So bourbon has been growing on me the past couple of years. As is the fashion.
I’ve found a couple of favourites:
Knob Creek Kentucky Straight and Knob Creek Smoked Maple (don’t judge!) are a regular favourite.
Woodford Reserve is pretty good too.
One I’m ambivalent about:
Bulleit Rye because I think it smells better than it tastes.
One I don’t like at all:
Basil Haden - not much too it.
I could happily get some more Knob Creek but was wondering what else I might like. Four Roses small batch seems one that’s well liked. People say it has a similar profile to KC and Bulleit. So that’s going on the list.
Another I’d like to try in the Hudson Four Grain Bourbon for the interesting mix of grains. Sounds rich and interesting.
Finally, Jim Beam Black Label has won awards last year so I wonder if that’s worth trying.
I know some of you reprobates and alcoholics will have an opinion and advice given my preferences. So what should I buy next?
Are the first two high proof? I find that anything over 100 tends to be a bit much for me. Around 90 seems about right. But that might be because I’ve not tasted a large enough variety.
Well, you’re supposed to water down the high-proof pours. A high proof spirit is actually a good deal as you effectively have more drinks per bottle. You’re not paying for them to deliver water to you.
You said you didn’t like Basil Hayden as there’s not much there. Good ol’ Basil’s been watered down to within an inch of its life. Try Old Granddad Bottled in Bond or better yet, Old Granddad 114. It’s the same mashbill and yeast as Basil Hayden, just not ruined by over dilution. And over pricing. DO NOT BUY Old Granddad 80 proof.
Both Four Roses Small Batch and Single Barrel are excellent and nearly always in my liquor cabinet.
I think the Hudson 4-Grain is ok, but way too expensive for what it is. Insert the name of any ‘craft-distilled’ bourbon in that sentence and it will still be my same opinion.
Along those lines, DO NOT buy absinthe. Someone gave me some as a joke (which would take to long to explain, and require links to paintings), and I tasted it. The word “vile” comes to mind, but does not quite encompass the horror. I’ve been trying to give it away for a year and a half; no takers. I’m thinking of pouring it out, and just keeping the bottle, as a memento of the gift.
Have you tried trickling the absinthe through a sugar cube in a slotted spoon and mixing it with chilled water, the way our fine French alcoholic ancestors did? I don’t think you’re supposed to take it straight.
Four Roses small batch seems consistently among the top picks so definitely getting that.
Larceny is another one that sounds interesting. Anyone want to second that motion?
Will consider the GrandDad bonded but perhaps next time around. I’m tempted by Hudson four grain but will hold off on it as well. Maybe for Xmas.
I want to give Bulleit another try but not the rye this time (green label). Any opinions on the regular Bulleit bourbon vs. the rye stuff?
At the risk of upsetting the purist, I never drink bourbon straight, or with a splash. Sometimes just on the rocks with a dash of good quality bitters (I have a variety). More often than not in the form of an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Bourbon & Benedictine.
The Old Fashioned is probably my favorite cocktail. Just plain old Jim Beam makes a good Old Fashioned. I also like rye Old Fashioneds with Knob Creek rye.
I found Bulleit bourbon to be kind of harsh.
Re: Larceny, my wife, who very rarely drinks hard liquor, also likes it. If that counts as a seconding.
Jim Beam Black is good, but not to my personal taste.
For my money Buffalo Trace is the best Bourbon on the market (best here plots both taste and value) and so it’s my suggestion for you to try. My regular everyday bourbon is Evan Williams white label (ie bonded) which I like better than the old Granddad Bonded.
Bottled in Bond bourbons are really interesting and have to follow strict rules to qualify. They are almost always worth trying if you spot one.
