Need some input on a quality whisky or what have you

I actually had some of that Texas Tito's "beveridge," liked it big time, while i was conscious.

I like the Ketel One mixed with some of the local queen creek dirty martini olive juice, available down the road a ways, though.

SpyderPhreak said:
Around here, Vodka = Tito's (but I still like my Ketel One).
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azshaman said:
Well, I won't try to tell you that this gal moved to Colorado for the whiskey, but I respectfully put Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey right up there with some of the best I've ever had. I like Tito's for vodka, and my taste is scotch is as wide and varied as the occasion for drinking it. Life is about experiences, and I think trying things until you develop a favorite is a great way to go.

I enjoy a good cognac almost any time. For awhile, that was Martell Cordon Bleu.
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I'm sceptical of anything branded "Colorado Whiskey"... It's been mentioned a couple or more times in this thread, but I cannot ignore the suggestion of someone who I know has such refined taste in knives and firearms. You are dead-on with both. Ed Brown and Infi go together like... well... Ed Brown and Infi. :D

I will try this "Colorado Whiskey"... :thumbup:


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if it's scotch...i do like the Macallan 12. add more years and it gets smoother. as someone else posted, the Balvenie Doublewood is excellent. i prefer the Balvenie to the Macallan. My favorite Balvenie is the Carribean Cask.

If it's bourbon...which i actually prefer now...for some reason, less heartburn for me...it would be the Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. oh, and be careful...a lot of the good bourbons are 120 proof.

Me though? i like the rum. the Mount Gay Extra Old is fantastic. Too pricey to be a daily drinker though. I like the standard Mount Gay best of the mass produced rums.

everyone has their favorite though. so, it's all trial and error really until you find something you like. that's half the fun! enjoy.
 
I don't think I've ever seen a thread get so many posts so quickly in the Busse forum. Not even about the NMFSH, Ganzas, anything.

Good job, lisantica :thumbup:
 
If you like the 12 year try the 18.
Other whiskey recommendations:
Irish- Red Breast
Bourbon- cant beat Bulliet for the price. Wood ford Reserve and Basil Hayden's also great for the price. Of course you can't go wrong with the Pappy Van Winkles.
Canadian- don't bother.
 
Btw, Polishing off my third Titos and vitamin water (I know but it helps with the hangover) right now.:thumbup:
 
Lisa, if you drink Gin, there is the amazing brand Called Bluecoat, its distilled in small batches here in Philadelphia (where I'm from). I don't think you'll be able to find any on the west coast.. if you'd like, maybe we can work something out..

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;)

"Bluecoat is an American Dry Gin, unique in flavor profile and unsurpassed in character, five times distilled in the birthplace of America - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Bluecoat American Dry Gin is craft distilled using organic juniper berries, giving it earthy, spicy juniper notes. When combined with a proprietary blend of organic American citrus peels and other organic botanicals, the result is a gin worthy of the term American Premium.

Bluecoat is distilled in a custom-built, hand-hammered copper pot still. A true batch distillation, the process calls for extremely slow heating of the pot, which allows for maximum separation of alcohols. Impurities are discarded, leaving only the purest, most flavorful alcohols. The result is a spirit that is intensely smooth and invigorating.
No additives and all natural, organic botanicals and batch distilled, Bluecoat American Dry Gin is a revolutionary spirit that is distinctive and superior in character." - from their website

"An outstanding gin that is a sharp departure from the usual. Skillfully made, a creative blending of spices and flawless execution in distillation. Don't let the low price fool you - this is a top notch gin -better than some that cost twice the money and is cheaper than many in the premium catagory. We are seeing a new frontier in gin. One of the best gins I have had -ever. If I could I would replace my blood with this. "
Spirits Review
 
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If you like single malt with a bit of smokey taste, try something from Islay Scotland. In my opinion nothing beats a Lagavulin 16 years. But the others from there are great as well. Try Laphroig, Ardbeg, Bowmore and Caol Ila.
 
If you like that version of Willet, which is very good, you should get your hands on one of their barrel strength offerings from the Party Source. Private stock selections and off the charts good. Try their 17 yr old @ 143.7 proof. You will start to understand.
Cheers...
 
Jaxx said:
The good thing about booze is that it rarely goes bad.
Other than that, I have no suggestions as I don't drink much and hate most brown liquor with the exception of rum. :)
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I guess it depends on your definition of "bad". If it was stored, sitting up like in the picture, then it should be OK. But, if it was stored on it's side like wine, then that could effect the taste. Here are some suggestions for storing Scotch, or other whiskeys.

1. Keep your whisky in a cupboard - or liquor cabinet. The key is to keep it OUT of the sunlight. If the Scotch came in a 'presentation type' box and if you can't keep it tucked away in the dark, then just keep it in the box or tube since it is designed to protect the whisky.

2. Temperature - what's ideal? First, don't expose it to extremes of temperatures and second, keep it at what's known as 'cellar temperatures' - which is between 65 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18.3 - 19.4 Celsius. Now we realize not everyone has a the opportunity to store it in 'cellar like temps', but it is considered the ideal way to do it.

3. Store whisky in an upright position - you want to keep the Scotch AWAY from contact with the cork.
 
Lisa, if you like collecting and fancy a go at some of the Malts which are likely to be very palatable for you and might still be found ... look for the Speyside Malts ... they are not as peaty as the Islay Malts and some are legendary for their smoothness and senational flavours. Tamnavulin is a Speyside Malt which had the distillary "mothballed" for a good few years ... it is back in business now but it will be a few years yet before the aged Malts are back on the market ... the old bottles therefore need to be hunted down and the mellow vibrant flavours of the Whisky make them highly sought after. For a long time this was my favourite.

For Jaxx or anyone who fancies something different you should try and get some 12 year old Glen Kella Malt Whisky from the Isle of Man. This is clear and has a unique taste ... very akin to the mild Speyside Malts ... but unique and different ...

I prefer the softer mellow Malts to the intense Islay Malts ... for that reason I also like the Irish Malts ... Tullamore Dew is a great choice for an Irish Malt.

Port is another great drink to savour. Dow's do some fantastic aged Ports. Trying your year of birth is well worth it. Their 1963 for me was superb.:thumbup:
 
Sounds like there are some drinkers in here! I feel like a weirdo because after four pages, no one has mentioned one of my favorites, Gentleman Jack. Granted it's more expensive than say JD or JB, but it's definitely a huge step up. The best part is most bars will have it as opposed to Van Winkels and the ilk. That's probably how I developed a taste for it.

At any rate, for beginners going through this thread looking to pick up a few pointers, I really want to stress that your tasting technique is arguably even more important than the booze you choose to drink. What good is a $100 bottle of whiskey going to do if you don't know how to taste it properly to appreciate why it's priced the way it is? This is the method I use:

1. Pour 1/2 an ounce of whatever you want to taste in a glass. Do not smell the spirit or the glass.

2. Take a very small sip (about 1/4 of what you poured or 1/8th of an ounce). Keep that sip in the front of your mouth with your mouth closed. Don’t trap the sip on your tongue, let it naturally run off your tongue to the front of your mouth, gums, under the tongue, etc. Do not swish or agitate the sip.

3. Do a slow twelve count while letting the spirit sit in your mouth. Only breath through your nose while you do this, and do not open your mouth.

4. After twelve seconds, your sip should now have combined with a fair amount of saliva and you should be able to draw it back in a series of 4-5 small swallows.

5. Once you’ve done your swallows, exhale and breathe normally.

Next comes the magic:

6. Pick up your glass and smell the spirit. There should be no alcohol burn and you should be able to clearly smell the aromas in the glass.

7. Take another sip of the spirit and swallow it naturally. You’ll notice a significant change in the taste of the spirit.
 
I have always been a fan of the 12 year aged Jamison irish whiskey. Now that might be due to the fact im Irish or that its about all I drink anymore but hey I like it.
 
Midleton very rare is a blended Irish Whiskey - The best Ive had - Expensive at about 135.00 per bottle
 
Woke up to some more amazing replies, thank you!
Here's the kicker, I've probably had 10 martinis in my life, which is why i have the Bombay gin.
I've probably had 8 shots of the whisky in the 5 or so years I've had that bottle.
I have some type of allergy to alcohol, my doctor says its an adverse reaction, it's a bummer because I like the idea of enjoying a spirited beverage.
I started this thread because I want to sample some quality spirits and it's good that everyone has their opinions, it gives me more to look into.
Also, I appreciate the tasting technique outlined above, thank you.
 
That whisky in your bottle should be still good: it's not a liquor that ages in the bottle. Just keep it in the dark.
I particularly enjoy the Dalwhinnie whisky, a scotch single malt. A glass of that, pure or with ice: feels like a warm heaven :)
 
kdstrick said:
I'm sceptical of anything branded "Colorado Whiskey"... It's been mentioned a couple or more times in this thread, but I cannot ignore the suggestion of someone who I know has such refined taste in knives and firearms. You are dead-on with both. Ed Brown and Infi go together like... well... Ed Brown and Infi. :D

I will try this "Colorado Whiskey"... :thumbup:


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One thing I will say is that Stranahan's CO "whiskey" drinks much more like a single malt. No kidding. It really surprised me!!!

ETA:
PatrickKnight said:
I have always been a fan of the 12 year aged Jamison irish whiskey. Now that might be due to the fact im Irish or that its about all I drink anymore but hey I like it.
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I just picked up some of that recently for an Irish-themed party. It surprised me, and I quite liked it!
 
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just for clarification- I find that there are many different types of whisky commonly available in the U.S.: straight whisky, bourbon whisky, canadian whisky, scotch whisky just to name a few.
Would it be pertinent when recommending a specific brand to state what type it is?
As someone less educated in these matters, is there significant difference in taste from one type to the other? more difference from brand to brand or more difference from type to type?
 
Okay...so I just tried a sip of the whisky, it burned going down and made my tongue tingle, does that seem right?
 
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