10 Great Bourbons Under $30

In celebration of National Bourbon Heritage Month, I thought I'd make a list of some bourbons that I enjoy that have great flavor but won't break your bank. Each of the bourbons listed below come in a 750ml bottle for under $30. Of course, pricing will vary depending on where you buy but I've tried to list an average price or price I've recently paid in Miami. In Miami, I've found the best variety is usually at Total Wine & Spirits but, contrary to popular belief, they don't always have the best price. Other shops I frequent are Crown Wine & Spirits, Grove Liquors (nice selection but usually high priced unless they have a special running so it's rare that I buy there), Big Daddy's, and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.

Buffalo Trace - $25 - A great way to start off this list.  This is the namesake bourbon for what I feel is the best distillery standing in the United States today.  I love the complexity of this bourbon where flavor ranges from oaky, woody notes to vanilla, to some hints of citrus peel.  I enjoy this one with a few rocks or a bourbon ice ball and it also makes for a nice Old Fashioned.

Bulliet - $25 - This one is not a favorite of mine to sip neat or on the rocks, however, with a high rye content it's a favorite of most bartenders for fashioning classic cocktails.  The bite from the rye allows this bourbon to shine when mixed in a cocktail.  It's also pretty sweet with vanilla and honey flavor playing backup to the spicy rye.  I like the bottle.  It reminds me of the days of the wild frontier.

Corner Creek - $23- This one was previously featured here as a Bourbon Bargain Alert when Big Daddy's had it as low as $9.99 for 750ml and $19.99 for 1.75L!!  Though the flavor won't blow you away, it's an easy sipper that I enjoy on the rocks.  Real smooth, light bourbon that's grainy with notes of vanilla, caramel, char, wood, and a hint of cherry.  Smooth finish too.  I recently learned while doing some pricing research for this article that this bourbon uses corn, wheat, and rye in it's mash (most use wheat or rye) and that the corporate offices are located right here in Miami.  I'll be investigating that a bit further...

Eagle Rare 10yr - $28 - Another favorite of mine from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, this bourbon has a moderate amber color and a sweet yet spicy flavor.  Hints of vanilla, caramel, raisin, spice, and dried grain.  It's the "well" bourbon at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and can be had for $5/glass during their happy hour (M-F 5:00-6:30pm).  I definitely recommend checking that out!

Elijah Craig 12yr - $25 - A fantastic value at $24, this bourbon is a sweet one with notes of butterscotch, vanilla, root beer, caramel, spice, and light oak.  It's a small batch bourbon that delivers in flavor.  Chef K and Chadzilla, my co-conspirators at Sol Kitchen, made a kickass root beer float with this at Podzilla.  Total Wine has had it on sale for as low as $22 as well.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage - $27 - I once got called out by Kelly Liken, a finalist on Top Chef, for expressing my distaste for Evan Williams bourbon.  I must admit that at that point I'd only tried the black label which I still have much distaste for.  The Single Barrel Vintage, however, brings much more to the table.  This bourbon was the first and only bourbon to list a vintage date on the bottle, depicting the exact day it was placed in the barrel to age.  I've had the 1999, 2000, and 2001 editions on my bar over the years and have enjoyed them, especially for the dollars I paid.  This one is oaky with vanilla, caramel, spice, and a little cinnamon.  The one that currently sits on my bar, the 2001, has a nice viscosity to it too that coats the tongue on each sip. 

Jefferson's Small Batch - $27 - I love Jefferson's 17yr Presidential Select but at $79 a bottle it wasn't making this list.  The small batch product pales in comparison to the 17yr but it's still a decent bourbon with tones of vanilla, cream soda, and little hints of peach.

Old Grandad 114 - $25 - This bourbon is a bit of an ass kicker at 114 proof.  However, the burn is very light, almost smooth, which I find to be odd yet very enjoyable.  Lots of vanilla and caramel going on here with a firey spice profile as well.  This one really grew on me the more I sipped and it's become one of my favorite value bourbons on the market.

Old Forrester Signature - $20 - A dark colored spirit rich with caramel and milk chocolate notes.  The rye spice notes in this bourbon also shine along with some grain and char.  A nice sipper on the rocks.

W.L. Weller 12yr - $25 - This wheated bourbon has a deep color and grainy nose and palate to it that continues all the way through the finish.  Like most wheated bourbons, I like the spiciness of this spirit.  Perfect for classic cocktails too.  I also found it was great when I infused it with citrus peel and vanilla. 

You will notice that I've left Maker's Mark off the list.  The reason behind that is that Maker's is what I call "the gateway bourbon".  Most bourbon drinkers have likely had it before or know of it because its' signature red wax dipped bottle can be found sitting on nearly every bar shelf in the country.  It's still a good bourbon at a good price.  In fact, my travel plans have taken a turn for the worse and I'm sipping one right now as I type this post in an airport lounge.

I hope you find this post useful and that it leads to you discovering a new bourbon that you enjoy.  Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments and, as always, please respect your bourbon and drink responsibly.

National Bourbon Heritage Month!

When you're really into something and you have a blog, it's really your job to share it with others.  Well, I failed on that this month.  If you've read this blog or met me in person, you know that I am a proud bourbon drinker.  That's why it's disappointing that it's taken me 14 days to let you know that this is National Bourbon Heritage Month.

Well, I'll attempt to make up for it with some new knowledge for ya...

National Bourbon Heritage Month is a relatively new observance.  It started in 2007 as a way to celebrate bourbon as a distinct product of the United States of America.  Man, I feel proud just typing that.  The Kentucky Bourbon Festival is a week long celebration held in September in Bardstown, Kentucky.  I've yet to attend though plans have been drafted a few times.  It's on my bucket list right next to attending the Kentucky Derby.

Bourbon (and whiskey in general) holds a significant space in the history of the United States of America.  It survived discrimination, religious persecution, and Prohibiton.  One man, a judge, professor, and Mississippi state legislator named Noah S. "Soggy" Sweat Jr., was asked to take a side on whether or not the state should continue to prohibit or finally legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages.  His speech is a classic, one of epic grandeur and political doubletalk.  It is one of my favorite moments in whiskey history and one of my favorite speeches.  Happy National Bourbon Heritage Month.  Enjoy! 


"My friends,

I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time.

However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy.

On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be.

You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, here is how I feel about whiskey.

If when you say whiskey you mean

the devil's brew
the poison scourge
the bloody monster
that defiles innocence
dethrones reason
destroys the home
creates misery and poverty
yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children...

If you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman
from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living
into the bottomless pit of degradation
and despair
and shame
and helplessness
and hopelessness

then certainly I am against it.


But...


If when you say whiskey you mean
the oil of conversation
the philosophic wine
the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together
that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips
and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes
if you mean Christmas cheer
if you mean the stimulating drink
that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning
if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy
and his happiness
and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies,
and heartaches
and sorrows

if you mean that drink
the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars
which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children
our blind
our deaf
our dumb
our pitiful aged and infirm
to build highways
and hospitals
and schools

then certainly I am for it.


This is my stand.

I will not retreat from it.

I will not compromise."

Lobstah Fest 2011 - First Shell, Part Deux

One of the things I love most about vacationing in Rockport each year is that there is no plan, no schedule, no required duty.  Whether you are a guest or a family member, you're on your own and free to do as you please.  Feel like relaxing at the beach?  Grab a chair and head on down.  Hungry?  The cupboard and fridge is yours to raid.  Just make sure we are always stocked with the important stuff - beer and bourbon.

I had given my mum the Michael's Genuine Cookbook for her birthday in May and between all of the hustle and bustle of getting the house set up and summer getting into full gear, she hadn't had a chance to use it yet.  So, when Jackie and Paula said they wanted to make a breakfast from the book, I said to have at it.  And that they did, using the provisions we secured at the market the day before.

Full kitchen

The two ladies were up and at 'em in the wee hours of the morning, Paula kneading dough for a breakfast pizza and Jackie whipping up some homemade ricotta that would top some crostinis with apricot jam.

I accepted the role of pizza master, working the dough into a couple of pans using my whiskey glass roller technique.  As I rolled, the ladies wrapped bacon around some peaches for David, grillmaster, to finish off on the grill.

Jackie placed the peaches on top of arugula and finished them with some shaved parmesan and a drizzle of balsamic.

The pizza was topped with a light layer of sauce, sauteed leeks, pancetta, cheese, and a couple of eggs, you know, cuz it's breakfast and stuff.  I love a good yolk on my pizza, mmm hmmm.

Good way to start the day

After nibbling pizza and licking a few plates clean, the breakfast was Soco Approved.

Breakfast feels good in ma belly!

I was well nourished when the clock struck 10am, signaling that it was time for a dip in the ocean to fully wake up.  Shortly thereafter it was a long, arduous day of lounging in a beach chair, playing beach games, and drinking beer.  I'm not sure how we accomplished it all on empty stomachs but there was good reason for that...  The Beach Blast Lobster Fest was soon to follow!
 
This year, we started shuckin' around with some oysters to kick things off.

Next we got into a couple pounds of steamers... 

Meaty Bivalves

I love steamers and this year's batch was unbelievably good!  You didn't even need to dip them in butter.  Just...

Remove the shell...

Peel back the neck...

Give it a dip in the hot stock from the steamer pot...

and pound it down!

Once the steamers were gone it was lobstah time!

You can't have a lobstah fest without a lobstah shirt!

Getting intimate with dinner...

These leftover guys would be broken down and made into lobstah rolls the next day.  Waste not, want not!

We finished off all of the lobster we could handle, putting back a few beers and a few bourbons.  Night rolled in and a full moon lit up the bay on Long Beach.  We headed on down to take it all in and have a nightcap.

Under a full moon, you can become a...

 

SUPAHSTAH!!

Lobstah Fest 2011

Each July, I venture back home to Massachusetts to meet up with my family at a beach house on Long Beach in Rockport, MA for our annual Beach Blast.  It's my absolute favorite time of the year.  Great times with family and friends, days at the beach playing in the surf and sipping cold beer, and plenty of New England seafood to go around.  This year, I invited my great friends David, Paula, and Jackie along for the ride.  Not only did they have a great time but their presence upped the fun quotient considerably.  Here is a photo recap of our adventure:

Low tide at Long Beach, Rockport, MA

Some serious bocce went down...

On our first day with the gang all together, I took everyone on an excursion to Bear Skin Neck, an old historic area of Rockport with tons of shops and little spots to grab some grub.  It's a tourist must do.  Hell, it's a must do for me each visit!

 

Along our walk up the neck, we made a stop at the Roy Moore Lobster Company.  This place pumps out a boatload of lobstahs every day and has been providing the lobstahs for our Beach Blast for the past 6+ years.  So, I thought it fitting that we stop in and preview the catch and maybe sample a lobstah roll...or two.

The lobstah roll in all its glory (though personally I'd go without the lettuce)

After a stroll around "the neck" which included Jackie dropping a few quarters in the automatic piano/band thing at the penny candy store and David and I making sure to enjoy every last note, it was time to head off for our real lunch (we only shared 2 lobstah rolls).  The Lobster Pool has been a favorite of mine since I was a wee lad.  They have some of the best fried clams around and the view is spectacular so we hopped in the car and off we went.

Waiting to order.  The early bird crowd just beat us...

Not much health here!  Fried clams, fried scallops, fried baby shrimp, smoked seafood, slaw, and some corn on the cob.

As if we hadn't had enough of eating for the day, we headed on down to the market to buy provisions in order to make breakfast for the crew staying at the beach house the following morning.  More on that later plus the Beach Blast Lobstah Fest!

Playing Ketchup

Sorry for the corny title, couldn't resist.

It's been a long time since I've sat down to post...  So goes the story of this blog.  A lot has gone on since my 30 day alcohol challenge that was definitely worthy of posting about, I just never got around to it.  It's a combo platter of being really busy and being lazy when it comes to posting on the blog.  Here's what's been going on since the last post...

In June, I kept the 30 Day Challenge thing going and attempted to rid my diet of fried food for an entire month.  It's pretty funny because just now I realized that I wrote about this exact same topic about a year ago.  I'm happy to say that I made it the entire 30 days this time!  Though it wasn't nearly as hard as quitting alcohol for 30 days, it was an eye opening experience.  Depriving yourself of things you enjoy is hard!!!  But I made it and now try to focus a little better on eating vegetables instead of fried sides.

July was action packed!  In early July, I found myself really enjoying two newcomer restaurants starting to hit their groove - The Local and Blue Piano, the latter really being more of a bar than a restaurant.  Both spots have great bites with The Local being a better spot for a meal but that's not to say Blue Piano doesn't hit any culinary high notes.  Both spots also have incredibly good craft beer selections with The Local having about 25 on tap to choose from.  The Local also has a decent spirits selection that I'm hearing is set to expand in the near future.  Wine is a specialty of Blue Piano and the live music there can't be beat, especially Tuesday nights when Big Poppa E is there to play the blues.

Next up was my annual trip to Long Beach in Rockport, MA for some R&R on the beach as well as all the fried clams, lobsters, and steamers I could find.  This year, I took good friends Paula, David, and Jackie with me so they could get a taste of New England summer eatin'.  It was a great time and we lucked out with the best weather I've ever had up there for four consecutive beach days.  More details coming soon...

 Long Beach, Rockport, MA

A day after returning from Rockport I had back to back dinner events starting with Cobaya at Market 17 and then moving on to a charity dinner supporting Common Threads at Area 31.  My friend Mr. Frodnesor did his usual kickass job of summarizing the Market 17 dinner so I invite you to check out his recap.  I thought the dinner was fantastic and really appreciated all of the thought Chef Daniel Ramos put into the menu, a menu that included kangaroo(!) which was a first for yours truly.  They also have an insane happy hour that offers 1/2 priced drinks and apps until 7pm daily and it's not limited to "well drinks" or beers only!!  If you are up in the Fort Lauderdale area, Market 17 is a strong recommendation.

I have supported Common Threads via their charity dinner events on a few occasions this year and this one in particular was a phenomenal experience.  Chef E. Michael Reidt (who replaced my good buddy Chef John Critchley at Area 31 when John left for Urbana in D.C.) orchestrated a well-thought-out menu with help from Chef Sean Brasel of Meat Market (one of my favorite spots on Miami Beach) and Chef Kris Wessel of Red Light (another chef with an insane amount of talent and doing things his way to great success).  An all-star lineup led to a home run of a meal.

Before I could get my bearings again, it was time to head to Vegas for my annual 7-night business trip.  Boy was that a doozy.  Business was very good and I enjoyed an incredible meal at one of my favorite spots in Vegas - Michael Mina's Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay.  The food there is phenomenal but the staff and service are what sets this spot apart from other great restaurants in Las Vegas.  Quite possibly the best service and staff in any restaurant I've ever been to.  The wagyu filet I had on my 3rd night in town was extraordinary.  I definitely recommend checking this place out when you're in Sin City.

I returned in time for one more "farewell" dinner with David and Paula at Michael's Genuine, aka "Cheers".  We have had so many fantastic meals there over the years that it was only fitting that it be the location of our final meal together before David and Paula left for Houston.  As usual, everything was on point and we ate, drank, and laughed for hours.  I will miss my friends a lot.

That dinner was held a mere 5 hours after I returned from Vegas and after 4 hours of sleep that night, I was off again.  This time the destination was Paradise Island in the Bahamas to spend a few days with my cousin, his wife, daughter, and my godson.  Seeing those kids run themselves ragged all over the water park at Atlantis was a lot of fun, albeit a bit draining haha.

I'm now back in Miami once again, enjoying some nice quiet time at home.  It won't be long before it's "wheels up" time again, Boston and Rockport being on the agenda first then a little time in New Hampshire and Maine for business.  Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things with this blog and start posting a little bit more regularly.  I hope all of my readers are having a kickass summer enjoying the beautiful weather, spending time with family, and eating well.  Until next time...

The 30 Day Challenge - Final Thoughts

As I mentioned before, I ended the 30 Day Challenge at 27 days.  I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed in myself for choosing to end it early.  I mean, I felt like I failed.  At the same time, it was really hard going as long as I did without having a single drop of alcohol.  I had friends that couldn't believe how I stuck hard to the plan through certain nights out where I would've been drinking.  It was nice to have their support and hear that they were proud of me. 

Here are some final observations:

• Depriving yourself of something that you love for no reason at all is downright torture.
• I lost 2 pounds.  Woo hoo!
• My average restaurant check was way down when I chose to dine alone.  When I went out with friends I still ended up splitting the bill equally just out of convenience.  Besides, I'm sure there has been times where my friends have paid for a bourbon or two of mine.  What goes around comes around.
• My monthly credit card bill was actually higher than usual.  This can be attributed to using not drinking as a justification to spend money elsewhere.  Flight to the Bahamas to see my cousin from Arizona for a few days?  Sure, I'm not spending on alcohol!  New shoes that I don't need?  Sure, I'm saving by not drinking! 
• I got a few more things done on the weekends than I normally do.  I still need to get back into playing golf.  I miss that a lot but paddleboarding has taken it's place as a weekend activity, most likely because it's free for me.  Getting more active is something else I need to do and will likely be a 30 Day Challenge in the near future.
• I was a tad spicy while I was on off the booze.  Little things annoyed me more than they usually would and I would be quick to point them out.  It probably was because I was on edge from sticking to my challenge even when I knew I could quit at any time.
• I gained a lot of perspective.  As much as I enjoy having a bourbon when I come home from work, it's really not something I have to do every day.  And on the days that I do partake in an after work drink, it's ok if it stops at just one and I head home.  The night after I made my triumphant return to drinking I came home and drank club soda instead of having a bourbon.
• Speaking of my return to bourbon...  I think karma punished me for ending a few days early.  I went up to West Palm Beach for my cousin's "Gentlemen's Night" where we ate like kings, enjoyed some bourbons and cigars, and then headed out for a night on the town.  We got back to my buddy's house late at night and were lounging outside talking and all ended up falling asleep outside.  My hands and face were exposed to any mosquito or bug that wanted to chow down and apparently I taste pretty fucking good because I woke up the next day with about 15 bug bites on my face and hands.  Just today they are finally starting to go away.  Next time I'll finish the 30 days!

In the end, I was proud of myself for learning that I could go without alcohol if I had to.  I survived live sporting events, playoff games at bars, Memorial Day Weekend, and a couple of road trips without drinking.  These are all occasions where I usually have a couple pops.  I gave up something that I love and learned that it's also something I respect.  I'm not a drinker because I enjoy getting smashed.  I enjoy spirits, or really bourbon.  I enjoy the history behind it being discovered, the process by which it is made, the various roles it has played throughout history, the flavors it contains and the fact that it is the only spirit classified as a distinct product of the United States of America.  I enjoy talking about bourbon with others, as evidenced last night when I dropped serious knowledge while enjoying a happy hour bourbon at Michael's Genuine. 

I liked the 30 Day Challenge idea though and it's not to say that I won't quit alcohol again for 30 days some other time.  Uh, wait a minute...  I probably won't do that again but maybe I'll quit during the week or something.  I've already moved onto a new 30 Day Challenge - no fried food for the month of June.  I thought it would be real easy but damn is it hard!  Nowhere near as hard as quitting my love of bourbon though.

The 30 Day Challenge - Thoughts After 24 Days

Wow.  It's hard to believe I've gone 24 straight days without one drop of alcohol.  I've stayed true the entire time, never once sneaking a drink while alone at home or on the road.  It's not like there hasn't been any temptation.  Sitting on the couch with Dad watching TV one late Saturday afternoon as he sipped a bourbon was tough but I managed.  Being out in social situations where other people were drinking was tough but I held a firm grip on my iced tea or club soda or that first O'Doul's.  Congratulating my cousin and his wife on having their first child and not being able to sip a celebratory bourbon with him while having a cigar was downright torture.  But I stuck to the plan.  Here are some observations since my last update:

• While I appreciate the concern when friends feel bad when they drink around me, it gets a tad annoying.  I'm undergoing this challenge for me, not you, so do whatever you want.  If I didn't think I could handle it I wouldn't go out in the first place.
• I've noticed I'm a little more short with people.  I'm not sure if that's the absence of alcohol or just me or maybe both.  I think when I have a drink I'm a little more relaxed and subdued and little annoying things that people say or do are easier to ignore.
• I had a great night out with friends in West Palm Beach, doing dinner and then catching some live music at a bar.  Live music definitely helps one forget about not drinking alcohol and this band was great.
• Lots of people are impressed that I've made it this far and I've really appreciated their support and positive comments.
• The #1 most annoying question that I've really had enough of hearing: "So, you're gonna get wasted the day you're able to drink again, right?"  No, I'm not.
• Not drinking has been pretty depressing at times.  Not because I miss the alcohol, or the buzz, or the flavor but because of the social impacts.  Sitting at a bar drinking a bourbon is something that I really enjoy.  Sitting at the bar drinking iced tea or club soda just isn't the same.  I find I'm asking myself, "What the hell am I doing here?  I could be doing this at home."  I feel like I don't belong there and then I go home.  Maybe all that sounds silly to people and I can understand that I guess.  It probably is silly.  At the same time, it's a hobby, a pastime, an interest that I'm denying myself of for really no reason at all besides mere curiosity.  That sucks.

I will give full disclosure on one final item of importance.  I will be ending my challenge, or at least taking a timeout from it for one day, on Saturday.  That will be day 28.  Why end it early?  My cousin is having a formal get together for his newborn baby girl to hang with the guys and there will be a bourbon tasting.  I don't get to see my cousin often and I passed on toasting his new child my last visit so I will be participating on Saturday.  After 28 days at that point, another 2 days ain't really gonna make a whole helluvalotta difference anyways.  That's not to say that I will have a drink on Sunday or Monday.  Maybe I won't?  That's something I'll be discussing in the next post at the conclusion of this journey.  Until then, the no-alcohol beat goes on...