6 BOURBONS You Should PASS on! NOT WORTH IT!
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- Опубликовано: 5 апр 2022
- Today we dive into six different Bourbons that I think you should pass on. It's not that they're necessarily bad and some of them are actually pretty decent, but the value is not there and unless you really know what you're doing and you're really wanting these bottles you might wanna consider passing on these.
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Henry McKenna 10 yr is fantastic! It is one of my favorites, but by all means, y’all should definitely not buy it.
Yes, please don’t buy it. More for me! Haha
I absolutely hate this bottle! So take all you want lol
Yes please, stop buying that garbage👌
I've had half dozen bottles so far and the 6th was the charm I'll never buy another. It's a solid mixer at best. Homeless drop is the usual standard for mckenna
Yep, the only one I disagreed on.
Agree with most of it, except regarding the Weller Antique 107. I adore that Weller expression, and I get a delicious taste of caramel and fresh baked bread on the palate.
Absolutely agree
For sure! It sits nicely between SR and 12 IMO - based on the flavor profile and I would add is the best value of all Wellers.
The more bourbons I try the more I realize price has almost nothing to do with what you are going to like. Everyone has different taste buds and no two are the same.
In my opinion although many people like four roses, knob Creek, 1792 and others there was something about the taste I did not like. I don’t drink much but when
I have a bourbon I want it to taste like a bourbon and for me Buffalo Trace comes About as close to what I think bourbon should taste like for me. It just all comes down to your taste buds really.
Man did you hit it on the head. You said in better words and shorter than I did. It’s a fun hobby, have fun with it.
@@steveverdoo1859 i only drink whiskey in a mixed drink so for me they all taste the same. However one might taste the difference drinking them neat
I agree 100%!! I love Buffalo Trace, but I can never find it. So I went on a mission to find something I liked that I could readily buy in PA. I went from expensive to cheap, trying many and found that taste had nothing to do with price for me. I ended up going with Evan Williams Black Label for about $14 a bottle. I thought for me that this one tasted better than the rest. Fortunately, I have cheap tastes! LOL. Then I tried Wild Turkey 101! A little more money, but I really like the 101!!! Buffalo Trace is STILL my favorite!!!!!
In my opinion, MSRP aligns with value more often than not up to about $65. There's clearly exceptions but after $65, it's a free for all. Now actual price and MSRP don't always align!
Price has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with what you like, yr damn right. Also.... it's your booze, drink it the way you like.
Fuck everything else.
😎
For a Booker's alternative no need to look further than it's own cousin Knob Creek. A 9yr barrel proof (120proof) Knob Creek bottle will be just as if not better than most of the Booker's. Especially if you get a stellar store pick of one. And they'll be cheaper and much easier to find than any of the Booker's.
Knob Creek 9 barrel proof is my go-to for sure!
Spot on my friend Cheers!
I was just thinking this. The one I picked up recently was $60 and had 11 year old whiskey in it.
100% agree
Yup. Knob creek store picks all day over bookers. Pot still is 30 bucks over that just pretty bottle. Mckenna is so solid under 50$. Wild turkey 101 is around 27$ for refrence. The coopers 100 is solid. Weller 107 is solid, bakers is better i.m.o. agreed on eagle rare and e.h. taylor. All day on JDBP. Double oak on woodford past that meh. If your just getting started my favorite value in 60 to 75 rare breed, russels single, makers 46, eagle rare, e.h. taylor, 1792 full broof,jack daniels barrel proof. The bottle not to buy for me is noahs mill its good its fine but the price keeps going up the willet 4 year rye is where id spend.
This video definitely highlights individual palate profile preferences. Every bottle could be argued for or against. Agree on the Pot Still, Statesman, the Woodford and partially on the Weller 107 and Booker on the value : but the McKenna - at $55 is well worth it IF it is in your wheelhouse. 10 year bottle for $60 is a relative bargain these days and yes, the fact that it's a single barrel does add some 'chance factor', but I have got lucky on 3 out of 4 so far.
Again, what the purchase price for any of these is also a huge factor. Weller 107 @ $60 - yup, at $100 nope. Same with the McKenna.
Bottom line - find a bottle you love ( at a FAIR price! ) and enjoy!
I agree with you on the fair prices. But the McKenna has been hit or miss just on its batches. That is inpart because its a single barrel. Also if you're ever in the Houston area look for it its usually 37 dollars a bottle to about 45 if no one is price gouging the bottle.
Mostly agree, but after buying Mckenna for years at roughly $35, I cannot justify it at $79- $100 which is what it typically is in NYC area
Was looking for a comment like this that saved me the time of watching the video, getting same information, and getting the bonus of a different perspective. Thanks
Agreed take old forester statesman I love that myself but it's overpriced here in Australia at $92 but I guess each to their own
Definitely to each their own. In my opinion, most got stuck on the hype train for McKenna 10. So many better bourbons out there and if it really just 10-year age statement you are looking for Russell's Reserve 10 year is much better in my opinion, 25 to 30 cheaper, and can be found on every grocery store shelf in America.
107 is probably one of my favorite bottles. and is waaayyyyyy better than sr. and please believe if you see it you better grab one. esp if they’re at 50 bucks
At $49.99 the Weller 107 is a good buy to me. Rich and flavorful with store picks being a notch above. Agreed on most other points but definitely not OWA at MSRP. ECBP is now $70 and worth it IMHO.
Weller 107 at $50.00 !?!?! I would buy a case or two at that price! That and the McKenna I disagree heavily on with him. I do agree with him on the Statesman, Willet and Bookers though.
OWA was good at $25, maybe $30, but it's not worth it at current retail, let alone the crack-smoking secondary prices and worse that store owners up charge for it.
I really like Weller 107, but I also like Noah's Mill, also at 107 Proof. Weller is not worth more than Noah's Mill. It's good, but not worth what they are getting for it on the secondary market... The McKenna I 100% agree. It's boring. Buy Old Tub Bottled in Bond for $22 a bottle instead.
That Weller is delicious! This is a very SUBJECTIVE topic and strictly this guys opinion. Everyone is allowed to be wrong! ;)
@@bretti7908 5
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I love the mckenna 10 that I found. I was lucky to get 2 bottles from the same barrel, purchased at different times and for msrp.
same like 4 months apart too, two different handwritings though
Single Barrel can vary but my Henry McKenna bottles have been fantastic. In all fairness my first one cost $35 l have also paid $50 and $65 after it won San Francisco. Still all of mine have been delicious. I generally find Four Roses and Heaven Hill consistently deliver great value and flavor.
I just bought 2 for $52 a piece
Booker’s is Pajamas whiskey…. I only drink it when I am at home and in pajamas…. Cause I’m going right to sleep after one. FYI Keep in mind that Booker invented small batch bourbons and created the concept of getting bourbon back on track. 1975 bourbon was replaced by vodka as the #1 spirit in the USA. It took until 1989 for Booker to release the first small batch and the start of putting bourbon back on track. 20 years later and after booker passed away we saw Bourbon take off again in 2009. Bookers was a little better at the cheaper price and when it was only one batch per year… the last 5 years they have been doing multiple releases per year. Either way, Bookers is not and never will be a daily drinker. It was designed to showcase the way bourbon was at the turn of the century and cask strength. So, yes probably a value disconnect but not if you only drink it s few times per year…
1) Henry McKenna 10 year is great. Beats a lot of other whiskey/bourbon with those great flavor notes. 100 proof and with rising costs on a lot of others, it’s worth 70 in my opinion.
2) Weller Antique is not my favorite however at a reasonable price is a great buy. 107 proof lots of good flavor notes. I’m a huge Weller fan and even love SR but would pick the higher proof every time.
3) I have not gotten to test the first two Woodford Masters but the batches since have been phenomenal. I have the historic barrel entry no. 18, the batch proof 124.7 and the Sonoma triple finish and they are exceptional.
Blanton’s could easily be on this list for the prices it is going for. While it is very very good, with the price it ends up getting to and the difficulty in actually finding it, there are many more available and similar MSRP bourbons that will be more enjoyable purely from less stress.
I finally got my hands on my own bottle of Blanton's. $60 and I'm good with that.
Pick up a bottle of Bowman Brothers (the higher end one) and compare to Blanton's.
I'll be honest. I don't know that it merits two "verys."
@@georgejasper8794 I get what you're saying, but if it was as easy as just popping by the store to grab a Blanton's for a taste test, people probably wouldn't pay a premium for it.
I'd love to know how much John Wick added to Blanton's price and availability. Kinda the same way that the movie exalted the weapons made by Taran Tactical. I'm sure they produce phenomenal firearms and it's just my opinion, but $7000 for a handgun that is, at it's heart, a fancy Colt 1911 is also just not worth the price.
I wish i saved some of those Old Rip Van Winkle bottles i was buying 15+ years ago at the price of $39-$49.
Weller 107 is a very solid bourbon at MSRP, but once you start getting over $50 it quickly becomes a pass.
Old Forester Bottled in Bond is one of my favorites this year. I’ve had about 3 bottles of it, and it is excellent.
I like Statesman, but I can also buy it for $45. It does drink a tad hotter than the other whiskey row options, but it's comprised of the barrels found in the warmest areas of the rickhouse so that could be what's influencing that. Cna make for a good pour over ice. Totally agree with McKenna and Weller107 not being worth the hunt or the price gouging. Still have my bottle of Willett pot still from about 7-8 years ago sitting unopened on the bar just taking up space. At least it looks pretty.
I have a soft spot for Willet Pot Still. It has that woody characteristic that reminds me of my grandfathers workshop. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s a sentimental thing. Agree 100% on Bookers. It’s a great bottle just overpriced. I paid $100 for the 2021-03 because it was the best of last years offerings. I don’t really regret it, but i did wince a bit.
Pot still pre bourbon boom was 34.99 excellent at that price. Past that its overpriced ive seen it for same price as noahs mill just ridiculous.
@@williambedard4375 Got one for $39.99 about a year ago. Gotta confess that I just got it for the cool bottle, tho.
I absolutely disagree with the Weller Antique 107. Yes there are $50-60 bourbons that are just as good and better or different in that profile. Personally to me if I can get a bottle of 107 for $60, I will but it for that all day long. They are hard to find and usually go for $80-$100. Not worth it at those prices. If you never had one before and do come across one for $80 I would still say get it to experience it. It is good stuff and of distinct quality. There is a distinctive character to the 107 I do enjoy. I like drinking it around Christmas time. For anyone that has never had the 107 before and does get a bottle I will say, you probably won't be impressed as first as i was. It came off hot and spicy and a lot of cinnamon notes at first. But be patient with it and let it open up for about a good month or 2. Then more of those beautiful characters about it come out. It hit me and I realized now I get what people are saying about it. There was some fantastic fruit notes that came out that were quite impressive. Red and citrus fruit notes. The citrus was like orange peel oil. So yes I am encouraging people to get a bottle of 107 if you can for $60 or less. If you never got a bottle before and do see one for 80$ still get it to at least experience it. Remember Whiskey is not just about the taste, it is about the experience and the journey.
It's hard to disagree with your argument, if people can find it for 60 and they're interested in trying it.
I think that was kind of the point with a lot of these. You're not finding them for the MSRP of those other bourbons, and at the markup people are getting them for, they're no longer worth it except for, as you wrote, the experience. But I think most of the time we lie to ourselves that it's about the experience of tasting a bourbon, when we really want to experience telling other people that we've had it.
"Remember Whiskey is not just about the taste, it is about the experience and the journey." Producers making slapdash experimental expressions at premium prices *love* this thought process.
@@fuzzzone If whiskey tasted REMOTELY like we're told it tastes, everyone would be pounding that chocolate-vanilla-caramel-apple-cherry-pear-pepper-cinnamon-leather nectar 24/7! But let's face it, with a few (usually horribly misguided) exceptions, it pretty much just tastes like booze with a different nose, with different degrees of roughness or depth that come with different ages. Find the ones you are able to enjoy, move on, and don't try to BS me into believing that Pappy tastes even 3x better than Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, let alone 50x. 🤣
@@WhiskeyRow 107 is a standard in my cabinet - when I say standard I mean I will always have 2 or 2 and one opened bottle. The reason is that I love to offer good bourbon to my friends so they can jump in on this journey. I paid $115 and $134 for my latest 107's - both online from a site I've used many time. I think it's worth that cost but not as an everyday/week pour. That's the difference IMO. I'll pay more for those which I sip less frequently and buy the Wilderness Trail, Heaven Hill, Old Elk and so on for daily/weekly.
Thankfully around me HMc is still 40 bucks and I like it a bit more than the coopers. But at 60, agreed, no thanks. For most of those you mentioned I could substitute KC9, KC12, OF1910 OF1920, Smokewagon (as you mentioned as well).
Geesh David, do you even like bourbon anymore?!?!? Can’t wait to try all these bottles😂😂😂😂🥃🥃🥃
Thanks for a very informative video, Sir! Had to agree, with some regret, on the McKenna 10 Year Old Single Barrel. When I first tried it, almost 10 years ago, I really liked it, and it didn't hurt that, at the time, the price was around 30 bucks, give or take (I think it was under $30 at first). But I don't like it THAT much, to pay what the traffic apparently will bear these days. I tend to stick to a price point between 30 and 40 bucks, so I usually go with Old Forester Signature 100 Proof as a go-to daily sipper as well as an all-around utility player Bourbon. I also like (at an even lower price point) Very Old Barton 100 Proof and Evan Williams BIB 100 Proof.
Regarding McKenna....
Plenty of people in the industry had trouble handselling it to customers (similar to Japanese barley malteds), but...
Fred Minnick and his co-horts at the San Francisco Spirits Competition in 2019
FUCKED UP MCKENNA.
Go bitch about it to Minnick, Heaven Hill and the Heaven Hill distributors. They're the problem.
We all like different things and while David may say that he doesn't like certain bottles doesn't mean that you won't like it, like he said. I personally really dislike Willet and most of the Heaven Hill line that I have had so far. I like the Statesman a lot as well as other OF's and Henry McKenna is pretty good too but maybe I got a good bottle. I know Weller and Bookers are very overpriced and where I live its going to be secondary market only ;(.
Most of it wasn't solely about the price, though. It was about whether the taste was worth that price.
Totally agree with you on the Woodford 5 Malt Stout - I found it to be totally underwhelming and extremely poor value for the money. I had a pour at a restaurant neat and glad I didn’t spend it on a bottle. If you enjoy stout finishes find you a Bardstown Founders KBS collaboration. I realize it’s not malt and more bourbon but it’s 100 times more flavor packed
McKenna is $50 around here. I was given a bottle, and the first pour was ok, but after a little time open, subsequent pours were much better. I actually like the Antique, but not worth the hunt, so I get the value message. Bookers is really good, but yes a little on the pricey side. Glad I have one, but probably won't always hunt them down. As far as one I would avoid, it's the Penelope Four Grain Cask Strength. I bought it at $69 based on recommendation from the store. I couldn't get past how much more I enjoyed Rare Breed of the Penelope. If the Penelope were $49 then maybe I would have felt differently. And my current new favorite under $50 is the Chattanooga Cask 111. IT's a 2+ year-old bourbon that punches way above it's class, and if you like a bourbon that strays from the traditional profiles, it's amazing.
New to the channel. I appreciated the thorough and honest reviews. I have quite a few brands in my collection. I usually stay under $50, but have noticed some pours I would like to try. About a year and a half ago, I picked up a bottle of Uncle Nearest and was absolutely disappointed! I wondered if I was actually drinking colored rubbing alcohol! I'll be looking for more reviews from this channel before venturing above the $50 mark again. Right now, Woodford Reserve, Elijah Craig, Wild Turkey, Larceny... Those have been some of my more recent pours. Evan Williams is one of my absolute low budget picks though and always will be. As you say... Find what YOU like!
🥃
I agree with most of what you say but Henry McKenna is one of my favorite bourbons. Granted I have not found a bottle since Covid but prior to that I scored a case and loved every drop. That particular Woodford I have not had but I’ve drank all the rest with about the same feelings and opinions. Cheers
I'm with you brother! I always get a caramel apple flavor with McKenna, that I don't with any other bourbon. The price hike sucks though.
I LOVE the HM BiB, but I have gotten both bottles I own for less than $40…and I recognize that the price will vary from barrel to barrel.
The Weller A107, have to disagree on the taste (although, realistically, I have only compared it to the SR…so my experience is limited…just haven’t landed any others…and won’t pay secondary for it).
I agree with most of these. I don't agree with McKenna 10 as it's a single barrel product, and it varies. I have had some that are better than others, but I've never had one that I felt wasn't worth it's MSRP. I also don't agree with the Weller Antique hate, in fact, I think out of the Weller line (minus WLW at MSRP, if you consider that a "Weller" product), it's the best value.
I love the content of this video. Could have been framed as an 'unpopular opinion' video, especially with regard to the hyped bottles like OWA. My unpopular opinion is that the Discovery Series is overpriced. They're fine pours (I have 2, 3, 4, and 6) but like Booker's, the value isn't there (IMO). In terms of requesting channel content, I'd like to see you take your daily drinker and your Friday night pour and compare the experience (nosing) across some different glass types: wee Glen, Glen, Kenzie, Norlan, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Nosing Glass, etc. Theoretically they'll all taste the same, but the nosing experience ought to be different.
As always, great content!
Great video. I own a few of the whiskeys you mention, and I must say that I fully agree with you. Also, I bought my Bookers several years ago when they were $50.00 here in NYC, and I love them, but I haven’t bought any since then - too pricey now. There are a lot of great whiskeys ( bourbon, rye, scotch, and so on) between $30 and 60, so there is no reason to buy overpriced, so-so whiskey. Keep up the good work
I used to buy Bookers regularly. It was readily available in PA. I believe they have overpriced themselves. It's good but not 90 to 100 good.
I enjoyed this episode, and feel like this is an argument to explore the "bottom shelf." I agree 100% wholeheartedly!
Rare Breed is great, ECBP is awesome, and Coy Hill will blow your socks off... But, for most (newish) drinkers, you'd be better off with: WT101, OF 100, ER, Early Times Bib, OGD114, 1972 Bib, even E.W. Bib - All are sub $35 bottles, some are even below $20. Decent everyday whiskies, but if you are looking for "Shelf Jewelry" you'll be buying Willett Pot Still. Cheers!
Oh my man. that is a list. For me I'd take OGD114 and replace OGD BIB. The last round of OGD114 I had neat was strong and spicy. It made me think of that cagey old boxer that knows how to throw a super stiff jab to the mouth. ER maybe sub for Makers 46. ER pricing in my area is now upwards of $60 on the shelf because it is so allocated and sought after.
Speaking of bottom shelf, I'm noticing Early Times disappearing. It was feared this might happen when it was bought.
@@AJHart-eg1ys That sucks man. Early Times is till readily available but I'll keep an eye on it. One go to for me is JW Dant BiB. So far these haven't been touched.
@@TheReal_DeanD I'm sure it's still out there - and I don't really drink it at any great rate - but there are certain places that always had a lot of that, OGD114, etc., that no longer seem to have it. Maybe that one place just decided to no longer carry it and I'm hypersensitive just because I knew that it was a question how long it would continue to be made after being bought.
Wild Turkey 101 definitely doesn't get the credit that it deserves, a very under-rated bourbon
Was in the store today and they were trying to get $190 for the Woodford. The bottles looked dusty and now I know why. Bookers was the first nice bottle I ever found. Was so happy to crack it open. Unfortunately I never liked it. I have tried it again since but still not my thing. McKenna I like as long as the price is right. It’s $50 here still and I keep a bottle at that price. There are better but not many for that price. I think people have stopped snatching it up since I have been seeing it on the shelf more and more. I doubt it will sell for $60. $47 I think is what it should cost. Good honest video
Weller 107 is a fantastic pour IMO. Henry McKenna 10 year needs a splash of water I have found to really bring out those flavors
Red Weller and McKenna are two of my favorites. Of course I do not like a number of brands that others think are great. So to each their own.
I just got 1792 Sweet Wheat and 12 year today in Michigan. There were 8 - 12 year bottles and 8- Sweat wheats. They had Bottled and Bond and Single Barrel as well. Good find. Place is called the Brass Mug in Farmington.
Is that Brass Mug in Livonia on Newburgh?
Wow, a really good review of a subject I think we're all going to be pulled into in times to come. I'm talking about value. Distribution of a lot of bourbon in the U.K is terrible these days. Prices are also high. I love Elijah Craig Barrel Proof but it costs £115 retail over here. Bookers comes in occasionally and it will cost you £75 - £100. The best bang for buck, big gun, bourbon over here is JD SBBP and WT Rare Breed which you can pick up for £55 - £70. 101 and Four Roses are the best below £30.
I still have a bottle of Weller 12 which cost me £35 which, I honestly believe, is what it's worth. It's delicious but not worth the chase and the crazy money. Same can be said for Elmer T Lee. I used to be able to buy Blanton's SFTB for £65 a bottle (and very good it was too) but the price of that entire range has become mental. I'm with you on the Booker's. It's frustrating. I've been enjoying very good bourbon well before the whisky/bourbon rush and allocation but it's hard in the U.K to get good value except at the lower end (101, Four Roses, Evan Williams, etc - Good stuff though.) Then there's a big jump to Premium. The JD SBBP and Rare Breed are holding the line but Stagg Jnr has pretty much vanished now and, Jesus, the whole point of that was so you could get your hands on some Stagg. It's 101 or overpriced stuff. We're on slim pickings over here.
Cheers,
WT
WT Rare Breed was such a shock for me having grown up on 101. I have an open spot in my cabinet and I am going to nab one of those this weekend!
Maaaan you killed me with the Weller Antique 107!!! I stopped shaving and gave you the “Whaaaaaaaat!!!!!”. Lol. I agree wholeheartedly about the rest of your thoughts for sure though.
I've realized that that's just the price we have to pay to always be trying something new. Not everything is going to be a hit but in the end just trying it that once sorta feels worth the price. Great video
My thoughts exactly !
I remember about ten years ago when I was just starting to get into whiskey I tried Bookers at a bar. Never had anything stronger than Wild Turkey 101 at that point 😂 Man it packed a punch but I loved it, rich and complex compared to anything I had leading up to it.
I started getting into bourbon around 2015 and at the time my local Costco had Booker’s on the regular for $50 and it was well worth it. Then the boom hit and the stuff became hard to get and the price doubled. He’s spot on about the value now. I’d rather get a Knob Creek single barrel
@@jasonczfan8658 yeah i agree... I find elijah bp pretty frequently and its much better. Have a few single barrel store picks as well. Knob Creek has always been solid. Love the 12 yr
@@huntermcdougal5013 my bourbon hunting now centers around store picks. I’ve found a few solid ones here and there. My guy recently released a 1792 full proof single barrel and it’s fantastic for $55
@@jasonczfan8658 yeah store picks can be great i need to take more advantage of them. I bet that 1792 fp pick is amazing.
I used to be able to get McKenna BiB 10 for about $26 all day every day before Fred Minnick gave it top spot at the World Spirits Competition. It was hands down my favorite bourbon as the value for money was insanely high. Now, around $70+ (if you can even find it here in NC), pssht, keep it.
Old Forester 1920 is the bourbon that made me a bourbon drinker!! Way to give love to an exceptional bottle.
Henry McKenna takes a while to open up in the bottle but once it does and that super woody note fades/meshes better it becomes so much better.
I agree on the Willett Pot Still, definitely one of my least favorite bottles I've ever purchased. The Henry McKenna I somewhat agree, being a single barrel the taste will vary from bottle to bottle. I've had bottles I loved while others were no better than ok. The Statesman was alright, nothing to right home about and definitely wouldn't buy it again. Antique 107 I do enjoy, the problem with it currently is the price has gotten ridiculous. I refuse to pay over MSRP for it. The others I haven't had. I will add Basil Hayden 10yr another of my least favorites and will never buy again. Thank you sir. Cheers! 🥃
Haven't had any of these & never heard of 1/2 of these.
I'm a Rye guy when it comes to Whiskey in general but when it comes to Bourbon I've found I'm a Wheated Bourbon guy. Don't get it but that's the way it is.
Maker's Mark is my favorite Bourbon. I've had almost all the products by them. Four Roses Small Batch is another I like, I know it's not a Wheated.
You must be new to bourbon if you haven't heard of those, but everyone's new at some point. That would have been me 3 years ago.
But I'M leaning more toward the ryes now as well. Kind of tired of the bourbon that "tastes of leather and caramel" and the one that "has notes of tobacco and vanilla" tasting only about 5% different. :)
I've only started, though. I want to get the Redwood Empire one and the blend mentioned in this vid, and I've got a Pikesville, Piggyback, etc. (and I can't yet get the Old Forester rye this far West) and a couple more. Do you have any experience with the Peerless rye? I think it's another barely rye, so I'm not that stoked on spending $90 for a bottle.
For me
W12
OWA 107
Anything AE
Highwest campfire
RR10 SiB (90 proof)
Anything basil Hayden
maybe I got a good bottle, but the McKenna 10 year i bought at 60 I enjoyed way more than the EHT small batch I got for 60, I'd buy both again at that price though no complaints either way
I must have lucked up also Josh because the 2 McKennas I have had were great and worth the $50/bottle I paid. I agree again it is better than EH Taylor Small Batch.
I had H McK barrel no 10805 barreled on 6-15-11. The only H McK I'll ever buy, it's terrible, I won't gamble on there being a good one out there if this crap exists the risk is too great
Very yes on the Pot Still - it's hot garbage (and I like everything else Willett produces). McKenna was an okay bottle when it was $30, but I would rather drink WT101. $60 for Mckenna is just silly, I've you're into Heaven Hill, Evan Williams bonded is a similar experience for an appropriate price, and if you spot it, Rebel Yell 10 single barrel is a much better Heaven Hill sourced bottle, though that's a wheater so it's not apples to apples. Speaking of wheaters, OWA is better than WSR or W12 by a good margain, but none of those are worth it at today's pricing, let alone the insane markups, so I'll high-five you for any Weller you include in this sort of video. OWA was great when it was like 25 bucks, mix it, drink it neat, whatever. And WSR was a good mixer when it sat on the shelf at 16. The Weller line isn't any better these days than it was 10 years ago (if anything, it's worse). I agree on the Booker's too - this was bordering overpriced when it was $60. I drink mostly high/barrel proof bourbon and the proof isn't an issue, it's the quality/age. I like Beam bourbon, every Knob Creek store pick I've had has been significantly better than every Booker's, and they tend to cost a lot less (oh how I long for the days of 14-15 year store picks on sale for $35 at my local grocery store). With Booker's you're paying for a bourbon that is half as old, but it's got a wax seal and a wood box and a cute little ribbon - if you understand you're paying for the packaging that's fine, but a lot of people don't. Lastly, Statesman is a pretty good bottle, as good as half of the stuff behind you in my view. I agree that it is overpriced, I wish it was $45 (and if you can find it on sale, grab it!),. OF 1910, like Woodford Double Oaked, does nothing for me, so I would take Statesman over that even for the same price. Those double barrled releases like 1910 and Woodford Double Oaked are a master class in how to take a perfectly fine bourbon and make it taste like so much terrible, underaged craft whiskey (the flavors extracted from the barrel later in life add a lot of complexity - two doses of new oak is not a good thing). 1920 is pretty good though. PS: stop telling people about Rare Breed! Let them chase Weller, Blanton's, and the rest of the tater specials
Good video. Agree with all except the 107. I wouldn't pay some of the secondary prices you see, but the two I've bought at $45 and $55 were very good.
Wow - i totally agree with most of your selections for this theme - haven't tried them all. But the bookers, the Henry Mckenna and the Willett pot still are just not worth the elevated prices. I was especially disappointed in the Willet pot still. I've had many more Irish pot still whiskeys that put it to shame for up to half the price. Good picks.
Seriously, I have never heard anyone say they enjoyed potstill. I like the Booker's, but it's a tough sell at about $95. I'll get the McKenna some day. It's not everywhere, but I can get it if I want. But it's going to be for that $60.
The 107 and the McKenna are great ; love each
Funny you mentioned Weller 107, the first time I bought it , it was $35 Canadian ($25 US) I didn't think much of it and used it in cooking (bourbon peppercorn steak sauce) . Then it won some award I think in 2018 or19, the price doubled, you could still find it on the shelf (I'm in Ontario) now it's all allocated 1 bottle limit. Weller SR is one of my favorite sippers it's still only $44 Can. but is now also allocated I try to get as many as I can.
Run down to Ohio, the Wellers SR is only $23 here. It is allocated but you can call the store close by or go online to find it. The store near me has been getting 3 cases a month.
I agree with you 100% on the Antique 107 as opposed to the Weller Special Reserve. The WSR gets clowned for it's lower abv, but it really hits a nice sweet spot for me. I love the fact that people don't jump at it that often because when it shows up at a store, it's obtainable, and for a decent price.
I love the special reserve but I tend to love the antique 107 a little better but I’ll take either of them if they are on the shelf because they are not that easy to find in my local
WSR is solid for the price point and good in mixers as well
@@jpatch32 I think it tends on pallet. I started out with Scotch - leaning on Islay because I loved the mental process of the sips. Add one cube and enjoy those changes in flavor as it melts. Of course there are some that are a must "neat". But I have noticed that some folks do not notice some of the flavors I have. I mentioned once "bannana" and my "guy" who has more bourbon then most could imagine - and who also got me in this, laughed. Then he read the notes on line and there it was - bananna. That's the crazy thing about bourbon. People taste different flavors from the same pour - so you can't jam anyone really 🙂
@@MrTayarei yeah I’ve worked on trying to develop a palette since is started sipping bourbon. I struggled enjoying it neat but have now pretty much transitioned over to neat fully. Summer will probably be a different story because one big cube of ice and a crystal rock glass out in the front porch is my favorite
1792 over McKenna 10?!?!???? Blasphemy
I bought my first Bookers this year and I’ll never buy another one again. You’re dead on. Jack Daniels double barrel blows it out of the water. I’m the opposite as you when it comes to Weller. I think special reserve is only good for cleaning drains but I love 107. And here in Ohio you can get it almost every week or every other week. Special reserve often sits on the shelf. One is add to this list is Jefferson’s Ocean. The story is neat, but the juice is not 80 dollar juice.
Hard for me to agree on MCKenna. It’s the best regular heaven hill offering. And it’s still under 40 in my area. As for statesman, it’s actually all the barrels that weren’t quite good enough to be Birthday bourbon and just like birthday has a much MUCH better nose than palate. The rest I can definitely see your points with… especially 5 malt… that stuff tastes like room temperature burnt coffee,
I took the Pot Still bottle and made it a decanter for the blend of Old Forester 1920 and Old Forester 1910... it is outstanding. Great looking bottle and a great flavor. You are also right on the rest of your picks...Good Job...
Ha. I used mine for an infinity bottle.
I have a bottle of 1915 too
Just found this channel and subscribed. Look forward to reading more content and learning. I'm from New Zealand where we tend to drink whisky rather than bourbon but I've been to distilleries in the US and would love to expand my bourbon experience.
alcohol is so haram in Islam
I agree with you on the Weller 107, I struggled to finish the bottle. It sat on the shelf for a long time.
Great video, and agree on alot of them! I love trying new things and buying an out of the ordinary bottle, to try with friends and coming back to them a week or so later and see how the taste has changed.
Great video.
I'm sure you got the Bourbon covered so I'll go with scotch:
#1 stay away Jonny Walker Blue! Even if it's $140 don't do it! 40% abv blended scotch... enough said.
#2 stay away from Lagavulin 16! Not because it's peated but because it just doesn't "bring it" anymore. The last good bottle of Laga 16 I had was bottled 2013. It's only 43% abv and usually $100 but i wouldn't buy it for $65 (Costco sometimes). That's my 2 cents, cheers!
I tried lagavulin 16 for the first time recently, I thought it was good, I liked the smoke but I would agree it's overpriced. You can get ardbeg cheaper, which I tried alongside the lagavulin, this time the corryvreckin, and I would certainly opt for that instead. But I wouldn't mind having lagavulin again, sometimes you don't want an alcohol bomb so I don't mind a lower proof option
Totally agree with all the bottles ive tried. Mckenna, weller, and willett were particularly unimpressive. My latest major disappointment was bardstown fusion 7. It is my first and last bottle of BBC i will ever buy. I have only ever bought 1 bottle of bookers, first and last as well.
I hate to tell you, but Bardstown just put out an Origin series, that for the value, is a great buy. You might want to give it try. Bookers is getting to be more if you like the Jim Beam profile instead of something else, because, if you want to try something good, it's going to be 70+ clams.
I've never had the Willet Pot still. So, I cannot comment on that. I just bought my first Willet product and it was the 4 yr Rye. I believe that i like Weller Antique 107. I only had one pour, bought a bottle, and have not opened it yet. I guess, I'm waiting to find a Weller 12 to make my poor man Pappy. McKenna 10 yr was one of my first bottles of Bourbon I bought and went back and got a back up. I only started bourbon 7 months ago, and I most say the flavor profile is so much better than anything else, like Scotch, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, you name it. I now understand why bourbon drinkers can have a hard time liking to drink something else. I wish I've started 30 years ago.
Whoah I absolutely loved the Henry Mckenna 10.
I’ve got the Weller 107 and the SR and I prefer the 107 for sure. I wouldn’t buy the SR again, I’ve got 3 bottles and that’s that. I’d pick up the 107 but only if it was easy, which really isn’t a giant issue in Ohio. I tasted Bookers at a bar and I wasn’t impressed.
I love that you gave your actual opinion though and named names. And Rare Breed will always be on my shelf!
Hmmm....
The #1 "pass on/not worth it" bottle is that Copper Tongue sitting behind you!!!
And IMO, Weller 107 is 100x better than Weller SR....which is just not very good bourbon. Skunky and weak.
I agree Weller Antique is so much better that Weller SR
I just found a McKenna a few weeks ago and I paid 45... I like it, very easy drinker and I wish it was hotter but this is a real good bottle!
So the thing is, I have found a great variance in McKenna. I've had one bottle that was not bad, but two that were not good. They weren't necessarily terrible or anything, but for the hype I don't get it
@@WhiskeyRow true! That very well could be. Which is why warehouse numbers, floors of the warehouse and corners of them all produce a dif not. Ty for the response, keep up the good work
I appreciate your honest opinion and not copping out with generic answers but stating actual bourbons.
Both Blanton's and Peerless need to be on this list, enjoyed the video, thanks.
Weller 107 was my favorite out of the weller line up. McKenna 10 varies from bottle to to bottle had 2 that was fantastic. This last bottle was meh but it’s still 35.99 around here.
What's funny is I bought my first bottle of Bookers "mighty fine batch" today. Just had to try it. Also picked up a Knob Creek 12yr though and a Rare Breed rye. We'll see how they pan out. Unfortunately I've figured that I need to taste them all myself to really know what I think.
I really hope you enjoy them. I liked all three bottles even if the bookers is a little expensive expensive in my opinion.
@WhiskeyRow Yeah I thoroughly enjoyed the KC12 and RBrye. I liked the Bookers as well but doubt I'll get another one
I recently bought a bottle of 1835 because it says Texas Made on the front. It wasn't until I got home and read the back until I noticed it says distilled in Kentucky. So I overpaid for a bottle of Jack. Not falling for that again.
I've owned and drank all these - I agree 100% with your review/opinions of each - and have said much of the same things you've said here. Nice to know I'm on the right track. Cheers. Side note-the Weller stuff used to be bottom shelf 20-25 bucks...I can't believe how they've taken off.
It’s still 26.99 a bottle here in okc
Absolutely love this review. I definitely can agree with the Willett Pot Reserve and the Booker's. Would love to see Peerless, in my opinion, added to this list.
I'm openly weeping in Canadian right now. Mictner's is $96 and I can't find Old Forester 1910 or 1920 anywhere here. Although, Old Forester 86 proof is only $33 here and pretty good and I can Sometimes find WT Rare Breed for about $67. Not all is lost. Great video BTW I agree with your take on Wellers. I prefer the green label.
I bought a Willet Pot Still and killed it, but never got another. Not because the bourbon in it, but because I HATED the sound it made when being poured. Also, local store near me gets MK10 for $35. I’ll buy it at that but not going much higher.
I get the idea on the Willet. I like the stuff just a bit. I’ll take it over all those you listed except the Larceny. Jmho. The McHenna is just plain awful. Save your money and get a Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.
I really enjoy the weller antique 107, I’ve snagged two bottles so far this year through the ABC Vault program for $27 each, great value at that price IMO
I took your advice and bought the OF 1910 and 1920. I was not happy with my purchases. Not that there was anything wrong with them, they just didn't taste good to me. For all of the talk of 1910 being a desert whiskey, and being marshmallo sweet, to me, it tasted like melted plastic. The 1920, was fine, nothing off-putting, but for $65 I would expect an experience, and there wasn't one. It was kind of sweet, and that was its one quality.
Again, nothing wrong with either one, it's just how my pallet defined the whiskey to me. I won't purchase either one again.
Your pallet and mine are exact opposite. Weller 107 is the best accessible non BTAC Weller imo.
Agree
This was certainly interesting. Unfortunately I liked bourbon too much and became alcoholic. So enjoy the stuff within proper limits.
Love that you give a list of brands as replacement picks to your not worth it list.
I understand not wanting to feel like you've wasted your money, it's annoying to spend some decent coin only to find out the bottle just wasn't what you were looking for, whether that's quality, flavor profile, etc. But trying and exploring is half the fun and I think teaches you about what to look for in a bourbon.
I try to limit how much advice people give me before trying something so I don't get immediately biased. I know I've been surprised by something I thought wasn't going to be good to end up being completely the opposite. As long as it's within my price range and I know I'm not just paying a markup because an NPD (I believe the term is correct) put the same stuff in a fancy bottle, then I'm good with it. Just always keep something you DO like stocked :)
Anything Weller I will pass on, just don't care for the slightly metallic aftertaste.
I met Booker Noe II back in the 80's when I was hauling Jim Beam with my truck and he was just a down home nice guy.
I came to pick up a load on a Saturday and he took me thru the plant while it was down for maintenance.
He took me to special area where they kept some extremely old samples and we tried 4 different examples.
All were fantastic but one was over 150 proof and wow talk about having some heat.
I said something like I hope DOT doesn't pull me over on the way thru Louisville Ky.
He laughed and said just be careful. 4 sips is all I had in total but I'll bet it would have caused a bad reading.
Mr Noe II was a fine man.
Thank you for sharing this!!! Absolutely love these kinds of stories
What has better numbers and is a better value than Bookers? Here are three suggestions:
1) Knob Creek SiB Store Pick
2) Another Knob Creek SiB Store Pick
3) Any other Knob Creek SiB Store Pick
I must agree that Henry McKenna Bomded isnt wirth $60-plus. But Willett, notwithstanding is funky bottle, is quite worth $50. Remember Black Maple Hill Bourbon, pre-Oregon? It's the same juice from the same mash bill, made in the same distillery as Willett.
Great video as all of yours I have seen are. I am not sure if I have seen any of these in our local LS in NH. It is nice to know because being a fan of Old Forester I probably would have grabbed a bottle of their statesman if I saw one but I might as well stick to the 1920 and 1910 which have become my favorites. I see you did not care for 2 of the offerings of the special WR so I am curious on what you think of regular WR and WR double oaked. I like both of them so wondering what your thoughts are.
Mckenna 10 and Antique are 2 of my favorites.
Love the honest opinions and not just driving the hype train. McKenna 10 year is one of the most disappointing bourbons I have ever tasted and now it is overpriced. Give me a Russell's Reserve 10 year every single day over the McKenna. RR 10 tastes much better and is 25 to 30 cheaper.
Weller antique 107. And the bottle is empty… I love this. Thank you.
I love OF, especially 1910, but Statesman is a stinker, especially at that price.
McKenna 10 goes for $50-55, last I checked. At 30-35, it would be a steal, and it would be acceptable at $40. But not $50+.
Anyway, good review episode!
Liked HM years ago when I was last able to get a bottle. Just opened a Weller 107 recently that I bought a few years ago for $35. Tasted pretty good and all my guests liked it as well.
Totally agree on Willet and Bookers. More difficult here in France to get a bourbon than a scotch or an Irish. But. Willet is good and interesting with some floral notes, but 90€ here (around the same in US dollar !) man, I think it’s worth around 30-40€.
Bookers, I had the chance to have a sample at a friend. It’s good, but even if it’s not the same Favour profile, I prefer to pay 25€ on Buffalo Trace, or 50€ in Blanton’s… or 40 in four roses single barrel. 90 $ 😮 Crazy…
Thank you for putting yourself out there. I agree with your assessments. However the cost of admission is often the price of at least one bottle. A number of bourbons are expensive and difficult to find in my area. Many of these are not what I would qualify as "daily drinkers" because of expense and availability but worthy of a second purchase to enjoy as desired. I stay mostly in the 30 to 50 dollar range unless curiosity persuades me to go outside of it. My last acquisition, today, was Old Grandad 114. An excellent sub 30 dollar bourbon which will remain a mainstay of the bourbon menu at my house.
A
Woodford reserve double oak, Evan Williams BIB, and old grand dad BIB are my favorites for the price.
I love the channel but we'll agree to disagree on the HMK 10yr. I enjoy that bottle very much, when I can find it, as I feel it has some complexity and a beautiful finish that I enjoy. Not everyone has to agree on everything, so hopefully more HMK 10 for me to find. Keep cranking out the videos.
I bought a bottle of the Willet Pot Still- and my wife hated how much space it took up on my shelve. LOL it didn't even affect her. That being said, agree with you wouldn't buy again, I didn't think it was that good.
1) Willet - Drink it first and it is surprisingly good. Otherwise meh or bad. Fun bottle.
2) Statesman - Agree 100% Seems a bit bitey/harsh to me. OF1920 so much better.
3) McKenna - Single Barrel - Some are good, some not good, some fabulous! Can't compare to small batch products. Completely different game.
4) Weller - Special Reserve - meh. Can't find any others. Can't hardly find Special Reserve. But like you I will buy any but the special reserver if I find it for the Buffalo Trace scarcity. Surely peoples bunkers are getting full! Makers Cask is sooo good
5) Booker - OK but Old Granddad 114 blows it away (at least most batches) and consistent and you know what you are getting EVERY TIME. Side by side OGD114 and various Bookers batch and see which wins.
6) Woodford Reserve Masters Collection - All of their special mash bills are losers. Look for the barrel proof of their regular mash bill. Even then way too pricy.
Love the channel. Jealous of your hauls - but seriously - just give me Rare Breed from Wild Turkey / OGD114 from Beam / Makers Cask from Makers to actually drink and I'm happy. Buffalo trace anything - forget about it but I'll buy it if I find it.
I've got a Weller 107 that I'm not necessarily hanging onto, but I know I can't get it for the price I bought it for. I'll probably open it sooner than later. Been curious about the OF Statesman, but I'll stick to the 1920 or 1910. As for the Booker's, I've never had it, but I'm saving it for my retirement later this year.
Antique 107 is relatively available in Ohio at $49.00 and is my favorite
Agree on the Weller. Disagree on the Bookers. And as others have said, Blanton's for sure should be on the list. Also have bought a couple Barrel bourbon and keep trying to figure out who it's made for.
Couldn’t agree less on Antique 107 and McKenna 10. 107 to me is better than SR AND 12 year, has lots of flavor with the higher proof. McKenna I think people get a bad barrel from time to time but the bottles I’ve had are excellent. Booker’s is borderline, I wouldn’t tell anyone not to buy it, the accurate statement is it’s a high price point for what you get.
Missing from your list: Blanton’s.
Love the channel!!
But gotta disagree on the HM10. My journey started right about the time HM10 won Best Whiskey in the SFO spirits competition. I collected quite a few, and no doubt they vary. All are good+ or better, but when you hit a honey barrel, WOW! The flavor punch and mouth feel ARE what we all hunt for. And for those who think W107 is too hot, try it over a large single clear ice cube. It tames the heat and makes the flavor pop.
I discovered the HMc before it won any awards and have paid as little as 25 for a bottle. then it won the awards and went to 50 here in Oregon and I thought it's not worth it for that. Now it's 60 here and I find lots better for that price point. To bad, it was great at 25-30