The ABCs of Avoiding Overhyped & Overpriced Bourbons

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A. Availability -- Are you only buying a bottle because it's hard to find, or do you actually think you might enjoy it?
B. Budget -- Is it comfortably within your personal budget, or are you stretching yourself thin?
C. Confidence -- Have you ever tried the bottle you're buying before? If not, how confident are you that it fits your typical flavor preferences?
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[@KenBassler12]

Exchanging samples within our community to try things before buying is so worthwhile to me!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It's a real game changer, isn't it?

[@TheWithdrawl]

I bought a pour of Blanton's at a bar and immediately relinquished all FOMO bcuz it was just ok. So I was able to wait until I saw one at MSRP. I bought it and used it to trade for something else.

[@petrvodkin5824]

How much MSRP for Blanton's?

[@petrvodkin5824]

In Duty Free America it is 150$

[@Bill.K.]

What is this ‘budget’ thing you speak of? Never heard of it.

[@tomshanley5405]

🤣😂

[@rtrascal3431]

It's based on a hierarchy of needs - whiskey, shelter, food.... 🙂

[@osamashatat]

Bud get, get Bud? cannabis?

[@lovequeen_4014]

😂😂😂

[@stuffandwhiskey]

A wise man once said, “if you don’t have a budget, you can never go over your budget.”

[@ironmantran]

You are the voice of reason. . . . Positive reviews can be manipulated or in-sincere. . . . No childish "chasing" or "hunting" hype.

[@Josh_P_1992]

I have a logical thought process, I’m not spending over $60 on a bottle. I am lucky enough to have access to Class 6 on military bases and we get a cheaper price for most things. I got Rare Breed for $45 last week. Ben Holliday for $50ish. JD SBBP for $60 or less. There are so many good bottles under $60.

[@stefanschwalenberg8320]

Are you looking to adopt a nephew/uncle?

[@jaypenha5352]

OMG! I thought I was the only one. I’m a bourbon snob, but my paychecks dont really match the $80-120 bottles that are advertized on these youtube bourbon channels. Thank Goodness. I cannot justify spending over $100 for a SINGLE bottle of liquor. I just dont make that type of money. There are PLENTY of award winning bourbons in my budget. Russells reserve 10 yr, 4roses single barrel OESK recipe, Old forester 100, and Old forester 1910 are all within that $63 budget.

[@omalley16]

@@Josh_P_1992 I usually won’t spend over $100 on a bottle. Only done it once and that was to get a Weller FP.

[@michaelshepler1018]

Erin saying "good word" at 9:17 is the best!!! Like a church meeting in here!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

🙌🙌

[@bubbakav]

Basically - buy what you like. If you’re feeling flush and want to gamble, then roll the dice. You be you.

[@BeedeeEx]

I always love your videos so much! This is great info to keep in mind when I go shopping. I, like Josh, have definitely dropped cash on something due to FOMO and then been disappointed. But I have found they end up great pours to share with others who might light it more. So, I don't see it as a total loss as I rarely drink just by myself...social guy here.

[@NeighbaNeighba]

FYI, you two are my favorite bourbon channel. I find you to be spot on with your assessments. Keep up the good work.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks, that means a lot to us! We're really glad you're enjoying the content!

[@Brockthedog315]

Rare breed $46 at Costco in KC. Can’t be beat.

[@fritzgeiger8603]

This says so much about why I joined the channel. Understanding your palette and what you like and less FOMO. That said, looking forward to the Knob Creek pick!

[@arymniak1]

I bought a KC18 💯 proof and it was not worth the price I paid. Lesson learned. Good tips.

[@scottykarate8596]

Perfect example here.. It takes that experience once to know a KC12 at $65 is the much better bottle.

[@jimidrammer4187]

Word is WTRB non-chill-filtered will be available in the US soon! The travel retail exclusive contract has expired so...I will FOMO that.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We’ve been sitting on that news for a year and a half now. Glad it’s finally happening!

[@matthewhall8790]

I think Blanton's is both overhyped and overpriced. I have tried about 8 different ones, and haven't loved one yet. Luckily, I'm not the one buying them, a friend seems to be able to get his hands on them and keeps buying them. It's not bad, just not great either. My favorite BT product so far is EHTBIB.

[@nickp5511]

Nice video! Great guidelines to go by and great advice from experience!

[@PMantle]

I've bought Blanton's exactly twice because that's how many times I've seen it in a store. Both were at gas stations instead of large liquor stores. I did it just to have it, and I am fine with that. Never know when a guest really wants some, and I will be happy to share it with them. I'll probably fill the empty bottles with Ancient Age lol.

[@steven_dekok]

I haven't been able to drink any type of bourbons or whiskeys since my college days due to um, some bad choices. 30 years later, while in Eastern Europe, I became fascinated with some of their bourbons. This opened the door to other bourbons in the US. I wish we could get Alexandrion products here in the US.

[@altmandillon1]

Awesome content, guys 🎉🎉🎉

[@bigreb62]

I think you have to watch channels and compare what they like to what you like and find channels with pallets similar to yours

[@darynt73]

Great video! I bought a Blanton's first chance I got and am glad I did, $65, not bad, but not for me again, just passed up a bottle this past week. I fell into the buy it and try it trap and that can mess with your budget. I appreciate you guys, I have a profile a little hybrid of the 2 of you together, pretty sweet but not super oaky. Next stop for me, toasted barrel bourbons.

[@ernestpeacock1943]

I'm Confident that I have a problem because I LIKE a lot of different things!! I appreciate y'all trying to help though 🤣. ❤️ your content and these little tangents you throw in.

[@Best_Overserved_--_No_Ice]

Sorry to hear it. I consider myself lucky that I have a pretty narrow range of things I LIKE.

[@bradmartz4106]

I have the same problem i like way too much whiskey. Its all good some of its just better than others

[@ernestpeacock1943]

@@bradmartz4106 yeah, I also like tequila, rum, wine, single malts foreign and domestic, armagnac......💰💸

[@ElijahCraig2317]

Really helpful! Thanks.

[@Stew_Burner]

I just bought a 24 Remus Gatsby for 250, but it sat in my store for the last 5 weeks and it was the last in area. I use these practices all time, and I tell patrons in the store the same. I don't chase, and with PA having BT products allocated, people are stupid for them like they are gold. We get asked all the time if we are hiding any. Being state employees, we would be fired so no

[@matthewstuteville8321]

Great advice! They should be top of mind anytime you are choosing bourbon.

[@PEDMAN0216]

Good video all…If I may add..If you’re able to try something before buying…I found that trying it with a “dry” palate works best…try not to have anything before (beer..wine..other whiskeys). I find myself first thing to do is look at the bar and see what they have before ordering. One of my favorites that I would spend with some caution is Rock Hills Farm…Here in California it’s impossible to find…I did find 1 but price was $450….I tried some negotiating but to no avail….I’ll pass on that price…Thank you …Cheers Always

[@Best_Overserved_--_No_Ice]

Nice tip about the dry palate at a bar. Hadn't thought of that but will keep it in mind.

[@allenbt11]

Fun episode. BTW, not to be pendatic, but "One man's trash is another man's treasure" is about how perspective drives one's perception of reality, not the relative expense of things. Cheers.

[@MaryS-go8dl]

Fantastic content, I needed this video.

[@kirklandeche937]

In this day and age, a lot of people see whiskey reviews on whatever media, and literally turn theirselves into bourbon hunting monsters. Recently, people have been speaking of what they feel is a down turn in the whiskey market. I feel like a lot of people are recognizing how the FOMO games are played, and now that is turning around to bite the market where it hurts the most! Just the same, every business is free to run their affairs however they want. In the end, when I see a bottle on a shelf, or in a display csse, it's going to be a matter of who wants it the most, the store owner or myself. Great show as always! Cheers! 😊

[@jondilly1974]

The evolution of a whiskey drinker is so intriguing to me. We all have our own paths, but end up going through similar ebbs and flows. I’m currently in a 100-ish proof vibe, but used to really need 120+ proof to get anything out of a pour. Had a pour of OF17 recently and it blew me away. VVS13 is amazing for me as well. However in the past OF releases really fell flat for me. So strange how things change over time and after a given experience.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Great points. And by the way, VVS13 was incredible! Didn’t get a bottle but was very happy we got to try it.

[@johnny5183]

How much would you spend on RR15… I found 1 for 499

[@stuffandwhiskey]

If I’d never tried it, I wouldn’t even pay retail as it’s so pricey. If I had tried it and love it like I do, I’d pay the most I’m personally willing to pay for a bottle, which is over retail but not astronomical. Not a straightforward easy answer, but spending that much on a consumable warrants a nuanced take IMO.

[@NeighbaNeighba]

I would pay $300-$325 at most

[@williamprice1542]

Getting a pour of certain high priced bottles is actually money well spent 😅 Got t try old forester birthday 2024, rock hill farms, And several others, helped me decide if the hype is real 😂

[@robcd7112]

Unfortunately you have to go through the process of buying and trying a lot of bottles to figure out what you like and don't like. Then, once you've figured it out, definitely follow the ABC guidelines! Bottle shares and paying for pours can help, but they just aren't a substitute for having a bottle because you might feel differently about a bottle over time.

[@Jeellis55]

I came here to say the same thing. It's easy to say follow these ABCs when you've already tried a lot of bottles. Plus it's easy to not splurge on bottles when patrons and distilleries are sending you samples/bottles.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Good point, although in our opinion it does sell short just how valuable it is to hit bottle shares or try pours first. We’ve had bottles go from “I don’t really care for this” to “this is solid,” but we’ve never had a bottle go from lackluster to top tier whiskey just because we tasted it on a different day. This is also why we encourage sample swaps so much within our community. You get a sample you can try on your own time over a couple of days to get a much better idea of whether you like it or not before buying.

[@KurtFogleman]

Buy a pour in a bar to decide if you like it

[@CharleyCarey]

My rule is I'll never pay secondary prices on something. If I see something slightly marked up at a local mom and pop shop I might get it but there's nothing I want bad enough to pay those secondary prices. And I agree about Blanton's. I think its solid juice. Its NEVER available in my market and there's plenty of stuff that sits on shelves that is at least comparable.

[@joshhalleron694]

Interesting video! thanks!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Glad you liked it!

[@winelion1318]

I've found an easy way to try new labels is to order a shot of something different at a good whisky bar. If I like what I tried, I'll consider it next purchase.

[@robertlee6781]

That will save you every time. I could buy a car with the money I saved trying a pour first.

[@STBarnhart]

It took me a while to figure this out, but it is probably the best advise you could give someone.

[@grinner68]

I agree 100% on Blanton’s. I remember the days when you could go into any store and buy a bottle for $50 or less and it was definitely worth getting. Now, I’d rather get 2 (or 4) bottles of Rare Breed instead of buying a single bottle of Blanton’s (not that I can find it). I’m equally surprised at the prices people pay for Buffalo Trace now - that used to be priced similarly to WT101, and I always thought WT101 was better!

[@vincec727]

I have money, but I don’t pay over $150 for any bourbon. I currently have couple bottles of Blantons, a GTS , Stagg jr , Eh Taylor barrel proof. All for $110 and under. Right place, right time.

[@umami0247]

I only have one standard I use and that’s budget. If it’s over 100 I’m out. Don’t care what it is if I was in my local store and they put out a Russell 15 and I have the money I’m still passing on it. Just can’t justify paying that much for a bottle of alcohol. Fomo has never been a problem for me again because of my budget. Just what I stick to and I don’t believe I’m missing out.

[@petrvodkin5824]

Now eskimos can drink with that zbioticz

[@heatherharrison264]

Bourbon is popular enough that it isn't unusual for bars to have a decent selection. Even bars that aren't specialist whisky bars might have some of these hyped up allocated bottles. If they haven't jacked up the price too much, trying a hyped bourbon at a bar is a good way to satisfy curiosity without eating up a lot of time and money hunting for a bottle. I've tried a few this way, and I find that, while these are not bad bourbons, they seldom live up to the hype, so I'll only buy these bottles if I happen to stumble upon them at a decent price. One way to avoid this trouble with bourbon is to branch out and try other spirits. This is easy for me, as bourbon isn't my top spirit anyway. Judging from quantity in my collection, single malt whisky is my top spirit. In that category, overhyped and overpriced can be a problem too, but the overhyped ones at least tend to be more available. Where I find great quality for the price is rum and brandy. Rum is seen by most people as a cocktail mixer and isn't taken seriously, while brandy (with the exception of a few overpriced and overhyped Cognacs) isn't popular at all these days. The downside to this is that bars rarely have a strong selection of these spirits, so buying bottles blind and hoping for the best is the only way to get into the higher quality examples. It helps to find a store that is run by people who know what they are doing in these categories. With some experience and a few wrong turns along the way, it is possible to greatly increase the chance of a successful purchase.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Well said all around. We’d highly encourage bourbon drinkers to try to expand their palates as there as so many wonderful sipping spirits out there to explore.

[@heatherharrison264]

@@stuffandwhiskey For bourbon drinkers, rum is the logical next step. Start with Foursquare and branch out from there.

[@omalley16]

At my local spot, Blanton’s is more expensive than Stagg Jr.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s wild!

[@justinvandee9428]

My problem is I live in a tiny 300 population town in the middle of nowhere Iowa. I like Stagg but have never seen it on a shelf. So if I want it I have to pay more than the $70 it sold for way before I knew a city store had it. So there is a BFE step to this too. Cheers 🥃

[@NeighbaNeighba]

I love Stagg also and have plenty of it

[@NeighbaNeighba]

I would have easily paid $150 for my first bottle of Stagg. The first bottle was very difficult to find.

[@roybrice7743]

Bought a well Weller 12 on a trip to Cherbourg France at Christmas for €40 which is around $41 I am sure it was incorrectly price either way it’s a win 😊

[@ericbugh5393]

Best idea is to watch a KZbin review on someone you know who has a good pallet before paying a lot on a hyped bottle.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Not just a “good” palate, but a palate that aligns with your own. And even that isn’t a guarantee, but it’s safer than blindly buying.

[@bigdaddy4691]

The best way I've found to avoid overpriced whiskey is being broke. Booker's is great, I'll buy a few expensive bottles a year but I have great whiskeys that I always keep in my cabinet. Larceny Small Batch wheated is my go to sipping bourbon but I do love a lot of craft, and rare stuff. Rare Breed is another mainstay in my cabinet. I actually love and "unpopular opinion" warning at $40-$45 a bottle I happen to be a BBQ cook who can discern the flavors imparted by different wood, Wild Turkey Longbranch is a great bottle. I almost followed the reviews of it, but to somebody that understands smoking culture it's a great bottle. It's a great price for a great bottle that I would say doesn't "impress" bourbon drinkers as a whole because they don't necessarily understand why I love this. My background in BBQ pits, killing hogs, killing beef, making things that only a select few friends and family get, make me have a different perception of rare. It's stupid to say you don't like low proof wheated bourbon when you bought it. People nowadays find reasons to be victims. You wanted that bourbon, enjoy it.

[@BeardMan01]

I've got a George T and several bottles of Old Fitz at retail, not to mention countless others. At retail, they're worth every penny. Russell's is overpriced, I'll agree with that.

[@CPGumby]

Bought my first Blanton's 3-4 years ago for 160 bucks because it was on the shelf and the FOMO was kicking HARD, and I'm STILL kicking myself about it - so not worth it. It's a good 50-60 dollar bottle, but jeez louise... what was I thinking?!

[@osw330904]

Im so over blind buys… im gonna just stack whiskeys that I already know and appreciate

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 😎

[@theWZZA]

Confidence is more like Preference. But ABP doesn't sound right 😄

[@julianalgarin9733]

I think a lot of newer people go bourbon hunting and get FOMO when they see a bottle of Blanton’s for $500

[@Reamer]

Josh, you sound like you've got a bad cold. Get well soon, brother!

[@Fish-Erman]

Anything being hyped and marked up because of the hype, or lack of availability, is off my radar entirely, booze or anything else. Call me cheap.

[@mikebardo7281]

Luv your channel. I watch because you taste BLIND. Not to do so, is drinking the label.

[@JackBass9]

I try not to pay attention to whiskey hype. Never bought anything I knew was allocated. I do know that Josh’s definition of budget is way higher than mine based on watching your videos.

[@JackBass9]

I also understand what you mean about buying a distiller that you do not like other whiskey’s they produce. Example, Markers Mark. I purchased a 46 because of reviews even though I dislike other MM whiskey. Dislike 46 too.

[@americangto]

Rare Breed is $98 after tax where I live.

[@Josh_P_1992]

I just paid $45 with a $2 off promotion

[@americangto]

@Josh_P_1992 very jealous

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Ouch!

[@tomfrengillo]

Probably won’t buy it at $68. Best lesson, don’t buy what you don’t like.

[@Oggi7777]

Bought mine for 51

[@chasesimmons6451]

Ahhh yes, the bourbon buying curve. It happens to everyone even if they are too prideful to admit. JOIN A PATREON AND/OR GROUP..best thing you can do. The “bourbon boom” group (me included) are getting more selective and I’m glad to see it.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Well said!

[@southernfriedkiwi7726]

I was posted at Fort Knox and their class 6 regularly had Blantons for around $42ish. It drinks like a $30 bottle. I tried the decanter OF and it also drank like a $30 bottle. The fact that men are paying $2-300+ for these things is just sad. Stop treating alcohol like women treat handbags. The never ending quest to have the newest "it" handbag, to impress or make your girlfriends jealous, is a horrible way to approach spending money on a purchase. Men are supposed to have more commonsense. Unless we start to seriously stop purchasing so much overpriced alcohol, the market won't come back down to normal. The fact that a secondary market even exists, is just depressing to me, as a man.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It’s Pokémon. Gotta catch em all…or at least some folks think that way.

[@Oggi7777]

Coopers craft 100…

[@TheRealMoonBear]

TLDR just buy GTS and R15

[@stuffandwhiskey]

To be fair, that’s basically missing the entire point of the video. TLDR is to know yourself and your palate, and stick to that and your budgetary sensibilities.

[@WhiskeyMathanDearg]

I’m confident if Erin, Sara, or Daniel likes it, there’s a HIGH probability so will I. The rest of y’all’s palate…😕…😂 Just kidding, I love you too Josh & Chad. @ItsBourbonNight @WhiskeyVault

[@stuffandwhiskey]

😂😂 hey that’s fair. As we always say, “know thyself.”