Best Everyday Bourbon of 2020: Blind Tasting

[@MarkG_AL]

1st Place = Glass 1 = Old Forester 1920 2nd = 7 = Evan Williams Bottled in Bond 3rd = 6 = Rare Breed 4th = 5 = Old Grand-dad 114 5th = 4 = Early Times Bottled in Bond 6th = 9 = Knob Creek 7th = 2 = Wild Turkey 101 8th = 3 = Elijah Craig 9th = 8 = Old Tub Bottled in Bond

[@drgallup]

Happy to see Evan Williams BiB to place second. That is a win given it probably sells for less that anything else in this list. Evan Williams was my Dad's go to bottle. He always said he had champagne taste and a beer budget. Raised 4 kids and put us all through college as a salesman, worked his ass off. He never had the 170 bottles of whiskey that I have. Wish I could share some with him but it's been over 30 years since he died way too young.

[@mikeschutter938]

My dad wasn’t into whiskey the way that I am but know what you mean, I miss him every single day

[@DarthRader18103]

You Nailed it. I agree with every pick. All my tops picks are on this list!

[@ernestclayton8550]

Knob Creek and Evan Williams are my favorites! I'm going to get a Old Tub soon! Cheer's

[@ThreeToesofFury]

THANKS FRED! Of all the videos and reviews you do...this blind tasting is one of my favorites. It: 1) helps me know im on to some good ones already, and 2) moreso: gives me new ones to try or revisit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@toddhamilton7130]

We are spoiled to have such great spirits that are available to us all. I'm glad that my favorites aren't always #1. Allocation makes it tough, and it makes us appreciate what we do have. Tasting can change with many variables. Thanks Fred for a different twist

[@davidmorrow4195]

As you brought up in the end, the EW BIB (coming in 2nd) is 1/3 or 1/4th of the price of the "winner". I'm a big fan of 1920 but this talked me into giving the EW BIB another try (been a long time) as I could get 3-4 bottles of it for the price of the 1920.

[@jamoney45]

I love Rare Breed, right now I really love Noahs Mill, $60

[@puremercury]

I actually liked the Maker's Mark Private Selection from my local liquor store in South Austin. Their mix of the wood staves just really appealed to my palate.

[@mikedubs9940]

Big fan of Old Tub. I think they’re going to be hard to find soon .Somehow the Ot is a sleeper

[@MrH0tBeats]

1920 is outstanding. It's probably my favorite. But little expensive for everyday. My everyday would be Buffalo Trace

[@JL-gt1kc]

Love to hear some recommendations - love Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare is probably my favorite. Tried Rare Breed recently based on sooo many reviews and didn’t care for it at all - reminded me of cheap Turkey drunk college nights of long ago. Just tried Old Forrest 101 and it just taste like green bananas to me. Just tried Midwinters Night Dram and freaking love it. Obviously that’s not an everyday drinker. Any new (non turkey) recommendations based off of that info? Thanks!

[@Username18981]

Who would have guessed a $50 bourbon beat a bunch of $15-25 bourbons 😁

[@calebboudreaux2955]

Thanks for all that you do for us American Whiskey fans Fred! Happy Holidays

[@wongjefx980]

Decent list based on roughly price and availability...some of these I definitely do not get in my local area. But, Knob Creek Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101 Elijah Craig and EW are usually round. Little surprised Buffalo Trace and Woodford didn't make the list as everyday drinkable. Maker's 46 to pricey to be an everyday. Fall and winter I tend to something spicier and tend to Bulleit, with higher rye or just good old corn whiskey.

[@wongjefx980]

can usually get Ej Craig, Knob Creek Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101 and sometimes Evan Willams on a consistent basis... Buffalo Trace, Old Forester 86, Maker's 46 and Four Roses Small Batch sometimes... usually see lots of Woodford, Maker's, Bulleit, and of course lots of Jack D and variants.. where I live.. so sad... have order of Evan Williams and my first time try of Larceny waiting for me at local store for pickup...

[@jdsboomin529]

I agree with old tub at the bottom of this list. It’s not bad but not close to these IMHO. When I saw WT 101 closer to the bottom I knew that rare breed wasn’t going to win cuz your palate wasn’t into that flavor on this night. In my personal tastings Rare Breed beats OF 1920 75% of the time. There is something in the rare breed that I generally love but occasionally I’m not in the mood for it. Like you always say it depends on the night lol. Great video as always keep them coming!!!

[@FredMinnick]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@bdan4410]

Love Rare Breed.

[@charlymiller]

I did five of your candidates side by side watching the replay, didn't want to open my last Even Williams BiB, that would be too hard to get a reserve bottle ;) My ranking: 1. Rare Breed (once and for all), 2. OGD 114, 3. Knob Creek 9Y (old one), 4. Elihah Craig (shocker!), 5. WT 101 (excused being glas E beside Rare Breed D). Very intersting show, thanks Fred! I'm eager to get an Old Forester 1920, not so easy for an acceptable price in Europe. The Early Times and Old Tub are not availeble at all. Considering your description of your wifes choices (I love Booker's) I might be in line with her tastewise. Even more I have to get this frikn 1920 ;) Cheers

[@FredMinnick]

awesome. i am glad you did that.

[@glennandersen4748]

Miss the four roses small batch

[@xiamengbaby]

For a lot of us, $40-$55 isn't everyday bourbon territory. Old Forester 1920 is fantastic, but OF 💯 proof is the everyday bourbon choice due to economic reality. Even Rare Breed is getting into luxury territory. Russell's Reserve 10 year old might make the cutoff as far as Wild Turkey products go (I wish it was 101 proof like WT though). The rest of the lineup tonight I am in agreement with. I too put EW BIB above WT 101 despite the big WT following. As much as I love Russell's (especially the Single Barrels) and Rare Breed, the 101 is not a favorite of mine.

[@Pitmaster-oq6oq]

This is all 100 percent true

[@grahamblack1716]

No Four Roses Small Batch or Single Barrel?

[@donnanicholas7108]

We always have Old Forester 1920 and WT Rare Breed in our cabinet. I need to try Old TuB BIB.

[@ThreeToesofFury]

Ha! Same! It appears there's been a bit of an overall agreement with we uber bourbon fans that 1920 and Rare Breed are two of the top options for "findable" and "reasonably priced" bourbons out there.

[@mikedubs9940]

Old. Tub is great for a “young “bourbon..awesome

[@davelewis2870]

Not sure some of those qualify as daily drinkers for most, I guess prices can vary widely by state, but OF 1920, great bottle, but about $65 by me. Rare breed, a favorite, but usually see it for about $57.

[@shermdog6969]

We can't get Evan williams or early times in my location. Sad day.

[@TheDWeeks]

I can't find Old Forester 1920 or McKenna 10 anywhere around here! (Indiana)

[@ThreeToesofFury]

Evan Williams Question for Y'all: Has anyone done a taste test or side by side comparison between the EW Bottled in Bond AND EW Single Barrel?? The EW Single Barrel was a huge gateway bourbon for me and still one of my all time fav affordable daily drinkers. Heck one vintage of it even made it to Freds top 25 of the Century so far!!! I havent tried BIB yet (until tonite..thanks to this video!!) but would be interested if folks have a preference. It would be an interesting experiment because there's a couple variables that may balance out....the Single Barrel has got more time in the barrel (used to be 10 years and these days is hovering around 8 compared to BIB which is likely not much older than 4 or 5, that, compared to the variance in proof (100 vs 86). Let me know what y'all think?

[@clapton924]

I've never seen 1920 for less than $55 in Georgia. Quite the difference in price!

[@ThreeToesofFury]

FYI: in the Chicago 'burbs the price of 1920 fluctuates WILDLY. Im not sure if thats because the bourbon fans collection embraced it as a go-to fav this year or other reasons. Your best bet for finding it in the low $50s is to hit bigger retailers. Smaller liquor stores usually push it to around $70.

[@clapton924]

@@ThreeToesofFury For a daily I'll take 3 bottles of EW BiB :)

[@ThreeToesofFury]

@@clapton924 you read my mind....i just went out and purchased my first bottle of EW BIB!!!

[@clapton924]

@@ThreeToesofFury Enjoy. You might find it a little nutty at first. To me that flavor goes away after a while

[@xiamengbaby]

What's going on with Early Times BIB since the sale by BF to Sazerac? I haven't seen it on shelves in months. Has the flavor profile changed significantly?

[@joneal0284]

Because the product is a BiB, it'll be 4 years before Sazerac would have their version on the shelves. They'll be selling what is already barrel until then, at least I would think.

[@xiamengbaby]

That's a question. Did they buy barrel stock along with the brand rights? Are they going to replicate the Early Times profile and thus wait four plus years to release it or just throw the label on some other four year old juice they already have? idk

[@davelewis2870]

They bought all the existing stock as well is what I've heard, and I'm still finding it in my regular store, at least for now.The date on the case is April of this year. I've got 8 bottles saved at the moment, and switched to OF 100 proof for my daily. It's very good and $39 for 1.75l bottle.

[@patjeanfinn1815]

It seems odd to compare Evan Williams BIB ($20) with Old Forester 1920($60). They are in a completely different class. Old Forester 1920 is in a class with Rare Breed and Knob Creek Single Barrel, but not a $20 Bourbon.

[@drgallup]

Without looking at the results or other comments, I have to predict it will come down between the Rare Breed and the OF 1920. Not just because they cost more than the others but they are also higher proof except for the OGD 114 which is a great value but not as good as the other two. Have to admit I like all of these, the BiB bottles are great values/mixers. I bought up several of the Early Times liters, can't beat it with a stick.

[@FredMinnick]

you were correct

[@mikedubs9940]

Do you mean the bib Early Times?or just regular?

[@drgallup]

@@mikedubs9940 BiB, Early Times, that's what is in the taste off.

[@ArcheryTalkVideo]

Four of those listed are available in the province of Ontario at the moment. We are a bourbon wasteland.

[@FredMinnick]

Canada is tough. Taxes are tough there.

[@ArcheryTalkVideo]

@@FredMinnick The thing is they would sell out of most of it if they brought it. The secondary market here is crazy for bourbon, so we are already paying more than we would if it was just available. $60 bourbons in the US that are readily available there are going for $150-250 here.

[@FredMinnick]

@@ArcheryTalkVideo My goodness. That's insane.

[@jeffroww]

Disappointed not seeing Maker’s 46. Without a doubt my favorite every day bourbon 🥃

[@Bamaboompa]

If you've been carb free, and ate pizza tonight-- you're gonna feel like total shit tomorrow!! been there, done that!

[@puremercury]

Do a Bughouse drinking game. Your partner takes someone else's piece (bourbon), and you may drink it!

[@FredMinnick]

Buy tickets at repealdayexpo.com

[@dalekelly7314]

No Four Roses in here???? Single Barrel at $40 is my everyday

[@ArcheryTalkVideo]

Like that one...and it’s actually available here in Ontario

[@FredMinnick]

everyday four roses stuff just didn't fair well in my blind tastings this year. weird, because they usually are great in those.

[@mikem4432]

except for WT101, EW B&B, and 114 .. the other ones are 50-60$ bottles. OF 1920 is at least 60$. I say that list is not for every day drinkers. A every day drinker should be under 30$.

[@micahrobinson2197]

I think his everyday note is bourbons you can buy today

[@mwehner7]

Were you surprised Elijah Craig ended up next to last?

[@FredMinnick]

I really was, Mark. It's one I enjoy!

[@mwehner7]

@@FredMinnick Same!

[@jdfeighner]

“What the hell am I doing eating a McRib and pairing it with whiskey!?!” OMG Fred OMG🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@saleen12]

Evan Williams finishing in top 2?😭😭😭😭😂😂😂😂

[@bob___]

On whether Eagle Rare qualifies as available whiskey, I live in Virginia where only the Virginia ABC stores are allowed to sell spirits. They have 750 ml bottles of Eagle Rare on sale this month, but, according to the web site, there are only 5 stores in the whole Virginia ABC system that have the product, and the combined inventory of Eagle Rare for those stores is only 14 bottles. (The web site gives you store-by-store inventory for each product in real time. I know it's in real time, because last week I checked and saw the number for the store in which I bought a bottle (of Rare Breed, as it happens) and saw that the number was down by one.) That's pretty much not available for the Eagle Rare (and, given the location of the stores, those 14 bottles may be a little dusty and may not reflect the ABC system's current access to Eagle Rare). So is Eagle Rare unavailable, or is it an urban legend?

[@mr.whiskey7633]

,

[@dgruebele]

Dude, your episodes are way too long. Zzzz...a 5 minute intro is ridiculous!

[@brucejohnson6507]

Drinking bourbon every day seems excessive. When you drink why not drink the good stuff and not the ordinary.