Best Available & Value Bourbons of 2024! - A 7 Tier Scoring System

[@RyeGuy97]

I love the list and the methodology. Thank you for including those staples. It makes it very clear that some of the “everyday” bourbons are just as good as special releases. Cheers!

[@brandonjones6703]

I love the Jim Beam WR for the price. It has been my go to bottle every since it showed up in my area. It is definitely my favorite new bottle of 2024. 6yr old aged in toasted barrels, you don’t see that for this price from anyone else.

[@paulgrace1279]

The JD12 is a 2 at best on availability. - probably a 1 in the DC metro area. Great channel and video as always!!

[@dmr0730]

Wow! I haven't seen anyone else dive as deep in scoring 2024 release bourbons than y'all. You've saved me a bit of anguish hunting down bottles to fill my newly acquired Liquor display case. Thanks wife for that awesome Christmas gift! Cheers!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@dmr0730 Thanks so much!

[@JK13A]

Surprisingly in Maryland I got Jim Beam Winter Reserve for $23. I was a little hard to find at smaller shops but found it at a larger one and they had a bunch of bottles. ECBP has been sitting on the shelves here in Maryland. The bourbon craze is really slowing down and I think we are going to start seeing secondary prices go down on a lot of the crazy hard to get bottles as people realize their collections are too large.

[@MichaelVanKorn]

Really enjoyed this list! Also, the B roll footage of the bottles and such is next level

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Thanks so much!

[@ericepperson8409]

The Russel's 70th I picked up for $60. The first couple of times I tried it, I didn't think it was that much better than WT101, but after some time and opening up, it got much better.

[@DavidM-fl2qw]

This was great! This sounds like me and my friends discussing bourbon only with scoring. Friend gave me a sample of the winter reserve and was shocked at how good it was.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@DavidM-fl2qw Thanks!

[@dirtydan1392]

As someone who has largely stopped following the channel in recent years due to personal preferences, this is easily one of the best, most useful whiskey end of year videos that I've seen come out. And just the kind of videos I'm looking out for in both established & newer channels going into this wild year. I feel in the minority overall, but a healthy, routine observation & addition of classic/everyday bottles as well as the criteria of value & availability is EXACTLY the kind of direction whiskey needs to be heading back towards. Novelty is fun sometimes, but reality is king.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@dirtydan1392 Thanks so much!

[@ryanb7665]

What a great list. You guys put a lot of work into it. Appreciate it!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@ryanb7665 Thanks!

[@dennisrothschild8550]

This by far the best - best of video of this yr. Wow you rocked this, such a good content and info.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@dennisrothschild8550 Thank you so much!!

[@AverageBourbonGuy]

You two make such a great and enjoyable team to watch reviews.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@AverageBourbonGuy Hey, we appreciate that a lot, thank you!

[@markbrooks6788]

Great list! I saw a decent amount of the WT 70th in Michigan - I'm sipping it now and it's great.

[@Hock3y24k]

knob 12 blows 18 right out of the water and is available everyday, 70th is incredible, my store for 12 bottles and they lasted 2 months for 50 bucks

[@johndiamond4704]

I’m getting out my slide rule to follow along 😂. You guys are enjoyable as always!

[@stevengrundwerg]

List was great. Keep up the good work.

[@dbrown7575]

Winter Reserve makes a fabulous winter old fashion! My bottle didn’t last very long after Christmas

[@tommyrq180]

The staples rock! Very astute of you to include them as a “control.” If all you did was go with your staples, you’d be a very, very happy bourbon drinker! 😊

[@DrWarbird]

The staples were a great inclusion. I can now skip trying to chase a bottle and just go get a Rare Breed and call it a day.

[@davidyoder493]

Can’t wait to see the analytics show! Would love to see the full list of things that got considered

[@JayMannStuff]

Found a formula that works to determine how much to pay for any spirit. (Spirit score as a percentage ^ Pi) x The maximum you'd spend on a spirit (example: 150 US dollars). A score of 95% would give a value of $127.67 A score of 90% would give a value of $107.73 A score of 85% would give a value of $90.02 The drop in price fairly sharp. The exponential value of Pi was selected arbitrarily. If you prefer sharper drop off from top score, use a larger value in the exponential. Play around with the formula. Tweak it to your preferences. It's loads of fun.

[@JayMannStuff]

Using a maximum budget of $120 for the fixed value, and an exponent of 4.5 (instead of Pi), is what seems to work best for myself. Using that: 95% gives 95 bucks, 90% gives 74 bucks, 85% gives 57 bucks, 80% gives 43 bucks, and 75% gives 32 bucks. Cheers.

[@tylersimon5793]

Good way of looking at it.

[@maitrilyn1029]

As an analytical thinker who loves spreadsheets, I really enjoyed this. It is interesting that some rare finds made it on the list. I wonder if a weighted scale might help. I don’t know that it would, but might be something to play around with. You’re taking something that is highly subjective-an art form- and trying to put as much of it into objective categories, so it will probably always create a challenge. I enjoyed seeing the process and results, though!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@maitrilyn1029 would love to hear your thoughts on a weighed scale! Also looking to refine the process and make it the best it can be.

[@maitrilyn1029]

@@ItsBourbonNight NOTE: I used ChatGPT to help me explain. POST 1: Current Scoring System. The 7-tier scoring system used in this bourbon ranking setup involves evaluating the whiskies on a combination of factors. Here’s how it breaks down: 1. **Nose** (25 points) How does the bourbon smell? This is an assessment of the initial aroma and how it sets the stage for the tasting experience. 2. **Palate** (25 points) This is all about the taste-the flavors you get when you actually drink it. How complex and well-rounded are the flavors? 3. **Mouthfeel** (25 points) This refers to the texture and weight of the bourbon in your mouth. Is it smooth? Is it too light or heavy? Does it have a satisfying mouthfeel? 4. **Finish** (25 points) The finish refers to how the taste lingers after you swallow. Is it long and complex, or does it fade quickly? 5. **Availability** (25 points) This category is based on how easy it is to find the bourbon in stores. A higher score here means it’s more readily available to the general public. 6. **Retail Value** (25 points) How good is the bourbon’s quality relative to its price? A high score in this category means the bourbon is considered a great deal at its price point. 7. **Secondary Value** (25 points) This refers to the bottle’s price on the secondary market (or resale value). Even if it's not widely available at retail, if it fetches a good price on the secondary market, it could be ranked higher in this category. So, the total possible score would be **175 points** (25 points for each of the 7 categories), and that’s the scoring system used to build the rankings. The idea is to provide a more well-rounded assessment of each bourbon, considering not just how it tastes but also how accessible and affordable it is. In other words, can your viewers actually obtain it?

[@maitrilyn1029]

POST 2: The Weighted System. Applying some weighted scoring to reflect the importance of **availability** and **retail price** more heavily. ### Suggested Weighted Scoring System: 1. **Nose** (Weight: 10%) - Flavor profile and aroma set the stage for the overall experience, but it's not as crucial as availability and value. 2. **Palate** (Weight: 10%) - Taste is essential, but in this case, we'll prioritize factors that affect accessibility and overall value. 3. **Mouthfeel** (Weight: 10%) - Important for the overall drinking experience, but again, not as critical for this weighted system. 4. **Finish** (Weight: 10%) - This still matters, but it ranks lower in terms of weight compared to availability or retail value. 5. **Availability** (Weight: 25%) - Since **availability** is a priority here, let's give it a higher weight. This factor will have a significant impact on the overall ranking. 6. **Retail Value** (Weight: 20%) - **Retail value** will also be given a higher weight because a good value at retail makes the bourbon more desirable and accessible. 7. **Secondary Value** (Weight: 15%) - **Secondary value** still matters, especially for bottles that aren't easily found at retail, but it's not as important as the retail price or availability. ### Total Weighted System Breakdown: - **Nose**: 10% - **Palate**: 10% - **Mouthfeel**: 10% - **Finish**: 10% - **Availability**: 25% - **Retail Value**: 20% - **Secondary Value**: 15% ### How this works: - You would score each category out of **25 points** as before, but then multiply that score by the weight for each category. **Example**: - **Nose**: Score = 22/25 → Weighted score = 22 * 0.10 = 2.2 - **Availability**: Score = 18/25 → Weighted score = 18 * 0.25 = 4.5 After multiplying, you'd add up all the weighted scores to get the final score out of **175 points** (or however many total points possible based on the categories). This way, a bottle that’s readily available and at a reasonable price could potentially score higher, even if the taste and finish aren’t the absolute best.

[@maitrilyn1029]

POST 3: Explanation. This system should work to rank a whiskey that’s **delicious**, **available**, and **reasonably priced** at the top, as long as we ensure the right balance between those factors. Here’s why: ### Key Points: 1. **Availability (25%)**: This is the most important factor in this adjusted system. A whiskey that’s **easy to find** in stores is going to have a significant advantage, as it directly affects how accessible it is to a wider audience. This ensures that whiskies which are widely distributed and available rank higher. 2. **Retail Value (20%)**: Retail price is the second most important factor. A whiskey that delivers high quality at a reasonable retail price is exactly the kind of bottle that will climb up the rankings. This category focuses on **value for money**, which is crucial for finding something both high-quality and affordable. 3. **Nose, Palate, Mouthfeel, and Finish (10% each)**: These factors ensure the whiskey is **delicious**. While these elements are still important, they are not as heavily weighted as availability and price. However, this weighting still gives enough attention to the flavor profile, ensuring that the whiskey still needs to taste good to rank well. 4. **Secondary Value (15%)**: Secondary market value still plays a role, especially for whiskeys that are **hard to find at retail** but are still worth the price when resold. However, the weight here is lower, so it won't overshadow the importance of retail availability and price. ### How This Helps: - If a whiskey is **delicious**, with high scores in **Nose**, **Palate**, **Mouthfeel**, and **Finish**, it will still rank highly, especially if it also **scores well on availability** and **retail value**. - A whiskey that’s **widely available** and **reasonably priced** will have a clear advantage in the rankings, since **Availability** is weighted the most. ### Example: - A whiskey that scores **high in taste** (Nose, Palate, Finish) but is **hard to find** and **expensive on secondary markets** might not rank as high overall, even though it’s great in flavor. - On the flip side, a whiskey that scores well across the board on taste, is **readily available**, and is at a **fair retail price** will come out on top, since these factors weigh heavily in the system. ### Conclusion: This system should **accurately reward whiskeys** that are not only **delicious** but also **widely available** and **offered at a good retail price**. If a whiskey meets all of those criteria, it should indeed rank highest.

[@maitrilyn1029]

POST 4: Examples. NOTE: I provided ChatGPT with data from your transcript for it to use, so some data may be wrong. Let’s break down the two examples-**Penelope 9-Year Estate Collection** and **Booker’s 2024**-using the weighted system. We'll score them based on the 7 categories we discussed, applying the weights to see how each would fare. ### **Penelope 9-Year Estate Collection** #### Category Scores: - **Nose**: 22/25 - **Palate**: 23/25 - **Mouthfeel**: 20/25 - **Finish**: 22/25 - **Availability**: 7.28/25 - **Retail Value**: 22/25 - **Secondary Value**: 18/25 #### Weighted Scores: - **Nose**: 22 * 0.10 = 2.2 - **Palate**: 23 * 0.10 = 2.3 - **Mouthfeel**: 20 * 0.10 = 2.0 - **Finish**: 22 * 0.10 = 2.2 - **Availability**: 7.28 * 0.25 = 1.82 - **Retail Value**: 22 * 0.20 = 4.4 - **Secondary Value**: 18 * 0.15 = 2.7 **Total Score** = 2.2 + 2.3 + 2.0 + 2.2 + 1.82 + 4.4 + 2.7 = **17.62/25** #### Final Score Calculation: - **17.62** out of 25 * 7 = **123.34/175** So the **Penelope 9-Year Estate Collection** would get a score of **123.34** on this weighted system. --- ### **Booker’s 2024** #### Category Scores: - **Nose**: 21/25 - **Palate**: 23/25 - **Mouthfeel**: 20/25 - **Finish**: 20/25 - **Availability**: 18/25 - **Retail Value**: 20/25 - **Secondary Value**: 13.51/25 #### Weighted Scores: - **Nose**: 21 * 0.10 = 2.1 - **Palate**: 23 * 0.10 = 2.3 - **Mouthfeel**: 20 * 0.10 = 2.0 - **Finish**: 20 * 0.10 = 2.0 - **Availability**: 18 * 0.25 = 4.5 - **Retail Value**: 20 * 0.20 = 4.0 - **Secondary Value**: 13.51 * 0.15 = 2.03 **Total Score** = 2.1 + 2.3 + 2.0 + 2.0 + 4.5 + 4.0 + 2.03 = **18.93/25** #### Final Score Calculation: - **18.93** out of 25 * 7 = **132.51/175** So **Booker’s 2024** would score **132.51** on this weighted system. --- ### Results: - **Penelope 9-Year Estate Collection**: **123.34/175** - **Booker’s 2024**: **132.51/175** Based on this weighted system, **Booker’s 2024** would rank higher due to its better availability and retail value, even though Penelope scores better in tasting categories. This reflects the system’s emphasis on **availability** and **retail price**, which are more heavily weighted. --- ### Key Takeaways: - **Booker’s 2024** scores higher overall due to its greater availability and solid retail value, even though it has a slightly lower score in taste-related categories. - **Penelope 9-Year Estate Collection** does well in taste, but its **low availability** and somewhat limited secondary market value pull it down in the overall ranking. This approach rewards whiskeys that are **more accessible and offer good value** while still accounting for how well they taste.

[@JK13A]

I was lucky and found a WT 8 year for $65. Maryland prices are a bit higher and the place I went usually has them a touch higher as well. Haven't opened it up yet but happy to have one because I'm a huge WT fan.

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video 🥃

[@pal8h]

Sadly, I still yet to have seen either a JD 10 or 12 in the wild.

[@run-a-milekyle3835]

I have, but at $270 for the 12, $230 for the 10. No thanks.

[@TheTmcabral3]

I got lucky with tip from my inside spy at my local paid 99 for 10y and 120 for 12y

[@scottmattern482]

Good list, thanks for going through all those bottles!

[@bocain812]

Nice. Thanks for including the staples, as it puts things in perspective. Basically, Rare Breed is the winner.

[@jimm8799]

I think it is a great list, and considering I am from Tennessee, I especially approve of two selections. I am fortunate to have the first JD 10.

[@BigE_819]

That Penelope though. Immediately bought a backup. I’m curious about the Jack 10 and 12, haven’t seen any here in the Chicago area. Keep up the good work.

[@wayne0822smith]

Great list and great process. You're making me revisit the AA3O. I did not like care for my first and only pour.

[@djvie24]

I appreciate all the effort you guys put in. I think JDSBBP Rye should be in the staples list, just a thought. If JD held them back as a faux limited edition offering people would be hunting them. I think JD10 was a fair inclusion, even with its extreme limited release. At Batch 3 and with the 12 year as the more hyped bottle it was at least possible to get through relationships and good fortune (though I haven’t even seen it as something to try in Oregon so idk). Respectfully if you’re going to put JD12 on here might as well put RR15 right next to it. You guys are awesome.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@djvie24 Thank you! Would love to put JDSBBP as a staple but I know in our area, at least, it’s not readily available to be considered. We did have RR15 in the mix here, it just didn’t score high enough in the 7 category scoring to break the top 10.

[@djvie24]

@ haha referencing RR15 was my friendly attempt to say I didn’t think JD12 belonged in this list 🤣. I gotta say you guys and the Bourbon Junkies are doing the best, most interesting, and genuine content. You make me feel great about this hobby! I’ve thought about joining your Patreon just so I can get some samples of what McMenamins is doing out here in the PAC NW.

[@brettheiner7125]

Nice addition - gettable good stuff!

[@fonzyfresh9124]

I always want to go for the Rare Breed vs rolling the dice with something else.

[@noworldforeric]

The master distiller Conor at HH is the man. I think they are going to the moon by 2030. Can't wait to see how this list changes when things like the Old Fitz 7 Year bottle release.

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 😎

[@HectorMartinez-n9i]

Noice! Love Russell Reserve! Delicious list.

[@chriskagermd1079]

This is my favorite video you guys have made. Great work. My only comment would be that those bourbons that have no secondary market should be automatically scored 25 for secondary. Don’t dock any of them to 23 or 24. Small recommendation!

[@2011blueman]

I think your definition of available is wildly different than mine. A lot of the bourbons on this list were very allocated in 2024.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@2011blueman Yeah, it’s crazy how much it varies based on where you live.

[@2011blueman]

@@ItsBourbonNight That is true. For example, I only got one of bottles of the Wild Turkey 70th last year and it was from a drop at a liquor store where we got there at 5am to sit in line. I can get blanton's and eagle rare without much problem, but half of that list I didn't even see in 2024.

[@thomasgallagher1945]

Love your list and the inclusion of "staples". I just don't understand how Green River Full Proof at $50 just couldn't find its way into this video! Looking forward to your rye list! Cheers!

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@thomasgallagher1945 Thought that came out in 2023? 🤔

[@randywise9798]

I like this best of show as for the most what is mostly available and reasonably priced for a good many. I would love to see you do more on craft distillery products. Many of these are very good , reasonably priced and in some cases new products that the big distilleries don’t do. I realize there maybe some problems with availability but many folks that hunt in different areas may run across. Examples might be New Holland, Driftless Glen, Cedar Ridge, to name just a few. 2:43

[@Abs0lut3_Z3r0]

This is a fun video for an interesting reason for me. So I’m currently watching from the place with unquestionably the worst whiskey market in North America, Ontario, Canada. Liquor is controlled like many places but availability is uniquely atrocious here - the only bottle on this list even *in the system*, let alone widely distributed, is rare breed. That said, I like seeing videos like this so I know when I do go outside of the province what I should prioritize bringing back with me from, uh, literally anywhere else. Cheers and thanks for making this video!

[@firedawg76]

I bought a New Riff 8 year off the shelf in Ohio yesterday. It’s not in every store but I’d put the availability at 13/25.

[@patterbt]

Nice video and I love your methodology. However, the only bourbon on your list that was available where I live in Michigan was the ECBP. The rest are all unicorns that you either have to know someone or get super lucky to come across one, in West Michigan. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for WT70 and the Beam Winter reserve since each was announced, and I have never seen a single bottle in the wild.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@patterbt That’s crazy! All the more reason to take a trip to KY!

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

As I'm confident y'all know, it's impossible to construct any list which will work in every single place, and it's even more impossible to please everyone (there are people who, not having a life, tear around looking for things to be mad about). But it looks like y'all tried real hard, and I appreciate the effort - even if it turns out the list isn't any good to me after all. 🙂 6:47 I've had a sample of the 10 year, and enjoyed it, but the Single Barrel Barrel Proof has spoiled me. It has the higher proof, of course, and around here I've never seen the 10 year on the shelf, and if I did it would cost more than the SBBP. *For me* the SBBP is a better value. 9:00 I've not had Knob Creek 18 year (I've only seen it once, in a locked case, which I only looked at in passing since if they have to lock it up, I can't afford it). But I love the 9 and 12 year, and the two store picks I've had. When the intensity of flavor dropped on Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon, KC became my favorite bourbon. I've heard that the 18 year is very oaky, but I like oak, and if it's anything like the 12 year the oak will moderate as the whisky opens up. 10:41 I actually like the 10 year better than the 12, but I've only had samples, and I understand that different batches vary significantly. 25:09 "In a twist of events that should surprise mostly no one." I love quirky phrasing, and that's a good one. ❤

[@keegster]

Unique and great list! I’d say swapping out 4🌹 small batch with single barrel? Especially with the new release line that just came out

[@powerstroke991]

I've seen plenty of JD 10 & 12. I just wasn't willing to drop a quarter of a paycheck on either. The secondary pricing down in South GA is insane. These stores have no mercy.😂

[@ericmorin3950]

The new riff hit Ohio recently and is seemingly available for now. Probably a lag in what is hitting which state? Such a good bottle!

[@chazzcombs]

Cool methodology and list. I'd agree with the WT 70th but not the New Riff 8. Other stuff in 2024 I got my hands on I'd add are Maker's Mark Lost Series, Larceny C924, Bardstown Discovery 12, and OCD #5 Premium.

[@jamesdagata9902]

4 Roses SbSelect is honestly one of my favorite “available” and valuable bourbons. For me it kills at the price. It’s a staple and stanard in this house. Feel like the “availability” could have weighed more. I’ve seen exactly 1 of these bottles all year. But that’s just me in the largest city in Nebraska.

[@rflinch]

Haven’t seen the RR 70th Anniversary anywhere. Thanks for including the staples.

[@OwlCreekHS]

Excellent information, thanks for your hard work!!

[@philipmartin9258]

#5 finally yes, something affordable, good, and available in VA. It is better than any Russels I have had but just not Russels fan.

[@phlcollison]

The Jim Beam winter reserve is really good mixed with Evan Williams spiced apple.

[@sweetsinnndy5201]

Love the JR70th, found it at a local grocery store, Mariano's by Gurnee Mills in Illinois for $42, need a backup. The JB Winter Reserve is decent, don't see myself ever buying it again. Bought Dickel 8 year, much better imo at the same price. OGD 114 is decent as well, great price, love the Russell's 10 year. Had Rare Beed tonight, get it for $43.99, amazing.

[@BigD_Energy]

Great list. People slept on that 70th anniversary early on.

[@paulyoshida1747]

What? Where? I was at WT the day they released it, and it was gone. I searched northern Kentucky stores for the rest of the year, to no avail. Ohio dropped it once, and it disappeared in less than 30 minutes. Where were people sleeping on it?

[@philipmartin9258]

Wow loving the “wouldve been list”

[@AceaHathcock]

Distribution is so funny. Cannot find the WT 70th anniversary anywhere (Ok, Tx, Mo) but Angels Envy Triple oak is everywhere and as low as $55

[@omafrog]

Where in TX? The Total Wines near me in DFW had it in stock for like 2 weeks and I was able to grab a couple from my local Spec's the week they dropped.

[@andree7286]

I could be mistaken but I thought I remember you guys saying years ago you both didn’t care much for Tennessee Whiskey. Now 2 Jack Daniels products are in the top 10, what changed? Btw enjoyed the video!

[@omafrog]

I think New Riff Single Barrel, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof, and/or Green River Full Proof might be better inclusions as staples next year than the Four Roses. Heck, I'd probably put the OG OBSV Four Roses Single Barrel in over the Small Batch Select personally. Maybe those are subjecting yourself to too much single barrel variance, but as we see with the whole LL/ME thing; batched products are not impervious to such considerations. Love these lists as always!

[@B1gC4st]

Both Penelopes made it to AZ, to pretty available. Got them too.

[@brandonberridge8776]

I’ve been scouring the earth for the new riff 8 with no luck.

[@SHHDADDYSWORKN]

Those bookers are about 140$ at the class six here in WA, now they're fortunately listed as 130$ with 20% off. Still to expensive for a standard 7yr Jim beam.KC 12 is like half the price and can get you there if you disregard proof!

[@teschvalleyrailroad]

Being here in Michigan, I've found that many recommended items from not only you, but other channels, are often not available here at all. Some of the "on-line" sales companies can bypass that, but at a premium price, unfortunately. I've been able to order about 6 or 7 bottles of "not available in Michigan" items through these services. I still have quite a few more that I would like to try. When travelling to Wisconsin, I always look for those special items. :)

[@gerryconner3372]

I had been looking since I saw reviews for the New Riff 8-year. I actually say it came out in late October at a local Garfield's in IL. I did hesitate on picking it up right away being they had a case on the shelf and I let it sit there for like 3 days to still sitting on the shelf, but by the 5th day I went back determined to by it and luckily at that time there was only one bottle left which I got. They did have the 8-year rye as well, but I was not interested in that. Ended up buying it for $69. Also, i like that the Jim Beam is on here. For what it is and the cost, I like it. It is thin, but actually a nice, easy sipper.

[@davidcolgan3268]

Of the 10 bottles, I have only seen the Knob Creek 18 here in eastern Iowa/western Illinois. There are several Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Store Pick’s available in the area, but not A, B, or C. I asked one store owner if he had gotten any WT 70th, and he said he got in only one bottle. As far as your staples, I am in agreement.

[@James-xg5rh]

Can find Knob Creek 18 for $150 at Total Wine all the time here in Dallas. Definitely a great buy considering age, taste, price and availability. As far as the JD stuff, I’ve never even seen one before… definitely shouldn’t be on this type of list

[@philipmartin9258]

Gotta get me some of that #3. Completely unavailable in VA but New Riff generally available in DC at retail prices so I will have to jump across the river.

[@omalley16]

Still yet to see that WT 70th anywhere here in NorCal. 😢

[@scottmattern482]

I saw it for the first time in Colorado last month at an allocation drop.

[@ricardoherrera6982]

I found it at my Costco here in SoCal yesterday.

[@philipmartin9258]

Wow, Winter Reserve at #2. I was so happy about its cost and availability in VA. It is good not great. Surprised its so high

[@philipmartin9258]

I see 4 roses select more often than Rare Breed

[@lrbtechie]

I could find JD aged and special releases in 2022 and 2023. Absolutely impossible to find them in 2024 at retail.

[@philipmartin9258]

#4 a bit pricey but has been unusually available in VA ABC stores

[@philipmartin9258]

No Larceny BP?

[@christopherkubala4070]

That Triple Oak is tasty. It is hard to put it down.

[@davidteller7681]

New Riff recently sent out an email announcing nationwide availability, all 50 states

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Amazing!

[@A_Bunch_of_Savages]

Not here. Utah must not be one of the 50 states anymore. Maybe we got replaced by Canada.

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Distribution takes months​@@A_Bunch_of_Savages

[@jasonsouza9053]

Michter's small batch bourbon. The best value for the money.

[@philipmartin9258]

You guys should do this list for those of us who live in ABC controlled states.

[@sharonschmeederjohnson4648]

My go to is always old Forester 1910

[@michaelarsers9304]

Thinking about last year's video, If I recollect correctly, among the five staples the Four Roses Small Batch Select was the top rated and Rare Breed was the lowest of the five. This year, it's the opposite. What's going on?

[@nathantappendorf3354]

You needed to make availability a multiplier to the base rating. So 15/25 availability would get a 0.6 multiplier whereas 25/25 would have a 1.0.

[@bobschiller6435]

I will not pay secondary for ANYTHING. People who buy whiskey at retail just to price gouge other whiskey enthusiasts are the scum of the earth as far as I'm concerned. I buy whiskey to drink it and to share with my friends. There are plenty of good whiskies out there to discover, so why waste time and money overpaying to line someone else's pockets? On another note concerning your methodology, I think you need to somehow combine retail value and availability. The JD12 for example: 4.26 for availabilty while the 25 for retail value propelled it to #6. What the hell difference does retail value make if you can't find it? Maybe average the two (or three if you throw in secondary value as well)?

[@A_Bunch_of_Savages]

Of your benchmark always available, 3 of the 5 aren’t available here in Utah. No OGD114, no Four Roses SBS, and the complete shocker - no Rare Breed.

[@philipmartin9258]

I gotta get me #9. Fairly available in Virginia. $100 a bit pricey

[@philipmartin9258]

I got a bithday coming up in Feb. fingers crossed

[@philipmartin9258]

A124 pretty widely available inVA. Other releases not so much

[@robd8167]

JD12 is master level trolling, right? 😅

[@ItsBourbonNight]

Hey, blame the math, we're not trying to troll anyone hahaha!

[@PaulMyers-hu8bw]

Great to see the ECBP and Bookers on this list. My favorites and easy enough to find

[@mcboiler]

Elijah Craig Small Batch could be a great staple.

[@JaimeArgila-u8m]

The scores for LL/ME aren't accurate because it's not the same as other RR10. It's actually very limited and there is a secondary value. Also, my suggestion to avoid things like JD10 and JD12 making this list is that availability and value at msrp should be combined into one score. For example a bottle that has 25 value at msrp but 1% available should only get 1% of the msrp value points.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@JaimeArgila-u8m We did an episode where we tasted the LL/ME against a bottle from 2023 and it tasted very similar, so to us there’s no real difference. We like you idea about combining them but in effect wouldn’t us polling patrons from around the country to get the availability score achieve the same thing? You say 1% but how are you getting that number? We for the 4.(whatever it was) out of 25 by polling patrons. We thought it was the most “scientific” and fair way to do it.

[@JaimeArgila-u8m]

@ItsBourbonNight To you, subjectively, there wasn't a difference. To others there are. Same could be said for any 2 bottles. Someone might say we compared EC C923 and found no different between that and EC A124 but that doesn't make them equivalent. The fact is LL/ME had limited availability and does carry a secondary value whether warranted or not. Take your availability score as a percentage (x/25) and multiply it by the MSRP value score. So availability score of 5 with MSRP value of 25 gets adjusted score of (5/25) *25 = 5. A bottle with availability of 25 and MSRP value of 25 gets adjusted score of (25/25) * 25 = 25 What this does is prevent bottles that are unobtainium but obviously total buys at MSRP (GTS, KoK, WLW, ER17 or even JD12) from inflated overall scores.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@ What I meant with it not tasting any different to us is we might as well have put the one from 2023 in and it would have performed the same way in the blind.

[@JaimeArgila-u8m]

@@ItsBourbonNight possibly but you never know in a blind against other bottles. But that's not really the point. The LL/ME was the bottle in the blind so you have to score it based on that. Again, someone else could say the same thing - we could have put ECA124 in the blind and it would have done the same. Every blind is different and you have to judge it based on the actual bottles in the blind and not on past experience.

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@ True but we also could have just as easily put that laser code bottle in randomly to represent RR10 and none would have been the wiser. We got it without trying to get a LL/ME.

[@altmandillon1]

🎉🎉🎉

[@shawnsatchwell]

The Jim beam winter reserve was the perfect bourbon to put into egg nog this year!

[@andymancan2088]

Cooper's craft 100 should replaced 4rsbs

[@LeatherDaddy97]

Coopers craft isnt sold in many states, including mine

[@Craig-m7x]

Why are you still drinking and promoting alcohol consumption when it has been clearly established to cause cancer. It's like still telling people how great it is to smoke. You will regret drinking so much someday.

[@trevor_W]

Late to watch this, but you're not putting enough weight into availability. 25 points of out 175, that's less than 15% of the total score. I'd recommend multiplying the availability score by 4, which would make availability 100 points out of 250 total. You could even do this on your 2024 data as a test to see how that would work for next year.

[@HelloHello-yb1rl]

Why do people pay 40-45$ for buffalo trace when you can get rare bread for 60?

[@ItsBourbonNight]

@@HelloHello-yb1rl They’ve probably never had Rare Breed or possibly many other Bourbons and are going off more of the Buffalo Trace reputation. Don’t get us wrong, we love BT and think it’s a great Bourbon, but $25 is where it should be priced.

[@ragincajun77]

ECBP124A is the worst of the ECBP offerings I've had. I guess our palates disagree.

[@jamesmandeville1625]

Currently drinking new riff 8 year now…

[@SHHDADDYSWORKN]

Also idk about value or available bourbons, maybe for yall but not the average joe. Ive never seen either jd10 or 12 and some of the others out in the wild. I wouldn't consider a jd 10 or 12 ever in an availability list. Just a little constructive criticism in my market of, which is Washington state. Love yalls videos though regardless!

[@philipmartin9258]

#8 never seen in Virginia. But, you know, Tennessee and Virginia just don’t get along.

[@philipmartin9258]

#6 same as the 10 year old

[@MarkMongielo-ji5tt]

Come on, available. I never see Jack 10 or 12.