Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Good bourbon

I can believe that. The Kirkland scotch was Macallan.

Pendleton isn't Bourbon.

They're both sweetened Canadian Zippo fluid.

Pour a bit and gradually adjust the proof down with small additions of still spring water until it suits your palate. Do not use ice.

Yep I will cut Bookers on occasion when my palate doesn't agree with the strength.

Macallan isn't necessariy "The Macallan." The off brand bottlings of spirit stock Macallan sold to the trade may not have been subject to the same ageing and wood management regime as the "real" stuff.

Here is a good rule of thumb - if the name starts with a "B", you are probably good to go - Buffalo Trace, Bulleit, Blantons, Bookers, Bakers, Basil Hayden and Elmer T Lee and Eagle Rare ( E rhymes with B, so these are an exception, LOL).

Yes. Elmer was another recommended by s friend. Local stores don't have great selections.

I thought about cutting Bookers, do will try that as well

For my budget and taste;

1) Elija Craig

2) Bulliet.....Burbon or Rye...both are good...

3) Dickel #12

4) Wild Turkey 101


Try putting a splash of water in that Bookers if it's to hot for you....
I know it's not manley but I'll admit to doing that with almost everything I drink....


Oops...Mathman beat me to it....

Shoulda known....

Agreed. I can go with those anytime.

That's funny....when I first started drinking hard liquor out of something other than the bottle I thought Crown on the rocks was really something....
Nowdays I can't stand the stuff.....

Oh yeah, Elija Craig, good stuff. Another "E" for the list. Stick with B and E.

My budget favorites

Basil Hayden is my favorite bourbon. Very smooth.

1792 (Ridgemont Reserve).

Turkey 101, Knob Creek, Maker's Mark, and Eagle Rare sit in the cabinet, currently. Also have tried Buffalo Trace and Woodford.

Dad likes the Woodford best; for me its Knob Creek and Eagle Rare.

Granted, I won't discriminate against any of the others in my cabinet.

Thankfully there are lots of decent bourbons to try. The fun part is sampling them and figuring out if you like wheated bourbons, high or low rye bourbons and what age you typically like.

For a beginner, I would suggest you try a nice wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark, WL Wellers Special Reserve or Wellers Antique 107 or Larceny. All pretty smooth and sweet.

Don't give up on your Bookers yet. There is nothing wrong with adding a couple teaspoons of water (or more) to your taste to cut the heat. Also, let it sit for 10 min. before you drink it.

Other readily available and affordable good bourbons to try in no particular order:

Four Roses Small Batch, Four Roses Single Barrel, Jim Beam Single Barrel, Evan William Single Barrel, Russell's Reserve, Henry McKenna, Elijah Craig 12 yr., Eagle Rare 10 yr. Bulleit and Bulleit 10yr., Rowan's Creek, Noah's Mill and Michter's Small Batch. That's a good start. At times, some may be hard to find. Like now, I can't seem to find any of the Weller products out there. I just finished off a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch and really enjoyed it. I'm now working on an Evan Williams Single Barrel 2006 and enjoying it too.

I would recommend staying away from the pricey craft distillery products as they are mostly just ok, tend to be young, and a poor value. The only one I've liked was the Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon and it was very pricey. Again, add water if it's too hot or just to see how it changes the flavors. Start with a couple drops all the way to 2-3 teaspoons of water for the real high proof stuff. For my taste, bourbon in the 90 proof range is about perfect and 8-10 years of age, when you can find a bourbon with an age statement anymore. They are getting fewer and fewer.

Another vote for Knob Creek!

Yea....I probably should have put WT 101 above Dickel too.....matter of fact....it really doesn't even belong on a list of Burbons but I think it's a darn good value so I had to give it an honorable mention.....

Rittenhouse Bonded Rye's another good value.....

Elijah Craig 12yr old is my standard along with Blanton's. Better yet is Elijah Craig 18 yr, and Elijah Craig 21 yr old. However, nothing compares to Pappy Van Winkle 23 year old!

Pour yourself three fingers, light an Oliva Serie V, and enjoy the weekend.

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