Favorite widely available bourbon or whiskey

[fltsfshr]

I am shocked I haven't seen this thread before. Way back in the days when I could buy a bottle or three and stay under $100, I drank a lot of different single malts. Highland was my preference. Out of the 30 or so brands I tried The Macallan 12yr Sherry is my go to. I used to be able to get it for $39 per 750ml. Last bottle I bought was $100. That was last year. I have tried since then, less expensive stuff. I would rather not drink at all if it's not The Macallan to be honest.
I did like the Buffalo Trace bourbon, but I cannot drink it due to the sugar.

So since I have been priced out of the market , I don't drink much anymore. I have 3 or 4 bottles waiting for my retirement. I was saving a bottle of The Macallan 18 for that, but I was weak and heard voices, and I had to drink it. Glad I did, stuff is almost $400 a bottle now! FWIW the voices still remain........

Anyone with recommendations for a Macallan 12 yr substitute?

I like single malts but my standby is always Cutty Sark. Best blended Scotch Whisky there is.

 

[noboundaries]

Individual tastes vary so much I have a hard time making recommendations. Whatever the alcohol, I prefer to drink it neat. I drink less, enjoy the flavors more, and bottles last me a while, like 6-8 months to 5 years or more as I cycle through my flavor moods.

The current whisk(e)y boom reminds me of the tequila boom that happened in the late 90's through the early 2010's. I was an Anejo (which means aged) tequila drinker. The prices shot upwards and only dropped back a little once the boom slowed down. I haven't bought tequila in at least 10 years and doubt I'll ever buy another bottle. I still have an unopened bottle from 2012 in case my wife wants a margarita in the summer.

I moved on to bourbon but found most to be either too sweet for my tastes or bitter from barrel tannins. My fault, really, because I didn't do any research and depended on friends' suggestions. This phase didn't last long.

Tried single malt scotches next, doing a LOT more research. Started with Speysides (fair), then Highlands (better), and finally Islays (my favorite). Prices of many of my favorites are now beyond what I'll pay, which brought me back to bourbon and has me considering less expensive blended scotches.

And, if there's one thing my infinity bottle has taught me, it's that blending your own can result in a flavor you'll love that can't be had anywhere else. I won't put something I dislike in it, which helps a bunch. Dislikes used to end up in BBQ sauces.

I know what flavors I like. I know what I dislike, and there's so much info available these days I haven't made a wrong choice in years.

 

[oregonrider]

How many use a proper Glen Clairn glass.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Got something close to it.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Individual tastes vary so much I have a hard time making recommendations. Whatever the alcohol, I prefer to drink it neat. I drink less, enjoy the flavors more, and bottles last me a while, like 6-8 months to 5 years or more as I cycle through my flavor moods.

The current whisk(e)y boom reminds me of the tequila boom that happened in the late 90's through the early 2010's. I was an Anejo (which means aged) tequila drinker. The prices shot upwards and only dropped back a little once the boom slowed down. I haven't bought tequila in at least 10 years and doubt I'll ever buy another bottle. I still have an unopened bottle from 2012 in case my wife wants a margarita in the summer.

I moved on to bourbon but found most to be either too sweet for my tastes or bitter from barrel tannins. My fault, really, because I didn't do any research and depended on friends' suggestions. This phase didn't last long.

Tried single malt scotches next, doing a LOT more research. Started with Speysides (fair), then Highlands (better), and finally Islays (my favorite). Prices of many of my favorites are now beyond what I'll pay, which brought me back to bourbon and has me considering less expensive blended scotches.

And, if there's one thing my infinity bottle has taught me, it's that blending your own can result in a flavor you'll love that can't be had anywhere else. I won't put something I dislike in it, which helps a bunch. Dislikes used to end up in BBQ sauces.

I know what flavors I like. I know what I dislike, and there's so much info available these days I haven't made a wrong choice in years.

Same here.
Small amount and straight, no ice or mixers.

 

[noboundaries]

How many use a proper Glen Clairn glass.

I have a couple (had four) but prefer a 3 oz stemmed aperitif glass that is shaped kinda the same way. The aperitif glass is heartier and easier to clean.

One thing I love to do after I finish a glass is let it sit on my coffee table or desk for hours to overnight. I take a sniff every so often. Good whiskies and bourbons leave behind amazing aromas to enjoy over and over.

 

[PPG1]

I'm retired now and can afford to drink just about anything. I've tried alot but I always go back to "Old No 7" Jack Daniels

 

[bakerman]

noboundries and sawhorseray,
Life as a scotch drinker is costly now. I've had the Balvenie 12 and it was very good. I tried the Ilsay's and for me it was too much peat. Speyside is too briney. Highland seems to taste right to me. Last year I had a nice Glenlivet 15yr that was pretty good, but usually I stay away from blended. My Dad was a blended whiskey guy. He loved Pinch and Chivas.
I must be cursed, in the 90's I smoked cigars until that became the thing. Priced out of my comfort zone. In the 00's I started back up with my record collection, now I look at the prices and shake my head. Now it's scotch, the scamdemic has caused the prices to shoot towards the moon.
I'm starting to sound like my Dad about prices. He used to bitch about the cost of milk when it was $0.85 cents a gallon, he's probably spinning in his grave. I guess that means I have outlived my time and my paycheck, LOL.
Well at least it's Friday!

 

[fltsfshr]

My favorite single malt is Balvenie Caribbean Cask. Cured in rum barrels. I will not drink a peat scotch.

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Some of my front shelf grabs.

Top 10 most popular for 2023 according to Bourbon Flight

(1) Bulleit Bourbon

• Bulleit Bourbon is inspired by the whiskey that was pioneered by Augustus Bulleit over 150 years ago.

(2) Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky

• Maker’s Mark started with bread, of course. Bill Samuels bought the Burks’ Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, in 1953 and did the predictable – just not in a predictable way.

(3) Jim Beam Bourbon Whiskey

• Founded in 1795 and passed down through one family for the past seven generations, Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon.

(4) Basil Hayden’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Marked by a rich cascade of aromas and flavors, Basil Hayden’s® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is carefully matured for exceptional quality and distilled in the heart of bourbon country in Clermont, Kentucky.

(5) Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Woodford Reserve is built around flavor. The art of making fine bourbon first took place on the site of the Woodford Reserve Distillery, a National Historic Landmark, in 1812.

(6) Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Knob Creek Bourbon has some good blood. Not only is it named after the boyhood home of Abraham Lincoln.

(7) Buffalo Trace Bourbon

• Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers.

(8) Evan Williams Bourbon

• Founded in 1783 on the banks of the Ohio River, Evan Williams is one of the oldest distilleries in the country

(9) Wild Turkey 101

• Wild Turkey 101 is different for a good reason, and it all comes down to premium ingredients, select barrels, and a lot of patience.

(10) Four Roses

• Four Roses is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey brand produced by the Kirin Brewery Company of Japan.

 

[bill1]

My son gave me this just today. It's a bottle and label I have no experience with... Red

Red, you won't be disappointed. That is Jim Beam's premium product, and if memory serves me (though it's become a pretty unreliable servant lately) is considered second only to Booker's which at barrel proof is too strong for some folks. (And whose price has zoomed way past my budget.)
Jim Beam standard white bottle is pretty unremarkable stuff. But they do know good bourbon and a lot of their upscale products are not only quite good, but can be great values. Baker's may still fall in that category although I'm almost scared to look up its street price right now.

 

[bill1]

I'm only 25 years in... But it's the only 96 proof they ever made ... Thinking of cracking it at retirement in 3 1/2 yrs (maybe not.. it's worth a penney)

I've zipped right through normal retirement age. But I've learned one thing in life...although it's a great idea to save a little money with each paycheck, DON'T save up your nice things for later. Tomorrow may never come. If you have a nice bottle, maybe tonight's the night to open it.
Unless you're inviting me over next month...then you should save it until then.
Seriously, JD reminds me of Buffalo Trace...even their base product is remarkably good (and a great value) and their upscale offerings can be superb. I think you've got a very special bottle there.

 

[bill1]

...It’s a sealed bottle banded 1969. In the bag & box....

Ray is right on (as typical) on the science of the matter of whiskey aging in the bottle. But these old bottled whiskeys can still be uniquely different from what that same distiller offers now. If you're not a normal Crown Royal drinker, you might want to invite over someone who is when you open it. They'll probably really enjoy the experience. I know I would if you had a Kentucky bourbon in the bottle (esp if it had been boxed or cabinet-ed) for 50+ years.

 

[bill1]

...Kentucky right next door to you. Take a couple days for a road trip. You won't be disappointed.

That's definitely on my bucket list. My son went and what particularly impressed him was how some pretty high-ranking folks from these distilleries were willing to socialize and talk bourbon with him. And they seemed to really appreciate that he had to concern himself with value (quality per price) and not just quality-at-any-price.

 

[bill1]

I prefer the traditional "old fashion" glass for bourbon or even scotch. The brandy snifter design seems to work for me only for microwave-oven-warmed brandy. But Ray is spot on that going back to the "empty" glass a couple times after you've polished off your daily ration and taking a sniff is a truly aesthetically pleasing practice. And if you're religious, a great excuse for an extra Praise The Lord.

 

[mcokevin]

I was a big fan of the MacCallans, still am just won't pay for it anymore. Another Speyside favorite with a similar flavor profile is the Balvenie 12 year-old Doublewood. Long gone are the days of twenty buck a bottle, Total Wine stocks if for around $65 these day I think

Also recommend checking out Spey River. The 12 year runs around $50 / bottle and is a really good sip, and a lot more budget friendly than the Macallans. Macs charge a premium for name recognition (they are also very good).

For a purist it would not truly be a substitue as Macallan is a highland scotch and Spey River is speyside, but there is a lot of overlap between those regions so I don't usually get too hung up on semantics.

Below the $50 price point I'd probably look at blends vs. single malts. I try to keep a single malt from most of the major regions on my shelf at all times. My current rotation is:

Islay:
Lagavulin Offerman Edition (bought it as a joke, actually really f-ing good).
Ardbeg Uigeadail - very peaty. Good if you like that.

Speyside:
Spey River 12

Highland:
Macallan 12

As for bourbon, I'm pretty simple these days and when I do drink bourbon it's ah Bulleit old fashioned.

 

[mcokevin]

How many use a proper Glen Clairn glass. View attachment 657958

I use these for my single malts:

 

[noboundaries]

Huh. I'm down to one Glencairn glass. Still have six of the aperitif glasses I inherited from the Italian side of my family. Hearty little dudes great for whisk(e)y or bourbon.

 

[Heart of Dixie]

Go to brand is Old Forester 100 proof, same mash bill as Woodford Reserve but not distilled in copper and made in bulk. At around $25 a fifth it is hard to beat for the price. If and when it is available, Buffalo Trace.

 

[bakerman]

I've zipped right through normal retirement age. But I've learned one thing in life...although it's a great idea to save a little money with each paycheck, DON'T save up your nice things for later. Tomorrow may never come. If you have a nice bottle, maybe tonight's the night to open it.
Unless you're inviting me over next month...then you should save it until then.
Seriously, JD reminds me of Buffalo Trace...even their base product is remarkably good (and a great value) and their upscale offerings can be superb. I think you've got a very special bottle there.

Truth! A good friend of mine died just Wednesday of this week. Tomorrow is not promised. Rather lousy week, my friend, Raquel Welch, Ovi's Dad all on the same day. Guess I will have a wee dram tonight in honor of their shade.