Lets talk about Bourbon

[tnt_motorsports]

picked up some Knob Creek today when I was at Sam's. Been a little while since I've had it and it was on sale so I figured what the heck...

Just my $0.02

 

[Silver Samurai]

I was actually having a conversation about bourbon yesterday, I was asked what bourbon we should get to cook with and drink for Thanksgiving. I have not been a bourbon drinker for several years, I got hooked on scotch during the past decade and bourbon just doesn't do it for me anymore.

That being said I recommended Makers 46 which is still my favorite, commonly available, bourbon after all these years.

Interesting - I am the opposite.

My mother got me into single malt scotch years ago (her fave was Macallan) for me it was the Balvenie 10 yr Founders Reserve...Long story short - with the popularity/pricing rising of scotch I switched over to our native bourbon.

Evan Williams Single Barrel 10 yr at Costco won me over and for $18 back then it was a great value.

 

[nthach]

BT is too nice to be used in mixed drinks, LOL.

The “nicest” bourbon I will use for mixed drinks is Old Grand-Dad - it doesn’t have the bite of Jack or Beam but it works really well. And cheap.

I’ve bought a bottle of Yellowstone 93 proof from Costco. It’s a little rough out of the bottle but let it breathe and maybe a little water, it’ll be a nice sipper.

 

[Blagoje]

Interesting - I am the opposite.

My mother got me into single malt scotch years ago (her fave was Macallan) for me it was the Balvenie 10 yr Founders Reserve...Long story short - with the popularity/pricing rising of scotch I switched over to our native bourbon.

Evan Williams Single Barrel 10 yr at Costco won me over and for $18 back then it was a great value.

I have been switching back to bourbon more and more recently. Four Roses is one that I have always loved and my local store recently began carrying four different offerings from them so I have been making it my go to as of late. I normally used it as a mixer in the past but it is quite nice neat, not overpowering but just crisp with a balanced flavor profile. Very nice

 

[Silver Samurai]

I have been switching back to bourbon more and more recently. Four Roses is one that I have always loved and my local store recently began carrying four different offerings from them so I have been making it my go to as of late. I normally used it as a mixer in the past but it is quite nice neat, not overpowering but just crisp with a balanced flavor profile. Very nice

Nice to see a fellow 'Cheesehead'.

 

[doublebase]

Bought some Knob Creek today. I’m no expert but it reminds me of Woodfords, only stronger. This stuff has some bite to it.

 

[CharBaby]

I like bourbon but I’m not enough of a connoisseur to tell what other flavors & aroma that I am tasting & smelling.
And I don’t have a particular favorite but I like several.

 

[doublebase]

I like bourbon but I’m not enough of a connoisseur to tell what other flavors & aroma that I am tasting & smelling.
And I don’t have a particular favorite but I like several.

I’m not an expert either, in fact I’m now realizing just how amateur I am. I can kind of pick up on things from my nose...I can pick out the chocolate, the floral, the fruits. I can sniff out what is a higher proof. But as far as actually tasting? I’m an amateur. The best I can do is decipher an alcohol burn from something more smooth. I can taste some sweet things in Makers Mark. I can tell if something is strong (Knob Creek, Woodford), and compare it to something smoother (Elijah Craig, Buffalo Trace).

But I’m not confident in any of it. In fact, I’ll probably give the bourbon a long rest once the weather starts getting nicer. Good thing it doesn’t go bad, since I started trying it in September I’ve bought 9-10 bottles. It’s been fun.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

Today I was Hy-Vee and they had Cedar Ridge bourbon on sale for $29.99. I figured living in Iowa why not try an Iowa bourbon. It’s aged for at least 3 years and is 86 proof. It’s a little spicy on the tongue but overall not too bad.

Just my $0.02

 

[doublebase]

I realize I’m saturating this thread with my recent bourbon obsession (with mostly $30-$40 dollar a bottle stuff), but after watching way too many “budget bourbon reviews”, this Wild Turkey 101 keeps coming up 2nd or 3rd with some of the bigger boys in blind taste tests. Just bought a bottle tonight for $22 bucks. It’s really very good for the money, if I were a frequent bourbon drinker and needed something as a go to everyday mixer, or even with some ice. This would do it (I think).

Up next for me Old Forester 1920. (And then I’m going on a diet and taking a break).

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I realize I’m saturating this thread with my recent bourbon obsession (with mostly $30-$40 dollar a bottle stuff), but after watching way too many “budget bourbon reviews”, this Wild Turkey 101 keeps coming up 2nd or 3rd with some of the bigger boys in blind taste tests. Just bought a bottle tonight for $22 bucks. It’s really very good for the money, if I were a frequent bourbon drinker and needed something as a go to everyday mixer, or even with some ice. This would do it (I think).

Up next for me Old Forester 1920. (And then I’m going on a diet and taking a break).

That Wild Turkey 101 was my drink of choice for a good 10 to 15 years. When it was not available (which was a rare occasion) I went with Ancient Age. I have this (a gift) from oldest son who lives not far from the Jack Daniels Disitllery. He has become a collector since he moved into Whiskey country. I kinda still prefer the Turkey....

 

[doublebase]

That Wild Turkey 101 was my drink of choice for a good 10 to 15 years. When it was not available (which was a rare occasion) I went with Ancient Age. I have this (a gift) from oldest son who lives not far from the Jack Daniels Disitllery. He has become a collector since he moved into Whiskey country. I kinda still prefer the Turkey....
View attachment 91114

I've definitely heard of that Sazerac!

I want to take a tour of that Jack Daniels distillery, that place is mostly the reason now for my bourbon obsession - a friend of mine went a few years ago and since he's been back he's been drinking bourbon. I found it interesting and recently jumped on board. I'd also like to take some tours in Kentucky.

 

[53' Stude]

Anyone here tried the Whistlepig? Very highly recommend it. My bourbon is Jim Beam “black extra aged” or Beam regular

 

[measureman]

I used to buy Jim Beam black label all the time.
I strayed and started drinking other brands several of which I found were very good,Evan Williams being one.
I recently bought a bottle of Jim Beam black label and wondered why I strayed.
This is a really good Bourbon at a reasonable price.

 

[Silver Samurai]

I realize I’m saturating this thread with my recent bourbon obsession (with mostly $30-$40 dollar a bottle stuff), but after watching way too many “budget bourbon reviews”, this Wild Turkey 101 keeps coming up 2nd or 3rd with some of the bigger boys in blind taste tests. Just bought a bottle tonight for $22 bucks. It’s really very good for the money, if I were a frequent bourbon drinker and needed something as a go to everyday mixer, or even with some ice. This would do it (I think).

Up next for me Old Forester 1920. (And then I’m going on a diet and taking a break).

Old Forester 1910 is my fave outta those 4 special releases.

That Wild Turkey 101 was my drink of choice for a good 10 to 15 years. When it was not available (which was a rare occasion) I went with Ancient Age. I have this (a gift) from oldest son who lives not far from the Jack Daniels Disitllery. He has become a collector since he moved into Whiskey country. I kinda still prefer the Turkey....
View attachment 91114

I find rye whiskey to be 'hit or miss'...The rye above was a 'miss' for me.

Oddly enough - Jack Daniels rye is actually really good, bottled at 45% abv, and costing low to mid $20s.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I've definitely heard of that Sazerac!

I want to take a tour of that Jack Daniels distillery, that place is mostly the reason now for my bourbon obsession - a friend of mine went a few years ago and since he's been back he's been drinking bourbon. I found it interesting and recently jumped on board. I'd also like to take some tours in Kentucky.

I have been there over 10-15 years back. A friend had signed me up as VIP club member. They sent me an ID card stating I am a Tennessee Squire. Message said to show ID for VIP treatment at the tour. We did that and they put us in a tour with a few other card carrying members and took us for drinks (lemonade & root beer - its a dry county) YET they can sell it on the property? in a lounge and a behind the scenes tour. A month later they sent me an offical deed to a plot of property in my name, ( I framed it) a 1"x1" plot of property on the Distillery grounds signed to me by the Master Distiller. Once or twice a year they send me a funny letter from a neighbor with names like "Mr Otis Cowshead" or "Mrs Jack Dangnabits" etc... with a note saying there were some escaped goats that were messing up my "land" and the locals shooed them off. Or there was a beehive they removed for me from my tree... LOL They have invited us to a couple of really big community picnic / barbecues and Christmas parties. I had nominated my son who lives close to there for membership and they accepted him and he and his wife have been to some of the really nice party / cook outs. They have been doing the Whiskey Tours in that area for years now. They been to Maker's Mark / Jack Daniels / Wild Turkey and some others I can't recall.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Old Forester 1910 is my fave outta those 4 special releases.


I find rye whiskey to be 'hit or miss'...The rye above was a 'miss' for me.

Oddly enough - Jack Daniels rye is actually really good, bottled at 45% abv, and costing low to mid $20s.
View attachment 91185

I enjoyed that one but I know what you mean. Some are tough. I always dreamed of making my own private batches at home even before Reality Tv exploded / exploited the entire "back rooms" American distilling tradition. My wife's grandfather spent a few months in his younger days in the county iron bars hotel for his "Home Brewing" escapades in the 1930s.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

I've definitely heard of that Sazerac!

I want to take a tour of that Jack Daniels distillery, that place is mostly the reason now for my bourbon obsession - a friend of mine went a few years ago and since he's been back he's been drinking bourbon. I found it interesting and recently jumped on board. I'd also like to take some tours in Kentucky.

not that you said it but IMO you implied that Jack Daniels is Bourbon. Years ago I was corrected by a good friend and JD lover that it is NOT Bourbon, but a sour mash whiskey... IMO it tastes great is probably my favorite drink.

just my $0.02

 

[doublebase]

I have been there over 10-15 years back. A friend had signed me up as VIP club member. They sent me an ID card stating I am a Tennessee Squire. Message said to show ID for VIP treatment at the tour. We did that and they put us in a tour with a few other card carrying members and took us for drinks (lemonade & root beer - its a dry county) YET they can sell it on the property? in a lounge and a behind the scenes tour. A month later they sent me an offical deed to a plot of property in my name, ( I framed it) a 1"x1" plot of property on the Distillery grounds signed to me by the Master Distiller. Once or twice a year they send me a funny letter from a neighbor with names like "Mr Otis Cowshead" or "Mrs Jack Dangnabits" etc... with a note saying there were some escaped goats that were messing up my "land" and the locals shooed them off. Or there was a beehive they removed for me from my tree... LOL They have invited us to a couple of really big community picnic / barbecues and Christmas parties. I had nominated my son who lives close to there for membership and they accepted him and he and his wife have been to some of the really nice party / cook outs. They have been doing the Whiskey Tours in that area for years now. They been to Maker's Mark / Jack Daniels / Wild Turkey and some others I can't recall.

How cool is that!!?? They sent you a 1x1” deed to the property? I would have framed that too...right up in my bar room.

I keep hearing that the Jack Daniels single barrel is pretty good. I haven’t had anything from Jack Daniels in probably 20 years, although I hear they do make Woodford Reserve, and I do have a bottle of that on the shelf. And that’s pretty darn good, although not my favorite.

 

[doublebase]

not that you said it but IMO you implied that Jack Daniels is Bourbon. Years ago I was corrected by a good friend and JD lover that it is NOT Bourbon, but a sour mash whiskey... IMO it tastes great is probably my favorite drink.

just my $0.02

Right, the mash bill has to be at least 50% corn. I havent had anything from Jack Daniels in over 20 years, but I hear that their single barrel whisky is considered to be “close enough” to a bourbon that bourbon drinkers think pretty highly of it. It’s sometimes mentioned in the top bourbons in the $60-$80 dollar range, and it’s I believe 130 proof.

I personally am so inexperienced with this stuff that I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Lol.