Best Everyday Bourbon Contenders

Bourbon

November 25, 2019

Who will win Best Everyday Bourbon this year?

As I did last year, I reached out to Bourbon Pursuit subscribers, whom I believe are engaged bourbon fans, for their Best Everyday Bourbon nominations. I will taste the below bourbons live December 13 at 9 p.m. Make sure you’re subscribing to my YouTube Channel, so you don’t miss it.

The winner of this tasting will go on to compete for Best American Whiskey of 2019, which airs December 20 at 9 p.m. on YouTube Live. I will be announcing the contenders for Best of 2019 November 27. Tune in.

Here were my qualifications: Must be under $40, available in the majority of the 50 states, is not a limited edition and has a decent bottle count (say 5,000+ cases, which is still small but respectable enough to get into people’s hands). I narrowed them down based off of the nominations, and the winner of our BIB tasting will be automatic.

Contenders

Old Grand-Dad 114. This Beam Suntory product is a fan favorite and received more nominations than any product.

Wild Turkey 101. In two blind tastings, I selected Wild Turkey products over far more expensive Pappy Van Winkle and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Will this be the year for Turkey?

Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond. I’ve never really liked this product, but it’s my buddy’s go to drinker, so it gets shoved down my throat a lot. It got a lot of nominations, so it’s in the mix.

Evan Williams Single Barrel. Personally, I buy this a lot.

Old Forester 100 proof. Arguably, the best cocktail bourbon there is.

Elijah Craig Small Batch. I am finally over the dropping of the 12-year-old age statement. Welcome back, Elijah. But I still liked your age statement. Bring back, pretty please.

Old Bardstown Estate 101 Proof. This Willett product always brings a peanut butter note I absolutely love.

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond. Winner of the Bourbon Pursuit blind BIB Showdown

Russell’s Reserve 10 year old small batch. I absolutely love this stuff. I buy it regularly.

Eagle Rare 10-year-old. I was surprised this one made the nomination, because it’s not as available as I’d like. But the nominators affirmed it.

Weller Antique Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. Weller Antique received a healthy amount of nominations. But let’s be honest, you aren’t finding it for $40. So, I added Evan Williams BIB, giving the brand two contenders.

Four Roses Small Batch. I buy this regularly.

Gentlemen Jack. Just because.

So, why don’t you grab these bottles and join me December 13, and we shall taste together. Cheers! Subscribe to YouTube

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