Best Whiskey under $50

NOLAGATOR

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$50 is such a bullshyt number. There are some great values at the $60 range, but I digress.

For this little exercise, I pulled up a Total Wine outside of New Orleans. If this is wrong geographically, tough shyt, you should've been specific. I used $50 :rolleyes3: as my limit. I'm going to include rye. For one, it's delicious and two, sissy pants will grow into it.

American Rye

Willet Family Estate Rye - cask strength, don't be a pussy
Pikesville Rye - Barely a rye and an absolute favorite of mine
Russell's Reserve 6yr Rye - my first favorite rye
High West Double Rye - the store picks are amazing
Knob Creek Rye - super solid multipurpose rye
Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond - baby brother to Pikesville
Sazerac Rye - $18 in LA, WTF great deal
*New Riff - apparently not sold in LA, but terrific
*Wild Turkey 101 rye - maybe the best rye for the money to use in cocktails

**A great many ryes are made by MGP. If you see distilled in Indiana on the label, it's almost certainly MGP. They make ryes for Bulliet, Woodford, Dickel, etc.

Bourbon

1792 Full Proof - seasonal, but not too hard to find.
1792 any seasonal release
Wilderness Trail Yellow Label - it really is good, really good
Noah's Mill - different than most bourbons. Tends to be more minty and herbal
Wild Turkey Rare Breed - or go fuch yourself
Maker's Mark Cask Strength - solid
Four Roses Single Barrel - classic
Willet Pot Still Reserve - inconsistent, but you need to buy once, just for the bottle
Maker's Mark 101 - the extra proof is legit improvement
Coopers Craft 100pf - a little char heavy, but really good after you get past it
Four Roses Small Batch - classic, and good for drinking with a meal
Elijah Craig - one of the quintessential bourbons
Russell's 10 yr - char heavy, but good once you get past it, like Coopers
Woodford - it's ok, but boring. It's like the missionary position, it gets the job done, but.......
Evan Williams Single Barrel - excellent intro sipper
Knob Creek - try to find the non-age stated, unless it's an old bottle of the 9y/o
Old Grand dad 114 - not for everyone
Larceny - solid wheater
Old Forester 100 - under $25 and it starts entering my top values
Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond - if you like Werther's Original
Maker's Mark - still my favorite for a bourbon and coke
Evan Williams 1783 - great value
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond - one of my top value picks
Wild Turkey 101 - another top value pick
Old Tub Bottled in Bond - From Beam, seasonal this year. Great Value
*New Riff - not sold there but amazing
* Buffalo Trace - do not spend over $25. Classic bourbon, but not that special
* Eagle Rare - $30 or less, and you're in great value range
* EH Taylor Small Batch - $40 or less and it's a strong buy
* Weller - any line extension at MSRP, except the Antique. Antique 107 used to be a best buy at $25ish, but they've doubled the price in some areas, and it's not worth that much.

I prefer a good Irish over Scotch. Really no point in Scotch unless you like the peaty stuff, and I don't. But if you do, talk to someone else. I bought a bottle of Johnny Walker Black for guests, but once it's gone, I'll probably replace with Dewars 12. I do like a lot of the Speyside and Highland single malts. Basically, something with Glen in the name will get you there. Heard good things about Monkey Shoulder. The low proof is a turnoff with Scotch, but will drink some if offered.

There are some really nice Rums in the $30 - $40 range too. Some real nice Canadian Rye's, but I couldn't tell you which was which.

Hope it helped.
Great list
 

Gator By Marriage

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$50 is such a bullshyt number. There are some great values at the $60 range, but I digress.

For this little exercise, I pulled up a Total Wine outside of New Orleans. If this is wrong geographically, tough shyt, you should've been specific. I used $50 :rolleyes3: as my limit. I'm going to include rye. For one, it's delicious and two, sissy pants will grow into it.

American Rye

Willet Family Estate Rye - cask strength, don't be a pussy
Pikesville Rye - Barely a rye and an absolute favorite of mine
Russell's Reserve 6yr Rye - my first favorite rye
High West Double Rye - the store picks are amazing
Knob Creek Rye - super solid multipurpose rye
Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond - baby brother to Pikesville
Sazerac Rye - $18 in LA, WTF great deal
*New Riff - apparently not sold in LA, but terrific
*Wild Turkey 101 rye - maybe the best rye for the money to use in cocktails

**A great many ryes are made by MGP. If you see distilled in Indiana on the label, it's almost certainly MGP. They make ryes for Bulliet, Woodford, Dickel, etc.

Bourbon

1792 Full Proof - seasonal, but not too hard to find.
1792 any seasonal release
Wilderness Trail Yellow Label - it really is good, really good
Noah's Mill - different than most bourbons. Tends to be more minty and herbal
Wild Turkey Rare Breed - or go fuch yourself
Maker's Mark Cask Strength - solid
Four Roses Single Barrel - classic
Willet Pot Still Reserve - inconsistent, but you need to buy once, just for the bottle
Maker's Mark 101 - the extra proof is legit improvement
Coopers Craft 100pf - a little char heavy, but really good after you get past it
Four Roses Small Batch - classic, and good for drinking with a meal
Elijah Craig - one of the quintessential bourbons
Russell's 10 yr - char heavy, but good once you get past it, like Coopers
Woodford - it's ok, but boring. It's like the missionary position, it gets the job done, but.......
Evan Williams Single Barrel - excellent intro sipper
Knob Creek - try to find the non-age stated, unless it's an old bottle of the 9y/o
Old Grand dad 114 - not for everyone
Larceny - solid wheater
Old Forester 100 - under $25 and it starts entering my top values
Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond - if you like Werther's Original
Maker's Mark - still my favorite for a bourbon and coke
Evan Williams 1783 - great value
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond - one of my top value picks
Wild Turkey 101 - another top value pick
Old Tub Bottled in Bond - From Beam, seasonal this year. Great Value
*New Riff - not sold there but amazing
* Buffalo Trace - do not spend over $25. Classic bourbon, but not that special
* Eagle Rare - $30 or less, and you're in great value range
* EH Taylor Small Batch - $40 or less and it's a strong buy
* Weller - any line extension at MSRP, except the Antique. Antique 107 used to be a best buy at $25ish, but they've doubled the price in some areas, and it's not worth that much.

I prefer a good Irish over Scotch. Really no point in Scotch unless you like the peaty stuff, and I don't. But if you do, talk to someone else. I bought a bottle of Johnny Walker Black for guests, but once it's gone, I'll probably replace with Dewars 12. I do like a lot of the Speyside and Highland single malts. Basically, something with Glen in the name will get you there. Heard good things about Monkey Shoulder. The low proof is a turnoff with Scotch, but will drink some if offered.

There are some really nice Rums in the $30 - $40 range too. Some real nice Canadian Rye's, but I couldn't tell you which was which.

Hope it helped.
I was anticipating this post almost as much one of @cover2 ’s “bits and pieces” and it did not disappoint. I’m definitely going to keep this list handy. BTW - There is a local distillery here in Atlanta called “Old Fourth” whose 100 proof bourbon is getting rave reviews from my whiskey drinking friends. A buddy picked up a bottle for me Friday and I’m looking forward to seeing what the fuss is about.
 

Detroitgator

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Whatever the whiskey, these would be nice glasses in which to serve it:

2MC102-PC2013WethePeoplearePDWhiskey_200x.jpg
That sh!t could cause a rebellion!
 

Bernardo de la Paz

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At total wine you can get a handle of Woodford for under $50 which is an absolute steal... Although their handle has no handle :lol:

Lots of good options from alcoholica. In my opinion the four roses small batch is probably the second best value behind Woodford.
 

alcoholica

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I was anticipating this post almost as much one of @cover2 ’s “bits and pieces” and it did not disappoint. I’m definitely going to keep this list handy. BTW - There is a local distillery here in Atlanta called “Old Fourth” whose 100 proof bourbon is getting rave reviews from my whiskey drinking friends. A buddy picked up a bottle for me Friday and I’m looking forward to seeing what the fuss is about.
I’ll have a friend pick me up a bottle, next time they’re up there. If someone follows the bottled in bond law, you’ll get a great perspective of their distilleries potential
 

alcoholica

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If you guys want my take on a specific bourbon or rye, just tag me like @Gator By Marriage did.

if you want to explore a specific segment, that’s cool too.

I don’t agree with the Woodford crowd, but folks zero in on certain things and they aren’t right or wrong. One thing is for sure Woodford has its fanboys and they know it.
 

alcoholica

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Sorry I forgot that pretty much all of the WT is single barrel. I was referring to the 114 proof yellow label. I found it once and haven't been able to find it again. It was advertised as 'cask strength', but I was skeptical.
Ahh, so they will bottle the store picks at cask strength if requested. Their rye is always cask strength I think. I have a store pick of the rye bourbon, but haven’t cracked it yet. Would live to find a cask strength wheated bourbon from them. Definitely on my list when KY opens back up
 

Gator by the Sea

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Recently Publix had an incredible deal on a new bourbon from Virginia called Ragged Branch. I had never heard of it, but it was a $37 bottle BOGO so I couldn't pass it up. Before I tried it, I looked it up and it apparently has won some awards. I didn't care for the signature bourbon, but the wheated bourbon was pretty good.
 

alcoholica

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Recently Publix had an incredible deal on a new bourbon from Virginia called Ragged Branch. I had never heard of it, but it was a $37 bottle BOGO so I couldn't pass it up. Before I tried it, I looked it up and it apparently has won some awards. I didn't care for the signature bourbon, but the wheated bourbon was pretty good.
Here’s a good rule of thumb. If you’re not familiar with a brand, look for a DSP number on the label. If you can’t find one, it’s pretty much been sourced. Not a bad thing, but typically you’re paying more for something. It gets deep, but that’s the basics. In my experience odds favor a producer.
 

Gator by the Sea

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Here’s a good rule of thumb. If you’re not familiar with a brand, look for a DSP number on the label. If you can’t find one, it’s pretty much been sourced. Not a bad thing, but typically you’re paying more for something. It gets deep, but that’s the basics. In my experience odds favor a producer.

That's good to know, thanks. I just figured I couldn't go wrong with that kind of a BOGO deal.
 

alcoholica

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That's good to know, thanks. I just figured I couldn't go wrong with that kind of a BOGO deal.
Probably not, but Wild Turkey 101 and Evan Williams Bottled in Bond are cheaper than that for a handle. And I’m willing to bet both are more solid, but it’s always fun to try something new
 

AuggieDosta

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$50 is such a bullshyt number. There are some great values at the $60 range, but I digress.

For this little exercise, I pulled up a Total Wine outside of New Orleans. If this is wrong geographically, tough shyt, you should've been specific. I used $50 :rolleyes3: as my limit. I'm going to include rye. For one, it's delicious and two, sissy pants will grow into it.

American Rye
Willet Family Estate Rye - cask strength, don't be a pussy
Pikesville Rye - Barely a rye and an absolute favorite of mine
Russell's Reserve 6yr Rye - my first favorite rye
High West Double Rye - the store picks are amazing
Knob Creek Rye - super solid multipurpose rye
Rittenhouse Bottled in Bond - baby brother to Pikesville
Sazerac Rye - $18 in LA, WTF great deal
*New Riff - apparently not sold in LA, but terrific
*Wild Turkey 101 rye - maybe the best rye for the money to use in cocktails

Bourbon
1792
Full Proof - seasonal, but not too hard to find.
1792 any seasonal release
Wilderness Trail Yellow Label - it really is good, really good
Noah's Mill - different than most bourbons. Tends to be more minty and herbal
Wild Turkey Rare Breed - or go fuchs yourself
Maker's Mark Cask Strength - solid
Four Roses Single Barrel - classic
Willet Pot Still Reserve - inconsistent, but you need to buy once, just for the bottle
Maker's Mark 101 - the extra proof is legit improvement
Coopers Craft 100pf - a little char heavy, but really good after you get past it
Four Roses Small Batch - classic, and good for drinking with a meal
Elijah Craig - one of the quintessential bourbons
Russell's 10 yr - char heavy, but good once you get past it, like Coopers
Woodford - it's ok, but boring. It's like the missionary position, it gets the job done, but.......
Evan Williams Single Barrel - excellent intro sipper
Knob Creek - try to find the non-age stated, unless it's an old bottle of the 9y/o
Old Grand dad 114 - not for everyone
Larceny - solid wheater
Old Forester 100 - under $25 and it starts entering my top values
Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond - if you like Werther's Original
Maker's Mark - still my favorite for a bourbon and coke
Evan Williams 1783 - great value
Evan Williams Bottled in Bond - one of my top value picks
Wild Turkey 101 - another top value pick
Old Tub Bottled in Bond - From Beam, seasonal this year. Great Value
*New Riff - not sold there but amazing
* Buffalo Trace - do not spend over $25. Classic bourbon, but not that special
* Eagle Rare - $30 or less, and you're in great value range
* EH Taylor Small Batch - $40 or less and it's a strong buy
* Weller - any line extension at MSRP, except the Antique. Antique 107 used to be a best buy at $25ish, but they've doubled the price in some areas, and it's not worth that much.

I prefer a good Irish over Scotch. Basically, something with Glen in the name will get you there. Heard good things about Monkey Shoulder.

There are some really nice Rums in the $30 - $40 range too.

This is a great list and I've narrowed it down, per my experience, via the bolded and chose not to add anything to it.

Also, most items listed here have been bourbons and new drinkers typically prefer whiskey more, especially a blended whiskey (i.e. Crown, Seagrams-7, Lord Calvert, etc.). Another thing to consider is that new drinkers also prefer 80 proof liquor over the hotter 90+ like BIBs at 100.
 

G8trwood

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Turkey is tough to beat. Also good for the mixing crowd as it doesn’t start out too sweet (101) the 80 is more like beam to me. Rare breed is just goot!
As I got older, the higher proof get a couple ice cubes to mellow them out. Trying to protect brain cells you know..
 

alcoholica

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This is a great list and I've narrowed it down, per my experience, via the bolded and chose not to add anything to it.

Also, most items listed here have been bourbons and new drinkers typically prefer whiskey more, especially a blended whiskey (i.e. Crown, Seagrams-7, Lord Calvert, etc.). Another thing to consider is that new drinkers also prefer 80 proof liquor over the hotter 90+ like BIBs at 100.
You can hit with Basil’s or 1783 for beginners too. Beam Black 8yr at 86 used to be a great option prior to discontinue, same with Old Crow Reserve Black Label
 

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