Bourbon Low Level Alarm is now clear

blind99

@ssqual612 that cocktail sounds like a manhatten but with st germain instead of vermouth.  sounds awesome, can't wait to try it.

I'm partial to plain old makers mark in a manhattan.  eagle rare is a great value.  I had some orphan barrel rhetoric 23 recently, whoa that is good stuff

Thatgrimguy

RRP said:

Excuse my naivity, but I just read a 5 year old review about Maker's 46 saying it has a vanilla and Carmel taste...2 of my favorite tastes. Is that still a good description? If so I can see a bottle in my future. Thanks in advance! 

@rrp Makers 46 is my very favorite. It's definitely worth buying a case. Or I guess a bottle is a fine start. But a glass? You'll need more of this fine liquid!!

pgprescott

I agree with blind. A Manhattan is a great intro to bourbon. 

Teefus

Makers Mark fan here. Sometimes I think I keep their stock price up 

dmchicago

The current armada. 

dmchicago

We've been making these:

For the Campari Ice Cubes

3⁄4 oz. Campari

2 oz. water

For the Cocktail

2 oz. bourbon

1 oz. sweet vermouth

Orange bitters

Orange twist, for garnish

Instructions

Several hours before serving, mix together Campari and water and freeze in a square ice mold. When frozen, make the cocktail: Place 2 Campari ice cubes in rocks glass. Pour all ingredients over ice cubes and garnish with a wide orange twist. Stir the drink to start the ice melting.

Acn

Where is everyone getting these bastardized manhattans?  Manhattans should be made with rye.

GrateEggspectations

Here's one for @lousubcap. My wife bought this for me years (5-8??) ago while on travel. It remains unopened. I understand that this small batch bourbon had an ardent following but was ultimately discontinued (around 2012?) and that they may have increased in value. It appears to be quite well-rated. Any other info you can provide?

Kent8621

what is a good starter bourbon?  we are having some friends in town, not sure if they are bourbon drinkers and want to get something easy drinking for them.  I am not a big bourbon drinker, but I have never turned away a drink that has alcohol, that would be rude .

dmchicago

I think Maker's Mark is a good choice. 

pgprescott

Woodford reserve is a smooth easy drinker too. Makers is a good choice too and available almost everywhere. 

shtgunal3

I prefer a good Islay Scotch. Laphroig is my go to. Lagavulin is great too but almost twice as much for a750. If I’m buying bourbon I go with Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace.

pgprescott

Lagavlin is worth double the price of Laphroig IMO. Neither are what I would call a starter. Although I have met a few drinking buddies who really take to the Islay straight away. 

shtgunal3

Ardbeg is another good scotch. @pgprescott I agree that none of these would be starters

lousubcap

@Kent8621- the challenge as presented is "we are having some friends in town, not sure if they are bourbon drinkers and want to get something easy drinking for them.  I am not a big bourbon drinker, but I have never turned away a drink that has alcohol".  
Bourbon (brown water), like the blonde water is an acquired taste.  If they are not into dark water distilled spirits then I'm not sure there is a brand that will ease them into the taste.  If you want to just toss something out there that has close to world-wide recognition I would go with Maker's Mark as mentioned above by @dmchicago.  The wheat build is definitely a more easily acceptable flavor profile as an introduction. 
I don't think you naturally jump into the deep end of the bourbon pool.  I'm sure your offerings will be very well received.  Enjoy the reunion with friends.  

lousubcap

@GrateEggspectations - I have no personal experience.  So, if you have exhausted the inter-web then as usual, I am of no value here.  I would offer that if it was/is any good and discontinued then there may be an increase in value, questionable about the flavour (a nod to your heritage) profile.  But who knows.  
Here's something to consider, the brown water acceleration started in the mid 2000's so most every supplier has ridden that upward curve since then.  If you decided to discontinue in the face of the growth...  Perhaps they were bought out... Sorry for that lack of anything worthwhile.  Just open it up and decide...  FWIW-

RRP

Once again I saw proof of the adage that it pays to shop. Granted I could shop the Internet, but I like to support brick and mortar businesses!

I didn't specifically go shopping today, but since I was driving by I stopped at a local liquor store which advertises frequently and extensively. It used to have the best selection and prices in Peoria. I say "used to"! They wanted $40 for 750 of Makers 46. Then at Kroger the price was $36 and their case price was $31. Before I buy any I want to shop 2 others which I'm sure will give me yet higher and lower price points and yes I will be buying at the lowest!

pgprescott

Sams has it too @RRP

lousubcap

@RRP - great prices and way to shop as once it's in the bottle nothing changes but the bottom-line $$ charged. 

RRP

Sam's? Hmmmm, I never even thought of them as at least in P-town their liquor & wine prices aren't even competitive with locals - same way with Wally World! Me thinks those Arkansas ka-zillionaires are too proud! 
Hey...how about Costco? They sell these higher priced brands? 

northGAcock

I always keep a little bourbon on hand.

GrateEggspectations

@northGAcock: Although I enjoy JD, it doesn't technically qualify as a bourbon because it is charcoal filtered. It's "Tennessee Whiskey".

northGAcock

@Great_EGGspectations .....sorry about that. Closest thing to Bourbon I had in a mini bottle. A poor attempt at humor....I’ll sneak away now.

RRP

I have been using Jack Daniels Black Label "corn mash whiskey" for years in our favorite ham injection and glaze recipe. Some folks may think it is harsh to drink straight up as a beer chaser, but as a ham taste enhancer it is a WINNER! 

Mattman3969

@lousubcap - the rareness of finding Blanton must be statewide.  We got lucky on our last bourbon tour and walked out with 5 Blantons and 2 Eagle Rare.   It’s about time to replenish both.  

I’ve had better luck finding Blantons and Eagle Rare at Riteaid than at local liquor stores.  

GrateEggspectations

@northGAcock: As far as flavour profile, you are correct that it is entirely akin to a bourbon; though maybe not the honey flavoured specimen. 

Hadn't actually realized it was a mini bottle.

Kent8621

thank you all I appreciate it. 

JRWhitee

GrateEggspectations said:

@northGAcock: As far as flavour profile, you are correct that it is entirely akin to a bourbon; though maybe not the honey flavoured specimen. 

Hadn't actually realized it was a mini bottle.

He wouldn't know bourbon if it hit him upside the head.

northGAcock

JRWhitee said:

GrateEggspectations said:

@northGAcock: As far as flavour profile, you are correct that it is entirely akin to a bourbon; though maybe not the honey flavoured specimen. 

Hadn't actually realized it was a mini bottle.

He wouldn't know bourbon if it hit him upside the head.

Well you would not know it unless the top of a large egg fell of on your big toe. 

JRWhitee

@northGAcock LOL