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Best bourbon for Juleps

post #1 of 17
6/12/10 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
Obviously Woodford or even Maker's Mark is too premium to denigrate by mixing with mint and sugar, and I hardly consider Ancient Age or Jim Beam bourbon at all, so do you have any suggestions on a good, midgrade bourbon to use in a good summertime Julep? Thanks.
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post #2 of 17
6/12/10 at 1:59pm
Woodford or Maker's. Edit: And by "sugar" you mean simply syrup correct?
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post #3 of 17
6/12/10 at 2:03pm
Woodford is my favorite for it. Juleps should still taste like bourbon.
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post #4 of 17
6/12/10 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
speaking of atlanta, i got youtube happy and found alton brown making cocktails on "good eats" -- during which he makes the clear distinction of how to make simple syrup for the daquiri's sake yet muddles fine sugar with his mint before adding a splash of seltzer water... it's not as bad as SHAKING a MARTINI, right?
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post #5 of 17
6/12/10 at 2:54pm
The better the bourbon the better the drink. Use Woodford.
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post #6 of 17
6/12/10 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by edinatlanta View Post
Woodford or Maker's.

Edit: And by "sugar" you mean simply syrup correct?

Quote:
Originally Posted by why View Post
Woodford is my favorite for it. Juleps should still taste like bourbon.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy View Post
The better the bourbon the better the drink. Use Woodford.

+1.
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post #7 of 17
6/13/10 at 11:18am
I agree on Maker's or Woodford. Maybe some knob creek?
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post #8 of 17
6/13/10 at 11:24am
I always use Woodford -- Knob is too peppery for me in this application. Something like Pappy or Black Maple Hill, now that would be 'too premium' for mixing. ~ H
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post #9 of 17
6/13/10 at 11:41am
I find the best to be Weller 12. I prefer higher proof spirits in many cocktails and this has a slight extra edge at 45% / 90 proof. I did side by side Juleps on Derby day with Weller 12 and Woodford and, to my taste, the Weller was the clear winner. I've also had excellent Juleps with Booker's (125 proof). I don't find Knob to be too peppery / spicy, but use it more in other cocktails. I'm not a fan of Maker's. I find it to be sweet, and would not use it in a sweetened cocktail. I'm a dissenter regarding the use of premium spirits in cocktails -- I do so regularly. Examples of excellent cocktails in this regard include a Manhattan made with Thomas Handy Rye and a Martini made with Old Raj gin. These are also examples of drinks where one is enough. That said, I've never had a Julep with either Black Maple Hill or with Pappy. I think I'd be reluctant to use either here because of the amount of syrup / sweetness added to a typical Julep.
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post #10 of 17
6/13/10 at 4:44pm
Well, what did you use? How did they come out? Inquiring minds want to know!

God knows it is warm enough in the Bay Area today for a good julip.


Quote:
Originally Posted by toothforaneye View Post
Obviously Woodford or even Maker's Mark is too premium to denigrate by mixing with mint and sugar, and I hardly consider Ancient Age or Jim Beam bourbon at all, so do you have any suggestions on a good, midgrade bourbon to use in a good summertime Julep? Thanks.
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post #11 of 17
6/13/10 at 7:40pm
Lived in the south over 10 years now, and still have never had a mint julep..
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post #12 of 17
6/13/10 at 7:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gnatty8 View Post
Lived in the south over 10 years now, and still have never had a mint julep..
Dude. Do you dislike mint? I love me some juleps (though I sacrilegiously make them with spearmint simple syrup I make with my mint). ~ H
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post #13 of 17
6/13/10 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toothforaneye View Post
speaking of atlanta, i got youtube happy and found alton brown making cocktails on "good eats" -- during which he makes the clear distinction of how to make simple syrup for the daquiri's sake yet muddles fine sugar with his mint before adding a splash of seltzer water...

To be fair, he explicitly states he's using the sugar for its abrasive qualities to open up the mint as he muddles, and he uses the soda to sort of "deglaze" the mint/sugar paste from the bottom of the glass. It's not all about ease of dissolving.
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post #14 of 17
6/14/10 at 7:52am
Thread Starter 
Still awaiting payday, but Bourbon-Central.com as well as Epicurious.com seem to solidly endorse Woodford Reserve, while DrinkOfTheWeek.com also endorses Buffalo Trace as a firm rival. Even though most of you style-o-nauts seem to be leaning toward Woodford, I may try the Buffalo Trace, as its on sale for $19.99 at BevMo, and see if this drink is really worth "investing in." Hell, I really love bloody marys but only ever buy Smirnoff (the REAL secret's in the pickle juice.....shhhh!!). Who knows, maybe I'll fall head over heels and spring for a $600 coin silver julep cup! P.S. if you google "Best Bourbon for Juleps" this thread is now the #3 response!!
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post #15 of 17
6/14/10 at 8:42am
Thread Starter 
This guy is by far my favorite youtube bartender, and this by far is his best youtube video:
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