What American Whiskey to buy?

@Nozinan, this discussion has been done on Connosr before, and there are many reviews and discussions on American whiskeys. The easy and short answer is to pick up some Booker's,...or Knob Creek Single Barrel, or Baker's. Those are rather easy to find, high quality, and good value. You sound like you have never tasted bourbon. There are many excellent bourbons to be had, but you need to do your homework to ferret out the better ones. And if you see Old Grand-Dad 114, pick it up as your second bottle. You will be able to afford the duty on that $ 25 purchase price. If, by some chance, you see a bottle of Thomas H Handy Rye for sale, be sure to pick it up. That is the one Sazerac Antique Collection whisky which you might still see on some shelves this time of year.

I'll partially agree with Victor. Booker's is a solid choice: cask-strength and non-chill filtered (most American whiskies are, sadly, chill-filtered... at least NONE contain artificial coloring!). I'd get this instead of the other Beam Small Batch offerings (Baker's and Knob Creek Single Barrel); I like those but they are filtered. Booker's is the most "pure."

Also agree: if you see Thomas H. Handy, nab a bottle.

Disagree: Don't buy Old Grand Dad at any proof point.

Additional suggestion: Four Roses Single Barrel. Quality stuff with flavor. Great value at under $40.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Get Booker's or Four Roses Single Barrel (or both - they're quite different!).

In complete agreement with both @Victor and @valuewhisky regarding the Bookers. I've only had this one at a whisky bar here in town, I haven't purchased a full bottle yet but it is a very impressive bourbon (I say this having very little experience with bourbons mind you!). In complete disagreement with @valuewhisky regarding the Old Grand Dad 114... A fantastic dram and well, well worth the low price! ; )

@valuewhisky @Victor completely agree as everyone with the bookers suggestion. I don't prefer knob creek single barrel but many people love it. Old grand dad 114 is outstanding and there are few other better values for the money at $25~. I'd throw in maybe blantons or rock hill farms if u see either as they are very similar. I have heard it said that rock hill farms uses the same mash bill as blantons but it is barrel proof.

@Nozinan I'm a huge fan of just the entry Knob Creek bourbon, especially consider how rare and expensive it is over here in Australia ($100+ a bottle) and it's one of the whiskies I most miss from the US.

Thomas H Handy, grab it! Lovely stuff. If you're lucky enough to find any of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, unlikely as that is to occur, grab them! Stellar whiskies all!

Fall could put you here at a good time for "high end" bourbon. Pappy, BT Antique Collection, and the 4 Roses Ltd Small Batch will all hit late Sept/ Oct...Maybe, or maybe later. Pappy and the Antique collection will all have waiting lists and will be nigh impossible to obtain. The 4 Roses on the other hand, you may be able to luck into. Let me know when you are arriving, and I will give you a heads up on what's available in my neck of the woods.

@Nozinan, Research the area of the US you are going to visit. See if there are any regional small craft distillery offerings.

Thanks to all....all great suggestions. In the end I had to buy duty free as I wasn't checking luggage. I nabbed a bottle of Johnny walker Swing , which is rare in Ontario.

As noted in another post, I did buy a Booker's , but I did it in Toronto.

@Nozinan - SUPER thread, sorry I missed out - was away for a week. @Victor, I listened to you when when I went seeking bourbon and have yet to dislike any of your recommendations. @Nolinske, you are bang on about the Rock Hill Farms and Blanton's, although RHF is bottled at 100 proof, which I doubt is cask strength...unless you were referring to Blanton's at cask strength, which I have not tried. Blanton's Gold is absolutely delicious! @Nozinan, luckily for you, you were out of the country as I traveled to Windsor and back this week. I undoubtedly would have assisted you with opening the Bookers.

@paddockjudge Are you kidding? I would have jumped at the chance...except of course that I only bought it today.

When I was in NY state I tried Basil Hayden, as my first ever bourbon dram. To me there were similarities to FC, and then I saw that it had a lot of rye in it I realized why. I almost bought that as well, as a memento of the experience (the bourbon was not the event), but how many bourbons can someone own? (Oops, sorry @victor...

Definitely Booker's and I would suggest some High West BouRye or Double Rye, if you are a rye fan.

I also agree with Bookers as a great barrel proof at a good price and you can find it. When traveling I like to find stores that do private barrels. Usually done with Four Roses ,Willett, and Old Weller Antique for some reason and I have never got a bad one.

The Knob Creek Rye (yes, Rye) looks quite nice (full flavour and relatively affordable). I saw it recently at the NH liquor store on the interstate from Maine to Boston.

I haven't had many whiskeys as the usual profile is not aligned with my personal preference. So far I would say the Eagle Rare brand seems to be the standout.

Bookers. I had a bottle at a guys weekend not too long ago and everyone enjoyed it.