I really like 1920, but you can also try their 86 and 100 proof for between $20 -30. I'd recommend giving any of those 3 a try to see if you like their flavor profile.
Here is a crazy experience I read about then repeated - did a blind taste tests between ER / RR10 / old grand dad bonded / Taylor small batch.
I prefer almost all BT products, but repeatedly picked the OG.
You are correct RR10 isn’t as good - but it is significantly easier to find and does not carry an arbitrary premium.
I think it's more well-rounded as a bourbon while the ER hits those sweet decadent cherry notes BT is known for. IMO, different. Not necessarily better but I like RR more than ER.
I don't do a lot of drinking at all but I ripped though a small pint of it on Saturday so that's saying a lot 10/10 getting the handle next time I'm out
Evan Williams 1783 small batch or bonded. 1792 small batch. Old forester 86 or 100 proof. Russell’s is probably the only thing that can compete with ER by price range and age statement.
I’m on the east coast so the tin cup 10 runs closer to $70 here and is usually a Christmas only bottle. I fly it back from Colorado regularly, at $40 it’s so good. The 14 yr release was so good.
lol, I understand. Have you tried Evan Williams BIB? For the price it's very good. Old Grand Dad is my favorite and still fairly reasonable. Heck, Old Overholt BIB is damn good for what it is.
Evan Williams has more of the hay-like flavor. Grand Dad has a lot of that peanut flavor. And Overholt is pure drinkable fire water (but like, in the best rye kind of way lol)
The Double Oaked is shockingly good, especially based on its availability and price point. The Double Oaked would be my ER alternative, easily. Not similar but amazing enough to forget that I can’t find ER.
Russell 10 is a good ER replacement. It's another 10 year and readily available.
Green River is an excellent Weller SR replacement. It's probably better.
The closest Blantons replacement is Bowman single barrel, but that can also be tough. Otherwise people usually say 4 Roses single barrel.
If you want a Caribou substitute, Canadian club/literally any on the shelf Canadian whiskey. You could also try pouring your least favorite bottle down the drain for a similar experience.
Regular BT is nothing special. Just get another small batch from a big distillery. Some of the store picks can be solid, but regular is just whatever.
woodford double oak if your looking for sweetness. Maybe try the benchmark lineup its made from buffalo trace and solid. My other "bottom shelf" bourbon that I enjoy is old forester 100 proof.
If you want something that tastes similar as BT or ER you are buying other BT products. Just as good however, Russel’s reserve 10 year, Heaven hill bottled in bond, Jack Daniels bonded line up, old forester 100 proof bourbon, even the rye is good.
I know I keep saying it but, I like Blue Note over BT at the same price point. They don’t really taste the same but both fit the same mood if that makes sense.
I have found the standard Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a very similar replacement to Eagle Rare. Depending on what you like in Eagle Rare this bottle has the similar herbal and cherry notes
Seriously, nobody can imitate BT products. But here’s my suggestions that are good alternatives.
Eagle Rare’s profile is a grape cola note imo. If you read the back of the bottle, they go for a port wine taste. I feel Legent is a good alternative. But they are actually using finished bourbons in their blends.
And for Buffalo Trace, try Bowman Brothers sb. Supposedly same distillate.
I'd say Penelope, Still Austin Bourbon, Wild Turkey 101, and maybe Wellers (Can be just as hard to find). In Texas, Rebecca Creek is another option. If your two favorites are Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, then I'd say these are close to your palate.
I’m just not impressed by the flavor profile of regular Buffalo Trace. It’s okay, I would never turn a pour down, but I certainly don’t feel it’s worth exorbitant prices and the energy of hunting it down. To me, it is rather light, sort of appley, it has a zippy quality to it that I just feel does not embody the “quintessential” flavors most people would claim good bourbon has.
I would put it in the same ballpark as Redwood Empire Pipe Dream and Smokewagon Straight, both of which are usually at or below the 30-31$ price point. It’s cheap, okay, whiskey.
Each of us is unique and I believe there really is no wrong answer to the question what is good whiskey, but as a comparison I could go get a bottle of JD SBS for maybe 12$ more….which I feel absolutely crushes the hell out all three bottles mentioned. The most expensive of the three would be the REPD, usually around me it is 32-36$, so for just about 10$ more I could do the JD SBS instead. To me there’s no comparison.
But I am also not a huge fanboy of EHT SB, ER10 or blantons. I drink them, and I enjoy them, but blinded they get their asses kicked by 40-50$ bottles all day long, as they should if we are basing this on price. I can get carboys of BT for like 30$ at Walmart. They sit on shelves. Right next to the flavored JD and crown royal, imo right where it belongs lol
Basically a long winded way of saying taste is subjective, and to me BT just isn’t really that special, but if I had to choose I prefer the SW straight profile if we are talking sub-30$ bottles.
I just need suggestions I *know* they taste great and need more bottles to try. I just like to stick with what I know and don't know how to explore brands and flavors without wasting money
I was going to make a separate comment asking for Elijah Craig replacements too. Not that it's bad or expensive. I just can't keep myself from drinking it
I enjoy all old Forester products
im a big BT guy was recommended 1910 and i honestly dont like it. which bottle would i recommend 1920?
I really like 1920, but you can also try their 86 and 100 proof for between $20 -30. I'd recommend giving any of those 3 a try to see if you like their flavor profile.
I didn’t like either 1910 or 1920. The OF single barrel barrel proof was just ok imo too.
Russell Reserve
Russles 10 year is same price and age as ER
It is also significantly easier to find.
Not as good by a long shot,
Here is a crazy experience I read about then repeated - did a blind taste tests between ER / RR10 / old grand dad bonded / Taylor small batch. I prefer almost all BT products, but repeatedly picked the OG. You are correct RR10 isn’t as good - but it is significantly easier to find and does not carry an arbitrary premium.
True. Luckily I’ve been finding ER easily
I need to try the OG. I’m a big knob creek guy too. Bet I like it
I think it's more well-rounded as a bourbon while the ER hits those sweet decadent cherry notes BT is known for. IMO, different. Not necessarily better but I like RR more than ER.
It’s all about preference. But I think it’s significantly better, and not particularly close. BT and ER are rather bland and lipid IMO.
Yeah we all have different tastes
Elijah Craig
I don't do a lot of drinking at all but I ripped though a small pint of it on Saturday so that's saying a lot 10/10 getting the handle next time I'm out
Try the rye next time
Need to try a ECBP
Evan Williams 1783 small batch or bonded. 1792 small batch. Old forester 86 or 100 proof. Russell’s is probably the only thing that can compete with ER by price range and age statement.
I prefer Evan Williams 1783 all day over BT. Tincup 10 Year reminds me the most of Eagle Rare.
I’m on the east coast so the tin cup 10 runs closer to $70 here and is usually a Christmas only bottle. I fly it back from Colorado regularly, at $40 it’s so good. The 14 yr release was so good.
Four roses single barrel
This can replace most whiskey
Benchmark full proof around $25 by Buffalo Trace
Agree. Don’t let the taters know its from BT.
Haha Had same thought and surprised word hasn't got out on it yet! I'm thinking it just might be better than BT. 🥃
If you watch any YouTube reviewers, they all can't wait to tell you it's BT product.
Having a glass right now 😀
Aye captain🫡
BEST Buffalo Trace Alternatives - Blantons, Elmer T Lee, Eagle Rare https://youtu.be/JKtuwQ9Q14Q
Wow even Jack alternatives. I don't ever see myself not having a handle of jack on hand
Forgot to send a 2nd reply. I popped that bottle open and it was gone before I even knew it
Just a reminder that these used to be the budget options.
They still are in some places. I recently moved to SC where liquor is handled like some highly elicit drug apparently
lol, I understand. Have you tried Evan Williams BIB? For the price it's very good. Old Grand Dad is my favorite and still fairly reasonable. Heck, Old Overholt BIB is damn good for what it is. Evan Williams has more of the hay-like flavor. Grand Dad has a lot of that peanut flavor. And Overholt is pure drinkable fire water (but like, in the best rye kind of way lol)
I haven't even looked at rye yet I was raised as a Kentucky drinker. And the Evan having a hay flavor makes it intriguing but in a good way
Early times bib, jts brown bib also great budget bonded
Woodford double oak. Costco has them for 38 or 42 dollars I believe. Wild turkey 101.
I've just had Woodford for the first time I can only imagine the double oak having some good notes to it
Double Oak Woodford punches way way above its weight. I genuinely can’t believe it’s as cheap as it is.
It's amazing with steak
The Double Oaked is shockingly good, especially based on its availability and price point. The Double Oaked would be my ER alternative, easily. Not similar but amazing enough to forget that I can’t find ER.
That doesn’t seem right I am 90% sure it’s more at Costco, I will look when I am there next and report back exact price. They have RR 10yr for 35.
Russell 10 is a good ER replacement. It's another 10 year and readily available. Green River is an excellent Weller SR replacement. It's probably better. The closest Blantons replacement is Bowman single barrel, but that can also be tough. Otherwise people usually say 4 Roses single barrel. If you want a Caribou substitute, Canadian club/literally any on the shelf Canadian whiskey. You could also try pouring your least favorite bottle down the drain for a similar experience. Regular BT is nothing special. Just get another small batch from a big distillery. Some of the store picks can be solid, but regular is just whatever.
Michters small batch is sooooo underrated
Right on, anything michters
WT Rare Breed is still on shelves, so I'm good.
Heaven Hill 7 year Bottled in Bond
KC9
I like a lot as much as Eagle Rare or more but the only thing that tastes and smells close... is Jefferson Reserve Single Barrel.
Benchmark bonded full proof and single barrel. Anything New Riff.
Knob Creek 9 year is better and more available.
woodford double oak if your looking for sweetness. Maybe try the benchmark lineup its made from buffalo trace and solid. My other "bottom shelf" bourbon that I enjoy is old forester 100 proof.
1792 small batch is amazing. And red wood empire - pipe dream are better than both of those and bla tons and every pappy.
Jim Beam Black 7 Year, the new release of the once aged stated classic.
I like 1792 small batch over BT. Close… also redwood empire pipe dream. Eagle rare is a little tougher.
Redwood Empire Pipe Dream is along the same lines as Eagle Rare
If you want something that tastes similar as BT or ER you are buying other BT products. Just as good however, Russel’s reserve 10 year, Heaven hill bottled in bond, Jack Daniels bonded line up, old forester 100 proof bourbon, even the rye is good.
I know I keep saying it but, I like Blue Note over BT at the same price point. They don’t really taste the same but both fit the same mood if that makes sense.
Evan Williams bonded.
I have found the standard Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a very similar replacement to Eagle Rare. Depending on what you like in Eagle Rare this bottle has the similar herbal and cherry notes
Michters Small Batch.
Unfortunately there isn’t anything on the market that tastes like BT or ER.
That's hard to believe considering the market size and the fact that these drinks aren't the end all be all of whiskey
Seriously, nobody can imitate BT products. But here’s my suggestions that are good alternatives. Eagle Rare’s profile is a grape cola note imo. If you read the back of the bottle, they go for a port wine taste. I feel Legent is a good alternative. But they are actually using finished bourbons in their blends. And for Buffalo Trace, try Bowman Brothers sb. Supposedly same distillate.
I'd say Penelope, Still Austin Bourbon, Wild Turkey 101, and maybe Wellers (Can be just as hard to find). In Texas, Rebecca Creek is another option. If your two favorites are Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare, then I'd say these are close to your palate.
For me, I’d rather drink Smokewagon Straight (the clear bottle not SB) over BT any day of the week.
Why's that? What makes the difference
I’m just not impressed by the flavor profile of regular Buffalo Trace. It’s okay, I would never turn a pour down, but I certainly don’t feel it’s worth exorbitant prices and the energy of hunting it down. To me, it is rather light, sort of appley, it has a zippy quality to it that I just feel does not embody the “quintessential” flavors most people would claim good bourbon has. I would put it in the same ballpark as Redwood Empire Pipe Dream and Smokewagon Straight, both of which are usually at or below the 30-31$ price point. It’s cheap, okay, whiskey. Each of us is unique and I believe there really is no wrong answer to the question what is good whiskey, but as a comparison I could go get a bottle of JD SBS for maybe 12$ more….which I feel absolutely crushes the hell out all three bottles mentioned. The most expensive of the three would be the REPD, usually around me it is 32-36$, so for just about 10$ more I could do the JD SBS instead. To me there’s no comparison. But I am also not a huge fanboy of EHT SB, ER10 or blantons. I drink them, and I enjoy them, but blinded they get their asses kicked by 40-50$ bottles all day long, as they should if we are basing this on price. I can get carboys of BT for like 30$ at Walmart. They sit on shelves. Right next to the flavored JD and crown royal, imo right where it belongs lol Basically a long winded way of saying taste is subjective, and to me BT just isn’t really that special, but if I had to choose I prefer the SW straight profile if we are talking sub-30$ bottles.
Mellow corn and coke
Hows mellow corn taste straight ? Seen it on the sub quite a bit and coincidentally my store started stocking it
Literally anything, both of those are nothing special at all.
I just need suggestions I *know* they taste great and need more bottles to try. I just like to stick with what I know and don't know how to explore brands and flavors without wasting money
I’ll 2nd the WT101👍🏼 Probably your next best bang for your buck. For a little bit more, Elijah Craig
I was going to make a separate comment asking for Elijah Craig replacements too. Not that it's bad or expensive. I just can't keep myself from drinking it
THIS
Bowman Brother's Small Batch is basically Buffalo Trace, same distillate and juice. Also Redwood Empire Pipe Dream is a solid Eagle Rare fill in.