The Bourbon thread

[Nathans_Dad]

I've tried bourbon on several occasions but can't seem to find one that I like. Maybe I was just drinking cheap stuff. Either that or I'm just a wuss...

[kach22i]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
I've tried bourbon on several occasions but can't seem to find one that I like. Maybe I was just drinking cheap stuff. Either that or I'm just a wuss...

Bourbon is supposed to be the cheap stuff (with attitude), if you want smooth and refined you have to drink Whiskey instead.

[azasadny]

My all time favorite whiskey is "Red Breast", which is an Irish, single malt, pot still whiskey that is the smoothest, best tasting whiskey I have ever had. It's about $45 a bottle, but well worth it!

[JeremyD]

Wow - never heard of these - I've been pretty happy with my Crown Royal and Jim Beam, maybe it's time to branch out.

[BRPORSCHE]

hmmm so many bourbons so little time...I am turning 19 in a few days and wanted to get me and my friends a nice bottle of something. Though I really know nothing about bourbon or whiskey. I think I might want to try out that hayden stuff. Sounds tasty.

p.s I support underage drinking....j/k guys. We will be with adults.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by BRPORSCHE
hmmm so many bourbons so little time...I am turning 19 in a few days and wanted to get me and my friends a nice bottle of something. Though I really know nothing about bourbon or whiskey. I think I might want to try out that hayden stuff. Sounds tasty.

p.s I support underage drinking....j/k guys. We will be with adults.

First time out, start with something smooth and afforable like Bushmills select.

Don't want people scared for life of the stuff.

[BRPORSCHE]

Yeah I don't want to drink an absolute crap one, and then not care for it for the rest of my life. I want something that I can actually enjoy. Also can we have a thread on shots? I have very little experience with them, and would like some tips when I go to bars.

[Joeaksa]

Been drinking Jim Beam for 35 years in a Manhattan and like it. A fellow Pelican sent me a bottle of Evan Williams and its very nice, but too good to waste in a mixed drink.

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by BRPORSCHE
hmmm so many bourbons so little time...I am turning 19 in a few days and wanted to get me and my friends a nice bottle of something. Though I really know nothing about bourbon or whiskey. I think I might want to try out that hayden stuff. Sounds tasty.

p.s I support underage drinking....j/k guys. We will be with adults.

Have you tried straight booze? It is a pretty strong flavor for young taste-buds. I didn't get into sipping whiskey etc. until I was well up in my thirties and forties. You might be better off sticking to mixed drinks to start, rum and coke, whiskey and seven up, etc.
YMMV

[BRPORSCHE]

Well not saying I am a complete drunk. because I am not. Sadly, my most memorable drinking moments (and no the drink sucked) was back to back everclear shot without chaser, and straight taaka. No I am not proud of these moments, and I hate college for this reason.

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Been drinking Jim Beam for 35 years in a Manhattan and like it. A fellow Pelican sent me a bottle of Evan Williams and its very nice, but too good to waste in a mixed drink.

I also tried Evan Williams (barrel select IIRC) on the recommendation of the same board member. As I remember it is very smooth but with a bit of oak.

Just got paid today... maybe I will have to have a little whiskey tasting... Evan Williams Vs Woodford Reserve Vs Rebel Yell.

Looks like I won't be getting much done around the house this weekend.

[bigchillcar]

i love the evan williams single barrel. good 'ol shuie even sent me a bottle gratis being the prince that he is.. very smooth sippin' bourbon. i drink mine straight up out of a shot glass.
ryan

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
i love the evan williams single barrel. good 'ol shuie even sent me a bottle gratis being the prince that he is.. very smooth sippin' bourbon. i drink mine straight up out of a shot glass.
ryan

Shot glass is too small, pour a couple of fingers into a tumbler so you can enjoy the smell... I mean aroma...

The F1 race is on this weekend too! Whiskey, cigars and racing!

[JeremyD]

The trick with shots is to sip one first - if it tastes nasty going down sipping it - chances are that it will be just as nasty coming back up.

[Rot 911]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
i love the evan williams single barrel. good 'ol shuie even sent me a bottle gratis being the prince that he is.. very smooth sippin' bourbon. i drink mine straight up out of a shot glass.
ryan

Ryan, clean out your PM box!

[Overpaid Slacker]

My favorite bourbon is... well, a picture is worth 1000 words:



I've tried as many as possible (Blue Smoke in NYC has a list longer than my (primate-length) arm, if anyone is in that neighborhood) and I'm Maker's through and through. Which is to say I'm saturated.

I've spent a few hours, including lunch, with Bill Samuels, Jr. (pres of MM, and the founder's son). Just he, his master distiller, me and my uncle shooting the breeze for a few hours last summer at the distillery.

Off the top of my head, I can name 5 bars that carry MM b/c I assured them it'd be worth it.

I like Basil Hayden for its butteryness (c), I like Elijah Craig, tho it's tough to find. Woodford is great stuff; Blantons is OK; and I like the 1792 when I can find it.

Is there a distillery that just makes its bourbon and is not a mega-conglomerate -- yes, it's called Maker's Mark. It has doubled its capacity only once since it was founded 50+ years ago.

Check this link for bourbon info.

Bourbon is not a cowboy drink anymore, and MM is the reason. Every distiller followed suit with a premium bourbon after MM took off.

Make mine a double, with two ice cubes. No more, no fewer.

For Irish Whiskey, there's Tullamore Dew. Not the most expensive, but my favorite, hands down.

JP

[onlycafe]

az , you are right about red breast, a superb irish. as a matter of fact i think i'll go and get me a tot of it now......thanks for the reminder.
keep the wind at your back. and may the road rise up to meet you.
david

[jyl]

I seldom drink bourbon (or scotch etc). A couple times a year, during parties, the guys and I go out back with a bottle of single-malt. Typically a Glen-something - I'm not really fussy. Usually throw away the cap and finish the bottle stuff. Then its the occasional wine and ale for the next six months.

[jim72911t]

I was a single malt guy for years, but was given a bottle of Black Maple Hill (12 yr) bourbon a couple of years ago by my bartender/author younger brother. If you can find it, give it a try. Very smooth, if a little sweet. Makes me think that my once a year "brown liquor" purchase might be a Bourbon, rather than a single malt.



BTW, I never thought I'd see someone actually recommend Rebel Yell. Can anybody say boilermaker?

Oh, and a shameless plug:

http://www.theartofthebar.com/aob_html.html

Good job, little bro.

[kach22i]

I worked all day and till dark on my hovercraft Saturday, in the cold rain most of the time. Achy and sore and still in damp clothes I poured some of the Eagle into a glass and dusted off my stereo equipment.

I powered up my tube amp and preamp. Put on an old vinyl record, and dimmed the lights and then sat down.

By the time my listening session was over 2/3rds of the pint was gone.

Little bit of a headache the next morning, took a few pills and felt better pretty quickly.

Eagle by Buffalo is good stuff, almost too good.