The Bourbon Thread!!

[forgop]

Would Blanton's be a good start for a bourbon newb?

I just know that I literally haven't quite shaken the smell of anything resembling Jack Daniels from a bad episode when I was 15 years old to get the idea to try bourbon/whiskey/scotch ever again.

[BengalMan]

Blantons is good, don't know if I'd start with it though. I suggest Eagle Rare to start out with.

[dannysguitar]

Originally Posted by BengalMan

Blantons is good, don't know if I'd start with it though. I suggest Eagle Rare to start out with.

I had some last night for the first time. Great bourbon!

[Matt-N-Ga]

Originally Posted by BengalMan

Blantons is good, don't know if I'd start with it though. I suggest Eagle Rare to start out with.

Either that or some Basil Hayden. For me, it's a light, slightly spicy bourbon

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by forgop

Would Blanton's be a good start for a bourbon newb?

I just know that I literally haven't quite shaken the smell of anything resembling Jack Daniels from a bad episode when I was 15 years old to get the idea to try bourbon/whiskey/scotch ever again.

Jack is sour mash whiskey and has a very unique smell. I don't think bourbon smells like it honestly. You should be fine. Regular Jack is not so good, but I do recommend Gentleman Jack. Tastes completely different, much more mellow and less harsh, not that nasty sour taste either.

All are great starting recommendations. I agree with all of them. I really did like the Eagle Rare 10 Year Single Barrel. Four Roses Single Barrel would be another great start. Both will run you roughly $35 a bottle. So not too pricey, and pretty common.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by Bill86

Jack is sour mash whiskey and has a very unique smell. I don't think bourbon smells like it honestly. You should be fine. Regular Jack is not so good, but I do recommend Gentleman Jack. Tastes completely different, much more mellow and less harsh, not that nasty sour taste either.

All are great starting recommendations. I agree with all of them. I really did like the Eagle Rare 10 Year Single Barrel. Four Roses Single Barrel would be another great start. Both will run you roughly $35 a bottle. So not too pricey, and pretty common.

I know bourbon, whiskey, and scotch are all a bit different, but they all smell close enough alike to me to bring back the memories (and lack thereof in same cases) that involved throwing up cool ranch doritos a lot. (And yes, I've never touched the cool ranch doritos ever since either.

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by forgop

I know bourbon, whiskey, and scotch are all a bit different, but they all smell close enough alike to me to bring back the memories (and lack thereof in same cases) that involved throwing up cool ranch doritos a lot. (And yes, I've never touched the cool ranch doritos ever since either.

I had a similar experience involving cheap whiskey and store brand Dr. Pepper about 10-11 years ago. Until recently I couldn't smell Dr. Pepper without feeling a bit sick.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by forgop

I know bourbon, whiskey, and scotch are all a bit different, but they all smell close enough alike to me to bring back the memories (and lack thereof in same cases) that involved throwing up cool ranch doritos a lot. (And yes, I've never touched the cool ranch doritos ever since either.

Yeah....I have had a few of those stories as well. Jager, goldschalger and any cinnamon liqueur, I cannot even smell them!

Oh man that's brutal even the close smells throw you for a spin, well there's always run and tequila. I guess all you can do is try. Good luck!

[Parshooter]

Originally Posted by forgop

Would Blanton's be a good start for a bourbon newb?
.

Blanton's would be a great start, albiet on the pricey side. Might put Bulliet on your to-try list. Half the price of Blanton's and easy to drink.

[Barcode]

[McSmokey]

OK Bourbon Drinkers of Tennessee, I am leaving Wednesday for my grandmothers house in Tullahoma. Anybody know a good store within say an hours drive of there?

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by forgop

Would Blanton's be a good start for a bourbon newb?

I just know that I literally haven't quite shaken the smell of anything resembling Jack Daniels from a bad episode when I was 15 years old to get the idea to try bourbon/whiskey/scotch ever again.

Blantons may not be he best as a started, it is a very good bourbon but you need to have some experience with bourbons to appreciate Blantons.

To start out with, I suggest Old Fitzgearld, Old Forester, Old Grandad or probably the best choice may be Wild Turkey 101.

[e-man67]

I like Eagle Rare a lot...with that I also drink Buffalo Trace, Old Weller, Woodford, Rittenhouse Rye, WT Rye..I am sure there are others but drinking makes you forget.

[SvilleKid]

I don't think there are any rules as to starter bourbons. I don't think price is a rule when it comes to tastes, personally. There are expensive bourbons out there that I like, but also that I don't like. Same with cheaper bourbons.

Personally, I didn't care for Bullit. Gave the bottle away after two drinks. But, that's me and my tastes. Bourbon will be like cigars. Each will have his own taste, and will drink what he likes. I started liking bourbon with Marker's Mark. Thought it was the best, until I tried Woodford Reserve. Thought it was the best, til I tried Blanton's. Thought it was the best until I tried.... Well, you get the picture! I have had bottles of over two dozen bourbons at a time in the past. Still have over a dozen. I probably enjoy sippin' Conecuh Ridge more than most of them, but it's because, personally, I like molasses, and I get strong hints of molasses from that one, more than any other. But again, it's a personal taste thing!

One thing to note: ALL bourbons go downhill after they are opened. They oxidize. The longer they are open, the more they will lose quality. Thus, you are better served to have only a few bottles opened at a time, drink those up before you open new bottles. I try to finish any open bottles within a year or less. I'm not a nightly drinker, sometimes not even a monthly drinker. Thus, I seldom have more than a couple of bottles open at a time.

The best bet for those new to bourbon is to buy smaller size bottles to get an idea of the specific bourbons. Then, graduate to larger bottles for the ones you like the most. This will be a problem for many of the upper end bourbons, as they usually are bottled in 750 ml only (at least for my state). Good bars, with a good selection of top-shelve bourbons, is a good way to try them one glass at a time. While it may cost you $5- $10 or more for a glass, it's better than $75 or more for a bottle that you then find isn't to your liking.

I would suggest starting with the bourbons "neat". I'm not a fan of diluting bourbon with water. Some people use ice, which gives a "spectrum" of tastes, from almost neat at the start, to maybe half and half at the end as the ice melts. Personally, after I've had a sip or two neat, less bourbon and more water pales, and I lose interest. But, I usually take a good hour to enjoy a couple ounces of bourbon, because I truly sip slowly, and fully enjoy each sip. If I wanted to do shooters, I sure wouldn't recommend anything above $20 a bottle!

Again, all the above is MY preferences. And, just like cigars, those are going to be different with each person. For those looking for answers on the "starter" question, by all means, look at the suggestions here. However, DO NOT be discouraged because you don't find one or more of the suggestions to your liking. And, like cigars, remember, if at first the specific bourbon doesn't bring cheers of joy to your taste buds, don't dismiss it forever. Develop your palette, learn what you like, then go back and give the discarded ones another try. You might like it the second time around.

[rizzle]

Santa dropped me a nice bottle of Blanton's in my stocking Christmas morning. That Santa is a pretty good wife.

[e-man67]

Originally Posted by rizzle

Santa dropped me a nice bottle of Blanton's in my stocking Christmas morning. That Santa is a pretty good wife.

That's funny..I got one too!

Last two bottles I bought where Russel's Reserve (love it) and Makers 46, then was given a bottle of Woodford Reserve for my birthday (still unopened). So I have 3 bottles of bourbon, prob the most I have had at one time LOL. I really don't drink to much so they should last me awhile.

What sucks is every time I see this thread I want to go buy another bottle ha ha.

[Ken]

Originally Posted by rizzle

Santa dropped me a nice bottle of Blanton's in my stocking Christmas morning. That Santa is a pretty good wife.

Nice! A very good pour.

The wife pays attention to me apparently, she handed me a bottle of VWFR 12yr. She said she didn't love me enough for the 23yr. :-(

I was hoping for a gift set of Wild Turkey, I like their glasses that come in the set. I guess I'm going a hunting for some myself.

[akakirby]

I was just wondering if any knows if Pappy Van Winkle sells any of there Bourbon in the little airplane sized bottles, I would love to try some but cannot afford to buy a whole bottle, any of you all ever seen them?

I also got a set of Whisky stones for Christmas I cannot wait to try out!

http://www.teroforma.com/Set_of_9_Wh...nes_20187.html

[McSmokey]

Mrs. Claus left a bottle of George T Stagg in the stocking and a bottle of bakers under the tree.