Sippin' Bourbon

treitz3

Hey all. This thread was inspired by the highly educational thread "Sippin' Tequila" made by Dragon1952. My three "go to" adult drinks (besides beer) are Tito's Vodka/OJ, Altos Tequila shots and Bacardi Rum Smooth with Coke/Pepsi.

Just last week, I stopped by the local liquor store and inquired about a good sippin' Bourbon. I must admit, I am a virgin to Bourbon (still am). What the gentlemen recommended to me to start out with was Woodford Reserve, Distiller's Select. Okay, so I got me a cute little bottle (200ml) to try out.

While I have yet to try it, since the tequila thread was/is such an informative thread, I was hoping that perhaps we have some folks here that are as educated/experienced with my newest venture.....Bourbon.

I am looking for a straight sippin' Bourbon for "On the rocks" drinking. One that is simply for sippin' for taste, not for the buzz.

What say you? Hit me up with your knowledge/suggestions please......and GO.....

Tom

rooftop59

Search engine is your friend Tom: https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/176317/basil-haydens/p1

rooftop59

Since it’s right down the road from where I work, I frequent this place often: https://balconesdistilling.com/

Their standard baby blue is very nice, the single malt is one of the best whiskeys out there period.

cincycat13

I like knob creek for reasonably priced. Comes flavored as well but the flavors can be overwhelming. I love bookers nice and smokey. But spendy as it is a single barrel style bottled at whatever proof it is.

There are also affordable flavored whiskys that are fun to sip or can be used as marinades. Be sure and post your good finds.

kharp1

As a life long bourbon drinker (since the age of 16) that was born and raised in Kentucky I can tell you this is an open ended question. I'd start by asking you if you eat your fish sandwich with white or rye bread. I never liked rye bread and that has limited the bourbons I truly love.

rooftop59

I do love a good rye bourbon. Balcones is solid...

dragon1952

Makers Mark is very good neat and not horribly expensive. My mom worked at Sav-On for years and at X-Mas they would get these bourbon sampler gift packs with 5 or 6 barrel-proof bourbons. I.W. Harper, Bookers and I can't remember the others. The I.W. Harper was a 15 yr old bourbon and that was my favorite. I liked my bourbon over a little ice. These days I stick to beer mostly with an occasional tequila or vodka binge. Never shots, always vodka martinis or bloody Mary's, sippin' tequila and sometimes margaritas.

nooshinjohn

treitz3

kharp1 wrote: »

As a life long bourbon drinker (since the age of 16) that was born and raised in Kentucky I can tell you this is an open ended question. I'd start by asking you if you eat your fish sandwich with white or rye bread. I never liked rye bread and that has limited the bourbons I truly love.

Crap.

An open ended question is not something I EVER like to post, as the end result is usually useless.

To answer your question about a fish sandwich, I will have to throw you for a loop though. I don't eat fish in a sandwich at all. Usually all by itself or fried using a myriad of different cooking techniques/spices/breadings, etc...

With that said, I never used to like Rye Bread. In fact, I never used to like bread at all, until the last decade or so. Now I yearn to have specialty breads and I know it may sound weird but I love some breads done right as much as I do steaks or any other guilty pleasure. (Go figure).

I guess that is a sign of either getting old...or getting with the program. Which one? I don't know. Olive Oil Rosemary crust bread has to be my current fav...

Tom

kharp1

Guess I should have just asked point blank if you like the taste of rye bread. If you don't that helps me a lot. I dont like the taste of rye bread and my favorite bourbons are ones that have little to none. W. L. Weller Antique is a wheated bourbon with no rye. Much smoother with a hint of sweetness. Don't mistake that for wimpy. It's very much in demand and harder to get, but, a great example of what a bourbon with no rye can offer.

Best bourbon, in my opinion, is George T. Stagg. Again, very hard to get, but, a game changer if you get to try it.

I typically prefer higher proof bourbons, especially the uncut and unfiltered types.

treitz3

Do you have examples of these Kevin?

Tom

PSOVLSK

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuaWfZ9zdiH_io26xWbsprg

Darryl (@voltz) turned me on to this youtube channel. Informative and entertaining.

hochpt21

Just trying this one for the first time. Very good.

Bourbon, mint, simple syrup, diet 7up. Crushed ice.

pitdogg2

treitz3 wrote: »

Do you have examples of these Kevin?

Tom

treitz3 wrote: »

Do you have examples of these Kevin?

Tom

Kevin?

treitz3

Ah, crap. Did I do it again?


....I thought kharp was Kevin. Like I said, I am bad with names.....really bad.....

Don't hate.

Shut up Russ.

Tom

Gerres26

I would have to say my favorite under $40 a bottle bourbon by far would have to be Eagle Rare 10 year . For me it competes with others twice its price...as always your mileage may vary

kharp1

Booker's, Stagg, Elijah Craig to name just s few. Many distillers have uncut or barrel proof bourbon. Barrel Proof is another brand.

nooshinjohn

treitz3 wrote: »

Ah, crap. Did I do it again?


....I thought kharp was Kevin. Like I said, I am bad with names.....really bad.....

Don't hate.

Shut up Russ.

Tom

Time to stop swiggin' off the bottle and measure a proper shot Tom...

treitz3

???

Measure???

Proper shot???


Did you read the thread?



This is a Sippin' thread, for Bourbon. The best of......

Tom

shawn474

Buffalo trace is my favorite reasonably priced bourbon and I get a bottle of Blanton’s every year that lasts me the year......if you can find it

lightman1

treitz3 wrote: »

Ah, crap. Did I do it again?


....I thought kharp was Kevin. Like I said, I am bad with names.....really bad.....

Don't hate.

Shut up Russ.

Tom

It's Kerry you bonehead....

nooshinjohn

I think he told you to shut up Russell...

treitz3

Kerry it is.....

Jeez-0-Flip!

Carry on broski's......(Like a little spat between Pelosi and Shumer which equates to not a damned thing)

Tom

voltz

get you read on for bourbon!

Ever heard of MGP? seriously.... it make most of the bourbons in the country including Blade & Bow..and Jefferson LOL yes Jefferson buys ther bourbon from MGP in Indiana! and bottles it are sells it for $$$

most bourbons are a lie...like Bulleit bourbon..brags about this & that and made in Kentucky???..made in so and so Kentucky?? its a lie as the place is not there...they bought there barrels for years from MGP..here lately they buy them from Heaven hills who makes Ejiah Craig & even Williams and my favorite Rye Pike Vile! and are in Kentucky!

some of my favorite no names are Rowen Creek and Noah Mills...both made by Willet in Kentucky...they bottle them but Willet make the bourbon for them...it is called sourcing! I have no problem with this if the own up to it? read the labels it may say bottled in Kentucky but made in Indiana hence its made by MGP...MGP make excellent Bourbon! so Does the Kentucky group like ..Heaven Hills..Jim Beam & Wild turkey & Willet! and others!!

voltz

My Favorite bourbon's distillers are: Buffalo Trace who makes so many bourbons like: Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare! Stag Jr, Wellers, Pappy van winkle and Thomas hardy and Sazerac etc..

Jim beam who makes so special ones like Basil Hayden & Knob Creek and Bakers and Bookers!

Wild turkey who forever only made Wild Turkey 101 who is still as good as most out there.. jimmy Russle and his sons have start making special stuff.. like Russels reserve's and Rare breed etc..

Heaven Hills who make Ejiah Craig & Even Williams and many others..

and Willet who makes their own and several other like Rowan Creek & Noah's Mills! which are better then Willets own tuff LOL except Willet's Rye which is as good as gold!

voltz

If you want to enjoy Sipping Bourbon I recommend only drinking it straight without water or ice or pop....pouring only about 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon on you tongue and letting roll off your tongue onto the bottom of your mouth,, then chewing on it for a moment before your swallow it..then and only then can you taste the bourbon.

but 1st I hope you stop to smell it for awhile, before you sip it...go watch a few episodes of "It's Bourbon Night" by Chad & Sara" and see how the smell it before tasting it.. and maybe you will become a bourbon fan...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwnAw1Qd9qI

kharp1

Sourcing has been going on for years. They make them to a specified recipe. Many if the brands use to be in existence and then went defunct and are being revived...some to original recipes. Saves lots of money that way. Stills are costly, warehouses are expensive, finding a good water source is critical. You don't just find staff for all those things by putting an add in a rural newspaper.

Master Distiller takes time to achieve, in the true, old sense of the word.

kharp1

I've tried many of the new breed of bourbons, some made in far away places, but, they're not Kentucky Bourbons. Some of them are good in their own way, but, its not the real stuff. Some of these mashes have been married for over 100 years.

kharp1

shawn474 wrote: »

Buffalo trace is my favorite reasonably priced bourbon and I get a bottle of Blanton’s every year that lasts me the year......if you can find it

Blanton's is probably my most consistent favorite single barrel. Its reasonably priced (usually about $50) and I usually had good access to it. To best it the prices got unreasonable.

tratliff

I’ve been collecting for years and in the last two my wife might say I’ve created a problem. Although I really enjoy them the search is half of the fun.

I would agree with others, Buffalo Trace products are generally my favorites but I have many many more from other distilleries.

The best you can do is set a budget and start comparing those in the same range.

My favorites are:
George T Stagg
Thomas Handy
Blantons SFTB
Parker’s
E H Taylor

The Barrel products are really great, rye’s, bourbons and whiskey’s. These are sourced but they do a great job.

Here are a couple of pictures of mine.

zingo

shawn474 wrote: »

Buffalo trace is my favorite reasonably priced bourbon and I get a bottle of Blanton’s every year that lasts me the year......if you can find it

I’ve heard many whiskey professionals says this is THE go-to mid shelf bourbon.