What do you think, more bottom shelf reviews? Mid Tier Gold? Let me know! Also, check out the link to pick up one of these cocktail kits, I put a lot of work into these, I think you’re gonna love them- just in time for the holidays too! How to Drink Cocktail Sets: bit.ly/htdspiritsshelf Glencairn Whiskey Glass Set: amzn.to/3E5wpwN Twitch: bit.ly/2VsOi3d H2D2: bit.ly/YTH2D2 twitter: bit.ly/H2DTwit instagram: bit.ly/H2dIG Blog: bit.ly/H2DBlog Patreon: bit.ly/H2DPatreon Gear: amzn.to/2LeQCbW Whiskey: What you Need to Know: ua-cam.com/video/TYIkr7MIfSM/v-deo.html $3000 Whiskey worth the Hype?: ua-cam.com/video/KG-UYeQBtrI/v-deo.html Bourbon can be for Anyone!: ua-cam.com/video/YPoFIOs2pZg/v-deo.html
Greg, you do not ever need to apologize for having "low-energy" videos or anything like that. This was great stuff and I want more bottom shelf reviews, like these. They're refreshingly mellow compared to, say, recent cursed cocktail episodes
I like these also, theyre a great guide for "i need some bottles for a get together, and most of these are gonna be mixed, so quality aint a priority, but i dont wanna give em trash"
Evan Williams has been my go-to mixer bourbon for a while (and I'll put the sour mash against Jack Daniel's any day of the week). Inoffensive, has enough character to mix, if you drink it straight you don't hate yourself. Though my big handle has been getting dusty since I found a handle of Larceny for $40 😂
I really wanted to like Evan Williams but something about the flavor really puts me off. If it's a cherry note then I think I don't like cherry notes in bourbon. Not sure. I'm more into Old Grand-Dad and Earlytimes.
Thanks so much for doing this! Hilariously, my local liquor store just started carrying McKenna (and keeps selling out of my usual reasonably-priced fave: 4 roses) but I've been to scared to try it because I worried I'd just be wasting my money on a bottle of brown paint thinner. After this review I'll definitely give it a try!
Huge credit for having the humility to keep the Pappy clip in. So, you actually ike Old Grandad BiB better than Pappy...well, that's a big win for the sake of availability & that one bottle of Pappy will get you 150+ bottles of OG, LOL!! The power of suggestion is strong with this one!
I'm curious where Kessler's Blended Whiskey winds up in the rankings, last I purchased it I recall it being well under $20 and google confirms, it's my go-to mixing whiskey for being cheap and, as far as I can tell, good? But I don't have a breadth of experience with them, even if I've done some whiskey and scotch tastings.
I've never gotten to try Pappy's but when I saw that come up I'm like I thought it must have been some cheap version they were making or something. I was totally confused for a while
10:25 I love this. It really shows that doing anything other than a completely blind taste test is largely meaningless. The second you know what price bracket your working in your judgement is tainted. Good on you for keeping this in the video.
This video should turn into a "bottom shelf" series. I love and appreciate the good stuff, but when you need 6 matching bottles to host a party, cost becomes more of a consideration for most of us.
Do you appreciate the _good_ stuff, or the _expensive_ stuff? Let that question mull about in your head, for a bit, because they're not mutually exclusive.
@@NaruSanavai Not entirely, no, and I suppose the question would be "what counts as expensive?" Most of my typical bottles(talking base spirits) range around $60-$70 for a 750mL bottle, and I find that when I venture much cheaper than that, the quality of what I'm drinking starts to noticeably suffer. There are exceptions, of course, but that's been my general experience. For the sake of comparison, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka(because it's available everywhere) runs about $30 in my area.
@@bradsimpson8724 very true and that is like $15-20 in my area. I think the most I ever played for a 750ml bottle was for J.R. Reverly cask strength, which is 115 proof, it was $70. But it tasted like pure caramel with a toasted peanut finish. I would mix it with cream soda for a delightful treat. like most things like Jack Daniels, Jim Bean and the like are in the $15-20 price range for me. But most of what I enjoy and use the most like Jameson, or Plymouth Gin are around $25-30 for 750ml.
@@bradsimpson8724 Jeez, I think there's loads of great bottles less than 60-70 each, ESPECIALLY in the world of rum, gin, and bourbon. With only a few exceptions, 60-70 is pretty much god tier level and the most I would spend before thoughts of diminishing returns creep in
@@nevadanate4957 Unfortunately, I think you're failing to comprehend what's being discussed here. I suggest you read the entire comment thread, then re-read your comment, and see how little it contributes to the discussion.
@@LeatherDaddy97 $120??? Where you gonna find Pappys at srp?? And do t even come at me with “well one time I won a lottery..” this routinely goes for $3000+ on secondary.
@@sn0wb00ts secondary isnt the price of the whiskey. A $20 microwave in a grocery store isnt an $800 microwave just because you bought it online for that.
@@LeatherDaddy97 difference there is I can actually go to the store and buy the microwave for $20. You can hardly go to a liquor store and buy the pappys for retail. You can stick your head in the sand and argue semantics all you want, but the reality is that hardly anyone gets to buy pappys at retail.
@@sn0wb00ts You're really not getting the point. Pappy's MSRP is $120. The manufacturer values their product at that price point. The price become artificially inflated on the secondary market due to rarity. It isn't worth $3000 just because that's what some people pay.
It's 107 proof. Any whiskey that strong is gunna throw off a taster undiluted. If he was tasting a 90 or lower proof pappy I would put more stock in this result
Poor Greg, that Pappy surprise absolutely broke him, haha. Respect for leaving that segment in. Trust your palette, Greg! You do excellent work here. You’re one of maybe 3 channels I subscribe to.
While it's true that tasting a whiskey you know is expensive will color your opinions, it's also true that tasting a whiskey you know is cheap will color your expectations. Often, expensive whiskeys are doing something wildly unique and different; in one frame of mind you might think "that's really cool, not what I want all the time but nice" and in another you might think "wow, this is awful".
I had this same thought, because I almost certainly DON’T want my bottom-shelf whisky to be doing anything wildly unique or different. In that context, a curve ball would immediately make me question the quality of the whisky
That’s how scotch and Irish are for me. When I first started drinking them, it was fun because they were different and tasty in their own ways. Eventually I realized I was tired of fun and different and just wanted something that agreed with my preference. That’s when I went back to rye and bourbon. Now the few times per year that I crack open scotch or Irish, I actually appreciate them more.
For sure, let alone the impact of a vertical comparison, inebriation, etc. One of my Laga DE's is both one of the best and worst scotches I've ever had depending on what my palate is doing that day.
It can be like looking at a Picasso without knowing who he is and what he is trying to achieve. His bold risks or intentional style can be lost if you don’t know what they are going for. The opposite can be true as well.
@@BlkHunterGatherer This is how I feel about single malt so far. They're all different and interesting to try but I have yet to find one that hits right every time. I honestly prefer blended for this reason lol
I work in a liquor store and I've tried many of the highly sought after Buffalo Trace products (BT, Blanton, Pappy, Weller, etc). I can confirm they range from mediocre to bland and uninteresting (and all way overpriced). I will never tire of telling people it's ...okay-ish stuff, but not very good for the money. Their reactions are priceless. I would only ever buy a bottle of Pappy to trade for a case of something good.
@@1995pieter If we're just talking American whiskies, Old Forester makes fantastic bourbons. Best bourbon I've ever had was a store pick single barrel Old Forester. Their rye is great too. Also Henry McKenna 10yr Bonded Single Barrel is constantly fantastic. Overall best rye whiskies would go to Michters. Especially if you can get hold of their toasted or 10 year rye. Rittenhouse is a great all arounder if available in your state too. Or Dad's Hat green label if you really want a tasty, punch you in the mouth rye.
The way Greg feels about Pappy is how I feel about truffles. I love savory foods but no matter how hard I try, I just don't like truffles and much prefer other mushrooms.
That's because truffles don't actually have much taste. The mushroom itself is almost entirely aromatic, which is why it lends itself to a good oil and not a good raw ingredient. It's shaved thin over hot fatty foods because that bit of heat is all it takes for the aromatic element to hit your nose, especially when thin. And then whatever is left is given to the fat. And since it's an aromatic, it loses all value a day or three after being unearthed. Its expense is from mystique and difficulty of production.
@@veraducks well, it really depends on which truffle you try. I'm extremely lucky since I live near a tuscanian (? Not sure it's the right adjective) town where cheap ass white truffles are searched in march ("bianchetto" truffle). I love the flavour and it surely need something fatty to trap and bring flavor (e than chewbosky vid about salads actually explains how this helps in general), but grated last minute while emulsifying some butter (& parm) tagliolini it's a 5-10€ per person pleasure that is surely worth once a year. (in general, however, not liking truffle is kinda lucky, like I save a lot on wine and I'm glad of that)
Truffle, I find, is one of those things that gets abused. A little must be good, so a lot must be better, right? The judicious application of truffles is great, but too much ruins things. And I can't afford to even dream about buying Pappy; that breaks my liquor budget just thinking about it.
From all us young people with 0 extra money to spend on "good" bottles, thank you. Bottom shelf review is great, would love to see this become a regular series.
Its worth mentioning that Greg's notes on the pappy definitely show that it was the hardest to pin down. There's something to be said for complexity even if it's complex in a way that you don't like.
Could also mean that Pappy is more hype then quality, that the nostalgic limited stock market ploy is stronger than the quality. I mean even wine “experts” when in a blind test with expensive and cheap options can’t perfectly distinguish. Find what you like and enjoy it, don’t let the hype guide you’re taste 😃
@@agecali7893 He gave his own rationale in the video of why he disliked Pappi's. He even believes that hype and reputation can have an affect on taste.
Since I started watching your channel, I've had a monthly house cocktail at my apartment for entertaining. This video has inspired me to use more absolute swill when hosting friends and family.
FYI, "charcoal mellowed" is the exact same thing as what the world's best selling bourbon calls the "Lincoln County Process", which they idiotically claim makes them different from all other bourbons. You pour the whiskey into a big vat of charcoal and let it filter through, which will remove some harsh compounds and impart some new flavors.
I went out and Bought the Henry McKenna and I actually really dig it ESPECIALLY as someone who usually only drinks whiskey in a cocktail (I drink a Boulevardier every single week when I get home from work on my Friday) and am not drinking bourbon neat or anything like that. For $13 you can’t beat that lol
Istg, I just about died laughing at Greg’s reaction to seeing that bottle of Pappy being pulled out - and then I saw the price, and promptly died inside right along with him. Goddamn.
Went into this expecting to see bottles of Canadian mist, old crow, R&R, and black velvet lol. Left with trying to find out where I can get mellow corn in Oregon because my curiosity has been piqued
I am not a whiskey man myself but after watching this I want to try McKenna and Mellow Corn for sure. At 20 bucks a pop it's worth the risk. Also small correction: it's 'piqued' (don't hurt me 🙈)
As a member of the Whiskey Tribe, the best Whiskey is: The one you like to drink, the way you like to drink it. Taste is subjective, not everyones preferences are the same. Just because someone doesn't like what you like is no reason to be a "snob" and belittle them.
here's the thing I think I understand with Whiskey/Bourbons in particular. The best one for you is never the most expensive, it's what fits your palate the best. Some folks' favorite can be that bottom shelf stuff aged at the minimum to check boxes, meanwhile someone else could prefer some random novelty bottle that to anyone else tastes off at best. It seems to be commonly accepted that you find the one you like, and you drink it. That's why there's so many varieties and distillers out there
Also Bourbon is (one of?) the most regulated spirits. So the minimum Quality is already solid and there's no cutting corners or mixing in other stuff. Jim Beam is boring as hell, but it's still a 4+ years aged Straight Bourbon without any additives. Compare that to blended colored Scotch, sugared and flavored Rums, Mixto Tequilas, Canadian Whiskies ...
Can confirm this opinion. Like I love Turkey 101, and I've got friends that look at me like I've got 3 heads because I do lol. I've always thought it to be pretty bang solid stuff for not too much money
This is the most honest pappy review I've EVER heard. It's the most GAWDAWFUL OVERRATED SWILL on any shelf ever. I have no idea how they swindled their way to the top dollar spot.
It's actually not. It's just that it's become so over hyped and everything else along with alot better options now. That It's nothing special anymore other then it's made a name.
This is the only channel of its kind to give actual notes AND throw in a high end. Every other channel that does the low end tastings just trash each selection to feel self entitled. Kudos.
Henry McKenna was my first introduction to whiskey alongside Maker’s Mark, and I still have a soft spot for both. Glad you agree it makes for a solid budget choice!
You have surely mistaken. Greg clearly says many times in this episode that he was drinking McKenna Henry, and not Henry McKenna as you have suggested in your comment. 😂
Straight Bourbon whisky actually can't have coloring added to it, unlike other types of whisky including scotch (which commonly has caramel coloring). So that Ezra Brooks color is just from the barrel
Correct, bourbon is heavily regulated in the US. If you buy in the US and it says straight bourbon with no age statement it’ll probably be at least palatable
I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't really care for Pappy. I think if more people tried it blind they wouldn't think its the greatest thing on earth too. I'm not saying Its bad, I just agree with Greg, people 'force' the like because of the price/reputation. Or I have the palette of a peasant, who knows.
Have you tried it blind? I had a friend who swore up and down that he hated Pappy (mostly due to the hype) who unknowingly put it in first place and said he loved it in our most recent blind tasting. Preconceived notions are a hell of a drug
@@jamesn5625 I've been lucky enough to try it twice. First time I knew what it was, and enjoyed it. Second time blind, didn't enjoy it nearly as much. I'm not saying Pappy is bad, that would be asinine. I'm just in line with Greg's thinking that your brain can translates $$$ into enjoyment. Or again, my palette sucks.
@@Cormier66 Your palette doesn't suck; it's just your palette. Taste is subjective, and there is no standard on it (other than societal admonishments or praise; more or less, peer pressure). Also, without the "peasantry", we wouldn't have what's regarded as some of the best tasting/most-eaten foods in the world. See, you're still comitting to that preconceived notion that higher price=good, low cost=bad, and that's just not true, generally; you have to take it case by case and judge it on its merit, to you, as an individual.
Fun video, I wish you had been able to try even more inexpensive whiskies (and perhaps spit out to save yourself from getting drunk). The fact that you dislike Pappy is very amusing and very authentic. I'd love to see you do one on scotch- both traditional islays and some of the japanese ones.
First off, Mellow Corn is DELICIOUS and I know a bunch of "whiskey people" who won't drink it 'because the label looks dumb'. That's fine, more for me. Second, Larceny > Pappy ALL DAY. Pappy is awful and I don't understand why people think it's worth the money.
I hung around people that wouldn't give it a chance because it had a plastic cap. People just love to let their judgements ruin their potential experiences. Personally, I'm not a Mellow Corn fan, but I do like Evan Williams BIB (another plastic cap hero).
I love the reaction to the curve ball, it proves how much perception plays into how much you like something. My personal stance is anything over $20 is worthy of being tried as a sipping whiskey, but there are certainly gems below that price too. It's Bourbon Night has done comparisons of Bourbons at a few different price points, it would be nice to see others do something similar. I recently retried Makers Mark, which I had never liked before, and found it much softer and sweeter than the last time I tried it.
Just turned 21 here! Ive been watching the channel since I was 17 and I'd love a review on bitters infused sugar cubes or "instant cocktails" there are several varieties and I was lucky enough to receive the yescocktailco instant old fashioned pack, but I'm a bit apprehensive using them with my nice new bottles of whisky. I also think it would just be a super fun watch! Love the channel and everything you do!
Jamison, crown royal, and jack Daniels all are pretty solid base line whisky's. However each one of them will have a different taste to them. But for mixers I would suggest finding an inexpensive option you like for yourself. And an old fashioned is supposed to highlight the whisky not overpower it. So using a more top shelf whisky should be fine if the instant packs taste fine. But use a lesser bottles first and then try the fancier stuff. To see if you actually like them. That Evan Williams BnB he used in this video isn't that bad for something like that. It's cheap like dirt cheap and is pretty neutral imo. Perfect for simple mixed drinks. As I like Jamison sours, I subbed the EW BnB for the Jamison I could tell there was a slight off taste but nothing crazy that made it feel like it was something else.
I absolutely love Evan Williams BiB for the price. It punches well above its price range in my opinion for drinking neat or mixing. I find EW BiB to be almost cloyingly sweet, like drinking caramel and peanut brittle. I can see how he got bubble gum off that.
So many of these are from the Heaven Hill distillery, which IMO, does a good job with the lower end whiskey. Heaven Hill (Which is basically the Evan williams) is my cheap whisky favorite.
Luxco just bought a distillery, so Ezra probably will change in a few years, but it's likely to be Heaven Hill juice still at this point. If that is the case, every drop he tried except for the Pappy(and possibly that one too if he's right about his pappy being fake) was distilled by Heaven Hill. They just own the bottom shelf.
Evan Williams: my go-to bottle since sophomore year. The bottled-in-bond is good, if you're all fancy-dancy. The standard black label is my favorite. You can keep the Pappy.
The bottled in bond is higher proof but has less age than the black. IMO, the black is the better whiskey on its own but the BIB will stand up better in highballs and whatnot.
@@cptjeff1 I didn’t know that bib was less aged. I know it’s at least 4 years, and I like the extra proof. honestly even their single barrel is a great value.
2:18 - Most of the whiskey made it into the glass, so that's a pretty big clue it wasn't you pouring it! I like these low-key episodes a lot more than going over the line of drunkenness
I think it might have been juuuuuuust outside the price bracket, but Old Forester is pretty dang nice stuff for the money. kinda sweet, and I always get banana bread flavors out of it. Honestly most of their portfolio is pretty nice, consistently good.
@@claytonbigsby69 absolutely, and the 1910 is fantastic as well in that 50-60 tier. Their rye is super reasonable too, like about 35 iirc? Nice and floral stuff. I think I remember Greg liking that one in the Manhattan matrix video?
This video actually came at just the right time for me, trying to find a good whiskey on a budget. I'm sure he'll be getting a STRONGLY worded email from Pappy Van Winkle though.
I would love to see a bottom shelf Irish or Canadian review. I'm an Irish drinker myself. Wolfhound and Sextant are my favorites, and Wolfhound is very reasonably priced if you can find it.
I've always loved you and this show, and I've used a ton of what I've learned watching it over the years. Including the take of you ripping on Pappy has made me respect you even more than I already had. It was definitely brave, but it was totally worth it. Meredith deserves a raise!
The Pappy Van Winkle BLEW me away as much as you did. I didnt know about it until this video so when I saw your review than the price tag, Im honestly blown away. Greg youre great
I think the cocktail kit is a really awesome idea! I'm a little surprised by the El Dorado 3 for the mai tai. I'm sure it makes a great drink, just wondering how you landed on that to pair with the Smith & Cross. I suppose I'll have to try that combo myself!
Wine, whiskey all the "taste" is complete BS. They have proved, over and over, that "professional" tasters cannot identify the "best" vs. low end. It is subjective crap that people use to feel they have "taste" and are special. This video is just more proof of that.
EW BiB is my favorite cheap pour. Hits way out of its weight class. The bottom shelf Henry McKenna is not bad for the price, however for the same money, EW Black is a better pour imo.
Echoing the sentiment in favor of a "bottom shelf" series. I've heard horror stories about $12 Scotch and "Tequila-brand Tequila", and I want to see if you've had better luck in terms of cheap liquor.
tequila is the one spirit you don't cheap out on. a cheap-ish scotch, think 30, like Glenfarclas, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet - nice. blendeds, Cutty Sark, Monkey Shoulder and Jameson are good. bourbon: even 15 would bag you a decent sipper / mixer. but tequila? the cheap stuff is t-r-a-s-h.
In terms of that bottom tier bourbon, I think McKenna has a lot more going for it that the budget regaled Benchmark 8. McKenna is super heavy in that hutlacoche note - which I'm now even picking up in WT101.
Ezra Brooks is the only reasonably priced straight rye and bourbon I can get in my country (liquor import tax is 100%), and I think they're both great in cocktails. 90 proof, decent price
Also good to note that price, reputation and age don't determine how good a whiskey is. He hated Pappy and loved a cheapo. Pappy 'might' be better on the rocks than Henry McKenna.
With the holidays coming upaybe you could do eggnogs or mulled wines from around the world. There are so many variants of these two things plus it would be holiday-e
I like that a cheaper bourbon beat out “pappy”. Can’t afford pappy myself, but wouldn’t want to have to buy it because it was a thousand times better. Hooray for reasonably priced bourbon!
I had just checked Curiata yesterday for the first time! I noticed the cocktail kits go live while I was going through the collections lol. Thought I was going crazy when clicked back to your page and I saw two new things on there. Good to know it was probably an actual technical process and not just me losing my mind.
I think videos like this and the original Pappy video just go to show that it's all up to preference. People like what they like, high price doesn't equal universal enjoyment because people are looking for different things
Pappy lovers the world over drop on the floor in uncontrollably spasms in circles as the Pappy label is OVER HYPE CRAP. haha Pappy as a bottom shelf... HAHAHA!!! BUT YOU ARE RIGHT!! YOUR TASTE BUDS ARE NOT LYING!! PAPY IS OVER HYPED CRAP!!
Honestly I really liked having the pappy in this video. It's pretty clear now that Greg doesn't like it, and I think that is more than valid. I haven't tried it myself, but it's interesting seeing the differences of taste
It's like wines you can have a preference for wines of varied price range and it all be valid and try expensive ones that make you wish it were polite to visibly gag. It's in how you interpret the flavour as much as it's purported value.
It just reaffirms my stance that paying more than 100ish euros (+/- 20) for a bottle of high proof booze is a waste. You get into serious diminishing returns territory. For wine I'd say anything above 40 or so is just stupid. Also, I'm not much of a bourbon sipper. I prefer a Scotch or an Irish to any kind of American. Maker's Mark is nice in a cocktail.
How does a whiskey cost $3000 a bottle? Or any drink? I am sure there are reasons, but my uncultured self cannot think of them other than being OOOOOLD. e: Trust yourself dude! Props on leaving that in!
Pappy isn't 3 grand cause it's good. It's 3 grand cause it's rare. The MSRP, and the price that the manufacturer places it as is only $130 dollars. It's a really expensive bottle of one hundred and thirty dollar whiskey.
It'd be really interesting to see you do a collab with the modern rogue, they've done a few 'how to make drinks' videos and I feel like your video styles would mesh really well together
They're probably too far apart geographically but yeah it'd be fun to see him do a tasting with the Whiskey Tribe people. Or a video focusing on the Old Fashioned.
Dude that was a mind blowing moment on the Pappys. You could also always do a range of $30-$50 or $60. I really like this kind of info for finding more affordable or enjoyable whiskeys.
Meh, I feel like there's a quality drop in that price range. Most of the best bourbons are below 30, and often the so called craft whiskeys are too young and too overpriced to really qualify as good.
@@singincowboy Somewhat. My two favorite whiskeys fall into that range. Makers 46 and Willet Pot. Basically more taste and less diluted feeling, but you don’t pay for cask strength.
What do you think, more bottom shelf reviews? Mid Tier Gold? Let me know! Also, check out the link to pick up one of these cocktail kits, I put a lot of work into these, I think you’re gonna love them- just in time for the holidays too!
How to Drink Cocktail Sets: bit.ly/htdspiritsshelf
Glencairn Whiskey Glass Set: amzn.to/3E5wpwN
Twitch: bit.ly/2VsOi3d
H2D2: bit.ly/YTH2D2
twitter: bit.ly/H2DTwit
instagram: bit.ly/H2dIG
Blog: bit.ly/H2DBlog
Patreon: bit.ly/H2DPatreon
Gear: amzn.to/2LeQCbW
Whiskey: What you Need to Know: ua-cam.com/video/TYIkr7MIfSM/v-deo.html
$3000 Whiskey worth the Hype?: ua-cam.com/video/KG-UYeQBtrI/v-deo.html
Bourbon can be for Anyone!: ua-cam.com/video/YPoFIOs2pZg/v-deo.html
Taste is inherently subjective... but by now we've learned to trust yours. More of these episodes on accessible, affordable liquors please!
Bottom shelf is in my price range so I am voting for that
please do one for rum! this is great ♥
This is exactly the type of content I'm looking for right now.
Your reviews are very helpful and we love your subtle charm
Greg, you do not ever need to apologize for having "low-energy" videos or anything like that. This was great stuff and I want more bottom shelf reviews, like these. They're refreshingly mellow compared to, say, recent cursed cocktail episodes
Yeah this was a really nice video
I like these also, theyre a great guide for "i need some bottles for a get together, and most of these are gonna be mixed, so quality aint a priority, but i dont wanna give em trash"
Yup I agree hard enough to say "I agree "
Yup I agree hard enough to say "I agree "
I kind of expect booze reviews to be calm. Now, if he starts reviewing crack and it's low energy? Unforgivable.
Evan Williams has been my go-to mixer bourbon for a while (and I'll put the sour mash against Jack Daniel's any day of the week). Inoffensive, has enough character to mix, if you drink it straight you don't hate yourself. Though my big handle has been getting dusty since I found a handle of Larceny for $40 😂
Good find!
Hard to beat EW. I can get the BIB for $14
Old Forester 86 is my go to mixer
Oh Larceny is some tasty stuff
I really wanted to like Evan Williams but something about the flavor really puts me off. If it's a cherry note then I think I don't like cherry notes in bourbon. Not sure. I'm more into Old Grand-Dad and Earlytimes.
Thanks so much for doing this! Hilariously, my local liquor store just started carrying McKenna (and keeps selling out of my usual reasonably-priced fave: 4 roses) but I've been to scared to try it because I worried I'd just be wasting my money on a bottle of brown paint thinner. After this review I'll definitely give it a try!
Huge credit for having the humility to keep the Pappy clip in. So, you actually ike Old Grandad BiB better than Pappy...well, that's a big win for the sake of availability & that one bottle of Pappy will get you 150+ bottles of OG, LOL!! The power of suggestion is strong with this one!
'mellow corn' is best low cost corn whiskey in the market. hands down.
bottled in bond and no ethanol burn or weak palate.
Everything Evan Williams is fantastic for the price.
I always peek in the back to see if the Montenegro is getting enough love. If I see it in my liquor store runs I'll always buy it
I just saw it again in my algorithm feed, so i have to request MORE "the customer is always wrong" please!
I'm kind of surprised that Kessler's isn't in there, it's my choice for cheap whiskey? I can get a 1/5 for $12 and a half gallon for $19.
I'm curious where Kessler's Blended Whiskey winds up in the rankings, last I purchased it I recall it being well under $20 and google confirms, it's my go-to mixing whiskey for being cheap and, as far as I can tell, good? But I don't have a breadth of experience with them, even if I've done some whiskey and scotch tastings.
6:43 I'm drinking Ezra Brooks right now!
You should do more of the "customer is wrong" ones, maybe find some that are right?
You should do a taste test where you rank and label each variety of Johnny Walker. That would be so rough for your mouth though 😂
You ever tried tangled ridge?
Borderlands Drink the phaselock
Penis jokes... Hilarious 🤣 and the Curiada Boxes are awesome ideas, thank you 👍🏻
New drinking game, take one each time he says “McKenna Henry”
God-damn fancy lads…always tasting the whiskey.
Jee-sus! Boy do I hate those fancy lads…
Episodes like this should always have at least 1 control drink, like the $3k dollar bottle in this one
I started giggling as soon as Greg was handed Pappy and the tasting notes started going bad XD
As someone who greatly enjoyed your "how to...." videos I have to ask, "how to whisk(e)y"?
Huh, wouldnt have expected to find you under a HTD vid xd
i dont know how many days its been since your last fall death sry i stopped counting and also probably missed a death or eighty
That was one expensive practical joke, slipping that Pappy in there! 😊
I've never gotten to try Pappy's but when I saw that come up I'm like I thought it must have been some cheap version they were making or something. I was totally confused for a while
The dune soundtrack kicking in when he said "A little Spicy maybe" was just pure editing excellence.
I hope he doesn’t get flagged for it. I loved that bit
I came here to comment on that… hoping I wouldn’t be the first. Y’all make me realize I am in the right place on the interwebs!
@@dougmoore6612 Heck yeah!
Timestamp?
@@jungleman3321 7:44
10:25 I love this. It really shows that doing anything other than a completely blind taste test is largely meaningless. The second you know what price bracket your working in your judgement is tainted. Good on you for keeping this in the video.
Technically he thought he was working with a
I don't think any of his descriptions are wrong either. That's a pretty accurate description of pappy to me.
He just doesn't like Pappy. He also rated it pretty low in the high end video. The consistency is good.
@@The_Jovian Yes that's my point.
@@andersonimes1892 But he did not react as negatively in the Pappy video when he knew that they were all "higher end" whiskeys.
This video should turn into a "bottom shelf" series. I love and appreciate the good stuff, but when you need 6 matching bottles to host a party, cost becomes more of a consideration for most of us.
Do you appreciate the _good_ stuff, or the _expensive_ stuff? Let that question mull about in your head, for a bit, because they're not mutually exclusive.
@@NaruSanavai Not entirely, no, and I suppose the question would be "what counts as expensive?" Most of my typical bottles(talking base spirits) range around $60-$70 for a 750mL bottle, and I find that when I venture much cheaper than that, the quality of what I'm drinking starts to noticeably suffer. There are exceptions, of course, but that's been my general experience.
For the sake of comparison, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka(because it's available everywhere) runs about $30 in my area.
@@bradsimpson8724 very true and that is like $15-20 in my area. I think the most I ever played for a 750ml bottle was for J.R. Reverly cask strength, which is 115 proof, it was $70. But it tasted like pure caramel with a toasted peanut finish. I would mix it with cream soda for a delightful treat.
like most things like Jack Daniels, Jim Bean and the like are in the $15-20 price range for me. But most of what I enjoy and use the most like Jameson, or Plymouth Gin are around $25-30 for 750ml.
@@bradsimpson8724 Jeez, I think there's loads of great bottles less than 60-70 each, ESPECIALLY in the world of rum, gin, and bourbon. With only a few exceptions, 60-70 is pretty much god tier level and the most I would spend before thoughts of diminishing returns creep in
@@nevadanate4957 Unfortunately, I think you're failing to comprehend what's being discussed here. I suggest you read the entire comment thread, then re-read your comment, and see how little it contributes to the discussion.
Greg trashing the Pappy was awesome. It's absurdly overrated and absurdly overpriced. Thank you for uploading this :)
I mean at 120 bucks i wouldnt call it absurdly overpriced
@@LeatherDaddy97 $120??? Where you gonna find Pappys at srp?? And do t even come at me with “well one time I won a lottery..” this routinely goes for $3000+ on secondary.
@@sn0wb00ts secondary isnt the price of the whiskey. A $20 microwave in a grocery store isnt an $800 microwave just because you bought it online for that.
@@LeatherDaddy97 difference there is I can actually go to the store and buy the microwave for $20. You can hardly go to a liquor store and buy the pappys for retail. You can stick your head in the sand and argue semantics all you want, but the reality is that hardly anyone gets to buy pappys at retail.
@@sn0wb00ts You're really not getting the point. Pappy's MSRP is $120. The manufacturer values their product at that price point. The price become artificially inflated on the secondary market due to rarity. It isn't worth $3000 just because that's what some people pay.
Meredith can pour without spilling! Maybe she should be hands-on with the show more often 😆
Spilling is Greg's signature bartender move, though!
tabletop gods need their share
On the verge of corny, I enjoyed the injection of dune soundtrack for “spicy” more than I should have. Well played sir.
Right? I heard that and just giggled!
@@EMSpdx Same. His references are out of control, everyone knows that.
Had the video on in the background and I wasn't watching, just listening and thought UA-cam was freaking out.
He's a big nerd and that's (part of) why we all love him so much.
(I haven't watched dune yet so I was just confused, thanks for the comment lol)
Pappy Van Winkle to Greg: "I told you my compound would take you places. I never said they were places you wanted to go!"
This comment is criminally underrated…
Throwing the Pappy into your $20 whiskey tasting episode -- made my list of greatest moments in UA-cam history.
No shame in not being a Pappy man.
In no universe did I expect to see you here.
In fact not being a pappy man can save you quite a lot of money
It's 107 proof. Any whiskey that strong is gunna throw off a taster undiluted. If he was tasting a 90 or lower proof pappy I would put more stock in this result
@@sams_salad_service3653 his is also a drinking channel, you know
Save a lot of money by not being so
Poor Greg, that Pappy surprise absolutely broke him, haha. Respect for leaving that segment in. Trust your palette, Greg! You do excellent work here. You’re one of maybe 3 channels I subscribe to.
While it's true that tasting a whiskey you know is expensive will color your opinions, it's also true that tasting a whiskey you know is cheap will color your expectations. Often, expensive whiskeys are doing something wildly unique and different; in one frame of mind you might think "that's really cool, not what I want all the time but nice" and in another you might think "wow, this is awful".
I had this same thought, because I almost certainly DON’T want my bottom-shelf whisky to be doing anything wildly unique or different. In that context, a curve ball would immediately make me question the quality of the whisky
That’s how scotch and Irish are for me. When I first started drinking them, it was fun because they were different and tasty in their own ways. Eventually I realized I was tired of fun and different and just wanted something that agreed with my preference. That’s when I went back to rye and bourbon. Now the few times per year that I crack open scotch or Irish, I actually appreciate them more.
For sure, let alone the impact of a vertical comparison, inebriation, etc. One of my Laga DE's is both one of the best and worst scotches I've ever had depending on what my palate is doing that day.
It can be like looking at a Picasso without knowing who he is and what he is trying to achieve. His bold risks or intentional style can be lost if you don’t know what they are going for. The opposite can be true as well.
@@BlkHunterGatherer This is how I feel about single malt so far. They're all different and interesting to try but I have yet to find one that hits right every time. I honestly prefer blended for this reason lol
I love when people candidly shit on highly allocated tater bourbons when tested blind. Love this video
I work in a liquor store and I've tried many of the highly sought after Buffalo Trace products (BT, Blanton, Pappy, Weller, etc). I can confirm they range from mediocre to bland and uninteresting (and all way overpriced). I will never tire of telling people it's ...okay-ish stuff, but not very good for the money. Their reactions are priceless. I would only ever buy a bottle of Pappy to trade for a case of something good.
@@gamesjunkie best whiskeys in your opinion?
@@1995pieter If we're just talking American whiskies, Old Forester makes fantastic bourbons. Best bourbon I've ever had was a store pick single barrel Old Forester. Their rye is great too. Also Henry McKenna 10yr Bonded Single Barrel is constantly fantastic.
Overall best rye whiskies would go to Michters. Especially if you can get hold of their toasted or 10 year rye. Rittenhouse is a great all arounder if available in your state too. Or Dad's Hat green label if you really want a tasty, punch you in the mouth rye.
Shout-out to the editor for the Dune music when Greg says 'spices/spicey' on the Ezra Brooks 😂😂
Plus the Cabin Boy clip for Cabin Stills. So many wonderful little touches put in, good stuff.
The way Greg feels about Pappy is how I feel about truffles. I love savory foods but no matter how hard I try, I just don't like truffles and much prefer other mushrooms.
That's because truffles don't actually have much taste. The mushroom itself is almost entirely aromatic, which is why it lends itself to a good oil and not a good raw ingredient. It's shaved thin over hot fatty foods because that bit of heat is all it takes for the aromatic element to hit your nose, especially when thin. And then whatever is left is given to the fat. And since it's an aromatic, it loses all value a day or three after being unearthed.
Its expense is from mystique and difficulty of production.
@@veraducks well, it really depends on which truffle you try. I'm extremely lucky since I live near a tuscanian (? Not sure it's the right adjective) town where cheap ass white truffles are searched in march ("bianchetto" truffle). I love the flavour and it surely need something fatty to trap and bring flavor (e than chewbosky vid about salads actually explains how this helps in general), but grated last minute while emulsifying some butter (& parm) tagliolini it's a 5-10€ per person pleasure that is surely worth once a year.
(in general, however, not liking truffle is kinda lucky, like I save a lot on wine and I'm glad of that)
Truffle, I find, is one of those things that gets abused. A little must be good, so a lot must be better, right? The judicious application of truffles is great, but too much ruins things.
And I can't afford to even dream about buying Pappy; that breaks my liquor budget just thinking about it.
Bless, I thoroughly did not enjoy them at my friend's wedding and they lingered in my mouth until the next day
@@theworldisastage1984 made by perfume companies often (the truffle component)
From all us young people with 0 extra money to spend on "good" bottles, thank you. Bottom shelf review is great, would love to see this become a regular series.
Whoever on the team that slipped Greg the Pappy is a total hero. :)
Its worth mentioning that Greg's notes on the pappy definitely show that it was the hardest to pin down. There's something to be said for complexity even if it's complex in a way that you don't like.
It's because he was expecting cheap bath tub whiskey and was handed overpriced bath tub whiskey. Not being a snob, I appreciate them both.
Could also mean that Pappy is more hype then quality, that the nostalgic limited stock market ploy is stronger than the quality.
I mean even wine “experts” when in a blind test with expensive and cheap options can’t perfectly distinguish.
Find what you like and enjoy it, don’t let the hype guide you’re taste 😃
Yeah but they tricked him into thinking it was cheap triggering some type of placebo effect on his already tired palate
@@agecali7893 He gave his own rationale in the video of why he disliked Pappi's. He even believes that hype and reputation can have an affect on taste.
Don't be dramatic
Since I started watching your channel, I've had a monthly house cocktail at my apartment for entertaining. This video has inspired me to use more absolute swill when hosting friends and family.
Always scared to bring some paint thinner like popov vodka or something. But hey. Sometimes the jungle juice needs that cheap kick
@@MrMustang1116 Sometimes you just need a New Amsterdam martini
@@lucasfranco6345 beats a popov Martini that's for sure.
Especially family
Especially family
FYI, "charcoal mellowed" is the exact same thing as what the world's best selling bourbon calls the "Lincoln County Process", which they idiotically claim makes them different from all other bourbons. You pour the whiskey into a big vat of charcoal and let it filter through, which will remove some harsh compounds and impart some new flavors.
Isn't that just vodka lol?
@@flopus7 lol wut
The charcoal is supposed to make it not taste like acetone, right?
@@MuriKakari uhmmmm, not really?
@@cronoz-sensei4259 Okay, that's just the claim I heard.
I went out and Bought the Henry McKenna and I actually really dig it ESPECIALLY as someone who usually only drinks whiskey in a cocktail (I drink a Boulevardier every single week when I get home from work on my Friday) and am not drinking bourbon neat or anything like that. For $13 you can’t beat that lol
Istg, I just about died laughing at Greg’s reaction to seeing that bottle of Pappy being pulled out - and then I saw the price, and promptly died inside right along with him.
Goddamn.
Went into this expecting to see bottles of Canadian mist, old crow, R&R, and black velvet lol. Left with trying to find out where I can get mellow corn in Oregon because my curiosity has been piqued
Canadian mist and old crow.......bro, you got me hunting for a trashcan and a toilet. Having flashbacks to about 10 years ago lol
I am not a whiskey man myself but after watching this I want to try McKenna and Mellow Corn for sure. At 20 bucks a pop it's worth the risk.
Also small correction: it's 'piqued' (don't hurt me 🙈)
@@therexbellator lol thanks man
I actually found mellow corn today.
@@pntballfreek same exact thought bro just replace mist with Canadian hunter
As a member of the Whiskey Tribe, the best Whiskey is: The one you like to drink, the way you like to drink it.
Taste is subjective, not everyones preferences are the same. Just because someone doesn't like what you like is no reason to be a "snob" and belittle them.
Seems so simple when the ego is put aside.
Imagine being proud of being in the Whiskey Tribe
here's the thing I think I understand with Whiskey/Bourbons in particular. The best one for you is never the most expensive, it's what fits your palate the best. Some folks' favorite can be that bottom shelf stuff aged at the minimum to check boxes, meanwhile someone else could prefer some random novelty bottle that to anyone else tastes off at best. It seems to be commonly accepted that you find the one you like, and you drink it. That's why there's so many varieties and distillers out there
Also Bourbon is (one of?) the most regulated spirits.
So the minimum Quality is already solid and there's no cutting corners or mixing in other stuff.
Jim Beam is boring as hell, but it's still a 4+ years aged Straight Bourbon without any additives.
Compare that to blended colored Scotch, sugared and flavored Rums, Mixto Tequilas, Canadian Whiskies ...
Can confirm this opinion. Like I love Turkey 101, and I've got friends that look at me like I've got 3 heads because I do lol. I've always thought it to be pretty bang solid stuff for not too much money
@pntballfreek that's my go to bourbon. I do try to try 1-2 unknowns to myself between bottles of 101, never know what I may take a liking to
This is the most honest pappy review I've EVER heard. It's the most GAWDAWFUL OVERRATED SWILL on any shelf ever. I have no idea how they swindled their way to the top dollar spot.
It's actually not. It's just that it's become so over hyped and everything else along with alot better options now. That It's nothing special anymore other then it's made a name.
Connor McGregor agrees.
Eh I would drink pappy over Jim bean any day, personally but I usually just settle for some Woodford reserve.
This is the only channel of its kind to give actual notes AND throw in a high end. Every other channel that does the low end tastings just trash each selection to feel self entitled. Kudos.
Henry McKenna was my first introduction to whiskey alongside Maker’s Mark, and I still have a soft spot for both. Glad you agree it makes for a solid budget choice!
@@nickk5948 Same. Tried them both at a whiskey festival I checked out maybe 13 years ago and they both hold a warm spot in my whiskey soaked heart.
You have surely mistaken. Greg clearly says many times in this episode that he was drinking McKenna Henry, and not Henry McKenna as you have suggested in your comment. 😂
Maybe I'll avoid it then, because Maker's Mark is rough. There's a strong note right in the middle of its evolution that reminds me of expired candy.
This is one I have passed on BECAUSE the price was so low. Maybe worth a reconsider.
This is one I have passed on BECAUSE the price was so low. Maybe worth a reconsider.
Straight Bourbon whisky actually can't have coloring added to it, unlike other types of whisky including scotch (which commonly has caramel coloring). So that Ezra Brooks color is just from the barrel
It probably shouldn't have "natural flavours" added either but distillers will do distillery things to sell more bottles...
@@Fastwinstondoom that was suspect! I didn’t think they could put bourbon on the bottle if it has stuff added
Correct, bourbon is heavily regulated in the US. If you buy in the US and it says straight bourbon with no age statement it’ll probably be at least palatable
@@Fastwinstondoom bourbon cant have natural flavors added either
@@LeatherDaddy97 Better send a strongly worded letter to the people who make Cabin Still then.
14:06 REAL careful pronunciation of “peanuts” because the INSTANT that sentence left Greg’s lips, he KNEW that slo-mo shot was coming…🤣
Came here to comment on that 🤣😂 my mouth is ready to find 🥜
I guess we're just gonna call it McKenna Henry now.
I literally started to think is this a Mandela Effect thing
I could hear your heart sink with the pappy reveal. Don't doubt yourself, every palette is different and I am here to get your perspective : )
As a somewhat new exmormon, I can't describe how much joy and education I get out of these videos and by following you. Sincere thanks to you, Greg!
Congrats on your (somewhat) recent deconversion! Hope you're doing well and enjoying your new found freedom
@@kevinwells9751 Thank you! We're having a blast. Leaving was the best decision of my life. :)
Same! It’s been so fun to ease my way into alcohol as a 29 year old. 😅
I'm glad I'm not the only one that doesn't really care for Pappy. I think if more people tried it blind they wouldn't think its the greatest thing on earth too. I'm not saying Its bad, I just agree with Greg, people 'force' the like because of the price/reputation. Or I have the palette of a peasant, who knows.
Have you tried it blind? I had a friend who swore up and down that he hated Pappy (mostly due to the hype) who unknowingly put it in first place and said he loved it in our most recent blind tasting.
Preconceived notions are a hell of a drug
@@jamesn5625 I've been lucky enough to try it twice. First time I knew what it was, and enjoyed it. Second time blind, didn't enjoy it nearly as much. I'm not saying Pappy is bad, that would be asinine. I'm just in line with Greg's thinking that your brain can translates $$$ into enjoyment. Or again, my palette sucks.
@@Cormier66 Your palette doesn't suck; it's just your palette. Taste is subjective, and there is no standard on it (other than societal admonishments or praise; more or less, peer pressure).
Also, without the "peasantry", we wouldn't have what's regarded as some of the best tasting/most-eaten foods in the world. See, you're still comitting to that preconceived notion that higher price=good, low cost=bad, and that's just not true, generally; you have to take it case by case and judge it on its merit, to you, as an individual.
Fun video, I wish you had been able to try even more inexpensive whiskies (and perhaps spit out to save yourself from getting drunk). The fact that you dislike Pappy is very amusing and very authentic.
I'd love to see you do one on scotch- both traditional islays and some of the japanese ones.
First off, Mellow Corn is DELICIOUS and I know a bunch of "whiskey people" who won't drink it 'because the label looks dumb'. That's fine, more for me.
Second, Larceny > Pappy ALL DAY. Pappy is awful and I don't understand why people think it's worth the money.
I recently became a big fan of larceny. It’s priced very reasonable too.
I hung around people that wouldn't give it a chance because it had a plastic cap. People just love to let their judgements ruin their potential experiences. Personally, I'm not a Mellow Corn fan, but I do like Evan Williams BIB (another plastic cap hero).
If you like mellow Corn try some of the Sierra Norte Mexican corn whisky. It's really good
I love the reaction to the curve ball, it proves how much perception plays into how much you like something.
My personal stance is anything over $20 is worthy of being tried as a sipping whiskey, but there are certainly gems below that price too.
It's Bourbon Night has done comparisons of Bourbons at a few different price points, it would be nice to see others do something similar. I recently retried Makers Mark, which I had never liked before, and found it much softer and sweeter than the last time I tried it.
That Hans Zimmer Dune audio cue on "spice." You're my kinda nerd, Greg.
The spice edit in the middle of the review
Amazing. A spice splice
Just turned 21 here! Ive been watching the channel since I was 17 and I'd love a review on bitters infused sugar cubes or "instant cocktails" there are several varieties and I was lucky enough to receive the yescocktailco instant old fashioned pack, but I'm a bit apprehensive using them with my nice new bottles of whisky. I also think it would just be a super fun watch! Love the channel and everything you do!
Jamison, crown royal, and jack Daniels all are pretty solid base line whisky's. However each one of them will have a different taste to them. But for mixers I would suggest finding an inexpensive option you like for yourself. And an old fashioned is supposed to highlight the whisky not overpower it. So using a more top shelf whisky should be fine if the instant packs taste fine. But use a lesser bottles first and then try the fancier stuff. To see if you actually like them. That Evan Williams BnB he used in this video isn't that bad for something like that. It's cheap like dirt cheap and is pretty neutral imo. Perfect for simple mixed drinks. As I like Jamison sours, I subbed the EW BnB for the Jamison I could tell there was a slight off taste but nothing crazy that made it feel like it was something else.
I absolutely love Evan Williams BiB for the price. It punches well above its price range in my opinion for drinking neat or mixing. I find EW BiB to be almost cloyingly sweet, like drinking caramel and peanut brittle. I can see how he got bubble gum off that.
Weird... I drink EW often and I don't get sweet nor peanuts. Maybe my pallet is worse than Greg's.
@@brandongastelum9005 Is it black label or Bottled in Bond (white label)?
@@cade5400 I drink them both off and on and detect very subtle differences in them. I just don't taste either of those notes.
@@brandongastelum9005 Yeah, taste is weird 🤷🏻♂️ I doubt your palate is any worse than Greg’s, just different
@@cade5400 I got home and took a sip. Now I definitely pick up that peanut brittle taste you mentioned. I can't believe I never tasted that before!
So many of these are from the Heaven Hill distillery, which IMO, does a good job with the lower end whiskey. Heaven Hill (Which is basically the Evan williams) is my cheap whisky favorite.
Their top ends, like Elijiah Craig Barrel Proof are pretty stellar too. I am a fan, speaking generally of HH.
Luxco just bought a distillery, so Ezra probably will change in a few years, but it's likely to be Heaven Hill juice still at this point. If that is the case, every drop he tried except for the Pappy(and possibly that one too if he's right about his pappy being fake) was distilled by Heaven Hill. They just own the bottom shelf.
Evan Williams: my go-to bottle since sophomore year. The bottled-in-bond is good, if you're all fancy-dancy. The standard black label is my favorite.
You can keep the Pappy.
The bottled in bond is higher proof but has less age than the black. IMO, the black is the better whiskey on its own but the BIB will stand up better in highballs and whatnot.
@@cptjeff1 I didn’t know that bib was less aged. I know it’s at least 4 years, and I like the extra proof. honestly even their single barrel is a great value.
Id like to see a similar version with the very mainstream whiskey’s. Like Jack, Fireball, and/or Crown. I think that would be a very diffrent video 🤣
2:18 - Most of the whiskey made it into the glass, so that's a pretty big clue it wasn't you pouring it! I like these low-key episodes a lot more than going over the line of drunkenness
I think it might have been juuuuuuust outside the price bracket, but Old Forester is pretty dang nice stuff for the money. kinda sweet, and I always get banana bread flavors out of it. Honestly most of their portfolio is pretty nice, consistently good.
The 86 and 100 are both money for ~22 and ~25 respectively. 1920 of course as well but that's ~$60
@@claytonbigsby69 absolutely, and the 1910 is fantastic as well in that 50-60 tier. Their rye is super reasonable too, like about 35 iirc? Nice and floral stuff. I think I remember Greg liking that one in the Manhattan matrix video?
This video actually came at just the right time for me, trying to find a good whiskey on a budget. I'm sure he'll be getting a STRONGLY worded email from Pappy Van Winkle though.
Yk he is just so unbiased tho he likes what he likes, and he gives an honest opinion. id love to see him dive deeper and find his favorite
I dunno, I've had Pappy, and I'm thinking his secondary market Pappy is adulterated or straight up counterfeit.
I would love to see a bottom shelf Irish or Canadian review. I'm an Irish drinker myself. Wolfhound and Sextant are my favorites, and Wolfhound is very reasonably priced if you can find it.
My personal bottom shelf favorites: Buffalo Trace, Four Roses Yellow Label, Larceny.
All great, but also over my arbitrary $20
Cheapest one of those whereas I live is 41 dollars
I’d personally call Buffalo Trace a mid-tier
@@ozymandias3456 ive never seen any of them over 26
@@timcox5373 its definitely a budget bottle
I've always loved you and this show, and I've used a ton of what I've learned watching it over the years. Including the take of you ripping on Pappy has made me respect you even more than I already had. It was definitely brave, but it was totally worth it. Meredith deserves a raise!
The Pappy Van Winkle BLEW me away as much as you did. I didnt know about it until this video so when I saw your review than the price tag, Im honestly blown away. Greg youre great
I think the cocktail kit is a really awesome idea! I'm a little surprised by the El Dorado 3 for the mai tai. I'm sure it makes a great drink, just wondering how you landed on that to pair with the Smith & Cross.
I suppose I'll have to try that combo myself!
Wine, whiskey all the "taste" is complete BS. They have proved, over and over, that "professional" tasters cannot identify the "best" vs. low end. It is subjective crap that people use to feel they have "taste" and are special. This video is just more proof of that.
EW BiB is my favorite cheap pour. Hits way out of its weight class. The bottom shelf Henry McKenna is not bad for the price, however for the same money, EW Black is a better pour imo.
EW is pretty solid, all 'round. But, most of Heaven Hills stuff seems to be. Not the """"best"""" or most interesting, but certainly _consistent._
@@NaruSanavai Elijah Craig Barrel Proof has got to be one of my favorite bottles. Heaven Hill definitely puts out some good bourbon.
Echoing the sentiment in favor of a "bottom shelf" series. I've heard horror stories about $12 Scotch and "Tequila-brand Tequila", and I want to see if you've had better luck in terms of cheap liquor.
tequila is the one spirit you don't cheap out on.
a cheap-ish scotch, think 30, like Glenfarclas, Glenmorangie, Glenlivet - nice.
blendeds, Cutty Sark, Monkey Shoulder and Jameson are good.
bourbon: even 15 would bag you a decent sipper / mixer.
but tequila? the cheap stuff is t-r-a-s-h.
This was a great episode, throwing the Pappy in there was genius.
Would love to see more videos like this, just testing and talking about the cheap stuff that most people can actually afford to get on a regular basis
In terms of that bottom tier bourbon, I think McKenna has a lot more going for it that the budget regaled Benchmark 8.
McKenna is super heavy in that hutlacoche note - which I'm now even picking up in WT101.
I cackled when I heard the chant from Dune at the mention of "spicy". THE SPICE MUST FLOW. 7:44
Cabin Still is my "drink by myself when no one is around to judge me" whiskey. Maybe it's time to change it.
If you like it drink it lol
Ezra Brooks is the only reasonably priced straight rye and bourbon I can get in my country (liquor import tax is 100%), and I think they're both great in cocktails. 90 proof, decent price
Also good to note that price, reputation and age don't determine how good a whiskey is. He hated Pappy and loved a cheapo. Pappy 'might' be better on the rocks than Henry McKenna.
And that fact mostly could be chalked up to the Pappy being 107 proof.
With the holidays coming upaybe you could do eggnogs or mulled wines from around the world. There are so many variants of these two things plus it would be holiday-e
I would totally have bought that Mai Tai crate if they shipped to the UK, it's such a good idea
I like that a cheaper bourbon beat out “pappy”. Can’t afford pappy myself, but wouldn’t want to have to buy it because it was a thousand times better. Hooray for reasonably priced bourbon!
I think I'm gonna start calling it "McKenna Henry" just to troll people.
Super useful for a guy like me! Keep these coming!
7:33 Whoever edited the video, I caught that. I appreciate you, homie.
I had just checked Curiata yesterday for the first time! I noticed the cocktail kits go live while I was going through the collections lol. Thought I was going crazy when clicked back to your page and I saw two new things on there. Good to know it was probably an actual technical process and not just me losing my mind.
I think videos like this and the original Pappy video just go to show that it's all up to preference. People like what they like, high price doesn't equal universal enjoyment because people are looking for different things
That Dune music sting @7:45.... Perfection. A+
Pappy lovers the world over drop on the floor in uncontrollably spasms in circles as the Pappy label is OVER HYPE CRAP. haha Pappy as a bottom shelf... HAHAHA!!! BUT YOU ARE RIGHT!! YOUR TASTE BUDS ARE NOT LYING!! PAPY IS OVER HYPED CRAP!!
Honestly I really liked having the pappy in this video. It's pretty clear now that Greg doesn't like it, and I think that is more than valid. I haven't tried it myself, but it's interesting seeing the differences of taste
It's like wines you can have a preference for wines of varied price range and it all be valid and try expensive ones that make you wish it were polite to visibly gag. It's in how you interpret the flavour as much as it's purported value.
It just reaffirms my stance that paying more than 100ish euros (+/- 20) for a bottle of high proof booze is a waste.
You get into serious diminishing returns territory. For wine I'd say anything above 40 or so is just stupid.
Also, I'm not much of a bourbon sipper. I prefer a Scotch or an Irish to any kind of American. Maker's Mark is nice in a cocktail.
Going from Mellow Corn to Pappy is both abominable and hilarious in equal measure...
On the on hand he had a legendary cult bottle and then he had Pappy. The reaction is understandable.
How does a whiskey cost $3000 a bottle? Or any drink? I am sure there are reasons, but my uncultured self cannot think of them other than being OOOOOLD.
e: Trust yourself dude! Props on leaving that in!
Ahh whiskey episodes. My favorite
Pappy isn't 3 grand cause it's good. It's 3 grand cause it's rare. The MSRP, and the price that the manufacturer places it as is only $130 dollars. It's a really expensive bottle of one hundred and thirty dollar whiskey.
It'd be really interesting to see you do a collab with the modern rogue, they've done a few 'how to make drinks' videos and I feel like your video styles would mesh really well together
If you want to see modern rogue booze content, they are on Whiskey Tribe pretty often.
It'd be cool, I wonder how Greg would get along with Trevor
It'd be cool, I wonder how Greg would get along with Trevor
They're probably too far apart geographically but yeah it'd be fun to see him do a tasting with the Whiskey Tribe people. Or a video focusing on the Old Fashioned.
Dude that was a mind blowing moment on the Pappys.
You could also always do a range of $30-$50 or $60.
I really like this kind of info for finding more affordable or enjoyable whiskeys.
Meh, I feel like there's a quality drop in that price range. Most of the best bourbons are below 30, and often the so called craft whiskeys are too young and too overpriced to really qualify as good.
@@singincowboy Somewhat. My two favorite whiskeys fall into that range. Makers 46 and Willet Pot. Basically more taste and less diluted feeling, but you don’t pay for cask strength.