Bourbon question
- Thread starter JonathanW
- Start date
Top Tier: King Of Kentucky. The 2023 16 Year is out of this world.
Mid Tier: 13th Colony Double Oaked / Buckner's 17 /Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Lower Tier: Old Forester 1910, Weller Special Reserve, Russell's Reserve
Summer Drink is Bourbon and Ginger ale.
Brand does matter, to me. While I'm not a huge Basil Hayden fan on its own, when mixed with ginger ale in summer, I'm a fan. Not a big Bulleit guy, but in an Old Fashion, I prefer the Bulleit Rye.
Put together a list with input from another former poster here. Haven't bought any bourbon in some time as we stocked up in 2019-2020.
Under $35
Eagle Rare
Woodford Reserve (used to be my favorite, but hasn't been the same flavor/quality since 2018)
Knob Creek
Wild Turkey 101 (playing pool or at a poker game must have)
Under $70
Woodford Double Oaked
Buffalo Trace
Knob Creek single barrel
(Knob Creek Twice Barreled Rye)
New Riff single barrel (maybe now >$80)
bourbon and rye
Under $110
EH Taylor
Blanton's
Four Roses for cooking and mixing, Woodford Reserve for mixing with ginger ale now, and use either Buffalo Trace or Flatboat bourbon cream for creamy drinks for the ladies.
I know I'm missing a few, but there are a lot of unopened bottles of those. These are the ones we drink more often. An old friend tried Pappy more than once and said he wouldn't choose it for pleasure. Said it's just not very good. So I've never bothered with it.
Need to do a tasting or 4 sometime soon to see what's out there now.
Under $35
Eagle Rare
Woodford Reserve (used to be my favorite, but hasn't been the same flavor/quality since 2018)
Knob Creek
Wild Turkey 101 (playing pool or at a poker game must have)
Under $70
Woodford Double Oaked
Buffalo Trace
Knob Creek single barrel
(Knob Creek Twice Barreled Rye)
New Riff single barrel (maybe now >$80)
bourbon and rye
Under $110
EH Taylor
Blanton's
Four Roses for cooking and mixing, Woodford Reserve for mixing with ginger ale now, and use either Buffalo Trace or Flatboat bourbon cream for creamy drinks for the ladies.
I know I'm missing a few, but there are a lot of unopened bottles of those. These are the ones we drink more often. An old friend tried Pappy more than once and said he wouldn't choose it for pleasure. Said it's just not very good. So I've never bothered with it.
Need to do a tasting or 4 sometime soon to see what's out there now.
Living in Florida these past few years, it's so disappointing when you ask a bartender what bourbons they have and their first response is Jack Daniels.
It's great to see so many bourbon enthusiasts on here with such diverse palates and "go-to" labels. I'm always on the hunt for a new bourbon to try, even though I keep it pretty simple on my home bar.
Recently, I just finished off a 20 year Pappy in celebration with some friends after the birth of my daughter. While not as exclusive in cost and availability as Pappy, I'd probably put a few other bottles I have in that category. Maybe not based off quality since it's tough to top a 20 year Pappy unless you can come across the 23. But, I do have an Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel, a Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel and a Blanton's Single Barrel 25th Anniversary that I recently opened out of curiosity.
I try to keep a Blanton's Gold, Black Label, Special Reserve and Straight from the Barrel on the bar at all times. If I can find others, I'll add them to the inventory, but these are my go-to pours when it comes to Blanton's.
While I'd consider the level mentioned above closed off to my close circle, the next would be to those bourbon enthusiasts who respect the pour. In that category I'd include a few E.H. Taylor bottles, Hancock Reserve, Very Olde St. Nick and if I can find a Stagg, I'd happily share with those who appreciate bourbon.
What I'll share with those who want to learn about bourbon and can appreciate the flavor and process, generally I'll have a a Woodford Double Oak, Weller Special Reserve, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, or a Booker's. Can't handle the heat? Stay out of the kitchen!
There are several other bourbons that are worthy of mention and really enjoyable. Noah's Mill, any of the Bardstown's recent releases. I'll mention Eagle Rare even though I think it's vastly overrated. Blade and Bow is an extremely, under the radar great bourbon for those who are just getting into the game.
It's great to see so many bourbon enthusiasts on here with such diverse palates and "go-to" labels. I'm always on the hunt for a new bourbon to try, even though I keep it pretty simple on my home bar.
Recently, I just finished off a 20 year Pappy in celebration with some friends after the birth of my daughter. While not as exclusive in cost and availability as Pappy, I'd probably put a few other bottles I have in that category. Maybe not based off quality since it's tough to top a 20 year Pappy unless you can come across the 23. But, I do have an Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel, a Rock Hill Farms Single Barrel and a Blanton's Single Barrel 25th Anniversary that I recently opened out of curiosity.
I try to keep a Blanton's Gold, Black Label, Special Reserve and Straight from the Barrel on the bar at all times. If I can find others, I'll add them to the inventory, but these are my go-to pours when it comes to Blanton's.
While I'd consider the level mentioned above closed off to my close circle, the next would be to those bourbon enthusiasts who respect the pour. In that category I'd include a few E.H. Taylor bottles, Hancock Reserve, Very Olde St. Nick and if I can find a Stagg, I'd happily share with those who appreciate bourbon.
What I'll share with those who want to learn about bourbon and can appreciate the flavor and process, generally I'll have a a Woodford Double Oak, Weller Special Reserve, Wild Turkey Rare Breed, or a Booker's. Can't handle the heat? Stay out of the kitchen!
There are several other bourbons that are worthy of mention and really enjoyable. Noah's Mill, any of the Bardstown's recent releases. I'll mention Eagle Rare even though I think it's vastly overrated. Blade and Bow is an extremely, under the radar great bourbon for those who are just getting into the game.
Rock Hill is a sleeper for the top category IMO. Not going to say it's even close to the Pappy's or Stagg for me but it's damn good.
Gotta give a shout out to Barton's Ridgemont Reserve. Spicy notes, very nice finish, moderately priced. Generally, I don't mix my bourbon, I prefer it neat. I do love a good Manhattan (looking at you Morton's Steakhouse), and if I can find it, a black Manhattan is top notch, made with Amaro Averna instead of sweet vermouth. If you go the vermouth route, do yourself a favor and use Carpano Antica, not Martini and Rossi. Very pedestrian in my opinion.
Wow...that's a collection.Top Tier: King Of Kentucky. The 2023 16 Year is out of this world.
Mid Tier: 13th Colony Double Oaked / Buckner's 17 /Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Lower Tier: Old Forester 1910, Weller Special Reserve, Russell's Reserve
Summer Drink is Bourbon and Ginger ale.
Brand does matter, to me. While I'm not a huge Basil Hayden fan on its own, when mixed with ginger ale in summer, I'm a fan. Not a big Bulleit guy, but in an Old Fashion, I prefer the Bulleit Rye.
I, the OP, don't drink much, we're talking a few times a year. But would like to have a few "go-to" drinks I could make or pour. For my son's 21st b-day a year ago, and to keep in touch with his KY roots (since he has lived his whole life in NC, but both parents from KY) I put together a basket for him. If I could figure out how to post pictures from my phone on this site I would include. But in the basket was:
- 2 bourbon glasses
- 4 bottles, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Bulliet, & Woodford Reserve
My favorite bourbon cocktail is a boulevardier. It’s like an old fashioned, but for men.
It’s equal parts bourbon, red vermouth, and Campari.
You can play with the portions to suit your taste.
Stir in a shaker with ice.
Strain into an old fashioned glass with one large cube, garnish with an orange peel.
It’s equal parts bourbon, red vermouth, and Campari.
You can play with the portions to suit your taste.
Stir in a shaker with ice.
Strain into an old fashioned glass with one large cube, garnish with an orange peel.
First off, nothing under 100 proof.
Some of my favorites
Stagg/Stagg Jr
WLW
OWA
Bookers
Four Roses Barrel Proof
ECBP
Sourced Willet Single Barrels can be epic or awful, careful there, and they aren't cheap
Some of my favorites
Stagg/Stagg Jr
WLW
OWA
Bookers
Four Roses Barrel Proof
ECBP
Sourced Willet Single Barrels can be epic or awful, careful there, and they aren't cheap
I don't do bourbon much anymore, but I've always found that Basil Hayden was probably my favorite.
Finished a bottle of Noah's Mill the other day, and was surprised by how much I liked it.
Finished a bottle of Noah's Mill the other day, and was surprised by how much I liked it.
I too like the 1792 and I still call it Ridgemont Reserve even though they can’t use the name anymore.
