Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Buffalo Trace

I've never liked Maker's Mark.

I'm not a bourbon drinker, but Eagle reserve isn't too bad.

-Ken

I had a couple of shots of bourbon on the last flight over as they were out of gin. I knew better.

Evan Williams

You drink Hot Damn? That's just gay!

Weller for me. It's another wheated bourbon.

Buffalo trace is good inexpensive bourbon. My bourbon of choice is Wild Turkey Rare Breed. It's $36 a fifth though.

Ron

add ice..............

Buffalo Trace owns WL Weller, Sazerac,, Ancient Age, Van Winkles, Lee, Old Charter and Blantons among others. If you truly enjoy the finish of BT, cut to the f'ing chase and stock Blantons for mid shelf and Pappy 15, 20 or 23 on top......

That ruins the flavor and aroma. I prefer to cut it a bit with still spring water.

Common ownership doesn't imply they all have the same mash bill or wood/warehouse regime.

Ya ' f'ing think? Maybe being the Campfire ex drip under pressure you can 'splain it to me. My family's only been in the business since 1934...

Please explain it to me.

Do the BT, Blanton's and Pappy share those things? Or no, but they still share the same finish?

Thanks.

As a native of central Kentucky, I grew up around the Bourbon Industry and my family has always been associated with it. My Dad was involved with printing labels for bottles, my maternal grandfathers family supplied iron and other hardware to the cooperage industry, and I just discovered that two relatives actually owned distilleries in the 1880s. Although mostly retired, I work two or three days a week for a local distillery.

From my long association with the industry I have come to the conclusion that the bourbon you like is the bourbon you like. One person likes Chocolate ice cream, the next one likes vanilla. The same with bourbon. What you like is the best one available.

The three great Whiskeys of the world come from three different grains. Scotch is made from barley, Canadian from rye and Bourbon primarily from corn. For additional flavor, either rye is added to the bourbon grain bill to spice it up, or wheat is added for a softer flavor. Either way, barley is added to make for more efficient fermentation.

But to make this corn whiskey become bourbon, it has to be aged for some time in charred, white oak barrels. Good bourbon can be had in four years, excellent bourbon in eight, and superb takes a minimum of 10 to 12. Older bourbons can be obtained, but returns are diminishing.

I personally use eight year old bourbons for cocktails and ten to twelve year olds for sipping.

I asked you since you're the expert. But... BT and Blanton's do... Just SB vs blend...Pappy"s is nectar... ( but you knew that!) ~grin~

And fwiw, we sell more Rare Breed to truly sophisticated patrons (as in the Allen Conference) hint: 12% of the F400...than any other bourbon...

I didn't say I knew the mash bills offhand.

Anyway, what's the deal with Van Winkle Lot B? It's been unobtanium lately.

I'm not Fortune anything, but my posts over time show I'm a solid fan of Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I prefer it over many more expensive spirits.

Edit: Forgot to ask, which facets of the business are your family in?

Buffalo Trace is great on ice....

I know that. I actually admire your acuity for one self taught. My family is the largest purveyor of spirits in a number of resort areas. I"m an engineer who was roped into being a part of the whole darn thing through my 4 years in Scotland, 8 years in Canada and 3 years in Japan (lots here would crap if they knew how many distilleries are Nippon owned)...

In my liquor cabinet up in my den and when I am on a good hunting trip, Kicken Chicken (Wild Turkey for you outside Montana)is my choice on ice. My two daughters always make sure I get a Rare Breed for Christmas.

Have you opened a bottle of Blanton's and its nose was heavy with pipe tobacco? When I get a bottle like that I'm taken back forty years and I remember my Dad lifting the top of the tobacco container on his pipe stand.

I need to try Buffalo Trace but no ice or splashes of anything in mine! Everyone's tastes are different I suppose.

Here are my standbys:

Low bucks: Elijah Craig, Wild Turkey Rye

Medium bucks: Woodford, Knob Creek

More bucks: Pappy

Never cared much for Maker's but the last bottle I got as a gift was much better than any I remember. Also didn't care too much for Bulleit or Bulleit Rye. Not bad, just a little disappointed. I guess I was expecting more, especially the Rye.

I do think its possible to get average bottles, and sometimes great bottles of the same make/vintage. Like cigars, it might be best to give a brand a try or three before making any final conclusions.