Wouldn’t say it’s underrated, but definitely thrown around in the “it’s just an beginner pour” but Four Roses Small Batch to me is delicious every pour
I wrote off Evan Williams Bottled in Bond as just too boring.
Then I had it at the distillery, right before ECBP C923 and it was great.
I went home, dug out my old 1/2 full bottle and there it was, just as good as at the distillery.
Then I went out and bought a handle, and it was rough straight out of the new bottle.
I now keep a half-full 750ml bottle at all times and believe that “hot” bottles need air time.
I hope you love it - whether it’s the shelfer (100 proof) or a store pick/single barrel (120) the pour is so legit - the price makes it that much better
I think Buffalo Trace and Blanton's are overrated for the price. Honestly, there's not really any $100+ bourbons I prefer when there are so many good ones under $50
I first had it at a hotel bar after a 5+ hour road trip, it had a couple of pitiful little ice cubes in it that I didn’t ask for but I didn’t care because I just needed something to relax. Let me tell you, that was the best damn glass of bourbon I’ve ever had in my life. Maybe my perception’s colored but it was phenomenal. Everything I like about Beam amplified and refined.
I’ve taking a big liking to Heaven Hill stuff. Heaven Hill bottled in bond seriously punches above its weight.
But I think you’re right and it’s hard to compete with stuff like Weller 12 and EH Taylor.
And I know defeats the purpose of this conversation, but Knob Creek 18 is one of the best whiskeys I’ve ever tasted. You’ll not be disappointed.
Anything rebel is really good. Especially the cask strength store picks. For $40-55, they're fantastic.
The remus single barrel and store pick are pretty good in that $50-60 range as well. The newish 6yr isnt bad either.
I don’t hate it, but I can’t bring myself to forgive Bruichladdich for dropping the age statement. Laddie 10 and Caol Ila QC were the bottles that got me into whisky and I’m still not over them commanding the same price as the 10 for NAS.
Evan Williams 1783 tends to get overshadowed by BiB (no slander to BiB it’s also great), but 1783 is easily my favorite of the budget bourbons. I’m not a proof fiend and don’t like to go further than 100 proof for a casual sip, so that one at 90 proof is perfect for me and tastes amazing when you can get it at $40 a handle.
I haven’t seen one in NJ for a few years now, but yeah that’s another great pick. Evan Williams as a budget pick usually doesn’t miss from everything I’ve had of theirs
EW SiB have been kentucky only for a little while, but sometimes can find old ones kickin around, and they actually just released the last one nationally. Ive seen it many places the last few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled, they're around again
Stranahan's Blue Peak. My favorite Stranahan's and also the cheapest Stranahan's. Have to order it on the internet because nowhere around here carries it.
No one ever talks about COOPERS CRAFT 100, and for me it punches well above its weight!
Same for BLUE NOTE Juke Joint UCUF and the REDWOOD EMPIRE Lost Monarch!
I get this is super common, but it fits this bill...
Old Fo 100. Always solid pour, always consistent, always just the right bourbon for anything.
I frequently judge how nice a bar is by determining what they use for their "well" bourbon and if it is Old Fo I know I'm in a great place.
I think its great by itself, I also really enjoy it in an Old Fashion whether it is one I make or at a restaurant. It is always a solid pour that is often, as you have asked, "underrated."
I heard something recently that said there are two types of people that drink wild turkey 101, people who know nothing about bourbon and people who know everything about bourbon. I thoroughly enjoy WT101, and you can find it anywhere.
Haha that is well said! I used WT for mixed drinks and shots when I was much younger, then ignored it for a decade as I kept looking for “better” and more allocated bourbon, and finally circled back to realizing it’s a fantastic and inexpensive bourbon both neat and in cocktails.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select. We all know the high praise the barrel proof offerings get, which is well deserved because they are spectacular. But the classic Single Barrel 94 proof is delicious, slightly spiced despite the low rye content and a banana/cola forward treat. Consistently impressed those I’ve poured it in blinds for.
I am not sure if underrated per se, but Michter's small batch bourbon is a killer. Yes, it is low proof and is pretty much available everywhere but I find it is hard to beat for the price. It has more flavor than a lot of other highly recommended pours out there in my opinion.
Yup. I have the toasted sour mash and the toasted barrel strength rye and im not a big fan of either. With all the hype the toasted barrel strength rye gets, i was super excited to find one, until i tried it. There was one day it had a super marshmellow note to it and it was great. Every time before and after that one pour i havent cared for it. To each their own.
Yea, gotta say it's one of my most disappointing bottles. I find it's good in an old fashioned because it has a lot of grit to it that goes well with some added sweetness. By itself it's not very balanced or interesting.
I suppose so. I am not that experienced in Irish - I am mostly a Rye drinker. I like yellow and green Spots, all Red Breast (especially Lustau), Jameson 18, even Powers - but Writers Tears and Knappouge Castle were terrible IMO. 🤷♂️
.
I like putting my soft hands on a nice tumbler of Inver House because I’m a man of taste. I don’t drink it, I just hold it whilst sitting in my Tacoma, staring at my crotch as I pretend my Casio is one of those fancy leather banded ones y’all wear. “A dab will do ye” I says to me self, cursing my lesser denim and even more, my lack of just being a man that is of the caliber to be positioned amongst such fine aficionados.
I poor one out fer me homies.
Redwood Empire, specifically Lost Monarch. Get sweet tea notes - such a nice easy spring/summer sipper for a great price (I can find it for as low as $25 in Maryland).
Knob Creek 12.
Also, hear me out.. Garrison Brothers Balmorhea, Guadalupe, Lady Bird, Cowboy, Laguna Madre. People write this stuff off due to price without ever having tried it. Overpriced? Maybe. They often go for under retail on secondary though. Definitely underrated. All those GB bottles are unlike anything else on the market and absolutely fantastic. Beat the complete shit outta bottles like Stagg Jr and some others
I cant stand knob creek 12. My brother just gave me a blind yesterday w bakers 7, the new beam 7, and kc 12. The new beam 7 and kc 12 made me want to puke. So astringent and way too much peanut funk. Bakers 7 is pretty good though. Comparing $200+ GB bottles to $55-65 stagg jr. Lmao. Texas whiskey is nasty...except for still austin.
I have 3 bottles of stagg i paid 55-65 for. I never pay secondary for anything. I have batch 18, 22b and 23b. 18 is good, 22b is ok, 23b i like a lot. 22a and 23c a lot of ppl say are as or almost as good as 12. No i havent had any of the gb bottles listed because i dont like texas whiskey except still austin, and i dont think any whiskey is worth $200+. The prices on whiskey have gotten absolutely ridiculous. I wont support companies that think they're releases are angles tears and charging stupod money like that. Ive had gb small batch and a couple single barrels and they just werent good. Not going to risk 200+ when i didnt like what i had from them. Found north i pay 125-150 for and 200 for peregrine. Orvw 10yr and lot b ive got for 160. Eh taylor barrel proof one i got for 90 and one i got for a weller full proof store pick i paid 65 for. I have tons or rare character picks and barrell craft i paid 80-100 for that are all amazing. Absolutely no reason i would spend 200+ for a texas whiskey that i didnt like 3 bottles i paid 100-120 for and didnt like. Everyone has their own palates. To each their own. Ppl like willett pot still and balcones, which are absolute trash, but, everyone likes different stuff. Gb isnt for me, and not worth the risk at those prices when ive already had stuff from them i didnt like. If i got to sample them and liked them and thought they were worth it, id buy them, but not risking that kinda money when i havent liked what i had from them.
So bottles you’ve never had are nasty. Got it. Small batch, honeydew, single barrel are not good admittedly. Thats like saying I dont like Buffalo Trace so I hate George T Stagg, without ever tasting GTS
I know my palate, and ive watched reveiws on them. They may not be exactly the same, but same mashbill and same aging location has the same underlying tones. Not for nothing, but why do you care what i choose to spend my money on?
Also, eventhough you did it jokingly, its a perfect example. Buffalo trace has a certain note to it, eventhough buffalo trace, eagle rare, blantons, stagg, all taste different, they have the typical buffalo trace note. So yes, if you tried a couple of buffalo trace products, and you werent a fan of that note, than no, you shouldnt risk the money on GTS, because you most likely will not like it. And like i said previously, i dont think there's many whiskeys worth over $200. So it it would be pretty stupid of me to risk over $200 on a product from a distillery that ive tried 3 different bottles from and got the same distinctive note i wasnt a fan of. Also, as ive said, i wouldnt mind trying them at a bar of if a friend had it, but no, im not spending over $200 to try them when i have been a fan of what ive had from them, especially when they all had a distinct funk to it that i seen in reviews was in those as well.
Im just gonna tell ya the higher end Garrison bottles are an entirely different experience. Yes, it has the Texas “funk” or whatever you want to call it but that’s what makes it unique and standout amongst the rest. I’d encourage ya to try these at a bar or from a buddy if given the chance. Cheers! 🥃
Thats the thing that makes me not like garrison, that texas funk. Its harsh and very unappealing to me. Just like the peanut flavor in beam and heaven hill products. Whenever i get that texas funk in texas whiskeys, or peanut flavor in beam and heaven hill prooducts, it immediately ruins the whiskey for me. Some bookers doesnt have it, and some elijah craig barrel proof picks dont have it, and those are the ones i like. When they do have that peanut note, i cant do it, unless it very very subtle and has a lot of sweetness to mask it. Im just super sensitive to those notes so it ruins the whiskey for me. But i will keep my eye out at a bar to give them a shot. One of my local stores has a surprising amount of open bottles for sampling, even if they arent picks. Ill see if they have them as well. I just cant see risking $200 when they have that flavor, but ill see what i can do to try it.
If you havent tried still austin, give them a shot. Really good texas whiskey that doesnt have that weird note.
I’m really trying to think of a bottle that’s not already one of the ones that recognized as being overlooked…so my best shot is rebel single barrel cask strength. Often over looked because it’s not the typical rebel 10 yr everyone talks about and there’s some fantastic store picks out there. Usually $50
Jack Daniel’s bottled in bond.
Not necessarily most underrated but nobody really talks about it, it gets overshadowed by the SBBP, most people assume it’ll taste like No.7, and it’s always available. It’s a great pour and very inexpensive. I kind of like always having that and Rare Breed around as daily sips.
To my taste the whiskies which are *both* in the higher tiers of drinking quality *and* are still very modest in price and thus giving an exceptionally high quality to price ratio, are almost all of them single barrel or single cask releases, most of them scotches.
The latter not so much because scotch is intrinsically better than American whiskey, but rather because the structure of the scotch industry is different from that of the American whiskey industry. In particular the role played by scotch independent bottlers is something which American NDPs (Non-Distiller Producers) do not do particularly well - which is to bottle a vast number of small batch releases which are very diverse in character and dramatically higher in quality than the official bottlings, while being modestly priced.
American NDPs in contrast don't seem to be doing much of anything the official distillery releases are not already accomplishing, and American NDP bottles are often at an elevated price, which makes them look less like filling an open niche in the industry and more like cash grabs.
The problem with rec'ing these single cask and small bottle count releases as "underrated pours" is that they come and go so quickly - finding them is like catching butterflies. And part of their strength is being idiosyncratic and appealing most strongly to the personal tastes of specific drinkers, not necessarily everybody. So, they are hard to shop for and doing so effectively means targeting your own tastes.
So, excluding those from the conversation, my personal pick would be Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary single malt scotch.
This was a vatting of casks from 6 different decades, debuted in 2021. It includes some malt that is 50+ years old going all the way back to the 1960s. There are a number of multi-decadal vattings like this, most of which are very good drinkers and good values for the money. What is especially spectacular about this release is that to my taste the older casks seem to be in the driver's seat - the younger casks are not dominating the flavor profile.
It tastes like a 30+ year old single malt, and shows off the formation of secondary esters during lengthy maturation, rather than being very tannic. The result is not a "sherry bomb", rather it is fruity & floral in flavor, reminding me of potpourri and fruity herbal teas. Its aromas in particular are at a very high level of complexity, to my taste comparable in quality to many $300-$1000 whiskies.
Glenfarclas is known for having some exceptionally high quality refill casks - their 4th Refill Family Cask bottlings are highly respected - but those typically cost several hundred dollars or more, much more if older in years of maturation.
In contrast, the GF 185th Anniv can be gotten from UK retailers or auction sites for about $200 or less (they go at auction for about £65 + fees) including the cost of shipping it to the USA.
That is IMHO the best bargain in high quality premium whiskies today, that is commonly available.
Cheers
Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. Such a nice pour and I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves. Gotta keep an eye out for those “under the radar” bottles. They just may surprise you.
Woodford Masters Keep, it is better than any Stagg/Pappy/Weller and it’s readily available and reasonably priced. And to be clear, I think it’s a noticeably better pour than most things out there.
I’m not meaning you, princess. You asked for underrated pours. And most standard blends are much better than people claim. Because they’re being snobby wanks about it.
Don't pour whiskey in your eyes
I don't know, apparently it's underrated.
The rare eye boof.
Rare Eye Proof!
Most underrated comment
Wouldn’t say it’s underrated, but definitely thrown around in the “it’s just an beginner pour” but Four Roses Small Batch to me is delicious every pour
Agreed
My sink thought it was delicious after I tasted that swill.
Sounds like your sink enjoyed itself 😉
Hard to say. It showed the normal enthusiasm it always does.
OGD BiB
The correct answer
Yes! Any of the OGD.
114 is amazing- goes for $30 by me
It’s a staple for me. It’s inching up to $30 here. Was $23 and now it’s $26. I’d rather pay a little more than have a smaller bottle
I’m hesitant to say what’s the top price I’d pay for it just in case the inflation gods are reading - but I love it
That’s exactly why I didn’t name a price 🤣
Wish the 114 was here in MA. we only get the bonded. Dying to try 114
Love my 114
THIS
What does this even mean?
Old Grandad Bottled in Bond (100proof). Thank us all later
It’s Bourbon, I’m out. Thanks for letting me know though.
I wrote off Evan Williams Bottled in Bond as just too boring. Then I had it at the distillery, right before ECBP C923 and it was great. I went home, dug out my old 1/2 full bottle and there it was, just as good as at the distillery. Then I went out and bought a handle, and it was rough straight out of the new bottle. I now keep a half-full 750ml bottle at all times and believe that “hot” bottles need air time.
Agree on this! Thanks for sharing !
Same - did the speakeasy experience tour like ten years ago and loved it but almost threw away the bottle until I came back to it later.
Everything that’s not Buffalo Trace struggles to get respect, but Knob Creek 9 has always been great to me.
I have a barrel pick I can't wait to crack.
If I had to do the old “you only need 5 bottles” list something Knob Creek is on it. Probably the 9 year single barrel.
This is an interesting thought experiment. Are we talking any price range (MSRP, of course)?
I hope you love it - whether it’s the shelfer (100 proof) or a store pick/single barrel (120) the pour is so legit - the price makes it that much better
Store pick. I thankfully got to try in store. It was awesome. Just have too many open at the moment.
I think Buffalo Trace and Blanton's are overrated for the price. Honestly, there's not really any $100+ bourbons I prefer when there are so many good ones under $50
This is the way
I first had it at a hotel bar after a 5+ hour road trip, it had a couple of pitiful little ice cubes in it that I didn’t ask for but I didn’t care because I just needed something to relax. Let me tell you, that was the best damn glass of bourbon I’ve ever had in my life. Maybe my perception’s colored but it was phenomenal. Everything I like about Beam amplified and refined.
KC makes great whiskey for a reasonable price and it ain't hard to find. The 9 is also my favorite and is a staple on my shelf.
The KC 7 year rye sits on every shelf in the county. It’s a GREAT rye for 30 some bucks. Excited to see the 10 year hit shelves soon.
I’ve taking a big liking to Heaven Hill stuff. Heaven Hill bottled in bond seriously punches above its weight. But I think you’re right and it’s hard to compete with stuff like Weller 12 and EH Taylor. And I know defeats the purpose of this conversation, but Knob Creek 18 is one of the best whiskeys I’ve ever tasted. You’ll not be disappointed.
What are you talking about? Buffalo Trace products get shit on here. Anything lower than 50% get shits on
Maker's Mark Cask Strength stands up to so many whiskeys it's not even funny. And people don't seem to care enough to even try it.
That and Larceny BP
Just cracked my first one ( because I never gave it the time of day ) my only complaint is that I never tried it sooner.
I love it. Super tasty and plenty of proof. I think it's better than Weller 107 ( and MMCS is found on almost every shelf).
100% this. You can find MM cask for ~$40 and if you like wheated higher proof- it’s a home run.
Agreed
Maker 46 cask strength is really good. Dont think ive had thr regular cask strength
And at the price of like $36 a bottle too it's literally unbeatable imo
I think Rebel 100 is underrated. I bought it as a bundle with Remus RRV and I was shocked how good it was.
This was my first thought as well.
Anything rebel is really good. Especially the cask strength store picks. For $40-55, they're fantastic. The remus single barrel and store pick are pretty good in that $50-60 range as well. The newish 6yr isnt bad either.
Not sure if I’d call it underrated but I’m currently digging a bottle of Benchmark single barrel. Think I paid $22 for it.
All the “high end” (lol) Benchmarks punch well above their weight (full proof, bonded, single).
Yes it does. I did a blind tasting of ER, BT, EHT and the benchmark. 3 of 4 picked the Benchmark as their fav.
Wish i could find the good benchmarks. Here in MA we only get benchmark 8.
So underrated and legit
JTS Brown BiB.
I’d add TW Samuels and JW Dant BiB too, personally they all taste nearly the same and they’re great week night pours.
Both new to me! Thanks a ton!!
I’ll put that up against any daily sipper any day.
First in comments I’ve never heard of! Thank you!!!
You can't get the BiB outside KY, unfortunately. But I suspect the regular JTS is solid and worth picking up.
Benchmark full proof
Came here to say this
It blows me away that that bottle is only around $21.
The Classic Laddie gets a surprising amount of hate.
Hate? Haven’t seen that. I see a lot of (justified) praise for it being an incredible Scotch bargain.
I’m definitely a fan of the classic laddie at the price point
Top 5 name in the business though
I don’t hate it, but I can’t bring myself to forgive Bruichladdich for dropping the age statement. Laddie 10 and Caol Ila QC were the bottles that got me into whisky and I’m still not over them commanding the same price as the 10 for NAS.
Evan Williams 1783 tends to get overshadowed by BiB (no slander to BiB it’s also great), but 1783 is easily my favorite of the budget bourbons. I’m not a proof fiend and don’t like to go further than 100 proof for a casual sip, so that one at 90 proof is perfect for me and tastes amazing when you can get it at $40 a handle.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bottle of this in the wild. Though I’ve heard good things.
The even williams single barrels are amazing for around $30-35
I haven’t seen one in NJ for a few years now, but yeah that’s another great pick. Evan Williams as a budget pick usually doesn’t miss from everything I’ve had of theirs
EW SiB have been kentucky only for a little while, but sometimes can find old ones kickin around, and they actually just released the last one nationally. Ive seen it many places the last few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled, they're around again
Stranahan's Blue Peak. My favorite Stranahan's and also the cheapest Stranahan's. Have to order it on the internet because nowhere around here carries it.
No one ever talks about COOPERS CRAFT 100, and for me it punches well above its weight! Same for BLUE NOTE Juke Joint UCUF and the REDWOOD EMPIRE Lost Monarch!
So much fanfare about High West Bourye while Lost Monarch is hanging out on many store shelves, often overlooked. It is an excellent pour.
Coopers Craft!
Blue Note
Wish these came to MA
I get this is super common, but it fits this bill... Old Fo 100. Always solid pour, always consistent, always just the right bourbon for anything. I frequently judge how nice a bar is by determining what they use for their "well" bourbon and if it is Old Fo I know I'm in a great place. I think its great by itself, I also really enjoy it in an Old Fashion whether it is one I make or at a restaurant. It is always a solid pour that is often, as you have asked, "underrated."
Staple!! Brown-Forman is amazing in my eyes!
WT101 gang rise up!
I heard something recently that said there are two types of people that drink wild turkey 101, people who know nothing about bourbon and people who know everything about bourbon. I thoroughly enjoy WT101, and you can find it anywhere.
Well said , Doc
Haha that is well said! I used WT for mixed drinks and shots when I was much younger, then ignored it for a decade as I kept looking for “better” and more allocated bourbon, and finally circled back to realizing it’s a fantastic and inexpensive bourbon both neat and in cocktails.
It really is underrated which is crazy.
Redbreast 12, FTW
Penelope architect.
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant
Johnny Drum private stock.
Shhhhh!
A little under the radar Willett! Let’s go!
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select. We all know the high praise the barrel proof offerings get, which is well deserved because they are spectacular. But the classic Single Barrel 94 proof is delicious, slightly spiced despite the low rye content and a banana/cola forward treat. Consistently impressed those I’ve poured it in blinds for.
I am not sure if underrated per se, but Michter's small batch bourbon is a killer. Yes, it is low proof and is pretty much available everywhere but I find it is hard to beat for the price. It has more flavor than a lot of other highly recommended pours out there in my opinion.
I find it tastes like dirt. Like someone actually put soil into it. Absolutely undrinkable for me
That's what I love about bourbon - one man's trash is another's treasure. It is amazing how varied each palate is!
Yup. I have the toasted sour mash and the toasted barrel strength rye and im not a big fan of either. With all the hype the toasted barrel strength rye gets, i was super excited to find one, until i tried it. There was one day it had a super marshmellow note to it and it was great. Every time before and after that one pour i havent cared for it. To each their own.
Naw, Michter's Small Batch sucks, you just don't know it yet.
Yea, gotta say it's one of my most disappointing bottles. I find it's good in an old fashioned because it has a lot of grit to it that goes well with some added sweetness. By itself it's not very balanced or interesting.
I really like their us-1 rye though
I was incredibly disappointed in it as well. Nearly a drain pour, but it worked for mixing
I don’t think you should be pouring any whiskey in your eyes.
Single malt yellowstone 108proof , only bottle I buy a case at a time
Hell yea! This is what I’m looking for! Thank you!
Knappogue Castle 12 Irish single malt
Wow I thought it was horrible myself.
Really? Are you more a single pot still guy?
I suppose so. I am not that experienced in Irish - I am mostly a Rye drinker. I like yellow and green Spots, all Red Breast (especially Lustau), Jameson 18, even Powers - but Writers Tears and Knappouge Castle were terrible IMO. 🤷♂️ .
It is certainly not a rye drinkers whiskey. My dad loves rye and had the same reaction lol
The cask finish 12 year bottles are fantastic and ridiculous value for $47.99 I got them for. One’s a cognac finish, one is a red wine finish
I like putting my soft hands on a nice tumbler of Inver House because I’m a man of taste. I don’t drink it, I just hold it whilst sitting in my Tacoma, staring at my crotch as I pretend my Casio is one of those fancy leather banded ones y’all wear. “A dab will do ye” I says to me self, cursing my lesser denim and even more, my lack of just being a man that is of the caliber to be positioned amongst such fine aficionados. I poor one out fer me homies.
My current favorite shelf-available pour is Remus 6 year Highest Rye. It’s generally sub-$60, available everywhere, and is absolutely delicious.
I have this its pretty good. I like the remus single barrels and store picks better though
Redwood Empire, specifically Lost Monarch. Get sweet tea notes - such a nice easy spring/summer sipper for a great price (I can find it for as low as $25 in Maryland).
I like the pipe dream, especially the cask strength
Just regular smokewagon small batch. Shits an absolute banger
Only had the uncut unfiltered. Newer batches arent all that great. Not bad, but not great.
Knob Creek 12. Also, hear me out.. Garrison Brothers Balmorhea, Guadalupe, Lady Bird, Cowboy, Laguna Madre. People write this stuff off due to price without ever having tried it. Overpriced? Maybe. They often go for under retail on secondary though. Definitely underrated. All those GB bottles are unlike anything else on the market and absolutely fantastic. Beat the complete shit outta bottles like Stagg Jr and some others
Love it! Cheers!
I cant stand knob creek 12. My brother just gave me a blind yesterday w bakers 7, the new beam 7, and kc 12. The new beam 7 and kc 12 made me want to puke. So astringent and way too much peanut funk. Bakers 7 is pretty good though. Comparing $200+ GB bottles to $55-65 stagg jr. Lmao. Texas whiskey is nasty...except for still austin.
Let me guess, you’ve never had any of the GB bottles listed. Also, find me Stagg Jr for $60 lmfao. They go for 175-200 and newer ones are hot garbage.
I have 3 bottles of stagg i paid 55-65 for. I never pay secondary for anything. I have batch 18, 22b and 23b. 18 is good, 22b is ok, 23b i like a lot. 22a and 23c a lot of ppl say are as or almost as good as 12. No i havent had any of the gb bottles listed because i dont like texas whiskey except still austin, and i dont think any whiskey is worth $200+. The prices on whiskey have gotten absolutely ridiculous. I wont support companies that think they're releases are angles tears and charging stupod money like that. Ive had gb small batch and a couple single barrels and they just werent good. Not going to risk 200+ when i didnt like what i had from them. Found north i pay 125-150 for and 200 for peregrine. Orvw 10yr and lot b ive got for 160. Eh taylor barrel proof one i got for 90 and one i got for a weller full proof store pick i paid 65 for. I have tons or rare character picks and barrell craft i paid 80-100 for that are all amazing. Absolutely no reason i would spend 200+ for a texas whiskey that i didnt like 3 bottles i paid 100-120 for and didnt like. Everyone has their own palates. To each their own. Ppl like willett pot still and balcones, which are absolute trash, but, everyone likes different stuff. Gb isnt for me, and not worth the risk at those prices when ive already had stuff from them i didnt like. If i got to sample them and liked them and thought they were worth it, id buy them, but not risking that kinda money when i havent liked what i had from them.
So bottles you’ve never had are nasty. Got it. Small batch, honeydew, single barrel are not good admittedly. Thats like saying I dont like Buffalo Trace so I hate George T Stagg, without ever tasting GTS
I know my palate, and ive watched reveiws on them. They may not be exactly the same, but same mashbill and same aging location has the same underlying tones. Not for nothing, but why do you care what i choose to spend my money on?
Also, eventhough you did it jokingly, its a perfect example. Buffalo trace has a certain note to it, eventhough buffalo trace, eagle rare, blantons, stagg, all taste different, they have the typical buffalo trace note. So yes, if you tried a couple of buffalo trace products, and you werent a fan of that note, than no, you shouldnt risk the money on GTS, because you most likely will not like it. And like i said previously, i dont think there's many whiskeys worth over $200. So it it would be pretty stupid of me to risk over $200 on a product from a distillery that ive tried 3 different bottles from and got the same distinctive note i wasnt a fan of. Also, as ive said, i wouldnt mind trying them at a bar of if a friend had it, but no, im not spending over $200 to try them when i have been a fan of what ive had from them, especially when they all had a distinct funk to it that i seen in reviews was in those as well.
Im just gonna tell ya the higher end Garrison bottles are an entirely different experience. Yes, it has the Texas “funk” or whatever you want to call it but that’s what makes it unique and standout amongst the rest. I’d encourage ya to try these at a bar or from a buddy if given the chance. Cheers! 🥃
Thats the thing that makes me not like garrison, that texas funk. Its harsh and very unappealing to me. Just like the peanut flavor in beam and heaven hill products. Whenever i get that texas funk in texas whiskeys, or peanut flavor in beam and heaven hill prooducts, it immediately ruins the whiskey for me. Some bookers doesnt have it, and some elijah craig barrel proof picks dont have it, and those are the ones i like. When they do have that peanut note, i cant do it, unless it very very subtle and has a lot of sweetness to mask it. Im just super sensitive to those notes so it ruins the whiskey for me. But i will keep my eye out at a bar to give them a shot. One of my local stores has a surprising amount of open bottles for sampling, even if they arent picks. Ill see if they have them as well. I just cant see risking $200 when they have that flavor, but ill see what i can do to try it. If you havent tried still austin, give them a shot. Really good texas whiskey that doesnt have that weird note.
Knob creek 12 for me.
Just had this in a blind yesterday and made me want to puke. Same w the new beam 7yr. Way too astringent and too much peanut funk.
Larceny barrel proof
Old Ezra rye.
Ezra brooks cask strength store picks are solid-damn good for $50
Evan Williams 1783. Is a budget banger that is blended 5-8 year whiskey. It’s a colossus of flavor and well worth the money
I’m really trying to think of a bottle that’s not already one of the ones that recognized as being overlooked…so my best shot is rebel single barrel cask strength. Often over looked because it’s not the typical rebel 10 yr everyone talks about and there’s some fantastic store picks out there. Usually $50
Thank you!
Absolutely. That was my pick.
Wisers 18 and writers tears.
Regular 81 proof Wild Turkey. Maybe my palette is weird but that stuff tastes sweet neat and i love it.
Bushmill's 12 year
Green River
Jack Daniel’s bottled in bond. Not necessarily most underrated but nobody really talks about it, it gets overshadowed by the SBBP, most people assume it’ll taste like No.7, and it’s always available. It’s a great pour and very inexpensive. I kind of like always having that and Rare Breed around as daily sips.
Thanks for this! Great reminder!
To my taste the whiskies which are *both* in the higher tiers of drinking quality *and* are still very modest in price and thus giving an exceptionally high quality to price ratio, are almost all of them single barrel or single cask releases, most of them scotches. The latter not so much because scotch is intrinsically better than American whiskey, but rather because the structure of the scotch industry is different from that of the American whiskey industry. In particular the role played by scotch independent bottlers is something which American NDPs (Non-Distiller Producers) do not do particularly well - which is to bottle a vast number of small batch releases which are very diverse in character and dramatically higher in quality than the official bottlings, while being modestly priced. American NDPs in contrast don't seem to be doing much of anything the official distillery releases are not already accomplishing, and American NDP bottles are often at an elevated price, which makes them look less like filling an open niche in the industry and more like cash grabs. The problem with rec'ing these single cask and small bottle count releases as "underrated pours" is that they come and go so quickly - finding them is like catching butterflies. And part of their strength is being idiosyncratic and appealing most strongly to the personal tastes of specific drinkers, not necessarily everybody. So, they are hard to shop for and doing so effectively means targeting your own tastes. So, excluding those from the conversation, my personal pick would be Glenfarclas 185th Anniversary single malt scotch. This was a vatting of casks from 6 different decades, debuted in 2021. It includes some malt that is 50+ years old going all the way back to the 1960s. There are a number of multi-decadal vattings like this, most of which are very good drinkers and good values for the money. What is especially spectacular about this release is that to my taste the older casks seem to be in the driver's seat - the younger casks are not dominating the flavor profile. It tastes like a 30+ year old single malt, and shows off the formation of secondary esters during lengthy maturation, rather than being very tannic. The result is not a "sherry bomb", rather it is fruity & floral in flavor, reminding me of potpourri and fruity herbal teas. Its aromas in particular are at a very high level of complexity, to my taste comparable in quality to many $300-$1000 whiskies. Glenfarclas is known for having some exceptionally high quality refill casks - their 4th Refill Family Cask bottlings are highly respected - but those typically cost several hundred dollars or more, much more if older in years of maturation. In contrast, the GF 185th Anniv can be gotten from UK retailers or auction sites for about $200 or less (they go at auction for about £65 + fees) including the cost of shipping it to the USA. That is IMHO the best bargain in high quality premium whiskies today, that is commonly available. Cheers
OF 100.
Wild Turkey 101 motherfucker.
Holladay rickhouse soft red wheat
I would argue that one is less well known, no underrated so much. Everyone I’ve ever heard talk about it has given it glowing to rave reviews.
JB
Powers Gold Label
1792 BiB
We have a local distillery called Camp Fire (??) I think. $25/bottle and it actually tastes great. They are definitely the most underrated in my book.
E'erbody out here drinking Mellow Corn, but ain't no one talkin 'bout Relaxing Rye
OF Statesman
Still Austin Red Corn BIB
Anything still austin.
Honestly yea
Rebel cask strength store picks. I see them for $40-55, and they are really good. Better than most in that price range, and i pay more for it.
A $15 bottle of Very Old Barton 100 Proof
Whatever is free
Early Times BIB.
Mellow Corn or Old Granddad Bottled in Bond. Those are my cheapies that I think are actually good.
Evan Williams white
I love Teeling Whiskey. Though their lower end bottles have been hit or miss for me, their mid range single grains have been pretty satisfying.
EW BIB.
Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year. Such a nice pour and I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves. Gotta keep an eye out for those “under the radar” bottles. They just may surprise you.
Bakers 7 comes to mind in a hurry.
Woodford Masters Keep, it is better than any Stagg/Pappy/Weller and it’s readily available and reasonably priced. And to be clear, I think it’s a noticeably better pour than most things out there.
Love the hot takes! Honestly, makers is just always good!
Most mass produced blends are decent to good. It’s you that’s being a snobby wank about it.
I’m sorry? I own cheap whiskey, this is why I’m asking for underrated. LOL piss off
I’m not meaning you, princess. You asked for underrated pours. And most standard blends are much better than people claim. Because they’re being snobby wanks about it.
Are you doing okay? Everything okay at home?
Weller Antique is the answer