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Post by lmills72 on Mar 14, 2020 0:23:56 GMT -6
I'm with Lurkin in that the Eagle Rare and Four Roses Small Batch are my current favs.
At a higher price point, I'd definitely recommend Blanton's or my latest acquisition, Rabbit Hole's Cavehill. My son-in-law shared a bottle of the Rabbit Hole with me over the holidays and I had to immediately go get my own. Tasty stuff and very smooth.
In a cheaper category, I'm fine with a plain old Buffalo Trace and, although not a bourdon, Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey. For a really inexpensive mixer, you can spend more and get much worse than Benchmark Old. No. 8.
For whatever reason, I've never hit it off with Makers or Woodford. And I guess my palate isn't polished enough to appreciate Pappy's. What I've had has been good, but for the price?
If you guys are in the Muncie area, I'd recommend a visit to Oakley Brothers Distillery in downtown Anderson. I think they're struggling some with keeping up with production, but they make a vodka that my wife likes and an Agave that my brother is partial to. When they opened, they sold a reserve bourbon that was pretty good but they haven't had it since. They sell a Flyover whiskey that's OK but nothing special IMO. Still, a nice place to visit and have a drink or three.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 7:01:35 GMT -6
So there are various levels of bourbons, some you mix, others strictly straight-up or on the rocks.
Do you folks have a list of bourbons OK for mixed drinks, and those that must stand alone?
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Post by Lurkin McGurkin on Mar 20, 2020 7:36:37 GMT -6
If you must go cheap, Very Old Barton is decent for the price, about $14 for the big jug.
Blanton's is awesome, but hard to find reliably. My favorite higher-end bourbon.
My list of stand-alone bourbons: anything that says "bourbon" on it.
My list of bourbons OK for mixed drinks:
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Post by lmills72 on Mar 20, 2020 9:23:43 GMT -6
Ah, the grouchy purist.
I'll say that I'm not huge on mixing but I had a person suggest once that using a really good bourbon in a mixed drink got you a really good mixed drink. I'd tend to agree with that.
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Post by Lurkin McGurkin on Mar 20, 2020 9:38:26 GMT -6
That's like saying turkey bacon is almost as good as real bacon.
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Post by lmills72 on Mar 20, 2020 9:41:52 GMT -6
Or maybe you just never learned how to make a good mixed drink.
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Post by williamtsherman on Mar 20, 2020 10:54:03 GMT -6
Ah, the grouchy purist. I'll say that I'm not huge on mixing but I had a person suggest once that using a really good bourbon in a mixed drink got you a really good mixed drink. I'd tend to agree with that. I'd like to see this demonstrated by a blind taste test before I believe it.
I would also like to see people who are gushing over this or that brand demonstrate their ability to distinguish between sips of different brands in a blind taste test.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2020 11:16:21 GMT -6
The only bourbons that I may consider in a mixed drink: - Very Old Barton
- Benchmark
- Old Grand-Dad
- Jim Beam White Label
- Old Crow
- Early Times
- Kentucky Gentleman
There are some other cheap bourbons that might make this list, but I haven't tried them.
What mixed drinks? I usually will do:
- Bourbon & Coke
- Bourbon & Seven-Up (very rarely)
- Old Fashioned
- Traditional Manhattan
- Mint Julep (Usually in May)
- Highball
- Sidecar
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Post by Lurkin McGurkin on Mar 20, 2020 11:26:30 GMT -6
Or maybe you just never learned how to make a good mixed drink. Why have hamburger when you can have steak? |
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Post by Hoopsmith on Mar 20, 2020 15:57:58 GMT -6
I do have Evan Williams on hand but it’s the lower end batch. (The cheapest). I don’t like it as well. Evan Williams white label is 100 proof, (EDIT: 50% ABV) and pretty solid for a lower-shelf option. |
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Post by cardfan on Mar 20, 2020 17:49:01 GMT -6
I do have Evan Williams on hand but it’s the lower end batch. (The cheapest). I don’t like it as well. Evan Williams white label is 100 proof, 45% ABV and pretty solid for a lower-shelf option. I got the green label. Shoulda gone with the white. |
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Post by Hoopsmith on Mar 20, 2020 19:05:52 GMT -6
A couple of "bourbon people" have told me before, "a good bourbon is one that you like." The way I see it, bourbons and a lot of ryes were homemade in barns, backyard stills and garages. Some were better than others. Nothing on the market today is going to leave you blind, so save the $$ for the real price-caste stuff, like scotch and cognac!
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Post by cardfan on Mar 20, 2020 20:16:28 GMT -6
I had some cognac once. Thought my nose was gonna melt off.
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Post by 00hmh on Mar 20, 2020 20:26:00 GMT -6
I had some cognac once. Thought my nose was gonna melt off. Next time sniff, not snort. |
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Post by cardfan on Mar 20, 2020 20:44:46 GMT -6
I had some cognac once. Thought my nose was gonna melt off. Next time sniff, not snort. It was a rookie mistake |
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