Bourbon and Whiskey

[EvilHomer3k]

Has anyone tried the cheap Benchmark whiskey's from Buffalo Trace? I saw them the other day and was intrigued by their pedigree and low price.
We have three available locally, the regular benchmark ($15), bottled in bond ($20), and single malt ($32).

[Hrdina]

Enjoy the journey.

What I love about bourbon is that I can drink inexpensive stuff (like what you bought or Jim Beam black) every day and never get tired of it. I appreciate really nice bourbons, but thankfully I don't have to spend a lot of money to get something that I really enjoy.

That's very true about Bourbon. A number of things I buy regularly (Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve) can be found for reasonable prices around here.

Scotch, not as much but I certainly don't drink the truly expensive bottles.

[Kraken]

For years, my packie has held twice-yearly beer and wine tastings. Today was their first annual spirits tasting. And by spirits, they meant almost all whiskey. And by whiskey, they meant (mostly) bourbon, rye, and Irish blends. Which is all well and good -- I'm fond of whiskey in general. But I went hoping to sample some mid-range Scotches and was disappointed that there was almost no Scotch.

There were about a dozen tables, each pouring from 4-6 bottles. The tables weren't in the same order as the program, which made them hard to follow, and the program didn't list prices. One can't taste a lot of spirits without becoming too spirited, so I would have liked to zero in on bottles that I could afford. One cannot really walk up and say "I'd like to try your cheapest pour!" Too often, the ones I liked were $75 and up -- sometimes WAY up. Fortunately there was enough free food to pace myself and keep an even keel.

I bought a bottle of Copper Pot Writer's Tears, "a unique vatting of single pot still and single malt Irish whiskey, triple distilled for extra smoothness, aged and matured in flame charred bourbon barrels." I think I paid $45 for that one, minus the 20% show discount. I also got a Dewar's 15-year blended Scotch, packaged with nips of their 12-year and 18-year blends, on sale for $30 because that was a good value.

Based on the turnout, a whole lot of people are going to get $100 bottles of whiskey for xmas.

[Zarathud]

When on a Cincinnati business trip, we went out to a British pub for their fish and chips. When asked about their Whiskey list, the server recommended Screwball Whiskey because it tastes like peanut butter and is smooth. A few members of the group chased it with grape juice for a PBJ effect. It was everything they promised., and very different.

[Dramatist]

I also like variety and I’m weird and want to taste almost everything so I have tried many different flavored whiskeys. I’ve tried the normal vanilla, honey and cinnamon; plus the more random peanut butter, maple, chocolate, cherry and apple. Also the really weird dark chocolate banana whiskey which I really enjoyed chilled.

My favorite flavored whiskey is from a tiny distillery in Brookshire, TX. It’s called Shire Fire cinnamon whiskey and they actually steep real cinnamon sticks in the finished whiskey along with some peppers. It has an excellent natural cinnamon flavor along with a subtle pepper spiciness to it that I really enjoy, especially in cooler weather. It tastes nothing like Fireball which has an artificial cinnamon candy taste.


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[Carpet_pissr]

It tastes nothing like Fireball which has an artificial cinnamon candy taste.

To be fair, it’s based on the very artificial cinnamon candy by the same name (Atomic Fireball), but sounds like these guys are making it better.

There are tons of Fireball copycats out there, including some bigger names like Evan Williams and Jim Beam (Fire), which are absurdly sweet, but also as you found some smaller batch stuff that is higher shelf (if flavored whiskies even have shelves! )

The few times I’ve tried flavored whisky I’ve always told myself never again, but every once in a while I get a wild hair to try a specific recipe, and Bob’s your uncle.

Not sure I’ve ever tried one above “Jim Beam” level though, so I’m sure that’s part of the problem. Made the mistake of buying Jim Beam Honey once, thinking I would make hot toddies, but ugh.

Didn’t think through adding a cloyingly sweet honey flavor (I assume it’s not real honey) to an already super sweet bourbon.

[McNutt]

For Father's day my family bought me a bottle of Howler Head, which is a banana flavored bourbon. This is something I NEVER would have bought myself, but I'll be damned if those flavors blended nicely. I finished the bottle much quicker than I thought I would and have been on the lookout for it ever since.

[LawBeefaroni]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

[disarm]

Uncle Nearest is pretty good at a reasonable price...not one I've ever purchased, but I thought it was pretty good when I sampled someone else's bottle.

As for flavored whiskey, I'm usually not a fan at all. I think that I'm so much of a straight whiskey fan that I find the added flavor unnecessary. I've had a few cinnamon options (usually shots at a party) and they're drinkable but not really my thing. Fireball isn't bad for what it is, but I personally think Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire is better...good cinnamon flavor and less sweet. I tried Skrewball once and found it disgustingly sweet with horrible fake peanut butter flavor. A lot of people enjoy it though, so maybe I'm the strange one

[Carpet_pissr]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

Care to recommend a decent bottle for less than say $60? I've bought a really good one before (that I could easily sip), but can't remember the name (would have been a pretty common one I think). Bought one recently that is downright awful (Jameson Black Barrel). After trying it a couple of times neat, I have relegated it for mixed drinks only (and maybe that's what most people use it for? But I was looking for something that I could drink like Scotch, without the price tag )

[LawBeefaroni]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

Care to recommend a decent bottle for less than say $60? I've bought a really good one before (that I could easily sip), but can't remember the name (would have been a pretty common one I think). Bought one recently that is downright awful (Jameson Black Barrel). After trying it a couple of times neat, I have relegated it for mixed drinks only (and maybe that's what most people use it for? But I was looking for something that I could drink like Scotch, without the price tag )

If you can find Knappogue Castle 12 it should be a touch under $60. Highly recommend.

Slane is my go-to cheap Irish right now. Should be under $30. Last case I got was around $150 (6 bottles).

[Alefroth]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

Care to recommend a decent bottle for less than say $60? I've bought a really good one before (that I could easily sip), but can't remember the name (would have been a pretty common one I think). Bought one recently that is downright awful (Jameson Black Barrel). After trying it a couple of times neat, I have relegated it for mixed drinks only (and maybe that's what most people use it for? But I was looking for something that I could drink like Scotch, without the price tag )

Last one I got was Green Spot and it was right around $60. I really enjoyed it.

[Hrdina]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

Care to recommend a decent bottle for less than say $60? I've bought a really good one before (that I could easily sip), but can't remember the name (would have been a pretty common one I think). Bought one recently that is downright awful (Jameson Black Barrel). After trying it a couple of times neat, I have relegated it for mixed drinks only (and maybe that's what most people use it for? But I was looking for something that I could drink like Scotch, without the price tag )

Last one I got was Green Spot and it was right around $60. I really enjoyed it.

Green Spot is some wonderful stuff.

[Carpet_pissr]

Slane is my go-to cheap Irish right now. Should be under $30. Last case I got was around $150 (6 bottles).

And you drink something under $30 straight? If so, gotta try that, wow!

[Lassr]

Bought some of this from a local distillery. Good for sipping but really enjoying it in my egg nog right now.

[Isgrimnur]

[Carpet_pissr]

Are you recommending that one, Is?

[Isgrimnur]

I am not, but Total Wine wants to sell it.

[noxiousdog]

Grangestone is very mediocre. It's kind of like a house brand for total wine. It's priced well enough, but I wouldn't call it a good Scotch.

[Isgrimnur]

Figures.

[Carpet_pissr]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

Care to recommend a decent bottle for less than say $60? I've bought a really good one before (that I could easily sip), but can't remember the name (would have been a pretty common one I think). Bought one recently that is downright awful (Jameson Black Barrel). After trying it a couple of times neat, I have relegated it for mixed drinks only (and maybe that's what most people use it for? But I was looking for something that I could drink like Scotch, without the price tag )

If you can find Knappogue Castle 12 it should be a touch under $60. Highly recommend.

Slane is my go-to cheap Irish right now. Should be under $30. Last case I got was around $150 (6 bottles).

Yeah, the finding is the problem for me. I have a couple of places like Total Wine around (any idea if your recos can be found there?), and of course lots of smaller independent liquor stores, but I don’t exactly live in a metro Mecca for alcohol where you can find any label you want.

[LawBeefaroni]

Yeah, the finding is the problem for me. I have a couple of places like Total Wine around (any idea if your recos can be found there?), and of course lots of smaller independent liquor stores, but I don’t exactly live in a metro Mecca for alcohol where you can find any label you want.

It's not Irish, but I always keep a bottle of Macallan 12 handy. The last one I bought was the double cask for $70. At....[drumroll] Target.


Total wine does show Knappogue Castle and Slane on their website.

[Carpet_pissr]

Recently got a case of Uncle Nearest 1856. It's not bad. I still prefer Irish whisky over all else but you have to mix it up.

Care to recommend a decent bottle for less than say $60? I've bought a really good one before (that I could easily sip), but can't remember the name (would have been a pretty common one I think). Bought one recently that is downright awful (Jameson Black Barrel). After trying it a couple of times neat, I have relegated it for mixed drinks only (and maybe that's what most people use it for? But I was looking for something that I could drink like Scotch, without the price tag )

If you can find Knappogue Castle 12 it should be a touch under $60. Highly recommend.

Slane is my go-to cheap Irish right now. Should be under $30. Last case I got was around $150 (6 bottles).

Yeah, the finding is the problem for me. I have a couple of places like Total Wine around (any idea if your recos can be found there?), and of course lots of smaller independent liquor stores, but I don’t exactly live in a metro Mecca for alcohol where you can find any label you want.

LOL and of course the DAY I write this we have an after work drinking session at a local bar and what do I see on their top shelf (it was a pretty casual bar) but the Slane.

Tried it neat. Amazing. Tried it again. Still amazing. Made all my co-workers try it. Unsure of REAL reactions, but I’m not sure I effectively communicated my joy of finding a very good, reasonably priced whisky (Irish!) I can drink neat.

Thanks!

[mori]

My bourbon and whisky haul so far in 2023:
Old Forester 1897
Old Forester 1910
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Noah's Mill
Redwood Empire Lost Monarch
Blade & Bow
Russell's Reserve 10 Year
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel
Barton's 1792 Full Proof Barrel Pick
Mitcher's Bourbon Small Batch
High West American Prairie Bourbon
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Old Bardstown
J. Henry & Sons Wisconsin Bourbon
Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select

The one I enjoy the most is Noah's Mill with honorable mention to Barton's 1792 Full Proof. There is a lot of character in both of them without really having to think too much. Biggest disappointment was the Redwood Empire Lost Monarch. I heard such great things about it but I just did not get it. I went through the entire bottle searching for something that would dawn on me but it never happened. Plus the bottle did not fit in my bottle storage area. I did not like Old Bardstown when I initially tried it but it has slowly grown on me. Mitcher's Bourbon also has grown on me and has the most dominant caramel apple flavor I have had in a whisky. I heard that Jack Daniels made good whisky once you get past Old No. 7 and the Single Barrel Select did not let me down with its banana and spice notes. I almost picked up a Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof today but decided on the Russell's Reserve Single Barrel. You may notice an absence of Buffalo Trace products and that is because they are almost unattainable in my market. I have had regular Buffalo Trace before when it was everywhere and do not see why it is so in demand around these parts.

[gbasden]

Sadly, I had to attend the funeral of a close friend recently. It stung all the more that he was a month younger than me when he passed from colon cancer. (Get your colonoscopies!)

When we came back to his house afterwards to visit with his widow, she told us that we were on the list to get some bottles of his whiskey collection. I came home with a 2015 Ardbeg Perpetuum and an Edradour Cask Strength distilled 2003 and bottled 2014. I both can't wait to try them and don't want to open them ever.

[Kraken]

What a wonderful bequest. He would want you to break them out on special occasions (I know; I asked him).

[Dramatist]

Sadly, I had to attend the funeral of a close friend recently. It stung all the more that he was a month younger than me when he passed from colon cancer. (Get your colonoscopies!)

When we came back to his house afterwards to visit with his widow, she told us that we were on the list to get some bottles of his whiskey collection. I came home with a 2015 Ardbeg Perpetuum and an Edradour Cask Strength distilled 2003 and bottled 2014. I both can't wait to try them and don't want to open them ever.

Sorry for your loss but it does seem that your friend wanted you to drink to his memory which is both sad and happy.


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[Unagi]

I really kinda want to be a whisky drinker. or whiskey. I'm not sure if I care which one really... but I can't take the super 'fuel' burn that I've often experienced.

Ages ago someone once gave me something that I could sip and each little sip was actually quite nice to take into my mouth, sorta a warm carmel-like taste. Never have I tasted that again. I'm not sure it was Whiskey (probably wasn't, I'm suspicious it was brandy).


Anyhow - I come here asking for advice or pointers or education.

Is there a best 'for beginners' whiskey to learn on. The most forgiving, the least burn, the best tasting... Or am I being a child here... Am I asking for gin that doesn't taste like juniper?

Or am I really thinking of brandy.

Traditionally I grew up on vodka drinks (screwdrivers -> t-sunrise -> vodka-tonic) and allowed gin-n-tonics into that world over time. But the brown liquors always burned me.

[LawBeefaroni]

I really kinda want to be a whisky drinker. or whiskey. I'm not sure if I care which one really... but I can't take the super 'fuel' burn that I've often experienced.

Ages ago someone once gave me something that I could sip and each little sip was actually quite nice to take into my mouth, sorta a warm carmel-like taste. Never have I tasted that again. I'm not sure it was Whiskey (probably wasn't, I'm suspicious it was brandy).


Anyhow - I come here asking for advice or pointers or education.

Is there a best 'for beginners' whiskey to learn on. The most forgiving, the least burn, the best tasting... Or am I being a child here... Am I asking for gin that doesn't taste like juniper?

Or am I really thinking of brandy.

Traditionally I grew up on vodka drinks (screwdrivers -> t-sunrise -> vodka-tonic) and allowed gin-n-tonics into that world over time. But the brown liquors always burned me.

Brandy encompasses a wide range of spirits, most as burn-y as whiskey. You may have had a cognac.

Don't be afraid to add a little water or ice. It will reduce the bite but also open up some different notes. If I had to recommend on bottle to get started on, I'd say a Glenmorangie 10 or 12 year. If you want to try a cognac, Hardy VSOP or Hardy Legend 1863.

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.

[McNutt]

Start with a lower proof (80) whiskey and stay away from cask strength bottles.

Take very small sips and let it roll around your tongue as you slowly swallow it. The burn will be minimal.

There are tons of bourbons to choose from. Scotch has much more variety and some can definitely be off putting. If you want Scotch, I'd try a McCallan or Highland Park. Those are good bets for new drinkers.

[Unagi]

Alright, I appreciate the advice here and I'll make use of it.

I was certainly planning to have it over ice, and letting it even melt a bit into it all.

I had (a few years ago now) bought an Islay single malt scotch whisky: Caol Ila (aged 12 years), but that was more bite than I wanted to get used to, but pretty clean. (it was 86? proof)

[McNutt]

Islay Scotch has a very peaty taste that I wouldn't recommend for someone looking to try whisky.

[Smoove_B]

There's a ton of advice, but I'm telling you - grab a small bottle of Glenfiddich 12 and go from there. It's like dead center on the Scotch profile in terms of what you can experience.

If you can drink that and find yourself enjoying it, then try and slowly spread out into the various types. For reference, I think The Macallan 12 tastes like paint thinner, despite its popularity.

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.

[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.

[Lassr]

I find Bourbons much tastier than whiskeys. I've never really liked whiskeys. One of the better sipping bourbons I like is Elijah Craig Small batch. And if you use ice it is better if you can buy an ice tray that makes the large cubes, as it melts slower and dilutes a lot less. All you need is 1 cube in the glass.

If you want the bourbon a little weaker/less burn, try making an Old Fashion. A few splashes of Aromatic & Orange bitters with 1-2 tsp Demerara Syrup instead of sugar cube or simple syrup.

[YellowKing]

I'm a really novice bourbon drinker, but the good news is that there are a lot of really good and really affordable bourbons out there. An almost overwhelming number, in fact.

I started out with Four Roses Single Barrel, which is inexpensive and you'll see it pop up a lot on "beginner bourbon" lists. In the beginner department I've also had Basil Hayden which I really like, several varieties of Buffalo Trace which you usually can't go wrong with, Woodford Reserve, and Knob Creek.

I've had some much pricier ones thanks to the generosity of my next door neighbor who is a huge bourbon enthusiast, but I haven't felt the need to jump into the hobby full throttle. I'm content with the occasional gift bottle I'm given or picking up some of my old favorites.

[McNutt]

I would also try it without ice until you develop a taste. Then, feel free to ice your whiskey like a heathan.

[Unagi]

I don't want it sweet.

[Unagi]

I would also try it without ice until you develop a taste. Then, feel free to ice your whiskey like a heathan.

I mean. Okay - but those big huge single ice chunks are fun.

[Madmarcus]

I don't want it sweet.

I was going to suggest a Black Manhattan - bourbon + some amaro. Most amaro are bittersweet but that still might be too much sweetness.