I notice no one mentioned Maker’s Mark, an old favorite of mine. Have the cool kids stopped drinking that for some reason?
The cool kids have moved on to Maker’s 46.
I had some makers 46 the other day. Bought it for my Brother I Law who is a Maker’s Fan. It was ok. I’m not sure it was better than a lot of less expensive bourbon, which is how I always end up feeling about Makers. It has no teeth.
Great thread, with a lot of good recommendations. I’ll suggest a couple that haven’t come up yet: Elijah Craig’s small batch and single barrels are both outstanding values – they’re from Heaven Hill – and a Colorado whiskey (it’s not bourbon, but boy it’s good), Stranahan’s.
Wife and I were out to dinner last weekend at our favorite restaurant, sitting at the bar and notice a new bourbon on the rack : ANGEL’S ENVY.
My favorite barkeep allowed me a small sample - smoothest bourbon I’ve ever tried.
I can recommend B&E Bourbon (Breaking and Entering) from St. George Spirits here in California. I gave my sister a bottle & she called a few days later to ask for another: she’d made a drink for a friend & now needed to get a bottle for the friend. May not be easy to find, but I thought I would mention it in case someone comes across it.
I’ve decided that my default advice in any future bourbon thread is going to be:
Bonded. Buy bonded.
I just finished off a bottle of Jim Beam Bonded. Much more character than regular Beam. Old Grand-Dad Bonded is cheap and delicious. Regular OGD is paint thinner. Lather, rinse, repeat. I have yet to encounter a bonded bourbon that I haven’t liked.
Sage advice.
Some of my favorites have already been mentioned, but if you can find Willett’s Pot Still Reserve, it’s well worth your time. Even though you didn’t mention it–Willett’s Four Year Old Rye is some of the best I’ve ever had…