I love videos like this, because many people cannot get their hands on allocated stuff or they cant afford to buy the higher price bottles. So videos like this and your "Start your collection for under 200$" video are fantastic for people who want to get into bourbon but may be turned off from it. Thanks so much for the videos, love the content.
Same here. I'm usually more excited when I find affordable, always available bottles than when I find an allocated bottle. Last one that surprised me was Benchmark 8. $24 for a handle in my overpriced, terrible selection state. It's always there, and it not only mixes well, I like it neat. Buff Trace juice (mashbill #1, if memory serves) on the cheap.
@@FakingANerve The Benchmark line deserves praise for at least trying to give the people a budget alternative to the usual higher priced editions other top brands release, with Benchmark Bonded, Full Proof, Small Batch, Single Barrel and Top Floor.
I agree that this and the how to collect have been two of their recent best... I've been trying to keep up with the various videos posted, and I thought that besides commenting on another great video... perhaps you might consider an idea for a future video. Given that you both have extensive collections and continue to add to the inventory... I have found that my 220+ collection of bottles needs some "inventory management". I'd be interested in learning more about how you each manage your "liquor library". I have come up with a few approaches that I've just started to implement. Like most others, we all have partially open bottles that we cherish, some that we won't buy again, as well as some that rotate through with replacements for various reasons. Perhaps some of your insights for how you manage your inventory as well as what you think about when keeping "whiskey on the shelf. Happy New Year and thanks for taking the time and the effort to share great content.
Time Stamps: 01:54 - Very Old Barton 100 04:05 - JTS Brown Bottled in Bond 07:03 - JW Dant Bottled in Bond 09:31 - Jim Beam Black Extra Age 12:59 - Old Tub Bottled in Bond 17:40 - Immediate rankings
As someone who is new to bourbons, I find this channel to be not only informative, but also very relatable and enjoyable. It's quickly becoming my go-to channel when deciding what to buy next. Fantastic job, guys!
This is a well-timed video. This weekend my wife looked at me funny, when I purchased a replacement bottle of OF1920, and also picked up a bottle of Rare Breed. Total Cost for both was around $115. Maybe if there are more affordable options, I can avoid the gaze-shaming that I earned this weekend! LOL
Similar situation except I spent far more and went hog wild. Now I have to make them last. I've had more VOB100 than everything I will drink from now until I die, as it happens, but for really tasty cheap pours, bourbon wise, I find Early Times BIB to be absolutely phenomenal, and Coopers Craft 100 proof white label as well. If you like 1920 and 1910 and Woodford Double Oaked, these two can really make them last. I bounce back and forth which is my favorite. Right now I'm drinking the Early Times BIB, so right now it's my favorite. I mean it's really good.
@@greasyghost If you had to select one of those bottles you mentioned, to have the sweetest palate, which would it be? I find I'm most fond of sweet(ish) bourbons, with either a cream/caramel note or perhaps some fruit.
@@ronniewillet710 well as much as I also love 1920, I'd probably pick 1910 over it for similar reasons to what you prefer, and I think you would love both Early Times BIB and Coopers Craft 100. I recommend starting with the Early Times BIB I would say, but you will like both. I also prefer it on the sweet side.
Very old Barton is a fave for mixing old fashioneds! Super glad Trenton is on camera now, the back and forth conversation dynamic adds so much to the show.
As a newcomer, I think the cool thing about whiskey/bourbon is the low cost of entry. As an outsider, the rumors pushed on me were that cheaper liquor was all worthless “gut rot” but this doesn’t always seem to be the case(?) I would be interested to see bourbons that you would avoid at any price point.
My favorite whisky of all time is a $30 bourbon (Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon - but there are people who hate it as much as I love it; it ain't your granddaddy's bourbon 🙂). And while some of what I like is higher than that, it's possible to get good whisky without being rich. Maker's Mark is fine bourbon - at least I think so - and a fifth only runs $24 here. The problem is there's so much bourbon out there, and so videos like this sure do come in useful.
We can't get Very Old Barton in Oregon, but every time we travel and find that brand, we scoop it up. We're partial to the 90 proof, but you really can't go wrong. Excellent call on the JTS Brown BIB. Of all the Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond budget bourbons, JTS Brown makes us the happiest, and we love that old timey label. We found a JW Dant BIB Single Barrel at a bar in Chicago a while back and for $5 a pour, we nearly cleaned out their stock. Thanks for highlighting some lesser-known bottles! Cheers Kurt and Trenton!
Great video! Love the bargain bourbons. You have to put Evan Williams BiB, Old Grand-dad BiB and of course Early Times BiB. They're all solid bargain bourbons. Love what you guys do!!!
I like that you two are legit. Honest banter. Too many of these sites seem programmed with the hosts obviously agreeing with each other. Here I like (and got) that there was sincere disagreement. Also I like that you remain civil in your disparate views. Summary.. Honest content that comes through and as such I am a brand new subscriber.
What I hate are dual host videos where the two people seem to be trying as hard as they can to out bizarre each other, or out trendy each other. Kurt and Trenton are just real guys who love whisky, and that's why this is one of my favorite channels.
Y’all do such an amazing job. My husband and I are slowly building our bourbon collection and love your reviews and videos. We have a few items we haven’t seen reviewed that we would love to see you try. 1. Legent created by Fred Noe and Shinji Fukuyo (My current favorite and I love the Sherry notes and think this may be up Trenton’s alley) 2. Knobel created by Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) all proceeds from the purchase of the bottle go to the Mike Rowe Foundation 3. Chattanooga Whiskey 111 (I thought I wouldn’t like it but it was better then expected) 4. Tullamore DEW original triple blend. (This is my go to Irish Whiskey especially after going to the distillery in Ireland.) Keep making awesome videos and can’t wait to see more of what y’all do this year!
Just wanted to pass this on …I went to buy a particular bourbon “early times 100 proof bottled in bond “and I wasn’t paying attention and I bought early times regular whiskey, which wasn’t terrible but I went back bought the bottled in bond and I loved it! So as I’m getting down to the bottom of both bottles I decided to mix them just equal parts half-and-half and it’s probably one of the best bourbon/whiskeys I’ve ever had ;the mixture of the two creates an incredible flavor, and smell …the whiskey, kind of mellows out the bourbon,and its just fantastic, so I was thinking maybe an idea for a show is mixing your favorite whiskeys & Bourbons and seeing how they come out, this was kind of an accident and it’s superb ! So you guys being the experts I thought maybe y’all could do a whole show where you mix Bourbons and or whiskeys & see how they turn out. Regardless Love this show and thanks for the suggestions
One I've been doing for years is making bourbon cocktails with about a half ounce of old grandad 114 and an ounce to an ounce and a half of Weller SR. The wheat profile with that higher rye spicy high proof punch of a little OGD 114 really makes a flavorful drink
One of my favorite "cheap" bourbon is Rebel Yell 100 Proof. I was paying $16.99 for it, but lately it is hitting $21.99 here in Ohio. I love your channel!
I actually have a suggestion for a video based on something I love and id be interested on your take. Basil Hayden...Regular, Toast, Dark Rye, 10 Year, Subtle Smoke, and Red Wine Cask Finish. I've had most of these and I think it would be neat to see what you two think of this bourbon family.
Ditto!!! Like Trenton, I too am not huge on Beam’s lower end products, and crazy enough Basil Hayden is a Beam-Suntory product. Yet I feel it completely separates itself from Beam. Been watching the channel for a while now and can’t say I’ve ever seen a Basil Hayden on the bar top! Correct me if I’m wrong!
Another great and fun video. Love the interaction between the two of you. And Trenton’s lower end Jim Beam face 😂😂😂 Calling Knob Creek low end surprised me.
I keep going back to Evan Williams black label for my inexpensive bourbon. I've tried so many through the years, and I find it hard to buy any other bottle under $20
I am learning so much from the two of you. I am so glad that I found your channel. I have been building my collection based off of both of your lists. Great work fella's!
Watched this video while sipping on some Early Times. Another great video. I seem to remember,almost the dark ages, back in college, J. W. Dant was our premium whiskey when we had a couple extra bucks. It was like $5-6 vs Kentucky Tavern at $3-4. I think Old Tub may be the only one seen in our area. Slainte!
Love these videos. Content like this helps newcomers break into bourbon without overspending when they’re unready. I’ve taken quite a bit of your advice and you’ve steered me right!
Greetings from Jacksonville Florida USA. Sounds like two or three of these are getting all the attention that they deserve! LOL. As you commented in passing, once you are in the mid-$20s, lots of good choices. The differences in price-per-pour (12 pours per bottle) is negligible. Will look for the VOB, though.
Another budget bourbon that doesn't get much love is Fighting Cock. Funny name, decent bourbon...especially for $17.99 here in North Texas. 6 years and bottled at 103 proof from Heaven Hill.
The only thing I got off the Old Tub was stale peanut shells that have been on the floor of a steakhouse for several days. BUT - I blended it with OGD 114 and now it tastes like “Peanut butter jelly time” If I’m honest, the only Beam products I have enjoyed are OGD BIB and OGD 114. Great show Gentlemen! 🥃
I also do not like Jim Beam White neat but with ice taste is one of the best for me. Ye I know low proof but taste is change a lot I love it. My dad love Jim Beam Black with coke that "smokiness" is showing up and yeap it is good to drink that way. No shame at all. Just drink the way you like it. Cheers!
I actually own all of these and sometimes you just want to settle in to a bottom-shelfer. None blow your socks off, but some nice value to be had. My rank: 1) JTS Brown. I actually did a low end BiB blind a while back among the 3 you had + ET, OGD, and EW and JTS ranked #2 behind ET. 2) Dant 3) Old Tub 4) JB Black 5) VOB 100 .. I have always gotten a bit of a harsh/bitter note on this, but it's always good to go back and revisit. In terms of low enders to try .... no doubt there are two. 1) Old Fitz Prime 80 proof. You likely gotta get from KY or order online. Saw it pretty regularly a few weeks ago in KY and it's a $12 sweet and light honey pour. One of the fun things to do is it throw this in a blind with higher price offerings and see how it does. I bet it will outperform some higher priced offerings. I NEVER see this one Tubed. 2) EW 1783...to me, the absolute best under $20 bottle. It will also outperform its price. Well positioned at 90 proof and easy to find. Better than the EW BiB. Another nice video!!!
It's nice to see these videos because most people are gonna shop at these kinda prices. I work a liquor section at my local grocery store and 95 percent of whiskey buyers buy Jim Beam white label, Jack Daniels and Jameson. and it's real funny how most experienced bourbon drinkers can't stand cheaper Jim Beam and yet that's what most people buy.
Just my opinion, which could certainly be wrong but I'm thinking most people who buy those use them as cocktail whiskies, so they're just diluting them. And it's probably the same with other spirits like say Sauza or Bacardi. Most people are probably just dumping margarita mix or whatever else in the blender with that so the taste neat isn't a priority.
I would LOVE to see a Blind Taste with these 5, minus the Jim Beam, and add in Evan Williams B in B, Old Grand Dad B in B, and Early Times, B in B. A seven way throw down of Bottom Shelf B in Bs! Come on guys! Thanks for all you do!
VOB is actually not a BiB, but it is a 100 proof. I did this blind you suggest (minus VOB) and while back. See comment above for results. It was a challenge as they all are pretty similar!
Nugget of gold is nice but if its truly a nugget don't last long. Old Forester 86 as become a good buy like the taste had it neat and iced prefer it over ice wish I could get any of the other three in my area but up north these are hard to fine as well ogd bib. Thanks for sharing
RUclips randomly recommended me your videos, and I started watching them. I enjoy them now despite not knowing anything about bourbon and stuff. I appreciate the videos that have budget products, so I can get into it easier. I ended up buying Wild Turkey 101, haven't opened it yet, but will soon!
Old Tub is great if you love the signature Beam nutty note and are not looking for a brown sugar/vanilla bomb. A step up from that, in my opinion, would be the Jim Beam Single Barrel at 108 Proof, which is getting closer to Knob Creek pricing, but retains more of the nutty flavor than the KC.
Great idea for a video thanks! For someone that's about 6 months in to a collection and getting more and more into ryes and bourbons (and irish whiskey to a smaller extent) I love watching you guys. I just wish in Canada we had more access to some of the ones you show 😀 As I was watching I checked my usual sources north of the border and I can get the Jim Beam Black and Old Tub only at this time...but will keep watching and looking! Thanks for what you do!
I'm also not a huge Jim Beam fan, but at that level I do like their double oak better than the black label. Probably my favorite bottom shelf bourbon is Ezra Brooks 90 proof, which is about $12 in my area.
I’m new to the channel and not sure if you’ve ever had it on before but the one budget bourbon that surprised me and now I always have a bottle of it is Mellow Corn. I can blind pour it with expensive bourbons and it holds its own
Love seeing some lower end bourbons getting some love. Definitely like the very old barton best of the lot, though I have a fondness for the JTS Brown and the JW Dant. Old Tub is underrated, but I agree, at the price point its not so competitive.
Thanks! Appreciate this video! Important to save at times! The best inexpensive bottle I have tried recently is Evan Williams 1783 - same mash bill as Elijah Craig - both Heaven Hill. Evan Willams Bottled in Bond is loved by many, but I don't see why. 1783 is almost shockingly good for the price.
I like an Early Times BiB as well. Most of these have a place on my shelf and hit the glass on rotation. That's what I love about a wide and diverse collection, you can pour whatever the mood calls for.
What do you bourbon fellas think about Jameson? Im not a big whiskey lover or drinker but im fascinated by the intricacies people find in whiskey. I have learned to love Jameson. Prolly just for that fact that it was readily available at most of the get togethers of my younger years.
Trenton's "Chewing on a pencil" and "Biting an ear of raw corn" made me laugh out loud. I never heard that description in reference to tasting bourbon. Fun video, thank you both.
Great choices! I want to try these. I haven't had any but Old Tub, and I really wasn't much of a fan. Others I'd recommend at or under $20 that haven't been recommended 20,000 times... Old Charter, Ancient Age, Benchmark, George Dickel 8 or 12. There are many more that have been beat to death that I think are must-haves like Four Roses, Wild Turkey 101, Old Grandad BIB and 117, Maker's Mark, etc. Thanks for the video! I really like finding great bourbons that are available and at a great value. I actually like that more than chasing allocated stuff and way overpaying for the hype. There are so many good shelfers.
Watched the ‘Under $200’ last night and four of sixth from Kurt I’ve had, but Trenton’s ‘Early Times’ is a solid choice. In fact I’m enjoying one right now. OK, so when you work 5p to 5a it’s a great end to my work week. Getting ready to take your top 6 under $200 and shop my local shop
Awesome video guys. My question is how do you get ready to taste burbon? Do you do it after eating? Drinking water? I ask because a lot of the time the burbon I don't get any tasting notes and have to shake it down...what am I doing wrong?
Which of Trenton's favorites didn't make the list? Another fun one, thanks. Love the budget and common bourbon videos. Blinds in particular. Thanks for all you share. Cheers.
Awesome channel! I'd love to see a video series on "pass" on these budget/value/available bourbons maybe even a "choose this not that" comparison of mainstream available bourbons, you touch on this every now and then when you do comparisons which is so helpful. Just getting started and I want to be an informed buyer. Your channel is significant.
Any of the Benchmark should be on that list. Some areas might have a harder time finding them, but if you can, I would take any of those over what’s on your bar. In my opinion.
My #1 budget is Evan Williams BIB, 2nd Old Tub BIB. My wife drinks and loves the JB Black in her old fashions. I also really like Bakers7 but it's not budget.
Now...as for Jim Beam Black...it's $23.99 in Pennsylvania...but for the same price I much prefer the Jim Beam Double Oak. It's much smoother in my opinion. As for Old Tub...$19.99 in Pennsylvania...and for the price I find it's really good.
Love videos like this because I'm on a fixed income. I've started my collection with Woodford reserve, Wild Turkey 101, Knob creek 9, Jack Daniels Tennessee Rye(not a fan), and a few other flavored whiskeys....still looking for more variety of course!
Great video to both of you. Kurt you and Trenton keep things so interesting and informational. Your channel is the place for any and all Bourbon drinkers of any level. Thanks for what you do.
There are some great low end bourbons. I agree with VOB, JTS Brown, Dant order and Beam products at the bottom. Jim Beam was the first distillery we visited on the Bourbon Trail and the ONLY products I enjoyed was Knob Creek and Black Label, with Knob Creek being a HUGE favorite (still is). Some of my bottom shelf favorites are 1783, WT101, and Old Forester 86 and 100.
Great video. I have been looking at Very Old Barton & JTS Brown and they are are on my list to get on my next store haul (which is usually 1 or 2 bottles 😂).
I've gotten 2 of them up in Canada. jim beam black. And old tub. Both are ok. I'd buy black when it's on sale and be pretty happy Old Tub goes for about 45 Canadian. I really liked it and I'll buy it again
Great video! I commented on the 'Under 200' video about doing a video like this. Looks like you already had it in the chamber. I think these videos are more "helpful" and the higher end bourbon videos fall under the category of "interesting" (because I probably can't afford or won't find those bottles). Haven't had the Beam. And for me, Old Tub is just ok, but Dant, Brown, and Barton are excellent, especially for the price.
One budget bourbon you've never done, to my knowledge, but one that I love is Fighting Cock from Heaven Hill. It's only like $16 and it tastes incredibly sweet, kinda like sassafras tea. You guys need to check it out.
Old Tub makes very good cocktails its a bit rough around the edges but with a sweeter cocktail that works. Recently picked it up for 19 bucks. Also saw it in a store for 44 dollars lol. I actually complained to the store manager when I saw that. It's a 20 dollar whiskey that's worth it at that price.
I’m new to your show, and love your honest review of whiskey. Just watched your review of budget bottled in bond bourbons and I’m interested in the Evan Williams bottled in bond. I have that on my shopping list. Don’t know if you have done a show on finish, but I would like to know your opinion on the flavor profile, nose and palate that you get from a different finish in the bourbon cask.
Haha it’s amazing how different people react to bourbons. First one goes from pepper, leather, tobacco, sweet bomb, caramel, burnt sugar flavors and light molasses. Whatever you taste is correct, that’s what I’ve learned after drinking bourbon.
I love this video. Huge fan of the 'best budget/value bourbon' type videos. I'm very value oriented (my wife used 'penny pincher' yesterday) so these speak to me. Thanks!!!
Great video, as always. I’ll have to look for some of these here in Maine. Also, I’d be interested to see a blind tasting of the top 3 against what I consider to be one of the best budget bourbons, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond.
Good video, we all need cheap options, the one thing it does is make you appreciate the 25.00 big hitters like OF, the ones that reach above their price point.
I really enjoy these videos. Keep up the great work. I'm new as of a month or so, but have you guys tried Yellowstone(especially the hand picked black & red label ones), or Minor Case Rye? Two of my favorites from Limestone Branch.
the VOB 100 is my favorite budget bourbon of all time! i love to hunt for the cheaper budget bottles that you can only get in KY (old fitz prime, VOB, JTS, dant) so this was a cool video to have a lot of them in.
Another solid video. Is there a good place to order some of those tasting glasses. I just got four on Amazon at $7.50 each. I didn't know if there was a better deal.
J.T.S. Brown is the bourbon Paul Newman (as Fast Eddie Felson) orders in The Hustler (1961). Classic film. Sequel was ‘The Color of Money’, again with Paul Newman and a young Tom Cruise and directed by Martin Scorsese. Again, a classic. Fast Eddie still a bourbon drinker but I think was drinking Wild Turkey in that one. Anyway, if J.T.S. Brown good enough for Fast Eddie then good enough for me. 😉 Great videos. Keep ‘em coming.
Interesting to your line up. Out of those picks, for sure Barton, JW and OT tend to lead toward the forefront. Agree the OT price point is an issue to your point. Me and my buddies have said OT is cornbread foreword. Tasty but more alternatives at the price point.
Great video guys! Trenton's Top 3 will go in my bar once remodel is done and I can start a collection? For now, it's a bottle of Four Roses, Larceny or the current pour is Evan Williams Bottle and Bonded.
The idea of budget bourbon (or any other whisky) interests me, because I am on a budget. The most I can pay under normal circumstances is $40, and the more good whisky I can find that's just $30 or even $20 the better. Unfortunately, the only ones available here are the last two - the Very Old Barton, the JW Dant, and the JTS Brown aren't available here; at least, they're not on the Total Wine Web site. Still, your recommendations of the Beam and Old Tub got me to put those on my wish list, along with some other Beam and Jack Daniel's stuff that hopefully will be better than Jack black and Beam white. 🙂 Thanx much.
A great lower end bourbon to start with is 4 Roses small batch. Haven't met anyone i can think of that doesn't like it at all and it should be available most places
JTS Brown bottled in bond is one of my sleeper whiskeys. I threw it in a bottled in bond blind and it hung in there with Heaven Hill 7 yr. For the price, you really can't beat it.
The Costco bottles while limited each year are 1 liter and this year they were small batch 92 proof, $19.99. Bottled-in-bond 100 proof, $24.99, and single barrel 120 proof, $29.99. A little more expensive, but 1 liter vs. 750 mL.
The problem with these hidden gems is that the more they are exposed the higher the price. So you do a service and a disservice at the same time. That being said I really enjoy your channel.
I love videos like this, because many people cannot get their hands on allocated stuff or they cant afford to buy the higher price bottles. So videos like this and your "Start your collection for under 200$" video are fantastic for people who want to get into bourbon but may be turned off from it. Thanks so much for the videos, love the content.
Same here. I'm usually more excited when I find affordable, always available bottles than when I find an allocated bottle. Last one that surprised me was Benchmark 8. $24 for a handle in my overpriced, terrible selection state. It's always there, and it not only mixes well, I like it neat. Buff Trace juice (mashbill #1, if memory serves) on the cheap.
Agreed. I really appreciate the “bargain” shows. Thanks!
@@FakingANerve The Benchmark line deserves praise for at least trying to give the people a budget alternative to the usual higher priced editions other top brands release, with Benchmark Bonded, Full Proof, Small Batch, Single Barrel and Top Floor.
I agree that this and the how to collect have been two of their recent best... I've been trying to keep up with the various videos posted, and I thought that besides commenting on another great video... perhaps you might consider an idea for a future video. Given that you both have extensive collections and continue to add to the inventory... I have found that my 220+ collection of bottles needs some "inventory management". I'd be interested in learning more about how you each manage your "liquor library". I have come up with a few approaches that I've just started to implement. Like most others, we all have partially open bottles that we cherish, some that we won't buy again, as well as some that rotate through with replacements for various reasons. Perhaps some of your insights for how you manage your inventory as well as what you think about when keeping "whiskey on the shelf. Happy New Year and thanks for taking the time and the effort to share great content.
Same, a list of stuff I'll *NEVER* see isn't any use to me
Time Stamps:
01:54 - Very Old Barton 100
04:05 - JTS Brown Bottled in Bond
07:03 - JW Dant Bottled in Bond
09:31 - Jim Beam Black Extra Age
12:59 - Old Tub Bottled in Bond
17:40 - Immediate rankings
Thank you. Hopefully SLB Drinks will take notice and just put the damn whiskeys in his description.
As someone who is new to bourbons, I find this channel to be not only informative, but also very relatable and enjoyable. It's quickly becoming my go-to channel when deciding what to buy next. Fantastic job, guys!
This is a well-timed video. This weekend my wife looked at me funny, when I purchased a replacement bottle of OF1920, and also picked up a bottle of Rare Breed. Total Cost for both was around $115. Maybe if there are more affordable options, I can avoid the gaze-shaming that I earned this weekend! LOL
You have good taste! @ronniewillet710
Similar situation except I spent far more and went hog wild. Now I have to make them last. I've had more VOB100 than everything I will drink from now until I die, as it happens, but for really tasty cheap pours, bourbon wise, I find Early Times BIB to be absolutely phenomenal, and Coopers Craft 100 proof white label as well. If you like 1920 and 1910 and Woodford Double Oaked, these two can really make them last. I bounce back and forth which is my favorite. Right now I'm drinking the Early Times BIB, so right now it's my favorite. I mean it's really good.
@@greasyghost If you had to select one of those bottles you mentioned, to have the sweetest palate, which would it be? I find I'm most fond of sweet(ish) bourbons, with either a cream/caramel note or perhaps some fruit.
@@ronniewillet710 well as much as I also love 1920, I'd probably pick 1910 over it for similar reasons to what you prefer, and I think you would love both Early Times BIB and Coopers Craft 100. I recommend starting with the Early Times BIB I would say, but you will like both. I also prefer it on the sweet side.
@@greasyghost Awesome stuff, sir. TY!
I really appreciate ya'll doing the cheaper bourbons for those of us on a strict budget.
Very old Barton is a fave for mixing old fashioneds! Super glad Trenton is on camera now, the back and forth conversation dynamic adds so much to the show.
4 Roses Yellow Label needs more love here. I can find it for less than $20 and it is just a great bourbon for the money.
As a newcomer, I think the cool thing about whiskey/bourbon is the low cost of entry. As an outsider, the rumors pushed on me were that cheaper liquor was all worthless “gut rot” but this doesn’t always seem to be the case(?) I would be interested to see bourbons that you would avoid at any price point.
My favorite whisky of all time is a $30 bourbon (Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon - but there are people who hate it as much as I love it; it ain't your granddaddy's bourbon 🙂). And while some of what I like is higher than that, it's possible to get good whisky without being rich. Maker's Mark is fine bourbon - at least I think so - and a fifth only runs $24 here. The problem is there's so much bourbon out there, and so videos like this sure do come in useful.
This is my favorite whiskey channel. No stupid wasteful pours, bottle chugging, bottle flipping and flex/ unobtainable bottle list’s.
We can't get Very Old Barton in Oregon, but every time we travel and find that brand, we scoop it up. We're partial to the 90 proof, but you really can't go wrong. Excellent call on the JTS Brown BIB. Of all the Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond budget bourbons, JTS Brown makes us the happiest, and we love that old timey label. We found a JW Dant BIB Single Barrel at a bar in Chicago a while back and for $5 a pour, we nearly cleaned out their stock. Thanks for highlighting some lesser-known bottles! Cheers Kurt and Trenton!
instead of a bite on the aftertaste, JTS has a cinnamon kick....best cheapie
Great video! Love the bargain bourbons. You have to put Evan Williams BiB, Old Grand-dad BiB and of course Early Times BiB. They're all solid bargain bourbons. Love what you guys do!!!
I like that you two are legit. Honest banter. Too many of these sites seem programmed with the hosts obviously agreeing with each other. Here I like (and got) that there was sincere disagreement. Also I like that you remain civil in your disparate views. Summary.. Honest content that comes through and as such I am a brand new subscriber.
What I hate are dual host videos where the two people seem to be trying as hard as they can to out bizarre each other, or out trendy each other. Kurt and Trenton are just real guys who love whisky, and that's why this is one of my favorite channels.
Y’all do such an amazing job. My husband and I are slowly building our bourbon collection and love your reviews and videos. We have a few items we haven’t seen reviewed that we would love to see you try.
1. Legent created by Fred Noe and Shinji Fukuyo (My current favorite and I love the Sherry notes and think this may be up Trenton’s alley)
2. Knobel created by Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) all proceeds from the purchase of the bottle go to the Mike Rowe Foundation
3. Chattanooga Whiskey 111 (I thought I wouldn’t like it but it was better then expected)
4. Tullamore DEW original triple blend. (This is my go to Irish Whiskey especially after going to the distillery in Ireland.)
Keep making awesome videos and can’t wait to see more of what y’all do this year!
Just wanted to pass this on …I went to buy a particular bourbon “early times 100 proof bottled in bond “and I wasn’t paying attention and I bought early times regular whiskey, which wasn’t terrible but I went back bought the bottled in bond and I loved it! So as I’m getting down to the bottom of both bottles I decided to mix them just equal parts half-and-half and it’s probably one of the best bourbon/whiskeys I’ve ever had ;the mixture of the two creates an incredible flavor, and smell …the whiskey, kind of mellows out the bourbon,and its just fantastic, so I was thinking maybe an idea for a show is mixing your favorite whiskeys & Bourbons and seeing how they come out, this was kind of an accident and it’s superb ! So you guys being the experts I thought maybe y’all could do a whole show where you mix Bourbons and or whiskeys & see how they turn out. Regardless Love this show and thanks for the suggestions
One I've been doing for years is making bourbon cocktails with about a half ounce of old grandad 114 and an ounce to an ounce and a half of Weller SR. The wheat profile with that higher rye spicy high proof punch of a little OGD 114 really makes a flavorful drink
One of my favorite "cheap" bourbon is Rebel Yell 100 Proof. I was paying $16.99 for it, but lately it is hitting $21.99 here in Ohio. I love your channel!
You should do a blind flight of all the lower end jim beams. Maybe throw into the mix a jim beam single barrel if you have one or can get one!
I actually have a suggestion for a video based on something I love and id be interested on your take. Basil Hayden...Regular, Toast, Dark Rye, 10 Year, Subtle Smoke, and Red Wine Cask Finish. I've had most of these and I think it would be neat to see what you two think of this bourbon family.
Ditto!!! Like Trenton, I too am not huge on Beam’s lower end products, and crazy enough Basil Hayden is a Beam-Suntory product. Yet I feel it completely separates itself from Beam. Been watching the channel for a while now and can’t say I’ve ever seen a Basil Hayden on the bar top! Correct me if I’m wrong!
@@Jcpralle I think you are right...which is why I suggested it. I am an assistant manager of a Pennsylvania Liquor store and the idea just came to me.
Hahaha, Trenton's trying so hard to be a good sport, but he's clearly a whiskey snob… er, connoisseur. Great video, guys!
Another great and fun video. Love the interaction between the two of you. And Trenton’s lower end Jim Beam face 😂😂😂
Calling Knob Creek low end surprised me.
I keep going back to Evan Williams black label for my inexpensive bourbon. I've tried so many through the years, and I find it hard to buy any other bottle under $20
I am learning so much from the two of you. I am so glad that I found your channel. I have been building my collection based off of both of your lists. Great work fella's!
Watched this video while sipping on some Early Times. Another great video. I seem to remember,almost the dark ages, back in college, J. W. Dant was our premium whiskey when we had a couple extra bucks. It was like $5-6 vs Kentucky Tavern at $3-4. I think Old Tub may be the only one seen in our area. Slainte!
Jim Beam Double Oaked, Bonded, Devils Cut, Revel Yell 100, Evan Williams 1783, GW Private Stock. There's a ton out there
Love these videos. Content like this helps newcomers break into bourbon without overspending when they’re unready. I’ve taken quite a bit of your advice and you’ve steered me right!
Greetings from Jacksonville Florida USA. Sounds like two or three of these are getting all the attention that they deserve! LOL. As you commented in passing, once you are in the mid-$20s, lots of good choices. The differences in price-per-pour (12 pours per bottle) is negligible. Will look for the VOB, though.
Another budget bourbon that doesn't get much love is Fighting Cock. Funny name, decent bourbon...especially for $17.99 here in North Texas. 6 years and bottled at 103 proof from Heaven Hill.
Fighting Cock is criminally underrated. I recommend it all the way.
The only thing I got off the Old Tub was stale peanut shells that have been on the floor of a steakhouse for several days. BUT - I blended it with OGD 114 and now it tastes like “Peanut butter jelly time”
If I’m honest, the only Beam products I have enjoyed are OGD BIB and OGD 114.
Great show Gentlemen! 🥃
I also do not like Jim Beam White neat but with ice taste is one of the best for me. Ye I know low proof but taste is change a lot I love it. My dad love Jim Beam Black with coke that "smokiness" is showing up and yeap it is good to drink that way. No shame at all. Just drink the way you like it. Cheers!
I actually own all of these and sometimes you just want to settle in to a bottom-shelfer. None blow your socks off, but some nice value to be had. My rank:
1) JTS Brown. I actually did a low end BiB blind a while back among the 3 you had + ET, OGD, and EW and JTS ranked #2 behind ET.
2) Dant
3) Old Tub
4) JB Black
5) VOB 100 .. I have always gotten a bit of a harsh/bitter note on this, but it's always good to go back and revisit.
In terms of low enders to try .... no doubt there are two. 1) Old Fitz Prime 80 proof. You likely gotta get from KY or order online. Saw it pretty regularly a few weeks ago in KY and it's a $12 sweet and light honey pour. One of the fun things to do is it throw this in a blind with higher price offerings and see how it does. I bet it will outperform some higher priced offerings. I NEVER see this one Tubed. 2) EW 1783...to me, the absolute best under $20 bottle. It will also outperform its price. Well positioned at 90 proof and easy to find. Better than the EW BiB.
Another nice video!!!
It's nice to see these videos because most people are gonna shop at these kinda prices. I work a liquor section at my local grocery store and 95 percent of whiskey buyers buy Jim Beam white label, Jack Daniels and Jameson. and it's real funny how most experienced bourbon drinkers can't stand cheaper Jim Beam and yet that's what most people buy.
Just my opinion, which could certainly be wrong but I'm thinking most people who buy those use them as cocktail whiskies, so they're just diluting them. And it's probably the same with other spirits like say Sauza or Bacardi. Most people are probably just dumping margarita mix or whatever else in the blender with that so the taste neat isn't a priority.
@@ChristopherNeeme that's definitely possible for sure.
I would LOVE to see a Blind Taste with these 5, minus the Jim Beam, and add in Evan Williams B in B, Old Grand Dad B in B, and Early Times, B in B. A seven way throw down of Bottom Shelf B in Bs! Come on guys! Thanks for all you do!
VOB is actually not a BiB, but it is a 100 proof. I did this blind you suggest (minus VOB) and while back. See comment above for results. It was a challenge as they all are pretty similar!
Nugget of gold is nice but if its truly a nugget don't last long. Old Forester 86 as become a good buy like the taste had it neat and iced prefer it over ice wish I could get any of the other three in my area but up north these are hard to fine as well ogd bib. Thanks for sharing
My go to if nothing hits my adventure "just try it" phase. OF 86 to me pitch perfect.
RUclips randomly recommended me your videos, and I started watching them. I enjoy them now despite not knowing anything about bourbon and stuff. I appreciate the videos that have budget products, so I can get into it easier. I ended up buying Wild Turkey 101, haven't opened it yet, but will soon!
Great video! Try Jim Beam double oak, very tasty and available for $19 near me.
Old Tub is great if you love the signature Beam nutty note and are not looking for a brown sugar/vanilla bomb. A step up from that, in my opinion, would be the Jim Beam Single Barrel at 108 Proof, which is getting closer to Knob Creek pricing, but retains more of the nutty flavor than the KC.
Great idea for a video thanks! For someone that's about 6 months in to a collection and getting more and more into ryes and bourbons (and irish whiskey to a smaller extent) I love watching you guys. I just wish in Canada we had more access to some of the ones you show 😀 As I was watching I checked my usual sources north of the border and I can get the Jim Beam Black and Old Tub only at this time...but will keep watching and looking! Thanks for what you do!
I'm also not a huge Jim Beam fan, but at that level I do like their double oak better than the black label. Probably my favorite bottom shelf bourbon is Ezra Brooks 90 proof, which is about $12 in my area.
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I’m new to the channel and not sure if you’ve ever had it on before but the one budget bourbon that surprised me and now I always have a bottle of it is Mellow Corn. I can blind pour it with expensive bourbons and it holds its own
My understanding is that Mellow Corn is a corn whiskey rather than a bourbon because it is aged in used casks.
Love seeing some lower end bourbons getting some love. Definitely like the very old barton best of the lot, though I have a fondness for the JTS Brown and the JW Dant. Old Tub is underrated, but I agree, at the price point its not so competitive.
Thanks! Appreciate this video! Important to save at times! The best inexpensive bottle I have tried recently is Evan Williams 1783 - same mash bill as Elijah Craig - both Heaven Hill. Evan Willams Bottled in Bond is loved by many, but I don't see why. 1783 is almost shockingly good for the price.
I like an Early Times BiB as well. Most of these have a place on my shelf and hit the glass on rotation. That's what I love about a wide and diverse collection, you can pour whatever the mood calls for.
Bench mark 8 is simple but really soft for a $9 bottle. I’ll have to try that barton. Thanks
What do you bourbon fellas think about Jameson? Im not a big whiskey lover or drinker but im fascinated by the intricacies people find in whiskey. I have learned to love Jameson. Prolly just for that fact that it was readily available at most of the get togethers of my younger years.
2:00 Ha! I just poured a glass of VOB 86 just before clicking on this video. 😊🥃
JW Dant…..BUDGET!? How dare you! That bottle is a 10/10 😂😂😂
I actually really like it, glad to see it get some love.
Trenton's "Chewing on a pencil" and "Biting an ear of raw corn" made me laugh out loud. I never heard that description in reference to tasting bourbon. Fun video, thank you both.
I haven't heard 'pencil shavings' used since the Hudson Valley Wiskey review.
Great choices! I want to try these. I haven't had any but Old Tub, and I really wasn't much of a fan. Others I'd recommend at or under $20 that haven't been recommended 20,000 times... Old Charter, Ancient Age, Benchmark, George Dickel 8 or 12. There are many more that have been beat to death that I think are must-haves like Four Roses, Wild Turkey 101, Old Grandad BIB and 117, Maker's Mark, etc. Thanks for the video! I really like finding great bourbons that are available and at a great value. I actually like that more than chasing allocated stuff and way overpaying for the hype. There are so many good shelfers.
George Dickel is great bottle, never disappoints. I haven't tried old charter but whole heartedly agree with all listed
Watched the ‘Under $200’ last night and four of sixth from Kurt I’ve had, but Trenton’s ‘Early Times’ is a solid choice. In fact I’m enjoying one right now. OK, so when you work 5p to 5a it’s a great end to my work week. Getting ready to take your top 6 under $200 and shop my local shop
Awesome video guys. My question is how do you get ready to taste burbon? Do you do it after eating? Drinking water?
I ask because a lot of the time the burbon I don't get any tasting notes and have to shake it down...what am I doing wrong?
Which of Trenton's favorites didn't make the list? Another fun one, thanks. Love the budget and common bourbon videos. Blinds in particular. Thanks for all you share. Cheers.
Trenton should try a dram of Octomore. It would be priceless to watch his reaction.
Awesome channel! I'd love to see a video series on "pass" on these budget/value/available bourbons maybe even a "choose this not that" comparison of mainstream available bourbons, you touch on this every now and then when you do comparisons which is so helpful. Just getting started and I want to be an informed buyer. Your channel is significant.
Love the video...gotta recommend for $16 give Rebel 100 some love!!!!
Have you ever done a video comparing Weller Antique vs Pappy 10 and Weller 12 vs Pappy 12. I think it would make for a good comparison.
Great show. I love finding diamonds in the rough. I do feel like you mentioned the JTS Brown once before as well.
Hey fellow Porter county Hoosiers! I would have replaced the 2 Beams with Fighting Cock and Benchmark Bonded. Both available for around $16.
Any of the Benchmark should be on that list. Some areas might have a harder time finding them, but if you can, I would take any of those over what’s on your bar. In my opinion.
My #1 budget is Evan Williams BIB, 2nd Old Tub BIB. My wife drinks and loves the JB Black in her old fashions. I also really like Bakers7 but it's not budget.
Now...as for Jim Beam Black...it's $23.99 in Pennsylvania...but for the same price I much prefer the Jim Beam Double Oak. It's much smoother in my opinion. As for Old Tub...$19.99 in Pennsylvania...and for the price I find it's really good.
Love watching your shows! I go and pick up your recommendations right away, and am never disappointed! Liked the Old Tub, tremendous budget bottle!
Love videos like this because I'm on a fixed income. I've started my collection with Woodford reserve, Wild Turkey 101, Knob creek 9, Jack Daniels Tennessee Rye(not a fan), and a few other flavored whiskeys....still looking for more variety of course!
Get yourself a wheated bourbon. Larceny is my favorite by far. 🥃🇨🇦
@@benmayhew373 okay thanks!
Very Old Barton was one of my early buys a long time back. Fine sip for the price! I haven’t had the others. Jack is still better than Jim.
Love the vids you made and glad to see it is family and love to see more bottom shelf pics that isn’t bottled and bond
Would love to hear y’all’s take on Johnny Drum! I’ve seen very little about it, but find it to be very very good for the $37 it costs down in TX
Great video to both of you. Kurt you and Trenton keep things so interesting and informational. Your channel is the place for any and all Bourbon drinkers of any level. Thanks for what you do.
Found the 100% VOB while on a trip to Lexington last year. Totally agree!👍🏻
Old tub, I love that stuff!
There are some great low end bourbons. I agree with VOB, JTS Brown, Dant order and Beam products at the bottom. Jim Beam was the first distillery we visited on the Bourbon Trail and the ONLY products I enjoyed was Knob Creek and Black Label, with Knob Creek being a HUGE favorite (still is). Some of my bottom shelf favorites are 1783, WT101, and Old Forester 86 and 100.
Evan Williams black label. 86 proof and $12.99
I enjoy your videos thanks . I have a question is something in a plastic bottle a low quality product
Great video! Big JTS bib fan here. Not sure how you didn't get nothing but dusty peanuts on that Old Tub. Cheers y'all
Great video. I have been looking at Very Old Barton & JTS Brown and they are are on my list to get on my next store haul (which is usually 1 or 2 bottles 😂).
Nice video. Where do place Bechmark 8? I am seeing it a bunch on the shelves.
I've gotten 2 of them up in Canada. jim beam black. And old tub. Both are ok. I'd buy black when it's on sale and be pretty happy Old Tub goes for about 45 Canadian. I really liked it and I'll buy it again
Great video! I commented on the 'Under 200' video about doing a video like this. Looks like you already had it in the chamber. I think these videos are more "helpful" and the higher end bourbon videos fall under the category of "interesting" (because I probably can't afford or won't find those bottles). Haven't had the Beam. And for me, Old Tub is just ok, but Dant, Brown, and Barton are excellent, especially for the price.
One budget bourbon you've never done, to my knowledge, but one that I love is Fighting Cock from Heaven Hill. It's only like $16 and it tastes incredibly sweet, kinda like sassafras tea. You guys need to check it out.
I am sticking with my WT 101
Old Tub makes very good cocktails its a bit rough around the edges but with a sweeter cocktail that works. Recently picked it up for 19 bucks. Also saw it in a store for 44 dollars lol. I actually complained to the store manager when I saw that. It's a 20 dollar whiskey that's worth it at that price.
I’m new to your show, and love your honest review of whiskey. Just watched your review of budget bottled in bond bourbons and I’m interested in the Evan Williams bottled in bond. I have that on my shopping list.
Don’t know if you have done a show on finish, but I would like to know your opinion on the flavor profile, nose and palate that you get from a different finish in the bourbon cask.
Haha it’s amazing how different people react to bourbons. First one goes from pepper, leather, tobacco, sweet bomb, caramel, burnt sugar flavors and light molasses. Whatever you taste is correct, that’s what I’ve learned after drinking bourbon.
I love this video. Huge fan of the 'best budget/value bourbon' type videos. I'm very value oriented (my wife used 'penny pincher' yesterday) so these speak to me. Thanks!!!
Great video, as always. I’ll have to look for some of these here in Maine. Also, I’d be interested to see a blind tasting of the top 3 against what I consider to be one of the best budget bourbons, Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond.
Have you tried the Benchmark Bonded? Sweet creme brulee and easy to find! Great value for a Buffalo Trace!
That’s what makes this such a great pod. Get lots of info about everything. Great way to learn about bourbons and other liquors.
Good video, we all need cheap options, the one thing it does is make you appreciate the 25.00 big hitters like OF, the ones that reach above their price point.
I really enjoy these videos. Keep up the great work. I'm new as of a month or so, but have you guys tried Yellowstone(especially the hand picked black & red label ones), or Minor Case Rye? Two of my favorites from Limestone Branch.
the VOB 100 is my favorite budget bourbon of all time! i love to hunt for the cheaper budget bottles that you can only get in KY (old fitz prime, VOB, JTS, dant) so this was a cool video to have a lot of them in.
Have you tried Benchmark?
Another solid video. Is there a good place to order some of those tasting glasses. I just got four on Amazon at $7.50 each. I didn't know if there was a better deal.
J.T.S. Brown is the bourbon Paul Newman (as Fast Eddie Felson) orders in The Hustler (1961). Classic film. Sequel was ‘The Color of Money’, again with Paul Newman and a young Tom Cruise and directed by Martin Scorsese. Again, a classic. Fast Eddie still a bourbon drinker but I think was drinking Wild Turkey in that one. Anyway, if J.T.S. Brown good enough for Fast Eddie then good enough for me. 😉 Great videos. Keep ‘em coming.
My favorite low price bourbon is Evan Williams black label 86 proof. In Ky you can get 750 for about $11 and 1.75 liter for around $21.
Interesting to your line up. Out of those picks, for sure Barton, JW and OT tend to lead toward the forefront. Agree the OT price point is an issue to your point. Me and my buddies have said OT is cornbread foreword. Tasty but more alternatives at the price point.
I love the Old Tub, in Los Angeles we get it for around $20 to $22. It's a good sipper and awesome in cocktails!
Great video guys!
Trenton's Top 3 will go in my bar once remodel is done and I can start a collection?
For now, it's a bottle of Four Roses, Larceny or the current pour is Evan Williams Bottle and Bonded.
The idea of budget bourbon (or any other whisky) interests me, because I am on a budget. The most I can pay under normal circumstances is $40, and the more good whisky I can find that's just $30 or even $20 the better.
Unfortunately, the only ones available here are the last two - the Very Old Barton, the JW Dant, and the JTS Brown aren't available here; at least, they're not on the Total Wine Web site. Still, your recommendations of the Beam and Old Tub got me to put those on my wish list, along with some other Beam and Jack Daniel's stuff that hopefully will be better than Jack black and Beam white. 🙂
Thanx much.
A great lower end bourbon to start with is 4 Roses small batch. Haven't met anyone i can think of that doesn't like it at all and it should be available most places
@@vicenzor9699 That is fine bourbon. It's even better than the Four Roses yellow label - and I like that one pretty well.
JTS Brown bottled in bond is one of my sleeper whiskeys. I threw it in a bottled in bond blind and it hung in there with Heaven Hill 7 yr. For the price, you really can't beat it.
We can only get the JTS Brown in the northern burbs of Chicago. I currently have the JTS Brown and for the money, it's great.
The Costco bottles while limited each year are 1 liter and this year they were small batch 92 proof, $19.99. Bottled-in-bond 100 proof, $24.99, and single barrel 120 proof, $29.99. A little more expensive, but 1 liter vs. 750 mL.
Jts Brown bib mashbill is 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley so good nose there Trenton!
The problem with these hidden gems is that the more they are exposed the higher the price. So you do a service and a disservice at the same time. That being said I really enjoy your channel.
Great videos! What qualities do you look for in a bourbon that justify higher price points to you? What do you look for in a $60 bottle vs $40 vs $20?