My favorite drinks are high proof. I’m also high on the ryes. I love THH, Van Winkle Rye, and Kentucky Owl. For bourbons, my current favorites are GTS, 1792 Full Proof, Blantons SFTB, and 4RAY.
There are some expensive bottles I’m not that big on like ER17, Saz18, Whistlepig Boss Hog for example. There are some bottles I like that I never hear anyone talking about like Dickel 17.
I get some decent stuff in the retail store. Nothing really impossible to get, but some that people struggle with. In the past year I’ve gotten ORVW, Kentucky Owl (multiples), Weller 12 (multiples), Elmer T Lee, Four Roses LE (multiples), Blanton’s Gold (multiples), Blantons (multiples), Rockhill Farms, Elijah Craig BP (multiples), Rebel Yell 10 (multiples), EHTSB (multiples), Michter’s 10, Michter’s Toasted Rye, HWMWND.
I purchase bottles based on perceived value. I don’t open them unless I know I like them. I try bottles out in bars or with samples before I open them. For example, I got a bottle of 4RAY, but I thought it was probably overrated and planned on trading it. I ended up having at a bar and loving it. I then went searching for a back up bottle.