Tell me about your favorite whiskey or bourbon

[Camarox2]

I love High West. On top of the Rendezvous I have Bourye, single malt, and of course 3 more Mid Winters Night Drams sitting here. Plus the standard stuff. But tonight was all about the Old Elk Sour Mash. Hard stuff to find but I have a local store that will order cases for me, and it's easy one of my favorites.

I basically leave my Blantons, Weller, EH, Eagle rare etc collecting dust when I can drink High West or Old Elk.

I totally agree.
Lucky you, I haven’t had the Old Elk sour yet, but sounds great.

 

[Camarox2]

Drinking ECTB tonight.

 

[Cartwright816]

I didn’t make it through all the comments to see if this one had made the list yet. If youre near Colorado, Distillery 291 makes a great small batch at a reasonable price, one of my favorites

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

I didn’t make it through all the comments to see if this one had made the list yet. If youre near Colorado, Distillery 291 makes a great small batch at a reasonable price, one of my favorites

You're the first person I've seen say they like 291. Taking a look at reviews on Reddit and other whiskey review sites, 291 is often listed as a drain pour with many of the reviewers scratching their heads as to who would like their whiskey. This Reddit thread on 291 is a particularly interesting take on their line of whiskies:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/14adx90

There's obviously a lot of people who like 291 since they keep in business selling at a higher price point than many other more popular bottles. Since you're someone who like 291, would love to get a different perspective on their whiskies. What do you like about that bottle? Nose? Palate? Finish? How do you typically drink this one (e.g., neat, with some water, on ice, etc.)?

 

[TRAMPER]

You're the first person I've seen say they like 291. Taking a look at reviews on Reddit and other whiskey review sites, 291 is often listed as a drain pour with many of the reviewers scratching their heads as to who would like their whiskey. This Reddit thread on 291 is a particularly interesting take on their line of whiskies:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/14adx90

There's obviously a lot of people who like 291 since they keep in business selling at a higher price point than many other more popular bottles. Since you're someone who like 291, would love to get a different perspective on their whiskies. What do you like about that bottle? Nose? Palate? Finish? How do you typically drink this one (e.g., neat, with some water, on ice, etc.)?

Some people don’t know, what they don’t know. 291 always struck me as Tater bait. Everyone is trying to make a buck these days you really have to watch what you’re buying. Or maybe he really likes it, who knows?

 

[Cartwright816]

You're the first person I've seen say they like 291. Taking a look at reviews on Reddit and other whiskey review sites, 291 is often listed as a drain pour with many of the reviewers scratching their heads as to who would like their whiskey. This Reddit thread on 291 is a particularly interesting take on their line of whiskies:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/14adx90

There's obviously a lot of people who like 291 since they keep in business selling at a higher price point than many other more popular bottles. Since you're someone who like 291, would love to get a different perspective on their whiskies. What do you like about that bottle? Nose? Palate? Finish? How do you typically drink this one (e.g., neat, with some water, on ice, etc.)?

Who knows, maybe I’m strange haha. I have drank it multiple ways, near, over a couple cubes, made it with my old fashions, whiskey sours, all sort and I thought it tasted good. I’ll check out that thread for sure, thanks.

I will say that I’m not extremely experienced in tons of different brands and styles and learning along the way. I thought it had a relatively smooth finish and lots of good flavor throughout.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Who knows, maybe I’m strange haha. I have drank it multiple ways, near, over a couple cubes, made it with my old fashions, whiskey sours, all sort and I thought it tasted good. I’ll check out that thread for sure, thanks.

I will say that I’m not extremely experienced in tons of different brands and styles and learning along the way. I thought it had a relatively smooth finish and lots of good flavor throughout.

All that matters is you liked it. We all have different palates and preferences so it's hard to know if you'll like/dislike something based on a review unless you know the reviewer has similar preferences to your own.

For me, I'm not a fan at all of anything Jack Daniel's yet I know so many people who love their whiskies. To each their own.

Cheers!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Getting lucky lately when I drop into my local liquor stores

 

[ACreeker]

Is there a good “starter” bourbon? I like my coffee black if that’s helpful.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Is there a good “starter” bourbon? I like my coffee black if that’s helpful.

That's a really difficult question to answer as there is such a broad range to choose from. I recommend finding a good bar that has a wide range of Bourbons on hand and try a sample from different distilleries. A good bartender will be able to guide your journey.

Try each neat, then with a couple drops of water, and then on ice. The same Bourbon will drink differently with each approach. Bourbon also taste different if it is the first pour out of the bottle versus the last as oxidation and evaporation of the esters changes the flavor. Even resting your pour in the glass for 10 - 15 minutes can make a difference (neat or with a few drops of water).

As you get further into your Bourbon journey, you might find things you enjoyed when you started may or may not remain a favorite.

Start with things that are readily available at liquor stores so if you like it, you can easily get a other bottle: Makers Mark, Four Roses Small Batch or Single Barrel, Woodford Reserve Double Oak, Mitchers, Angel's Envy, Old Forester, Barrel Craft Spirits, and Bakers are good ones to start with.

The thread has some great Bourbons listed and this website might be helpful: https://thebourbonculture.com/

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Another good trip to the liquor store

 

[TRAMPER]

Is there a good “starter” bourbon? I like my coffee black if that’s helpful.

My suggestion for a good starter that you can actually find is Russel’s Reserve 10. It’s outstanding and available. I drink all mine neat and go for older stuff generally but you maybe be able to hone it in to a certain proof you like. Makers is also EXCELLENT and available. Maybe find yourself something in the 95-100 proof range, to start, then maybe something 110-ish proof and finally something cask strength. Depending on where you live Weller Special reserve is a super easy cheap drinker too (not really available where I am but i picked up a bunch cheap this summer traveling). You also can’t miss with a good bottled in bond bottle. Before you buy Google it! There’s a million NDP (non-distillery producers) out there just trying to make a buck and stay away from the “celebrity” whiskeys. Henry McKenna 10 is another fairly easy to find bottle that’s a really good drinker. I didn’t list anything hard to find, except maybe the Weller but if you want that list it’s big lol. Good luck!

 

[ACreeker]

@TRAMPER @DTX2023Tremor thanks guys. Super helpful on the brands and the different drinking styles. I ask as getting time to sit at the bar is few and far between lately with work and little kids. Though likely this would be the fastest way to figure out my type and drink style. Really just a short list of bottles to start is perfect. Was trying to go for a few brands to start with (the thread has a LOT of choices!). Now to start the journey!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

@TRAMPER @DTX2023Tremor thanks guys. Super helpful on the brands and the different drinking styles. I ask as getting time to sit at the bar is few and far between lately with work and little kids. Though likely this would be the fastest way to figure out my type and drink style. Really just a short list of bottles to start is perfect. Was trying to go for a few brands to start with (the thread has a LOT of choices!). Now to start the journey!

If you can't easily get to a bar, another good strategy is to have a friend who is a whiskey drinker bring by bottle(s) for you to enjoy together. I've also had get togethers where everyone brings a bottle they like and we all get to try something new. Whatever approach you take, it's a fun journey. Cheers!

 

[ACreeker]

Yeah, neighbors been talking about getting a crew together to drink some. Need to put it in to action!

 

[KILLAZILLA]

Is there a good “starter” bourbon? I like my coffee black if that’s helpful.

Jim Beam regular proof(costco/walmart) or extra aged, Evan Williams(regular, bottled in bond 100 proof or 1783), Wild Turkey(101).

Buffalo trace, bulleit and Woodford also available anywhere and good choice.

No particular order. But, 1783 probably on top and little more expensive. ALL GOOD and GOOD VALUE. Also, ALL available anywhere. Some other local craft brands could be hard to get for reasonable $. So, kinda depends where you live.

I did really enjoy a bottle of old Forrester prohibition 1920(115 proof but very smooth) costco carries for a decent $. Liked it soo much went to Costco a few days later just for that. But, left with a bunch of other stuff I didn't really even need for around $200...

 

[KILLAZILLA]

My suggestion for a good starter that you can actually find is Russel’s Reserve 10. It’s outstanding and available. I drink all mine neat and go for older stuff generally but you maybe be able to hone it in to a certain proof you like. Makers is also EXCELLENT and available. Maybe find yourself something in the 95-100 proof range, to start, then maybe something 110-ish proof and finally something cask strength. Depending on where you live Weller Special reserve is a super easy cheap drinker too (not really available where I am but i picked up a bunch cheap this summer traveling). You also can’t miss with a good bottled in bond bottle. Before you buy Google it! There’s a million NDP (non-distillery producers) out there just trying to make a buck and stay away from the “celebrity” whiskeys. Henry McKenna 10 is another fairly easy to find bottle that’s a really good drinker. I didn’t list anything hard to find, except maybe the Weller but if you want that list it’s big lol. Good luck!

Haven't tried the RR10 yet. Was just looking for a bottle at my local Lee's in Vegas(wasn't in stock or didn't carry it) So, grabbed a bottle of heaven hill bib 7yr to try, pretty good. Just noticed online RR10 is at Total wine. I'll pick one up tomorrow.

 

[TRAMPER]

Haven't tried the RR10 yet. Was just looking for a bottled at my local Lee's in Vegas(wasn't in stock or didn't carry it) So, grabbed a bottle of heaven hill bib 7yr to try, pretty good. Just noticed online RR10 is at Total wine. I'll pick one up tomorrow.

If you can’t find RR just grab anyone of these if you see them on the shelf.

 

[KILLAZILLA]

View attachment 132587
If you can’t find RR just grab anyone of these if you see them on the shelf.

I'll look tomorrow. But, I don't recall seeing pappy at Lee's or TW. I even look in the special glass case sometimes...

If I see $300+ I just wish I had a hammer and balls of steel sometimes...LOL

Maybe get one some day on special occasions though. W/O the hammer, of course...

 

[Kyleh9]

You may not be able to find it in your area, but HighWire Distilling from Charleston, SC make one called Revival that is great. Read the story on it too about the corn that it uses. Another great is Invergordon HIGHLAND SINGLE GRAIN
SCOTCH WHISKY. And as others have said, I like about any good wheated bourbon. Jefferson’s Ocean, Old Elk and some others.