Need help chosing bourbon

I'd like to get my dad a very nice bottle of bourbon this holiday. In reading the archives it sounds like Pappy Van WInkle is a huge fave, but the chance of me finding some is slim to none. I'd like to spend less than $150, would like something really smooth and drinkable, he isn't a mixer. Recommendations please and a clue to who might have the recommended choice??

For $150 you can get multiple bottles of really good bourbon. I'd just go to your favorite package store, chat up the "bourbon expert", and then make a few picks. I'd much rather have 4 bottles of $30-$40 bourbon than one overpriced bottle.

You're probably right about not finding any Pappy.

For that kind of money, maybe you could consider a selection of bourbons? That way he could compare and contrast over a period of time.

How about these:
Booker's - very stout, barrel proof. I like to sip it slow. It does pack a punch though.
Basil Hayden - smooth, good sipping. (I know, two Beam products.)
W.L. Weller 12YO - wheated bourbon. A different flavor profile.
Willet's Single Barrel or Pot Still - Seems like they get overlooked.
Russel's Reserve Rye - Just to mix things up with a another flavor profile.

Willett 17 Year available at Keg Liquors in Beautiful Downtown New Albany (and Clarksville)
A little smoother and more drinkable is their Willet Estate Single Barrel, and it's a great price point. The 1.75L bottle is a stunner.

Extremely smooth, though not technically a bourbon anymore since it's finished in port barrels is Angels Envy.

I would also recommend the following in the easy drinking category.
Four Roses Small Batch
Jefferson's 17 Year Presidential Selection
Maker's Mark 46
Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel
Wild Turkey KY Spirit
And then of course Woodford Reserve, but that's boring.

I haven't tasted any of the Parker's Heritage line, but I hear good things.

I'm in agreement with Justin. No need to spend $150 to get great Bourbon. I just bought 3 bottles for gifts the other day and I spent (roughly) $50 for a bottle of Old Forester "Birthday", $35 for a bottle of 12 y.o. Ezra B. and $70 for a bottle of 2011 Four Roses Single Barrel (can't recall the "recipe" right off the top of my head)...All really good Bourbons and all for right around $150.

I just bought 3 bottles for gifts the other day

In that case,I'd best run out and get you something, eh?

I second Rock Hill Farms. It should be around $50 for 750ml.

Extremely smooth, though not technically a bourbon anymore since it's finished in port barrels is Angels Envy.

Ryan, I was under this impression as well but after speaking to some folks on a fairly recent Maker's Mark tour, it would appear that we are in error. The short version...since I'm on my way out of town, is that as long as the Bourbon is (among other criteria) aged at least two years in Charred Oak, they can "finish" it as their little hearts desire (ah-la Makers 46 and Angles Envy).

Mary Anne, run by Majid's and pick Stephen Dennison's brain.....he's my go-to guy on all things boozy.....a literal gold mine of information on the subject

I'll add another vote for Angel's Envy.

A personal favorite.

Extremely smooth, though not technically a bourbon anymore since it's finished in port barrels is Angels Envy.

Ryan, I was under this impression as well but after speaking to some folks on a fairly recent Maker's Mark tour, it would appear that we are in error. The short version...since I'm on my way out of town, is that as long as the Bourbon is (among other criteria) aged at least two years in Charred Oak, they can "finish" it as their little hearts desire (ah-la Makers 46 and Angles Envy).

I'm pretty sure in order to be called bourbon it just has to be from a mash bill of 51% corn and aged in new oak, which is also charred. In order to be called straight bourbon, there is a two year minimum, and if it is less than 4 years, that must be stated. That's why Early Times is no longer called a bourbon, except their 354 label (they use some kind of wood chips or something and an "accelerated" aging process but the 354 follows the guidelines, and is actually pretty darned good, and a great value). So, there's this new bourbon called Town Branch that is 51% corn, and get this, 49% malt. No wheat, no rye. Made by a distiller whose experience is in Scotch of course. Oh yeah, if it says Kentucky Straight Bourbon on the label, it must be both distilled and aged in KY.

I'd like to get my dad a very nice bottle of bourbon this holiday. In reading the archives it sounds like Pappy Van WInkle is a huge fave, but the chance of me finding some is slim to none. I'd like to spend less than $150, would like something really smooth and drinkable, he isn't a mixer. Recommendations please and a clue to who might have the recommended choice??

So, Party Mart miraculously unearthed some Pappy today, and it was gone in something like 20 minutes. There is a bourbon called Vintage Bourbon which is 17 years old and is very good, similar in taste profile to Pappy. We sell it for around $60 at Old Town. The Weller 12 year is also good, same Buffalo Trace pipe as any of the Van Winkle bourbons. At Old Town we also have a very inexpensive bourbon called Dickerson 1843, which is made off of a no longer used Van Winkle mash bill. Not really like Pappy, but a nice curiosity. Johnny Drum is a really good bottle of barrel proof bourbon. Any of the Four Roses or Jefferson's upper level bourbons, and the Old Forester Birthday Bourbon are all worth considering. Come into Old Town whenever it's convenient and we'll have someone who can talk your ear off about bourbon.

Also, the last time I was in the Morris Deli (aka Karem Deeb's) on Bardstown & Taylorsville, they had a few bottles of the Buffalo Trace Single Oak Project, and also some of the Experimental Series. Very interesting bourbons for the whiskey connoisseur.

Or is you are kind of south-ish, I understand the Beverage Warehouse (or maybe it is the Liquor Depot) on Dixie Highway has a very good selection of hard to get bourbons.

A personal favorite.

Actually, Wathen's has been tough to get for a bit. We haven't had it in quite some time at Old Town because it comes up out of stock from the distributor. Same for Black Maple Hill. Like the VW bourbons, a taste for them has been developed on other shores, and more of it is getting exported these days, so it is harder to come by here.

At Old Town

Not to take away from the thread,
Am a big fan of Old Town ( always have been ) please keep up the good work !
BTW, I am the customer in the red Jeep Wrangler often at your drive thru , keep up the doggie treats also please, my navigator German Sheperd loves them