Best Available Bourbon Around $40: Top 25 Ranked

After more than 5,000 votes, the public decided this is the Top 25 list of best available bourbons around $40.
Top 10 Blind Tasting March 18: • Best Available Bourbon...
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[@FredMinnick]

The list: www.fredminnick.com/2022/03/10/top-25-bourbons-around-40-public-vote/

[@MikeM91320]

Great list BTW...thanks, Fred!

[@dickopolka2733]

Nice video - thanks for the info

[@jameson44]

Great video Fred. There are so many great bourbons out there that will not cost you an arm and a leg. I always love your You tube videos. Look forward to your blind tasting for this top 10.

[@russellleonard5321]

Glad to see I currently own all of the top 10 and will be doing a blind taste-a-long during your live stream. It should be a lot of fun. WT 101 has done very well in my blind tastings in the past against some very high priced bourbons. Should be interesting. Thanks for doing this Fred.

[@WhiskeyHappens]

Great job Fred, can’t wait to see the live tasting. We did top 3 under $40, before we saw this, you will have to check it out. It drops next week!

[@ericdriggers3420]

Just stumbled across your channel and really enjoy it! I'm surprised Dickel BiB didn't make the list, $39 most places here in TX, but maybe not the case in other states? Keep up the great work!

[@chrismorin1047]

Great list. Looking forward to March 18th! Have to say, I am gratified and not at all surprised to see Evan Williams BiB in the top 10. Such a great whiskey punching far above its SRP. I buy 1.75L bottles on the regular. It is my #1 go-to when making boulevardiers.

[@davevogelsang6791]

Great list. I have bottles of all the top 10 and most of the top 25. Glad to see Rowan’s Creek made the list. I have liked it for a while. Need to pick up some 1792, but will probably get the BIB or Full Proof. Still hard to believe EW BIB is only $15 per bottle and Early Times BIB is $22 for a 1 liter bottle. Love your channel. (Catching up on some of your older videos)

[@richardescalera9456]

Love it!!!!

[@ThreeToesofFury]

DUDE...this video was an awesome idea that you executed perfectly. THANKS for all you do for the community. You rock.

[@FredMinnick]

Wow, Thank you!!!!

[@allanc.3265]

Great list: looking forward to 3/18 livestream.

[@TaylorOpee]

Good one, Fred! We need a refresh list of this every year or so. If you did one at $50, John J. Bowman would be at the top of my list. The old store pick Knob Creek 14+ year bottles that were available a couple years ago, would not be beat anywhere for 40-45. Those days are gone sadly.

[@FredMinnick]

A yearly list! Yes!!!!

[@reedr7142]

I have 7 of the top 10, and can easily acquire the other 3 should I want. Great video, collection, and display case.

[@tylarsen7675]

Awesome video!!!! Good bourbon doesn’t have to break the bank. The top 10 blind will be exciting to see.

[@gauravsoni3265]

Wow,,, how come i never came across your channel. So nicely executed video. Thank you. Subscribed :)

[@FredMinnick]

Thank you! Welcome to my whacky world! Cheers

[@twentyfiveyears5010]

Are people really paying $38.99 for WT 101? My Total Wine sells handles for less than that.

[@beerme8949]

That made me do a double take to. Its around 22-25 on high end for the 750ml here in CO

[@gregsmith5132]

Warehouse clubs have 1.75 for $34 here in Kansas City. Even my local liquor store has 1.75 for $38.

[@JE-western-rider]

and WT 101 comes in aplastic bottle which is perfect to take with on a 2 or 3 day day hunting trip.

[@twentyfiveyears5010]

@@gregsmith5132 My local Costco just had them for $29.99. I grabbed 2. Shoulda grabbed 3 lol

[@TheNewRevolution]

A bottle is always available for $21 where I live.

[@metalman3274]

Love you Fred minnick. I hope to meet you someday! Cheers and much support you doing a great service to the bourbon world!

[@frankmastromauro5630]

Great video

[@chrischandler9909]

Russell's 10 year and Elijah Craig Small Batch are definitely my favorite two in the top 10!

[@Crookedriverhooligan]

Totally agree with you! Mine also!

[@jeremyk5044]

Opinion on JTS brown? Or wheel horse? I love Eli Craig small batch. Then four roses small batch. Then it’s WT 101 for me.

[@Hellboy700]

Hope to see a 'Best Available Rye Whiskey Around $40: Top 25 Ranked' next. Really interested what the crowdsourced rankings will be, and your impression of the top 10 in the blind tasting.

[@FredMinnick]

That’s a good idea

[@kinesjl]

Thanks a lot guys! 🙄 My two favorites in this category #1 and #2?! I better get to the store tomorrow before WT101 and RR10 disappear from the shelves or, worse yet, become allocated! 🤣🙈

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

The day wild turkey 101 becomes allocated is truly the end. That's the day we require a law against allocation.

[@ralphkirouac5317]

New to the bourbon world and love your videos .. very informative and fun to watch

[@FredMinnick]

Welcome to the community!!!

[@jskypercussion]

@@FredMinnick Absolutely agree with you on the Evan Williams Single Barrel. That was the bourbon that opened my eyes when I was 21 that there was other stuff out there other than and better than Jack Daniels and Jim Beam. That was before I knew anything about whiskey. Lol. But my journey had just begun. After all these years I still love the EVSB. I always have a bottle of that in my collection.

[@clydekimsey7503]

@@jskypercussion my experience too

[@thomascrompton7775]

Crazy you say that was in Texas few weeks back 2 spots had weller. 107 and 12 year were in high allocated price. Special reserve was 32 bucks grabbed 2 bottles.

[@Frank-uf2vn]

Here in upstate NY the Buffalo Trace is $28 for a 375ml bottle, the last 750 I could find I gave the clerk a $50 bill and got coins back! Wild Turkey 101 1L is $33 and the Russel's 10 750 ml is $47. Im actually sipping on some Michter's US 1 American Whiskey as I watch this video 🥃Cheers!

[@hanus1]

Currently have 5 of the top 10 in my collection and have had 4 of the other five. The Russell's 10 is my only outlier....

[@Brockthedog315]

Good list. However total wines costs are higher than what I see in missouri / kansas. So some have been left off the list that are normally $40 or less. Nice to be surprised by low price when I go to buy so that’s a great thing!

[@yourdrinkingbuddy]

This list really isn't that far off from how I would rank them! Great minds think alike!

[@blackpony7]

Just cracked a Cooper's craft I picked up in Kentucky, never seen it here in Texas. And wow it might very well be in my top 3 favorite bourbons overall!! That stuff was amazingly good!! Wish we had it here in Texas

[@GamerNxUSN]

Come on up to OK, we have it all over the place.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

The Coopers Craft Barrel Reserve is definitely in my top 5.

[@sokalifornian]

I was expecting the new 90 proof Evan Williams 1783 on this list!

[@davidmcguire6043]

It probably wasn't included because it's too new since they changed the proof to get a lot of votes but on the other hand 4 proof isn't really enough to make a difference I don't even know why they bothered changing the proof unless it was just marketing.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

I always liked the single barrel better.

[@copperbones7336]

March 18th is my birthday. I will try to catch the show. Excellent broadcast.

[@bobbriante2385]

I have never seen Buffalo Trace in an ABC store in NC. Have only had it in bars. I love it though…

[@davidmcguire6043]

All ABC States allocate Buffalo Trace if you go to a non ABC state you probably won't be able to take two steps without tripping over a bottle. I think buffalo trace has a contract with State ABC boards where every one of their products has to be allocated.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

@@davidmcguire6043 I live in Ohio and think that is a true statement. You have to catch it on the day it is delivered or you are SOL.

[@josephthomas2226]

great list. one note, WT 101 is not 38.99. It is usually 28 or less, right? Also I have yet to see JTS Brown in any store (10 stores checked) here in savannah GA.

[@chadm6981]

Here in NW Florida regular buffalo trace is difficult to find. I got a bottle recently for 24 dollars. I have a lot of or have in the past the top 10. Great list. Glad Jefferson very small batch didn’t make the list. The one and only bottle I ever had of it was terrible, not sure if was a bad batch or not. Not buying it again to find out.

[@mrchilli5618]

Nice to know at least some are available here such as WT101 and Evans Bib 100 both at $36 and Knob Creek 9 at $51, all before tax of course. Also Russell's 10 at $51 as well.

[@downzie4584]

Interesting. I always wondered why Wild Turkey 101 is so widely available for how solid it is. I was previously unaware that the brand had a perception issue with certain consumers. I would like to hear more of the story.

[@ryancorcoran6011]

i would like to have seen high west, new riff and cedar ridge on the list.

[@Moves_Nation]

I’ve had every one of these. My top 3 are EC, Rowan’s creek and Knob creek. Rowan’s is probably the best but you can’t find it in NC

[@jonclassical2024]

Loved this list and voting Fred.....for just $5 more....Four Roses Sg. Brl. is my #1 go to. Cheers!

[@KingJohnIX9]

Just here to add a "Hell Yeah" on using Moon Tooth as your intro

[@billwheels1749]

Surprised Cooper’s 100 isn’t higher. It’s really great. But pretty stellar ranking overall

[@davidmcguire6043]

Well this was a public vote and more people have drank things like a wild turkey and Buffalo Trace than Cooper's. If they get more people to try it it will start climbing rankings.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

It's one I always have on my shelf, so I hope it stays below the radar. 😉

[@stevehilliard1495]

Picked 3 of the top 10 and will try 3 others

[@TheChancerdog1]

I agree with just about all of them.. I am higher in 1792 than most people but I own a whole bunch of these

[@elderberry-hamster]

Fred is the Wizard of Whiskey!

[@FredMinnick]

and for my next trick i will turn vodka into whiskey....

[@azmendozafamily]

Instead of a sugar packet, have 2 starburst candies ready. Less conspicuous than a sugar packet.

[@Glock2201]

Here in New England I have seen about 15 or 16 of them on the shelf. I see Cooper's on a lot of people list of the best but I have yet to see it on the shelf. I am not sure about OGD114 but will have to check for that one. WT101 is good bourbon but IMO BT, ECSM, Woodford Reserve, 1792 SB, EWBIB, Buillett 10 yr, and Buillet are all better. I have yet to see the #1 on the shelves here.

[@jamesbullard4897]

I think wild turkeys rye 101 is pretty darn delicious jim beam double oak has a place on my shelf too

[@williamleidy6713]

I have had every bourbon on the list except two . Evan Williams bib and Rowans Creek.

[@nickdippel3659]

Where are you paying $37+ for WT? Under $25 in Indiana!

[@antonihathaway6235]

Error at 13:04, the graphics show Wild Turkey 101 at $38.99. Looks like you posted the 1.75L price. Which is still under $40 and why not get the big boy.

[@iansammons2730]

Price you show for WT101 is the 1.75L price too... It's like $24/.75 Also worth noting the Early Times is 1L.

[@jeromekemmer8148]

I always have to adjust these prices upwards by $2-$10+ in Michigan.

[@jeromekemmer8148]

Also, add an additional, well spent, $5 and find yourself some Rare Breed!

[@aaronmulcahy2004]

Great video. Thank you! Glad a Willett product made the list.

[@imoffthegrid2158]

W.T 101 for $38.99 ? It's $18.99- $21.99 in my area . A handle is $38.99 .🤔

[@fourcubed47]

Correct, I think Fred priced the 1.75L by mistake.

[@georgehouston6327]

WT101 is $29.99 in Iowa as if yesterday. I swear it was under 24 a year ago.

[@kianvaziri6939]

great list, but in what world is russell's reserve two dollars more that turkey 101?

[@primaltone]

Holy crap. I've had 24/25 and own the last but not opened. Not sure what that says.... other than that bourbon is awesome. Nice list and no argument from me.

[@tinydane69]

Wowzers...most surprised EW Single Barrel, Larceny, Coopers Craft are not top 10. I'm guessing EW BIB, Russells 10, KC 9 top 3. Love the list though, great idea!

[@FredMinnick]

public voting! who knew they didn't value those like us?

[@martinprice6302]

Maker’s Mark!

[@dannyscandies8561]

Sorry to see that David Nicholson Reserve from Lux Row didn’t make the Top 25.

[@paulring4267]

I heard it said that if a bourbon, whiskey cannot be replaced on the shelf as soon as it gone it’s now being considered allocated. Do you have a similar understand?

[@FredMinnick]

allocated is an actual procedure in the business that are set in states. For example, California is an allocation state that the distillery dictates how much they get. Distributors then divvy product out, per their allocation formulas. Stagg is allocated. Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is not. In other words, when Stagg shows up, they do their formula or however they do it. When Evan Williams shows up, they just say: Who wants it? That's the best way i can explain it. Hope it helps.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

Bourbon is allocated in Ohio and I believe that means the state determines the distribution. Certain stores get Buffalo Trace, others get Weller, these ones get 1792, etc. Evan Williams BIB is available in every store. Regardless, you always pay MSRP, even on the really hard to find stuff.

[@drgallup]

You know, I don't think I've ever had the OGD bonded. I need to correct that.

[@tarenator1]

can you post the votes on your site? it would be cool to see where people placed them

[@tarenator1]

never mind, I found it on your page. thanks!

[@burgeman]

wild turkey 101 you had the price at $39 ? it is $23 here in OH ?

[@brianheikes1025]

OGD 114 is now allocated.

[@SpendyHobbies]

I just recently discovered Evan Williams BIB. I can’t believe how good it is. It could be a 30$ bottle easy.

[@ronburgundy8174]

Lots of great bourbons here. I was a bit shocked at Russell's Reserve 10 year at #1 though. I found it spicy and a bit bitter and didn't wow me. Don't get me wrong, I finished the bottle but just about any others in the top 10 could replace Russell's in terms of flavor and smoothness in my opinion. But that's just me

[@jamesbullard4897]

Russels 10 years old is so good and it doesn’t give you a hangover within reason ❤ my top pick as well

[@msa4998]

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond at $40.99 should’ve been considered IMO. TW sells at that price in South FL market. Maybe it missed on a certain criteria? I’m definitely in the minority on RR10 as I do not like. RR SiB is outstanding and like 101 and other WT products a lot, but RR10 just has a weird taste I can’t describe. But nice list. Looking forward to it!

[@msa4998]

@Brandon Jones maybe that’s it … drive up to KY … it’s a good ‘en.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

I live in Ohio and never see it. I should take a day off and head across the river.

[@Jbroker404]

@@msa4998 is it always available in KY? I very rarely see it here in Atlanta, but if I visit enough stores often enough, I do see it enough to still be able to get some.

[@msa4998]

@@Jbroker404 I don’t think it’s always available but I’ve seen it in KY and FL at places. Good luck!

[@CocktailsyrupsbyBlackTie]

Howdy Fred! I honestly don’t believe people remember that dumb ad campaign about Wild Turkey. It was really short lived. Wild Turkey is very well respected within the bourbon circles online as well as yourself. As an old bartender, people would say Wild Turkey wow that’s 101, I can’t drink that stuff! Too high proof for me! Just give me some Knob Creek! That actually happened! 😝 Anyway! Love this list and I wish people would stop following delivery trucks from store to store trying to find all those allocated bourbons. When they can find these bourbons easily!! Thanks

[@p.w.7051]

My favorite is by far Elijah Craig small batch and the best bang for the buck is Evan Williams bottled in Bond. Just my s#!ty opinion!

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

I truly enjoy the ECSB, but the EWBIB, is a cocktail mixer at best for me.

[@ncsa197]

Don't disagree with anything here..... Although Buffalo Trace seems to be a hard to find item in Western New York. Need to try Michters and Russell's Reserve. Like how you present things!

[@XtopherMartin]

I love the Russell's 10. Just opened my first one last night. Nothing like WT101 one of my other favorites, but still great. I seem to like Buffalo Trace less than others do.

[@ricklaino6385]

Been wanting to try the Early Times BiB..... Can't find it in NY......

[@rustyshackleford6538]

Not sure where you are but Mid Valley Wine and Liquor had it on their website last weekend. They ship In NY too.

[@ricklaino6385]

@@rustyshackleford6538 Thanks..!

[@robertpoche1585]

Don’t do it. Last year’s ET BIB was excellent, but it sucks now that Sazerac has completed the purchase and is using their own juice. Super disappointing.

[@ricklaino6385]

@@robertpoche1585 Thanks for the heads up...!

[@markmaioli4]

Not sure where you're getting the prices for some of these, not even close here in Colorado. Example: Rowan's Creek is over $50 here

[@FredMinnick]

yeah, prices will vary per market. But these prices were from Total Wine, as mentioned in the video.

[@skramzy6628]

I LOVE WT101! It would be the top of my list. I have a Russel's 10yr open now, have for a while so it HAS opened up, and it's one of my all-time LEAST favorite whiskies. I don't know if I got a 'bad bottle' somehow or what, but I probably won't be buying another to find out, just based on how awful it is.

[@christopherfleser3886]

I own 14 of the top 25, sweet

[@TheJohnbortle]

Bird is the word!

[@irishsausage6]

Makers 46 not being in the top 10 is just plain wrong... for how much flavor you get out of it at such a low price point for a wheated bourbon...c'mon people! The cask strength just isn't ever going to do it for me. 101 is a much better proof point for the regular Makers profile. All that to say, it's very interesting to see the price points you have for each of these. I guess I'm lucky to live in an area that almost all of these can be found well below these prices, and that probably influences my top bourbons quite a bit.

[@fiftyten84]

I'm not a huge fan of og MM or 46, but I love the cask strength.

[@andrettski8686]

46 is $40 here 😢 but I love it. WT 101 I get a 1.75 liter for $48 sometimes $44 on sale

[@CoffeeAndSteel]

Prepare to not see these soon 😅

[@aaronhowell5052]

Maker’s Mark

[@Hotlog69]

We're sitting on like five cases out of eight of Old Tub. Just doesn't excite many people. I wish Michter's was at $41! It's $50 all day long here. Ask our customers and they'll say they never see Buffalo Trace. We got four cases on a Wednesday and it was gone by Friday morning. Limited one per person. Wild Turkey is the best of the big bourbon distillers.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

It's because it's Jim Beam Old Tub. If it was released by another brand people would want it more.

[@Hotlog69]

@@BigBadJerryRogers We sell plenty of OGD BiB and 114. Also, Basil Hayden and Knob Creek. I don't think that's it.

[@harperhellems3648]

Are you in Central Virginia? Because that's what it's like here. Old Tub rocks. Buffalo Trace in every 6 weeks at 10 am, gone by noon. Two cases. One per. Sucks soggy unshucked corn.

[@Hotlog69]

@@harperhellems3648 OT sounds very good on paper. Nope, Illinois. We get BT every other month, first Wednesday. This was the delivery of what I call the BT suite. Got four cases of BT it was gone before noon on Friday. Limit one per person.

[@BigBadJerryRogers]

@@Hotlog69 No, Jim Beam has a terrible reputation. The white label is what most people think of, this is the reality out there. They are known for a cheap white trashy whiskey. If Old Forester put out the same product, it would sell better.

[@buckkessler4144]

Hello there I wanted to know if Basil Hayden had any votes because this is one of my favorite. Thanks Buck K.

[@FredMinnick]

It did, but it was middle of the pack, not toward the top.

[@buckkessler4144]

@@FredMinnick Thanks for your time

[@andrettski8686]

Basil Hayden is soooo thin for me. I keep it for guests who've never tried bourbon.

[@jeffreydutra]

Just a warning your shelf behind you is bowing and may break. I would consider replacing the shelf with a hardwood.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

I noticed that, too. Good catch.

[@tommyrq180]

He just needs to drink more whiskey on that shelf and turn around the shelf. Problem solved… 😅

[@metalman3274]

Fred if I buy a shirt will you sign it!??????

[@wusthof641]

Not in Canada it is....all these bourbons are $65+

[@xiamengbaby]

I have 8 out of the top 10 in my stock. Only missing the Elijah Craig and Evan Williams BIB as I had gone on a temporary HH product boycott in sympathy with the union workers that were on strike last year.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

And what product would that be?

[@xiamengbaby]

@@susanwojcickisnicetwin Heaven Hill brands include Evan Williams line, Elijah Craig, Henry McKenna, Old Fitzgerald, Mellow Corn, Rittenhouse Rye, Pikesville Rye, Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, Sacred Bond BIB brandy and some other liquors that I don't drink anyway.

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

@@xiamengbaby no worries, I bought a bunch to make up for it.

[@xiamengbaby]

@@susanwojcickisnicetwin I'm not worried about anything., We're you? You bought a bunch of which to make up for what?

[@susanwojcickisnicetwin]

@@xiamengbaby the stuff you didn't buy in protest.

[@dec11mille]

Russell’s Reserve is my favorite on the list, a little surprised Michters did crack the top 25

[@FredMinnick]

Michter's made it!

[@dec11mille]

@@FredMinnick Oops I see it now! Great list thanks for putting it together.

[@shanebrookman6870]

Makers

[@danneiswender3118]

OG 114...should have been number 1

[@jacksonfl]

OK, a 750ml / 25.8 oz bottle provides about 12 pours. So, a $36 bottle is $3.00 per pour.A $60 bottle is $5.00 per pour, my cap. My palette is not developed enough for me to pay more.

[@debbybrady1246]

Any votes for Balcony’s?

[@FredMinnick]

Not really. Lots of vocal on social but very little write in votes

[@andrewmainprice2179]

Russell's reserve is about £65 in the UK so much too expensive

[@davidmcguire6043]

Thats because its imported in the uk.

[@camdenhochgesang6554]

Where is WT101 $38.99???? That is outrageous. Here in Indiana I get it for less than 20.

[@frederickseifried5334]

Just give me a home where the Buffalo roam….

[@YaKkO331]

​Buffalo trace is allocated in Oklahoma...this damn place...

[@FredMinnick]

Hey don’t speak poorly of my home state! Hehehe

[@YaKkO331]

@@FredMinnick oh snap, didn’t realize you hailed from here lol. I’m stationed here and it’s bourbon hell lol

[@hanus1]

Same in SC... I've had it and would not include it in the top 10 myself.

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

Maybe because JD is not considered to be Bourbon?

[@olebrent]

You need to hit the 3 minute mark usually to get to the actual review

[@davidmcguire6043]

I never tried stillhouse bourbon but ive emptied many cans of their peach tea whisky. I dont even drink flavored whisky normally but that one was good. It's also criminal that Jeffersons didn't make the list.

[@jmnelson75]

Lol. 40 bucks for RR10. Got it here in madison wi for 21.99. Boom.

[@FredMinnick]

Lucky

[@thebrubakermaker2754]

New Early Times BIB will fall next year; tastes like young Barton juice.