First off, this is a great thread! Recently went back and re-read from the beginning, it's like a time capsule. In the 10 years since this thread was started a lot has changed in the bourbon world. Pappy Van Winkle wasn't mentioned until post #62 and was talked about like any other regular bourbon, not the unicorn it has become. Buffalo Trace was somewhat unknown and not well distributed, Bulliet was the new kid in town, and there was no talk of lotteries, waiting lists or any of that stuff.
I turned 50 in February, and up until recently I had never explored the bourbon world. I've always been primarily a beer drinker, dabbled in scotch and enjoyed some "Boat Drinks" now and then. Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes I decided the sugary drinks and high carb beer wasn't a good idea, plus the bloated feeling after a few beers was getting less appealing than ever. I decided if I was going to enjoy an occasional drink I would have to look for something different. Bourbon seemed like a good choice, cheaper than scotch, drinkable neat or with just ice and water and the official United States spirit to boot. Oh, and it didn't hurt how cool Raylan, Boyd, and Art looked drinking it.
So, here I am, acquiring a taste for the brown stuff, discovering my favorites and ready to talk bourbon. My first question to put to the group is this: Did anybody just immediately enjoy the taste of bourbon by itself? I had to start with mixers, like coke and ginger ale, then I moved to Old Fashioneds, gradually reducing the sugar, and now I am at the rocks stage. Still can't do neat very often. So, did anybody here start with bourbon neat and never look back?
