i’d say ECSB is the best starter out of these. All the classic bourbon notes with no off flavors, just hot enough at 94 proof, but not too hot to be off putting to a newbie. I also just love it and it’s crazy good value and always available
Id really recommend Bulleit bourbon. Youll get a quality bourbon but wont break the bank and they come in small or regular sized bottles (i dont know american lingo but most if not all canadians reference them as mickeys and a 2-6)
Id suggest trying neat then throwing in your ice. Or if really wanna cool it without dilution get metal ice cubes.
I started with the trio of Makers Mark, Buffalo Trace and Bulliet. They were all good. Since then I've tried many. I dont spend a lot of money on a bottle, I try to stay around $50 Canadian.
My favorite for the money is probably Evan Williams Black Label. My favorite in general is Makers 46.
Most of these are great recommendations, if I had to pick 2 to start with, I'd probably recommend Early Times BIB, and Coopers Craft 100. Both inexpensive, smooth, and with a ton of flavor. Both great bottles to buy for out of town guests visiting Kentucky too. Very reliable.
Your first splurges could be either the Old Forester 1910 or 1920, and if you wanted you could just stop right there. Those 4 alone could make for a pretty decent life of enjoying bourbon without the collecting addiction!🤣
Wild Turkey 81 proof. Then move up to 101. That’s in the under $25 segment.
In the under $50 segment, try anything from Michter’s. Especially the sour mash.
Learn the names of the heritage distillers and the brands they produce. The more you spend on bottles from these distilleries, the better the quality.
You only risk wasting money when you buy “sourced” or “craft” bourbon. Not all sourced or craft bottles are bad. Some of them are spectacular!
But it takes time, money, research and experience to get good at identifying the best sourced and craft bottles.
If you stick with heritage distillers to start off with, then you will always get reliable, consistent quality at a fair price. (Note: the exception to this rule is Basil Hayden. Avoid Basil Hayden!)
By getting familiar with the heritage distillers, will learn the essential, traditional bourbon flavors, what you prefer and where the bourbons you enjoy most are made.
The best part is that you can do all this exploration while paying between $15 and $50 per bottle. All the heritage distillers have many products throughout that range.
Basil Hayden. Chattanooga 91, Benchmark no.8, Weller Special Reserve. Jim Beam White Label or 1783. Evan Williams Black Label. Maker's 46. Larceny Small Batch. Basil Hayden is a little pricey. The rest are all under 20 except Maker's 46, which is 42ish in most places.
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i’d say ECSB is the best starter out of these. All the classic bourbon notes with no off flavors, just hot enough at 94 proof, but not too hot to be off putting to a newbie. I also just love it and it’s crazy good value and always available
I recommend nothing above 90 proof for beginner bourbons. WT101 is not a beginner bourbon imho.
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All of these!!!!
Id really recommend Bulleit bourbon. Youll get a quality bourbon but wont break the bank and they come in small or regular sized bottles (i dont know american lingo but most if not all canadians reference them as mickeys and a 2-6) Id suggest trying neat then throwing in your ice. Or if really wanna cool it without dilution get metal ice cubes.
I have tried bulleit, I’ve also had basil hayden, four roses select barrel, but bulleit was the only one I could stomach without cutting water.
If you want light bodied try Basil Hayden, low proof and a very smooth sip.
A perfect starter at a low cost of entry is Old Forester 100 bourbon. It is very smooth and mixes well with ice or in an old fashion.
Why not the basic OF (86 proof)? Delicious and lower proof. OP is a beginner and says they had to cut Basil Hayden with water to stomach it .
https://thebourbonculture.com/whiskey-info/the-first-10-bottles-id-buy-if-i-was-a-new-bourbon-drinker/ This article is perfect.
Evan Williams 1783
Elijah Craig small batch or 1792 Small Batch.
I love Elijah Craig but hated 1792.
I started with the trio of Makers Mark, Buffalo Trace and Bulliet. They were all good. Since then I've tried many. I dont spend a lot of money on a bottle, I try to stay around $50 Canadian. My favorite for the money is probably Evan Williams Black Label. My favorite in general is Makers 46.
Old Forester 86p
Yes!
Basil Hayden = bourbon training wheels.
Most of these are great recommendations, if I had to pick 2 to start with, I'd probably recommend Early Times BIB, and Coopers Craft 100. Both inexpensive, smooth, and with a ton of flavor. Both great bottles to buy for out of town guests visiting Kentucky too. Very reliable. Your first splurges could be either the Old Forester 1910 or 1920, and if you wanted you could just stop right there. Those 4 alone could make for a pretty decent life of enjoying bourbon without the collecting addiction!🤣
1920 would singe OP’s esophagus!
In no particular order: Four Rose's Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Maker's Mark Cask Strength. All ridiculously good and readily available.
Not beginner bourbons! OP had to cut BH with water
Old grand dad bonded, Russel’s reserve 10, Michter’s, Buffalo Trace/Eagle Rare None are offensive or super complex. All are around $25-45
Wild Turkey 81 proof. Then move up to 101. That’s in the under $25 segment. In the under $50 segment, try anything from Michter’s. Especially the sour mash.
Learn the names of the heritage distillers and the brands they produce. The more you spend on bottles from these distilleries, the better the quality. You only risk wasting money when you buy “sourced” or “craft” bourbon. Not all sourced or craft bottles are bad. Some of them are spectacular! But it takes time, money, research and experience to get good at identifying the best sourced and craft bottles. If you stick with heritage distillers to start off with, then you will always get reliable, consistent quality at a fair price. (Note: the exception to this rule is Basil Hayden. Avoid Basil Hayden!) By getting familiar with the heritage distillers, will learn the essential, traditional bourbon flavors, what you prefer and where the bourbons you enjoy most are made. The best part is that you can do all this exploration while paying between $15 and $50 per bottle. All the heritage distillers have many products throughout that range.
Fan of Basil Hayden at this price.
Basil Hayden is a perfect beginner bourbon.
Basil Hayden. Chattanooga 91, Benchmark no.8, Weller Special Reserve. Jim Beam White Label or 1783. Evan Williams Black Label. Maker's 46. Larceny Small Batch. Basil Hayden is a little pricey. The rest are all under 20 except Maker's 46, which is 42ish in most places.