I splash with water. And I agree, I haven't spent enough time with bourbon to truly acquire the taste. I'd like to, but I only have so many calories and dollars to give and I like beer too much.
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You can have all the BT. Too much licorice.
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Neat is the only way to drink it. Chase it with a nice cold Fiji or Icelandic if you need to.
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I got to meet with the rep for Tom's Town Distillery the other day, and try their vodka, gin, and bourbon. They were all three unique and quite delicious. Vodka had some body to it, which was nice. I'm not a big vodka guy, but this was pleasant and would be great on the rocks.

I am a hater on gin for the most part, but their's isn't a london dry style. It is sweeter and less juniper. Not good a dirty martini, but it would make a great Aviation, Last Word, French 75, and maybe even a negroni (I hate campari).

Their bourbon was good. It is a 25% rye blend, so it sort of has that "spiciness". I like using rittenhouse for my sazeracs (or templeton rye if I want a milder one), so I probably wouldn't enjoy theirs in that particular drink. It was quite smooth though, and would be a good after dinner drink (neat/rocks).

I am not their rep or own any part of their company, but I was really impressed with their product and love that they are local. Prices were very reasonable, and apparently they have tours of their distillery (17th and Main). Their style is awesome too. Prohibition era labels based on Pendergrast. They even bought the rights to his original design to stick on their bourbon bottle.

Here is their site.
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Ive always liked a big cube of ice...something that slowly melts and chills the bourbon. Ive been told it tends to open it up more, where Scotch is best drank neat. I still like a couple of cubes in my scotch too...

I have done them neat, but I prefer them with an ice cube.
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I agree. As I try more and more bourbons, it's falling quickly down the list. I'd take Bulleit bourbon, Elijah Craig and and Russell's Reserve over it around the same price point.

Don't be that guy. It sometimes help to cut with water if you're new to bourbon. Also, high ABV bourbons can actually open up more with a bit of water. I don't do it much but I will at times if the finish is a bit "off."

Depends on the bourbon. Even just a few minutes sitting in ice, significantly changes the taste for me. On many bourbons it ruins the finish IMO and decreases the mouth feel.

But drink the damn bourbon how you like, that's how I see it.
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I love Bulleit. I will take WT 101 over BT any day.


I find it ruins it. Water afterwards to clean or take the sting away if needed. Even Stagg Jr at almost 140 is better to me neat.

:-)
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Long time lurker, first time poster. Makers and water. Can't go wrong.
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You had the Bulleit 10 year? I really love that stuff. But even their standard bourbon is good and their Bulleit rye is affordable and great for cocktails.


And I agree personally with you and even the high proof I'll keep neat myself, but I can see how some like to cut it. I'll cut some of my "shitty" bourbon by placing it on the rocks on a hot day though. Sometimes down here in the desert, it's not always enticing to drink a neat bourbon when it's 100+ degrees.

Stagg Jr is fucking hard to find here. It's crazy.
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Some people really love Maker's and it's usually because they haven't tried many other bourbons. Then again, some people swear it has one of the best tastes on the market regardless.

I myself am not a fan of Maker's. It's not aged long enough to develop more complex flavors, IMO. Is Maker's 46 worth checking out though?
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All of the Bulleits are great.

I use a stone on occasion to chill it but I don't like adding ice ever.

Stagg Jr Hard to find here as well. Usually see it when I don't have a spare $50 bill in wallet.
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Not a fan either. Don't like most wheated bourbons.
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I drink whiskey neat 95% of the time, even in the summer. I never do ice, but I think my reluctance is that I don't like whiskey cold. I will occasionally do a splash of water with some cask strength stuff to open it up. I think adding water is a case-by-case basis. Some whiskeys open up and give you some different notes, others don't.
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My ice maker broke, so it's Eagle Rare neat tonight...cant say that I'm disappointed without ice.


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I just really don't like Eagle Rare
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