There are only 3 bourbons in the $30 price range that I regularly pick up. Buffalo Trace at 90 proof, knob creek for similar profile at 100 proof and WT 101
Knob Creek 9 for sure, Wild Turkey 101(cheaper, but more complex), Elijah Craig smb, Four roses smb, Weller Special Reserve, Eagle Rare 10 for a few bucks more.
Well Russell's is good in that it has a nice smooth taste, an "oak/wood" like taste. But its missing the very sweet caramel and vanilla notes that buffalo trace has to offer.
RR10 is to me a better bourbon but its $35 MSRP as you pointed out vs $25 for BT. Have you tried 1792 small batch? Way more flavor than BT and same price point.
I think of RR10 as my Eagle Rare alternative. I only recently got another ER bottle via lottery so I need to do a side-by-side, perhaps blind, to really tell the difference.
I was looking for this comment. The Death and Co. folks switched from Buffalo Trace to Elijah Craig as their go-to mixing bourbon somewhere between publishing their first two cocktail books.
I actually did a proper blind tasting with 15 bourbons for my 30th birthday many of which were listed in the comments below. Each person brought a bottle or 2 of bourbon. We had 12 tasters ... I'll give you the top 4 voted on:
So many flavor options in the Four Roses line. I’m way deep into their bracket. Standard Small Batch is my least favorite, while the Small Batch Limited (other 6 yeast strains) is a favorite.
Have done similar blind tastings with large groups. BT has always dominated almost everything folks are listing here. This is one of many reasons I don't trust popular stances on this sub.
Is there any other bourbon having the strong vanilla / brown sugar taste like the BT? I really like this taste but most stuffs this sub recommended are the high rye ones which taste a lot different.
Knob Creek 9, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Russell's Reserve 10 (a lol bit more expensive, but worth it). Wild Turkey 101 and Evan Williams 1783 are both cheaper and better in my opinion.
I'm out in Nevada where they're located and distribute the best, but Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon is typically $25-30 and IMO is a step up from regular old Buffalo Trace. As others already said too, Eagle Rare is usually sub $40 and is the next step up in the Buffalo Trace line. That can be much harder to find though.
Oh man where to begin: WT101, KC9, OGD 114 & BiB, four roses small batch, old forester signature 100, Russell’s reserve 10, Elijah Craig small batch, makers mark 46 ( IMO )
I did a head-to-head with Bowman Bros and BT, and BB was a little sweeter and thinner, but very comparable. I think you’re right that Isaac Bowman is a very strong choice; $40 (but difficult to find) in the Twin Cities. Can you imagine what a BT marketed as port barrel finished would go for on secondary?
This is probably an unpopular opinion. But Buffalo Trace in my opinion is my least favorite bourbon. I pass on it every time. It just has an off taste to me.
On price it depends on what part of the country. I prefer Basil Hayden over BT. Price point in Nevada is about the same. I prefer the drier finish with BH, and the seems less alcohol forward than BT.
If you can find any of the newer benchmark lineup bottles, they're cheaper than BT and the same mashbill. The single barrel and full proof are great for the price
Better is subjective and are we talking MSRP cuz that’s only like $25 for a 750 which is very low. I frankly don’t think that at that price point there isa better bourbon. Some other good options would be: Old Forrester, Four Roses or Jim Beam or Larceny and my personal favorite, 1792 small batch. I prefer 1792 to BT but I bet I’m an extreme minority there.
I can’t believe I had to scroll so far for this. Agreed 100%. It’s kinda like it takes different great stuff from other great whiskeys to make an amazing product. You get that Barton wood spice and banana/cherry palate that’s just interesting enough for experienced drinkers, but inviting enough for people new to whiskey.
Decided to try BT again and picked up a bottle tonight for $24. BT is almost always stacked 6 deep on shelves around me, and the big handle bottles are $46. Isn't the bourbon thing funny? Non-existent in some places, and easily found elsewhere for cheap. I wasn't too impressed with BT or Eagle Rare when I first had it. I actually gave a bottle of ER away as a birthday gift! The horror! I thought BT was more floral/grassy and not as sweet. Palates are crazy. I moved away from BT and really settled in on Evan Williams BiB, WT101, Four Rose's, and Bulleit. I actually think Bulleit Rye in the green bottle is sweet! More so than BT! Don't know why, just me. Buy a few of these other affordable bourbon and rye, and test them out. You can always use them as mixers if you don't enjoy them neat.
1792 for sure. Knob creek is always a win for a similar profile. And old Forester 1920 is am awesome bottle. But then again....my area runs normal prices on most everything still....
BT is my personal favorite, but I go through droughts here in Jacksonville trying to find it. I refuse to pay more than $30 for it, especially since my regular place to grab it is $19.99 😬
There are only 3 bourbons in the $30 price range that I regularly pick up. Buffalo Trace at 90 proof, knob creek for similar profile at 100 proof and WT 101
I like most bottles of Evan Williams single barrel @ around $25
I’d agree that Old Forester 100 makes the cut with those
ogd114 is 29.99. its superb
Damn bro, your stores charge $30 for 101?
Cooper's Craft 100 proof
All day. Just had a pour earlier actually. This has the sweet profile OP is probably looking for.
Ding ding. #1 on the sub $35 list
Old Forester 100
Heck yeah! Such a good daily, and readily available.
I more frequently mix cocktails than I do drink neat, but Old Forester 100 has become my go to mixer.
One of the only suggestions here that has a similar flavor profile. Wild Turkey and Jim Beam products taste nothing like BT.
I’d even go with OF 86 - same flavor profile in a closer proof to Buffalo Trace
Literally was just scrolling through here to find this. Jim Beam black isn’t terrible for the price on the rocks.
Garbage bourbon, don't drink it. I'll take care of all of it for you.
This if you like the brown Forman mash bill
Knob Creek 9
Knob creek 9 either wins or is dead last in blinds it’s uncanny
I'm jumping in here to confirm.
Knob Creek 9 for sure, Wild Turkey 101(cheaper, but more complex), Elijah Craig smb, Four roses smb, Weller Special Reserve, Eagle Rare 10 for a few bucks more.
knob creek tis gross
Russell's Reserve 10 year... About $35 around me
Well Russell's is good in that it has a nice smooth taste, an "oak/wood" like taste. But its missing the very sweet caramel and vanilla notes that buffalo trace has to offer.
Wholeheartedly agree. While a couple of dollars more than BT, RR10 blows BT out of the water for me.
wait.. how much are you paying for BT? I saw some for $21 at my local grocery recently
Stop telling everyone! I would like at least one of my favorites to not become allocated... Lol
RR10 is to me a better bourbon but its $35 MSRP as you pointed out vs $25 for BT. Have you tried 1792 small batch? Way more flavor than BT and same price point.
I'm not so hot on RR10, but WT101 blind will leave you stunned by what it beats
This
Shhh, don't say that out loud. People will start hoarding it like all the others.
Yessir
Agreed
Good stuff. Curious to try the 6 year rye.
Currently my personal favorite.
Very underrated...had it last night.
25.oo dollars at kroger
No
I agree with this. If you can find it the single barrel is even better. It’s also a bit pricier
I think of RR10 as my Eagle Rare alternative. I only recently got another ER bottle via lottery so I need to do a side-by-side, perhaps blind, to really tell the difference.
I really like Four Roses Small Batch
I need to revisit this. Was one of my early favorites, but have been out exploring for a few years.
This.
Elijah Craig Small batch.
Can’t say it enough!!
Early Times BiB is great too, and it comes in a liter bottle!
I agree that KC 9 yr is the true winner but will offer Early Times BiB. I was surprised at how well ET BiB did in blinds.
Early BiB is actually really good especially for the price
ET Bib @ ~$25 for a liter. I know it tastes nothing like BT but this has turned in to a budget pick thread.
I have 2 suggestions for you:
I just posted this in
Evan Williams SiB is a great suggestion. Flies under the radar a bit.
Elijah Craig fits in there somewhere.
I was looking for this comment. The Death and Co. folks switched from Buffalo Trace to Elijah Craig as their go-to mixing bourbon somewhere between publishing their first two cocktail books.
EC was super nutty to me. I heard lots of heaven hill products have that nuttiness to them.
Lots. Wild Turkey 101, Old Grandad BiB, Evan Wiliams SiB
Yeah I actually strongly believe both WT101 and EWbib are legit better
OGD is my favorite cocktail bourbon
I actually did a proper blind tasting with 15 bourbons for my 30th birthday many of which were listed in the comments below. Each person brought a bottle or 2 of bourbon. We had 12 tasters ... I'll give you the top 4 voted on:
Gotta say I’m baffled that BT would beat out 1920. Was the 1920 just too high proof for the panel?
So many flavor options in the Four Roses line. I’m way deep into their bracket. Standard Small Batch is my least favorite, while the Small Batch Limited (other 6 yeast strains) is a favorite.
I’d take both Larceny and EC any day. But again, not a BT guy
Have done similar blind tastings with large groups. BT has always dominated almost everything folks are listing here. This is one of many reasons I don't trust popular stances on this sub.
4 roses small batch, knob creek 9yr, eagle rare
Cheaper - evan willliams bottled in bond
EC small batch.
Knob Creek SB, Old Forester 100, Wild Turkey 101, Rebel 100, Maker Cask Strength,
Elijah Craig and Remus
Ezra Brooks 99
A 750ml of BT is $30 here.
ER is my hands down fave. even compared to Elijah Craig 18, which is very close
What is it you like about Buffalo Trace? That could help narrow down options.
Is there any other bourbon having the strong vanilla / brown sugar taste like the BT? I really like this taste but most stuffs this sub recommended are the high rye ones which taste a lot different.
In my area ogd 114, four roses small batch, wt 101, Russell 10
OGD 114 has got to be in contention for the best buy in bourbon. As long as you don't mind the beam nutty vibe, it should be a cheap staple.
Knob Creek 9, Elijah Craig Small Batch, Russell's Reserve 10 (a lol bit more expensive, but worth it). Wild Turkey 101 and Evan Williams 1783 are both cheaper and better in my opinion.
Wild Turkey 101, Elijah Craig, Knob Creek
1792 small batch. Same price, better and much easier to find.
I'm out in Nevada where they're located and distribute the best, but Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon is typically $25-30 and IMO is a step up from regular old Buffalo Trace. As others already said too, Eagle Rare is usually sub $40 and is the next step up in the Buffalo Trace line. That can be much harder to find though.
Pretty bold putting MGP over BT.
EARLY TIMES BOTTLED IN BOND /// Great juice for less than$30.
Four Roses Small batch is a knockout and if you haven't tried it you should. Also recommend 1792 small batch and wild turkey 101 as good $30 options
Cooperscraft 100, Russel's 10, Eagle Rare if you can't actually find it for that
Pay $5 more and get Four Roses Single barrel ;) Makers 46 is my fave “cheap” bottle
Russels 10 yr is like $34 and is a staple in my household
Turkey
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
WT101 is killer value. Great bang for the buck, and you can actually find the shit. Joe Rogan better keep that NAME out his FUCKIN MOUTH
Oh man where to begin: WT101, KC9, OGD 114 & BiB, four roses small batch, old forester signature 100, Russell’s reserve 10, Elijah Craig small batch, makers mark 46 ( IMO )
Old Grand Dad 114 is probably the best on the bottom shelf for me. Bonded is also good. Regular OGD sucks ass.
A lot:
Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon
JW Dant BiB is cheaper and similar quality
Elijah Craig (regular), Knob Creek (regular), WT 101
Old Ezra 99
I’m gonna add Bowman’s to the list. Big fan of the port finished.
I did a head-to-head with Bowman Bros and BT, and BB was a little sweeter and thinner, but very comparable. I think you’re right that Isaac Bowman is a very strong choice; $40 (but difficult to find) in the Twin Cities. Can you imagine what a BT marketed as port barrel finished would go for on secondary?
Once we can get off the bt bandwagon we will all be better for it.
Old Grand Dad 114, Elijah Craig. Both solid, both $30 around here
I think Makers 46 is a better wheated bourbon than Buffalo trace.
BT isn’t wheated sooooo…
Better is subjective. But some things I’d recommend that are similarly priced and, more importantly, more readily available:
WT 101 is a good safe bet
Wild turkey 101, coopers craft 100, grandad bib
EW 1783 is a good comp for BT. Its slightly cheaper where I am and I'd say slightly better.
That 1783 is delicious. Always have a bottle on the shelf.
I would put KC9 and MM46 above BT. BT has a weird almost floral/perfume character I don't like.
Evan Williams Single Barrel
This is probably an unpopular opinion. But Buffalo Trace in my opinion is my least favorite bourbon. I pass on it every time. It just has an off taste to me.
Wild turkey 101 is cheaper so is evens bottle in bond
Military Special Bourbon
On price it depends on what part of the country. I prefer Basil Hayden over BT. Price point in Nevada is about the same. I prefer the drier finish with BH, and the seems less alcohol forward than BT.
What do you pay for BT? Assuming it's under $30, Kirkland Tennessee small batch bourbon
I can get it for $27. I'd buy nothing else at that price.
I am a big fan of Bernheim for the sweeter wheaten bourbons
Technically, it has <50% corn in the mash so not a "bourbon" but a damn fine whiskey none the less
And on the topic of “technically wheat whiskey” - Woodford Wheat is an absolute delight imo
Nobel Oak
If you can find any of the newer benchmark lineup bottles, they're cheaper than BT and the same mashbill. The single barrel and full proof are great for the price
McFarlanes from TW tastes sweet like BT.
Reading through these comments Woodford Wheat came to mind!
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Early Times Bonded
Better is subjective and are we talking MSRP cuz that’s only like $25 for a 750 which is very low. I frankly don’t think that at that price point there isa better bourbon. Some other good options would be: Old Forrester, Four Roses or Jim Beam or Larceny and my personal favorite, 1792 small batch. I prefer 1792 to BT but I bet I’m an extreme minority there.
BT is $23 at Sam's Club near me, so let's say $27 when not on sale
1792 small batch is similarly sweet and in my opinion a bit more complex.
I can’t believe I had to scroll so far for this. Agreed 100%. It’s kinda like it takes different great stuff from other great whiskeys to make an amazing product. You get that Barton wood spice and banana/cherry palate that’s just interesting enough for experienced drinkers, but inviting enough for people new to whiskey.
old grand dad 114 blows bt out of the water. for like 4$ more even
Four roses small batch is pretty similar than BT and it’s everywhere for $30ish
Woodinville and larceny
1792 in my opinion is drastically underrated
Old Forrester Signature, Basil Hayden, Four Roses, Woodford…
Decided to try BT again and picked up a bottle tonight for $24. BT is almost always stacked 6 deep on shelves around me, and the big handle bottles are $46. Isn't the bourbon thing funny? Non-existent in some places, and easily found elsewhere for cheap. I wasn't too impressed with BT or Eagle Rare when I first had it. I actually gave a bottle of ER away as a birthday gift! The horror! I thought BT was more floral/grassy and not as sweet. Palates are crazy. I moved away from BT and really settled in on Evan Williams BiB, WT101, Four Rose's, and Bulleit. I actually think Bulleit Rye in the green bottle is sweet! More so than BT! Don't know why, just me. Buy a few of these other affordable bourbon and rye, and test them out. You can always use them as mixers if you don't enjoy them neat.
You say BT is in stock near by… what state?
1792 for sure. Knob creek is always a win for a similar profile. And old Forester 1920 is am awesome bottle. But then again....my area runs normal prices on most everything still....
4 roses sing barrel is pretty good for the price and usually available
Knob Creek, Elijah Craig, Jim Beam SiB, RR10, OGD114, EWSiB. All less than $30 near me all subjectively better than BT
BT is my personal favorite, but I go through droughts here in Jacksonville trying to find it. I refuse to pay more than $30 for it, especially since my regular place to grab it is $19.99 😬
1792 Small Batch
The reality is if you're buying a SP the answer is probably, "No."
Maker's mark
I quite enjoy Michter's
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch is a great value at $30 here in KS. It’s a blend of bourbon and rye. You do need to let it breathe before drinking.
Anything in the $30-$40 range is better. I don’t like Buffalo trace though. I’m a Heaven Hill guy
1792 Small Batch slaps regular Buffalo Trace
Any of them
Coopers Craft 100 proof. Thank me later…
Yeah, but its 40$ now. F that noise.
Old forester for sure
Four Roses, Elijah Craig, Larceny
EC SB for $26 EW BiB for $17 OGD BiB for $21
If you are going to drink Jack—SB TN Whiskey is the one to drink
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
its like 50 for 300 ML lol
Weller SR
OF 1920
Been enjoying blade and bow, $35ish when I can find it
Don’t think I’ve had a $25 bottle that really competes with BT.
If I could actually get a $25 bottle of BT i would agree... Although OGD100 is damn good it would beat $25 BT.
Better than buffalo trace?
Weller Special Reserve all day. And I think it’s like $2 cheaper around here (Ohio).
In nyc my guy sells it for $199. I refuse to pay that 😭
Jefferson's small batch (not the Ocean)
Stagg Jr
Benchmark Full Proof