Originally Posted by
JBord
Any suggestions in the $30 range? I finally convinced my wife to try good bourbons and she's partially hooked. Some she likes, some not so much. Her tastes have trended toward the $50-$75 bottles I've purchased
. Trying to find something she'll like in the lower range.
We've tried the following, with varying degrees of success (her reaction in parens):
- Bulleit (so-so)
- Buffalo Trace (no)
- Four Roses, think it was small batch (she liked this, but thinks we can do better!)
- Elijah Craig (similar to Four Roses)
- Woodford Reserve (so-so)
- 1792 small batch (just purchased, not tried yet)
As I recall, her favorite so far was Michter's small batch (about $50). I'm wondering if I just can't get something that she'll love at this price point. Any ideas, experts?
The "no" on Buffalo Trace throws me a bit on some of my go-to recommendations -- I think Buffalo Trace is the best value on the market if you can get at MSRP (or slightly above).
It's worth adding Makers Mark to the early testing -- see if she likes wheated bourbon (though that opens the door for Weller which you can't find at the $50 price point, at least in NC). Classic Maker's Mark is solid though it reminds me of drinking far too much on a consulting expense account in my early post-college days. These days I prefer the Cask Strength, Private Selection, or 46 are all very solid but unfortunately will put you in that $50 range instead of the $30 price range that regular MM is in.
Eagle Rare is another one to try (although the Buffalo Trace 'no' throws me off on that one) -- it should MSRP for $35-40 but is $50+ in a lot of places but if you can get at MSRP it's a really good one (it shows up every once in a while in NC at MSRP and I stock up).
Old Forrester is another one that gets touted quite a bit and they have a few offerings that fit into the $30 range. Personally I've never been a big fan (but I also am not a big fan of Four Roses which gets similar hype) so may just be my tastes.
Have you explored much rye? At the $30, I would look at: Sazerac (which can be had for $30-35), Rittenhouse, or Wild Turkey 101 Rye (only 101, the regular Wild Turkey Rye isn't great) -- all solid at the $30 level. If you go up toward $50 both Pikesville and Basil Hayden's Dark Rye are interesting options