Bourbon, You Ask?

Mark D asks in comments:

Lately I've also started on bourbon, I find I really like Jim Beam Black. As a bourbon corner sewer, do you have any other recommendations?

In my opinion, (and this is just my opinion), there are several bourbons that should be on any bar cart, in o particular order.

Wild Turkey 101.  Don't laugh.  It's a lot better bourbon than most people give it credit for being.  Hereabouts, I get it for about $20 a bottle.   At 101 proof, it mixes well with cola, or it can be consumed neat, or with ice.  Really a very versatile mixing bourbon at an economy price point.

Evan Williams Bottled in Bond.  It's a four-year old bourbon bottled at 100 proof.  Very versatile mixer, also good neat (although I drink it with Diet Coke).

Buffalo Trace.  Originally, the Buffalo Trace distillery didn't have a signature bourbon, making a variety of brands, but the resurgence of bourbon made them re-thing that option.  Nowadays, Buffalo Trace bourbon is a very nice, nearly upscale bourbon at a very attractive price point (mid -20s hereabout).  I like it neat, or with just a single ice cube.

Maker's Mark.  It's a wheated bourbon that I like to drink neat.  But, the make a variety they call Makers 46 that I am currently exploring.  Very nicely finished, a small step up from the basic Makers, and not overly expensive.

Those four should be on every shelf.  After that, the sky is the limit.  Buffalo Trace makes a bottom shelf that they call Benchmark.  Great mixing whiskey.  They also make the Weller's line, an upscale ($50-ish) that is very nice in a couple of varieties.

Elija Craig Small Batch is a favorite, as is Jack Daniels, (not technically a bourbon, but I quibble).   I also like Knob Creek (we really love sucking the Knob), and Bullit.  I recently bought a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch, and I'm having fun exploring that bottle.

That should give you a starting point, but those first four should be in any collection, and won't break the bank.