Best Whiskey under $40

[TommyZ]

So I had my first taste of Lagavulin 16 on New Years Eve and fucking loved it. But around me I can't find it for cheap. Can anyone point me toward a decent cheaper whiskey that will satisfy my soul? I haven't had a whiskey in the house in a while.

I've tried Buffalo Trace and wasn't a fan.

Thanks for all the help
Tom

 

[usmcpurcell]

Eagle rare homie 30 a fifth its a great bourbon.

 

[TommyZ]

Eagle rare homie 30 a fifth its a great bourbon.

So no shit I literally tried to Google
"eagle rare homie"

Let's just say I'm a few bricks short of a house tonight

 

[usmcpurcell]

Hahaha..... Hahahaha

 

[daleo8803]

I like Jim beam black for a cheap bourbon. Also try woodford reserve, its around $40 here. Those are my go toos.

 

[klovett]

2nd the Woodford Reserve!

 

[Wasz]

I think Woodford has fallen to around $35 per bottle here. Eagle Rare is good like Dutch said. Buffalo Trace is around $21 a bottle here, I drink that too and enjoy it, at that price point I think it's the best thing going.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

Col. EH Taylor, Four Roses single barrel, Monkey Shoulder (scotch), Bulliett (bourbon or rye), Or any variety of W.L Weller. That should get you started.

 

[bear0311]

Basil Hayden's is probably my go to right now which can usually be found for right around $40. Jefferson's is also very good and right around $40 a bottle. Also Bulliett is very good for the pricepoint as @THEMISCHMAN stated.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

 

[andysc83]

If you can find it, Elmer T Lee is my favorite bourbon for that price range. Russell's Reserve 10 and Eagle Rare would be my next choice.

 

[Dale_H]

Evan Williams single barrel is typically around $25 and I think it's one of the best values out there along with Old Grandad BIB. Both are daily drivers for me that are very budget friendly.

~ Dale
Georgia, USA

 

[dscl]

A ton have been listed, but I will mention my favorites in your price range by distillery. (I'm a bourbon guy though so don't expect any scotches here)

• Four Roses - Small Batch, Yellow Label
• Buffalo Trace - Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare 11 Year, Sazerac Rye, W.L. Weller 12 Year, W.L. Weller Special Reserve
• Bardstown - Evan Williams Single Barrel, Rittenhouse Rye Bottled-in-Bond, Elijah Craig Small Batch

That list should get you started and nothing should be over $40

 

[Ga Gator]

As others have said
Four Roses single barrel
Elijah Craig
Elmer T Lee
Eagle rare
Weller 12

I would add try to find a barrel proof and consider upping your limit a little bit. Stagg Jr. Bookers, Knob Creek are labels which are readily available. If you can find, 4- roses, E. H. Taylor, Elijah Craig jump on it.

You can then cut it to the proof you want with bottled water. I find barrel proof has much more flavor and thicker mouth feel.

I'm not a huge Knob Creek fan but there barrel proof is really good.

 

[dscl]

Col. EH Taylor, Four Roses single barrel, Monkey Shoulder (scotch), Bulliett (bourbon or rye), Or any variety of W.L Weller. That should get you started.

As others have said
Four Roses single barrel
Elijah Craig
Elmer T Lee
Eagle rare
Weller 12

I would add try to find a barrel proof and consider upping your limit a little bit. Stagg Jr. Bookers, Knob Creek are labels which are readily available. If you can find, 4- roses, E. H. Taylor, Elijah Craig jump on it.

You can then cut it to the proof you want with bottled water. I find barrel proof has much more flavor and thicker mouth feel.

I'm not a huge Knob Creek fan but there barrel proof is really good.

Where are you guys finding Four Roses Single Barrel and Elmer T Lee for under $40?

 

[tadpole]

i am a huge fan of scotch (and japanese whiskys), not a fan of bourbons...which is a shame because bourbon can start at 20$, and the highly recommended stuff can be had at under 50$. scotch whisky (blends and the cheaper single malts) will typically start at 50$ and the highly recommended single malts can get to the 120$ range. thats not even counting the baller stuff that can get over 1000$ per bottle.
that said, lagavulin 16 is a scotch whisky. most of the suggestions above are bourbons.
my cheaper scotch recommendations are:
macallan 12
balvenie 12
aberlour 12
auchentoshan 12
glenrothes select reserve
these can be had for about 50 at binnys.

also, dont sleep on some of the japanese whiskys. even the cheaper hibiki harmony is surprisingly good ($65ish)

good luck...

 

[shadowcam]

I've been really enjoying High West Double Rye. It's a less spicy rye and dangerously drinkable.

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

Where are you guys finding Four Roses Single Barrel and Elmer T Lee for under $40?

I wish it was under $40. I think it's around $45 at the place I go but it's too good not to mention for the OP's price point.

 

[MyFathersKeeper]

Woodford is my go-to. Willett Pot Still Reserve flirts with the $40 mark & is excellent. Larceny is an affordable wheated (think Makers Mark) bourbon that I enjoy. The Eagle Rare mentioned previously is a great choice.

Regular Jefferson's is a good call. Their Reserve is over $40, but well worth the extra few bucks to have a special bottle on hand.

I'm from KY so Scotch is sacrilege around here...

 

[davewittwer]

Like others have said, Elmer T Lee, hands down!

 

[Rupe]

My go-to's are:

Templeton Rye
Eagle Rare
Woodford reserve
Bulleit Rye

I will also drink just plain old Jim Beam in a pinch. I'm definitely going to have to try the High West Double Rye now though based on Eddie's (@shadowcam) recommendation