Bourbon and Booze

[NVGator]

I will give it a try. I am reluctant to spend money on something without a good recommendation

is your reluctancy for the 25 year Macallan? If you're speaking of Woodford, most good bars will have it available.

 

[Bullag8r]

is your reluctancy for the 25 year Macallan? If you're speaking of Woodford, most good bars will have it available.

The Woodford. Not the McCallan.

 

[NVGator]

The Woodford. Not the McCallan.

I highly recommend Woodford but like i said, most good bars will have it available.

 

[alcoholica]

You should be able to buy an airplane bottle of Woodford somewhere too to try. I’m not a fan of Woodford Distiller’s Select. Not that it’s bad, but I’ve found other bourbons at that price or cheaper that I like better. If you get a chance to try the double oaked expression of Woodford, I highly recommend

 

[bayou gator]

My current lineup

 

[bayou gator]

In that price range, try Eagle Rare or Henry McKinna 10 year single barrel

Eagle Rare is the way to go. In my opinion there's nothing in its price range that compares

 

[alcoholica]

Eagle Rare is the way to go. In my opinion there's nothing in its price range that compares

I’d put the McKinna 10yr single barrel right there, maybe higher depending on the day. I’d love to try the Russell’s white label at $30 to see how it compare’s.

How do you like the Rowan’s and the Pig?

 

[gooneygoogoo]

I will give it a try. I am reluctant to spend money on something without a good recommendation

My recommendation for figuring out what you like is to buy some entry level offerings from each of the houses and then try them side by side. For example pick up an eagle rare, four roses single barrel, Elijah Craig, rare breed, makers 46. You could buy all of those for less than $200. Then decide which ones you like and why. Once you know which profiles you like best you can get into some of their other offerings.

By the way I’m glad this thread is here. I’m by no means an expert but I have a pretty large collection and am in some bourbon groups and have been fortunate enough to be a part of 4 private barrel selections (bucket list level stuff if you ever get a chance).

 

[gooneygoogoo]

You should be able to buy an airplane bottle of Woodford somewhere too to try. I’m not a fan of Woodford Distiller’s Select. Not that it’s bad, but I’ve found other bourbons at that price or cheaper that I like better. If you get a chance to try the double oaked expression of Woodford, I highly recommend

Good recommendation on the airplane bottles. It’s a great way to go if you want to try before buying.

 

[Alumni Guy]

I just bought a smoker gun. Put the bourbon in a decanter. You can fill the decanter with smoke and stir it around. Yummy!

It's really easy to make a simple syrup. I like an apple cinnamon. Combine smokey bourbon with syrup, it can make a Gators game bearable.

As for bourbons. Makers or woodford for the regular. Blantons when I'm feeling rich.

Cheers

 

[bayou gator]

I’d put the McKinna 10yr single barrel right there, maybe higher depending on the day. I’d love to try the Russell’s white label at $30 to see how it compare’s.

How do you like the Rowan’s and the Pig?

I like Russell's A LOT! I finished a bottle a few days ago. The Rowan's is just OK. I think it lacks flavor and tries to make up for it with heat. I like the Whistle Pig. I think it's overpriced, but it is good.

 

[gooneygoogoo]

As for the OP I think I’d have to put Antique Collection at the top of my list. I don’t think there are any current offerings better than William Larue Weller and George T Stagg is right behind. Limited Edition Four Roses is next in line for me. If you ever have a chance to try the 2012 small batch limited edition it’s amazing. As for daily drinkers I know makers doesn’t get a lot of love but I like the 46. I look for a lot of store picks for mid shelf stuff like eagle rare and Elijah Craig. They’re usually pretty interesting and if you find a good store that knows how to pick em can even be great. Elijah Craig Barrel proof has gotten easier to come by and is a killer deal at around $60. EH Taylor small batch is good for $40. Sorry I didn’t pick just one haha. They’re all so good

 

[gooneygoogoo]

My current lineup View attachment 8080

What do you think of that Yellowstone hiding back there? I’ve passed this far but have almost pulled the trigger several times

 

[bayou gator]

What do you think of that Yellowstone hiding back there? I’ve passed this far but have almost pulled the trigger several times

It is great! I definitely recommend it. Give it a try, and I'm sure you'll like it.

 

[alcoholica]

Store picks are a must. Your success rate is much higher with these. If you have a store with a bourbon fan, they usually have tried them and there is a sample bottle depending on the store.

In G’ville, Dorn’s has bought a couple barrels. Currently they have Stranahan for $40. Better price than anywhere plus a store pick. Just wasn’t my bag.

 

[alcoholica]

I like Russell's A LOT! I finished a bottle a few days ago. The Rowan's is just OK. I think it lacks flavor and tries to make up for it with heat. I like the Whistle Pig. I think it's overpriced, but it is good.

I’d take Russell’s Single barrel over Blanton’s. Love that stuff. Rare Breed is so good too

 

[alcoholica]

My recommendation for figuring out what you like is to buy some entry level offerings from each of the houses and then try them side by side. For example pick up an eagle rare, four roses single barrel, Elijah Craig, rare breed, makers 46. You could buy all of those for less than $200. Then decide which ones you like and why. Once you know which profiles you like best you can get into some of their other offerings.

By the way I’m glad this thread is here. I’m by no means an expert but I have a pretty large collection and am in some bourbon groups and have been fortunate enough to be a part of 4 private barrel selections (bucket list level stuff if you ever get a chance).

Glad you said Maker’s 46, i’m Not a huge fan of regular Maker’s.

For entry level but still good I recommend Larceny for a wheated reference, Wild Turkey for a high rye, Beam Black and Buffalo Trace. That gives them a reference point from the various spectrum points that are reasonable and easy to find. Yours is a good list for the next price point though, real good.

I’d recommend Basil’s to people but it’s hard to find under $40. It’s just not worth $40 to me. But, it’s a nice approachable high rye with a short finish. Great for before dinner

 

[Bullag8r]

So many to try. Anybody else a Single Malt Scotch fan? When I spend more than $50.00 I usually get a Balvenie 12 or the Balvenie14 year Carribean Cask. Talisker and Lagavulin 16 are excellent too

 

[bayou gator]

I’d take Russell’s Single barrel over Blanton’s. Love that stuff. Rare Breed is so good too

Russell's Single Barrel is outstanding, but I think I prefer the Blanton's... but just barely. They're both so damn good. Rare Breed is great, too!

I love bourbon, so it is sometimes hard for me to choose.

 

[bayou gator]

Glad you said Maker’s 46, i’m Not a huge fan of regular Maker’s.

For entry level but still good I recommend Larceny for a wheated reference, Wild Turkey for a high rye, Beam Black and Buffalo Trace. That gives them a reference point from the various spectrum points that are reasonable and easy to find. Yours is a good list for the next price point though, real good.

I’d recommend Basil’s to people but it’s hard to find under $40. It’s just not worth $40 to me. But, it’s a nice approachable high rye with a short finish. Great for before dinner

We must have similar palates, because that's close to the exact thing I'd say. I don't care for Maker's either. I think Basil's isn't worth the price. But I don't think Wild Turkey, or Beam compares to Buffalo Trace. However, I am a big fan of Wild Turkey, but I am a HUGE fan of Buffalo Trace, and love just about everything they pump out of the distillery.