One of the most frustrating things about “the hunt” is finding out the liquor store managers are keeping all the good stuff for themselves. Quite common at the large chain grocery liquor stores. So basically, you pop into a place once a week to see what they got in, you buy a couple common bottles to “give them some business”, and maybe the manager pacifies you with a bottle of Weller SR or Blanton’s if you’re lucky. Meanwhile, manager buys for him and his buddies all of the 12, 107, EH Taylor, Stagg, etc, and you never had a chance in hell because it was never going to hit the shelf in the first place. That’s been the game for the past few years, and I’m sure others can relate.🤬🤣

Knob Creek 12yr is such a solid bourbon. I'm quite happy it is pretty readily available around here for about $65.

I’m with you brother. I’m growing tired of “the hunt”. I’m here in VA like you and it’s getting harder to get things unless you check your phone everyday all day to see what’s dropping. I’m getting to the point where I just buy what I like that’s available and I just go with it. If I stumble on something special, that’s fine but I’m loosing the desire to hunt. Great video.

I've pretty much given up on getting anything allocated. I'll stop by the store a bit more frequently in the fall and take my chances

What I would like to see would be a line of $60-80 alternatives to the over $150 bourbons.

Great video! What I do is blend my KC 12 year with a 9-10 year KC single barrel 120 proof. That way I get the age and the proof. 1:1 ratio will do just fine.

Knob creek 12 I have seen in Maryland almost anywhere for $70-80. VA just likes to allocate bottles that are on the shelf everywhere else 😕

I like New Riff small batch as an alt to E.H. Taylor small batch. I see them on the shelf all the time around here for $40. I think it might even win in a blind.

I've tried a good many hyped bourbons at bars. Where I live, they can't be found in stores except at museums, and I'm not willing to pay museum prices, but some of the bars have a good selection and don't overcharge. In general, I haven't been all that impressed with the hyped bourbons relative to others that are much easier to find, especially the mid-level Buffalo Trace stuff. Maybe Buffalo Trace isn't my preferred flavor profile - if so, I can consider myself fortunate. I put Blanton's Gold next to Frey Ranch cask strength at a bar last week, and Blanton's Gold was boring by comparison. It isn't worth the trouble to hunt, and it isn't worth paying a lot of extra money. There is a lot of good whisky that is readily available in stores at a reasonable price.

I’m glad you actually put some different bottles in this list as I feel most of these “overrated allocated” videos always end up being the exact same bottles. I think at this point people know those weller bottles aren’t worth it but everyone just wants to be able to say they have the full lineup in their collection. Knob creek 18 is far better than Elijah Craig 18 imo but that’s not saying much.. I really don’t care for my EC 18 and there’s no way ill be spending 150+ for it again.

I don't hunt as much anymore either. Store picks are the way of the future

What about a Makers Woodfinising series or cask strength for alternative to 107?

On a trip through Florida I recently found the Knob Creek 12 for $100, an EHT small batch for the same and a Stagg (Jr) for 170.

Any of the Bowman line is a good alternative to Buffalo Trace stuff

I'd be interested to hear what bourbons you think are worth paying for a pour to try them but not worth buying a bottle

Scored both the Blanton's and Eagle Rare at MSRP just this week. No hunting, just got lucky. Good video.

The Knob Creek 9 year 120 proof store pick I have is definitely better than the 12 I have and was $15 cheaper. Definitely worth a grab.

I got extremely lucky the other day; I was in a Total Wine in Austin, TX, just as they put out some allocated bottles, which I bought at MSRP. E.H. Taylor Small Batch, John J. Bowman Single Barrel, and Stagg (formerly Stagg Jr.). I have to say, I was disappointed in Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch. It just wasn't all that great, yet well priced at MSRP. However, the secondary market round here has it at $125+, & I would hate myself if I paid that much for a disappointing bourbon. The Stagg is also super expensive around here ($250+), & these allocated bourbons are often not worth the hunt. My opinion on the MOST overrated is Eagle Rare. I don't even like the flavor at all, & I rarely see it on the shelves. It's often priced at over $80, which is just ridiculous. Unless it's actually rare or a special limited release, it's just not worth the hassle for these over-inflated bourbons.

Howdy David! Nice show…lots of info to share! Funny how prices are so different around the country…here in Texas I have bought multiple bottles of each of those Buff Trace lineup at MSRP…just good timing I guess. But the craziness has now driven ER up to 39 from 32 in the last year, and Col Taylor is still 40…go figure? Thanks again!

Only five bottles of Knob Creek 12 year in Oregon. Good luck finding one.

I would have listed Wilderness Trail Bourbon (rye based) as a better replacement for the BT mash bill #2 bottles (Blanton’s, ETL). Similar tasting experience and 100 proof. With Maker’s Cask strength I don’t feel the need to hunt down OWA anymore. Although I will say Maker’s Cask is a bit more batch dependent.

Have you had Calumet 16? It'd be a great alternative to the KC18 and EC18.

Highly available "alternatives" to EH Taylor, Eagle Rare and other MB1 would be anything Wild Turkey or Russells. Very balanced and sweet. Also, I agree with your Corsets, Whips and Whiskey assessment. One of my favorites.

I got a knob 12 at BK Miller for 69.99 in Md and a nice New Riff bP that is amazing and need another.

Hold the phone! This is my first time viewing your channel. I am so glad i did! Your presentation is clear, concise, informative with no idle banter or trying to be cute like several channels. Great job new subscriber here!

Great info; thank you! how do you feel about Blanton’s store picks? Better than the standard?

Antique is quite possibly my favorite pour in general. Love my kc12 and am holding strong to the bottle I have, as I have only come across 1

I've never come across an ER store pick, and I've come across some rare stuff (like Eagle Very Rare 17yr).

I’m new to bourbon an collecting I recently have buffalo trace, 4 roses single barrel and eagle rare 10 year. My favorite at all of them is eagle rare. It’s really good. What do you suggest that is similar to it for my next bottle?

I was just on the Big Island and found Knob Creek 12 in Target of all places😆

I’ve stopped hunting and purely discover newer brands and craft lines. Much more interesting and accessible.

David, great video, A buddy just gave me a bottle of Rebel 10 year for 4 samples of my stuff, he was not a fan, but I quite enjoyed it. I'll make that trade anytime!

Good intel, thanks for the comparison

I was able to luck out with the old system in VA and scored a couple Elmers. Just traded one for a Weller 12.

I love the alternate options. Great vid!

Ive only had the Eagle Rare. I liked it very much.

Old Forester 1920, Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Maker's Mark 46. In my opinion, those are the ones to have on hand

gonna have to grab a Murray Hill sometime, see it at one place by me alot.

Michters sour mash is allocated in VA. Throw that on the list

Very sound advice!

I can find KC Single Barrel Select. Delicious bottle. I’ve never seen a 12, though. That’s probably the bottle I look for most, but I’ve never run across one.

Very nice! I will add to your collection: 17 year Wild Turkey BIB Masters keep. Dog shit. Would drink 101 over this $475 dud. Old Forrester 2021 Birthday Bourbon. I make may wife use it as a mixer in hot totties when I get sick, because its the worst bourbon in my cabinet. Cheers Justin

I've done the knob 12 15 18 year test tests. I pick different stuff every time.

Great picks on the second list.

I definitely prefer the knob creek 12 over the 18

Smoke Wagon small batch I think is a decent alternative to EH or ER if you can’t find them. Still prefer EH or ER but does have a similar fruity note to it if you need a more available option

32k subscribers! Dude you both are CRUSHING it. keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey David, nice to meet you & Jamie in person at Sagamore. Plz check out the Barrel King 👍, take care…

I have to try that Rebal 10. I picked up a Hancock’s Reserve this past Friday at my local (closest to me) for $100. Took a small sip but really need to get a pour for an honest opinion but seemed light and lack of flavor for $100. I camped one night and got an ETL for SRP. Beautiful bottle but I would not pay the secondary prices for it (never saw it less than $400).

Great Video!! Very interesting and informative. I really disagree with you on CYPB. That is the second best Bourbon I've ever had. Yes its super hard to find but an absolutely outstanding bourbon.

Murry Hill Club folks, @ $100 it's rich, viscous, well rounded, a great sipper!

Completely agree on the Eagle Rare. For around 50 bucks, it’s an absolute must have. 🤌

Eagle Rare 10 year is great. But people sleep on the Knob Creek 9 and 12 year. Also Russell’s Reserve 10 year. All under 50$ too.

Oddly, every Eagle Rare store pick I've tried isn't as good as the standard offering.

Well put together video, good pacing. Kinda funny that all your alternatives for buffalo trace products are buffalo trace products.

Allocated bourbon to me, none are worth it. Too much hassle and bs attached to finding such bourbon. I’ll take the great bottles I can find with a bit more ease.

I just wish I could get Weller or rock hill here. State run liquor stores only and they dont carry rock hill, and Weller is lottery only once per year.

For EC18…try IW Harper 18

Relatively, Blanton's is much easier to find than a Hancock's. Agree that B > HR

My local target has KC 12 year for $62

What about Bernheim, a 7-year Heaven Hill wheater for $30 that's everywhere? Never bought when I could get W12 any day of the week, but by 2023 standards....probably the easy to find pic to replace a lot of these.

Si, great content as always!

LOVE that KC12 beats KC18 as i doubt ill find a 18 at MSRP and i looooove me some KC12.

Michter's Sour Mash is a great alternative to ETL

David I am 100% on board with you in regards to the Elijah Craig 18. I can never justify 18 yrs old for only 90 proof. Almost feels watered down for that age statement. Seems like such a rip off. I will never pay that price for a 90 proof bourbon when I can get one of my favs OF1910 all day for waaaay cheaper! Good video!👌👍

Thanks for the heads up bro, to many of the videos are not honest like you .

I stop hunting myself and just buy things that I find when I'm grocery shopping. In the last two weeks I was able to find Shenks, bombergers, booker's 2023 - 01, EHT small batch and Blanton's all for MSRP. KB 12 is pretty easy to find here at the grocery stores. Oh these are the big box grocery stores too, like Wholefoods, Krogers, Paviliom's/Von etc.

RD1 and BBC origin are my new go to

I wish I could find EH or Eargle Rare in Southern Ohio

Bro i need to kmow what the outro music is

Easy to find eagle rare here in Western Australia A lot of those 18 yr old bourbons though just don’t make it here to Australia or are hard to find Eh Taylor is $300 plus per bottle and not everywhere Some burbys just don’t make it here Blantons are readily available. Wish u guys keep it. It’s mey Elmer t Lee only found at specialty outlets Store picks. Never ever seen one here

1792 for rhe elmer t lee. Especially if it's a store pick

Secondary is the reason I don't like hunting. New hyped bourbon drops? It's going to get snagged up by the bourbon goblins and cranked to high hell and back price-wise. I'd rather try to find something comparable at this point, or try it at a bar. MM Cellar-Aged just came out at a $150 msrp and it's already getting blown up to $700'ish on secondary. You best believe I'm not going after something like that unless someone literally offers it to me straight up.

Weller CYPB should have been named CYAB (Create Your Average Bourbon). I was very disappointed. I never understood the Weller Single Barrel. If I buy another Weller that's a store pick, isn't it a Single Barrel also?

I found Blanton's for the first time in my country. It costs $325. Is that a good price, or overpriced? Considering I live on an island and all products are shipped in, so we should expect them to cost more..

David, would you like me to send you a sample of Green River Single Barrel (store pick)?

Pretty much none of that is available here in Michigan. I'm honestly beginning to not care about any of this anymore.

Michter's 10 deserves to be on this list.

A good alternative to EHT is John J Bowman... which has been absent from shelves for close to a year now, sadly. 😢

Great content!

The hunt is frustrating because you see how much more the prices keep going up! Knob creek though, they have good whiskey and prices. Heaven hill 7yr bib is a good one too. I feel the same way, find a bottle and the price slaps that smile off your face..😢😢😢

Totally disagree with the Old Fitz.

My overrated is.. Buffalo trace, eagle rare, Elmer t, pappy 12, pappy 20, pappy 23

Good video

David, are there any bourbons that you would pay over $250?

I agree wholeheartedly KC12 is better than KC18. For that reason, I won't pony up the extra bones for Elijah Craig 18, I'll stick with ECBP Approx 12 yrs for 80 bones.

They just had a bunch of Hancock’s come through locally…was $99

We’ll said my friend. Cheers.

Great review! I really like the KC 18 however the KC 12 is half the cost and so good! The EC18 reviews haven’t been that good so I’ll pass. Murray Hill Club is nice! Eagle Rare is way better than Blanton’s IMO, the others I haven’t had. I found a Weller 107 for 130.00 but thought it was too much?

6:49 I find Eagle Rare pretty underwhelming. It's almost impossible to get, and the juice in the bottle isn't worth the trouble. Ordinary Buffalo Trace is better than Eagle Rare, and Bluff Springs - which is always on the shelf - is better than Buffalo Trace. 9:44 I have a single barrel Knob Creek store pick - it was $56, and it's worth more than that. It's gorgeous whisky.

My wife blinded me. Buffalo Trace Store Pick vs Blanton's. The BT Store Pick won. My pallet. I did this blind because I have been so disappointed by my Blanton's. It wasn't worth the hunt.

solid alternatives

My wife just won a bottle of Elmer T Lee in the OHLQ ( Ohio) Lottery

Isaac bowman for the elmer

It’s called diminishing returns

Grab a bottle of the KC single barrel if you can. 120 proof, 10 years old. Bottles I’ve had so far have all been excellent.

Do we always forget about New Riff? New Riff has that fruity flavor and is VERRRRY comparable to Buffalo Trace.

Amen on the hunt getting old. No doubt!

Makers 46 cask strength at 108 proof in French oak is SOLID

Sorry most everything on your table is unobtanium here in NTX. I have lucked into one EHTaylorSB, two ER, one Blantons and one KC12 in the last 18 months. All at retail. The others? Pffft.