I haven’t explored blended or vatted malts very much, but I did recently partake in some Johnnie Walker Blue Label for the first time. All I have to say is that the notion that blends are somehow by definition inferior to single malts is a load of hooey.
For bourbons, Woodford Reserve is my favorite, although Jack Daniels Single Barrel is quite impressive, too.
I will also stand by my ryes, and claim that Old Overholt is one of the best whiskey deals out there. Here in Chicago, Sam’s Wine and Spirits stocks it for less than $12 a fifth. And rye whiskey is pretty manly, too. It’s what you’d expect an old hard-nosed 40s-era newspaper editor to keep stashed in his desk.
My long lost brother! Old Overcoat and Van Winkel Family Reserve Rye are the only two liquors that I make sure that I always have on hand. The Overholt is for me and the Van Winkel is for guests who might be put off by the, um, cheap nature of OO. Of course, some of these guests don’t really know what to make of old-school rye but that’s their problem.
I think Old Overholt is criminally overlooked and an wonderful example of the snob pricing at work in the bourbon market. That said, when I’m out and can’t get rye. Basil Hayden or Knob creek both have a bit of rye spiciness to them that will do.
I’ve been drinking1792 Ridgemont Reserve Small Batch Bourbon and Elijah Craig 12 year old Bourbon ( 750ML $17.99 at Binny’s not the $50 shown in that URL). The 1792 It has a spicey character that is especially nice in Manhattans, while the Elijah Craig is something I like straight. It is very smooth without being boring.
I have a nice single malt scotch that was the first scotch I ever tasted. Its flavor is mainly a smoky chocolate flavor. I then went out and bought some Cutty Sark to make mixed drinks with. It has a lot of the same smoke and chocolate notes, but is not as smooth or as cleanly flavored as the single malt. I think it will be nice in a Rob Roy.
I just discovered a lovely scotch today doing a flight at a local pub - the Dalmore’s Cigar Malt is just fabulous. I like it - very sweet undertones, incredibly smooth and just generally a nice bottle of scotch.
I also keep a bottle of Johnnie Walker Red for mixing (I’m sorry, I like godfathers and scotch and soda) and a bottle of Maker’s Mark for sipping. Johnnie Walker back is quite smooth and pleasant, and usually what I’ll order in a bar failing anything else when I’m in the mood for neat scotch. I like Jameson quite a bit - it’s got an almost apricot-like flavor going for it, while Bushmill’s comes off a little sharp and sour for my taste.
I like Macallan and some of the other more peaty single malts like Talisker.
This is because I was brought up in a family of quick eaters and quick drinkers, and this means when I have some comestible put in front of me, I just chug through it, finishing well before anyone else in my social circle.
So I drink scotch that makes me think I’ve fallen face first in a peat bog. It can only be sipped slowly in order to be tolerable. It is also quite enjoyable once you acquire the taste. Perfect for social occasions.
My favorite bourbon is Buffalo Trace. Very smooth and flavorful, plus it’s reasonably priced. They make a BBQ sauce which is freakin’ crack. A small taste of it isn’t enough, and I have difficulty restraining myself from drinking the bottle straight, it’s that good.
Well, Tuckerfan, what a b*****d you are! You tout a yummy bourbon and then I go to the website and get a Sorry this product is not available in the area you live message. Dammit. The website is so good, the info on how they make it is so right on the money (tho the proof could be a little higher) and what do I find out? I CAN’T HAVE ANY.
Did I mention that I have a fondness for corn juice squeezed through charcoal and aged in oak barrels? Oh. I did. Well, I guess I have to order a bottle online now.
Stay away from the BBQ sauce if you can’t get it in your area! I’m telling you that stuff is like crack. The first time I bought some, I got home and cracked the bottle open, stuck my finger in it to sample it (so I’d have an idea of what it would go good with) and immediately began digging in the fridge for anything I could stick in the bottle, carrots, cheese, it didn’t matter, it was all good! One nip, and you’ll be drooling like Homer Simpson.
You really are rotten Tuckerfan. First you talk about a tasty bourbon I can’t have and then you start talkin’ barbeque sauce. Well, guess what? You don’t get my recipe for Must Eat More Ribs. That’s right. So there. Nyah!
My favorite bourbon is I.W. Harper. Unfortunately, I think it’s export-only for the most part, and hard to find in the US (even though it’s US-made :smack: )
Are you in Chicago? Don’t search by Zip Code, search by state and city. There’s four places listed that stock it.
Sam’s Wine’s and Spirits (of course. First place you should look for any alcohol)
1720 N. Marcey Street
Chicago, IL 60614
Binny’s Beverage Depot
213 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60610
312-332-0012 grand@binnys.com http://www.binnys.com
I was gifted a bottle of Sherry Cask Aged Canadian Club a few Xmases ago. Now that was smooth…certainly smoother than most Canadian, which I don’t generally care for.
You inspired me to try Old Overholt. It has a spiciness that I think will go well in Manhattans, and it has a clean finish that makes it pleasant to sip straight. It lacks some of the complexity of the 1792, but stands well on its own and is half the price of the 1792!
Well, after a horribly depressing week, an online friend of mine in Kentucky, a fellow toy and comic collector who just happens to be a fellow unhappy lawyer, MAILED ME a bottle of Maker’s Mark! I had recently mentioned enjoying my first taste, and he took a lot of pride because he’s a native Kentuckian, plus he empathizes with my stupid career choice. So whooey, I got fine Kentucky bourbon as a gift via UPS, and the weekend is about to get a little more tolerable.
Go rye! I’m all about spreading the rye whiskey love. You may also want to try the Jim Beam Rye. While I definitely prefer Old Overholt to Beam Rye, there’s some rye afficianados I know that claim the Beam is better. I think they’re nuts, but tastes are personal, so give it a shot (so to speak.) I think rye will one day regain the element of “cool,” but for the time being, let’s just enjoy the best whiskey bargain out there.
