Bourbons...

[boboakalfb]

I have been on a scotch kick lately and don't want to turn my back on fine whiskey's made in the good ol USA.

So I am looking for some recommendations from you guys.

Now my usual go to is Makers Mark...it's inexpensive and works either straight or in a manhattan (I know...I know...traditionally it should be made with Rye). I also usually have a bottle of Knob Creek, WT 101 and either a Bookers, Bakers or Blantons around.

Here are a couple of bottles I have my eye on...what are your thoughts. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel 90 pr, ORVW 10 yr 90 pr and WT Rare Breed.

Right now I am looking for good bargain whiskeys...say $20 to $30.

What else do you guys think? Tims? Others?

[murchmb]

I've been working on a bottle of Elijah Craig for a while now. It's reasonably priced and excellent quality. Plus, who can turn down a bourbon named after the Baptist minister credited with inventing bourbon?

[rikrdo]

BobO:

Got my "Little" Bro some Elmers last Oct.....Pretty good for the price.
On the Cheap....
go with Tim's call.
Evan Williams 1783 aint bad at all !

[boboakalfb]

On the Cheap....
go with Tim's call.
Evan Williams 1783 aint bad at all !

Got my eye out...so far I haven't come across it but when I do I will definitely pick one up.

[boboakalfb]

I forgot to add that Nick might have some valuable info here...

[TromboneGuy]

Elijah Craig is nice - my most recent bottle was Bulleit bourbon, though. Very tasty, and in the price range you mentioned.

[Opus_Y_&_Z]

My favorite go-to bourbon is Eagle Rare. You mentioned that you like Makers' Mark, and IMHO Eagle Rare is along the same lines as far as its taste characteristics and strength. I'm also a big fan of Woodford Reserve, although its a little more expensive. I second the recommendation on Elijah Craig, although its characteristics are a bit bolder than the others I've mentioned. Enjoy your experimental tasting!

[galpman]

My favorite go-to bourbon is Eagle Rare. You mentioned that you like Makers' Mark, and IMHO Eagle Rare is along the same lines as far as its taste characteristics and strength. I'm also a big fan of Woodford Reserve, although its a little more expensive. I second the recommendation on Elijah Craig, although its characteristics are a bit bolder than the others I've mentioned. Enjoy your experimental tasting!

+1 Just picked up my first bottle of Eagle Rare. Great bourbon. Right up there with Makers Mark IMHO

[boboakalfb]

+1 Just picked up my first bottle of Eagle Rare. Great bourbon. Right up there with Makers Mark IMHO

I can get the Eagle Rare 10 for $25...so that was also one I was thinking about. Much more options for good bourbon in this price range than Scotch. That's for sure...

[180gVinyl]

I can get the Eagle Rare 10 for $25...so that was also one I was thinking about. Much more options for good bourbon in this price range than Scotch. That's for sure...

I think that's probably due to bourbon being native to yourself

For comparison purposes:

At the moment in Blighty

Aberlour 10yo is £15 (on offer)
Jim Beam(White Label) is £16

Isle of Jura 10yo is £16
Bulleit is £17

Glenlivet 12 yo is £18 (some places it is £22)
Woodford is £25

In all fairness, I could put up with any of the above

[TimmyBoston]

Here are a couple of bottles I have my eye on...what are your thoughts. Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel 90 pr, ORVW 10 yr 90 pr and WT Rare Breed.

I tend to be cyclical with my whiskies. In the winter months I gravitate towards Scotch, while when the days grow warm I find myself reaching for bourbon.

Bob, in direct answer to your question: I have no experice with ETL so I can't comment on that one, but from what I've read it draws some mixed reviews. Many out there love it and others hate it.

Old Rip Van Winkle 10, don't go with the 90 proof, jump up the 107 definately it's miles away from the 90. It's also only a few dollars more, but well worth it. The 10 yr 107 is a powerful bourbon, quite rustic, but with some sweetness, definately forceful though, IMO.
But, IMO if you want a Van Winkle Product and they definately have some good ones, try the Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 year Lot B (there are no other Lots, only B) It runs anywhere between $32 and $50 just depending on your liquor store and location. But it is definately one of my favorites out there and probably the best bourbon for the money that I know of. The 12 is much sweeter than either of the 10s and isn't as rugged, it's a finesse bourbon. This is the one I definately recommend, it's an outstanding product.

The Wild Turkey Rare Breed is very good as well, it's more along the lines of the ORVQ 107, stronger in alcohol content and flavor. It's good stuff and IMO is better than ORVW 10 107, coincidentally I completed a review last night which is up in the Consumables Section.

Bourbon has some unique properties over Scotch, one is drinkability at ridiculously high alcohol content. While a 86 proof can be a solid Scotch it's a very low alcohol bourbon. George T. Stagg which routinely runs up over 140 proof is very drinkable neat, without any water; Find me a Scotch that can do that.

Another great starter bourbon is Buffalo Trace, the flagship bourbon of Buffalo Trace Distillery which is arguably the finest bourbon distillery out there, a maker of outstanding whiskeys. The product, Buffalo Trace runs around $16 is 4 years old and is 90 proof. Also 4 years is not as young as it sounds for bourbon. A four year old Scotch would be dreadful, but with the combination of the hot Kentucky summer weather and new oak barrels as opposed to the used barrels used in Europe, a 4 year old product can be quite nice. This is an example.

I will continue to ruminate on bourbons and I'll post more thoughst shortly.

[TimmyBoston]

Elijah Craig is nice - my most recent bottle was Bulleit bourbon, though. Very tasty, and in the price range you mentioned.

Go with Old Forrester 100 over Bulleit, similar flavor profile and 1/2 the price. Bulleit's okay, but IMO no where near good enough to justify it's price tag.

[TimmyBoston]

Bob, You mentioned Maker's...Do you have a preference towards Wheaters? Or just sweeter bourbons in general? Or none of those?

What kind of tastes do you like? Are there any other bourbons you enjoy?

I'm looking for other information that can help narrow out my recommendations.

Another question which seems off topic but actually helps narrow your tastes: Which do you like better; Armagnac or Cognac? Briefly state why.

Also are you just looking for one bottle or two or trying to develop a small bourbon collection with a variety of tastes?

[boboakalfb]

Ok Tim...here we go...

First off...Cognac vs. Armagnac. I don't have any experience with Armagnac...I've wanted to try it, but without knowing any solid recommendations I didn't want to jump in foolishly. Cognacs are pretty limited as well. Remy VSOP and XO I drink and enjoy. I think the pricing has steered me away from getting too involved in Cognacs.

As for Makers...I don't necessarily have a preference toward Wheats. I guess I would like to round out a collection with various styles to get started. If at some point I find certain ones that stick out above and beyond others than I guess I might start to focus on Bourbons in that range.

I enjoy all sorts of different styles...depends on my mood. I think that is what drew me in to Scotches.

Right now I would have to say my favorite is probably Bookers...but others which I have had and enjoy include...WT 101, Knob Creek, Woodford Reserve, Bakers and Blantons.

Are there any good e-tailors for bourbons? In the event there are some I can't procure locally? The best bet for getting these locally are...Beltramos and Bevmo. George T. Stagg is one that has peaked my interest which I can't seem to find.

[Adair]

Bulleit is excellent in my opinion. And, although not called a bourbon, and lacking mystique because it so easily available, Jack Daniels is not to be dismissed---it is a really fine drink.

Other bourbons worth trying are George Dickel and Heaven Hill.

If you like rye, I suggest Jim Beam's (yellow label). Outstanding!

[ratcheer]

In your price range, I would try Elijah Craig 12 year old, Elmer T. Lee, or Old Grand Dad 114-proof. Depending on where you live, you may find Wild Turkey Rare Breed in that price range.

Let me know if you want more suggestions, but those are some of my top favorites, regardless of price.

Tim

[ratcheer]

As far as e-tailers, the big ones I know of are Binny's and Sam's Wines. I think both are based in Chicago. Internet Wines is also big, but they tend to be very pricy.

Tim

[TromboneGuy]

Go with Old Forrester 100 over Bulleit, similar flavor profile and 1/2 the price. Bulleit's okay, but IMO no where near good enough to justify it's price tag.

I'll give it a look next time. How does it compare to Knob Creek (one of my other standbys)?

[TimmyBoston]

I'll give it a look next time. How does it compare to Knob Creek (one of my other standbys)?

IMO Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve (I named both of these because they are both well known higher end bourbons) which are very popular, are mediocre bourbons at best, with Knob Creek being superior. From what I've read Woodford used to be quite good a few years ago, but their quality has severely declined in recent years.
Knob Creek is a good rocks bourbon, IMO, but neat it doesn't measure up for me. There are those out there, who adore Knob Creek, but I'm not one of them. I think I'm coming off a little harsh, KC is good, it's just not up there with some others, IMO, namely higher end Wild Turkey, Van Winkle and Black Maple Hill and some other products. But IMO Woodford is just plain bad.

If you are looking for something new, I'd try Black Maple Hill 11 year old. It's another small batch like Knob Creek, but it's single barrel and 96 proof. Their entire line (11, 14, 16, 21 and an 18 yo Rye) is top notch.

Another Suggestion, Wild Turkey Russell's Reserve 101 proof. The current batch is 90 proof and not nearly as good, but if you can find the discontinued 101 proof it's fantastic. Runs around $30.

[TimmyBoston]

img_0323.jpg

Here's a few to consider.
Left to Right:
AH Hirsch 16 - Newest Release
Sazerac Rye - 2004
George T. Stagg - Fall 2005
Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 15 year old
Black Maple Hill 11
WL Weller 12
Old Grand Dad 114
Wild Turkey Rare Breed