# Running low on bourbon - recommend my next tipple. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [October 7, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259 "2017-10-07T21:17:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [October 8, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/21 "2017-10-08T22:00:23Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > More often than not in the form of an Old Fashioned, **Manhattan** , or Bourbon & Benedictine. [asshole pedant mode] No, you’re not. A _proper_ Manhattan is made with rye. What you make is maybe a Queens. [/asshole pedant] Now on to other matters: Larceny is actually kinda nice. The wife is currently working her way through a bottle of Beam Black. She likes it very much. She also gives props to Beam Devil’s Cut. A new-ish expression from Wild Turkey is Forgiven, which is a rye/bourbon blend. We like it a lot. A Forgiven “Manhattan” would at least get you into the Midtown Tunnel. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/22 "2017-10-08T22:46:05Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > I am blessed with a sense of taste that’s not particularly acute. All bourbons taste good to me. So I save money by drinking Evan Williams. Same here, I have pedestrian taste. I like Dominos pizza, Burger King, Coors light and Crown Royal. (Not all at once):smack: ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2017, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/23 "2017-10-08T23:41:52Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > Not at all. It’s drunk quite dilute, and as you note, often with sugar. Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. Still taste like rotten ouzo, mixed with wood alcohol, and now, sugar. I have tried mixing it with things before, with no luck. It’s just nasty. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/24 "2017-10-09T00:46:49Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > 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? The Bulleit bourbon on the shelves today was made by Four Roses so I would just skip it and get the actual Four Roses bourbon and ditch all the bogus marketing from Bulleit. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/25 "2017-10-09T01:00:19Z")
Picked up a bottle of [BSB bourbon](http://heritagedistilling.com/product/bsb/)at the distillery a few months ago. It’s a very nice change from most other bourbons. If you are ever in the Gig Harbor, Washington area, I highly recommend a visit to the distillery. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/26 "2017-10-09T02:59:29Z")
Not as necessarily _better_ than the amazing raft of suggestions already offered but – because at this high level it’s more about variety than a vertical hierarchy of excellence – here’s one you should take a taste of: eastern Long Island’s [Pine Barrens whiskey](http://www.shopwinedirect.com/pine-barrens-american-single-malt-whisky-750ml.html?vfsku=hwg577&vfsku=hwg577&gpla=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsb2u4sPi1gIVARbTCh2v8QhnEAQYASABEgLR9PD_BwE). ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/27 "2017-10-09T03:12:30Z")
Pine Barrens is tasty stuff, indeed. Hudson makes a good spirit as well. I’m currently drinking Balcones Baby Blue. It’s a bit corny for my usually stride but it’s an enjoyable change. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/28 "2017-10-09T04:19:25Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. Still taste like rotten ouzo, mixed with wood alcohol, and now, sugar. > > I have tried mixing it with things before, with no luck. It’s just nasty. If you don’t like licorice/anise, that’s fine. There’s also some terrible, terrible absinthe out there (I’m thinking of many Czech ones, especially Hill’s. Not all of them, but buyer beware.) ---
**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/29 "2017-10-09T15:09:17Z")
I came in to suggest Larceny, too. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/30 "2017-10-09T15:41:05Z")
Any bourbon discussion is not complete without the completely awesome bourbon family tree: [![](https://media.gq.com/photos/559310676e48e6391a2577b3/master/pass/bourbon-family-tree-large.jpg) ](https://media.gq.com/photos/559310676e48e6391a2577b3/master/pass/bourbon-family-tree-large.jpg) I’m working my way through the families. 😃 ---
**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:** [October 9, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/31 "2017-10-09T16:42:16Z")
That’s a pretty handy guide. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/32 "2017-10-09T19:08:12Z")
I don’t think Eagle Rare has been mentioned yet. It’s a good one. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Knob Creek Kentucky Straight and Knob Creek Smoked Maple (don’t judge!) are a regular favourite KC is far and away one of my favorites. Yum. The other… maybe only a _little_ judging on this end 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/33 "2017-10-09T19:15:16Z")
Missed the edit window. Damn, those five minutes go by fast. I was just going to say, I’ve tried the Maple but it’s too sweet for my tastes. YMDV, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/34 "2017-10-09T21:08:44Z")
It’s a little hard to get a hold of but I’ve been enjoying the [West of Kentucky Bourbon No. 2](http://sonomacountydistilling.com/west-of-kentucky-bourbon-whiskey/). That being said Knob Creek is by far my favorite commonly available whiskey. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/35 "2017-10-09T23:05:09Z")
I quite like the Jim Beam Bottled in Bond. It is $22 here and a very good value. A relative of mine recommended the Evan Williams white label but I haven’t been able to find it around here. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/36 "2017-10-09T23:18:41Z")
Blanton’s, if you can find it. Few makes an unusual bourbon, its got a little herbal flavor to it. I like it, my husband isn’t as fond of it. (I really like their gin, which is more herbal than pine tree). ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/37 "2017-10-10T04:59:38Z")
> [@K364](#): > > If you want something strong in both taste and proof, try [Booker’s](https://distiller.com/spirits/booker-s-bourbon) Seconded. Not only is it everything a Bourbon should be, Booker Noe himself was quite a character. I loved his product guarantee: _ **“If you are unsatisfied with Bookers Bourbon, return the unused portion and I’ll drink it”.** _ 2nd place Jim Beam white. For the money it’s about as well rounded as you’re going to get. Everything else is also ran and seeing I can get Beam everywhere I see no reason to have anything else. I’ve literally tried dozens of Bourbons and see little point to them. I might try something I’ve never had before, but that’s it. Ezra Brooks is horrible and the name is fictitious. I’ve had Pappy Van Winkle and Old Rip Van Winkle. Cost $35 an ounce at the Jazz Estate in Milwaukee. Both are way over rated. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/38 "2017-10-10T05:54:55Z")
Ah, absinthe. That was a fun recon about a decade ago, when it was relegalized in the U.S. Or whatever the deal was. I’ve got half a dozen or so fancy spatulas for louching the sugar. These days I put them on the cheese plate at parties. For a cheapish but delicious buzz, I can’t recommend Johnnie Walker Swing highly enough. It’s more smooth than the usual Scotch, but not as saccharine as a good brandy, while having a bit of that depth. I’m more or less on the wagon these days, but if I get a yen, it’s for JW Swing. Very nice on the rocks with a lemon twist. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/39 "2017-10-10T06:18:11Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > 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. The flavor profile is made to be diluted and very different from it’s high proof form it needs to be stored at. Dissolved solids come out of solution into suspension and release aromatics. That changes everything and released the ‘green fairy’, it can be a wonderfully intriguing drink. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259/40 "2017-10-10T06:43:50Z")
Depends on OP’s price range but: I don’t know if I’m unsophisticated and it’s kind of an easy drink, but Buffalo Trace is always nice. Plus they’re one of the biggest distilleries that is still pretty independent (via Sazerac). Eagle Rare is nice from what I remember, a bit more $$$. Four Roses also decent. I buy and enjoy Bulleit (because $23 or so for 1.75L at Costco, both bourbon and rye), but won’t pretend that it’s anything other than an [MGP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGP_of_Indiana) product designed to part hipsters with money. Evan Williams if you’re cheap, but not desperate for a plastic bottle. > [@RivkahChaya](#): > > 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. Lots of people don’t like the taste; these people are called Americans. Do you like licorice? I don’t mind it but I’m in the minority here. I’ve only had absinthe once but it was no worse than other anise liquors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-low-on-bourbon-recommend-my-next-tipple/798259.md?page=3)