PODCAST · leisure
The Bottom Shelfers
by Rick Howe & Todd Youngblood
The Bottom Shelfers are two college fraternity brothers continuing their 5+ decade quest to find THE great whiskies available at a reasonable price. They figure their recon may never end…
Episodes
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Buffalo Trace & Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
These two need to be on everybody's shelf! Buffalo Trace at $30-ish is a solid, all-around choice. You can't go wrong with it. As for the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked... There's a reason it's known as "Dessert in a glass." Wow! Stick with it neat, though. While it does hold up well to ice, it's...
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Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey & Redwood Empire Pipe Dream
Two choices with really interesting back stories this time... Horse Soldier, named for the Green Berets who fought in Afghanistan after 9/11, and Redwood Empire that sources distillate from four different states. Two solid sippers here, with the west coast offering winning by a nose!
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Clyde May's SBW & Yellowstone Toasted
A pair of light, easy-sippers this time. We both rated both at 3.0 and recommend against using them in cocktails. For sure, neat is the best option, although the Yellowstone Toasted on a big rock is a solid choice.
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High West & Early Times Bottled In Bond
We both got pretty excited about this episode! The High West was a nice surprise, and we gave it a solid "2" rating. The big winner, however, was the Early Times Bottled In Bond. We both agreed on a "3" rating and that, for certain, it earns the "Great bourbon at a reasonable price" designation.…
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George Dickel 8 Year & Heaven Hill Bottled In Bond
Two winners this time. The Dickel 8 Year is quite simply a solid sipper. It's not going to blow you away, but it's solid stuff at a great price point. Heaven Hill BOB earned a permanent spot in Todd's Office Bar. It might even make it up to the main stash periodically!
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Weller Antique 107 & Bluegrass Toasted Oak
Wow! The Bottom Shelfers strayed pretty far from the bottom shelf this time. We tasted Todd's (former) favorite bourbon, Weller Antique 107, as well as his new favorite, Bluegrass Toasted Oak. Rick & Mark did not declare any favoritism, but both agreed with the 4.0 rating for the Weller and 4.5…
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Monks Road and Daviess County Straight Bourbon Whiskey - Live from Louisville!
The Bottom Shelfers hit the road to Louisville! Thomas, Mark, Matt & Josh joined Rick & Todd for in-depth research in the heart of bourbon country. More on the trip coming in the next few episodes. Shrotly after arrival, we headed out to Angel's Envy following a quick stop in the hotel's watering...
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Blue Note Crossroads & Bernheim Wheat
This time we tried something we never tried before, a wheat whiskey! The 51% wheat really came through. A very low-key, easy-sipping experience. I say, "Drink it neat!" Also... Do NOT forget to grab a bottle of the BlueNote Crossroads. Great stuff!
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Peneleope Wheated & 1792 Bottled In Bond
A step up for the boys this time. Penelope Wheated & 1792 Bottled In Bond. Both are winners! Stock up for your Holdiay guests! The 1792 BIB struck us both as an especially good choice.
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Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey & Benchmark Full Proof
Woodinville is a great everyday bourbon choice. Solid sipper both neat on a rock. The Benchmark Full Proof might be better used as a stain remover or paint thinner. WAY to hot! ...even on ice.
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Benchmark Top Floor & Yellowstone Select
We had high hopes for Benchmark Top Floor, but... We both went with 1.5 and were maybe a bit generous. The Yellowstone is pretty good! One caveat though... Rick got it for $30 which makes it a good buy. For Todd at $37, not such a bargain.
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Kentucky Vintage & Remus
Neither of us had heard of these two before... The Kentucky Vintage, well... sadly, it's going under the sink. The Remus wasn't too bad at all, but not a big favorite. We took one for the team on this one!
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Episode 21 - Old Bardstown & Benchmark Bonded
Heading to a lower shelf set of bourbons this time... Old Bardstown 90 Proof vs. Benchmark Bonded. While the Benchmark #8 did not impress, some of the other expressions - like this one - are pretty good!
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Bowman Brothers Small Batch & Eagle Rare
Got a pair of 90-proofers this time around. LOTS of similarities between these two... The biggest difference is the rye spice in Bowmans. We both called these "classic mid-tier" bourbons. Both have a great mouth feel with the edge going to Eagle Rare. We recommend the Bowmans neat and the Eagle...
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Smoked Bourbon! Benchmark #8 & Woodson
The Bottom Shelfers have a theory... Using a smoker (from Smokeshow) it is possible to turn mediocre - or even bad - whiskey into something quite palatable. Rick has been a fan for quite some time. FINALLY, Todd gives it a try!
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Woodson & 13th Colony
An Independence Day special!!! Woodson, a 6-month "accelerated-aged" Kentucky Bourbon was... eh..., but the 13th Colony was quite a pleasant surprise. Not exactly true bottom shelf picks, but the GA product is a winner in any case.
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Tin Cup & Breckenridge
The Tin Cup cup hexagonal bottle with the literal tin cup lid is very cool. That said, it's a 1. It's going under the sink. Not offensive by any means, but unremarkable. The Breckenridge was a good bit better, but only earned a 2 rating. Rick & Todd are warning you away from these two. Although…
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Episode 15 - 1792 Small Batch & Knob Creek 9-Year Small Batch
Sticking with the Small Batch designation and welcoming the first guest on The Bottom Shelfers. Welcome to Mark! While our guest couldn't get hold of the 1792, he kept Rick & I in line. All three of us were clear fans of the Knobb!
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Jim Beam Devil's Cut & Old Forester 100
The Devil's Cut from Jim Beam was OK. Maybe a little gimmicky marketing... The Old Forester 100 though! One of us just might put this one on the "my everyday bourbon list." Pricey in NJ at $34, but a great deal in GA at $23.
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Green River Wheated & Bulleit
Gotta' love the two bottles for this episode... And they're both winners. Green River smooth & soft, and old dependable Bulleit with punchy, long-lasting rye flavors.
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Penelope 4 Grain & Elijah Craig Small Batch
Penelope is a relatively new distillery, founded in 2018 and Elijah Craig is one of the oldest dating from 1789. We both liked the newcomer - had nothing negative to say. Old Elijah though... The clear winner this time. Both bottles headed to #2, the upper liquor cabinet in the office!
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Redemption Bourbon & Old Bardstown KY Straight Bourbon
The Old Bardstown was pretty darn good. Redemption? Eh....
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Episode 10 – Uncle Nearest 1884 & Blue Note Juke Joint
Rick outdid himself by choosing these not-bottom shelfers. Both are affordable and really good sippers! Maybe put 'em on ice, but never in a cocktail. Have 'em neat!
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Episode 9 - Benchmark Small Batch & Old Grand Dad 114
Two pleasant surprises! The Benchmark Small Batch neat is a nice sippin' whiskey, and the Old Grand Dad 114 is versatile. I'll enjoy both neat and on the rocks!
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Jack Daniels & Gentleman Jack
Jack Daniels is for sure a classic! Old #7 and Gentleman Jack both have the same mash bill, but are distinctly different. We agreed that you can't go wrong with either. Personally, Gentleman J on ice is great summer day sippin' whiskey!
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Ezra Brooks 99 & Redemption High Rye Bourbon
We found a few redeeming features, but these two both landed on the Bottom Shelf for sure. We're going to try them smoked and see what happens...
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The Olds - Old Rick, Old Todd, Old Forester & Old Grand Dad
Two great value picks! We give Old Forester the edge here, but were very pleasantly surprised by both.
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Rebel 100 & Wild Turkey 101
The battle of the 100-proofers! Not to throw out a spolier, but... Nah... Listen & find out what the boys think!
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Small Batch Battle - Evan Williams 1783 vs. Four Roses
Two winners here... 2nd Shelf good stuff. Evan comes out on top.
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Larceny & Traveller
Larceny, a wheated bourbon, and Traveller, a new blended whiskey from Sazerac are on today's menu. Grab a glass and join us!
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Evan Williams Bottled In Bond & Benchmark Old #8
Two lower-priced choices this time... We gave 'em a fair shot...
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Makers Mark & Woodford Reserve
In this inaugural episode, Rick & Todd taste and comment on their mutual "benchmark" bourbons. Sip along and let us know what YOU think!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Bottom Shelfers are two college fraternity brothers continuing their 5+ decade quest to find THE great whiskies available at a reasonable price. They figure their recon may never end…
HOSTED BY
Rick Howe & Todd Youngblood
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Bottom Shelfers have?
The Bottom Shelfers currently has 33 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Bottom Shelfers about?
The Bottom Shelfers are two college fraternity brothers continuing their 5+ decade quest to find THE great whiskies available at a reasonable price. They figure their recon may never end…
How often does The Bottom Shelfers release new episodes?
The Bottom Shelfers has 33 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Bottom Shelfers?
You can listen to The Bottom Shelfers on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Bottom Shelfers?
The Bottom Shelfers is created and hosted by Rick Howe & Todd Youngblood.
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