Bourbon

[Myherobobhope]

[quote name='MtlJeff' timestamp='1360440051' post='6395453']
they don't have four roses anywhere in official quebec liquor stores. Makes me pretty mad because you guys all rave about it!
[/quote]

That's too bad... it is wonderful.

It's no Black Velvet, though... (a college buddy of mine used to drink BV and Blue Powerade)

[chickenpotpie]

Hmmm, not sure about this...I mean, I buy makers partly for the alcohol content. Now they are reducing that, and will probably keep the price the same. SMH

http://m.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2013/02/citing-demand-makers-mark-will-lower.html?r=full

[Myherobobhope]

Yeah, there is a pretty big uproar in KY about it... I haven't bought a bottle of Maker's in a few years. I have access to much better stuff :-)

Here are some cheap options for anyone who likes Maker's and isn't sure what to buy next..

Old Forester (Signature if you can find it)
Bulleitt
Four Roses (Single Barrel or Small Batch)
WL Weller isn't bad for the money
Buffalo Trace

If those don't get the job done, let me know, and I will recommend another 10 that are cheaper than Maker's, have a higher proof and taste as good, if not better.

[spring70]

[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1358203171' post='6227967']
I'm not a fan of Jack Daniel's anymore... I blame college... and high school.

My bourbon hoing continues... I said there was nothing new I wanted to try... and have since had WL Weller 12 year.

I also now have an unopened bottle of Wathens that I'm looking forward to trying.

I don't have any new favorites... here's my current "bag"

50+ Bourbon:
Pappy Van Winkle
15 if I can find it, then 12, then 10, then 20. Mainly due to costs... the 12 and 10 are awesome for the price.
30+: Maker's Mark. Pretty standard fare... KY is cheap, so I don't really have any other favorites in the $30-50 range... Buffalo Trace is up there, but I haven't bought a bottle in a while.
20-30: Four Roses Single Barrel: I still can't believe this is under $30. Amazing bourbon for the price. I'd say it's better than Maker's for straight drinking. Maker's and Ginger Ale is awesome, though.
<20: Old Forester (Signature if possible) They've raised the price on this recently, but it's still a bargain basement deal. It's freaking amazing for the money, and I don't feel any guilt about mixing it.

I also recently discovered a new drink that I've been enjoying, but it's better with rye.

Step 1: Boil down balsamic vinegar and honey to half the volume
Step 2: Add rye and lime juice
Step 3: Add ice

It sounds weird, but it's really good.
[/quote]

I couldn't agree more. I am not a bourbon aficionado by any means, but I tried Makers and ginger ale at a bar that my friend ordered me and i was very impressed, so I bought some ginger ale and added what I had in the cupboard, Wild Turkey 101, and it was no where near as good. Since then I have tried several bourbons with ginger ale and nothing is as good as Makers.

[Myherobobhope]

Actually, the Maker's and Ginger Ale is the one thing I'm not sure how best to replace...

Larceny is a wheated bourbon and pretty good.

I enjoy Old Forester and Ginger Ale as well...

I'm not a huge fan of Wild Turkey.

[Mr. Grumpy]

Had Eagle Rare last weekend, thought it was really good, but I am aso not much of a spirit drinker. I will say though, that this experience may have changed that.

[kpolack]

[quote name='future dvm' timestamp='1333412446' post='4633983']
Woodford Reserve has become my new favorite! It was excellent in an old fashioned (Simple Syrup, bitters, bourbon...no soda or water!!!) and excellent on the rocks.
[/quote]

Agreed on the Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned.


[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1360633487' post='6410327']
[b]Actually, the Maker's and Ginger Ale is the one thing I'm not sure how best to replace...[/b]

Larceny is a wheated bourbon and pretty good.

[b]I enjoy Old Forester and Ginger Ale as well...[/b]

I'm not a huge fan of Wild Turkey.
[/quote]

While not bourbon, I really enjoy Canadian Club and ginger ale. It's definitely my go to for a cheap Highball.

[GooseHook]

[quote name='kpolack' timestamp='1360649094' post='6411689']
[quote name='future dvm' timestamp='1333412446' post='4633983']
Woodford Reserve has become my new favorite! It was excellent in an old fashioned (Simple Syrup, bitters, bourbon...no soda or water!!!) and excellent on the rocks.
[/quote]

Agreed on the Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned.


[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1360633487' post='6410327']
[b]Actually, the Maker's and Ginger Ale is the one thing I'm not sure how best to replace...[/b]

Larceny is a wheated bourbon and pretty good.

[b]I enjoy Old Forester and Ginger Ale as well...[/b]

I'm not a huge fan of Wild Turkey.
[/quote]

While not bourbon, I really enjoy Canadian Club and ginger ale. It's definitely my go to for a cheap Highball.
[/quote]

CC is actually one of my favorite whiskeys. I actually like the dry taste, and it reminds me of Seagrams VO (which makes great hot toddies).

[bppry]

[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1360633487' post='6410327']
Actually, the Maker's and Ginger Ale is the one thing I'm not sure how best to replace...

Larceny is a wheated bourbon and pretty good.

I enjoy Old Forester and Ginger Ale as well...

I'm not a huge fan of Wild Turkey.
[/quote]
How is larceny? I read some good reviews that even compared it to makers 46. But its not available in Michigan.

[Myherobobhope]

Larceny is pretty good... it was dirt cheap here for awhile. (they had a national rebate + KY already has low bourbon prices).

I only had a few glasses of it (at some drink ticket event with the wife) and there was other stuff I was more interested in (Evan Williams Single Barrel). I would definitely buy another bottle to give it a full run through.

If you can find it and it's cheap (under $30 for 750mL) grab it.

[GooseHook]

Since we're duly expanding our whiskey horizons out of Bourbon County, I am pleased to report that Crown Royal Maple is delicious.

The added flavor seems to give it a finish a lot like some of the more mellow bourbons.

[Myherobobhope]

I've been interested in trying it, but seems like something silly for me to buy, what with being in Bourbon country.

I've enjoyed some decent rye recently, though...

Riverboat Rye
Bulleit Rye
Russell Reserve Rye

I don't drink them straight, just don't love rye like that...

[GooseHook]

[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1360888975' post='6430851']
I've been interested in trying it, but seems like something silly for me to buy, what with being in Bourbon country.

I've enjoyed some decent rye recently, though...

Riverboat Rye
Bulleit Rye
Russell Reserve Rye

I don't drink them straight, just don't love rye like that...
[/quote]

Manhattans? I've been looking for a good sweet vermouth.

[Myherobobhope]

Sweet Vermouth is an interesting thing to find... I've done some shopping around and haven't really found any good suggestions (online or otherwise)

Martini and Rossi is what you will find everywhere. It's good.
Gallo (I believe) is what one of my best friends (and Kentucky native) swears by. I've always enjoyed his manhattans, but he makes them for me and they are free, so I'm not picky about them.
Noilli Prat was suggested to me, and I have a bottle at home... it's good. I'd say it's better than Martini and Rossi, but I probably won't go out of my way to find it again.

I also got some orange bitters, which are awesome.

[GooseHook]

[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1360956531' post='6435341']
Sweet Vermouth is an interesting thing to find... I've done some shopping around and haven't really found any good suggestions (online or otherwise)

Martini and Rossi is what you will find everywhere. It's good.
Gallo (I believe) is what one of my best friends (and Kentucky native) swears by. I've always enjoyed his manhattans, but he makes them for me and they are free, so I'm not picky about them.
Noilli Prat was suggested to me, and I have a bottle at home... it's good. I'd say it's better than Martini and Rossi, but I probably won't go out of my way to find it again.

I also got some orange bitters, which are awesome.
[/quote]

Nice. I use Martini/Rossi (dry) for martinis, but it seems more like the common, "Budweiser-type" mixer. I'll have to keep a lookout for Gallo! My Angostura Bitters will probably be around forever though.

I just read above where you guys posted about Maker's. Good thing I decided to stop overpaying for average bourbon. By definition, it has to be a minimum of 80 proof to be called bourbon, so they are at their wit's end trying to save money.

[Myherobobhope]

For me, there is no point in buying Maker's, Woodford [although I get bottles for free from my Brown Forman friend], Knob Creek or any of the other bourbons you've ever seen an ad for... which is what's awesome about living in KY.

I just wish I had gotten better discounts on golfclubs while living in San Diego!

[MtlJeff]

i was at a bar in San Jose yesterday that had Makers 46 (places here don't stock a lot of bourbon). Tried it....pretty good!

[kpolack]

[quote name='chickenpotpie' timestamp='1360629216' post='6409849']
Hmmm, not sure about this...I mean, I buy makers partly for the alcohol content. Now they are reducing that, and will probably keep the price the same. SMH

[url="http://m.bizjournals.com/louisville/blog/morning_call/2013/02/citing-demand-makers-mark-will-lower.html?r=full"]http://m.bizjournals...wer.html?r=full[/url]
[/quote]

Looks like enough people made a fuss about the MM change and they decided to change it back

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/17/makers-mark-restore-proof/1926081/

[6thFairway]

[quote name='MtlJeff' timestamp='1360378507' post='6392233']
nothing super fancy....but i'm becoming more fond of american whiskies/bourbons

screw the scots LOL
[/quote]

I was wondering who was going to mention 1792 first. I love that stuff. I also like Jefferson's Reserve, another small batch bourbon releated to 1792. I generally switch around between those and Woodford, with the occasional Blanton's.

[MtlJeff]

i bought a makers 46 bottle today. I finished the Jack's Single Barrel and the Knob Creek. I'm one and done with knob....not my style

Probably will keep a 2 bottle lineup of Makers 46 and Jack's Single. Plus i keep a Chopin Vodka in the freezer too

any more alcohol in the house and my wife kills me

[Myherobobhope]

Ha. I've had that problem!

If you ever want to try something different, let me know what's for sale in your liquor store, and I will have probably tried it (bourbon wise).

[PapaJohick]

Whenever I'm feeling fancy and can afford it I try to get one of these:

Bookers or woodford; If I'm in the mood for something new (which is always) I'll try anything in the 35-75 price range for 750ml

The usual though is:
Beam Black, Eliza Craig, Eagle Rare, or again anything new under 30 but above 15 (anything below 15 usually isn't worth it for sipping bourbon IMO)

[GooseHook]

Gentlemen, I just tried the new Bulleit 10. My god, it's perfect. Smells like a cognac, goes down smooth, and has a heavy corn/rye bite at the end.


Edit: after further evaluation, it's still great. It leaves a lingering taste and slight burn reminiscent of a good steak. Crap, now I want a cigar.

[Myherobobhope]

[quote name='GooseHook' timestamp='1361398176' post='6467581']
Gentlemen, I just tried the new Bulleit 10. My god, it's perfect. Smells like a cognac, goes down smooth, and has a heavy corn/rye bite at the end.


Edit: after further evaluation, it's still great. It leaves a lingering taste and slight burn reminiscent of a good steak. Crap, now I want a cigar.
[/quote]

It will be the next bottle I buy.

[GooseHook]

[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1361402915' post='6468025']
[quote name='GooseHook' timestamp='1361398176' post='6467581']
Gentlemen, I just tried the new Bulleit 10. My god, it's perfect. Smells like a cognac, goes down smooth, and has a heavy corn/rye bite at the end.


Edit: after further evaluation, it's still great. It leaves a lingering taste and slight burn reminiscent of a good steak. Crap, now I want a cigar.
[/quote]

It will be the next bottle I buy.
[/quote]

My bartender friend always lets me sample new stuff when it comes in. He said this should go for around 35 a bottle...what a steal!

[Myherobobhope]

Interesting... curious to see what it sells for in KY.

Hopefully a bottle isn't a challenge to find.

On my bottle quest list:
Bulleit 10
Single Roses 12, 13, 15 (whichever is for sale at the distillery)
George T. Stagg (out in October)
Pappy 15 is always on the list
Rip Van Winkle 10 ($40 a bottle here, it's a steal)

That's about it. I don't know of any other rare or hard to find bourbons I want to try... I'm sure I will find them, though!

[Scott@84]

I need to get a few more bottles, thanks for all the suggestions. I'd love to find some Rip Van Winkle 10.

[Myherobobhope]

Bulleit was more expensive than you promised me!

I paid $42 for it... and will report back.

It did come with a nice box (tour issue?)

[chickenpotpie]

Need help with my next purchase, from retail offerings at my grocery store....These are all the standard versions, not the hard to find stuff...thoughts?

4 roses small batch (i like single barrel, and want to try this because its cheaper)
Bulleit
Buffalo Trace

[Myherobobhope]

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with the small batch unless you are in the mood for the single barrell but don't feel like paying for it. They are both good, but it's nothing new.

Bulleit is one of my favorite bourbons... I'm pretty darn excited about the bottle of Bulleit 10 in my car...

That said, give the Buffalo Trace a shot... I think they make an outstanding product, and feel guilty I haven't bought a bottle in awhile.

It's a good base bourbon that you will have an easier time finding in bars and restaurants...

I'd go:
Buffalo Trace
Bulleit
Small Batch

in purchase order...

As an aside, Bufallo Trace basically controls the supply of the smaller, popular bourbons... they are involved with Rip Van Winkle, George T Stagg (and the antique collection)... the Single Barrel project is also amazing, but I haven't ever bought it (too expensive for 375ml).