Way back in 2015, I was laid off from the last “real” Job that I’ve had. Since then I’ve gone freelance. I’ve made a living as a designer, an illustrator, a dog sitter, and even a writer now and then. Life has been pretty good since the day I thanked the HR person for laying me off from a job that I hated but couldn’t seem to leave. My freelance design business did well enough that I felt comfortable starting a dog sitting business alongside it. I mean I’m home anyway I might as well get more pups in my life, right?
So I bring all this up because right after I became suddenly self-employed, I wrote an article about what I would buy if the $100 in my pocket were the last $100 I would ever spend on bourbon. Well, as I was thinking of what I could ask the people who entered my last giveaway, I thought back on that post and wondered what you, the readers would buy if you were handed $100 to spend on American Whiskey. Below are some of my favorite responses.
(The old guard) WT Rare Breed ($41), (The new guard) Corsair Triple Smoke Single Barrel Cask Strength ($57). If I were given these two bottles en route to being dumped off on a deserted island, I would be very grateful (for the whiskey, not being deserted). Last year's Rare Breed was phenomenal. WT Rye 101 was just okay, so I'm not as pumped to try the Rye Rare Breed, esp for $67. —Steven S.
Steven is a man after my own heart. Five years ago I said Rare Breed would be one of my choices and I stand by that today.
In PA I'd buy 2 bottles I've never had: Willett 4yr and a 375ml of Maker's Cask Strength. —Mark
I like Mark’s plan. I mean since you’ve been given the $100, you might as well use it for things you wouldn’t have purchased with your own money.
Probably one bottle of Russel’s Rerserve Single Barrel Rye and the rest on a handle of Wild Turkey 101 (although I haven't tried Elijah Craig Barrel Proof yet — or maybe Booker's?). Too many choices!!! — Brad G.
Brad, it’s ok. I understand. This is why I recruited you guys to fill me in on what I should splurge on for my birthday, which happens to be next week. Happy Birthday to me…🎶
William Larue Weller at retail! Or an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and a Wild Turkey Rare Breed. — Derek B.
Sooo… the latter ones then. Depending on the state, odds are that first one won’t be at the suggested retail price.
Wild Turkey Master's Keep Cornerstone Rye —Mark J.
Mark, buddy, I’ve got bad news for you on the price of that one…
I’d put it towards Master Keep—Aaron M.
I guess I didn’t specify that you could only use the money from the question but come on Aaron. Lol.
A couple bottles of Four Roses single barrel—Eugene F.
This is a great choice! This is my other desert island one from that old post.
@MSRP: Weller all day long... any of it, all of it.
Factoring in current conditions: Belle Mead Cask Strength Reserve, Four Roses Single Barrel picks, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof—Peter
Peter has me intrigued on that Belle Meade, I’ve walked past it often enough and am always intrigued. I liked their Madeira finished bourbon. Might be nice to see what they start with.
I’d get a Rare Breed, an Early Times Bottled in Bond, an Old Grand-Dad 114 and two 50mL of Buffalo Trace. —Paul C.
Paul answered the question in the same way my wife did. I like that. If someone is buying you a certain dollar amount of bourbon…use it all.
Now my answers have changed slightly, mostly because prices have increased. I’ll still do Rare Breed ($43) and Four Roses Single Barrel ($40). But I’ll need to replace the last bottle. Previously I had Evan Williams Bottled in Bond, but its price has now increased. So instead of that, I’m going to slot in a liter of Very Old Barton 86 proof ($16). That brings me to $99 at my local Total Wine store so that’ll do me pretty well.
My wife, on the other hand, decided to go for quantity over quality. Her list would be a handle of Wild Turkey 101 ($30), a 750 mL bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel ($40), a 750 mL bottle of 1792 ($22), and then four 50 mL bottles to use up that last $8: Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Larceny and a couple of Wild Turkey American Honey in case she gets a sweet tooth. She did better than me on budgeting, she only has seventy cents left.
So how about you? Leave your list in the comments.
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