Can't get it up here north of the border but, through a wine distributer I am able to order a case. Would like to hear from someone who knows their stuff and has tried it before I order.
Originally Posted by InChiefsHell:
Lemon wedge...never heard of that. What's the point? Sour it up a little?
It all started drinking makers mark with a lemon wedge because it was just a flavor I got used to. I didn't like makers on its own. Then I started to try it with other bourbons and actually grew to like the lemon with anything on the rocks. [Reply]
Originally Posted by InChiefsHell:
Holy crap, you gotta be kidding me!
This. Rare Breed is one of the most drinkable uncuts I've had. Drink it neat and it doesn't feel like the proof it is IMO.
Buffalo Trace is pretty good for the price point, but like someone else pointed out I'd rather pay a couple extra bucks and get the Evan Williams single barrel.
I am a big fan of a couple of BT's higher end things like Blanton's and George T. Stagg. Careful with that last one, it normally clocks in around 140 proof. It's drinkable at that, but really intense. I like to cut it down to about 115-120 which is where I feel like it shows best.
Others I've had recently that stood out: Noah's Mill is very good; Black Maple Hill is very good as well; Pappy Van 23 was good, but not a great value IMO.
I also like Rye quite a bit; a couple of those I've had recently that I thought were really good were Old Potrero and Copper Fox.
I'm spoiled...I live close to Jack Rose and get over there about once a week. I can try stuff by the glass there I'll never be able to find (they have 5 different Mortlachs FFS) or afford by the bottle. Their list is 36 pages long (I'd estimate they have about 1200 whisk(e)ys) and they have a rotating bourbon on tap.
The place is heaven. There's probably 10-15 ft more bar out of frame to the right.
Originally Posted by Johnny Vegas:
I'm telling you you gotta try Elijah Craig 18 year old bourbon. Oldest single barrel bourbon in the world and only $55 a bottle. I throw a lemon wedge in with most of my bourbons too. Pretty tasty.
One I haven't seen mentioned that I really enjoy is Elmer T. Lee single barrel. I'm more of a Scotch drinker, but this is good stuff and the price is much less than comparable quality Scotch.
I like Elmer T. Lee - the whiskey and the man. He's a pretty nice guy, from all accounts - still kicking - and responsible for some good whiskey being released as 'special' bottles. We have him to thank for the 'limited release' or 'single barrel' whusk, instead of just dumping it all and taking your chances on a good, cheap bottle. I still have half an old bottle of Elmer T. Lee, made before they started selling it in the current 'nice' bottle.
If you're looking for a pretty good buy, I'd recommend Old Ezra 101 - it was originally marketed to match the proof of Wild Turkey, it's 7 year old 101 bourbon - note that they no longer sell Wild Turkey @ 7 years old/101 here in the US (they may in other markets). I like it a lot, at it's price point. You can spend a lot of money on good bourbon these days. But you don't have to. [Reply]
Originally Posted by The Poz:
No mention of Wild Turkey? It's affordable and I find it tasty. On the rocks of course.
Also, it's done. I ordered the case. With shipping it's gonna cost a bundle but I've got some buddies who are willing to take some off my hands. I'll save a bottle for week 1. I'll need it.
As I have gotten into more and more bourbons over the years one thing stays the same, Wild Turkey 101 is still my go to bourbon. On those days where the shit hits the fan and I need a stiff drink, it's Turkey that I turn too. [Reply]
Originally Posted by VAChief:
I love Booker's...it is very distinctive, but pretty expensive...usually around $50 a bottle. I typically buy Knob Creek for sipping, but if cash poor will buy Wild Turkey.
Booker's is in my top 3 favorite bourbons. Wonderful stuff. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigOlChiefsfan:
You done good - Buffalo Trace is a really nice bourbon at it's price point. I buy it locally for $16/750 and it's a steal at that price. 90 proof, if memory serves, which is a nice proof for sippin'. I like 100 proof or 101, or even the 'barrel proof' whusk now and then, but for day in, day out drinking 90 is fine by me. A lot of vanilla, leather, spice. Good neat or on the rocks, nice in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.
Bourbon doesn't have to be made in Kentucky, but it must be made with at least 51% corn, and it must spend 2 years in new charred oak barrels. There's some bourbon made in Virginia and Indiana, and we made McCormicks in Weston for decades. The Tennessee whiskey like Dickel and Daniels is basically bourbon made within Tennessee and filtered thru charcoal, and you're welcome to my share.
When you read the term 'straight' whiskey, it hasn't been blended with grain alcohol or other spirits (American blended whiskey like Kesslers) altho they may have mixed some 'straight' whiskey from a barrel made in 1998 with a similar barrel made 2 years ago, that mixture (or 'vatting') is still considered a straight whiskey (but not a blend. The word blend implies some bad things in US whiskey).
Sour mash - they just use some of the last batch of 'beer' to start the fermentation of this batch when they run it. Think sourdough, same idea, the yeast doesn't have to start from scratch. Bourbon is one of America's many gifts to the world. Y'all enjoy!
I bow to your knowledge on such subjects but, from everything I've ever read it was US law that for it to be Bourbon it had to be made in Kentucky. Has that changed? Or is that just lore that has been taken as fact by everyone under the sun? [Reply]
Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US - we had a bourbon distillery here in Weston MO for many years. There's still a lot of bourbon made in Illinois - no one says it's really good. Kentucky is where most bourbon's made, but the only real 'made here only' thing is still Tennessee whiskey. Guess where they have to make that stuff? [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigOlChiefsfan:
Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US - we had a bourbon distillery here in Weston MO for many years. There's still a lot of bourbon made in Illinois - no one says it's really good. Kentucky is where most bourbon's made, but the only real 'made here only' thing is still Tennessee whiskey. Guess where they have to make that stuff?
Originally Posted by BigOlChiefsfan:
Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US - we had a bourbon distillery here in Weston MO for many years. There's still a lot of bourbon made in Illinois - no one says it's really good. Kentucky is where most bourbon's made, but the only real 'made here only' thing is still Tennessee whiskey. Guess where they have to make that stuff?
It was my understanding that it could only be called Bourbon if it was made in Kentucky but that changed. Basically, it has to be a 51% sour mash and it doesn't have to be made in Kentucky to be called bourbon. Also, Tennesee whiskey is essentially bourbon isn't it?
This thread is gold. I love bourbon and don't get to drink it nearly enough...
Had some stuff called Fighting Cock a couple weeks ago. Not a big fan, tasted too much like lighter fluid.
I might have to try Wild Turkey 101 again. I drank way too much of that one time in high school (along with way too much vodka) and spent the night barfing all over the waterbed I was sleeping in. Haven't touched it since..
Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, Bookers, Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark all good to me. But my favorite drink is mixed with rye--a Sazerac. Absolute beverage perfection. [Reply]