I remember a bourbon thread not long ago. Been getting into it lately. If anyone has some suggestions that’s be great
OT- bourbon
- Thread starter o_tacodawg
- Start date
I have been locked in on four roses small batch lately. Reasonably priced in low $30’s, so can be everyday but I also don’t have a nicer bourbon that I prefer right now.
But I have gotten to where I cycle through types of liquor and brands pretty quickly for some reason. Had similar infatuations with Jefferson and 1792 and almost don’t care for either now. Did the same thing with several bottles of scotch before that.
Kentucky Owl is a great high end sip. Whistle Pig is my go to Rye. I also highly recommend Blade & Bow.
Also, Old Bardstown Estate is a solid choice if you’re looking for a more mid-tier option.
My usual mixers are Bulleit Rye and Makers.
Also, Old Bardstown Estate is a solid choice if you’re looking for a more mid-tier option.
My usual mixers are Bulleit Rye and Makers.
Makers 46
If you want something different and you love peanut butter, try skrewball peanut butter. It’s surprisingly very good.
If you want something different and you love peanut butter, try skrewball peanut butter. It’s surprisingly very good.
If you are just starting out, I would recommend figuring out what kind of "mash bill" you like and then working from there. Purists will tell you there are 3 categories of mash bill-
Traditional (70-80% corn with rest rye and barley)
High Rye (18%+ rye)
Wheated (Replace the rye with wheat)
For me there are 6 categories of the mash bill.
We can start with all bourbon is going to be at least 51% corn. If not, it's whiskey (wheat or rye usually). To break down most bourbon I focus on the rye content as a percentage of the mash.
Rye Whiskey +51% Rye (lots of Ryes, will be labeled as such)
High rye +20% (Bulleit, Basil Hayden, Four Roses)
Mid rye 16-20% (Angels Envy, Woodford, Old Forester)
Low rye 11-15% (Beam, Blanton's, Knob Creek Wild Turkey)
Very low rye <10% (Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, Jack)
Wheated 0% rye (Larceny, Makers, Pappy, Weller)
There are many others within each category and some brands have different mash bills to jump into different categories... For me I stay away from anything above my low rye category. The higher the rye the spicier the taste and I get a massive headache the next day.
Once you identify the mash bill(s) you prefer, then you can get into aging, barrels, etc.
If you bought a bottle each of a good rye, 4 Roses, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace, and Larceny I think you could work through them and identify which mash profiles you like the best. Then you can start digging into the exotics.
Myself I love the Wheaters and drink Larceny and Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch most often, but also get into the EH Taylor, Buffalo Trace, and Eagle Rare... In a pinch at a restaurant or on a flight with limited selection, Jack Daniel's and Coke are just fine.
Here is a breakdown of a lot of mash bills. Good luck.
https://modernthirst.com/home/bourbon-whiskey-mash-bills/
Traditional (70-80% corn with rest rye and barley)
High Rye (18%+ rye)
Wheated (Replace the rye with wheat)
For me there are 6 categories of the mash bill.
We can start with all bourbon is going to be at least 51% corn. If not, it's whiskey (wheat or rye usually). To break down most bourbon I focus on the rye content as a percentage of the mash.
Rye Whiskey +51% Rye (lots of Ryes, will be labeled as such)
High rye +20% (Bulleit, Basil Hayden, Four Roses)
Mid rye 16-20% (Angels Envy, Woodford, Old Forester)
Low rye 11-15% (Beam, Blanton's, Knob Creek Wild Turkey)
Very low rye <10% (Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, Jack)
Wheated 0% rye (Larceny, Makers, Pappy, Weller)
There are many others within each category and some brands have different mash bills to jump into different categories... For me I stay away from anything above my low rye category. The higher the rye the spicier the taste and I get a massive headache the next day.
Once you identify the mash bill(s) you prefer, then you can get into aging, barrels, etc.
If you bought a bottle each of a good rye, 4 Roses, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace, and Larceny I think you could work through them and identify which mash profiles you like the best. Then you can start digging into the exotics.
Myself I love the Wheaters and drink Larceny and Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch most often, but also get into the EH Taylor, Buffalo Trace, and Eagle Rare... In a pinch at a restaurant or on a flight with limited selection, Jack Daniel's and Coke are just fine.
Here is a breakdown of a lot of mash bills. Good luck.
https://modernthirst.com/home/bourbon-whiskey-mash-bills/
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I'm on a rum kick of looking for good tasting stuff that is not expensive and have been enjoying the Blue Chair line. Give it a sample of Spiced or the Coconut.
Evan Williams bottled in bond and Weller’s Special Reserve are quality, economical go-to choices for me. 4 Roses Small Batch Select for when I want something on the next scale. Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style for when I want a higher proof dram with some spicy kick
Not bourbon, more of a scotch guy, but I just got some Johnny walker, not the top shelf tho, gonna try it out.
Normally do Glenmorangie, or however you spell it.
Normally do Glenmorangie, or however you spell it.
I’m a rum guy love trying new rums because of the wide variety of flavors. Captain Morgan Private Stock is my daily go to, it’s mildly spiced It’s good mixed or neat. My favorite rum straight with an ice ball is Zaya, $30-$35 a bottle. I’m currently working on a bottle of Diplomatico, if you like bourbon you will like it. It’s got more oak barrel tannin taste to it. I’ll go back to Zaya probably next. I try different rums but I always end up with Private Stock for a daily rum and Zaya for special occasions.
To me, there isn't much better than Woodford Reserve. If you don't mind the price, Woodford double oaked is outstanding. If you want something different, you might like Matthew Mcconaughey's Wild Turkey Long branch. It's filtered like TN whiskey but with mesquite coles. One of the best finished bourbons is Angel's Envy and the Angel's Envy rye is worth every penny.
Especially if you're on your period. Just say no to flavored bourbon. It's like fruiting your beer or drinking a White Claw.
I'll give those a try. I have trouble picking a new rum so thanks.
I can't stay on one thing for very long. I love bourbon the best but I have too mix things up constantly.
Is ardberg pretty nice? That name sounds familiar, sounds like a bottle my wife got me that was fairly expensive.
I’m actually a beer drinker. I’ve never drank much bourbon but when it gets cold like now I like a little liquor. As I get older and colder an ice cold beer doesn’t have the appeal it used too.
I'm drinking Four Roses too . . . not the "small batch" but the "regular."
Good stuff . . . around $30 for a fifth.
Monkey Shoulder, Old Grand Dad and Larceny are very good. I don't like sweet bourbons and don't mix with anything. Just like it straight or over the rocks. I really like Scotch more but because it has become so expensive I've moved back home to Bourbons. It is a matter of whether you like a sweet, smokey or just smooth flavor. I'm a fan of just smooth flavor (kinda honey flavored but not sweet).
Ardbeg is typically an acquired taste. It's considered one of the great Scotches, but is an Islay and very heavy on the peat. I've seen it described as tasting a bit like used hospital gauze. Medicinal comes to mind.
Absolutely, RR is one of the very best bourbons in the world, especially the age stated single barrel.
If you are experimenting, I say start with Wild Turkey 101, Ole Grandad BiB 100 proof, Evan Williams BiB 100 proof, Knob Creek, Four Rose's Small Batch, Maker's Mark and Old Forester 86 proof.
That's a good range of distilleries and styles to get a feel for what you like without blowing a huge pile of cash.
If you are experimenting, I say start with Wild Turkey 101, Ole Grandad BiB 100 proof, Evan Williams BiB 100 proof, Knob Creek, Four Rose's Small Batch, Maker's Mark and Old Forester 86 proof.
That's a good range of distilleries and styles to get a feel for what you like without blowing a huge pile of cash.
Yes very peaty, which I like. I used to love it but got more headaches than from other scotches. Maybe that's because I drank more of it?? But if you like peat, it's good.
I often do Glenmorangie. I’ve liked the 12 and the 15 this year, 18 was pretty good and 14 was fine. Only one I didn’t like was nectar d’or.
Have been trying bruichladdich lately. Had the Classic Laddie which was fine, but I also had the Islay Barlay, and that was my favorite scotch this year.
Have been trying bruichladdich lately. Had the Classic Laddie which was fine, but I also had the Islay Barlay, and that was my favorite scotch this year.
