# What is a really good bourbon? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 19, 2000, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317 "2000-12-19T07:52:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/21 "2000-12-19T18:51:42Z")
From Jack Daniels’ own FAQ: > [@](#): > > 1. Is Jack Daniel’s a bourbon? > > Jack Daniel’s is not a Bourbon - it’s a TENNESSEE WHISKEY. Jack Daniel’s is dripped slowly - drop by drop - through ten feet of firmly packed charcoal (made from hard sugar maple) before going into new charred oak barrels for aging. This special process gives Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey its rare smoothness. It’s this extra step - charcoal mellowing - which makes Jack Daniel’s a Tennessee Whiskey. I have heard that this difference is enshrined in law, but haven’t been able to find anything in the CFR as of yet to show it. Also, the other brand of Tennessee whiskey is George Dickel, in case anyone cares. I believe that both meet all requirements to be sold as bourbon if they so desired. And, back on topic, I like Wild Turkey 101 myself. ---
**Author:** ![Sn-man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sn-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sn-man)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/22 "2000-12-19T19:51:17Z")
Fighting ignorance, is great, even when you find out you’re the ignorant one. Waterj2, you’re right, Jack is a Tennessee Whiskey. There is a difference. From a quote from my own site in a prior post. “Tennessee Whiskey is not a bourbon, but a straight whiskey made and distilled in Tennessee, also from a fermented mash containing at least 51% of any grain usually corn. Charcoal filtration ensues AFTER distillation where bourbon filtration occurs after maturation. New charred oak barrels are also using in maturation." I should learn to read.🙂 Apologies to all. What we now all know: How the US Government defines a Bourbon. Bourbon is NOT by definition from Kentucky. Bourbon can be made in Tennessee. Jack Daniel’s is NOT a Bourbon. Almost everyone posting to this thread LIKES whiskey. We sometimes like different whiskey. Sn-man starts lining up bottles on the bar. Let’s see, some Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark, JD, Jim Beam, Crown, Bushmill’s, George Dickle, Ten High, Old Forrester, Wild Turkey 101, Knob Creek, Old Crow, Rebel Yell, Old Fitz, that should do for starters. Any other requests? The shots are on me:D ---
**Author:** ![broccoli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@broccoli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/broccoli)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/23 "2000-12-19T20:17:27Z")
you can’t beat JD for price and availability ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/24 "2000-12-19T20:42:21Z")
Sn-Man: You ain’t got no Old Grandad? 😃 that stuff is about the worst of the worst. I like Maker’s and Knob Hill and Bushmills for sippin over ice. For mixing, just about anything will do. Usually Beam or Evan Williams. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/25 "2000-12-20T04:52:30Z")
If you’re searching for a compromise between cheap and good, go with either Maker’s Mark or Knob Creek. Woodford’s Reserve tastes vaguely of paint thinner and is overpriced, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/26 "2000-12-20T05:46:47Z")
I usually stick to Maker’s Mark but am now experimenting with Knob Hill, per a friend’s recommendation. It’s good but not wildly different from MM, IMHO. I once tried a brand called Elijah Craig and enjoyed it. Had a smokier taste than most bourbon – reminded me a bit of the scotch I tried once or twice before reclaiming my Kentucky roots and dedicating myself to bourbon. A respected Kentucky-bred uncle swears by Wild Turkey, and that’s not terribly expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Clark\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@Clark\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clark_K)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/27 "2000-12-20T05:48:07Z")
That should be Knob CREEK, of course. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/28 "2000-12-20T17:29:43Z")
Hello from the heart of Bourbon Country, folks! I can throw a rock and hit at least three distilleries from where I sit. Didn’t the OP’er ask for a good, cheap whiskey? And yet I see a thread full of Knob Creeks, Woodford Reserves and Elijah Craigs? These are cheap? Do you guys light your Cohibas with hunderd dollar bills, too? Sheemanightly. I’ve said it before. I’ll doubtless say it again. My house brand is Ancient Age, and when I’m feeling just a little more flush, Ancient Ancient Age (AAA). AAA is a 10 years old, taken from single barrels of the same batchs as Blanton’s (which costs twice as much). Ike, I’m with you on the Heaven Hill. A little harsher flavor, but I get it occasionally for a nice change. Heaven Hill (located in Bardstown) had a HUGE fire a couple of years ago. Millions of gallons of whiskey went up in bonfire that could be seen for miles. Old Forester is good. Old Grand Dad isn’t cheap around here, nor is Old Fitz. Kentucky Tavern, as I recall, is made in Louisville by the same folks who make Old Forester. Here’s a link to another thread on what makes bourbon, bourbon: [http://fff.fathom.org/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000236.html](http://fff.fathom.org/ubb/Forum7/HTML/000236.html) Tennessee whiskey? whatever. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/29 "2000-12-20T21:28:01Z")
I’m not a huge bourbon fan, so I won’t recommend any bourbon. A moderately-priced bottle of rye whiskey is better (IMHO) than bourbon at the same price. (Cheap rye doesn’t compare to really good bourbon, though). Rye can be a little hard to find, but it’s worth the search. Try Old Overholt, Jim Beam Rye, or Wild Turkey Rye. There are a few other brands made, but I haven’t tried them. Liquor store owners and bartenders will try to sell you Canadian whiskey when you ask for rye. **Do not** accept Canadian as a substiute. At about the time of Prohibition, Canadian really was made with a lot of rye, but in the decades since then, they have started using mostly corn. There may still few a few brands of Canadian whiskey that compare to real rye whiskey, but if there are, I have never tasted them. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/30 "2000-12-26T06:09:02Z")
Evan Williams is usually cheap: only a bit more than generics. I like Ezra Brooks. Elijah Craig is smooth, but usually more than I can afford. Guess I just like the E-guys. ---
**Author:** ![coming\_up\_for\_air](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@coming\_up\_for\_air](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coming_up_for_air)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2000, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/31 "2000-12-26T17:35:12Z")
Bourbon is my least favorite. I can drink Southern Comfort, but only mixed, since it has added sugar. ---
**Author:** ![diamud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@diamud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diamud)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2000, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317/32 "2000-12-27T17:20:52Z")
If you guys like good bourbon (I like JD and Jim Beam myself, but evan williams has too much bite for me), try some good Irish whisky sometime. Very fruity and flavorful, like good bourbon. I would especially recommended Jameson, Jameson 1780 (almost like cognac), and Black Label Bushmills. It is not cheap, Jameson is about 20 bucks a fifth here in FL, but is definitely smooth. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-really-good-bourbon/46317.md?page=1)