Not a whiskey drinker myself, but like to be a good host. I have some Maker's Mark, some high-rye Redemption for Old Fashioneds, and a little Weller 12 year left as a top-shelf selection, which is almost gone. I know it'll be hard to replace, and will probably call my nearest Spec's and Total Wine to get on waiting lists. I'll ask to be put on several lists. What should they be?

Name your top 5 or so Bourbons. No Pappy or other absolute unicorns... something you'd reasonably expect to actually get, and nothing too outrageously priced.

Top 5 that I could go buy right now:
OF 1920
Makers Private Label
Blade and Bow
4roses single barrel/sm batch select
Woodford

Top5 you'd be put on a waitlist for and maybe possibly get
EH Taylor single barrel
Stagg jr
Blantons
Eagle rare
Old Weller antique. (The only reason id want a w12 for us to make poor man pappy with my owa)

Thanks for the suggestions. I do want "good" but if I can get one I'd also like "good+interesting" better, from the "you don't see one of those every day" perspective.

Appreciate suggestions of both types... keep 'em coming.

Don't bother on specs waitlists.

For your top shelf you can usually find in stores;
Rare Breed
OF 1920
Belle Meade cask
Knob Creek 120
Elijah Craig for more affordable

Not Specs? Too many people already signed up? Better to try smaller mom & pop stores?

I don't drink often enough to have many recommendations but I do have a bottle of Jeffersons's Presidential Select that I bust out on special occasions. It's under $200 and it can be found if you head to a decent liquor store.

Just look for anything that says "bottled in bond". It will be surprisingly good at the price point. And there are many you can walk up and buy today.

Belle Meade cask strength is great but isn't being made any more. They dropped the proof to 108.3 and it is labeled as reserve. I haven't seen the cask strength on any shelves in months. Fortunately I was able to grab a couple bottles once I heard the word and they all got bought up.

The Belle Meade Reserve is great though! Don't reject it without giving it a try.

ThatOneGuy said:

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Belle Meade cask strength is great but isn't being made any more. They dropped the proof to 108.3 and it is labeled as reserve. I haven't seen the cask strength on any shelves in months. Fortunately I was able to grab a couple bottles once I heard the word and they all got bought up.

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Really regretting I didn't do the same.

I know you asked for Bourbons but I'd always stock a good Rye as well. I'd recommend any of:
-Rare Breed Rye
-KC Cask Strength or SiB Ryes
-Pikesville
-Rossville Union

Man at one time I had a half case of Eagle Rare can't believe it's so "rare" now

AggieChemist said:

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Just look for anything that says "bottled in bond". It will be surprisingly good at the price point. And there are many you can walk up and buy today.

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Yeah, OP should definitely pick up a bottle of Mellow Corn to impress the guests. /s

I think any bourbon drinker would appreciate the following (and all are available)

OF 1920
Woodford Reserve double oaked
Wild Turkey Rare Breed (Rye is incredible as well)
Russels Reserve Single Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel

Every single one of those is around $50, relatively easy to find, and just as good as any bottle (<$100)......even the ones that are hard to find (Blantons, Eagle Rare, OWA, Weller 12,........ect.)

my opinion,.... and I currently have an opened bottle of every whiskey listed above

Everything listed is great whiskey. I have never had any whiskey distilled at Buffalo Trace that wasn't a great drink. Everything from the namesake label to Pappy is awesome out of that place. Aside from that and all listed, I'd throw Michters into the mix. Both the bourbon and the rye is really good IMO.

lazuras_dc said:

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Top 5 that I could go buy right now:
OF 1920
Makers Private Label
Blade and Bow
4roses single barrel/sm batch select
Woodford

Top5 you'd be put on a waitlist for and maybe possibly get
EH Taylor single barrel
Stagg jr
Blantons
Eagle rare
Old Weller antique. (The only reason id want a w12 for us to make poor man pappy with my owa)

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And Evan Williams Single Barrel.

AggieBarstool said:

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AggieChemist said:

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Just look for anything that says "bottled in bond". It will be surprisingly good at the price point. And there are many you can walk up and buy today.

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Yeah, OP should definitely pick up a bottle of Mellow Corn to impress the guests. /s

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It's actually not bad. Unique in its own way. I wouldn't knock it.

SpiderDude said:

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AggieBarstool said:

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AggieChemist said:

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Just look for anything that says "bottled in bond". It will be surprisingly good at the price point. And there are many you can walk up and buy today.

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Yeah, OP should definitely pick up a bottle of Mellow Corn to impress the guests. /s

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It's actually not bad. Unique in its own way. I wouldn't knock it.

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Oh, don't get me wrong. I very much enjoy this, and other, BiB offerings (they make up about half my bourbon collection at the moment).

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have a good list to go off of now!

Bought old forester 120 and four roses small batch bc of this thread. Got it at total
Wine

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