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Thanks 405wcf. Already had the sticks ready. Might try a Series V though!


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I like the Jim Beam bourbons starting with the Black Label and going from there.

The white label is fine for mixing.

Fan of the Wild Turkey bourbons as well.



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Originally Posted by cooper57m
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.



Remember this packaging? I believe it's what put me onto good sipping whiskey many years ago.

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Originally Posted by Joseywales
Horse left the barn, as I'm back from the store. I picked up Bookers and a sampler of Woodford. Haven't tried them yet. For scotch, I was spoiled by a customer, who had me try Macallan 18. I really liked it and the next month it jump $40 in price. The 15 and the 12 I don't care for. Glenlivet 18 is ok. I don't like a real smokey taste. Smooth is probably most important. So what bourbons do you recommend? Or scotch for that matter.

Some that have been recommended:
Blantons
Basil Hayden
Stagg


W.L. Weller's is the best value bourbon out there. About $16-18 if you can find it.

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I still like my Old Fitzgerald. I fear that Heaven Hill is going to stop making the product.
It is not widely distributed any more. I will be in Virginia in July, and can swing into Kentucky. Called a few stores in Eastern KY, and located some product. I'll pick that up, and a case should last me the rest of my life.
I don't drink much anymore.


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High test bourbon bourbon should be cut with water, aka bourbon and branch. I like Woodford Reserve. That is bourbon, as opposed to the syruped stuff like Maker's Mark. If you just want smooth and are not stuck on a purist's bourbon, try Clyde May's. It's bourbon distilled in KY, but they flavour it for green apple and call it Alabama whiskey. it's only about 45 proof. Goes down so smooth you have to watch it.

For smoking I like Scotch. Glenfiddich and Johnny Walker Black are reliably good enough without breaking the bank.


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Another vote here for Eagle Rare. I've been stocking up on it. Great value for a 10-yr old at about $26-$28/bottle.

Blanton's also gets my vote, but hard to find here.



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Henry Mckenna, Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace are some I like and would gladly recommend. My wife gave me some Old Forester and it's pretty good also.


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OP, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of eagle rare. An absolute fantastic bourbon for the money. I've found many bottles better than bourbon that costs twice what it does.

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One that has yet to be mentioned that really is good to me is Bib & Tucker. I don't share it with very many.

I didn't care for Buffalo trace at all.

For general have on hand type whiskey I like Makers Mark, Makers 46 even better, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve. Bookers and Old Grandad are very good, as was the papered Old Forrester.

Scotch for me is Balvenie Double Wood, Dalwhinnie 15, typically but Balvenie 21 Port Wood is my splurge.


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Originally Posted by mathman
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.


I'm different here - I do use ice, not poured over ice but a cube or 2 depending on size. To me, just the right amount of water added and not enough ice to make it cold, just cool.

I bought some of the whiskey rocks a while back - guess I should give them a try and just add spring water to taste. At least I'd look more sophisticated that way... haha!

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Originally Posted by mathman
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.


SNORK!!!!


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FYI Costco's Kirkland Bourbon is made by Buffalo Trace.

Good traditional bourbons generally come from the middle floors of the warehouse and are aged 7-9 years. That includes Buffalo Trace, Weller Reserve and Weller Antique.

Eagle Rare 10 has won more double gold medals than any other 10 yr old Bourbon.

Blantons is only 6 yrs old and tastes like it to me. Elmer T Lee (same mash bill) is slightly older and much better tasting.

Stagg Jr. Is the same mash bill as Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare but is aged a minimum of 12 years and bottled at barrel proof. My current bottle is 129.7 proof and I can open it up with a little water to my taste. Wonderful Bourbon.

Buffalo Trace, Brown Forman (Woodford Reserve, Old Forester) and Heaven Hill are all American owned. All the rest of the Kentucky distilleries are foreign owned.

Yes, I work for Buffalo Trace and I'm proud of it. Two of my ancestors owned distilleries in Anderson and Mercer Counties in the 19th century and my dad printed all of Jim Beam's labels from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Everyone's palate is different. The Bourbon you like is the Bourbon you like. Keep tasting!

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Originally Posted by TXRam
Originally Posted by mathman
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.


I'm different here - I do use ice, not poured over ice but a cube or 2 depending on size. To me, just the right amount of water added and not enough ice to make it cold, just cool.

I bought some of the whiskey rocks a while back - guess I should give them a try and just add spring water to taste. At least I'd look more sophisticated that way... haha!


Don't chill the spirit.

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Originally Posted by ingwe
Originally Posted by mathman
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.


SNORK!!!!


Spring water lessens the intensity, ice ruins the flavor. Get with it man!

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Tag. Bookers for me.


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Originally Posted by KyWindageII
FYI Costco's Kirkland Bourbon is made by Buffalo Trace.

Good traditional bourbons generally come from the middle floors of the warehouse and are aged 7-9 years. That includes Buffalo Trace, Weller Reserve and Weller Antique.

Eagle Rare 10 has won more double gold medals than any other 10 yr old Bourbon.

Blantons is only 6 yrs old and tastes like it to me. Elmer T Lee (same mash bill) is slightly older and much better tasting.

Stagg Jr. Is the same mash bill as Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare but is aged a minimum of 12 years and bottled at barrel proof. My current bottle is 129.7 proof and I can open it up with a little water to my taste. Wonderful Bourbon.

Buffalo Trace, Brown Forman (Woodford Reserve, Old Forester) and Heaven Hill are all American owned. All the rest of the Kentucky distilleries are foreign owned.

Yes, I work for Buffalo Trace and I'm proud of it. Two of my ancestors owned distilleries in Anderson and Mercer Counties in the 19th century and my dad printed all of Jim Beam's labels from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Everyone's palate is different. The Bourbon you like is the Bourbon you like. Keep tasting!


Lots of good info here, thanks for posting. Buffaloe Trace is a great tour if you have some time.


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Wild Turkey 101 is my everyday bourbon. For special occasions, I like Wild Turkey's Rare Breed.


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Originally Posted by mathman
Originally Posted by ingwe
Originally Posted by mathman
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.


SNORK!!!!


Spring water lessens the intensity, ice ruins the flavor. Get with it man!



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Kinda funny sometimes reading about the 'proper' way to drink ones own whiskey. It comes up in every thread about whiskey. Some folks make a 'ceremony' outta drinkin' a glass of whiskey...just as some folks make a 'ceremony' outta cleaning a gun. If that's what they wanna do...that's their choice. Seems like a fella oughta drink his own whiskey the way 'he' likes it.


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