"Fruity" is one word i have never, ever used to describe bourbon...evah!
Ten best bourbons: Top bottles of the all-American whiskey
- Thread starter buffdaddy
- Start date
+1 on the Makers 46, can't believe Buffalo Trace and Bullit aren't there
You read my mind.
I'm a bit concerned right now. Went to BevMo and they only had 2 bottles of Bulleit Rye left... NO bourbon.
A week ago, they had probably 8 bottles of rye, and a good 16 bottles of bourbon PLUS 6 or 8 of the 1500ml bottles.
I asked one of the clerks and he said that he couldn't imagine it was being discontinued, as it is one of their most popular brands (half shelf dedicated to those 3 products).
Needless to say, I bought both bottles to be on the safe side.
So anyone in my area... Chino Hills BevMo has no Bulleit.
Enjoyed this list as well as the small batch bourbons thread.
JD is not generally considered a bourbon, they are quick to distinguish themselves as "Tennessee Whiskey" rather than Bourbon, because of the charcoal filtering process.
As for Beam, Maker's, and WT, my initial assumption is that they are probably considered too "mass market" to be included, since the ones that made the list appear to be smaller distilleries. They are all, imo, very fine bourbons, but there are definitely quality ones out there that I would reach for instead if I was given the choice.
As for SoCo, it doesn't make the list because it is straight up not a bourbon at all. It's a blended liquer that has whiskey flavor (not real whiskey) in the mix. Some of the SoCo varieties like Special Reserve or other variants may use bourbon as part of the blend, but I don't know for sure. The basic "SoCo" does not.
As for the "Top 10" I've never sampled any of the ones on the list other than Elijah Craig (worthy!), so I don't know how to rate them compared to Bulleit 10 year, Blanton's or Basil Hayden's, which have been my current stable of choice.
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I bought the Weller based on this list, and I have to say I'm disappointed. I've only had one finger of it so far, but I'm finding it rather "flat". It's hard for me to find a bourbon I don't like--makers mark is the only one so far, and this doesn't get to the level of not liking, but I'm probably gonna use this bottle for mixing, cooking, and guests who don't care. I wish I'd saved that money towards a bottle of Blanton's.
My favorites are Booker's, Knob Creek, Four Roses, Bulleit, and A.H. Hirsch.
My favorites are Booker's, Knob Creek, Four Roses, Bulleit, and A.H. Hirsch.
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What I just read is "I don't like wheaters"... In other words, bourbons that sub wheat for rye in the mash bill. Makers Mark and Weller are both "wheaters". Lucky for you there aren't that many, just check before you buy. It appears to me you like bourbons with higher rye content. Wild Turkey 101, Old Grandad and Elmer T. Lee spring to mind. Why not try a couple of ryes? Rittenhouse 100 BIB is first class.
Thanks, that's really helpful! I have a bottle of Elmer T Lee and I like it a lot.
Colorado? That's "Colarado Whiskey". Just like Jack Daniels is "Tennessee Whiskey".
Bourbon is from Kentucky, or it's not bourbon.
Now that I've gotten my harrumphing out of the way... I'd LOVE to try that Colorado whiskey.
The only one of these I've tasted is the Elijah Craig.
Bourbon is from Kentucky, or it's not bourbon.
Now that I've gotten my harrumphing out of the way... I'd LOVE to try that Colorado whiskey.
The only one of these I've tasted is the Elijah Craig.
Actually, it can be made anywhere in the USA and still be considered Bourbon. The general requirements to be called bourbon are the mash content is at least 51% corn, and aged in new, charred oak barrels. There are a couple of other proofing requirements, but those are the two most well known characteristics. There are several non-Kentucky distilleries producing great small batch bourbon. Bowman's is a pretty well regarded Virginia distillery. iirc, they hired a master distiller from Buffalo Trace.
Hudson Four Grain Bourbon is from a New York Distillery, and I was very impressed with the bottle I had earlier this summer while at the Outer Banks.
It sounds like we'd get along just fine!
Another one that you may enjoy that I had recently is (ri)1 rye whiskey.
Well, why in the world WOULD you see JD or SoCo on a list of bourbons? They are neither bourbon nor generally considered best in their own class. JD is a decent whiskey, but there are plenty that could displace it on a top-5, if not 10 list, including their own other offerings. Southern Comfort? Well that's just silliness
From this list I have had 4 Roses and Elijah Craig and found both to be excellent. Bulleit is still in my top 3 though. If you haven't tried Eagle Rare, you are missing out as well, IMHO. It goes for $29.99 a bottle here and is a bargain at that price.
Pappy Van 25
Bookers
Old Forester
Old Bardstown
Eagle Rare
4 Roses SB
Basil Hayden
Willet
Poage
Blantons
Bookers
Old Forester
Old Bardstown
Eagle Rare
4 Roses SB
Basil Hayden
Willet
Poage
Blantons
Thanks OP for the leads, I rarely venture beyond my easily available faves: Basil Hayden and Bulleitt Rye.
I've had a fair number of those. Of the list I prefer Elijah Craig and Russels. I was sort of surprised at no Pappy, but suppose it was too easy a pick. Same goes for Blantons, but as they've gone more commercial and upped their barrel count the quality seems more hit and miss. I'm also a bug fan of Jefferson's.
Them's fighting words in some parts of the country. . .
I agree with you on the Blanton's. Being from KY I have tried many bourbons, but never one from New York! I guess there is a first time for everything.
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