Shelf Bourbons

Marcus Hale

@eastsideengineer

4Items

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These are the bottles that survive my regular culling — the ones that still feel interesting after a 12‑hour shift counting sleepers and signal heads, then a fourth-quarter Knicks collapse. Nothing unicorn, nothing you need a broker for. Just bourbons I actually pour for people I like, with enough personality that you remember them when the Q train finally shows up.

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Shelf Bourbons — 4 items
Name	Style	Proof	Distillery	Price Range	My take
1Four Roses Single Barrel	Single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon	100	Four Roses (Lawrenceburg, KY)	$45–$60	This is the one I pour when someone claims all bourbon tastes the same. Floral nose, pepper on the finish, and a gentle reminder that yeast strains matter more than your friend’s TikTok review.
2Eagle Rare 10 Year	10-year Kentucky straight bourbon	90	Buffalo Trace (Frankfort, KY)	$50–$70	When the meeting somehow ends early and no one asks for a follow-up deck. Calm, oaky, a little leather, and exactly the right amount of smugness for the price.
3Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style	High-proof Kentucky straight bourbon	115	Brown-Forman (Louisville, KY)	$60–$70	Feels like finding an express train on a Sunday. Big chocolate, dark fruit, and a kick that reminds you why ice exists. Not subtle, never boring.
4New Riff Bottled in Bond	Bottled-in-bond high-rye bourbon	100	New Riff (Newport, KY)	$50–$65	The upstart rookie who actually deserves the minutes. Citrus, spice, a little herbal edge. Reminds you bourbon doesn’t have to be from a zip code your dad recognizes.