Bourbon

[jwilson625]

but here in NH the difference between Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare 10 is like $3 a bottle. The bar down the street from me actually sells ER cheaper than BT...

Really? Isn't Buffalo Trace simply a younger Eagle Rare? Am I mistaken?

You are correct, and I find it equally confusing...

[GrizzlyAdam]

Correct.

What's the correct $25-50 bourbon?

I swore EH Taylor small batch stood out. But my wife set up a blind taste test, and I couldn't tell it apart from Eagle Rare. I hate myself.

If you can find it, Elmer T Lee is outstanding at $32. For a go-to that's always available, I'd say Four Roses Single Barrel.

[Allentown]

Four Roses Single Barrel.

I'm always confused by this. Isn't Four Roses blended cheaper, and presumably more consistent since they blend a bunch of barrels with different flavor profiles?

[cgeorg]

Four Roses Single Barrel.

I'm always confused by this. Isn't Four Roses blended cheaper, and presumably more consistent since they blend a bunch of barrels with different flavor profiles?

Stuff that makes it into single barrel releases is usually due to those barrels coming out better than others. The other barrels have to be blended to even out their individual flaws. It's actually really tough to put out a consistent fermented and/or aged product. Macro light beer producers have a much harder job than craft micros.

[Hanley]

Correct.

What's the correct $25-50 bourbon?

I swore EH Taylor small batch stood out. But my wife set up a blind taste test, and I couldn't tell it apart from Eagle Rare. I hate myself.

If you can find it, Elmer T Lee is outstanding at $32. For a go-to that's always available, I'd say Four Roses Single Barrel.

I'll look for it. Thanks.

Local store started carrying Johnny Drum. Good stuff.

[Allentown]

Stuff that makes it into single barrel releases is usually due to those barrels coming out better than others.

Oh. Actually, it makes sense now. Not good enough to make it on it's own? Dump it in the bucket.

[bugbomb]

If you can find it, Elmer T Lee is outstanding at $32. For a go-to that's always available, I'd say Four Roses Single Barrel.

I forgot about this one, but heartily second the recommendation.

[mouse]

I have a bottle of Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace, and Woodford Reserve floating around that I don't really drink all that much...

Back when I drank more I was always content with a bottle of Wild Turkey... if it was good enough for Frank Castle it was good enough for me...

[neandrewthal]

Haven't been feeling bourbon very much the last couple of years but I got a hankering for some so I'm starting off simple with Jim Beam Bottled in Bond. I hit a sweet spot with just a few drops of water so I'm not adding any more. It's tasting pretty nice at about 46-48%. When I was in my non-bourbon phase even the Van Winkle 12 year didn't do much for me. This time I'm gonna work my way back up to it. Wasn't really expecting to enjoy the Beam this much (I mainly have it for mixing). I was only expecting it to give my palate a whack to get me prepared for better ones.

[heyitsme]

Actually found W.L Weller Special Reserve in New Zealand (though not as cheap ~ 70 NZD/46 USD) but in the old style bottle. Had a glass yesterday and even if its the lower end of that line of products still really good.

[hsilman]

I've been drinking:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/b ... -8-whisky/

lately. Not bad for $15, and it's fine to mix as well.

[brkriete]

Surprising how good lots of "inexpensive" bourbons are - especially compared to craft beer which is my other alcoholic beverage of choice. I still have part of a bottle of OGD 14 and Wellers Antique 107 both of which were $20ish and are quite good and I also enjoy Four Roses, sub-$20, and Eagle Rare, $25ish. Get a lot more evenings out of that than a 4 pack of IPA for $16-20.

[Allentown]

Get a lot more evenings out of that than a 4 pack of IPA for $16-20.

Or single bottles for $16+

[brkriete]

Those are mostly barrel aged stouts or super duper special and I stay away from them in general, just not my thing, although I do have a bottle of Alesmith Grand Cru sitting in the wine fridge.

[Allentown]

Those are mostly barrel aged stouts or super duper special and I stay away from them in general, just not my thing, although I do have a bottle of Alesmith Grand Cru sitting in the wine fridge.

500ml bottles. I only occasionally get 12oz bottles >$6.

[Jumrobe]

Bought a bottle of Basil Hayden's this weekend since it was $32 a Costco in DE, down from it's usual $40 in PA. I'm sipping it, and can understand the rage for it. Part of it might be that I know it's the same base juice as Old Grand Dad, but this just comes across as uninspiring, particular for the price.

[augeleven]

Agreed. I randomly bought a bottle of Basil and instantly regretted it.

[Hanley]

Agreed. I randomly bought a bottle of Basil and instantly regretted it.

Really. I think it's over-priced but pretty good.

I scored it high on a totally scientifically-valid double blind tasting.

[augeleven]

I felt the flavors were pretty muted.

Now that I think of it, I wonder what bottle I was working my way through before it. It might have been Laphroaig quarter cask, which definitely would have messed with my flavor intensity scale. But I still remember buying and finishing a bottle of Old Crow while I had the Basil Hayden

[windflower]

Buffalo Trace all the way.