Smooth bourbon

[ShavelockFoams]

Four Roses Small Batch, Old Forrester Signature, Beam Green Label.

The Beam Green is just a bit pricier than the white, but a good step up in quality, though it may be hard to find.

Also consider Rebel Yell, which is a wheated bourbon.

 

[rm71]

It's worth a drink and at 90 proof, it's has quite a taste profile. It's difficult to find in Canada but it has a distinctive look.

Interesting. I see it sold at most liquor stores in Australia.

 

[pauls51]

Interesting. I see it sold at most liquor stores in Australia.

I have a bottle in my bar... Can get it at the local Coles or Woolworths Liquor store, but price wise it's hard to beat Dan Murphy's!

 

[rm71]

I have a bottle in my bar... Can get it at the local Coles or Woolworths Liquor store, but price wise it's hard to beat Dan Murphy's!

True Dan Murphy's is generally the cheapest. Anyone tried Slate?

 

[stobes21]

I'd actually disagree with Bulleit as a "smooth" bourbon. In my experience it's actually a bit harsher than others in that price range. I like it a lot and it has some really interesting flavors, but it isn't particularly smooth when compared to others. I'd actually put it as the opposite of Woodford: a bourbon I find extremely smooth, but somewhat bland in flavor. Both have their place, but if you're looking for smooth I'd skip Bulleit.

 

[Bertilak]

Woodford: a bourbon I find extremely smooth, but somewhat bland in flavor.

An accurate analysis, but I think "bland" has too negative a connotation. I would lean towards "slyly seductive".

 

[dwestenk]

An accurate analysis, but I think "bland" has too negative a connotation. I would lean towards "slyly seductive".

You obviously work in a marketing department somewhere!

 

[Johnny U]

Basil Hayden’s is IMO the smoothest out there and it’s a good start for introducing those that think all Bourbon tastes like Jack Daniels

Beam Black and Woodford are also excellent choices

A little less common is Van Winkle distillers – Old Rip Van Winkle is very smooth as is the Van Winkle Special Reserve.

 

[Uncle Erik]

A little less common is Van Winkle distillers – Old Rip Van Winkle is very smooth as is the Van Winkle Special Reserve.

You beat me to it! I was going through this thread wondering if anyone else was going to recommend Van Winkle. A big X2 to your opinion, since Van Winkle has been a favorite for a few years. I first came across it at my favorite wine shop and took a bottle to a family party. It went over well and we've been fans since.

On the affordable end, I really like Evan Williams. Not the best, but a surprisingly good and highly drinkable bourbon. If you want to tip back a glass every day without breaking the bank, this is the stuff.

 

[Mazeman]

My favorite "every day" bourbon has gone from Makers Mark to Woodford Reserve.

The best I've had is Pappy Van Winkle's 20yo Family Reserve.

 

[Bertilak]

My favorite "every day" bourbon has gone from Makers Mark to Woodford Reserve.

The best I've had is Pappy Van Winkle's 20yo Family Reserve.

I'm just about with you on that except I went from Knob Creek to Woodfords and having only been through one bottle of Pappy's 20yo am not quite ready to label it "best" -- just "among the best". If you fund the project, I'll do some more research!

 

[Mazeman]

I'm just about with you on that except I went from Knob Creek to Woodfords and having only been through one bottle of Pappy's 20yo am not quite ready to label it "best" -- just "among the best". If you fund the project, I'll do some more research!

Bringing up Pappy's is a little awkward, because, to me, it almost tastes like it's not a bourbon. Very smooth, rich, with an almost date-like flavor. It's a different critter altogether.

Interestingly, several of my friends and I did a blind tasting among several bourbons (including Pappy's 20yo), and it was Woodford that won. I think that was partly because Woodford tastes more like typical bourbon than Pappy's does.

 

[murchmb]

This thread has my mouth watering. I'm stuck at work late this evening, but as soon as I get home I think I'll be splashing a measure of

in a

and kicking back for a bit before bed.

While I'm here, let me take a moment to put my Speakeasy Shepard hat on and suggest you all take a look at the Consumables Reviews section here at B&B. There is some great info there. It would be really nice to see some new bourbon reviews and it's obvious from this thread and others that there are some qualified folks here to add to an existing, or even better, write a new review. (Be sure to read Jim's announcement/sticky on what makes a good review.)

 

[Tommy Boy]

I'd actually disagree with Bulleit as a "smooth" bourbon. In my experience it's actually a bit harsher than others in that price range. I like it a lot and it has some really interesting flavors, but it isn't particularly smooth when compared to others. I'd actually put it as the opposite of Woodford: a bourbon I find extremely smooth, but somewhat bland in flavor. Both have their place, but if you're looking for smooth I'd skip Bulleit.

+1

Bulleit is very good (I had some last night), but isn't the smoothest....

 

[ducatisteve]

Based on three recommendations here, I made a trip to the store and will begin experimenting tonight. Couldn't find the 2000 Vintage EW, but the 1999 is the first one I cracked open and it is very good.

 

[ImaWestie]

Elijah Craig 12 year old Small Batch Bourbon?

Even down here, priced well enough to enjoy time and again. And nice enough that you want to!

 

[ImaWestie]

True Dan Murphy's is generally the cheapest. Anyone tried Slate?

Only in that most conducive of environments and with the most complimentary drinking vessel:
pre-mixed, from a can into a plastic mug, at ANZ Stadium while watching the Sydney Swans get pasted by a team that actually knows how to play football.

Needless to say, I wasn't quite impressed, but there may have been some mitigating factors!

 

[Kenno]

wild turkey rare breed and elijah craig12yo

 

[SUNA]

Elmer T. Lee

 

[DE Shaver]

Based on three recommendations here, I made a trip to the store and will begin experimenting tonight. Couldn't find the 2000 Vintage EW, but the 1999 is the first one I cracked open and it is very good.

That's quite a trip. Let us know how the all compare.