First bourbon recommendations

I'm in the states but I was just talking to someone from Australia about bourbon, so I know a few of the price points from him. Seems like Buffalo Trace is around $50, and that's a solid place to start. It will be very unlike Jim Beam, in a good way! Buffalo Trace is a bit spicier and more bitter than Beam, but it carries a lot more flavor. If you don't like spicy, try Maker's Mark. Maker's is smooth and delicious, but more one-dimensional than Buffalo Trace (read: can get a bit boring).

I highly recommend Hogs 3 (Thanks to @SquidgyAsh for putting me onto this). Can be had for between $30 and $35 at any BWS or Dan Murphy's. It's the scotch drinker's bourbon - I like it mostly because it's so smooth and does not taste or smell like Jim Beam in any way! Great stuff at a fantastic price.

thanks will get the hogs 3

Though it is a bottom shelf offering, Evan WIlliams Black Label is one of my favorite Bourbons. Bourbon is not a fist choice for me, in part because of the cidery acidic note that surrounds everything, but Evan Williams does a good job of avoiding that. It is a very up front and simple Bourbon that delivers maple, vanilla, brown sugar, cola, and lots of fresh, almost raw oak. It's a hard and dense bourbon and I recommend adding some water, but there is no better value in all of whiskey if you ask me.

Evan Williams Single Barrel, Elijah Craig 12 and Elijah Craig 18, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey 8, Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

On the more expensive side : George T Stagg (the greatest bourbon ever), Parkers Heritage, Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve, Thomas Handy Sazerac Rye.

Good luck!

May I suggest Woodford Reserve I had just sampled it and its quite good. I had neat and it tasted sweet that way. Unfortunately I don't know the price for it in Australia. Around $26-30 here in the lower 48. Its aged 6-7 years and bottled from small batches. Ill have a review here shortly.

@GotOak91 a friend of mine was drinking this a couple weeks ago and I had a taste before he ruined it with coke, agree that its really good but cost around $65 here.

Wow $65, that's a little steep I wouldn't pay that much for it. Amazing how a little thing called importing can jack up prices.

@Donski How'd you get on with the Hogs 3?

@systemdown its really good, I was able to get it from my local bws so I didn't even need to make the trip to dan murphys. Great taste, easy to drink and a great price : ) I think I will be getting it again when the bottles empty

@Donski Excellent, glad you liked it! Yeah, can't argue with the price..