theguyondacouch

Do you guys have any particular bourbon that you prefer over the others? I've only had Jim Beam and Evan Williams, but so far I really like it. I do prefer the Evan williams though. I prefer Evan Williams because it seems to go down smoother. However it's on its way back up now, and it's not so smooth.

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Halx

Let's make this a discussion. What's your favorite bourbon and WHY?
I will close this thread if it's just a few words per post.

I like Maker's Mark. Damn you King. It's much smoother than the others I've tried. Anyone who complains about harsh whiskey should give it a try.

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World's King

Yes, it is my fault our leader is a drunk. And I don't even remember what bar we were in when I made you drink Maker's? Then again I don't remember much of that week in LA.


Saddly, I drink Jim Beam. It's easy. That's my only reason. I'm not much of bourbon drinker.

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Bacchanal

Maker's Mark if damn good. I don't even remember where I tried it first, but I remember the red wax and it being extremely smooth.

I damn near killed myself on Jim Beam when I was 17-20, so I don't mess with it at all anymore.

Normally if I'm buying, I get Jack Daniels. I don't know why but it seems to be the only whiskey I don't need a chaser to take a shot of. Don't ask me why, because I'm the only one in my group of friends that likes the stuff, let alone doesn't need a chaser with it.

THGL

Not to be a bourbon nazi, but Jack is Tennessee Whiskey, not Bourbon (there is a difference).

My preference is Weller's Special Reserve. It's a 7 yr. old that leans towards the sweet side and is way smoother than a lot of the "top shelf" bourbons. Actually, Weller's Special Reserve used to be considered a "top shelf" before all the fashionable bourbons came out (Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, etc.). So if you want to try it, don't let the lower price scare you away. 7 yr. old Jim Beam used to be my favorite before I found Weller's.

IMO, Maker's regular bottle (red wax) is a good bourbon but not a great one. It's more marketing than anything else.

tspikes51

Being from Bourbon County, Kentucky (which is a WET county, contrary to popular belief), I've tasted many local bourbons. Still, my favorite remains Makers Mark. There are many a billboard around Lexington (which borders Bourbon County) featuring the trademark red wax on different items (eggs, equestrian helmets, and what have you). Also makes a good bourbon ball.

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THGL

tspikes, do you know where Clintonville is? Or better yet, Austerlitz? My family used to own a farm out there (for over 200 yrs. - just sold last Oct.). Oh, the fun that was had out there (no one lived on the property for 20 yrs. or so, so weekend nights during high school/college were a free-for-all!).

Bacchanal

My mistake, good sir. May I officially change my vote to Maker's Mark then?

So I can say I know, can someone tell me the difference? I know they're closely related, but evidently I don't know where the line is.

radioguy

rockhill farms -- VERY SMOOTH, perfect over ice, and a cool little bottle with horse etchings on it. kinda pricey, $40-$50 per 750ml

THGL

From www.straightbourbon.com FAQ's:

1. What is bourbon?
There are strict laws governing just what a Bourbon must be to be labeled as such. For example, at least 51 percent of the grain used in making the whiskey must be corn (most distillers use 65 to 75 percent corn). Bourbon must be aged for a minimum of two years in new, white oak barrels that have been charred. Nothing can be added at bottling to enhance flavor, add sweetness or alter color.

6. Is Jack Daniel's a bourbon?
Jack Daniel's, is not considered a bourbon because it is charcoal-mellowed -- slowly, drop by drop, filtered through sugar-maple charcoal -- prior to aging, which many experts say gives it a different character. The process, called the Lincoln County Process, infuses a sweet and sooty character into the distillate as it removes impurities. But up to and after the charcoal filtering, the Jack Daniel's production is much the same as any other Bourbon. Jack Daniel's and George Dickel are two fine Tennessee Whiskeys though neither can be called bourbon.
--
The different woods that are used (KY - white oak, TN - sugar maple) will provide different flavors to the alcohol. Also, under Central Kentucky is basically all limestone rock, and all the water that filters past it is supposed to pick up minerals and what-not that add to the flavor of Bourbon.

FunkyLamb

If you can find it, A.H. Hirsch 16 year old is the best I've ever tasted.

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tspikes51

Hell yeah, I know where both are. My best friend's (whose User Name is IanSturgill) grandpa lives on Austerlitz Rd., about half a mile from the store there. One of my other friends lives there too, right by the railroad tracks.

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snowy

Another vote for Maker's Mark. It's just tasty!

There's a drink at my local watering hole that the bartender makes with Maker's Mark, soda water, and mint. Very good.

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Tophat665

Different bourbons for different things.

I think Maker's Mark makes the best Bourbon & Ginger.

For sentimental reasons, I prefer Beam White for Whiskey Sours and Shots (Grandpa's bourbon.)

For juleps - Wild Turkey 101.

For sipping neat - Blantons

For sipping over ice (not much ice) - Bookers or Basil Haydens

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LewisCouch

I've drank so many different bourbons it would be embarassing to list them all, so I will just name a couple of my favorites. After all these years, I still enjoy Jim Beam Black label just because it's such a great buy and is really an excellent bourbon. Maker's Mark is usually my choice when dining out. If I'm gonna sit in the easy chair and sip some fine bourbon, I'll drink Knob Creek, Hancock's Presidents Reserve or Jefferson's Reserve. I finished off a bottle of A.H Hirsch 16yr and it was quite good, although very expensive. For everyday cocktails I drink Jack Daniels Single Barrel. I know it's a whiskey, but it's rapidly become one of my favorites.

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samcol

Bourbon has become my drink of choice. I just love it on the rocks. My favorite is Evan Williams. I started drinking it over Jim Beam because it's cheaper, yet I think it tastes better (maybe cause it's aged longer?). So I guess I agree with theguyondacouch, Evan Williams is just so smooth. I bought Early Times or something like that the other day and couldn't stand it. It tasted too sweet. Never thought I'd acquire a taste for bourbon enough to actually be able to tell them apart but I did lol.

I've never had a really exspensive bourbon though.

wraithhibn

While I mostly drink Jim Beam 7 year, I like Woodford Reserve the best. Maker's is a close second though. Kinda hard to get the good stuff on a college student's budget.

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joeb1

I too have tried many different bourbons. I used to be a steadfast Maker's fan. And I still am to some degree. I would rate my favorite Bourbons in this order. These are the easiest to find in my area.

1. Knob Creek- Just simply smooth, no aftertaste, best flavor, on the pricey side of your everyday bourbon. For my palate, still the best.
2. Makers Mark- Used to be my regular drink. Still runs a VERY close second, great flavor, not as smooth as number one. Reasonable price.
3. Bookers - Uncut, good sippin bourbon. Flavor is unique. Pricey.
4. Bakers And Basil Haydens- Gives me heartburn. They are different, but still palatable. The last bottle I had of Bakers was somewhat "chalky". Here they are some of the more expensive small batch bourbons. But still very good.
5. A.H. Hirsch16 yr old. Too damn expensive, but good.
6. Jim Beam- Gives me heartburn.
7. Evan Williams- old reliable, Still hard to beat, but there are better ones out there. But if price is a factor? 6 and 7 are the way to go.
8. Wild Turkey- Just like the bird
9. Woodford Reserve- sorry, not really impressed with it. A bourbon has to stand out, not be so bland.

So I guess you would have to say I am a Beam Fan. Since 1,3,4 (Both),6 are all made by the Beam distillers.

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omega2K4

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit or Wild Turkey Rare Breed are my favorites, they are smooth and very good tasting. I'm not big on bourbon, but those are the 2 I like most (Maker's Mark is very good as well), I'm more of a whiskey and cognac type of guy.

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cj22009

I prefer Wisers 10 year if you have never tried it try it my second choice is Makers Mark they in my opinion are the two best and I have drank alot of whiskey in my time. But the Wisers is the best I have ever had if you think Makers goes down smooth try the Wisers

DDDDave

Wow, great thread.

I must confess, one of my best friends is a VP with Jim Beam Brands and I am partial to their brands but I have tasted most and here are my faves:

1. Knob Creek - with a splash. This my drink when we go out. Easy to drink. Easy to control.

2. Basil Hayden's - for Manhattan's. Can only have one though.

3. Maker's Mark - for shame, it's not a JB product, but it still tastes good.


Got to meet Fred Booker Noe one time. He is the great grandson of Jim Beam.

Have sworn off Bookers (120 proof) for the time being. Something about my car, my friends and a big oak tree that jumped out in front of me.

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Bacchanal

Ah, again..

I didn't know Booker's was bourbon, or else I'd have thrown in a vote for that as well. I've never had it mixed with anything, just on the rocks or as a shot.

hu-man

I've never had a bourbon I liked.
It's all about the single malts for me.

crapshoot

Its all about the Turkey. Rare Breed is by far the best bourbon I have tasted. I prefer it over Jack Daniels Single Barrel (I know Jack is Whiskey). Wild Turkey 101 is a close second...actually 101 is what I normally drink. It is very versatile.

Offkilter

For a special occasion.. Makers Mark it is for me, it's like mother's milk.. kind of expensive tho. I can drink it straight no worries at all..
For a better than average night, or if my friends want to buy me a bottle of something special, I go with Wild Turkey. It mixes well and I can wake up hangover free..
For an average night, I can still be very happy with some Jim Beam White. Anything below that in quality is just not worth it.
If Jack was a bourbon I'd rate it slightly better than Turkey in my books.. and Bookers I've not had often enough to make a good opinion of.. usually it gets pulled out at the end of the night when there's nothing else left and you have to use the 'good stuff' so it's hard to compare with the bourbon you've been drinking all night because you're already too pissed.

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Cynthetiq

jim beam for me.

with coke chilled served in a martini glass. 3 in a row in under 10 minutes.

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tspikes51

So, since Beam has been my drink for the past little while (when beer wasn't convenient), I have made a couple of mixes:

Beam and milk (much better than it sounds).
Beam and Dr. Pepper (my favorite mix of all time, I strongly reccommend it.)
Beam and lemon-lime Gatorade (quite possibly the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted, this coming from a guy who enjoys Bud Light dipped Oreos and deep fried biscuits)

Beam also makes good bourbon balls.

Cynthetiq, my best is a pint (or whatever you call the smaller bottles) in under 30 minutes. I didn't puke either.

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Pragma

One of the only things I drink (and the only boubon) is Wild Turkey 101. I'm not all that rich, so I can't spend too much money on fine alcohol, but Turkey is definitely the drink for me.