Bourbon Recommendations

[rikrdo]

Hey Y'all..

I believe I am in a minority of consumers who enjoy Scotch AND Bourbon.
I am very flexible !!
My "go-to" Scotch is JW Black Label and for bourbon I enjoy Makers Mark quite a bit.

Here's the deal:

What Bourbons do you enjoy and WHY ?

[Suzuki]

I'm in the same boat - like scotch and bourbon.

My favourite scotches are the smoky single malts from Islay.

As for bourbon, I like Maker's Mark, but also like good old JD.

I drink both with a little water or on the rocks.

I like the JD, nice flavour and sweetness with a bit of edge/bite.

[moses]

Likewise, I enjoy both.

Scotches I drink neat, as a rule. Also like smoky Islay single malts.

Bourbon I usually drink on the rocks. Woodford Reserve is my hands down favorite, and the only one I buy. I actually prefer Jack to Marker's Mark, for some reason.

[rikrdo]

Laphroaig.....Talisker....Ardbeg....

Its ALL good.
But, howza bout some quality Bourbons?

MO: Thats the 2nd time today Ive heard about Woodford Reserve. Me thinks its my next buy !

ZACH: Ive been enjoying Jim Beam Black lately. Have you tried it? Very nice.

[mparker762]

for Scotch: Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Talisker, Highland Park, Edradour, the list goes on and on.

For Bourbon, I like Woodford Reserve, Bookers, Blantons and Maker's Mark.

[zachster]

Blanton's, when I feel like splurging on my Bourbon! Strong, yet smooth, with hints of caramel and vanilla (as their homepage will aptly describe it). For casual drinking, I stick with Jim Beam or Knob Creek.

[Scotto]

If I am mixing, I use Makers Mark. For straight bourbon, I love Blantons.

[boboakalfb]

I like both as well...just depends on the mood.

Makers and Knob Creek are standbys...relatively inexpensive and Woodford Reserve is very good as well for just a bit more. Then in the $50 range you have Blantons, Bakers and Bookers. If you like a bit of smoke then you may want to give Bookers a shot.

[av8or234]

If you ever get the chance to go to Kentucky I highly recommend touring the distilleries. The Maker's Mark tour is fantastic. At the end of the tour in the gift shop you can buy a small bottle and dip it in the wax yourself! Maker's is favorite. I have small bottles of others but I am always dipping into my stash of Maker's. :badger:

[BroJohn]

Blanton's, neet in a snifter. Side of water.

-- John Gehman

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I enjoy a shot of OP's bourbon, myself....

mark tssb

[rvbert0]

Woohoo... this is something I'm good at.

Bourbons moderately priced
- Maker's Mark
- Woodford Reserve
- Elmer T. Lee (on par w/ Makers)
- Eagle Rare 10 year (Buffalo Trace)
- Ridgemont Reserve 1792
- Pappy Van Winkle, one of the lower priced ones

High Priced
- Pappy Van Winkle 22 year
- Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year

[rikrdo]

I enjoy a shot of OP's bourbon, myself....

mark tssb

WHO DOESNT !!!:c2:

[Ben]

Blanton's.

[msandoval858]

I like both, but I don't have as much experience with scotch. Probably cause I spent too much money on cigars and shaving gear...

Ones I recommend:

Woodford Reserve
Knob Creek
Bookers
Jack Single Barrell

My regular "everyday" is good ol Jack black label on rocks :thumbup1:

[guenron]

Hmmm.. What Bourbon do I like? Let's make it easier to answer.. What bourbon don't I like? NONE!:tongue:

[xChris]

I usually drink Evan Williams for bourbon. I can get a 1/2 Gal. for ~$15. It's much smoother than Jim Beam, and rivals JB Black IMO. I must admit, like Ron, I don;t really dislike any of 'em! I'm usually the minority when I drink it too.

Scotch is not my drink though.

[FriscoSoxFan]

I voted scotch and second the vote for Laphroaig.

However, this is assuming the vote is based upon a money-is-no-object approach.

Cheap bourbon is MUCH better than cheap scotch!

[xChris]

Cheap bourbon is MUCH better than cheap scotch!

And that may be my ultimate problem with Scotch.

[srajguru]

Definitely both- Scotch and Bourbon :thumbup:
- usually not at the same time
- always depending on the cigar you are smoking.

Single Malts - Ardbeg, Lagavulin

Bourbon - Woodford Reserve, Blantons

all straight.

[sinekkaydi]

Here are some Water of life

Macallan Cask Strength :001_tt2:
Ardbeg 30 Yr :001_tt2:
Lagavulin 16 Yr
Laphroaig cask strength
Bruichladdich 10 Yr
Glenmorangie 18 Yr
Laphroaig Scotch 10 Year 29$ a bottle is hard to beat
Springbank 10 Year Old :001_tt2:
Talisker Scotch 10 Year

[moses]

Ah, Rick. It was probably doomed - any discussion of whiskey of any kind here is probably bound to devolve into a scotch discussion.

But some good Bourbon suggestions did pop up in the meantime...

[zachster]

ZACH: Ive been enjoying Jim Beam Black lately. Have you tried it? Very nice.

Haven't seen it -- I'll take a look next time I'm at the BevMo. I know the yellow label is Rye Whiskey, which I keep on hand to make Manhattans. I've also seen a green label JB, but no black...

[inkling]

I like them both, but choose bourbon more often. Bourbon is not as expensive, and it is a bit lighter. I'm sure that skulking around the Scottish moors in winter would require a heavy warming drink. But since I live in the Phoenix area, Scotch is inappropriately heavy during 10 months of the year.

For Scotch, I've only tried Oban and Talisker. I love them both, but Talisker is my main choice.

For Bourbon, I'll rank my choices (these are the only ones I've tried):
- Basil Hayden
- Woodford Reserve
- Bulleit
- Knob Creek
- Maker's Mark
- Jim Beam

[moses]

I like them both, but choose bourbon more often. Bourbon is not as expensive, and it is a bit lighter. I'm sure that skulking around the Scottish moors in winter would require a heavy warming drink. But since I live in the Phoenix area, Scotch is inappropriately heavy during 10 months of the year.

Bourbon over some ice is something you can enjoy on those hot summer nights.

[kennethw]

Old Rip Van Winkle (not Pappy... what's that?). Limited batch, handmade, numbered, from Kentucky. They make a rye as well. Now *that's* a good Manhattan.

Then, Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve are neck-and-neck.

Side note, am I the only person who thinks that Maker's is just rocket fuel with caramel coloring in it?

[mdakin]

I've been lurking for a while now; it's time to post.

If you want to spend a lot, I like A.H. Hirsch Reserve. If you want to spend a moderate amount I'd say Woodford Reserve. And if you want to spend less, Jim Beam.

I like smooth Bourborns and all of the above are smooth to my palate. Knob Creek, Bookers and Makers Mark all are a bit more harsh to my palate. (But I'll still drink them!) :biggrin:

[Pilfer]

My favourite is definitely Bookers. Though for an everyday drinker it would have to be JD (though not strickly a burbon) or Wild turkey 101.
The worst burbon would have to be Cougar, tastes like cough syrup followed closely by the ultrea sweet rebel yell, yuck. Any budget burbon tastes better than those two.

[olkev]

I've always been a Jack Daniels drinker but, there's a friend of mine in Amarillo that swears by some Canadian Whiskey called 40 Creek. She drinks it straight up. I haven't tried it yet myself but, I've read good things about it.

[murchmb]

I was on a multi-decade Scotch kick, but I have lost my appreciation for peat. There are still some good Scotches out there that aren't real peaty, but I have lately come to appreciate a good Bourbon. I'm not a fan of JD, but any of the smaller makes are usually good to me. Some are the same or less in price than JD.

As said earlier, cheap bourbon is a LOT better than cheap Scotch. I'm enjoying a few fingers of Elijah Craig right now (inspired by this thread) with a bit of water. I usually like it (as well as Scotch) with a cube or two of ice. The character changes as you drink it while it cools and dilutes. I also like it neat at room temperature with a Coca-Cola chase every few sips. That's something I could never bring myself to do with an expensive Scotch.

Speaking of Scotch, I have recently been wanting to try some of the Compass Box (http://www.compassboxwhisky.com) offerings. Has anyone tried any of them?

[ouch]

Bourbon- Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve

Scotch- Lagavulin

[rvbert0]

KennethW,

Pappy Van Winkle is a small batch bourbon out of Kentucky, actually I just checked and its part of the Old Van Winkle Brand, just a different offset specifically for the 15yr, 20yr, and 23yr bourbons.

Basically if you have the money to blow and want the best bourbon I've ever had, its around $200-250 for their 23 year bourbon. I've bought the 15 year on occasion and its worth the price, IMO.


I did want to comment on some other bourbons too.
1. Makers Mark v. Woodford Reserve v. Ridgemont Reserve
-These bourbons are all pretty similar, with the makers being a bit sweeter, the Woodford being slightly better (but more expensive as well), and the Ridgemont falling in about the middle. No jibs on the Makers, that's my sipping bourbon of choice.

2. Buffalo Trace v. Makers Mark
-Buffalo Trace was developed to compete with Makers, less so with Woodford Reserve. Buffalo Trace is a good bourbon, but I find it a bit too spicy for it to become my sipping bourbon. It kind of reminds me more of a lower kick Knobb Creek but lacking a small amount of smoothness. If I had to chose, I'd pick Makers any day over Buffalo Trace.

3. Bulleit- I don't know what is up with this bourbon, but I wasn't impressed at all and ended up giving it to my neighbor. I wasn't too hip on its taste whatsoever (maybe I had a bad batch, I don't know).

4. Bookers and Blantons- Both of these are excellant, and I sadly haven't had enough of them to distinguish them too much.

5. Basil Hayden- I classify this as a Scotch Drinker's Bourbon. I'd say its almost on par with Blantons

6. Eagle Rare 10 year- This my favorite, very smooth, but comes at a price. Less expensive than Blantons, maybe on par with pricing for Basil Hayden depending upon what state you are in. This is a good price to quality ratio, still being somewhat expensive, but not too much so.

7. Elmer T. Lee- I'd say this is a step above Makers, maybe above Woodford, but below Basil Hayden, and Eagle Sky 10 year. It's a good bourbon to try if you are just in the mood for small batch bourbons, but I don't distinguish it enough from Makers and Woodford to really pick one over the other.

[greendyk]

Since I can no longer afford the good stuff, the cheap stuff:

Scotch - William Grant's (surprisingly good @ $25 for 1.75L!)

Bourbon - Early Times


John

[Ben]

As far as Scotch is concerned, give me Springbank. Close second is Lagavulin.

[MasonM]

I am also in the "both" camp.

As for what kind, the best I can afford at the time.

And I agree that cheap bourbon is much better than cheap scotch. If I have to go cheap I skip the scotch.

[Andre]

I do both single malts (mostly Islays) and Bourbons regularly. I'll skip the scotch talk (except to say that all American bourbons are better than MOST scotches - talk about THAT among yourselves!)

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Wild Turkey. Any of their 101 proof bottlings (Rye or Bourbon) are very nice whiskey. I'd avoid the 80 proof ones (meant to appeal to people who MIX their whiskey, I guess). I'd also look for their Russell's Reserve bottling. It used to be a 101, which if you find a bottle, grab it. Now it's a 90 proof and it's damn good (though I liked the 101 better).

I also like the Van Winkle stuff. Their 13yo family Reserve Rye, if you can find a bottle, is worth every penny (probably about 4,000 pennies/bottle in most areas).

I like Knob Creek as well, and since most bars that serve Maker's Mark ALSO have Knob Creek, it seems, give it a try if you only ever get MM.

A technical note, JD is NOT a bourbon (the charcoal filtering disallows that name). Besides that, it's crap these days. It smells and tastes like some sort of banana-flavored paint remover. Start drinking real bourbon and you'll leave the Jack to the Jack & Coke drinkers and Merle Haggard songs.

Also, learn not to wreck it with ice and/or lots of water. If you do that, you might as well be making yourself a Cosmo and watching Beaches with the girls. Be a man: learn to properly drink and appreciate fine whiskey. :biggrin: Drink it straight (or barely watered), preferably in some sort of spirit glass that allows you to fully experience it (I use a small tulip glass made for wine tasting).

Andre

[Pilfer]

"I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Wild Turkey"

I did just above. I'd avoid the 86 proof too, when they dropped the proof it lost a lot of it's flavour. I was told that it was done to lower the alcohol content and save on taxes to try and make it more competitive with the likes of Beam and JD.

"JD is NOT a bourbon"
Mentioned that also, but I thought it was because it was made in Tennesee and to be a it had to be made in Kentucky to be called a burbon? Many Jim Beam Burbons are charcol filtered and still refered to as burbons.

[ouch]

Wild Turkey's Kentucky Spirit was a bit rough for me, but I did enjoy a 10yo W. L. Weller's recently.

[rtaylor61]

Wild Turkey's Kentucky Spirit was a bit rough for me, but I did enjoy a 10yo W. L. Weller's recently.

I spent a summer working at a country club, and from time to time had to help out in the bar. A local custom was to order "two dub", which meant "two W", i.e., Wellers and Water.

Randy

[Ken]

Pilfer,

Bourbon can be made in any state. For example, Virginia Gentleman is a bourbon made in Virginia. Tennessee whiskey enjoys a separate legal status. What differentiates it from bourbon is that it is charcoal filtered before being put into barrels. There are some bourbons that are filtered, but that is done after aging in barrels.

Ken

[Pilfer]

Learn something new every day. I had a read up on burbon production on the wikipedia. One interesting point is that burbon should be no greater than 125 proof, bookers is 126 proof, fine line there.

[Andre]

I guess I missed your mention of Turkey - sorry.

As pointed out, Bourbon can be made anywhere. It is one of America's alcohol myths that Bourbon is named for Bourbon KY, it is not. Way back when, before the modern Bourbon (place) was really there, all these whiskies were shipped via an older Bourbon in bbls so marked, so they became known as Bourbon whiskey (as in New Orleans Jazz).

I THINK Bourbon can be distilled a bit higher than 125 proof. I don't have the number at hand, but I always thought it was 145. I have some Geo T Stagg Bourbon that is bottled at 142.

The reasoning behind this is that as you distill it to higher proofs, a lot of the essential characteristics go away (and you eventually wind up with a neutral spirit - used to make Vodka). It is in everypone's best interest to distill it high enough to make what you want (something that will age properly, etc.), but not so high as to loose it's essential whiskey-ness.

Andre

[Ken]

This business can be a little tricky. According to the BATF regulation (27 CFR 5.22(b)(1)(i)), straight whiskey cannot be distilled at more than 160 proof. It is "stored at not more than 125 [degrees] proof." The kicker here is that bourbon, when stored, typically loses water through evaporation faster than alcohol. Thus, a whiskey stored at 125 proof or less can gain alcoholic strength during aging. This means that the BATF regulation must refer to the proof at the time the whiskey is placed into barrels, not during the entire storage period.

Ken

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I've been lurking for a while now; it's time to post.

If you want to spend a lot, I like A.H. Hirsch Reserve. If you want to spend a moderate amount I'd say Woodford Reserve. And if you want to spend less, Jim Beam.

I like smooth Bourborns and all of the above are smooth to my palate. Knob Creek, Bookers and Makers Mark all are a bit more harsh to my palate. (But I'll still drink them!) :biggrin:


welcome aboard....

be careful with the bourbon and the shaving....together....:001_tt1:

look at what happened to randy !!!! :w00t:

mark the shoeshine boy

[catatonic]

Scotch: Glendronach, and Bowmore (I prefer the 12yr, it may be rough but the flavor is incredible). I'm not a blended fan, but I do keep some Walker black label around for any of my friends that like mixed drinks with scotch.

Bourbon: Wild Turkey and Maker's Mark.

And just to ever so slightly derail this thread, some more liquors of choice:

Rum: Arehucas (Canary Islands)
Tequila: El Jimador
I also have a bottle of Horinca, a bottle of Charanda, and some other misc staples (Drambuie, Jaeger, etc).

[thestubblefactory]

ETL
Knob Creek
EW Single Barrel- any year
WT Kentucky Spirit
WT Rare Breed

[Keith]

I've got a dozen different bottles of bourbon open right now, and my favorite seems to change daily. But here are four worth looking at.

BEST VALUE:
W.L. Weller 12-year-old
$16

For an everyday drinkin' whiskey, you can't go wrong with the 12-year Weller, especially if you like "wheated" bourbons such as Maker's Mark. This bourbon actually has the same mash bill (grain recipe) as MM, but it is aged in oak for about twice as long, and it still costs less. For an "under $20" bottle, it is an incredibly smooth bourbon, suitable for drinking straight or mixing. All of the Weller products, made by Buffalo Trace in Frankfort, are good. This one and the Weller Antique (107 proof) are my favorites.

BEST DESSERT:
Elmer T. Lee
$25

Another fine product from Buffalo Trace. Elmer T. Lee (the man) is a master distiller emeritus, and he reportedly still shows up at the distillery and will give visitors a personal tour. With more than five decades of distilling experience, this man surely knows his bourbon. The distillery says Mr. Lee personally selects the barrels that are bottled under his name. Elmer T. Lee (the bourbon) is a very "nosey" whiskey, with vanilla, fruit and floral aromas mixed with leather and spice. The taste is sweet without being cloying. It is surprisingly smooth, almost buttery, on the tongue and pleasantly warm going down. Sip this one straight.

BEST BANG:
Booker's
$45

Of the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection, this is the best of the bunch. It more than makes up for the politeness (read: blandness) of Basil Hayden's and the rough edges of Knob Creek. It's named for Booker Noe, the master distiller at Jim Beam, who died at age 74 in 2004. Bottled at cask strength (about 126 proof), a whiff of this whiskey will make your eyes water. It should be cut with a bit of spring water before drinking, unless you have something to prove. The taste is big, bold and spicy, with a sharp hit on the palate and a long, pleasant, lingering finish. It will also warm your insides right quick. It's priced a bit high, but bourbon lovers will want to give it a try. Good for serious drinking and late-night soul-searching. This one comes in a nice hand-numbered bottle, packed in a branded wooden crate. It wins for best packaging, too.

BEST HISTORY-IN-A-BOTTLE:
A.H. Hirsch 16-year-old
$70-100, if you can find it

This bourbon was distilled in the spring of 1974, at Michter's distillery in Pennsylvania, which, at the time, was the oldest distillery in the United States. It was, in fact, older than the United States. First known as Bomberger's distillery, its history goes back to the mid-18th century.

Two other facts distinguish Michter's. First, it was the last surviving distillery from what was once a huge distilling industry in Pennsylvania. Second, Michter's was, at the time, the last commercial distillery to use traditional alambic still (or pot still), as opposed to a modern columnar still.

In 1989, the distillery went bankrupt and stopped operations. The owners eventually abandoned the distillery, and vandals ransacked the warehouses, which were still full of booze. Efforts at historic preservation faltered. The distillery fell into ruin and was condemned in the 1990s.

But back in 1989, a bottler named A.H. Hirsch bought up Michter's entire stock of 15-year-old whiskey. The following year, most of the barrels were dumped into huge stainless steel holding tanks, to halt the aging process at 16 years, and transferred to a bourbon warehouse in Kentucky. A small number of barrels were kept for additional aging, and some of it was bottled at 20 years. (That stuff is long gone.)

The 16-year-old underwent several bottlings, the final one in 2003. It received phenomenal reviews, and was the only bourbon to win the Spirit Journal's 5-star rating. A company called Preiss Imports bought up all of the existing inventory in 2004. As far as I know, all of it has been distributed, and available stock is limited to what is on store shelves.

I bought a case of it at $50 a bottle earlier this year as an investment, plus a bottle just to drink. It's an unbelievably smooth, great-tasting whiskey. But a big part of its appeal is its history. With each sip, you're aware that you're drinking something that can never be made again.

NOTE: The Michter's trademark has apparently been revived. Whiskey currently marketed under that name is not from the historic distillery. Also, A.H. Hirsch has done other bottlings, including a pricey 21-year-old rye whiskey. It also does not have the same provenance as the 16-year-old bourbon.

Bomberger's history: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/ybfowler/legacy.htm

[Keith]

As pointed out, Bourbon can be made anywhere. It is one of America's alcohol myths that Bourbon is named for Bourbon KY, it is not. Way back when, before the modern Bourbon (place) was really there, all these whiskies were shipped via an older Bourbon in bbls so marked, so they became known as Bourbon whiskey (as in New Orleans Jazz).

Yes, bourbon can legally be made anywhere. But nearly all of it comes from Kentucky. And, frankly, I'd be a bit suspicious of bourbon from New Jersey. (No offense intended to our friends in the Garden State!)

However, I'm puzzled by your assertion that it is a "myth" that bourbon is named for Bourbon County, Ky. Do you have any sources for this assertion? I think perhaps you are, as grandma used to say, "just talking out of your ass." I cannot find any mention of "bourbon whiskey" prior to 1791, or of another place called Bourbon that existed in the United States prior to 1786.

The "modern" Bourbon County was formed in 1786 and was named after the French royal house, in keeping with the francophilia of the American Revolutionary period. (There's a Paris, Ky., in Bourbon County and a Versailles, Ky., down the road in Woodford. I live in Fayette, which is a corruption of Lafayette.) The central Kentucky region, then party of Virginia, was known as "Old Bourbon."

Distillers flocked to Kentucky from Pennsylvania during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1791 and set up shop. Although whiskey was most likely never made inside the Bourbon County limits, it was shipped in barrels marked "Old Bourbon," designating the region of origin.

Perhaps one of the greatest ironies of this story is that today Bourbon County is completely dry. The distinctly American spirit that bears its name cannot be made or even sold there.

[dawgball]

Wild Turkey 101 only for me. Straight up only. A very good Bourbon and I feel it is underrated.

Do not like Scotch.

[Andre]

It's not my theory. It was one of a whiskey writer whose work I read once (it was an excellent history of Bourbon). I don't have the book in front of me, I'm too lazy to get up, and I don't care enough to argue! In any case, that's the deal.

Andre

[Keith]

Oh, I wasn't trying to fight you... Just defending the honor of my adopted home state as bourbon's rightful birthplace. :wink: All in fun. (Mock indignation doesn't always translate well to text-only media. I beg your pardon if I gave offense. And, btw, I love your Leslie Nielsen avatar.)

We may, in fact, be saying essentially the same thing: The area known as Bourbon County prior to 1789 encompassed 34 modern Kentucky counties, including what is now Bourbon County. The area continued to be known as "Old Bourbon" after the county shrunk to its present size. The current (smaller) Bourbon County is not where Bourbon was made. But the whiskey was named for a place called Bourbon in Kentucky (which was a territory of Virginia at the time).

A good history: Bourbon, Straight: The Uncut and Unfiltered Story of American Whiskey by Charles K. Cowdery.

Cheers!

[dubowbp]

I've been following this thread and was disappointed that no one mentioned my personal favorite every day whiskey: George Dickel #12.

IMHO a far superior product than JD, and a lot cheaper as well.

Buffalo Trace and Woodford Reserve are my special occasion bottles.

[johnniegold]

Prefer scotch. But if I'm drinking bourbon, I like Basil Hayden.

[jpweston]

I just did an inventory of my cabinet today and the following bourbons are currently in residence:

Woodford Reserve
Knob Creek
Jim Beam Black
Eligah Craig
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Wild Turkey 101
Old Forester 100 proof


I find them all quite drinkable and enjoyable. The WT Rare Breed is a bit hot, but sometimes that's in order.

I finished off a bottle of the Bulleit a few months ago and found it a bit too sweet, so I haven't rushed out to replace it.

j.

[Smedley]

Bourbon: Maker's Mark, Old Crow

Scotch: haven't had enough on the high end, Chivas is about as far as I've gone with the pricey stuff. Low end I enjoy Johnny Walker and Teacher's.

[ratcheer]

I have one bottle of excellent scotch and several bottles of excellent bourbon.

Scotch: The Balvenie 15-year old single barrel

Bourbons: Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, Rock Hill Farms, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, plus many others not quite in this lofty category

Cognacs: Remy Martin XO, Courvossier VSOP

Tim

[JonEdangerousli]

Maker's

[judge]

I realize I have not added to this.

The top of the chart would be Blantons Single Barrell

Elijah Craig is pretty good stuff too

Kentucky Spirit is good but to me it runs too hot as well.

Makers is too harsh.

Blanton's is just smooth and shockingly enough makes a mean mint julep.

[ratcheer]

The top of the chart would be Blantons Single Barrell

Makers is too harsh.

Blanton's is just smooth and shockingly enough makes a mean mint julep.

+1

Tim

[Rollie Juddernaut Fingers]

Look I just want to say I love all of you guys so much right now.

Honestly, this is the only time people have named alcohol preferences on mass, and I didn't feel like driving my head through a wall.

All of your choices, bespeak knowledge of the history and quality of the drinks mentioned. Even the man who said JD, acknowledged that in the world of whisky (I don't know why you insist that's a spelling mistake :lol:), its akin to "roughing it". (No need to worry, Jim Murray claims the same in one his book on the subject).

I also like how you all tip your hats to Maker's Mark. it's the polar opposite of Laphroaig (aged at least 10 years), while Maker's is only two. Yet you guys appreciate a young whiskey (fine, have it your way, bloody yanks lols and irish), that tastes of fudge. Incidently, that unique palate inculcated by Maker's (in this case fudge), is also why I like Glenfiddich (it's pear taste is not found anywhere else, in similar abundance).
I of course, like the Islay's because they are mostly not unique, just variations on the same beautiful smokey theme. (I mean, there are differences, but that's not why I choose them), the reason I choose Maker's is because it stands out from everything (even its own crowd).

Yeah this is getting kind of long. Better end it now. But I just wish to reiterate, I love you guys, so very very much.

[Gaston]

I've been following this thread and was disappointed that no one mentioned my personal favorite every day whiskey: George Dickel #12.

Amen. Now please, quit telling people about it or the price will go up. :biggrin1:

Speaking of which, back when i drank liquor with any frequency, I much enjoyed Cabin Still bourbon. It's still good, last I checked, but no longer the bargain it was back then. Somebody blabbed.

[Gruder]

Holy ancient thread resurrection, Batman!

[straight_razor_dave]

KNOB CREEK. Its made by the Beam Distillery. I enjoy it because it has the tried and true of Beams fine Bourbon but it is a single barrell uncut like a good premium scotch. Give it a try.

[BigRich]

Holy ancient thread resurrection, Batman!

I was thinking the exact same thing.:batman: