What made me into a bourbon guy was old forester 100 and 100 rye. I've dabbled in some now retrospectively REALLY good bottles at my dads bar but OF 100 was when it clicked.
Wild turkey 101 for the win. Great in mixes, straight or on the rocks. I also think it’s smart for beginners to find what they like before chasing allocated and unicorn bottles. It’s a good video and a great list.
Nice starter list! My first bottles were Knob Creek 9yr Elijah Craig small batch 1792 small batch OF 1910 Jack Daniels SB Select Buffalo Trace Eagle Rare Rare Breed Russell’s 10yr Evan Williams 1783 Cheers!
Solid list! I'm still hunting for KB12 yet i don't consider myself beginner, but the problem is availability in EU & double the price from MSRP - i prefer to wait patiently. Meanwhile I'm ok with 9yo. Fun fact is that in Spain we do have a lot of dusties laying on shelf in small fishing villages mostly (if you see an old familly owned wine store...that is your place to go) I got couple bottles of KB from 2014 with an age statement (old label) it has a bit more of that Baker's caramel, more on the sweet side in comparison with the current 2024 label that has a bit more foxy yeast funk & white pepper going on. Going back to fun fact and small fishing villages, I managed to pin down Jim Beam black 8yo dusty label from 2008 (checked on the bottom of the bottle) and after tasting it (killing the bottle basically) I realized that it's much closer to now days Knob Creek than to 'extra aged' and 7yo statement. It also seem a bit more rough around the edges, and i didn't enjoyed as such... I do prefer the 'extra age' from all of the bunch - such a great blend for low proofer. Keep up vids coming!
Nice list Brad! So funny, for the first 6+ mins of video I'm thinking to myself "What, no Jack Daniels?" and you did not disappoint! 😝 Only changes to your list --- swap out Knob Creek 9 Year instead of 12 to save a beginner some $$$ and add Bulleit 10 Year. Otherwise , this is a really super educational video for someone just starting out. Well done! Cheers!
Fair for the KC 9, I was thinking about exposing newbies to age and 12 is a solid age statement. I knew I’d get someone with the lack of Jack at the beginning Cheers buddy!
For a beginner bourbon drinker I’d keep it simple nothing but standard bottles like Makers mark Woodford reserve four roses Elijah Craig George Dickle Redwood empire Wild Turkey good mix of different styles of whiskey. I wouldn’t add rye’s yet that’s a whole different experience. Let them try these then after they have had them for a while then bump up the proof. Have seen many shy away from bourbon even with these standard bottles because they thought it was to potent. Especially women.
Great list, thoughtful. I would add 5 more, 15 best bourbons for beginners: 1-10, you listed already. 11. Russell 15 year 12. King of Kentucky 13. WLW 14. Pappy 15 year 15. 1989 OFC 😉
That Bardstown BIB Origins is good, but I think the high wheat is way better. Old Pepper BIB, Green River anything, or any Benchmark other than regular 8 are really good beginners. Otherwise, another great list!
Great list, thanks for the episode. I’ll had (and I’m just not a big fan of this brand, just a VERY poor ROI) Michters sour Mash is VERY similar to Buffalo Traces flavor profile and is typically sitting on the shelf.
Makers Mark 101 is really good, but I can’t find it, so I settle for the 46, which ain’t bad. Pipe Dream is smooth and delicious. Knob Creek 9 is really good also.
I think I despise MM but never tried anything in their core shelfers. Only had the standard and picks. But I hear the 101 MM is good and a lot of whiskey tubers recommend it. Also I prefer cooper's craft 100 over ET BIB, I like rye spice and high rye bourbons.
I disagree on Pipe Dream, I find it spike-y and tannic, does not put forth easy specific notes and could confuse. I would pour Lost Monarch for a whiskey beginner (not a bourbon but flavorful, gentle and interesting for a newb). And I kinda like the Early Times bottom shelf 😃, surprisingly good in cocktails. Agree the BiB is more interesting. Fun list, cheers!
The JD Triple Mash is my favorite of that JD line.
I don’t blame you it’s fan-freaking-tastic
What made me into a bourbon guy was old forester 100 and 100 rye. I've dabbled in some now retrospectively REALLY good bottles at my dads bar but OF 100 was when it clicked.
OF 100 is FANTASTIC and if I had a bottle on hand it would of made the list for sure
OGD 114, Old Forester 86 proof and Benchmark products (besides Benchmark 8) are a welcome addition to this list
114 MIGHT be a little much for someone brand new into bourbon. I love it don’t get me wrong.
Good list
Thank you!
Wild turkey 101 for the win. Great in mixes, straight or on the rocks. I also think it’s smart for beginners to find what they like before chasing allocated and unicorn bottles. It’s a good video and a great list.
I completely agree with you
And thank you for watching
Wild Turkey for Bourbon President! - Simple the best
Great list, Brotha
Most people just put the cheapest bottles on their list. This was a great watch
Thanks buddy I appreciate it! I tried to incorporate some different ones than what people expect
Great list, cuz.
Thanks cuzzo!
Nice starter list! My first bottles were
Knob Creek 9yr
Elijah Craig small batch
1792 small batch
OF 1910
Jack Daniels SB Select
Buffalo Trace
Eagle Rare
Rare Breed
Russell’s 10yr
Evan Williams 1783
Cheers!
Solid sold first bottle line up
Solid list! I'm still hunting for KB12 yet i don't consider myself beginner, but the problem is availability in EU & double the price from MSRP - i prefer to wait patiently. Meanwhile I'm ok with 9yo.
Fun fact is that in Spain we do have a lot of dusties laying on shelf in small fishing villages mostly (if you see an old familly owned wine store...that is your place to go) I got couple bottles of KB from 2014 with an age statement (old label) it has a bit more of that Baker's caramel, more on the sweet side in comparison with the current 2024 label that has a bit more foxy yeast funk & white pepper going on. Going back to fun fact and small fishing villages, I managed to pin down Jim Beam black 8yo dusty label from 2008 (checked on the bottom of the bottle) and after tasting it (killing the bottle basically) I realized that it's much closer to now days Knob Creek than to 'extra aged' and 7yo statement. It also seem a bit more rough around the edges, and i didn't enjoyed as such... I do prefer the 'extra age' from all of the bunch - such a great blend for low proofer.
Keep up vids coming!
Oh dude that’s crazy you can’t get it.
I definitely wasn’t even considering overseas.
That’s so cool that you found those old Dustie’s stock up!
Great Video, I would have added the Benchmark line, inexpensive and widely available. But great list none the less!
Totally agree and if I had some on hand they would of been added
Nice list Brad!
So funny, for the first 6+ mins of video I'm thinking to myself "What, no Jack Daniels?" and you did not disappoint! 😝
Only changes to your list --- swap out Knob Creek 9 Year instead of 12 to save a beginner some $$$ and add Bulleit 10 Year. Otherwise , this is a really super educational video for someone just starting out. Well done! Cheers!
Fair for the KC 9, I was thinking about exposing newbies to age and 12 is a solid age statement.
I knew I’d get someone with the lack of Jack at the beginning
Cheers buddy!
I'm proud of you for adding in a Makers Mark product. hahahaha Just kidding! Great list and great video as always!
It goes against everything I believe in 🤣🤣
But seriously it’s a decent bottle and thank you for the kind words. I appreciate you watching
For a beginner bourbon drinker I’d keep it simple nothing but standard bottles like Makers mark Woodford reserve four roses Elijah Craig George Dickle Redwood empire Wild Turkey good mix of different styles of whiskey. I wouldn’t add rye’s yet that’s a whole different experience. Let them try these then after they have had them for a while then bump up the proof. Have seen many shy away from bourbon even with these standard bottles because they thought it was to potent. Especially women.
Yeah but that’s easy, there’s are better bourbons than most of those listed
Great list, thoughtful.
I would add 5 more, 15 best bourbons for beginners:
1-10, you listed already.
11. Russell 15 year
12. King of Kentucky
13. WLW
14. Pappy 15 year
15. 1989 OFC
😉
🤣🤣🤣🤣
That Bardstown BIB Origins is good, but I think the high wheat is way better.
Old Pepper BIB, Green River anything, or any Benchmark other than regular 8 are really good beginners.
Otherwise, another great list!
All great additions!
Great list, thanks for the episode.
I’ll had (and I’m just not a big fan of this brand, just a VERY poor ROI) Michters sour Mash is VERY similar to Buffalo Traces flavor profile and is typically sitting on the shelf.
Very good addition
Makers Mark 101 is really good, but I can’t find it, so I settle for the 46, which ain’t bad. Pipe Dream is smooth and delicious. Knob Creek 9 is really good also.
It’s really solid! And really MM 101 is hard to find
@@bradsbourbonreviewsYep, it can be found, but I have to take a road trip to get it.
@ Thats wild to me
I think I despise MM but never tried anything in their core shelfers. Only had the standard and picks. But I hear the 101 MM is good and a lot of whiskey tubers recommend it.
Also I prefer cooper's craft 100 over ET BIB, I like rye spice and high rye bourbons.
I really don’t like MM either, but I swear by the 101
I disagree on Pipe Dream, I find it spike-y and tannic, does not put forth easy specific notes and could confuse. I would pour Lost Monarch for a whiskey beginner (not a bourbon but flavorful, gentle and interesting for a newb). And I kinda like the Early Times bottom shelf 😃, surprisingly good in cocktails. Agree the BiB is more interesting. Fun list, cheers!
I think pipe dream is SOOOO non offensive
I was surprised I didn't see Old Forester 86/100 or Eagle Rare. ER and BT are the same price where I live and under $40
I didn’t include ER cuz I was trying to go for “easy to find”
@@bradsbourbonreviews I guess that's true but if you ever see another black cap let me know.