# Bourbon for a Noob **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [February 22, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361 "2015-02-22T19:38:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/21 "2016-02-19T01:22:46Z")
Nobody is gonna recommend [Beam’s Eight Star](Beam’s Eight Star)? No? Anyone? $10/handle on sale! what are you worried about? The plastic bottle? is that it? ---
**Author:** ![Nefario](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/59ef9b/32.png) [@Nefario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nefario)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/22 "2016-02-19T01:27:45Z")
If y’all ever get to Kentucky, do the Bourbon Trail: > **[Home | Kentucky Bourbon Trail](https://kybourbontrail.com/)** > > Handcrafted bourbon adventures. Use our interactive maps to explore your way through the birthplace of Bourbon. I have a relative that is part of the resurrection of the Old Crow Distillery. It was truly decrepit and they’ve more/less completed one building. They call their product “Bourbon30”. Indiana whisky; aged 30 days? 30 months? Who knows? 😉 [http://itsbourbon30.com/](http://itsbourbon30.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/23 "2016-02-19T02:26:02Z")
I like [Baker’s 7](https://www.beamsuntory.com/brands/bakers). Strong but a buttery mouth feel. ---
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/24 "2016-02-19T15:51:35Z")
I’ll cast another vote for Evan Williams White BIB as the absolute best bang for your bourbon buck (and yep - Black ain’t bad, either). Now, mind you, I’ve also said this: You want to educate your bourbon palate? Get a rocks glass, drop in two ice cubes and cover with Wild Turkey 101. Repeat as desired. There’s yer bourbon education. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/25 "2016-02-19T21:04:18Z")
Mm, bourbon. Quite possibly America’s greatest contribution to world culture. I mean, jazz and blues and rock n’ roll and Gilmore Girls are all pretty good, but…c’mon. Bourbon. I don’t have an incredibly discerning, but I know what I like. I’ve found that I almost exclusively like higher-proof bourbons. Wild Turkey 101 and Knob Creek 100 are my go-to for “everyday” bourbons. I usually sip them neat, but occasionally dilute very slightly, probably down to the 90ish ballpark. On the lower end, my favorite is usually Dickel No 12 (not technically bourbon, but I’m gonna include it here). There’s a liquor store here that makes Dickel their “bargain” bottle, so it’s only $20 for a bottle of No 12. The best I’ve ever had was a bottle of Stagg I received as a gift. Flavorful, potent, and smooth. I’m currently sitting on a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle that I will LIKELY resell but I’m currently allowing to call to me gently from my liquor cabinet. ---
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/26 "2016-02-19T22:08:21Z")
> [@typoink](#): > > Mm, bourbon. Quite possibly America’s greatest contribution to world culture. I mean, jazz and blues and rock n’ roll and Gilmore Girls are all pretty good, but…c’mon. Bourbon. > > I don’t have an incredibly discerning, but I know what I like. I’ve found that I almost exclusively like higher-proof bourbons. Wild Turkey 101 and Knob Creek 100 are my go-to for “everyday” bourbons. I usually sip them neat, but occasionally dilute very slightly, probably down to the 90ish ballpark. On the lower end, my favorite is usually Dickel No 12 (not technically bourbon, but I’m gonna include it here). There’s a liquor store here that makes Dickel their “bargain” bottle, so it’s only $20 for a bottle of No 12. > > The best I’ve ever had was a bottle of Stagg I received as a gift. Flavorful, potent, and smooth. I’m currently sitting on a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle that I will LIKELY resell but I’m currently allowing to call to me gently from my liquor cabinet. OOOOO - Dickel #12. Right; not _technically_ bourbon; _technically_, it is referred to, I believe, as “Nectar of the Gods.” When I drink Dickel #12, here’s what happens: a log cabin in the woods is immediately built around me, and I am provided with a roaring fire, a shotgun, and a couple hound dogs - in a _good_ way, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/27 "2016-02-19T23:23:45Z")
Yep. Dickel is right tasty stuff. Pretty cheap around here, too. Today was rather trying, so a healthy dram of EW BiB is in hand as I type. Although I have to endorse **Totenfeier** ’s idea vis a vis Wild Turkey. But with only one ice cube. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/28 "2016-02-20T00:31:58Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Bumping this thread to report that the local Bevmo has started carrying Evan Williams White Label (Bottled in Bond) and the stuff is every bit as good as **NAF** said it was. For a fun evening, do a side-by-side of the white and the single-barrel. > > Today’s restock Bevmo run brought home the White Label, Gentleman Jack, Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam Bonded, and Maker’s 46. I have a feeling I’m going to need them this weekend. Glad you liked it. It’s one of my very favorite bottles. The only problem is that the liquor store near me doesn’t order much so it’s almost always sold out. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2016, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/29 "2016-02-20T00:58:01Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Today’s restock Bevmo run brought home the White Label,…Jim Beam Bonded… The Beam bonded is a great value, nothing at all like the Standard stuff and, around here, $19.99/750mL. My uncle has recommended the ‘high octane white label’ Evan Williams but I’ve not been able to locate yet. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2016, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/30 "2016-02-20T02:23:11Z")
Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2016, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/31 "2016-02-20T23:52:57Z")
> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#): > > Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek. These were the two I started with, and definitely both worth trying. I quickly realized I love Knob Creek and can’t stand Maker’s Mark. And then Maker’s started talking about bottling at 80 proof… I will also mention that I really like 1792, even though I’ve almost never heard another positive review. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/32 "2016-02-21T01:32:50Z")
I got infatuated with the idea of becoming a bourbon connoisseur a few years ago. I finally decided that I liked the idea of being a bourbon drinker more than the reality of drinking bourbon. I just accepted the fact that I am a beer drinker at heart. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/33 "2016-02-21T12:31:55Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I got infatuated with the idea of becoming a bourbon connoisseur a few years ago. I finally decided that I liked the idea of being a bourbon drinker more than the reality of drinking bourbon. I just accepted the fact that I am a beer drinker at heart. > YMMV. You like what you like, nothing wrong with trying something and it turns out you don’t dig it. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/34 "2016-02-21T17:56:41Z")
Larceny has replaced Jim Beam Black Label as my every day drink. 92 proof seems to be a sweet spot for me. I am also enjoying a bottle of Old Bardstown 104 proof. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/35 "2016-02-21T22:11:19Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > I got infatuated with the idea of becoming a bourbon connoisseur a few years ago. I finally decided that I liked the idea of being a bourbon drinker more than the reality of drinking bourbon. I just accepted the fact that I am a beer drinker at heart. > YMMV. This is actually how I felt about Scotch for a long time. I wanted to be that hip guy swirling and sipping his single malt. I tried quite a few, but I just never quite fell in love. The cheap stuff is lousy, and the pricey stuff was too pricey for something I only kinda liked. I essentially gave up on whiskey for years, then stumbled back onto American whiskeys when I went through a cocktail phase. I was making martinis and gimlets and Manhattens and old fashioneds all the time. At some point, it finally clicked that I liked Manhattens best, and I liked them even better when I left out the bitters and vermouth. Neat bourbons and ryes have become my drink of choice more often than not since then. ---
**Author:** ![Totenfeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Totenfeier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totenfeier)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/36 "2016-02-22T15:48:59Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Yep. Dickel is right tasty stuff. Pretty cheap around here, too. > > Today was rather trying, so a healthy dram of EW BiB is in hand as I type. Although I have to endorse **Totenfeier** ’s idea vis a vis Wild Turkey. But with only one ice cube. 😛 It’s a process of education: two, one, none, yum! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/37 "2016-02-22T16:48:30Z")
Over a the past two years or so, I set out to explore and improve my appreciation of bourbon. I’m an occasional drinker so it’s taking longer than I thought. 😛 I started out with the very neutral Basil Hayden. Then jumped to Knob Creek 9 y.o. Then Bulleit. Then the Smoked Maple Knob Creek (excellent for maple Old Fashioned!). Then Woodford Reserve. With the exception of Basil Hayden - which I find lacks character - I’ve enjoyed the rest so far. But somehow I keep coming back to Knob Creek. Anybody care to recommend another bourbon given my preference profile (which is towards the sweeter, deeper, mid-octane notes, I guess)? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/38 "2016-02-22T18:28:28Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Over a the past two years or so, I set out to explore and improve my appreciation of bourbon. I’m an occasional drinker so it’s taking longer than I thought. 😛 > > I started out with the very neutral Basil Hayden. Then jumped to Knob Creek 9 y.o. Then Bulleit. Then the Smoked Maple Knob Creek (excellent for maple Old Fashioned!). Then Woodford Reserve. > > With the exception of Basil Hayden - which I find lacks character - I’ve enjoyed the rest so far. But somehow I keep coming back to Knob Creek. > > Anybody care to recommend another bourbon given my preference profile (which is towards the sweeter, deeper, mid-octane notes, I guess)? I would say Buffalo Trace would be a good next step. Sweetish with lots of caramel in it like Knob Creek. I find it a bit smoother. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361/39 "2016-02-22T21:36:07Z")
I got this for my husband for his birthday. > **[Bourbon & American Whiskey Advent Calendar (2022 Edition)](https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/drinks-by-the-dram/bourbon-and-american-whiskey-advent-calendar/)** > > The USA has so much to offer in terms of whiskey – way more than just bourbon. (I really liked the Few Bourbon, which is slightly herbal, like their gin. Blantons is my husband’s favorite, but its become difficult to find with the fashionability of bourbon.). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bourbon-for-a-noob/713361.md?page=1)