Any good resources (apps maybe) that the FBG Bourbon Brohans could recommend to a newcomer to the bourbon/whiskey world? Something where I can track what I've tried, what is still out there, relative price so if I see something in a store I have a reference to know if I'm getting ripped off? There's bottled in bond, cask strength, barrel strength, full proof, small batch, etc etc and I've got a grasp on what they mean but I can't keep track of which is rare/common, better/worse, which version of Woodford was it I just tried the other day, etc.
Again, I'm a newbie. Bought a bottle of Basil Hayden's something or other and Four Roses small batch yesterday. The store I was in had a Select Barrel Elijah Craig for I think $83 which felt high to me, and a store pick Blanton's for $140 - no idea if that's good or high or cheap or not.
I've only been at it for about 4 years and consider myself a newbie also who's 'journey' is guided mostly by budget, so take my thoughts for what they're worth.
Regarding tracking what you've tried, I don't know of an app like that, so I just use a spreadsheet to track what I've had and what I want to try, and even by type, i.e., Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, American Single Malt, Rye, etc. Not saying there isn't an app nor that you should do it this way, but my spreadsheet has columns for different criteria like price, prefer neat/with ice/drops of water, specific tastes you discover, whether you'll buy it again.
My biggest 'tip' would be to learn as much as you can, not only about the similarities/differences among the mainstream distilleries and any smaller/local ones that are available near you, but also whiskey in general, especially mash bills. For example, some brands will have higher rye content, which will offer much different tasting notes than others with higher wheat content. That said, there will always be more to learn and explore, so keep your wits and stay aware of the 'fear of missing out', in that you may think a certain bottle is your white whale and you need to get it no matter the cost.
Along with that, I'd add that more expensive does not always mean better. In fact, I've learned that even though it's not the best tasting whiskey I've had, my 'favorite' is Wild Turkey 101, which has a certain reputation due to its relatively lower cost. Certain bottles will be more expensive for reasons other than 'quality', like Blanton's; in addition to its scarcity, the bottle itself is a draw. The whiskey itself is probably worth half the cost of what you saw, so the rest of what you're paying for is that bottle, and that $140 is still less than what I've seen it go for near me. If you have the income to spend on a gimmick like that, $140 is probably the best you're going to find for it. I'm a firm believer in the saying that you get what you pay for, so Blanton's isn't worth it to me because I'm not into their bottles.
Finally, what I hope you'll hear a lot is that whatever you like to drink, and the way you like to drink it, is the 'right' way. That's why I call Wild Turkey 101 my favorite though I don't consider it the best tasting; it's a great bang for the buck and tastes good enough to me that I would drink it every day. It's what I would both start and end my night with. It's my whiskey 'reset button'.
Oh, and don't give up on something if you didn't like it the first time, as your palate and tastes will change with experience. I started with scotch 4 years ago and had written off bourbon/American whiskey(s) years earlier, due to a bad experience with Jack Daniels when I was in high school, but I tried a local distillery's bourbon and liked it, which re-opened that door. Then I was wary of rye but have had to reassess those thoughts due to taking a chance with Sagamore (which is just up the road from me, making it local as well).
