Only @ $55 dolars for 1.75 litters, but this is some of the best bourbon I’ve ever had! It was certainly the most unique.
Notes of Licorice, currant, and dare I say, meringue? Exceptionaly smooth as well. The bottle I sampled was at 94proof, and I hardly noticed. Didn’t need any water to mellow it or open it up.
Do yourself a favor and get some!!![/quote]
Have never heard of the Willet. Will be checking with the local source who seems to be able to get in just about anything.
For a really good bourbon, check the Elijah Craig 18. Very good price for a very smooth whiskey. Apologies, I’ve plugged it before in this thread. Don’t waste your time on the 12. It’s good only for mixing if you’re into that type waste of whiskey.
[quote=hungryjoe;2427917]Have never heard of the Willet. Will be checking with the local source who seems to be able to get in just about anything.
For a really good bourbon, check the Elijah Craig 18. Very good price for a very smooth whiskey. Apologies, I’ve plugged it before in this thread. Don’t waste your time on the 12. It’s good only for mixing if you’re into that type waste of whiskey.
The Elijah Craig 12 is my every day sipper! (a tiny touch of water will tame that ruthless beast, but I like it strait anyways.) Actually pulled a 60 hour bender with that stuff last weekend.
Though I agree, the 18 is EXCEPTIONAL whereas the 12 is just a damn good deal!
[quote=Mr. Machette;2386175]Try the Glenrothes Special Reserve. @ $40 for 750ml.
A great taste of Speyside, and very proper introduction to the Glenrothes.
Also, the Glenlivet Nadura 16 is much better than the standard 12. Cask strength, so a little water should be added, but the straight to cask bottling ensures that all the best flavors are still present when you consume it. Two tumblers up! (I’m not a huge fan of the Glenlivet 18, very light, grainy and burny.)
If you haven’t tried the Glenfidich yet, get yourself a bottle of the 12. Similar profile to the Chivas, but much more prominent flavors. And if you like that try the 15 Solera from Glenfidich. Bourbon, and Sherry cask aged, then finished in a rum Solera vat. Lots of flavors, all of them good![/quote]
I’ll second the Glenrothes. Glenfidich is definitely one of the best easily-found bottles at many bars.
I’m still struggling to find good bourbon but that’s duebto where I an and not duebto where I’m searching. I’m looking forward to branching out.
Glenfiddich is generally a good bet I say, it won’t win that many awards but you’d have to try hard to find a crap bottle and personally I think it should be a regular on everyone shelf.
Search over. This is my favorite bourbon. I had them order it where I tend bar and we can’t keep it on the shelf.
It’s got a good smokey flavor without too much sweet. Also, it’s a bourbon that is often enjoyed by people who don’t think they like bourbon because most of their experience with it has been Maker’s Mark.
Cheers JP, I’m familiar with that brand by name and will certainly check it out soon. There’s just nothing like it near me to pick up off the shelf where I am. I’ll have to nut up and use the web I think.
Becouse of the key part bourbon plays in whisky making I really want to find out more about it.
The best bourbon’s out there, as far as my preferences go are:
Bulleit
Basil Haden’s
Booker’s
Michter’s
Buffalo Trace
If you’re going to go through all the trouble of mail ordering this stuff, it might be good for you to check out a few of the small batch distillers out there. I haven’t had a chance to sample them, but it’s on the list.
There’s a whiskey show that comes through NYC every year and I keep meaning to attend it.
The key part bourbon plays in whiskey making?
You mean in the history of American Whiskey as a whole? Or are you talking about the 51% sour mash that is required for a whiskey to be considered a bourbon?
Search over. This is my favorite bourbon. I had them order it where I tend bar and we can’t keep it on the shelf.
It’s got a good smokey flavor without too much sweet. Also, it’s a bourbon that is often enjoyed by people who don’t think they like bourbon because most of their experience with it has been Maker’s Mark.[/quote]
Good call. Can vouch for the Bulleit. Reasonably priced and good over a little ice.
On the Scotch. The Naddura 16 is one of my all time favorites. A little more on the pricey end, but well worth it if it’s just you and perhaps a good friend. Don’t waste this excellent whiskey on those who don’t appreciate a good glass of fine aged liquid gold from the land of whiskey gods.
Good bang for the buck. One of my all time favorite bourbons for it’s price range. A good alternative to the Bulleit.[/quote]
I think, for a manhattan, that Knob Creek is a fine choice. But if you’re going to be drinking it neat or with ice, that the flavors of the Bulleit and Knob Creek are too dissimilar.
Part of the reason the Knob Creek makes a better manhattan is because it’s sweeter than Bulleit.
[quote=JP;2428364]The key part bourbon plays in whiskey making?
You mean in the history of American Whiskey as a whole? Or are you talking about the 51% sour mash that is required for a whiskey to be considered a bourbon?[/quote]
Lots of my favourite Scotch is aged in bourbon barrells and sometimes the of the original bourbon can come through with some very nice results. For example Laphroiag get their barrells from Jack Daniels and in some years traces of the Jack can come through. It works out very well and I think it’s only fair to explore into bourbons more.
I’ve taken note of what you guys have listed and will report back when I’ve found some.
[quote=Kovacs;2428576]Lots of my favourite Scotch is aged in bourbon barrells and sometimes the of the original bourbon can come through with some very nice results. For example Laphroiag get their barrells from Jack Daniels and in some years traces of the Jack can come through. It works out very well and I think it’s only fair to explore into bourbons more.
I’ve taken note of what you guys have listed and will report back when I’ve found some.[/quote]
I didn’t know that about Laphroiag.
Can’t stand the stuff, and I really, really tried.
What I’ve learned from all that trying is that generally, I prefer an Irish whiskey or a bourbon to a scotch pretty much ever single time.
The best bourbon’s out there, as far as my preferences go are:
Bulleit
Basil Haden’s
Booker’s
Michter’s
Buffalo Trace
[/quote]
Due to the fact that I love Basil Hayden, Booker’s, and have enjoyed Buffalo Trace, I’ll call this an outstanding list. It looks like its time for me to try Bulleit and Michter’s!
[quote=JP;2429808]I didn’t know that about Laphroiag.
Can’t stand the stuff, and I really, really tried.
What I’ve learned from all that trying is that generally, I prefer an Irish whiskey or a bourbon to a scotch pretty much ever single time.[/quote]
Not feeling the peaty smoke and salt air eh’?
Islay is definitely a distinct style. If your tastes run towards the grainy like Bullit, I can see how something as intensely smoked as the Laphroig would be off putting.
You might enjoy The Bowmore though. It is the most balanced and least “Islay” of the Islays. Or just go for a Highland instead, those will be the Scotches closest to your preferred profile.
In addition to Bowmore, I’d recommend Bunnahabhain. I just can’t do the islay peaty smoke thing, and find Laphroig to be the least palatable of all Scotch, style-wise. I pretty much don’t like Islays. Except for those two exceptions. Bunhahabhain is one of my favorites, right up there with the Glenrothes.
I had a bottle of “Finlaggan Old Reserve”, which is basically just off batches of Lagavulin, and it tasted just like the way hot dogs roasting over a campfire at the beach smells.
if you’re into that type waste of whiskey.