Bourbon help - Off topic

Gress

Gress

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As much as I like Scotch and Ireland malts, I am somewhat new to bourbons. Lunde's recent topic on Van Winkle 23 y.o. sparked my interest for quality whiskeys, although I decided not to jump on the $369 option :)
So what would you guys recommend me to start with and what to progress with through educational effort (which I am sure I will be enjoying much) to come to the point of going after some of the best bourbons with my full commitment? :D
I am not completely deaf to the bourbons call to order :), though, as I have spent some time with a few ones (Pure Kentucky XO (a full mouth), Maker's Mark (I liked it, but not to the point of looking for it on the shelf), Wild Turkey (bourbon and rye), Jack Daniels (I did not like it honestly..BTW does it qualify as a bourbon?) and Overholt rye) and have a little bit of understanding on the options. However, I seem not to really develop my addiction yet :)
Any advice on what should I do to start spending my money on the bourbons with great sense of purpose and achievement would be much appreciated :)
 
On the better side of things, I'm partial to the Van Winkle 12yr Family Reserve 90 proof. It's extremely smooth with excellent flavor and body. You can still find it if you have a decent shop near your location. I have a bottle of Pappy 20yr Reserve 90 proof which is still unopened.....I haven't tasted any, so I can't speak of it personally. Everyone I've talked to who have, say it's awesome. I paid $49 locally for my 12yr, and I picked up the 20yr for $99. Prices seem to vary from shop to shop. These prices are the cheapes I've found in my local area, and I picked 4 well noted shops to choose between.

For a daily or regular drinkin' bourbon under $50 a bottle.....you can't go wrong with Buffalo Trace or some Knob Creek 9yr 100 proof.
 
This is an excerpt from an email I recently sent to a friend who was looking to get into whisky in general. Links to CA booze stores, sorry.

* Bernheim. The only 100% wheat whisky. $50. Really enjoyable.
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1023013

* In the rye family, the outstanding value is Rittenhouse, which is downright cheap ($20). Yes, it has a screwcap. Who cares. I keep a spare bottle. If you can get it — and you probably can't — Black Maple Hill's 23yo rye is great. Vintage 21 I feel is quite comparable ($85).

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1025603
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1048026

* In the bourbon family, a great starting point is Bulleit, at $22, or Eagle Rare ($25 at Beltramos). Above that I really enjoy Elijah Craig 18 ($50), though some don't share my enthusiasm. At the top of the heap… any of the Pappy van Winkles, Parker 27 ($200), Hirsch. The list goes on.

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1011284
http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1005102

Some of the recent Four Roses offerings are good too.
 
Some I like: Bulleit, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek.

Bulleit is a best buy, and as good as the others IMO.
 
Try these as well -
Elijah Craig 12 Years Old
Knob Creek 9 Years Old
Elmer T. Lee
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Pappy 15 & 20
 
Woodford Reserve (good stuff and 10 min from my house)
Four Roses yellow label nice and cheap
Pappy 12, 15 and 20
Buffalo Trace
 
I love bourbon! When all else fails I go with the Old Grand-dad's but Knob Creek, Bulleit, Makers Mark, Van Winkle. Well heck to be honest just about anything aside from Jim. I will send back regular ol Jim if Its given to me. I think it tastes like stink bugs.

There is a restaurant near me that specializes in New Orleans cuisine and they have a great selection of Bourbon, and great food too. The place is called Pearl's.

Try Knob Creek its not to pricey and very good.
 
I spent the better part of three years trying at least one bottle of (essentially) *every* Bourbon and Rye out there, and out of the many I've bought and tried I now stock 20 different Bourbons and Ryes in my bar which I enjoy and share regularly.

Here are six that I absolutely love:

Straight Ryes:

* Sazerac Rye (often called Baby Saz, 6yrs old, with a candied sort of taste that I find delicious. The best value amongst the Ryes, IMO. ~$30/750ml)

* Thomas Handy Rye (barrel strength, limited annual release from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. chewy delicious goodness. ~$70/750ml)

Rye'd (or Rye-heavy) Bourbons:

* Elmer T Lee Single Barrel (considered a dessert bourbon by some, sweet but not syrupy, and one of my all-time favorites. ~$30/750ml)

* Old Grand Dad 114 (tied with Booker's for best expression from the Beam folks, IMO, and an amazing value with tons of delicious flavor. ~$30/750ml)

Wheated (or Wheater) Bourbons:

* Weller 12yr (an excellent combination of age, flavor, and price, IMO. it's a great example of the wheaters, with a great complex flavor. ~$30/750ml)

* Van Winkle 12yr "Lot B" (amongst the most approachable/drinkable bourbons of any sort. truly delicious, and reasonably available. ~$40/750ml)

enjoy.
 
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and no, despite the fact that it is the best selling (aka most popular) whiskey in the whole world... Jack Daniels is not Bourbon... it, and George Dickel, are Tennessee whiskeys (which are quite similar, but different). personally, I prefer Dickel Barrel Select amongst the Tennessee offerings.

the most popular (and wholly incorrect) answer to the question "what Bourbons do you have?": Jack and Crown. Grrrrrrr.
 
No expert by any means but I enjoy Basil Hayden which is a bit on the lighter side. Booker's is really good as well.
 
Thanks for the direction, guys.
Please keep more good bourbons coming. BTW I was at Beltramos today and after looking at my bourbon choices due to my bourbon ignorance (which I am trying to fix with your guys help) ended up with a usual scotch :)
 
BTW this is from http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/newbs/vw/website3.nsf/PagesByName/Home?opendocument
Joint Venture
In June, 2002 we entered into a joint venture with the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Buffalo Trace now produces the whiskey for the Old Rip Van Winkle brands. They also bottle our whiskeys. Buffalo Trace also produces the W.L.Weller bourbons. That label was originally produced by Pappy Van Winkle. Van Winkle brands will continue to follow our original wheated recipe for our bourbons.
----------------------
Why did they do it?
 
Gress said:
BTW this is from http://www.oldripvanwinkle.com/newbs/vw/website3.nsf/PagesByName/Home?opendocument
Joint Venture
In June, 2002 we entered into a joint venture with the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Buffalo Trace now produces the whiskey for the Old Rip Van Winkle brands. They also bottle our whiskeys. Buffalo Trace also produces the W.L.Weller bourbons. That label was originally produced by Pappy Van Winkle. Van Winkle brands will continue to follow our original wheated recipe for our bourbons.
----------------------
Why did they do it?
Click to expand...

there are only (currently) six Bourbon distilleries... as such - all brands and expressions come from one of the same six distilleries... so perhaps the question is - why not Buffalo Trace? ;)

previously the VW and Weller product was distilled at the Stitzel-Weller facility, where Pappy Van Winkle (the man, pictured on a few of the bottles) used to be the Master Distiller.

once the SW facility closed they had to move operations.

more or less...
 
Excellent advice here - like everyone else said cant go wrong with:

Knob Creek
Woodford Reserve
Bulleit
Buffalo Trace

I think Knob Creek has the best "taste" out of the lot.

If you want SUPER bang for the buck, try Old Weller Antique - its bottled by Buffalo Trace and is not bad for the money...
 
At under $30 a bottle, Evan Williams Single Barrel is one of the best booze values going. But I'm perfectly happy with plain old Jim Beam or even Rebel Yell.

And I really don't understand the "off topic" tag on this thread. This is the Busse forum, after all.
 
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