Top-Quality Drinks, Bargain-Rack Prices

Required Eating

Posted by Paul Clarke, May 2, 2008 at 4:15 PM

A few weeks ago I put up a post about drinking on the cheap during tough economic times. I’m obviously not the only one giving thought to the virtues of affordable booze.

In last weekend’s Wall Street Journal, Eric Felten walked through a blind tasting of six affordable bourbons. While regular readers of the WSJ aren’t likely to be reaching for the rotgut shelf anytime soon, Felten wanted to step away from the boutique bourbons that typically get all the ink, and try a few brands that are available at most any bar in America. To raise the stakes (somewhat), he tasted the bourbons blind, so any prejudices against particular labels or price points would ideally be eliminated as a factor.

His top pick? The humble Evan Williams, which Felten picked up for about $10; this venerable whiskey bested more upmarket brands such as Wild Turkey and Maker’s Mark, which Felten described as tasting "thin, raw and twangy."

That a $10 bottle of bourbon rated better in a blind tasting than whiskeys more than twice its price isn’t surprising in itself—just as there are spirits in every category that are badly overpriced for their quality, there are likewise always a couple of sleepers that are much better than their packaging or price tag suggests. The Rittenhouse Bonded Rye Whiskey is one notable example; this $15 bottle took Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition a couple of years back, ranking higher than whiskies priced exponentially higher, and sales have taken off like a rocket ever since.

Do you have favorite brands that are underdogs in their category—tasty, but also a steal? At a time when belts are tightening, this is the kind of news we need.

About the author: Paul Clarke blogs about cocktails at The Cocktail Chronicles and writes regularly on spirits and cocktails for Imbibe magazine. He lives in Seattle, where he works as a writer and magazine editor.

13 Comments | Tags: alcohol, bourbons, cocktails, drinks

13 Comments:

Evan William must've come along way since I tryed it, I just wonder if it was the 80 or the 101 turkey that was used in the blind test....that would've made a differance

Markbb at 4:36PM on 05/02/08

I believe Felten used the 80-proof Wild Turkey. And that's a good point--the proof makes a big difference in the flavor.

Paul Clarke at 4:45PM on 05/02/08

If you can find bottles of rittenhosue on the shelves anywhere let me know and I'll buy 'em all!

jpschust at 5:02PM on 05/02/08

I dunno about hard liquors, but I've found some great deals in the wine department. My favorite is the Barefoot Vineyards collection - in my liquor store (and I'm sure at most, if not all, others) they cash in at about $6.00 per bottle, and are often available for an amazing $15 for three. And honestly, everything they make is good. Several of their offerings have been rated 90 points and above. And I honestly think that their white zin is the best I've ever had - where most white zins, especially cheaper ones, are almost cloyingly sweet, theirs is still slightly tangy and very well balanced with a much more complex aroma. My other half and I buy their wines regularly and are never disappointed.

I'm also a big fan of the Luna di Luna blends and nearly all of the Yellow Tail reds, both of which I can usually get for about $12-13 for a double-sized bottle. (What is that, a liter? 1.5? dunno)

erichan726 at 5:04PM on 05/02/08

I love the blind tasting. Strip away all the packaging, the assumptions, the hoopla and the merchandising and see what the taster *really* thinks. Reminds me of that Paris wine tasting incident.

missginsu at 5:04PM on 05/02/08

Evan Williams has been my drink of choice for 30 years. It's smooth, balanced, and rich. Next to it Jack Daniels is harsh, pointed, and simple.

Kevin at 6:31PM on 05/02/08

I'll back up erichan on the Barefoot wines - at least their whites. Their Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing, a good summer evening beverage. The reds kinda lack complexity and flavor.

As for cheap liquor, it's always great to find a bargain. It always seemed pointless to buy top shelf if you're going to be mixing, not sipping. My lone exception is gin - cheap gin just plain frightens me. But there are myriad affordable & tasty whiskies and rums.

jd7979 at 9:59AM on 05/05/08

Rebel Yell is a great $12 bottle of bourban.

jonathankavner at 1:21PM on 05/05/08

I'm a pretty big bourbon enthusiast and I've not had any Evan since college. I have a few brands that I like, but one less-expensive one in particular is Bulleit. It's not much more than Evan (or his cousin Dickle), and tastes a lot better than Evan did. On the higher end, Blanton's is worth it no matter the price.
A great up-and-coming Rye (or rather one that is making a return) is Sazerac. It's comparably priced with Bulleit and makes a great mint julep! The last time I checked, I saw them both for under $20 and sometimes they show up for less than $15.

bennettstarnes at 1:31PM on 05/05/08

I have been a long time fan of Jim Beam, or Beams Eight Star...good bourbon whiskey...

Beams Eight Star is even less than Jim Beam in price.

Not all whiskeys are bourbon, for example: Jack Daniel's and George Dickel are sour mash whiskeys.

Usually Jim Beam and Beams Eight Star are kept at 'the well' and are considered low price well-brands...

This makes for cheaper drinks.

Straight or with an ice cube or two, no more, please!

When I like to go 'high class' I love Knob Creek, which by the way is also made by the Jim Beam Distillery.

tyronebcookin
AFM menu
tyrone and stephanie

tyronebcookin at 2:04PM on 05/05/08

Monopolova potato vodka from Austria is actually pretty excellent, and made from the original ingredient - as opposed to say grain - ugh. Freeze it and it's silky, syrupy and a lovely mixer with fresh squeezed juices especially. And at about $10 the bottle at Trader Joe's or even places like Food for Less or Rite Aid - shop around - it's an absolute steal. LOL.

Tobey at 11:48PM on 05/05/08

Tito's Handmade Vodka From Texas. It is a great straight drinking vodka. And you can buy it for about five to ten dollars a handle cheaper that your belevedere, grey goose etc...

nelson5757 at 4:04PM on 05/06/08

thank you for the post! i picked up some evan williams after reading the article and have not been disappointed at all. been making some lovely mint juleps :)

cafepeach at 7:25PM on 05/14/08

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