My daily is Very Old Barton (so: much cheaper). My basic rule is that you can't go wrong with anything that is also sold in a bonded expression (and you can't go wrong with the bonded expressions themselves), and that it comes down to whether you like rye-spice-dry (Four Roses, Old-Granddad, VOB) or wheat-sweet-mellow (Weller, Makers, Fitzgerald).
Top comment - I’ve been drinking bourbon for years but don’t know much about it, I just try to get a bottle of something I haven’t tried before whenever I run out. Of those six you categorized, I’ve only tried Four Roses and Makers, and I do prefer the Four Roses but didn’t know why - now I will be sure to try Old-Granddad and Very Old Barton to see if your categorization holds!
Also I could google it but it’s more fun to discuss - what is a bonded expression, and why do you consider a non-bonded expression of something available bonded to be better than a non-bonded expression of something that isn’t available bonded?
Bonded whiskeys are legally certified to be (and kept in custody to ensure they remain):
* The product of one distillery
* The product of one distilling season
* Aged at least 4 years
* Bottled at at least 100 proof
For the most part, as a consumer, you don't care about these particulars. For instance, 50% ABV is on the high side for what's pleasant without dilution.
However, a distilling brand that can produce a bonded bourbon or rye expression is probably not playing games with their non-bonded bourbon or rye; that there is a bonded VOB strongly suggests that all VOB bourbon comes from VOB distilleries (and isn't sourced from MGP or simply relabeled Heaven Hill). So you can pay a little extra for the bonded VOB, or just buy regular old VOB trusting that their ability to produce bonded bourbon means their non-bonded bourbon is just as good (which is a safe bet).
An annoying thing to be careful about: just because someone produces a respected (or bonded) bourbon doesn't mean their rye is trustworthy, and vice versa. Distilling brands do brand extensions into other whiskeys by sourcing from other distilleries and rebranding.
I've had the Wild Turkey 101 (aka about the most "regular" one I could find) and I don't recall it making any particular impression - though I don't keep notes either, nothing really stood out about it that I can remember less than a year later.
I live in NC where Old Weller Antique has become unobtainable. It’s annoying since it was my favorite wheater. So I make do with Makers. I’ve tried Larceny a few times but it isn’t winning me over (I know it isn’t a bourbon).
Is there a place in the US where any Buffalo Antique is reliably obtainable? It's been years since I've been able to get my hands on any here in Chicago; I manage to get my hands on a bottle about every 18 months or so.
