bourbon but a blended. Meaning 20% whiskey and 80 neutral spirits. So basically Bourbon cut with vodka. Not offensive, but has about as much flavor as diluted Bourbon can have. Read: None. It's like a Canadian whiskey, which is basically the same thing. Meh.
Sunny Brook tastes just like the Kessler, with a bit of isopropyl added. It too is a blended, but is more (cheap) whiskey and less grain alcohol on the proportions. Blech. I will pass. I may even pour out the rest of that one and keep the Kessler.
Trying the Evan Williams, it's evident I am a Bourbon snob. Or at least, a fan of it over other whiskey. I get the notes that define a Bourbon. It has taste. A bit sweet (particularly when recalling the Four Roses yellow label) but definitely passable. There is better out there, indeed, but I think at less than half of the price of Bulleit, it is competitive for what it is. I'm pleased!
Lastly, the Old Charter 8 year. It's a lot like the Rebel Yell - somewhat weaker and less Bourbon-y. Not as much corn sweetness as the Evan, and I like the sweetness to balance out some spice. Not a bad product, but I prefer the Evan even if they were the same price. As Old Charter is pricier, it loses out.
Still to try: Fighting Cock, Benchmark, Old Crow, Old Grand Dad, Elijah Craig (I loved the 18 year), Ancient Age? Any Others?
But I wondered... what about all this cheap stuff? Is any of it any good? Is there a diamond in the rough out there?
I figured I would try some out.
I wandered into my local package store and browsed around. First, to recount what I have tried in the past. I have had Evan Williams, the basic cheap Four Roses, and Rebel Yell before. They are all pretty decent. I think the Four Roses (13.49 per 750mL) was technically the most superior. I liked the E Dub the best, and at 8.99 per 750mL it's a steal. The Rebel Yell (13.99 per 750mL was drinkable, but tasted somewhat watered down... smooth but a bit weak. Alsp remembered Early Times, but didn't even note the price today as I remember how I did not care for it much in my college days.
I am trying to keep the price at $15 or less per fifth. That is deliberate, as it knocks out some stand-by brands such as Jim Beam Devil's Cut, Wild Turkey 81, George Dickel 12 (I know, not technically a Bourbon, but good). I want to make this a challenge. I want to find the best of the "swill."
I picked up four half-pints to try out:
[Broken External Image]
Started with the Kessler. Not a Bourbon but a blended. Meaning 20% whiskey and 80 neutral spirits. So basically Bourbon cut with vodka. Not offensive, but has about as much flavor as diluted Bourbon can have. Read: None. It's like a Canadian whiskey, which is basically the same thing. Meh.
Sunny Brook tastes just like the Kessler, with a bit of isopropyl added. It too is a blended, but is more (cheap) whiskey and less grain alcohol on the proportions. Blech. I will pass. I may even pour out the rest of that one and keep the Kessler.
Trying the Evan Williams, it's evident I am a Bourbon snob. Or at least, a fan of it over other whiskey. I get the notes that define a Bourbon. It has taste. A bit sweet (particularly when recalling the Four Roses yellow label) but definitely passable. There is better out there, indeed, but I think at less than half of the price of Bulleit, it is competitive for what it is. I'm pleased!
Lastly, the Old Charter 8 year. It's a lot like the Rebel Yell - somewhat weaker and less Bourbon-y. Not as much corn sweetness as the Evan, and I like the sweetness to balance out some spice. Not a bad product, but I prefer the Evan even if they were the same price. As Old Charter is pricier, it loses out.
Still to try: Fighting Cock, Benchmark, Old Crow, Old Grand Dad, Elijah Craig (I loved the 18 year), Ancient Age? Any Others?
