Bourbon and Whiskey

[mori]

You gonna have to figure out what you like first. I suggest picking up a dozen different shooter bottles (50ml) of different brown liquors and see where your tastes lie. That way you are not wasting a bunch of money on bottles of stuff you will never drink.

[Alefroth]

At the risk of sounding like a snob, avoid ice. Ice will affect the flavor and your experience. Water? Absolutely. Ice? Avoid. Can you ice your single-malt? Most definitely. But in my humble opinion you're doing yourself a disservice by icing it. If, in time you come to enjoy it iced, terrific. But I wouldn't start there.

This is why I think those whisky stones are ridiculous. I want my whisky slightly diluted and not chilled.

[Alefroth]

I started out with Four Roses Single Barrel, which is inexpensive and you'll see it pop up a lot on "beginner bourbon" lists.

The Small Batch is really good too, and even less expensive.

[LawBeefaroni]

I might suggest Irish whiskey. I find it seems to have less of a burn. The trade off is that I also find it isn't that distinctive.

Knappogue Castle.12 Year single.

[Madmarcus]

I might suggest Irish whiskey. I find it seems to have less of a burn. The trade off is that I also find it isn't that distinctive.

Knappogue Castle.12 Year single.

If you are offering I'm in!

[gbasden]

I have a locker full of whiskeys and cognacs and a private club to drink them in if you're ever interested in a tasting.

Damn. Now that's an offer. I wish I were closer - I'd love to grab a number of my favorites and do some tasting.

[Unagi]

I have a locker full of whiskeys and cognacs and a private club to drink them in if you're ever interested in a tasting.

Damn. Now that's an offer. I wish I were closer - I'd love to grab a number of my favorites and do some tasting.

I was very touched by that offer - super kind.

[mori]

Picked up a bottle of Henry McKenna 10yr Bottle-in-Bond at Costco the other day. It is a product of Heaven Hill which I am not usually a fan off but this is really a fine bourbon. Good buy. Very aromatic with hints of caramel, slightly sour grapes, slightly musty, and toasted grain. The flavor is mellow, slightly sweet, caramel, marshmellow, but lacks much depth being only 100 proof. At barrel proof this would be a must buy.

[McNutt]

After a twenty year run, gin has overtaken bourbon/whiskey for me. I seem to go for a nice gimlet most nights and bourbon only comes out once a week or so.

A big part is that cold gin can be refreshing and I absolutely hate cold bourbon. Maybe when it gets colder here in Louisiana I'll warm up with bourbon more.

[RunningMn9]

Some thoughts.

1) As noted, you certainly CAN use ice. But if you do, just put the cheapest whisky you can find in it, because you aren’t going to taste it anyway. If you go that route, I would recommend blended whisky. That can be an enjoyable route, and you aren’t ruining the single malt which is designed around a particular flavor profile.

2) Bourbons are a much more economical entry into the whisk(e)y world. Much sweeter (as a rule), at least to me. I mostly drink Scotch, but there are bourbons I like.

3) Glenfiddich is designed entirely around the purpose of appealing to you. It is almost its sole reason for existence. It is designed to not offend.

Good luck!

[mori]

Grabbed a bottle of Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon at Costco a couple of weeks ago. By far the highest proof whisky I have found at Costco weighing in at 125 proof but the flavors just don't excite me.

[Lassr]

I have to say Angel's Envy is some of the worse bourbon I have ever had. It's finished in Port Wine casks and the aftertaste is just pure nasty...to me.
Glad I didn't buy it, it was a gift.

[McNutt]

I'm not a fan of Angel's Envy either. I tried it at a bourbon tasting and was very glad I didn't buy it. I've since been given two bottles and have been guilty of regifting them.

[mori]

Bought a bottle of Green River Wheated Bourbon. Another rather pedestrian whisky.