What's Your Favorite Bourbon?

Enjoy that Pappy while you can. Make it last and good luck finding another bottle!

 

Enjoy Pappy's but don't horde it (unless you have a supply of the early stuff). Production has gone up significantly making it more available in the coming years.

Regards,

Art S.

 

It's to drink. I pick it up whenever I get a call, but not as something to "collect". Nice to have around!

 

Girl I just stopped dating has three bottles of Pappys at her house. In fact we met because I was out and I heard her order bourbon.

 

If your hooch doesn't come in a water bottle after soaking in JD wood chips then you don't know what's good. LOL
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What would you guys suggest for someone wanting to really work on acquiring a taste for bourbon/scotch?

I used to drink Wild Turkey in college, but I'm talking about drinking straight up. My reason is because I had my first experience with drinking straight tequila over the weekend.

 

For bourbon, I would take a look at Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare 10yr if you can find it. Both are affordable and very easy drinking.

When I first got into scotch, it was Macallan 12 that got me hooked. It's still a staple of my collection and a great place to start.

 

Jason,

I think just about everything being discussed in this and the Scotch thread is intended to be drunk straight (or with a hint or water for scotch or ice for bourbon). If you are going to add some other flavor or use it in a mixed drink, use the cheap stuff.

There are quite a few recommendations in these threads, we expect you to sample a bit of each and provide feedback

Regards,

Art S.

 

I agree with Art- for Scotch, anything below 46% alcohol can be drunk neat (as God intended it); anything over that (cask strengths, quarter casks, etc.) usually benefit from some cool spring water (not ice) to open up the flavor, and also to tone down the jolt. At the outset, you'll generally want to look for Highland or Speyside labels; they usually have little or no peat, and are also less astringent. As you become a collector (see the definition of "lush" in the dictionary to better describe habitual collectors like me hahaha), you'll branch out into the other varieties. Macallan 12 or a Highland Park 12 (which is more highly rated of the two, but still only $45 US) would be good starter choices.

Bourbon is generally less costly, and you can get a bottle of Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace pretty inexpensively. I like bourbon with a couple chunks of ice (make your ice with distilled or similar drinking water to ensure you don't get a tap water taste). Most bourbon is around 45-46% alcohol, and the water content of the ice plus the cooling will take out the bite.

As with your art, your women, and the color of your cars, you should choose a bourbon or scotch you like, and not worry too much about the lofty label name (until you become more comfortable experimenting with others). I also use Woodford Reserve for my mixed drinks calling for bourbon- the bottle is only about $30 US, and even if you're using it as a mixer, you get a great base taste. YMMV, of course.

 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your input. I'll have to do some taste testing I guess and see what I like. Or if drinking bourbon/scotch, neat, is even for me.

 

Jason,

For Bourbon, get Black Maple Hill ~$35. and Noah's Mill ~$42. They are very different from one another but each have real flavor. Personally, I like them better than most of the other Bourbons mentioned, if you like these, then progress into Scotches; they are a bit more hard core .

Regards,

Art S.

 

Bullet!!! They also sponsor Ferrari events

 

Thanks again Art. I'll have to take a stroll down that liquor aisle next time I'm at Spec's.

 

Write up your thought about a half hour after you've had 3 or 4 glasses

Regards,

Art S.

 

LMAO.

Define the size of "glass".

 

Noah's Mill is about 115 proof, the glass size doesn't matter

 

Has anyone tried William Larue Weller? It's got good reviews and 136 proof - sounds promising, now I just need to find it.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Has anyone had any success in scoring Pappy or anything from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection this year?

I was able to get a bottle of the Sazerac 18 year rye last night. I JUST missed a bottle of the George T. Stagg last night. That and the William Larue Weller are what I really wanted.

I was able to get a bottle of Barterhouse last month and it is fantastic.

 

Jason -- If you ever want to try some bourbons let me know. I basically have specs at my place.

 

How do you like the William Larue Weller?

 

I like it quite a bit, although my bottles were 2012 edition at 123.4 proof so they're not as hot as the later year's. Flavor is good with vanilla and caramels with soft oak finish if you add a bit of water (I use a small ice cube) to cool down the alcohol burn.

 

I hear Pappy's is great but everyday Bulleit is great and they sponsored a few Ferrari events

 

No argument, bulliet is some good stuff, enjoying as we speak.
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In not the biggest fan of Bulliet. I don't know what it is, something in it doesn't do it for me. However, speaking of Pappy....I was in heaven.




Mark
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ah the Rumpus Room. Love their fried pig's ears and scotch eggs.
So what did that whiskey flight set you back?
Favorite?