Best Whiskey, Scotch, and Bourbon Under $30

[smokin5]

I just had the Evan Williams Single Barrel for the 1st time this past week.
VERY good!
Smooth charcoal & molasses, paired perfectly with a Punch Gran Puro.

[jkim05]

I gotta throw my hat in the ring for Old Pulteney- a great single malt.

[D. Generate]

I have no idea what Scotch whiskies go for in the States, but a cheap one that is an absolute steal here at £20 is Black Bottle. I would imagine you could find it Stateside for under $30.

Now, it's not a single malt but a blend, but it's blended with all 7 of the Islay great distilleries. Try to find the bottle with the 10 year label, the one without a date throws some lowland distilleries in as well. It's not bad, but the 10 year is the better of the two by a long shot.

This is probably my favourite blend, and it's going to get harder to find as the upsurge in drinking of single malts means there is less of the 10 year olds to go into the blend.

You have some good single malt recommendations here as well, but that really depends on your taste. Ardbeg 10 year old is another one that is a steal if you like the Islay flavour. It goes for around £30 here so I'm not sure how much it would be in the States. Maybe $40-45?

I buy a lot of single malt Scotch when I visit my family because it's cheaper to buy in Nevada than in London. Stupid taxes.

[Joey Link]

Ok guys, I'm sitting outside with a Trinidad Reyes, a thick 3lbs. top sirloin on the grill, and a glass of Blanton's. I must say, it doesn't get much better. The cigar is awesome, but the real standout here is the Blanton's. I like it better than any other bourbon I've ever tried, and I've tried quite a few. Way better than my old favorite, Knob Creek, though quite a bit smoother. The flavor is amazing! Judging by the taste and quality, I would expect this to cost $60+, and I think I picked this bottle up for $39.95. Christopher Walken was right!

Once I'm finished with the glass I'll be trying the Evan Williams Single Barrel and posting a comparison.

[Vitamin G]

Jim Beam black is one of the most underrated, best kept secrets of the booze world.

[Che]

I scanned through and would have figured it'd be mentioned but didn't see it...

I think Rittenhouse Rye is an excellent buy (I'm speaking of the Bottled in Bond 100pf). It seems to be sold anywhere from $12-$18, but isn't always easy to come by in part because of supply issues but equally because those that know snap it up as soon as it hits a shelf.

If it was mentioned - I second... third or what ever the mention!

[Joey Link]

Originally Posted by Chè

I scanned through and would have figured it'd be mentioned but didn't see it...

I think Rittenhouse Rye is an excellent buy (I'm speaking of the Bottled in Bond 100pf). It seems to be sold anywhere from $12-$18, but isn't always easy to come by in part because of supply issues but equally because those that know snap it up as soon as it hits a shelf.

If it was mentioned - I second... third or what ever the mention!

That's on my list to purchase, but I can't seem to find it!

[Che]

Originally Posted by Joey Link

That's on my list to purchase, but I can't seem to find it!

Comes and goes. From what I understand it is allocated... kind of wierd - at that price point to be allocated but I hear they simply don't have the supply yet to keep shelves continuously inundated.

[denverdog]

Not sure if it has been mentioned (didn't read all 5 pages) but Elijah Craig 12 y/o is around $20 and is an excellent bourbon. Do it to it.

[Joey Link]

Two more bottles for the collection (three including the bottle of Zaya rum)! I decided on the Jim Beam Black and the Old Ezra 7yr 101 Proof. Everyone here raves about the Beam Black, so I can't wait to try it. As far as the Old Ezra, I've never seen it on the shelf before, and it was only $13.95. Has anyone tried it?

[andrewsutherland2002]

Originally Posted by ATLHARP

A fine Tennessee whiskey is: George Dickel No.12.
Excellent deep smoky flavor with a little bite. Still very nice for the money (under $20)
ATL

Good Stuff!