Bourbon for a Gift

Any ideas on a good bourbon (or rye) for $40-50 for a Christmas/December birthday gift?

I have typically given my brother-in-law (whose birthday is a week before Christmas) a bottle of bourbon for his birthday and/or Christmas. Past bottles (across a range of price, but almost always staying below $50) have included Forrester Birthday Bourbon, Pappy 15 (when you could find it), Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year (ditto), Weller 12 (Binny's Selection), Templeton Rye, and others I am forgetting at present.

Anything anyone likes in the $40-50 (or below) range that you feel would make a good gift? No real preferences in terms of the profile of the bourbon/rye. My brother-in law is in St. Louis, so anything that might not end up on the shelves there or in downstate IL would be great. Probably will pass on anything that comes in a gift set with glasses or similar throw-ins (unless it is really unique), as those tend to be limited to the more ubiquitous brands.

A year ago, I think, Binny's hosted a tasting of bourbons from Four Roses. I was really impressed. There's the Yellow Label (~$20, I think, for a decent, 80 proof bourbon), Small Batch (~$35 for a really solid 90 proof) and then the Single Barrel series right at your ideal price point (Yellow Label is a blend of 10 bourbons (ie. 2 mashbills and 5 yeast strains) - they have gone on to bottle each of those components separately at 100 proof). My palate was definitely a little tired by the end of those 10 tastings so I don't know if I can recommend a specific one but their website or a retailer should be able to help you navigate the options. I think there's a Limited Edition Single Barrel, too, but that may over your budget.

Few's Rye is available now and delicious!!! I think all of their bottles (the others being a gin and a white whiskey) are $50. I'm not sure where it's sold right now but I know In Fine Spirits carries the others and I think City Provisions does as well so they'd be a good place to start.

Taste Food and Wine in Rogers Park has Few spirits.

How about Angel's Envy? Runs about $40 - 45 a bottle. Binney's carries it.

Black Maple Hill Limited Edition (orange-ish label, pretty sure it's 8-year), which I purchased recently at Lincolnwood Wine & Spirits, is a smooth and distinctive whiskey, and I believe it runs around $40/bottle. It can probably also be found elsewhere around town. As was mentioned above, I too like the 4 Roses but feel that only the Single Barrel (and other pricier releases from them) is worthy of a being gifted. I believe it runs about $50/bottle and local supplies are plentiful. It's a relatively spicy bourbon and the bottles I've had carried some fairly pronounced cinnamon notes. You can't go wrong with WL Weller 12-year, either. I belive it runs about $28/bottle and it's a great bourbon. If it's too inexpensive, you can always buy him 2!

If you're not limited to bourbon, I highly recommend the Willett 4-year rye, which you may have to get online. It runs in the low $30's per bottle, which I think is a steal for the quality. I think it's a very special spirit.

=R=

Thanks all, for the input, please keep the recommendations coming.

ronnie -- had seen the Willett rye recently (in a store, but can't for the life of me remember where now, may actually have been in Louisiana) and was intrigued. Will have to see about tracking some down. Also, agree on the BMH -- and that was one of the prior year gifts I could not remember (although would not be averse to regifting).

Will also check for Few's and Angel's Envy (either for him or for myself -- I have seen the AE before, but not the Few's). And thanks for the details on the Four Roses -- I tend to just get overwhelmed with all the different bottles and their recipe codes and just throw it in, so have never tried any of those.

How is the Angel's Envy? I'm always curious when I see it, but the bottle turns me off.

Khaopaat wrote:How is the Angel's Envy? I'm always curious when I see it, but the bottle turns me off.

Personally I like it a lot, & I think its a bargain at that price - its port-finished & the oak is quite evident (which isn't to everyone's taste), but I find it very drinkable.

Athena wrote:

Khaopaat wrote:How is the Angel's Envy? I'm always curious when I see it, but the bottle turns me off.

Personally I like it a lot, & I think its a bargain at that price - its port-finished & the oak is quite evident (which isn't to everyone's taste), but I find it very drinkable.

It's tasty and quite smooth. The time it spends in the port barrel definitely leads to a sweeter dynamic, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's just not the first bottle I'd reach for but I tend to like more austere whiskeys. I'd be more likely to finish an evening with the Angel's Envy than begin one.

=R=

You can do no wrong with a Four Roses barrel strength which are in plentiful supply at Binny's at $55. The OBSK and OBSV are my favorites of the 10 recipe offerings and the South Loop store should have them. Certainly a different taste profile from PVW 15 but in its own right just as great. More fruit forward than many traditional bourbons and no better bourbon made in the business with low barrel proof entry (as in the old days) and the old Seagrams yeasts.

If you want to go really special but spend a few more dollars, a store that ships to Illinois, The Party Source in Bellevue Kentucky, has 49 bottles left (as of today) of the last of their 3 private barrels of Abraham Bowman cask strength Rye Whiskey at $72.99 plus shipping. Could be the best American whiskey I have tasted this year. It is the same distillate as the Handy Rye made by Buffalo Trace in Kentucky, which is bottled at 6 years and part of the Antique release, but these barrels were then shipped and aged 4 more years in Virginia (which allows it to be labelled as Virginia Whiskey). The climate and rick houses being different in Virginia than Kentucky, plus the 4 extra years in age, results in a tremendous taste and profile with a lot of whiskey there at 134.6 proof. A Smith Bowman is a Virginia distillery bought by Sazerac/Buffalo Trace in 2003 which they are now pouring money into and renovating.

If you're looking for something specific to Chicago that wouldn't be available elsewhere, you could go with one of Koval's Lion's Pride whiskeys. I tasted several of their whiskeys last year at World of Whiskey and remember liking them, but it was toward the end of the evening, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on the details. You can get them directly from the distillery and I believe they offer tours/tastings on the weekend.

T Comp wrote:You can do no wrong with a Four Roses barrel strength which are in plentiful supply at Binny's at $55. The OBSK and OBSV are my favorites of the 10 recipe offerings and the South Loop store should have them. Certainly a different taste profile from PVW 15 but in its own right just as great. More fruit forward than many traditional bourbons and no better bourbon made in the business with low barrel proof entry (as in the old days) and the old Seagrams yeasts.

I do recall liking the OB bourbons more -- for those keeping score, the "B" whiskies use a mashbill that is 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley ("E" whiskies are are high corn mash, with 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley).

eli wrote:If you're looking for something specific to Chicago that wouldn't be available elsewhere, you could go with one of Koval's Lion's Pride whiskeys. I tasted several of their whiskeys last year at World of Whiskey and remember liking them, but it was toward the end of the evening, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on the details. You can get them directly from the distillery and I believe they offer tours/tastings on the weekend.

Koval is a good choice. It is available out of state (see http://www.koval-distillery.com/drink-buy/store-locator), but I suspect it isn't nearly as well known outside of the Chicago area.

I tasted FEW's white whiskey and, while I liked it, I think it is a bit overpriced.

Four Roses is a great choice.

Darren72 wrote:

eli wrote:If you're looking for something specific to Chicago that wouldn't be available elsewhere, you could go with one of Koval's Lion's Pride whiskeys. I tasted several of their whiskeys last year at World of Whiskey and remember liking them, but it was toward the end of the evening, so my memory is a bit fuzzy on the details. You can get them directly from the distillery and I believe they offer tours/tastings on the weekend.

Koval is a good choice. It is available out of state (see http://www.koval-distillery.com/drink-buy/store-locator), but I suspect it isn't nearly as well known outside of the Chicago area.

I tasted FEW's white whiskey and, while I liked it, I think it is a bit overpriced.

Four Roses is a great choice.

Given that he was looking for a Bourbon or Rye, I didn't recommend the Few White Whiskey but if you can find the Rye (you may only be able to buy it at the distillery in Evanston right now since they've only just started releasing it), I thought it was pretty terrific, not that I'm any kind of expert though

Woodford Reserve is my go-to when it comes to bourbon typically.

Blanton's is my favorite at that price range.

You can never go wrong with the 3 b's - Blanton's, Bookers or Bakers.

The Angel's Envy to me is almost a little too smooth, I personally like a like fire in my Bourbon.

Any thoughts on Noah's Mill Small Batch? It's priced right (for this request) and is bottled at barrel proof (hoo boy!). The website (http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/noah_mill.php) doesn't list an age but some light Googling indicates that it's a 15yr bourbon. The website for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (where this bourbon won double gold in 2011) lists it under the "Small Batch Bourbon 10 yrs &" But... and what? Younger? Older?

I MUST stop reading this thread in the middle of a hard work day-you all are making me thirsty-very thirsty!

danimalarkey wrote:The website for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (where this bourbon won double gold in 2011) lists it under the "Small Batch Bourbon 10 yrs &" But... and what? Younger? Older?

The next category is 11 years and older. So other is 10 and younger.

This fails on both Bourbon and Christmas, but is a cool gift idea (if a bit gimmicky):

http://www.whiskyblender.com/index.php?

Any opinions on the Willett bourbon in the pot still bottle? The bottle is certainly an eye-catcher, but would be interested in anyone's experience with the product.

Matt wrote:Any opinions on the Willett bourbon in the pot still bottle? The bottle is certainly an eye-catcher, but would be interested in anyone's experience with the product.

I happen to love Willett's stuff (bourbon and rye) and think this is a very nice bottle. In fact, I received one as a gift recently and was thrilled to receive it.

=R=

Thanks, ronnie; good to hear. I picked up a bottle at Binny's the other day (was on sale for a couple bucks off), for this gift or otherwise. Probably will gift this one and pick up another for myself.

Thanks to all for the responses. As this is an annual thing for me (and sometimes twice if I go bourbon/rye for my BIL's birthday and Christmas), all of the recommendations (and any more others care to give) are helpful for future gifts.

danimalarkey wrote:Any thoughts on Noah's Mill Small Batch? It's priced right (for this request) and is bottled at barrel proof (hoo boy!). The website (http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/noah_mill.php) doesn't list an age but some light Googling indicates that it's a 15yr bourbon. The website for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (where this bourbon won double gold in 2011) lists it under the "Small Batch Bourbon 10 yrs &" But... and what? Younger? Older?

Noah's Mill and the Pot Still Reserve and all the other whiskies marketed by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) are not distilled by them. KBD is privately owned by the Kulsveen family. They are bottlers not distillers. Since they are buying barrels in bulk from undisclosed distillers, the taste profile of their brands can change and vary upon each bottling depending on the availability of their sourced barrels. For example their Vintage 17 brand was a rye finished bourbon but is now a wheater finished bourbon. KBD has both friends and foes among whiskey enthusiasts. Some believe they are masquerading as a real distiller and other's believe they are operating no differently than the Van Winkles, who do not distill either.

Of course folks also debate on how much they like or dislike their whiskies and your mileage may vary so always try to get a taste before. It is believed Heaven Hill is the main source distiller for many of their brands. Their private bottlings for individual stores under the Willett label (not the Willett Pot Reserve label) can be superb but difficult to score. If Noah's Mill no longer has an age on the label don't assume it is still 15 years.

T Comp wrote:

danimalarkey wrote:Any thoughts on Noah's Mill Small Batch? It's priced right (for this request) and is bottled at barrel proof (hoo boy!). The website (http://www.kentuckybourbonwhiskey.com/noah_mill.php) doesn't list an age but some light Googling indicates that it's a 15yr bourbon. The website for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (where this bourbon won double gold in 2011) lists it under the "Small Batch Bourbon 10 yrs &" But... and what? Younger? Older?

Noah's Mill and the Pot Still Reserve and all the other whiskies marketed by Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) are not distilled by them. KBD is privately owned by the Kulsveen family. They are bottlers not distillers. Since they are buying barrels in bulk from undisclosed distillers, the taste profile of their brands can change and vary upon each bottling depending on the availability of their sourced barrels. For example their Vintage 17 brand was a rye finished bourbon but is now a wheater finished bourbon. KBD has both friends and foes among whiskey enthusiasts. Some believe they are masquerading as a real distiller and other's believe they are operating no differently than the Van Winkles, who do not distill either.

Of course folks also debate on how much they like or dislike their whiskies and your mileage may vary so always try to get a taste before. It is believed Heaven Hill is the main source distiller for many of their brands. Their private bottlings for individual stores under the Willett label (not the Willett Pot Reserve label) can be superb but difficult to score. If Noah's Mill no longer has an age on the label don't assume it is still 15 years.

I sincerely appreciate the background (and while I'm at it, the comments on small batch vs. single barrel, etc. in the Knob Creek post). I didn't realize this and the bottle/website don't make that terribly clear, either (then again, my critical reading skills sometime fail me - see above re the San Francisco Spirits program). It does sound like the same tension you hear between Scotch whisky producers and independent bottlers. The distillers claim that they would never let a good barrel go and yet the independent bottlers can release some damn fine whiskies (at least the independent bottlers are up front about who distilled the whiskey, though).

I wound up picking up a bottle of the Few bourbon whiskey as a gift based on the recommendations here. If my brother-in-law (what's with BIL's and whiskey?) opens it while I'm visiting, I'll be sure to report back. And for anyone seeking out the rye whiskey, hustle on over to The Noble Grape ($65 - one left as of yesterday morning).

Just to note, this bottlers-vs-distillers thing isn't limited to spirits. A lot of wine and beer is also made by one company and sold by another.

Darren72 wrote:Just to note, this bottlers-vs-distillers thing isn't limited to spirits. A lot of wine and beer is also made by one company and sold by another.

Yes, it's very much a perception issue. Unless there's active deception going on, I find focusing on the distinction pretty silly. I mean, do folks get miffed when they find out Pastoral doesn't make their own cheese? I think of non-distilling bottlers more as curators. They don't make booze, but their reputation depends on being able to source a quality product.

False or misleading marketing is where I draw the line. There may be motive for bottlers to appear to be "making" the product they sell, but that pressure should be addressed by educating the consumer on why you believe your product is superior, not making it harder to determine where a product actually came from.

kl1191 wrote:False or misleading marketing is where I draw the line. There may be motive for bottlers to appear to be "making" the product they sell, but that pressure should be addressed by educating the consumer on why you believe your product is superior, not making it harder to determine where a product actually came from.

I think this is the key point. My perception is that KBD has typically been pretty forthcoming (certainly when asked) about the fact that they are a negociant (or whatever the spirits term for that would be), although not sure how their labeling addresses this (if at all). I do not keep up with these things too much and knew that KBD is a marketer and not a distiller, but obviously puts some thought into selection, etc. (i.e., they are not just buying crap bulk product and putting it in fancy packaging and overcharging for it). I know Templeton Rye has, at least in the past, caught a bit of flack for arguably misleading customers into thinking their product is distilled in Iowa by Templeton rather than in Lawrenceburg, Indiana by a contract distiller.