SO BASICALLY for about a hundred bucks you can have a nice blind tasting party with your buddies and a decent cross-section of bourbons...FIVE!!! Very nice for everyone to sip, make notes, compare.....and feel like they're part of the SLB Crew!!!!
Not only that, this is a great way for a beginner to familiarize him/herself with the flavor profiles of the different distilleries. For Beam, you might want to throw in a bonded Jim Beam since that is a different mash bill than OGD.
As a complete cork snob, wild turkey 101 giving you not only a cork but a natural wood cork at that price has won over my heart. I love the OF 100 but I hate opening a screw top and feeling like I'm 17 and sneaking some of my parents Seagrams VO
By far the worst corks are knob creek. They have these tiny plastic corks and in the last bottle I had it was way too tight. It hurt my hands just to open it.
I am constantly amazed at how well Wild Turkey 101 stacks up as a classic bourbon and at such a budget price. I think I'm generally an Old Forester guy, but the Turkey is such a great bottle for the price.
I know what you mean. Up in VT, we are a state run state with New Hampshire next door being the same. VT doesn't regularly carry Old Forester (at least in my local store), but NH does. I walk into a NHliquor store and head to where the Old Forester 100 is. Grab a bottle, and then see the 101 on sale. (Up here, the WT 101 and Old Forester 100 are usually around 25.00, but they go on sale frequently. In this case , I usually get both. My only problem is Old Granddad bonded, Old Forester 100 and WT 101 always seem to go on sale at the same time. Not a problem, other than explaining to my wife.
@@timothycollins3829 Yes, I was just in NH for 10 days and fell in love with their liquor stores. The best selections I've seen, fantastic low prices, no sales tax, and their website has updated inventory information for every store in the state. You can't ask for better than that.
I know you like the WT 101. but for around $20 Four Roses is an outstanding pour. I have no issue with Old Forrester. That was my Grandpa’s drink and I just recently had a glass and it is still just as good.
My brother in law gave me a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 that had been sitting unopened, sealed in its carton for 20 years. It was the smoothest bourbon I've ever tasted.
It's my go to. I don't feel like it's smooth, but the combination of how pleasing the notes are, how they work together and how it's approachable as a 101 proof is great. I can see how it would be described as smooth, but next to something like Gentleman Jack, I'd have to use another word to describe it.
@@slbdrinks It was superb! And I was able to enjoy a pour with my adult son, who has a very good bourbon palate. He agreed it was the best he's ever tasted.
This was a great informative video. Ive been conditioned to think anything from 30-50 was "budget". I had no idea these were options minus WT 101 (which I didn't realize was a bourbon)
KURT!!! Great video!!! Before you revealed bottle number 5, I could hear my mind screaming WT 101!!!!! Then BOOM, there it was!!! That is def a nice Bourbon!!! CHEERS!!!!!
I love that you can get a handle of WT101 for mid 30's. Comes out to about $20/L (hell of a deal), where as buying the 750ml bottle at $22 is about $29/L. I always have a handle on hand that I use for bourbon cocktails. At my house I don't drink it neat too often (since i have other options), but if i'm at a budget dive bar it's my go to neat drinking bourbon if they have it.
Outstanding picks. The owner of my local liquor store in suburban Chicagoland told me about Very Old Barton and I absolutely love it. Can’t believe it’s $15!
You guys got me hooked...I've given up Tequila, and though I've greatly curtailed my indulging, I've been enjoying different bourbons, thru knowledge I've acquired here. What I'd like to see you guys do, is compare the best of different price levels against each other. That would truly enlighten us novices. Thanks , Guys!
Solid list. One tweak I’d make is Evan Williams BiB over the 1783. 1783 is definitely solid, but just comes off a little thin. EWBiB is, in my humble opinion, the best value in bourbon by far. It’s literally only $17 for a 750! Even though there are other great super affordable bourbons like WT 101 and Larceny, their prices ($24 and $26, respectively, here) on a percentage basis are much higher
Own em all. All GREAT picks. But you missed my favorite!! Old Fitzgerald 80 proof. $12 … and a wheated honey bomb. Go to Louisville and grab it! Hope HH doesn’t discontinue it! Trust me … it’s SO GOOD!
I agree with your assessment of Wild Turkey 101, Old Grandad BIB and Old Forrester 100 proof. I really enjoy Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, but I'm not a fan of their 1783. I've never had the Very Old Barton 100 proof, but I did not like their Very Old Barton lower proof (86?) bourbon, which I tasted at the distillery. It's hard to beat WT 101 for the flavor and price!
Great video Kurt. I have all of these behind the bar and agree they are all great values, with the exception of the Barton, which I never did care for. Thanks for doing these videos on accessible, affordable whiskeys, which really help people out. A lot of other channels do videos on whiskey's that are hundreds of dollars that most people could never find or try, which is kind of a waste of time to watch as we will probably never get to try them. Really appreciate all of your hard work and the sharing of your knowledge!
I still need to get Old Grand-Dad and Old Forrester. The other three are currently on my shelf. Wild Turkey 101 is the nectar of the gods! No bourbon delivers so much for such a great entry price. Evan Williams 1783 is a fantastic budget sipper. Smooth and sweet and so easy neat. Nice way to end a hard work week. Very Old Barton 100 is as good a budget bourbon as is available anywhere. The 90 is a good substitution if you can't find 100, but still inferior. I haven't had 86, the 80 proof is too weak for me. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a dedicated 80 proof drinker. Like you, I can find it for $15 ($30 for the 1.75 L). Excellent selection sir!
All great picks and including 5 different distilleries is the fair way to go. Of course WT101 was the last featured and highlighted - no surprise. All 5 for less than the cost of some bourbons that would lose in a blind to most of them! Good bourbon doesn't have to break the bank, great bourbons either. Time for a " 5 Great Bourbons under $75 " episode. And yeah WT101 might make that list too!
Evan Williams 1783 and Wild Turkey 101 are favorite daily drinkers. 1.3 million bushels of corn from my Indiana area goes to Evan Williams. Three loads a day every day. A retired farmer that grew some of that corn.
Very Old Barton is hardly ever mentioned and it’s just a great budget bourbon. My everyday is OF 100 but you can’t go wrong with any of these. Thanks Kurt good choices!
Great, solid list. I frequently have OT 101 or EW 1783 around the house. Lately I've been using WT 101 or WT 101 Rye or Old GD BiB for my mixer bourbon, but they are so good, the occasional nip neat or with a rock is also sampled. Sadly, even PA Premium Collection stores typically don't have Old Forester 100 or Very Old Barton. Like ever...Have to plan a trip to NJ or DE to get those...
Availability and prices are subjective I'd say. For me it's easier to get my hands on a crate of Blanton's rather than find a bottle of Russel's Reserve or 1792.
@@smashexentertainment676 I haven’t tried a large amount of bourbons by any means but I’ve found that larceny and wild turkey 101 I always go back to. I drink and prefer craft beer but love a good bourbon as a good night cap for me. Haven’t tried Blantons but it’s definitely on my list
@@smashexentertainment676 also 1792 at my local liquor store is taxed out the ass. They have there “expensive whiskey” in a separate section and are asking upwards of 80 or more dollars for it
@@Draxzy I live in EU/Scandinavia, so my bourbon choice is very very limited )) Only the very basic stuff is available and none of the 1792 is on that list )) But we make up for it with scotch and whiskey from all over the world, even local (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian) is actually quite good. Teerenpeli from Finland to be honest is one of my top favorite in the world. Internet stores here like to jack up the price 50-100%. Therefore I have to be smart about my alcoholism )))
No arguments of course on the OF Signature 100 proof, I think that's my equivalent to your Wild Turkey 101, and I totally agree with your assessment of it; I usually describe it as a perfect utility player Bourbon. And I wish I had watched this video last week, because I would almost certainly have tried the Evan Williams 1783...I was looking at it on my liquor store's shelf, and said, maybe next time. Now, FOR SURE, next time: that and the Very Old Barton are on my shopping list. Thanks for another enjoyable, informative video, Sir!
I've got the last three stocked on my whiskey table. I've had the 1783 and it's decent but I have Elijah Craig in its place right now. The VOB 100 was better when it was a bonded bourbon but I still pick one up from time to time when I see it at a good price. Some stores sell it at a premium which I absolutely can't understand. Like sometimes more than WT101.
Best available? Agree with WT101, it's everywhere, but I've never seen any of the others (except for Evan Williams, but we only have standard version, lucky if you find Bottled in Bond). Best available here in EU is Buffalo Trace ofc, Four Roses, Maker's Mark. The rest is low shelf life like Jack and Jim or expensive stuff like Bulliet, Elijah, Woodford, Yellow Rose.. and that's it.
Thanks for the content. You are really help me build my counter top with some nice bourbons. FYI - my cap came in few days ago and it fit nice and I like the logo.
These were good choices to provide in a nice category Available Budget Bourbons! I like the range of categories you review over time from $18 to hundreds per bottle! You cover the spectrum!
I say this considering myself a beginner/intermediate bourbon drinker (I’ve always liked it, but hadn’t been fond of sipping until recently). I think you have too many videos geared towards budget/low-end consumers. If I want to know what Wild Turkey 101 tastes like, you’re right! It’s everywhere. I can go buy an airplane bottle for $2 and try it. I would love a video on higher end, but still easy to find bourbons that you like. Something like Rare Breed level. And I always like your allocated videos of course. Thanks for the video!
Kurt, all of you and Trenton's pics are solid. I'm partial to old Forrester's but man that 1783 is solid from Evan Williams. Awesome video! God Bless and looking forward to your next video!
Hey Curt.... great show...! Big fan of the OGD ...BiB....let my brother in law ( expensive taste) try some and he was very impressed to say the least...! Also like the OF 100 & WT 101...!
Great choices. I've not had the Barton, but I've had the others enough. WT 101 is always a daily drinker. I think I like it a shade more than the 1783. I really like the OF 100 though. I may have to work on my bottle a bit more so I can buy another. These are the bottles I hit after chasing higher shelf bourbons because these, especially the OF 100 and WT 101, punch way above their weight against many many bottles costing 2-3 times more.
Fresh Sub here! Love the content and knowledge. I would ask for you to look at great "dirt cheap" bourbons! (Benchmark is 11.95 per 750) I am blown away by the quality to dollar ratio of that pour.
@@slbdrinks Basically, for those Thursday's before payday, here are a few bourbons that might sit on the bottom shelf, but aren't "bottom shelf" bourbons. As I mentioned, Benchmark 8 is my go-to ($11.95 / 750 ml in NC, as low as 9.95 elsewhere), but how about Ancient Ancient Age ($11- 14-ish)? You get the idea :)
Id love to see a "Is Very Old Barton Worth it?" similar to the ones you guys have done for Four Roses, Evam Williams and others. They make several different proof budget bourbons (similar to how Benchmark has a bunch) and theyre all pretty different in taste to me at least. Would love to hear all your thoughts on how the different products compare from VOB
I appreciate the channel and especially this video. Just started getting into bourbon over the past year and want to make sure I am trying new things at a decent cost! Appreciate the level of detail you provide!!
Love this segment! Couldn't agree with you more about WT 101 and OG Bonded - they are my staple high-proof cocktail mixers. What about Jim Beam Black? For my wife and I, this is our go-to for Bourbon and coke or large batch whiskey sours. Smooth and surprisingly rich and complex for just $20.
Saved the best for last. WT101 is my all time fav...and yes, It's that lil' hint of sweet at first sip that I enjoy...lol I recently purchased a bottle of Rare Breed, First time giving that a sip, But I still prefer the 101. Another great video..Having watched many of your video's, I finally became a subscriber..You'll hit and surpass that 50K in no time.
Kurt I would love for you to try the Tim smith climax wood fire whiskey 90 proof. The more I drink it the more I love it at 27$ . Look forward to hear what you think
I've been wanting to try that Evan 1783 for a while. Some friends and I are actually heading up to Heaven Hill in about 2-3 weeks to do their tour. It's only about 1hr 15 min from where we live a bit north of Nashville. Very excited about that trip :)
I remember when I was in college (1983-85) Wild Turkey was an absolutely horrible whiskey. The only reason everyone was drinking it was the proof. Now, it has become my go-to whiskey for most things. Nightly pour? Check! Mixer? Check! Conversation starter? Check! It's a really good bourbon now, and I just hope that it's because they changed the formula (i'd hate to think that I was that shallow back then).
Old Grandad is my go to bOttle that for me just says classic bourbon! Tastes great great for BBQ and you don’t cry if someone puts soda on it. Now with your love of Wild Turkey 101 I am moved to go out to find me some. On a side note It sure would be great to have you do some blind tastings.
I agree that Old Forester 100 and the WT 101 are excellent budget bourbons. I'm not really a rye fan so I can't vouch for the Old Grand Dad. Oddly enough I've never even had the Evan Williams or the Very Old Barton. I'm going to have to remedy that! Thanks for the video.
The ogd def has a rye flair to the bourbon due to the high rye mash bill. If rye whiskey is not in your wheel house probably stay away from these types of bourbons. Four roses, redemption, etc
@@slbdrinks I've had the Four Roses and it is good but a little too much rye for me (same with Basil Hayden). Redemption does make a Wheated Bourbon that I absolutely love!
VOB is an interesting lineup. I don't care for the 80 proof, but am currently staring at a glass of 86 with a youthful love on my face. I haven't been able to figure out why they come across so differently.
This is very close to what my list would be. The only thing missing is a wheater. I would put in Rebel 100 for a good wheater. $20. I wish we could get very old Barton here
Very Old Barton is not available everywhere. You will not find it in Florida, for some reason, and I'm sure there are other states also. I have friends in the northeast that have also said they've never seen it. The others I have and are always readily available here.
Old Grand dad Bib is on my shelf right now, wild turkey is my go to but I had door dash delivery and they subbed the old grand dad because wild turkey was sold out.... it makes a pretty good bourbon smash, wild turkey is better tho
Would love to see a video of “special occasion” or a more expensive bottle list. I’m looking for a few special occasion bourbons now. I have my few everydayers (BT and MM 46), couple Friday night pour bourbons (Rare Breed, Russell’s SiB, Eagle Rare, and 4 Roses SBS) , a few impress your guests (Old Forester 1920, Henry McKenna, EC BP, Blantons, Woodford DO, and Barrell Seagrass) and mixer (WT 101).
Here in Philadelphia there is a blended whiskey called Philadelphia whiskey. It's 40% abv and clocks in at around 7$ per bottle in Pennsylvania. Now those in PA know we have very high sales tax on liquor and so in other states (not sure where this whiskey is distributed) it would most likely be around 6$ per bottle. It's nothing great but doesn't taste like ethanol and is a wonderful mixer.
Blended American whiskey is blended with grain neutral spirits, essentially vodka. I guess it's fine if you just want a cheap mixer to get rocked off of.
It was better when it was bonded bourbon (and even betterer when it was a 6 year old). I think they allocated the bonded barrels to some of their pricier offerings.
@@slbdrinks Well, personally, I'd go for Evan Williams BiB for around $12. Just my personal taste preference. To me, EW just has a better flavour profile - more pleasing and complex than the VOB.
I have not seen the OF 100 proof on the shelf lately. I did pick up a bottle of 86 and I realize it does not have the proof point the WT 101 has but I feel the flavor is better. I would like to try the OF 100 proof because I also have the 1920 and 1910 which are awesome but not budget. I like the WT 101 but like Buillett and Buffalo Trace better. I am pretty sure that EW small batch is available in our local liquor store so might try that at some point.
Great good ol' basement bourbon bar session, Kurt and Trent! With all the unicorn hunting out there, it's good to know that a Benjamin can buy five superb bourbons, Taste 'em blind - does it really make sense to pay that for one bottle of Blood Oath (or similar), where the provenance of the juice is unknown?
SO BASICALLY for about a hundred bucks you can have a nice blind tasting party with your buddies and a decent cross-section of bourbons...FIVE!!! Very nice for everyone to sip, make notes, compare.....and feel like they're part of the SLB Crew!!!!
Great thought!!
Not only that, this is a great way for a beginner to familiarize him/herself with the flavor profiles of the different distilleries. For Beam, you might want to throw in a bonded Jim Beam since that is a different mash bill than OGD.
As a complete cork snob, wild turkey 101 giving you not only a cork but a natural wood cork at that price has won over my heart. I love the OF 100 but I hate opening a screw top and feeling like I'm 17 and sneaking some of my parents Seagrams VO
I'm fine with screw tops but hate broken corks.
Agree - that “pop” of opening a real cork top is the only way to go. Screw tops are a no go
By far the worst corks are knob creek. They have these tiny plastic corks and in the last bottle I had it was way too tight. It hurt my hands just to open it.
@@seang1979 somehow the same company gives you the thickest cork ever on OGD 114
I know what you mean. Corks just seem higher class :)
OF 100 is the best. Great day sipper....very underated.
I truly place this bottle up with 101!
Solid list. I can't get the VOB here in Oregon so I would add the Early Time BiB.
Absolutely!
OG ET BiB is my go to. (Brown-Forman Version)
Cheers from Oregon
I can't argue with that list.
I am constantly amazed at how well Wild Turkey 101 stacks up as a classic bourbon and at such a budget price. I think I'm generally an Old Forester guy, but the Turkey is such a great bottle for the price.
No doubt!
I know what you mean. Up in VT, we are a state run state with New Hampshire next door being the same. VT doesn't regularly carry Old Forester (at least in my local store), but NH does. I walk into a NHliquor store and head to where the Old Forester 100 is. Grab a bottle, and then see the 101 on sale. (Up here, the WT 101 and Old Forester 100 are usually around 25.00, but they go on sale frequently. In this case , I usually get both. My only problem is Old Granddad bonded, Old Forester 100 and WT 101 always seem to go on sale at the same time. Not a problem, other than explaining to my wife.
@@timothycollins3829 Yes, I was just in NH for 10 days and fell in love with their liquor stores. The best selections I've seen, fantastic low prices, no sales tax, and their website has updated inventory information for every store in the state. You can't ask for better than that.
VOB was how I got introduced to 1792 and the Barton line from buddies at a party who buy it by the case because of the price. A best find for sure.
No doubt!
I know you like the WT 101. but for around $20 Four Roses is an outstanding pour. I have no issue with Old Forrester. That was my Grandpa’s drink and I just recently had a glass and it is still just as good.
Agree on all points! Thank you!
Wow insane how fast you got to 50k!! I thought I remembered you were around 2 or 3k just a couple months back! Congratulations!
Sadly the YT crackdowns are starting on age restricted content.
Appreciate you being with us for the long haul!
OF100 and WT101 are absolute steals for the price.
Yes!
My favorite budget bourbon is Jim Beam black, $20 aged 8 years and great
What I picked up was now called extra aged. Not sure it is still aged 8 yrs but I do think it’s pretty tasty!
Great list. Id go with Evan Williams BiB over the 1783 personally, but everything else was great recommendations.
Bib is a great addition!
That line up is solid
I love 4 of them, but I have not seen Very Old Barton here in Ft Worth. I will now look for it! But this list is outstanding!
Haven't seen it in Ohio, either.
I see VOB over here in north Dallas on the regular. Try Total Wines.
Hope you find it! It’s everywhere up here.
My brother in law gave me a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 that had been sitting unopened, sealed in its carton for 20 years. It was the smoothest bourbon I've ever tasted.
It's my go to. I don't feel like it's smooth, but the combination of how pleasing the notes are, how they work together and how it's approachable as a 101 proof is great. I can see how it would be described as smooth, but next to something like Gentleman Jack, I'd have to use another word to describe it.
Wow, bet that pour was incredible!
@@slbdrinks It was superb! And I was able to enjoy a pour with my adult son, who has a very good bourbon palate. He agreed it was the best he's ever tasted.
This was a great informative video. Ive been conditioned to think anything from 30-50 was "budget". I had no idea these were options minus WT 101 (which I didn't realize was a bourbon)
KURT!!! Great video!!! Before you revealed bottle number 5, I could hear my mind screaming WT 101!!!!! Then BOOM, there it was!!! That is def a nice Bourbon!!! CHEERS!!!!!
I couldn’t leave it out!
WT 101 for the win! They’re all great, but WT is my favorite.
It is phenomenal especially for the price!
Very good list. I’d go Very Old Barton as top daily drinker and WT101 for when you want more punch, darker notes and complexity.
Well spoken! Thank you!
OGD BIB and WT 101 are my go-tos. Great values
I love that you can get a handle of WT101 for mid 30's. Comes out to about $20/L (hell of a deal), where as buying the 750ml bottle at $22 is about $29/L. I always have a handle on hand that I use for bourbon cocktails. At my house I don't drink it neat too often (since i have other options), but if i'm at a budget dive bar it's my go to neat drinking bourbon if they have it.
101 is just great no matter what the application! Love some bourbon cocktails!
Outstanding picks. The owner of my local liquor store in suburban Chicagoland told me about Very Old Barton and I absolutely love it. Can’t believe it’s $15!
Me either!
WT 101, price, quality and availability, we just love it.
No doubt!
I have not tried very old Barton, but the other 4 are always on my shelf.
You guys got me hooked...I've given up Tequila, and though I've greatly curtailed my indulging, I've been enjoying different bourbons, thru knowledge I've acquired here. What I'd like to see you guys do, is compare the best of different price levels against each other. That would truly enlighten us novices. Thanks , Guys!
Solid list. One tweak I’d make is Evan Williams BiB over the 1783. 1783 is definitely solid, but just comes off a little thin. EWBiB is, in my humble opinion, the best value in bourbon by far. It’s literally only $17 for a 750! Even though there are other great super affordable bourbons like WT 101 and Larceny, their prices ($24 and $26, respectively, here) on a percentage basis are much higher
Appreciate your love for the EW bib! For me personally, I do think it’s a fantastic deal but it falls just short on the palate. For me.
Own em all. All GREAT picks. But you missed my favorite!! Old Fitzgerald 80 proof. $12 … and a wheated honey bomb. Go to Louisville and grab it! Hope HH doesn’t discontinue it! Trust me … it’s SO GOOD!
Haven’t tried that one but sounds delicious!
Buffalo trace is $23.99 here in CA and I see it everywhere. It’s basically the daily drinker.
Lucky! Where i live in NC I can’t ever find buffalo
BT not available everywhere. You can barely find it in the SE region.
Perfect for you! Take advantage of the availability and price!
Cannot find Buffalo Trace in the Chicagoland area
Very glad to see VOB 100 included in your list. Like you, I think it’s a pretty amazing bourbon for the price. Always enjoy your videos!
Thank you!
I agree with your assessment of Wild Turkey 101, Old Grandad BIB and Old Forrester 100 proof. I really enjoy Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, but I'm not a fan of their 1783. I've never had the Very Old Barton 100 proof, but I did not like their Very Old Barton lower proof (86?) bourbon, which I tasted at the distillery. It's hard to beat WT 101 for the flavor and price!
My palate is opposite of your concerning the EW but we are def not all the same. I also am not that fond of the lower proof VOB. 100 proof or no go.
Great video Kurt. I have all of these behind the bar and agree they are all great values, with the exception of the Barton, which I never did care for. Thanks for doing these videos on accessible, affordable whiskeys, which really help people out. A lot of other channels do videos on whiskey's that are hundreds of dollars that most people could never find or try, which is kind of a waste of time to watch as we will probably never get to try them. Really appreciate all of your hard work and the sharing of your knowledge!
Thank you! We honestly for the most part try to follow the directions of our subs. Makes sense to me!
I still need to get Old Grand-Dad and Old Forrester. The other three are currently on my shelf. Wild Turkey 101 is the nectar of the gods! No bourbon delivers so much for such a great entry price. Evan Williams 1783 is a fantastic budget sipper. Smooth and sweet and so easy neat. Nice way to end a hard work week. Very Old Barton 100 is as good a budget bourbon as is available anywhere. The 90 is a good substitution if you can't find 100, but still inferior. I haven't had 86, the 80 proof is too weak for me. I wouldn't recommend it unless you are a dedicated 80 proof drinker. Like you, I can find it for $15 ($30 for the 1.75 L). Excellent selection sir!
Thanks so much!
All great picks and including 5 different distilleries is the fair way to go. Of course WT101 was the last featured and highlighted - no surprise.
All 5 for less than the cost of some bourbons that would lose in a blind to most of them! Good bourbon doesn't have to break the bank, great bourbons either. Time for a " 5 Great Bourbons under $75 " episode. And yeah WT101 might make that list too!
Yes! We need to get back to that line of show! I think we left off at best for 50.00 but will have to check.
Great list guy's solid choices!
Thanks sir!
I completely agree!
My local store has had OF100 on sale for $17 for the last month. It is our favorite bourbon under $20 currently.
How can you go wrong??!
In my part of WV you can’t even find OF 100
I knew WT 101 was coming. Great list.
Evan Williams 1783 and Wild Turkey 101 are favorite daily drinkers. 1.3 million bushels of corn from my Indiana area goes to Evan Williams. Three loads a day every day. A retired farmer that grew some of that corn.
That’s outstanding! Thank you for your years of hard work and contribution to your community!
Well done KURT, been enjoying you grow since the beginning, very happy for you👍😃
Thanks for all your support!
Solid choices. I like them all and it's amazing what good bourbons you can find for cheap. Diminishing returns hits quickly sometimes in bourbon land.
No doubt! With so many choices these days it’s kind of a crap shoot sometimes.
Love the channel. Great choices.
I prefer Wild Turkey 101. Thanks for sharing.
Such a great choice!
I wanna shop where you guys shop. I just got the Old Forester 100 for $32. But totally worth it even at that price. So good!
Very Old Barton is hardly ever mentioned and it’s just a great budget bourbon. My everyday is OF 100 but you can’t go wrong with any of these. Thanks Kurt good choices!
Thank you!
Great, solid list. I frequently have OT 101 or EW 1783 around the house. Lately I've been using WT 101 or WT 101 Rye or Old GD BiB for my mixer bourbon, but they are so good, the occasional nip neat or with a rock is also sampled. Sadly, even PA Premium Collection stores typically don't have Old Forester 100 or Very Old Barton. Like ever...Have to plan a trip to NJ or DE to get those...
That’s crazy! Especially the OF!
The SLB team delivers another solid video. Keep up the great work guys!
Thank you!
Great picks!
Great information, thanks
One hell of a line up !
I knew wild turkey 101 good stuff
Good picks!!! 🥃 and all available cheers.
Available is the key!
I appreciate how you are always posting lists like this. Availability, prices and tastes change so it really helps to keep updating lists
Appreciate that!
Availability and prices are subjective I'd say. For me it's easier to get my hands on a crate of Blanton's rather than find a bottle of Russel's Reserve or 1792.
@@smashexentertainment676 I haven’t tried a large amount of bourbons by any means but I’ve found that larceny and wild turkey 101 I always go back to. I drink and prefer craft beer but love a good bourbon as a good night cap for me. Haven’t tried Blantons but it’s definitely on my list
@@smashexentertainment676 also 1792 at my local liquor store is taxed out the ass. They have there “expensive whiskey” in a separate section and are asking upwards of 80 or more dollars for it
@@Draxzy I live in EU/Scandinavia, so my bourbon choice is very very limited )) Only the very basic stuff is available and none of the 1792 is on that list )) But we make up for it with scotch and whiskey from all over the world, even local (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian) is actually quite good. Teerenpeli from Finland to be honest is one of my top favorite in the world.
Internet stores here like to jack up the price 50-100%. Therefore I have to be smart about my alcoholism )))
No arguments of course on the OF Signature 100 proof, I think that's my equivalent to your Wild Turkey 101, and I totally agree with your assessment of it; I usually describe it as a perfect utility player Bourbon. And I wish I had watched this video last week, because I would almost certainly have tried the Evan Williams 1783...I was looking at it on my liquor store's shelf, and said, maybe next time. Now, FOR SURE, next time: that and the Very Old Barton are on my shopping list. Thanks for another enjoyable, informative video, Sir!
Hope you enjoy them both!
Love this video, great list for starters to bourbon. Tony
Thank you!
Great list! I found a new bottle I like , Rebel 100! Easy drinking wheater at $17 a bottle! Cheer's
Awesome!
I've got the last three stocked on my whiskey table. I've had the 1783 and it's decent but I have Elijah Craig in its place right now. The VOB 100 was better when it was a bonded bourbon but I still pick one up from time to time when I see it at a good price. Some stores sell it at a premium which I absolutely can't understand. Like sometimes more than WT101.
I don’t get that either. Part of the VOB allure is the price. Set it at a premium and that all goes away.
Best available? Agree with WT101, it's everywhere, but I've never seen any of the others (except for Evan Williams, but we only have standard version, lucky if you find Bottled in Bond). Best available here in EU is Buffalo Trace ofc, Four Roses, Maker's Mark. The rest is low shelf life like Jack and Jim or expensive stuff like Bulliet, Elijah, Woodford, Yellow Rose.. and that's it.
Amazing how prices and selection varies so much in the US and around the world.
That old Barton is soooooo good! Its 19 even here, but still well worth the price!
Fantastic!
Jim Beam Double Oak & Devil’s Cut are two of my absolute favorites so far.
They are good! Have had both. I also like the extra aged. A big sleeper IMO is Jim Beam single barrel.
Thanks for the content. You are really help me build my counter top with some nice bourbons. FYI - my cap came in few days ago and it fit nice and I like the logo.
That’s awesome! Thank you for your support!
"You know it's comin'!" I said WT101 out loud hahaha
Lol! You have been watching for a while!
These were good choices to provide in a nice category Available Budget Bourbons! I like the range of categories you review over time from $18 to hundreds per bottle! You cover the spectrum!
Thank you!
I say this considering myself a beginner/intermediate bourbon drinker (I’ve always liked it, but hadn’t been fond of sipping until recently). I think you have too many videos geared towards budget/low-end consumers. If I want to know what Wild Turkey 101 tastes like, you’re right! It’s everywhere. I can go buy an airplane bottle for $2 and try it. I would love a video on higher end, but still easy to find bourbons that you like. Something like Rare Breed level. And I always like your allocated videos of course. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for this input! Always difficult decisions trying to schedule content suitable for all of our subs. This is helpful!
Kurt, all of you and Trenton's pics are solid. I'm partial to old Forrester's but man that 1783 is solid from Evan Williams. Awesome video! God Bless and looking forward to your next video!
Thank you sir! Appreciate you!
Hey Curt.... great show...!
Big fan of the OGD ...BiB....let my brother in law ( expensive taste) try some and he was very impressed to say the least...! Also like the OF 100 & WT 101...!
Both great!
Good list and good video, thanks for posting it. Definitely agree with other positive comments about Wild Turkey 101.
You guys should do a blind tasting of...Early Times BB, Cooper Craft 100 & Old Forester 100. Love to see how that would shake out.
Great bottles so that would be tough!
Great choices. I've not had the Barton, but I've had the others enough. WT 101 is always a daily drinker. I think I like it a shade more than the 1783. I really like the OF 100 though. I may have to work on my bottle a bit more so I can buy another. These are the bottles I hit after chasing higher shelf bourbons because these, especially the OF 100 and WT 101, punch way above their weight against many many bottles costing 2-3 times more.
Absolutely no doubt! 101 and OF 100 can go in any blind with higher priced options!
@@slbdrinks I just wish I could find a handle of OF100. That would be my big score.
Great commentary - thanks
New subscriber!! 😊
Appreciate you joining us! Enjoy the journey!
I do love WT 101 although here in TX it’s closer to $40. $38 at Total Wine. Still worth it, just surprised it’s so much cheaper where you are.
Holy crap! I've never seen it that high. I'm in DFW, and it's like $22/750ml.
That’s disappointing to hear!
Fresh Sub here! Love the content and knowledge. I would ask for you to look at great "dirt cheap" bourbons! (Benchmark is 11.95 per 750) I am blown away by the quality to dollar ratio of that pour.
We have done a few budget shows but a dirt cheap?? Sounds like fun lol! Appreciate you joining us!
@@slbdrinks Basically, for those Thursday's before payday, here are a few bourbons that might sit on the bottom shelf, but aren't "bottom shelf" bourbons. As I mentioned, Benchmark 8 is my go-to ($11.95 / 750 ml in NC, as low as 9.95 elsewhere), but how about Ancient Ancient Age ($11- 14-ish)? You get the idea :)
Id love to see a "Is Very Old Barton Worth it?" similar to the ones you guys have done for Four Roses, Evam Williams and others. They make several different proof budget bourbons (similar to how Benchmark has a bunch) and theyre all pretty different in taste to me at least. Would love to hear all your thoughts on how the different products compare from VOB
I appreciate the channel and especially this video. Just started getting into bourbon over the past year and want to make sure I am trying new things at a decent cost! Appreciate the level of detail you provide!!
Thank you!
Love this segment! Couldn't agree with you more about WT 101 and OG Bonded - they are my staple high-proof cocktail mixers. What about Jim Beam Black? For my wife and I, this is our go-to for Bourbon and coke or large batch whiskey sours. Smooth and surprisingly rich and complex for just $20.
Almost picked the JB black but at the end chose the ogd bib. I think it’s pretty darn good!
@@slbdrinks Totally agree. But I like them both. And wild turkey and old Forester. All really really good value picks.
Could not agree with you more!
Just waited to say again, I am jealous of your prices. Also, WT101 and OF100 are 2 of my favorites.
I wish everyone can have competitive pricing. Truly.
Saved the best for last. WT101 is my all time fav...and yes, It's that lil' hint of sweet at first sip that I enjoy...lol
I recently purchased a bottle of Rare Breed, First time giving that a sip, But I still prefer the 101.
Another great video..Having watched many of your video's, I finally became a subscriber..You'll hit and surpass that 50K in no time.
Thanks for joining us! Enjoy the journey!
Kurt I would love for you to try the Tim smith climax wood fire whiskey 90 proof. The more I drink it the more I love it at 27$ . Look forward to hear what you think
See what I can do to find it!
Only one I usually don't have is the Very Old Barton. And that is because we don't see it in northern New England.
I've been wanting to try that Evan 1783 for a while. Some friends and I are actually heading up to Heaven Hill in about 2-3 weeks to do their tour. It's only about 1hr 15 min from where we live a bit north of Nashville. Very excited about that trip :)
That will be a great trip! Enjoy!
I recommend ew bib fantastic
I remember when I was in college (1983-85) Wild Turkey was an absolutely horrible whiskey. The only reason everyone was drinking it was the proof. Now, it has become my go-to whiskey for most things. Nightly pour? Check! Mixer? Check! Conversation starter? Check! It's a really good bourbon now, and I just hope that it's because they changed the formula (i'd hate to think that I was that shallow back then).
Ha! I doubt it. Talked to many others who had that same opinion back in the day.
Old Grandad is my go to bOttle that for me just says classic bourbon!
Tastes great great for BBQ and you don’t cry if someone puts soda on it.
Now with your love of Wild Turkey 101 I am moved to go out to find me some.
On a side note It sure would be great to have you do some blind tastings.
Working on that! Have some plans coming up!
I agree that Old Forester 100 and the WT 101 are excellent budget bourbons. I'm not really a rye fan so I can't vouch for the Old Grand Dad. Oddly enough I've never even had the Evan Williams or the Very Old Barton. I'm going to have to remedy that! Thanks for the video.
The ogd def has a rye flair to the bourbon due to the high rye mash bill. If rye whiskey is not in your wheel house probably stay away from these types of bourbons. Four roses, redemption, etc
@@slbdrinks I've had the Four Roses and it is good but a little too much rye for me (same with Basil Hayden). Redemption does make a Wheated Bourbon that I absolutely love!
I would have made it 6 best and thrown Ezra Brooks on the list, but that's just me...well done as usual!
Great choice! There were a couple I wish I could have squeezed in!
VOB is an interesting lineup. I don't care for the 80 proof, but am currently staring at a glass of 86 with a youthful love on my face. I haven't been able to figure out why they come across so differently.
Awesome list ….. 👍
This is very close to what my list would be. The only thing missing is a wheater. I would put in Rebel 100 for a good wheater. $20.
I wish we could get very old Barton here
I wish also. Wasn’t aware Barton wasn’t widely found until this video.
Very Old Barton is not available everywhere. You will not find it in Florida, for some reason, and I'm sure there are other states also. I have friends in the northeast that have also said they've never seen it. The others I have and are always readily available here.
Others have said the same and I am very surprised by that. Guess some bottles are just taken for granted.
Old Grand dad Bib is on my shelf right now, wild turkey is my go to but I had door dash delivery and they subbed the old grand dad because wild turkey was sold out.... it makes a pretty good bourbon smash, wild turkey is better tho
Great list!
Would love to see a video of “special occasion” or a more expensive bottle list. I’m looking for a few special occasion bourbons now. I have my few everydayers (BT and MM 46), couple Friday night pour bourbons (Rare Breed, Russell’s SiB, Eagle Rare, and 4 Roses SBS) , a few impress your guests (Old Forester 1920, Henry McKenna, EC BP, Blantons, Woodford DO, and Barrell Seagrass) and mixer (WT 101).
Ok got ya! A best 5 around 60-70.00 sounds like a good show!
@@slbdrinks I was hoping maybe $100 or more, but whatever the video you do I’ll be watching!
Here in Philadelphia there is a blended whiskey called Philadelphia whiskey. It's 40% abv and clocks in at around 7$ per bottle in Pennsylvania. Now those in PA know we have very high sales tax on liquor and so in other states (not sure where this whiskey is distributed) it would most likely be around 6$ per bottle. It's nothing great but doesn't taste like ethanol and is a wonderful mixer.
Blended American whiskey is blended with grain neutral spirits, essentially vodka. I guess it's fine if you just want a cheap mixer to get rocked off of.
Thanks for your recommendation!
All are EXCELLENT choices. VOB is probably my least favorite of them, but it's definitely not just wino fuel either.
It was better when it was bonded bourbon (and even betterer when it was a 6 year old). I think they allocated the bonded barrels to some of their pricier offerings.
Agreed it was better bonded. For 15.00 though you can’t beat it.
@@slbdrinks Well, personally, I'd go for Evan Williams BiB for around $12. Just my personal taste preference. To me, EW just has a better flavour profile - more pleasing and complex than the VOB.
Just purchased the 101 $26 in MA 🥃🥃🥃
Great buy!
Great pics.
Great channel. What does SLB stand for?
Strong like bull
Does stand for strong like bull. If you have time check out the bar tour video. I go into more detail on that video concerning the name.
I have not seen the OF 100 proof on the shelf lately. I did pick up a bottle of 86 and I realize it does not have the proof point the WT 101 has but I feel the flavor is better. I would like to try the OF 100 proof because I also have the 1920 and 1910 which are awesome but not budget. I like the WT 101 but like Buillett and Buffalo Trace better. I am pretty sure that EW small batch is available in our local liquor store so might try that at some point.
All great picks in your discussion!
Old Forester hard to pass that one up.
Wild turkey 101 is a killer
Great good ol' basement bourbon bar session, Kurt and Trent! With all the unicorn hunting out there, it's good to know that a Benjamin can buy five superb bourbons, Taste 'em blind - does it really make sense to pay that for one bottle of Blood Oath (or similar), where the provenance of the juice is unknown?
Good point! That’s part of purchasing some of higher priced bottles is being transparent.