Tag Archives: bargain

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 18: Walmart vs. Weller (and Friends)

Walmart has a new $19 bourbon on the shelf, so I threw it into a blind taste test with three other 90-proof bottles from the Buffalo Trace universe: Weller Special Reserve, Benchmark Small Batch, and Members Mark. Only one came out “good,” but all four proved something important about budget bourbon. Here’s how they ranked—and why the results weren’t surprising. Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 17: Thanksgiving Surprises on the Shelf

I walked into BJ’s looking for a turkey. I walked out with two bourbons I didn’t know I needed. Thanksgiving miracles come in all forms—and sometimes they’re 116 proof. Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 16: Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Proves Price Isn’t Everything

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond is one of the best values in bourbon—an honest, old-school, $15–$25 liter that regularly beats bottles twice its price. With rich peanut and cinnamon notes, a warm caramel-apple palate, and a surprisingly solid finish, this everyday sipper proves that great bourbon doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Continue reading

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Tasting Tuesday: The Smallest Sip With the Biggest Lesson

Sometimes it only takes the smallest sip to make a big decision. Tonight I ran to Total Wine hoping to pick up something special for my 40th high school reunion this weekend. Some people commemorate big moments with pictures — … Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 14: Battle of the $20 Bottled-in-Bond Bourbons

Four classic budget BiBs go head-to-head in a category-by-category showdown. Benchmark, Early Times, J.W. Dant, and J.T.S. Brown all deliver way above their price—but only one wins the bourbon cheapskate challenge. Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 13: Penelope’s Redemption—A Four-Grain Find Worth the Pour

After a too-sweet first impression with Penelope’s toasted line, I wasn’t sure I’d circle back to the brand. But this four-grain barrel strength changed my mind. Balanced, spicy, and satisfyingly rich, it proves that Penelope still has something to say—and at under $40, it speaks my language. Continue reading

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Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 12: Bottled Bargains—Member’s Mark Bottled-in-Bond Takes on Its Kin

Back on September 25, I reviewed Member’s Mark Small Batch, a Sam’s Club exclusive that impressed me with its flavor-to-price ratio at just $18.95. Now the warehouse giant has added a Member’s Mark Bottled-in-Bond expression — also priced at $18.95 … Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 10: Dear Brown-Forman—Don’t Kill Coopers’ Craft

Proof that craftsmanship doesn’t have to come with a collector’s price tag. Background Coopers’ Craft comes from Brown-Forman, the same Louisville house behind Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, and Jack Daniel’s. It’s named for the company’s own cooperage—one of the few … Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 9: Rebel 100 – The Bold Wheater That Won’t Break the Bank

Bourbon Cheapskate: Rebel 100 Every now and then, Shores Liquors (here in Jacksonville) puts something on sale that’s too good to pass up. This week it was Rebel 100 — normally $29.99, but marked down to just $21.99 for a … Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 7: Barmen 1873—Coors Steps Into Bourbon, and It’s a Winner

On the way home from North Carolina, I made a stop at Sandy Cross Liquor and Tobacco in Royston, Georgia. The manager took some time to walk me through a few bargains, and one of the bottles that caught my … Continue reading

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