Today's Booze Question

[tabs]

Given a comparable quality spirit (the spirit itself is not the variable) which is better a 20 year old Scotch or a 20 year old Kentucky Bourbon?

Please advise and explain how you derived your conclusion.

[masraum]

Scotch because it has the cooler accent!

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’m leaning towards scotch, simply because the better scotch I’ve had has all been well aged. I really don’t taste a difference in bourbons that have been aged.

This is a pointless question though, because “better” is 100% subjective. You cannot prove which is better because everyone has different taste.

[pwd72s]

Haven't had a drink for decades, but going from memories of my boozehound days, I preferred bourbon.

[DonDavis]

Scotch. Aged bourbon doesn't necessarily get better.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Haven't had a drink for decades, but going from memories of my boozehound days, I preferred bourbon.

I don't drink much, and when I do, it's not bourbon or scotch. But, if I had to pick one, it would probably be bourbon. I used to be a bartended. I've tried lots of both. I don't like Scotch, even the good/expensive ones. Maybe it's the peaty flavor, I don't know. I'd probably be far more likely to drink Irish Whisky or Canadian Whisky if I had a choice. I haven't tried any Japanese whiskies (whiskys, whiskeys?), but I understand that they do a very good job.

I'd be willing to sit down someplace and sample 100 different whiskys, but I wouldn't really expect to come away liking any of it enough to buy it.

[J-Mac]

Try an aged Irish Whiskey. Jameson, Redbreast, Middleton, Bushmills all top shelf.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by J-Mac

Try an aged Irish Whiskey. Jameson, Redbreast, Middleton, Bushmills all top shelf.

Yep, when I did my taste test years ago, my verdict was that I much preferred Irish Whisky to either Scotch or Bourbon. And yes, what we had was both Jameson and maybe Bushmills.

[Bill Douglas]

Scotch makes me feel ill

So I'll opt' for the bourbon.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Scotch. Aged bourbon doesn't necessarily get better.

This is correct in my opinion.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I’m leaning towards scotch, simply because the better scotch I’ve had has all been well aged. I really don’t taste a difference in bourbons that have been aged.

This is a pointless question though, because “better” is 100% subjective. You cannot prove which is better because everyone has different taste.

I agree.

For instance I like Armagnac more than Cognac, but they are the same thing, just from different areas and the scale of production differs.

Armagnac vs Cognac
https://www.vintagewineandport.co.uk/blog/Armagnac-vs-Cognac

If you like Scotch and Bourbon but because of sensitivity to gluten they bloat you out like an gutted fish in the sun, try Armagnac. Slice up an apple to go with it, you will thank me.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Just 20 year old.

[DonDavis]

I like the way Shaun thinks!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

I like the way Shaun thinks!

Don't know if he was talking booze.

[RWebb]

Scotch, because Scotch is better than Kentucky Bourbon

[Dan J]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Don't know if he was talking booze.

Here, Here!

[greglepore]

Scotch, but only because the temperature extremes in Scotland are less than in Kentucky. The whiskey moves in and out of the wood due to temperature variation, and Scotland is pretty stable, whereas Kentucky is hot'r'n hell in summer and gets a cold spell in the winter.
20 yr old bourbon is hit or miss, depending on where in the rickhouse it was.

And I don't care for Scotch-not an objective thing, just prefer the sweeter profile of bourbon.

[tabs]

Coupla u Boyz are real close. Bourbon is placed in new charred barrels. Scotch is placed in used barrels. What gives the taste and colour of the spirit is the change in temp that draws it in and out of the wood. With Bourbon being in new barrels any spirit aftet apx 15 years soaks into the raw wood giving it a woody taste. Scotch because it is in used barrels can stay in them longer as it makes a more mellow taste.

That is why the Svotch is better. The Master Distillers all know that Bourbon hits prime ar 8 to 12 years 15 being the outside. Anything longer is actually detrimental.

So this was not a pointless question after all. And i gave you a caveat that the spirit was not a variable. Put your pointy cap on and sit in the corner.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yep, when I did my taste test years ago, my verdict was that I much preferred Irish Whisky to either Scotch or Bourbon. And yes, what we had was both Jameson and maybe Bushmills.

Add me as another one that prefers Irish over Scotch.

[tabs]

I needs to get me a bottle of Leprechaun juice

[id10t]

Originally Posted by tabs

Coupla u Boyz are real close. Bourbon is placed in new charred barrels. Scotch is placed in used barrels. What gives the taste and colour of the spirit is the change in temp that draws it in and out of the wood. With Bourbon being in new barrels any spirit aftet apx 15 years soaks into the raw wood giving it a woody taste. Scotch because it is in used barrels can stay in them longer as it makes a more mellow taste.

That is why the Svotch is better. The Master Distillers all know that Bourbon hits prime ar 8 to 12 years 15 being the outside. Anything longer is actually detrimental.

So this was not a pointless question after all. And i gave you a caveat that the spirit was not a variable. Put your pointy cap on and sit in the corner.

On the other hand, since "better" is subjective, those of us who don't like smokey peaty drinks would probably like a $10 bottle of Evan Williams over a 20 year old scotch.