Bourbon.

[ama]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

It's crazy how the taste changes from second to second, and depending on where it is in the mouth. The tip of the tongue only for the first half a second has definite tinges of honey before transforming. I never really pay attention to the taste of my liquor, so this is quite new to me.

That is a best way to taste fine liquor. You need to move it around your mouth. Wait till you start trying Islay scotches and taste salt, that is a real eye opener.

 

[Aaron01]

Originally Posted by ama

That is a best way to taste fine liquor. You need to move it around your mouth. Wait till you start trying Islay scotches and taste salt, that is a real eye opener.

Islays are really fun, lots of peat, charcoal, smoke, etc... Ardbeg Ten was my first Islay and adding just a bit of branch water opened up some great citrus notes

FWIW, I find the revies on Whisky Mag to be quite good, most feature Michael Jackson. It's always fun to compare what you taste to what the "pros" notice.

 

[JohnGalt]

I'm going to enter this thread with the most general, noob question possible:

I'm thinking about picking up some bourbon tonight. Local shop has a decent selection, what should I look for?

I more often go with scotch (e.g. Aberlour 16 or Macallan 15 or 18) but want to try something different. Would like to keep it <$50, since I don't know if I will like the particular spirit. Thanks.

 

[ACDoyle]

Get yourself about two or three different bourbons, like Eagle Rare 10, Maker's Mark and Bulleit - as they are different types of bourbon and see what you like. All three should run you around $75 total

 

[Kyoung05]

Originally Posted by ACDoyle

Get yourself about two or three different bourbons, like Eagle Rare 10, Maker's Mark and Bulleit - as they are different types of bourbon and see what you like. All three should run you around $75 total

Those are 3 great suggestions, and all are very different. If I recall correctly, Bulleit is a bit more rye-like, i.e. spicy, whereas Makers is the complete opposite - no rye at all, i.e. sweeter. Then there's Eagle Rare - just really good, balanced bourbon. I might suggest swapping out the Eagle Rare though for Buffalo Trace (same distillery as Eagle Rare, I think), to save a few bucks.

 

[Aaron01]

Woodford Reserve is always a great bourbon

 

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt

I'm going to enter this thread with the most general, noob question possible:

I'm thinking about picking up some bourbon tonight. Local shop has a decent selection, what should I look for?

I would probably look for Wild Turkey Rare Breed and Knob Creek in that price range. If you can find it, Noah's Mill is under 50 bucks and one of my top 10 bourbons. If it were me, I'd skip the Woodford Reserve, Bulleit, and Maker's Mark. None of these are very good examples of how good bourbon can be. If you want something really interesting, try Booker's. I have never come across another bourbon that has a flavor similar to Booker's, it's quite unique.

Having a Black Maple Hill right now. Decent whiskey, but not worth writing home over..

 

[Tarvold]

Eagle Rare is a great choice for not that much money.

If $$$ is no problem go with Pappy Van Winkel.

And Bourbon should be on the rocks, or with a little water.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Bookers on 2 blocks tonight.

 

[Cid]

Traditional opening day of dove season bourbon tasting and shoot.

Pappy 15yr won

 

[Aaron01]

Got put on the wait list for Eagle Rare 17 and George T. Stagg, wish me luck

That PVW is tempting me too though

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by ama

That is a best way to taste fine liquor. You need to move it around your mouth. Wait till you start trying Islay scotches and taste salt, that is a real eye opener.
The salt is an incredible experience. For me it was Oban Distillery's, and I love it for the sweet saltiness, like a salted caramel.

 

[ama]

Originally Posted by Tarvold

And Bourbon should be on the rocks, or with a little water.

Disagree.

Originally Posted by Aaron01

Got put on the wait list for Eagle Rare 17 and George T. Stagg, wish me luck

That PVW is tempting me too though

Good luck on the waitlist, sucks you have to resort to that. It flows freely (for a couple months at least) here in the great white north.

Originally Posted by Huntsman

The salt is an incredible experience. For me it was Oban Distillery's, and I love it for the sweet saltiness, like a salted caramel.

I get it in a lot of the Highland Park stuff too, especially the older ones.

 

[Aaron01]

Originally Posted by ama

Good luck on the waitlist, sucks you have to resort to that. It flows freely (for a couple months at least) here in the great white north.

Store said they didn't get any in but I could go on the list and have some reserved if they did. Figured it couldn't hurt, I can always check other stores too

 

[Kyoung05]

I just tried some of the Makers 46 this weekend. Wasn't bad - to me, it definitely tasted nothing like the standard Makers, which I believe has little to no rye. The 46, on the other hand, was definitely spicy - kind of like Bulleit, but sweeter. Definitely not bad, but not my favorite to drink neat. I ended up adding a splash of water to take off some of the roughness, and it was a bit more enjoyable. Given its spiciness, it'd probably make a decent Manhattan in a pinch (if no rye is available). I wouldn't order it again, but definitely worth trying if you get the chance.