OT-What is Your Current Favorite Bourbon and/or Whisk(e)y-OT

dharley

I'm currently on a bourbon kick. Again. (I've had tequila, rum and vodka kicks as well)  I love trying new ones, Even when I don't like them, I can use them in something (@YukonRon 's slushies) I got my hands on a bottle of that McKenna 10yr. I drank it and loved it. I was polite, gentle...very respectful, it still only lasted a week. I've tried for a month to get another bottle. Nothing. So I've sampled a few others I hadn't tried and my bourbon kick has been rekindled.

Also, who has had/has Pappy Van Winkle? Tell the truth, was it worth the price or did you wish you had saved your money and just got some Woodford? 

pgprescott

Tough to commit to just one but I’m a fan of Blanton and Basil Hayden. Having said that there are literally a dozen others that I enjoy regularly. As far as scotch I am currently a fan of Lagavulin. Anything “highlands” is an easy drink though. The peaty ones like Lagavulin and Laphroig are not for everyone. I’ve only had a couple pours of Pappy. I won’t be going out to plop down hundreds for a bottle. Just not good enough to justify the cost at my pay grade. Most important is to drink what you enjoy. That could be a blended scotch or an inexpensive rye. The fun is the journey. Enjoy!

lousubcap

Okay- the key to success with bourbon tasting for me is the mash bill which leads to the flavor profile along with the aging process.  So, given the mix is at least 51% corn then the remainder must be rye, wheat, malted barley, singly or in any combination.
I am not a fan of the wheated bourbons (Van Winkle being one of them).  I have owned and buried the PVW 10/12/15 and 20 year old.  Given their export value I expect to never take personal ownership again.  If into the wheat side then try to get your hands on some Weller 12 year-old. 
In today's limited access environment (at least here) I find Blanton's, E.H.Taylor single barrel and Eagle Rare to be excellent.  McKenna 10 year is a great pour but it has been hit by the hype and difficult to find.  Four Roses single barrel is also a solid buy and their small batch is excellent for the price point.  
There any many brown water connoisseurs here who will gladly offer their perspectives.  FWIW-

dharley

pgprescott said:

Tough to commit to just one but I’m a fan of Blanton and Basil Hayden. Having said that there are literally a dozen others that I enjoy regularly. As far as scotch I am currently a fan of Lagavulin. Anything “highlands” is an easy drink though. The peaty ones like Lagavulin and Laphroig are not for everyone. I’ve only had a couple pours of Pappy. I won’t be going out to plop down hundreds for a bottle. Just not good enough to justify the cost at my pay grade. Most important is to drink what you enjoy. That could be a blended scotch or an inexpensive rye. The fun is the journey. Enjoy!

That's what I'm talking about, just current love so to speak. Not That Blanton or Basil are cheap but Elijah Craig is one of my favorites. As is, Monkey Shoulder, which the bottle claims a scotch and my tongue thinks the bottle is a liar. 

Thanks for the comment!

SmokeyPitt

My favorite is Four Roses Single Barrel. I have had a lot of Pappy, and I find it highly overrated. It is really good...but plenty of $40ish bottles just as good. 

I didn’t pay for the Pappy. There was a liquor store that sold it on Black friday. For two years in a row my brother would wait in line and buy several bottles for retail. He would keep some and ebay some and break even. So, I would drink his Pappy liberally without too much guilt. Don’t get me wrong...I enjoyed the hell out of it...but I like Four Roses single better. 

nolaegghead

Evan Williams Black Label. 

RRP

I may sound weird to you worldly dudes, but when I fall in love with one brand, age, etc then I don't venture off the farm...
Makers 46 is my choice neat, but here's my twist...it has to be very cold! 

alaskanassasin

I was a Makers Mark fan until they sold out overseas, switched to Buffalo Trace. 

alaskanassasin

 After touring the Four Roses distillery I was turned off, also owned by overseas companies 

Killit_and_Grillit

A bottle of McKenna 10 lasted you a whole week? The restraint on this guy...

The last glass of Pappy I had (thanks to a forum member at Butt Blast who is the man!)...strong notes of vanilla on the front with cherries and oak on the finish. It really is fantastic in a category of its own. If I had the money I would have a bottle sitting around for any justifiable special occasion. 

But since my pockets aren’t deep enough...you can find some great bottles for under $50. 

Weller 12 (when you can find it), McKenna, Elijah Craig 12, Eagle Rare, 4 Roses Small Batch have been my go to recently. And I love some Bibb and Tucker or Whistle Pig. 

Then again, some days you just have to crack open a bottle of Wild Turkey, throw away the cork, and say damn to the consequences. 

nolaegghead

Rebel Yell?

Killit_and_Grillit

nolaegghead said:

Evan Williams Black Label. 

@nolaegghead   troglodyte!  I will confess that floating around my garage in some deep dark corner I could probably dig up a handle of George Dickel White Label. 

You know what they say, “a lil Dickel do you right”

ugh. Rebel Yell. We drank that at UT. Like $8-10 a bottle. 

shtgunal3

Laphroig or Lagavulin

hoosier_egger

My top 4. I find it hard to beat the Buffalo Trace for an everyday pour. 

DoubleEgger

Killit_and_Grillit said:

A bottle of McKenna 10 lasted you a whole week? The restraint on this guy...

My bottle has only had one drink poured out of it in a couple months. Heck, I think we still have liquor from our wedding 7yrs ago. 

Killit_and_Grillit

@ColtsFan I don’t know why you’re complaining about that cleanse. 

That Bookers will burn through you like a scalded dog. You may need that jus just to run a diagnostic and see if you’ve sprung a leak!

Wolfpack

Just finished my bottle of 4 roses however, my normal go to is woodford.

I always check the bourbon aisle when I find myself in the ABC store to see if they have anything interesting. 

Killit_and_Grillit

DoubleEgger said:

My bottle has only had one drink poured out of it in a couple months. Heck, I think we still have liquor from our wedding 7yrs ago. 

@DoubleEgger I’m going to start sending the miscreants that hang out over here to your place (myself included)

lousubcap

@Wolfpack - nice collection right there.  And that rye will definitely give you a different profile.  On a related note, I would be interested in your assessment of the Jeffersons.  Just tell it like you taste it- In advance, thanks!

Wolfpack

Not a fan- I have tried it several times and there is something in the finish I don’t care for. 

Lit

I always drink larceny. Best around for the money. 

dharley

nolaegghead said:

Rebel Yell?

I'll heavily disagree. I thought you were joking about the EW Black, but folks like what the they like. Rebel Yell is horrible. Like they mixed a pint of well whisky and a pint of well vodka and called it Rebel Yell. I really hope you are playing.

Aside from that, I enjoy all of you food posts. They are inspiring and you, sir, have serious skills.

CigarCityEgger

Just started getting into bourbon a couple years ago. My go to is buffalo trace for the price. The Henry McKenna is very good as well. I’ve also got a Basil Hayden, Knob creek single barrel in the arsenal. 

Never had Pappy’s but would love to try it one day. 

dharley

Wolfpack said:

Just finished my bottle of 4 roses however, my normal go to is woodford.

I always check the bourbon aisle when I find myself in the ABC store to see if they have anything interesting. 

That is beautiful. Could you tell me what you think of that Taylor when you crack it?
For science of course.

KGilma2018

Finished a bottle of whistlepig rye last week... working on a bottle of Elijah Craig small batch now.  

nolaegghead

dharley said:

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nolaegghead said:

Rebel Yell?

I'll heavily disagree. I thought you were joking about the EW Black, but folks like what the they like. Rebel Yell is horrible. Like they mixed a pint of well whisky and a pint of well vodka and called it Rebel Yell. I really hope you are playing.

Aside from that, I enjoy all of you food posts. They are inspiring and you, sir, have serious skills.

I'm joking.  I wouldn't try that swill if someone held a gun to my head.

But EW Black is my daily drinker.  It's the perfect balance of whiskey when mixed in a can (no ice, ruins it) Coke Zero.  Anything else just tastes weird to me.

dharley

lousubcap said:

@Wolfpack - nice collection right there.  And that rye will definitely give you a different profile.  On a related note, I would be interested in your assessment of the Jeffersons.  Just tell it like you taste it- In advance, thanks!

I'm only butting in because it's my post. A friend of mine have a tasting session every New Years Eve. We were soo excited for the Jefferson. We did not enjoy it. We tried again and again. every get together. Still the same. Kerosene.

Jeremiah

Killit_and_Grillit said:

show previous quotes

DoubleEgger said:

My bottle has only had one drink poured out of it in a couple months. Heck, I think we still have liquor from our wedding 7yrs ago. 

@DoubleEgger I’m going to start sending the miscreants that hang out over here to your place (myself included)

I’m in. 

bubbajack

Bulleit Bourbon for me, everyday. Orange label!

Theophan

I'm not very knowledgeable about bourbon, but I've had several, and I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Bulleit, which I like better than several that have been raved about here.  I also like Eagle Rare as a nice change, might be my second favorite, but I keep trying other things and keep coming back to Bulleit.  The rest of you guys don't think much if it, I guess?

SGH

One of my personal favorites. Especially after a good shave.