Bourbon That Will Help You Get Into Bourbon & What We Still Hunt!

Let's go over every bourbon that helped us get into whiskey along our bourbon journey! Everyone remembers their first whiskey before they got jumped down the rabbit hole and bought too much bourbon! Let's cover each step of our whiskey journey so far!
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[@joshuasullivan7003]

Two shocking take aways from this video: 1. Dan admitting that Birthday Bourbon does not live up. 2. Sean not having Rare Breed on his list any where

[@jonysun]

Takeaway 2 is prob bc there's no need to hunt for rare breed really

[@jackjames7514]

My takeaway was the way Sean pronounces "Always."

[@jeremiahhickman6119]

​@Jack James omg, this was the first time I noticed that as well!! Not a normal pronunciation for sure, lol.

[@jeffreybessent3591]

Nailed it. Just about all of these bottles are on everyone’s list

[@deathblade01]

​@@jackjames7514 lol I say it the same. I never noticed till my buddies started to make fun of it.

[@ADHDWhiskey]

Love the video idea!

[@Rob_Werzner]

Eagle Rare got me somewhat into whiskey, Stagg Jr made me where I am today with a lot of money missing from my bank account.

[@Bobbyholmesclubstep]

Stagg is selling for like $275-$300 a bottle around me now. Just a year ago I could grab for around $175 and just about convince myself it was worth it haha

[@scottpearson199]

My first bourbon love was Wood Turkey 101. My friend would get it for parties and they would either drown it in Coca Cola or try a shot then set aside the bottle, which was then free reign for me lol. Instead of shooting it I started letting it sit in my tongue for a bit and actively trying to taste it, that was all she wrote in that book because bourbon is still one of my favorite things on the planet lol

[@buckybadgerphd]

Agreed!

[@ChristopherNeeme]

Definitely beats my first approach to it in high school being amazed how easy drinking the stuff out of the bottle was, going down. Only to be heaving off the back of a boat severely not long after. Fortunately years later I was able to get back into WT101 and it remains in my constant top 5. A lot of people probably have those early bad party experiences with it or Jack Daniels and it kills it for people if not for life, then for years.

[@Bobbyholmesclubstep]

The bottle that did it for me was Four roses single barrel. Still one of my favs and still $45 a bottle.

[@jasono.1629]

Agreed!

[@GeauxRilla]

Michters small batch did it for me

[@garrettdurr7155]

I love that Eagle Rare was brought up because I believe that was what got me into bourbon. It was much easier to find 5-6 years ago so it was a good way for me to start out.

[@spacemangroove]

Eagle Rare was my favorite bourbon for a long time. I found it at my local (PA) liquor store for like… $20 a bottle, decided to take a chance and never regretted it. It’s still a favorite and what I usually recommend to people looking to get into slightly more expensive whiskies

[@jasonczfan8658]

When I first started exploring whiskey I bought a bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel. It’s a little on the low proof side but I still like the stuff

[@sn1000k]

Great value. Think it was better around '05 when I first had it but it was the game changer for me.

[@jasonczfan8658]

@@sn1000k haha! I still have some of the ‘05 left. It was better than subsequent years for sure

[@krisrexwinkle2830]

best video from y'all in a long time, I genuinely enjoyed it. Not that the others are bad, just fun to look back where you came from

[@AdamShelton007]

WT101 was my gateway bottle too. Followed that up with an old Rare Breed and I've been a Turkey head ever since. Cheers Junkies.

[@davevogelsang6791]

Many, many years ago, Maker’s Mark and Woodford Reserve were the 2 bourbons I started with. Next level for me was OF Birthday Bourbon, which was $45 and always on the shelf. Old Forester was the first distillery that I followed. I agree with Sean on the Early Times BIB. I currently have 4 bottles of the black cap Brown Forman version and 4 bottles of blue cap. My first chase bottle was OF Single Barrel Barrel Strength. Current chase is Stagg Junior, which I found and bought today.

[@jasonjackson3422]

Gentlemen I love the channel and you honest opinions. Don’t always agree but on most cretics I agree and enjoy your authenticity. Appreciate your channel and always makes me smile!

[@thinktwice8860]

I started on Black Jack Daniel’s 90 proof with coke. However my first bourbon crush was on Wild Turkey 101. This was always my favorite. However, Maker’s entered the picture a bit over a year ago, which sparked an interest in bourbon sampling, and collecting. My favorite may be Four Roses LE 2020. Outstanding!

[@wendellmckee2364]

I loved this video. Eagle Rare and Elmer T Lee introduced me to bourbon. Many moons ago here in Kentucky!!

[@dawson0000]

My first whiskey was Jack Daniels in the early 80s when it was still 90 proof. About 15 years ago a co-worker from Kentucky introduced me to Wooford's Reserve. My favorite overall distillery is Wild Turkey. I like pretty much everything they put out. Yes, even Longbranch.

[@WillHunsaker]

Great video guys. Bourbon old fashioned with Four Roses Small batch got me interested in bourbon. Then I tried Woodford double oaked, Rare breed, early times, knob creek 9, and I couldn't stop buying. Absolutely love Stagg Jr.. but only been able to find at restaurants

[@gipstetz6720]

Love the vid guys. Great concept. Great stories.... We all can relate. And... Great fun. That's what it's all about! Thanks for posting.

[@kevinmathis1278]

Rare Breed got me interested in bourbon back in the early 2000's. 1792 got me hooked and made me replace beer with bourbon as my go to drink. Now 1792 BIB is probably my favorite go to.

[@workisfun...2438]

Good choice!

[@stanjohnston4737]

Started my journey in 1976 on my grandfather’s home made 160 proof shine. The county sheriff came on Sundays to eat lunch and sipp on shine. Stepped down to the Wild Turkey 101 and never looked back, lol. I still have 8 1978-1981 bottles of 101. I think at my age it’s time to start opening them up!!!!!

[@mickeymouse6487]

How about ten high back in them days

[@gaylemcgee2221]

The back story on Redwood Empire was interesting to me. The Lost Monarch is the ONLY one I buy because it's just that easy to drink. I started out drinking Basil Hayden and loved it. Now I have a lot more variety in my case but BH got me started. Nice video by the way!

[@kay_jay_em]

My favorite whiskey in college: Big Ol’ Plastic Bottle o Early Times. Did the trick. Upgraded to Pikesville Rye (the old cheap bottle). Scotch got me into real whiskey and circled back to bourbon/rye. Always will look for Bookers since I actually see it from time to time and I like the high proof stuff.

[@waynesieve6116]

Best video so far! Thank you for sharing this video down memory lane!

[@cjcrook1]

In college I liked Beam over Jack as a mixer and it was a touch cheaper. Progressed from whiskey and cola to spirit forward cocktails like old fashioned's and finally learned to drink neat or just on the rocks. Eagle Rare was one of my faves as well, sad it is so hard to find now. I bought it regularly for $30.

[@jackward5204]

Shoutout to Stagg Jr. Batch 16 is still my all-time favorite when blinded against some awesome bottles. It just can't be beat.

[@DubThaDetailer]

This is the best bourbon content on YT. Love you guys.

[@24kabuki]

Knob Creek on the rocks got me loving bourbon flavors back in the late 90s/ early 2000s (was my Kentucky Tea). In those days, Woodford was my 'top shelf' splurge bottle.

[@1xayekim]

I only started getting into it about 5 years ago and i started with Old Forester 86, graduated to 100 and 1867 and Old Forester is still my favorite brand (Statesman was terrible that was the first bottle I felt ripped off ).

[@ReverseProof]

Everyone new here, listen to, Sean. He nailed this list. I couldn't agree more with it. Good job buddy.

[@BourbonJunkies]

Aww shucks

[@klenk1am]

The Redwood Empire old bottling was sooo good! I went through a few of the older version of Lost Monarch.

[@powertothesheeple5422]

Love hearing about the journey. My journey strted about 8 years ago with a bottle of Weller SR. Buffalo Trace is still my favorite distillery but I honestly just started venturing outside that box in 2023. 2024 is going to be all about barrel picks and proofs over 100 for me.

[@banebeardontwalk]

Grew up drinking old #7 and 101 but 20 years ago I ran into a bottle of Rare Breed that made stand up and take notice. Same with Eagle Rare about 10 years ago. My local liquor store has good availability of both for $58 and $39. A bit of a premium from a few years ago but consider myself super lucky.

[@Toot7319]

My "wow that's a cool looking bottle" early in my whiskey journey was Eagle Rare.

[@briancasey2347]

i ALSO have a case of the plastic cap Early Times in my cellar (well 15 at the moment to be exact, lol). still SO good.

[@twocupstwodrams7535]

Macallan 12 year, is always a nice surprise, because it's my wife"s favorite.

[@OutsideTheStar]

Sitting at a store rn here in Wisconsin that’s got a case of Blue Run Emerald. I’ve got the reflection, may have to pick up an an Emerald this week.

[@myraphillips351]

Great episode !! Always killing it.

[@beaudwayful]

1st whiskey Wild Turkey 101, 2nd good whiskey Buffalo Trace, 3rd distillery profile Knob Creek, hidden gem Knob Creek Rye, chase bottle, Ha! I live in PA.

[@thelegionoftools]

Sounds good to me!! Beretta9MMUSA Sr.

[@davidlittle6621]

Love Stagg. I'd drink Eagle Rare every day if I could find it regularly. I do love Bardstown and how transparent they are. There Rum Cask collaboration was the best pour I had last year.

[@ajbucher9440]

The first bourbon I came to love was woodford double oaked

[@jskypercussion]

First time I had it in 2013, it blew my mind. I still love it now. It held up well through my whiskey journey over the years.

[@Joel_Unbound]

I absolutely love this. Its a good look into how people get their whistle wet. The first bourbon that made me go oh snap, I like this was Russell's Reserve 10 yr. Now I am an ECBP guy in many instances. I bought that Russell's to celebrate with a buddy my first wild turkey harvest. The actual wild bird not the whiskey. ;)

[@chupacabraracing181]

I spent a little over $500 bucks in 2 days last week on bourbon. Let's just say, my brother collects and let me try some Blanton's. I haven't found my own bottle yet but I think I've done good so far with what I've bought.

[@jakobchristensen2845]

My first whisky, that got me into whisky was the classic Bruichladdich when I was 16 🤣🤣👍👍! Cheers guys thank you for the videos - have started my Bourbon journey in the last 2 years 🥃!

[@lexwaldez]

My old favorite was Russel Reserve Single Barrel. My new favorite is Stagg Jr Barrel Proof. You give it to someone that hasn't had it and they're always like, "Do I like whiskey? Is this what good whiskey tastes like?" She's a game changer. I'm guessing the super rare, super expensive is even better, and thank gawd I'll never know what that's like.

[@kaibray2563]

Thank you for recognizing Early Times. Cheaper bottles don't usually get any love!

[@shannonparker7642]

Elmer T Lee an amazing pour. One of my favorites.

[@aaronatkins5520]

Eagle Rare Green Spot and Lost Monarch were the three bottles that finally made me go. Hey, I don’t need to just drink whiskey in Manhattan’s and old fashions anymore.

[@brentzey8659]

This journey is what I went thru with rum, still my favorite category. I did it in agave spirits too. And I'm going thru this journey now in whisk(e)y

[@jbschroll]

Whiskey that got me in was Makers mark but the first one that shined through a mixer was 1792 small batch. First straight whiskey to adapt to drinking straight was bulleit 10

[@briancarroll6803]

I miss the days of seeing eagle rare at msrp every single time I walked in my store. Never thought anything of it. Dang internet.

[@Hotlog69]

My first bourbon was EC12. I bought it over 15 years ago on a whim because it was cheap and 12 years old. I didn't care for it much, drank half and gave the rest to my friend. Haven't touched EC since. WT101 is when I discovered I could love bourbon. I love this distillery. WT Kentucky Spirit is when I discovered SiB really don't mean much when not curated. Barrell Seagrass is when I found my love for finished whiskey. Russell's SiB is when I discovered that Buffalo Trace is overhyped. Weller SR and Sweet Wheat is when I discovered the taste for wheat. Though, it really need to sit and breathe for a bit. ECBP B522, bought it on a whim and it tastes exactly how I remember EC12. Though, I get that marker note. Didn't care as I polished off that pretty fast.

[@MethanolWarrior712]

I really enjoyed the episode today guys! Cheers

[@ihartwine]

I had 25 cases of the Redwood Empire old label and I couldn't give it away it was so much better than the current release. Also no wonder I have the same taste as Sean. We have the same Bourbon journey except my big chase bottle was Eagle Rare 17 which I still haven't opened.

[@mrjiggs8]

Sean Flexing that Early Times Case.... and I'm so Jelly.... Great Video... Have a Wonderful Day Everyone, Cheers 🥃🥃

[@jacobflores8666]

Glenlivet 12 got me into whisk(e)y and I'm still mainly a malt whisky drinker to this day 🤷‍♂ I really like Texas whiskies too, especially Andalusia and Balcones.

[@martyp5976]

Si, great content as always!

[@markpiersimoni1773]

Another shocking omission is that there's no mention of ECBP. This used to be a mainstay and always in their whiskey of the year conversations.

[@mikehill58]

Great video guys!

[@johncannon3593]

101 was my college whiskey too, and when I wanted something nice back then, Rare Breed (1990's Austin Nichols). Nowadays, I still love them. THen I got into Scotch for a while. Then about 10-12 years ago I switched to bourbon and my gateways in switching over were Eagle Rare, Blanton's, and Four Roses SB. Still favorites (though I think Blanton's was better (older) back then).

[@ICYUNVM3]

Eagle rare in greater Atlanta area is 35-42 depending on where your at. Keep a 1.75 of Wild Turkey 101 at the house for a daily sipper. Tried Woodford about 3 years ago and was not a fan, as i've gotten more into whiskey I have come to appreciate it more. Had Blue Run - reflection I this year for thanksgiving and it was great.

[@LanceBoos]

Eagle Rare did it for me too. I remember paying $27 a bottle for it after somebody at the liquor store recommended it.

[@ErnestStevenson-bo3nk]

So pleased to see Early Times come up in this video. That was the first whiskey that I considered as different from Jack Daniels and would pick up every time. Of course I would also crack open that fifth and start drinking it when I left the shop. Hey, that was the "early times" of 1990. Also, there were not nearly as many brands or anything blended or finished back then of which I know anyway.

[@Numl0k]

My older buddy used to buy me 1.75l bottles of Early Times for about $15 in the early 2000's. I was never a fan of Jack, but I drank the hell out of some Early Times. Also, Black Velvet, but I don't think Black Velvet has found the cult following that Early Times has ;)

[@SeansGodwins]

Blantons was our first bottles we got just by happening to to be at BT distillery. Actually didn’t care for it to much. But it has grown in me sense. Current favorites I’ve had are double oak smoke wagon, eagle rare. Stagg is the bottle I will keep looking for. Only time I’ve even seen a bottle it was $2000

[@NartexFett]

Dan, I'm stealing your idea of buying a bottle of whiskey for your kids the year they were born. I'm so going to do that for my brother's kids. My parents did something similar and bought a bottle of wine from my brothers birth year, but wine can be disappointing when aged. Whiskey is such a better idea.

[@dunny2124]

Great video, love my early times & stagg, ❤ from GR MI.

[@nickp5511]

Nice review! My first was Red Breast 12 Wow: OF 1920 & RR sb 1st Distillery: J Beam Gem: Rare Breed Hunt victory: RR13yr/KC18yr Still hunting: GTS, HH17yr, Stagg! Cheers!

[@bobb9371]

Love the list, if I could find some of those Early Times with the black screw top cap I would jump all over that, miss that one a lot.

[@jeremywinsch5888]

Not only bourbon gold, but comedy gold……… you guys ☠️🤘🏼

[@nitronamous]

My first love was Jack Daniels green label rye. I used to take a pint to parties with me at 18 and nobody asked for any. It was glorious when it was hard to find alcohol at that age and i was never bothered for any.

[@workisfun...2438]

Larceny got me hooked. The rotation now includes 1792, and my 2 favorites, Oak & Eden Wheat, Russell's Reserve 10 year. Making me thirsty

[@TheGreglamont]

Great video concept

[@edmadam1]

Going to school at UK it went Woodford ➡️ Buffalo Trace ➡️ Eagle Rare ➡️ Rare Breed ➡️ Weller ➡️ Chasing everything

[@sghlefty]

Sean.. next time you are in Bowling Green, Kentucky... Early Times BIB old plastic cap is there in just about every liquor store and its still 23. Had a guy offer to sell me cases just yesterday. It's probably worth the journey

[@irl-hdr4080]

The first loves for me were Woodford Reserve & Makers. Up till then, I disliked Whiskey cause I thought it all tasted like Jameson, but then I found Bourbon 😋

[@hirokeo]

Firs ever was Jim Bean, I was 21 and hated it. 8 years later I tried Makers and that's when my bourbon journey began.

[@trevorkennard1145]

I was given a bottle of knob creek for promoting and I absolutely hated it but I stuck to trying something different and living in Ohio I tried Weller 107, no idea what it was or the hype but fell in love.

[@AnAbortiveRomance]

Woodford double oaked runs $45 at my local Sams club, unfortunately for it, Smokewagon Uncut Unfiltered is only $52 at my sams. So the woodford usually gets skipped for the next batch of SWUU

[@FishinNFreedom1776]

Eagle Rare was also my eye opener whiskey.

[@matto9491]

I was a big Scotch and Irish Whiskey drinker and then I tried Woodford Double Oaked and it changed me. Can’t go back to Scotch. And then the higher proof Wild Turkey 101 (after resisting, thinking it was for bogans and trailer park trash) was what confirmed for me that I just love Bourbon. Love the videos, keep em coming!

[@johnnybrennan1157]

Russell's 10 and Angel's Envy were my "gateway drug" bourbons.

[@thecocktaildistiller]

Dan, I've also have one unopened bottle of Redwood Empire's Batch One Whiskey with the pig on the front label that also has a copper sticker commemorating Morton's Steakhouse 40th anniversary. I found out Morton's purchased this to use as their house whiskey and ended up not using it all.

[@MichaelC_22]

I still have 2 of the Brown Forman ET BIB bunkered. I wish I would have bought more when I had the chance.

[@StevenScone]

I cut my teeth on JD NO7. Never thought I would sip on whiskey. At the beginning of the year I got a bottle of JD SB BP and a Russell's 10. Those kicked started my selection. Then I found woodford DO and the shits outta control lol. Now have 23 bottles of various stuff.

[@jimmiegill3981]

I agree with the 101 stories amazing how tame it seems now

[@lawrencegarcia1370]

Awesome video fellas

[@customer9845]

My first whiskey was SoCo at the ripe age of 12. Been drinking whisk(e)y for 47 years now but I gravitate to peaty scotch over bourbon.

[@scoobtoober2975]

You guys are that fly in the store suggesting bit by bit. Little by little Then you have us chasing blue run, penelope, 13th colony, barrel king. etc etc etc.

[@mikeh7917]

For me: Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek 9, Weller Sp. Reserve & OWA, Woodford Dbl oak, Old Forester Barrel Proof and BP RYE(the beginning of my Rye journey), Elijah Craig and Larceny BPs, Stagg Jr., Old Fitzgerald 17, Weller 12 and FP, various MGP high rye bourbons and actual ryes.

[@jeffreyk.1962]

I got lucky 2mo in to bourbon hunting and got a Stagg Jr. Still haven’t opened it yet.

[@thelegionoftools]

How much did it run if you don’t mind me asking? Thank-you. Beretta9MMUSA Sr.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

the one that legit got me into it was elijah craig barrel proof.

[@michelem9341]

Cool video. Loved it.

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@johnhicks8626]

When I started with JD Old No. 7, it was 86 proof. Old school Green Label was 80, and terrible.

[@Usedplungerstotheface]

I was traveling just to do bourbon hunting but it got to the point where liquor stores are just jacking the price out of the hard to find rare whiskeys so anymore I just go to Total Wine and if I'm out of state for business and or pleasure I'll swing through places to see if I can find stuff that's not sold in my area that becomes the thrill to me but seeking out these $200 bottles can get bent

[@richmcelmeel5430]

For me it comes to price. There is a store that I find Blade and Bow for 36, and it just crushes so many bottles... But Wilderness Trail is my basic go to at 55.

[@Jason_Batman25]

This was a super cool video.

[@richdunn9774]

Eagle Rare did it for me over 10 years ago when it was $28 and available!

[@edwardbastian6533]

Early Times BiB. Just about two months ago I found a store with 5 of the old black cap bottles. Bought all of them right away.

[@wigmaster7894]

haven't bought eagle rare in a couple years because of the low proof. saw one the other day for $33 and grabbed it. I was wrong they're great

[@syenet02]

Cut my teeth with Jack No.7 and coke as a young man. Thought I was fancy and went to Bulleit to make Old Fashioned drinks. Finally what got me to appreciate the taste and broaden my brands was Eagle Rare.

[@kyleanderson9281]

I'm perhaps a little strange in that I'm more than 30 bottles deep into my journey, and I've never bought the same bottle twice, aside from Toki, which I've gotten a second bottle of exclusively for highballs. My first whiskey I had was the Southern Comfort my dad gave me eons ago. By the time I had adult money and wanted to explore a bit more, I got Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban, both phenomenal. Now, I'm getting into higher end stuff. My favorite bottle so far is Bookers, and I'll definitely grab another bottle if I ever find it.

[@michael7033]

Im newer to bourbon, i've built up a decent selection atleast in my mind, nothing to fancy. ET BiB is really hard to find near me, but man it is 100% my favorite bottle under $40 even without the plastic screw top. Still a good bottle.