Bourbon. - Page 2

I don't like liquefied candy you nincompoop.

I don't think it's fair to say Maker's isn't a very good liquor. As for being liquefied candy, I've just grabbed my nosing glass, gone to the bar and pulled Makers, Knob, and Woodford from stock and had a little taste test. Makers, not surprisingly, is the lightest of the three. I get roasted corn silk right upfront on the nose, then toffee, treacle and vanillin. This is repeated with water at 10%BV, and on the palate more of the same, definitely some vanilla creme caramel going on. It is sweet on the tongue, but this sense is synthetically heightened by the perception of sweetness given by our familiarity with the scents -- caramel is sweet, therefore, that which smells like caramel is sweet, even though that's not necessarily true. Woodford darn near takes your head off with organic solvents, Xylene, gasoline, ethylene, but with an undercurrent of floral and fruity notes. With water, it backs off to the lighter fractions -- overripe bananas, aldehydes and esters. On the palate it's surprisingly mild, given that nose, with gentle spice and something vaguely orangey, like an orange tobacco or somesuch. It's still sweet on the tip of the tongue, but it is not reinforced by the nose. The Knob is even heavier, but all heavy esters, not that dancing Xylene, and leather, and nutty wood in place of the fruit. On the palate it's more of the same, but with allspice and rum. Differences in sweetness on these is really subtle, and complicated my associations with the spirits' noses. I doubt if any are far off in terms of residual sugar -- to call it liquefied candy is the narcissism of a minor difference, though a case can be made around the noses. The surprise for me here is that while Woodford gives me the most of what I'm after, Makers is the most elegant of the three. Go figure. ~ Huntsman

so you're saying makers isn't actually that much sweeter than the others, but we perceive it to be so because of the smell? interesting and very viable hypothesis

Mmm yes, indubidably old chap.

+1.
I like mine with water.

Bookers or Van Winkle, neat.

Manhattan Maker's. Old Fashioned Knob. Straight up Scotch. Personal preference.

I like a lot of bourbons, so making a list would be kind of useless. I almost always drink it diluted with an equal amount of water to kill the alcohol burn. When I mix, though, I use cheaper bourbons, as I can't justify spending a fair amount of money on something whose flavors will later be marred or masked. My favorite of the cheap stuff is Ancient Age. Actually, it's pretty good on its own, too, far better than anything else in its price range.

woodfords my go to, after that makers mark.


recently, in a steak house, they served me makers in a martini glass, shaken with ice. it was intersting - very cold, a little waters down, but all in all good. I ususally have a shot next to a beer.

I used to be a bigger bourbon fan than I am now. Scotch is much more interesting as a whiskey to me. Bourbon can be used better for mixed drinks for what it's worth.

I'm fond recently of a little dash of bitters in my bourbon. Anyone else go for this as well?

Buffalo Trace or Elijah Craig 12 year is always close at hand in my apartment.

I picked up a bottle of Old Forrester recently and that stuff is terrific. Also, if you're in Virginia or Kentucky, and maybe a few nearby states, pick up a bottle of Ancient Age ten year old (not ten star). It's a cracking good whiskey at a bargain price. I think it's the same stuff they're now bottling as Buffalo Trace, but way cheaper.

+1 I have been known to down the occasional Old Forrester. It is a staple at just about any SEC tailgate and does sip well with a splash of water.

Favorite bourbon? The one with alcohol.

I keep around Dickle #12 and Fighting Cock. Dickle is much sweeter, while the Cock is drier, stronger, and has a strong peppery rye flavor. I enjoy Maker's when out as an apperitif to a meal, since it's a sweet candyish drink available at most restaurants.

Morgan, Southern Beau - are ya'll drinking the base Forrester, or their more expensive offering?