Hello Fellas, I am not much of a drinker, but I have been acquiring a taste for Whiskey lately. Just a bit in a glass to sip at night. So far I haven't found my brand, so I was hoping for some suggestions from you all.

I find that I don't like it too strong. I don't like that smack-in-the-mouth, "hot" sensation.

So far, I think that I like Johnny Walker Gold the best. The Black Lable is a bit too "smokey" for my taste. I kinda liked regular Jack Daniels but not exactly. Honey Jack is even better, but maybe too sweet. But I do LOVE honey. Vat 69 was OK. I also tried a Japanese brand that I found way too strong for my taste. And a 15yo Dalwhahinny Scotch had an aftertaste

So I guess that I am looking for a less potent bang on sipping with a bit of a sweet or honey taste, but I am hoping for some suggestions and knowledge from you Whiskey drinkers out there on a Sunday morning!

Thanks!

If you absolutely insist on brown liquor, I'd recommend Royal Canadian Mist,....and that's coming from some one who lives next door to "Bourbon County",....literally.

But I don't like brown liquor with the exception of an occasional dash of Cognac.

Ketel One vodka is pretty much the pinnacle of spirits.

Try some "Bird Dog" apple...........

Buffalo trace

Try Makers Mark..

Panthera you are barking up the wrong tree. I don't think very many of our members are familiar with this booze stuff. We call it "Demon Alcohol."

40 creek

I would bet you would like Crown Royale Peach.

For a sipping whiskey I like Buffalo Trace, for mixed drinks, Seagram's 7 or Jack.

There are a lot of whiskey drinkers here, you're going to get a lot of advise. I asked the same question about a year ago, I went trough a lot of small bottles of whiskey before I came up with what I like.

I cut back on the Whiskey, but yeah, 40 creek.

Try some Whistle Pig and see if rye suits you.

For regular whiskey, you might try some Jameson Irish or Crown Royal Canadian.

For Scotch, I highly recommend Famous Grouse.

I don't drink Bourbon, but Maker's Mark or Jim Beam Black is what my wife likes. Four Roses is an overlooked brand, also.

Then there's rye whiskey, where I suggest Elijah Craig.

Those are for "beginner" drinkers, mind you. Others here will recommend high-end stuff that's both too strong and expensive for a newbie.

One other thing: See if you can buy mini-bottles or pints where you are. Great way to get a taste of a new brand without splurging for a whole bottle.

Great ideas for me fellas thank you!

Fireball and be done.

Riiiiight

LOL

Do yourself a favor - The Macallan and be done with the JV team.

To make it simple, not too strong on the sweet/honey side is what I am looking for.

My neighbors and I are doing a tasting of whiskeys / bourbons to decide a favorite or learn the differences in each. Here’s what we have so far.

1. Wild Turkey 101
2. Makers Mark
3. Yellowstone
4. George Dickell
5. Buffalo Trace

Any other recommendations?

I agree with the Poobah

Bookers

Chivas Regal with an ice cube. About as smooth and light as whiskey gets.

Try some Redneck Riviera made by John Rich of Big and Rich fame. Corny name, but I really like it. Smooth sipping whisky no mix, just ice! It's also not very expensive yet.

His tastes seem all over the map, but if you like Jack, I guess you'll gulp anything.

For what the op is asking …

My vote is same as 160user
Crown Peach…
I also like regular crown
My boy like the crown apple.

I can dig some makers mark also

If you really want to get wild
Screwball peanut butter whiskey..

Good luck

If you like a sweet whiskey try some Irish whiskey.

Do yourself a favor. Everyone's taste buds are different what I like you may not. Go to the ABC store or whatever it is in your area and get half a dozen airline bottles of different ones. You can spend a pile of cash buying liquor to find what you like. Some good distilleries mentioned above. My personal favorites would be Makers Mark , Bookers , Buffalo trace , Gentlemen Jack or if you have deep pockets anything from Pappy van Winkle .

Fellas, just so I am clear here. Thankfully many of you are giving me your thoughts but I just want to be clear on something. Are you guys recommending what YOU LIKE, or the brands that you think that I WILL LIKE according to my taste of, "not too strong or smokey with a bit of a honey/sweet taste?"

It's all good though, as I am enjoying hearing your thoughts

Crown Royal Maple.

I don’t think you’ll find anyone who is a Bourbon/whisky drinker that will recommend one with those characteristics. It’s kinda like asking a wine connoisseur which white Zinfandel he’d recommend.

I’ve found that when you are a bourbon newbie, your palate will mature when you try different offerings.

I’ve had quite a few, from inexpensive to pricey, and feel that Knob Creek 9 Year is tough to beat for the money

Overpriced and overhyped. There are better options like Oban, Glendronach, Glenmorangie, Aberlour, and Clynelish for example.

OP- JW Gold is one of the few blended scotches that I like. It has a lot of Clynelish in it so you might want to try Clynelish 14. I made that leap and never looked back.

I can offer you a Welcome to the Fire…….beyond that nada! Don’t do the stuff! memtb

Half the fun is the hunt for what you like but if you're in a hurry I second Troutnut's advice.

My personal favorites at the moment are Blade & Bow, and Knob Creek Smoked Maple.

Skip over all that whiskey snob crap and get a bottle of Yukon Jack..... hahahhaaha

The ones I mentioned were aimed at you. None were overly sweet or honey, but all are blends on the mild side.

Do try to find airline/mini bottles. Two ounces or so for about four bucks each. Failing that, look for half-pint bottles the size of hip flasks. You don't need to drop $50 for something you end up not liking.

Woodford Reserve

My daily drinkers are Glenmorangie Quinta Ruben 14, Glenlivet 12, Uncle Nearest 1884, Four Roses Small Batch Select, and Bushmill's Black.

My favorite of all is Red Breast 12 Cask strength but I can't afford to drink that on a daily basis.

Whiskies fall into classes--Scotch, bourbon, rye, Irish, Canadian, blends, etc.--with similar flavor profiles. Most of what you've mentioned are Scotches, while those that have been recommended to you fall into all of the other classes. Start drawing some distinctions between classes and you'll be miles ahead.

Also, lots of people have recommended blended whiskies. These are often milder in flavor, less (often much less) expensive, and pretty darned good to drink. You can learn a lot talking to the people who work at https://www.totalwine.com/ or its equivalent. Sometimes it's hard to shut them up.


Okie John

I
That's a good one too. I want to try the double oaked.

Larceny

Try Red Breast 12. Very smooth.

Keeping in mind what you just said, what am I looking for then?? Im really new at this

Thanks brother

I second that but I think the OP said he was trying to stay away from sweet. I may be (and often am) wrong.

You need to try different ones to figure that out. A lot of good suggestions on here. I think most of us went through a trial and error phase and still do. I drank JW Black Label for years then drank all of the JW offerings. Then I branched out into single malts.

I used Total Wines reviews as a guide and haven't been disappointed. There are some (Edradour and Auchentosian for example) I tried that were "meh" and I didn't go back to them. Some like Macal lan 12 Sherry cask were good but when it went up by 33% in one year I didn't think it was worth it.

There are some good ones out there that don't break the bank but you have to figure out what you like.

Dickel #12

Especially if you like Jack at all.

From what you have stated I would suggest the Balvenie Double Cask. Smooth, very smooth and a touch of sweetness.

Sounds like he wants the flavored sweet stuff that the his girlfriend might drink!

Buy some samplers if you don't want to spring for a fifth while experimenting.

101 Wild Turkey

If they put it in a fancy bottle, and charged 50% more, it would be even more popular.


Look at any reviews it always makes the list,usually as a tremendous bargain.

Pendleton, easy drinking and cheap enough to try without breaking the bank.

Jeebus H Kites. You guys keep telling him about high-octane, high-dollar, premium booze. EXACTLY the opposite of what he is looking for.

He is not a seasoned, debonair, sophisticated drunk like you guys.

Lol thanks brother I thought it was me😉

It’s pards around here, not brothers. Gas station fireball is what you seek. Knob creek smoked maple might also work but it’s a bit pricier and harder to drink while driving.

Cheap stuff will just give you a hangover. And you don't drink as much (usually) if you know a dram cost you $10.

Good ol' Evan Williams black label.

Easy....

Evan Williams black label

I'm only going to observe this one.

Agreed and if you tilt toward Scotch, Famous Grouse.

Jack Daniels

Heavan Hill Bourbon and Stihl chainsaws. Ya'll be careful out there.... Joe

Evan Williams single barrel, eagle rare, woodford, definitely Buffalo trace.
On the cheap, Evan bottled in bond or benchmark.

Bourbon is OK, I switched to Rye. A couple three fingers of an evening will mellow out most any one,

Old Forester 1910 is good but strong.
Dewars 12 year old is really easy to drink.

Both good.

Scotch - Single Malt:
The Balvenie 12
The Macallan 12

Bourbon:
Garrison Bros.
Bulleit

I'm not a bourbon drinker. I generally prefer Jameson Irish Whiskey or The Glenlivet. But a friend brought a bottle of Four Roses to the cabin for our annual hunting trip last year & I enjoyed it. Since you're wanting to avoid the burn, fortunately their lowest 80-proof version lists honey as one of the taste characteristics (I was drinking the 90-proof Small Batch variety). It might be worth a test bottle to see if you like it.

https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/bourbon/four-roses-bourbon

I don't like to drink anything that makes my eyes bug and fumes to come out my nose. That eliminates most brown liquor.

Drinkin' shouldn't hurt. Enough things in life hurt without adding drinking to the list.

The same people who drink brown liquor are those people who shotgun a whole habanero pepper then have to wipe their asses with a paper towel soaked in Vicks Vapo Rub for three days afterwards.

OPsaid he didn't like hot in the mouth so probably a low rye bourbon like Elijah Craigs would be in order. Relatively inexpensive $20-30.

Or an Irish whiskey like Tullamore DEW, Jamesons, or Bushmill Black Bush all under $30 the last time I checked.

I wouldn't recommend any scotch at that price point.

You definitely don’t want to start off drinking a knob creek 120 or any cask strength for that matter. Your palate needs to mature.Woodenville is smooth and sweet. Old forester 1910 is incredible with little bite. Basil Hayden dark rye is another smooth rye. Keep trying new ones.

Black Velvet, or Costco Kirkland. It ain't rocket surgery.

Try Evan Williams Honey (and Peach). I love the peach but I don't like whiskey so there's that.

Crown Peach and Crown Salted Caramel are awesome but they cost twice as much as Evan Williams.

You could have admitted to liking something less embarrassing, like being a stunt double in gay porno movies.

Still not a location from OP, otherwise I could recommend a big superstore in the area that might have over a hundred different airplane bottles of samplers. 40 or 50 bucks worth of those no more than a fifth of one brand of hooch.

Explore, have fun, get a buzz, & find your own way. I seez after a 10 or 12 brand vodka test last year.

The small bottle buy is a good suggestion. I am not a kana-sewer so Jim Beam Black is fine for me. I would give it a try.

I tried some Uncle Nearest 1856 tonight. Very good stuff.

Basil Hayden's for newbies. Not my favorite, but it is a light easy drinker.

That is on my Christmas list along with Balvennie 12 double wood.

Along with Canadian Mist,,,,

My sister gave me a bottle of Penelope 4 grain a couple of months ago. It may be good for the OP because it has no bite and 40% ABV (80 PROOF). It was pretty bland but not expensive. I used it to make Kentucky Mules.

I don't drink much whiskey but I've heard R and R is a much loved brand in the NW U.S. A friend of mine takes it to Alaska to reward natives that help him skin his caribou and moose. He says R and R is a favorite up there.

Stranahans or Tincup

For cleaning paint brushes?

For “hint” of sweetness, Basil Hayden or Bakers.
For 120 proof go blind whiskey Booker’s.

MY go too is Wild Turkey

Have you tried Canadian Club?

My favorite is Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch.

I’d recommend Paddys for a beginner in the Irish realm. 20 bucks and smooth.

Speryburn 10yr is a tasty not complex speyside that runs about 30 bucks in the Scotch world.

Absolutely agree. For the price, about as good as you can get.

Forgot about Eagle Rare. Pretty good too , friend of mine doesn't drink anything but beer and he loved the Eagle rare . Liked it a little too much one year at fishing camp in Wva.

Don't waste your money if it's not produced in Kentucky. You won't find the truth in good whiskey. Stick with trying those.

I've settled on the various Knob Creek products for value/taste. It satisfies many people's taste buds.


Don't drink and drive.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

American Honey. Your welcome

Pendletons, and never look back.

I like these two....both are 80 proof and go down easy.

Bourbon.....Basil Hayden.

Scotch.....Dalmore 12.

Sounds like the OP is where I was several years ago. I used to chase whiskies that are allocated in my area, like Weller green label, Eagle Rare, and now even Buffalo Trace. I now sip whiskies that are readily available for a reasonable (by today's standards) price. My standard rotation inclues:

Wild Turkey 101 - hard to believe 101 proof bourbon can have a sweet tinge to it. Tastes great.
Elijah Craig
Larceny - Also can have a hint of sweetness.
Dickel No. 12 - Tennessee Whiskey does taste different than most bourbons. I have also found it very consistent bottle to bottle.

I also include the ocasional bottle of Four Roses Small Batch, Glenmorangie Original Scotch, Glenlivet 12 yr Scotch, and Jameson Irish. Most whiskies taste better to me with a drip or two of bottled water that can reduce the burn and improve the flavor. I drink it too slow to use ice; mine gets watered down too much with ice. Part of the enjoyment of whiskey (Whisky to the Scots and Dickel) is trying occasionally trying something different. Find two or three favorites and go from there.

For a bourbon beginner, I'd try High West American Prairie Bourbon. It's smooth and light.

Be careful how much you pay, I've seen it range from $25-$70.

For something that won't break the bank try
Jim Beam
or
Jim Beam Devil's Cut

I think that technology has made this^^^ idea obsolete.
YMMV

If you don't already like whiskey why not just leave it alone? For some folks there is a serious hook hidden in alcohol.

I drink 2 or 3 12 ounce PBR or Miller some days or Champagne with my wife occasionally so I'm not against alcohol but it is the biggest drug problem in this country.

Makers Mark would be a good one to start with. Some of the store picks can be sweeter, but are cask strength. You can always dilute with a bit of water.

Might also try Angels Envy Bourbon and Rye as they are finished in other barrels. The Rye in particular is sweet. You might check your local liquor stores for other finished bottles (i.e., bourbon or rye finished in other barrels such as sherry, Cabernet, etc.).

As an aside, once bourbon placed in other barrels, the liquor technically becomes Whiskey Speciality (or Distilled Spirits Specialty) and not just bourbon per TTB

Just pick a bourbon in which the name starts with “E” or “B” and you’ll be fine

Think you are a "Bar H"
Drinker

Very lightly flavored, sweet scotch:
Speyburn 10
Speyburn Bradan Orach

Don't take brown water recommendations off the interwebs.

Go to your local store and have them pick you out a bottle.

Smokey/sweet makes me think of high school.

Stick with Bud Light until the wife starts complaining about your drinking.
Then go whiskey.

Gentleman Jack
Bushmills

Branch water from Virginia is divine 😉😉😉😉

Someone mentioned Rye so I’d say try Bulleit. At 95% rye grain it’s the real deal and not very pricy. For a more bourbonish (?) Rye try Wild Turkey 101 Rye. Either will be more tolerable with a scooch of well water given their high ABV. Another option is Redemption.

Bourbon I’ll go with a recent try. That’d be Bakers Single Barrel 7 Year Old 107 proof. Again, it’s fairly hi test so some good agua might be in order. A fall back favorite is Old Grand Dad Bonded. It’s fairly high in rye mash bill but heavier on corn than a true rye. It ain’t bad.

Scotch to stay under $30 or so the previously mentioned Famous Grouse or FG Smokey is a fine choice. And just plain old DeWars blended is better than some would have you believe. Actually it’s very nice to my unpretentious palate.

In the same breath as Scotch try an Irish. It actually has a spiritual edge on Scotch when you consider God created whisky to keep the Irish from ruling the world. Bush is fine as is Jameson. Variations of each are available to keep your sampling in gear.

Finally in the “spirit” of original backwoods likker makin in the US of A go with Troy & Sons Oak Reserve 7 yr Old. It’s mash bill is 100% heirloom corn you can read about on the website. It does not fit the typical corn whiskey mould. You just have to try it. Actually it’s a dang good dram.

None of these suggestions are high dollar but to my tastes are very nice to sit down with. Good luck in your efforts.

Ah, no.

I've taken a liking to ryes in the last couple years. So far I think I like Knob Creek, followed by Jack Daniels and Bulleit rye.

R&R is cheap up here relatively speaking.

Hooten and Young! That is all!

Barrels and time is what turns white dog into good bourbon

About like asking a jeweler for a suggestion.

Not like Kentucky 'water'.......

You said you love honey? Check out this outfit. https://www.revspirits.com/
I see them at the local farmers markets. I tried it. It's OK but it's nothing I would run across a 4 lane for.

I do too, IF we were talking about bourbon. WHISKY however, my favorite is Lagavulin for a single malt and Johnny Walker Green (15) for a blended. Althought the OP said he didn't care for "smoky", so those two are out. JW Gold is a good one but there are so many others.

All bourbons are whiskey, but not all whiskeys are bourbon.

I'll make this observation once more time. The OP is asking for a beginner whiskey. Many of you are suggesting stuff for an experienced palate.

If this thread asked about a good first car for a teen, you'd be telling him to get a Porsche 911.

These always turn into "name as many brands as you can" threads. Lol

Precisely why I suggest Beam Black and Porsche does make nice vehicles.

Can’t believe no one’s mentioned 4 roses
Cheap and most folks like it.

Excellent point AND choice. It, along with Wild Turkey 101 and really excellent for the price.

Ahem. My first post, on page one.