Two years ago Captain_C graduated from his undergrad program and as part of his celebration he brought a $40 bottle of whiskey and brought it over to my apartment where it was consumed. As of this weekend I will have graduated from my undergrad program and I plan on returning the favor of good booze, but I have no idea what to get. I would go for some of that same whiskey but in the intervening years both of us have had… experiences with whiskey that prevent us from ever wanting to drink it again. I am willing to consider anything that is not Beer, Spiced Rum, or Whiskey. Any advice?
$32 will get you a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon, if you’re willing to do bourbon. I think it’s freakin amazing.
$30 will get you Calvados, an apple brandy that I like a lot as well.
Daniel
If you can find it in your area, Gran Duque de Alba is a Spanish brandy that is amazing. It might go $45 but it’s worth it. It has a hint of sweetness that tastes like caramel.
$40 can buy you a a nice tequila. You might give or take a few bucks.
I have never had anything from Don Julio that was anything less than awesome (the blanco makes the BEST margaritas), or El Tesoro for that matter. Cazadores reposado is decent as well. I’m sure some Dopers more versed in tequila can recommend really great stuff. I know very little about anejos, and am only just now getting acquainted with nicer tequilas in general, mostly reposados. But all these three makers have good, smooth stuff in the range you’re talking about.
Although I second Woodford Reserve. That stuff is delicious.
I’m not a whisky drinker, but a friend raved about Maker’s Mark bourbon and I bought a bottle. It’s pretty yummy, or whatever the word is for good bourbon. I think it’s about $40 for a bottle.
If you’re buying a 1.75 liter bottle, sure. 
You can buy some pretty nice Cold Sake in the $40 range.
But I only need a little bit!
I don’t know from booze. Is 1.75 liters a lot or a little for $40?
For me, it’s about a weeks worth. For normal people, a bit more than that.
I was going to suggest a Tequila as well. My personal favorite is Cabo Wabo Blanco. Either with tonic or look up the recepie for a Woborita, i beleive it is Tequila, Roses Lime, and Triple Sec (Grand Marnier). mmmmmm
FYI - Standard size spirits bottle is 750 ml
I would recommend Gentleman Jack. Only other thing you’ll need for enjoyment is a rocks glass and ice cubes.
Price varies due to state taxes but should be mid to upper $20s
In Belize a few months ago, I discovered an absolutely amazing rum- One Barrel Rum. If I’d known it was so hard to find in the US, I would’ve thrown out all of my clothes and refilled my suitcase with duty-free bottles bought in the airport.
Yes, it’s *that *good.
Anyway, I recently found that a few places here in the US have it. I bought a bottle of it for $27.
Now, if only I could find the even more yummy coconut version.
When you mentioned your price range the first thing I thought of was Booker’s, arguably the world’s best bourbon. However it’s more than 120 proof, so you might be better off just knocking the hell out of your skull with the business end of the bottle if you’re not used to that kind of high-octane booze. It is fantastically smooth however.
If I am allowed to vote in this:
I like the sounds of these bourbon recommendations. I’ve never had bourbon.
My ears also perked up at the Apply brandy remark.
I’m disappointed that no one (and doubly disappointed in silenus) has yet extended the suggestion of an Irish whiskey. US$40 will get you neatly into a bottle of Redbreast, Jameson 1780, or Bushmills 10 Year Old Single Malt, and you can pick my my regular standard, Bushmills Black Bush for about US$32, leaving enough left over for a block of Kerrygold Dubliner (cheese).
I would not recommend knocking over the entire bottle in one night, however. Is milis dá ól é ach is searbh dá íoc é.
Stranger
Rusky Standart is now being sold in the U.S. It is the most delicious vodka ever. Quite cheap too.
(American) Brandy is the smut of Satan. Apple brandy doubly so. Only armagnac, cognac, and lourinhã are worthy of consideration, and a decent one of these is going to run in excess of US$40. There is no hangover worse than that from crap brandy…except bad tequila, of course.
Stranger
Perhaps friend silenus took note, as did I (belatedly I admit, as I nearly recommended Booker’s bourbon myself plus a couple of malt scotches), of this line from the OP:
“experiences with whiskey that prevent us from ever wanting to drink it again. I am willing to consider anything that is not Beer, Spiced Rum, or Whiskey.”
I took this to mean he didn’t want no whiskey or whisky, no how, no way.
His loss though. 
I haven’t done exhaustive tequila testing. But Cazadores is one of the best–& you aren’t paying for an ultra-fancy bottle. Forty dollars would probably buy a bottle of Añejo. But the Reposado (“rested” rather than aged) is good enough to sip–yet not so exquisite that the Tequila Police will come & get you if you use it in a cocktail.
I, too, missed that in my reading of the o.p., so anxious was I to see that he did not pass on notable options. However, an exclusion of whiskey would also have to extend to the bourbon whiskeys that have been listed, including the worthy Woodford Reserve.
The trick of avoiding “…experiences” with whiskey and other liquor is simply not to overindulge. This is more easily said than done, especially once the nectar starts flowing, but age and, er, …experience will lay the foundation for wisdom. Or alcoholism. In the case of the latter, it’s better to cultivate a tea obsession.
Stranger