Favorite Bourbon

[winters860]

I'm insanely cheap, so I'm drinking Evan Williams, the kind with the black label.

I'm not big on EW black label if I'm drinking it straight, but it is my preferred whiskey for cocktails, and the bottle I most often have on hand. If I don't have something cheap for mixing, my SO will invariably reach for the top shelf.

It pains me to see good bourbon getting used up in hot toddies or mixed with ginger ale, and Evan has been a great partner in avoiding that scenario. It's not bad on the rocks in a pinch, either.

 

[Squidbilly]

I'm not big on EW black label if I'm drinking it straight, but it is my preferred whiskey for cocktails, and the bottle I most often have on hand. If I don't have something cheap for mixing, my SO will invariably reach for the top shelf.

It pains me to see good bourbon getting used up in hot toddies or mixed with ginger ale, and Evan has been a great partner in avoiding that scenario. It's not bad on the rocks in a pinch, either.

Not bad+Keeps me from goin through Old Grandad bonded so quick.

 

[fbny71]

Been lurking in this thread for a bit. I need some advice...tomorrow's my birthday and my wife bought me a bottle of the Pappy Van Winkle 10 year bourbon. Should I open or should I save...opinions?

 

[cubby01]

Been lurking in this thread for a bit. I need some advice...tomorrow's my birthday and my wife bought me a bottle of the Pappy Van Winkle 10 year bourbon. Should I open or should I save...opinions?

Whiskeys and other distilled spirits don't 'age' once they've been bottled. Enjoy responsibly. :thmbsp:

 

[bobabode]

Been lurking in this thread for a bit. I need some advice...tomorrow's my birthday and my wife bought me a bottle of the Pappy Van Winkle 10 year bourbon. Should I open or should I save...opinions?

I'd open it and savor it. :yes:

Happy birthday!

 

[pmsummer]

I'm insanely cheap, so I'm drinking Evan Williams, the kind with the black label.

Pretty good stuff (especially for the price), but...

If you really like the mash bill, go upscale and get the Elijah Craig 12 (pretty much the same hooch, only older and much better). Or...

Go downscale (money-wise, you cheap bastard) and get some Very Old Barton (86 or 90 proof). Barton (distilled by Sazerac/Buffalo Trace) is mostly a 'trade whiskey' and does no advertising. You pay for for advertising, but it doesn't make the hooch taste better. VOB is lower on rye than EW (almost tastes like a 'wheater', but it isn't). It's a very good poor, as a stunningly bargain price.

 

[abpeep]

I'm insanely cheap, so I'm drinking Evan Williams, the kind with the black label.

I generally have a bottle of EW Black in the house. For a long time, that was my main whiskey. These days, I keep some better whiskey and use the EW for mixing.

It's also not bad if I want to pick up a pint/half-pint for the wife and I to take out to a BYOB dance hall/party/etc. Good enough to enjoy a couple of drinks and cheap enough to not feel bad about leaving it behind instead of being on the road with an open container.

 

[fbny71]

The Ridgemont Reserve 1792 is my current favorite. Knob Creek is another favorite of mine. And I can't forget to mention the Basil Hayden.

 

[twkted]

The Ridgemont Reserve 1792 is my current favorite. Knob Creek is another favorite of mine. And I can't forget to mention the Basil Hayden.

I was strictly Knob Creek before I tried Weller. Love the wheat. Can't imagine drinking anything else.

 

[fbny71]

I was strictly Knob Creek before I tried Weller. Love the wheat. Can't imagine drinking anything else.

I'll have to check it out. Haven't seen it by me.

 

[robert_kc]

Before the symphony a couple of weeks ago I had dinner at The Rieger Hotel in Kansas City, and I tried a brand of whiskey that has been revived from the pre-prohibition era: Rieger's Kansas City Whiskey. http://jriegerco.com/

Before prohibition Rieger touted itself as the largest mail order liquor business. Here’s a couple of interesting articles:

http://www.kansascity.com/living/food-drink/article2114027.html

http://www.squeezeboxcity.com/whiskey-kansas-city-the-story-of-j-rieger-co-distillery/

My understanding is that the product that is currently available is blended from whiskeys sourced from other distilleries plus 2.75% sherry, and that J Rieger & Co. plans to start producing their own whisky and rye. Bottom line: I think it’s enjoyable.

While at The Rieger Hotel I also tried Blanton’s for the first time. Excellent.

Next up with dinner was a Col. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel. This was awesome. I couldn’t find it in any of my local liquor stores, but I did find the E.H. Taylor Small Batch, which is also excellent.

While at the store, I bought a bottle of Eagle Rare, which I also think is very good. This is a darker color bourbon that several others have commented on.

Thus far, I’d have to say that my favorites among the bourbons that I can find in my local liquor stores are the E.H. Taylor Small Batch and the Four Roses Single Barrel, though I’ve had many good bourbons in this price range. (I’m going to pick up another bottle of Kentucky Spirit as soon as I can find it, as well as a bottle of Rare Breed.)

Pappy Van Winkle isn’t available in any of my local liquor stores. Is it better than the E.H. Taylor? I understand that they’re both Buffalo Trace products. (I.e., setting aside "unobtainium" variants of PVW.)

 

[Russellc]

Not bad+Keeps me from goin through Old Grandad bonded so quick.

I bought a bottle of the OGD bonded 100 proof on a lark. Not bad, but less enjoyable than the OGD 114 proof which is smoother despite the proof increase. The bonded was only 17 bucks, cant complain about price. I think the 114 was mid twentys or there abouts.

Russellc

 

[Squidbilly]

I bought a bottle of the OGD bonded 100 proof on a lark. Not bad, but less enjoyable than the OGD 114 proof which is smoother despite the proof increase. The bonded was only 17 bucks, cant complain about price. I think the 114 was mid twentys or there abouts.

Russellc

Been wanting to try the 114,
None to be had up where im at sadly.
Will have to wait till around memorial day when me&the Wife make our trek to W.Va to put flowers&such on Mom's grave,Then hit the slots at the Mountaineer&hope the hell I got enough gas to get home.

 

[Poultrygeist]

Ok I have a question for any bourbon/wine experts.

Is there as much difference between cheap bourbon vs high end bourbon as there is between cheaper wine vs the high price stuff?

 

[Grainger49]

Yes.

For more explanation, read some of the thread.

 

[Russellc]

Yes +1

 

[swamppirate]

Gave the dice a roll and picked up some Old Forester...not a bad pour for budget bourbon.

 

[guitarslam]

Gave the dice a roll and picked up some Old Forester...not a bad pour for budget bourbon.

I brought some home last week.
Not bad stuff.

 

[Blast]

Gave the dice a roll and picked up some Old Forester...not a bad pour for budget bourbon.

"Old Forester"- that brings back some memories. Mid 70's- Dad's uncles used to buy him a bottle for Xmas and he didn't even drink. I drank more of it at 16 than Dad did! Ha! First liquor I ever got really sick on! Wouldn't have any more to do with whisky.

Until I discovered Wild Turkey (101)!

Brian

 

[Sam Cogley]

Before the symphony a couple of weeks ago I had dinner at The Rieger Hotel in Kansas City, and I tried a brand of whiskey that has been revived from the pre-prohibition era: Rieger's Kansas City Whiskey. http://jriegerco.com/

My S.O. works at the fanciest liquor store in a 150-mile or so radius. For Christmas, she gave me a bottle of Rieger's signed by the current owner.

Pappy Van Winkle isn’t available in any of my local liquor stores. Is it better than the E.H. Taylor? I understand that they’re both Buffalo Trace products. (I.e., setting aside "unobtanium" variants of PVW.)

ANY variant of PVW is unobtainum.