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Help me pick a good bourbon (1 Viewer)

TheIronSheik

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So I used to be a big drinker.  I could put down more than a bottle of bourbon in a sitting.  But as I've gotten older, I just don't have the desire to drink that much anymore.  The headaches and hangovers just are no longer worth it, to me.  But, I haven't sworn off drinking all together.  I would say that I probably drink 3 to 4 times a year.  And most of those are when we're out.  But when I get back to the house, it's nice to have another glass or two of drink.  

I grew up drinking Beam and I loved it.  When I got older, I switched to Maker's and that's really what I still drink if I'm out.  It's good but not stupidly priced at a bar.  I usually have a bottle of Maker's at home, but as I near the bottom of this bottle, I'm thinking I may want to splurge on a really good bottle for the house.  Instead of paying $28 for a glass of good bourbon at a bar, maybe just spend $100-150 for a really good bottle at home.  Since that bottle will most likely last me a year, I figure why not?

But I'm not sure what I should get.  Any suggestions from the FFA?  

TIA
TIS

 
You've got two different flavor profiles there so I'll split my recommendations for you.  Maker's has a lot of wheat in the mashbill and no rye so it has a sweeter profile.  Jim Beam products have more Rye and they char their barrels darker so they all have a distinctive finish.

Non-Exotic but solid options closer to Maker's profile:

Maker's Mark Cask Strength

Maker's Private Select (cask strength Maker's 46 hand with the final staves selected by your liquor store)

1792 Full Proof

A OESV or OESO mashbill Four Roses store pick single barrel cask strength.

EH Taylor Small Batch - if you can find it it will be now that you can find it.

Weller 12 or Antique 107 if you can find it

As far as Beam profile, try any of the longer aged Knob Creeks, Basil Hayden, or Bookers. Although Beam black is hard to beat, especially for the money if you like the Beam flavor profile.

 
Yeah, the key thing is the taste.  I mean, I like bourbon but some of the really expensive ones were talking about how they are aged in casks from other liquors.  Or how they are more oaky than others.  I have no idea if I like oaky bourbon.  I didn't know that's how we described it.  :shrug:

I do like the higher end Beam brands of Bookers, Basil Hayben  and Knob Creek.  I had thought about getting a bottle of one of these.  But I thought I'd check to see if there was something up 1 or 2 levels above this.  I also like Woodford Reserve.  Not sure exactly where that falls on the scale.  

I would definitely say I'm not looking for anything with a 'fancy' taste.  I like the taste of bourbon.  

 
Pennsylvania state stores suck... but they have nice "holiday" gift sets available now.  Pop in and look for a gift set you like in the $30-$50 range and give it a shot.  They will all on in that range you have above.  It is not always that easy to go a few steps above that in PA with out some work on your end.

 
You've got two different flavor profiles there so I'll split my recommendations for you.  Maker's has a lot of wheat in the mashbill and no rye so it has a sweeter profile.  Jim Beam products have more Rye and they char their barrels darker so they all have a distinctive finish.

Non-Exotic but solid options closer to Maker's profile:

Maker's Mark Cask Strength

Maker's Private Select (cask strength Maker's 46 hand with the final staves selected by your liquor store)

1792 Full Proof

A OESV or OESO mashbill Four Roses store pick single barrel cask strength.

EH Taylor Small Batch - if you can find it it will be now that you can find it.

Weller 12 or Antique 107 if you can find it

As far as Beam profile, try any of the longer aged Knob Creeks, Basil Hayden, or Bookers. Although Beam black is hard to beat, especially for the money if you like the Beam flavor profile.
All good suggestions!

 
Pennsylvania state stores suck... but they have nice "holiday" gift sets available now.  Pop in and look for a gift set you like in the $30-$50 range and give it a shot.  They will all on in that range you have above.  It is not always that easy to go a few steps above that in PA with out some work on your end.
Delaware's right down the road.  And we take trips into NJ and MD a lot.  But good to know to look outside of PA.

 
You've got two different flavor profiles there so I'll split my recommendations for you.  Maker's has a lot of wheat in the mashbill and no rye so it has a sweeter profile.  Jim Beam products have more Rye and they char their barrels darker so they all have a distinctive finish.

Non-Exotic but solid options closer to Maker's profile:

Maker's Mark Cask Strength

Maker's Private Select (cask strength Maker's 46 hand with the final staves selected by your liquor store)

1792 Full Proof

A OESV or OESO mashbill Four Roses store pick single barrel cask strength.

EH Taylor Small Batch - if you can find it it will be now that you can find it.

Weller 12 or Antique 107 if you can find it

As far as Beam profile, try any of the longer aged Knob Creeks, Basil Hayden, or Bookers. Although Beam black is hard to beat, especially for the money if you like the Beam flavor profile.
What does this mean?  

 
You've got two different flavor profiles there so I'll split my recommendations for you.  Maker's has a lot of wheat in the mashbill and no rye so it has a sweeter profile.  Jim Beam products have more Rye and they char their barrels darker so they all have a distinctive finish.

Non-Exotic but solid options closer to Maker's profile:

Maker's Mark Cask Strength

Maker's Private Select (cask strength Maker's 46 hand with the final staves selected by your liquor store)

1792 Full Proof

A OESV or OESO mashbill Four Roses store pick single barrel cask strength.

EH Taylor Small Batch - if you can find it it will be now that you can find it.

Weller 12 or Antique 107 if you can find it

As far as Beam profile, try any of the longer aged Knob Creeks, Basil Hayden, or Bookers. Although Beam black is hard to beat, especially for the money if you like the Beam flavor profile.
   My buddy is a bourbon snob and has taken me to a number of blind tasting classes. Unless you are a guy who drinks and knows his bourbons the difference between the 40 dollar bourbons and the 80-100 dollar bourbons is hardly noticeable in some. If fact at one of the blind testing's with 30 people Basil Hayden and Woodford Reserve came out rated higher by the group than more expensive brands and they are readily availably at around 40 bucks a bottle.

I still like Makers Mark as well..Makers is just a little sweeter and has a little bite to it.  Basil Hayden and Woodford are smoother.

 
Basil Hayden.  Also recommend Maker's Mark 46.

For a nice Canadian blended whiskey at a decent price, take a look at Forty Creek barrel select.  

 
I agree with this. I typically spend $40-60 but I’m real happy spending $28 Elijah Craig or Eagle Rare
Exactly..I have those 2 at home right now.  EC has a little more bite than the Eagle.  It depends what profile you like.  After you have a couple a Jack on rocks tastes almost the same.

 
Anyone for Angel's Envy?  I'm more prone to scotch than bourbon but liked that quite a lot.  
I rotate between Blantons, Basil Hayden, and Angels Envy here and there.

All enjoyable to me.

For the OP...if you want something a bit better than that, but still not break the bank...I enjoy the Jefferson's Ocean.  Sure, the aged at sea thing is a gimmick...but its quite tasty and won't completely break the bank either.  Just if you want to try something different.

 
TheIronSheik said:
What does this mean?  
Maker's has a program where they take already finished Maker's and then add french oak staves to the barrel for additional aging. That product is Makers 46.  The private elect means they allow bars and liquor stores...or even individuals...to visit the distillery and sample how different staves impact the final taste and then come up with a unique recipe that is sold only to that customer. And they sell it at barrel strength.

Hey...we should do a FBG barrel...cornhole in Loretto, KY?

 
ditka...mike ditka said:
You can buy weller 12 easily for $125 let alone $150.  Endless supply at those prices on secondary market.  
Weller 12 is extremely hard to find at this point.  I remember buying for like 30-40 bucks but now finding it at a store is near impossible and Internet prices starting at over $200.  A year ago you could get at 125/150 but bourbon prices have gone crazy and its connection to Pappy has made Weller hard to find.  You can still find special reserve and 107 fairly regularly but 12 is so hard to find.   

 
All good suggestions in here. 
As others have said, there’s really not much of a need to go really high end, because you can get some great tasting whiskeys in the $40-$60 range.

If you really like Makers, you may not like rye whiskey, but that’s what I like. Whistle Pig and Willett rye are two of my favs. Since they are ryes, they will have more “bite” than a wheat-heavy whiskey, and they are also higher proof (Whistle Pig is 100 proof, Willett rye is 110, and Makers is 90).

Willett bourbon is also really good, and comes in the coolest bottle (  https://www.caskers.com/willett-pot-still-reserve-bourbon-10583/?/?utm_campaign=USC - Shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4feY08ji5QIVCtVkCh1SaQRYEAQYASABEgKDSfD_BwE) in the business, so that might be a good choice if you are going to keep it for a while.

I’d also throw our Angel’s Envy Rye, it’s tastes great, but is aged in old rum barrels and you mentioned not wanting anything funky like that.

Basil Hayden’s is also one of my favorites - easy drinking (80 proof) and rye-heavy so it has a nice bite without being too harsh.

Let us know what you ultimately decide. And I have my doubts that one bottle will last you a year...

 
All good suggestions in here. 
As others have said, there’s really not much of a need to go really high end, because you can get some great tasting whiskeys in the $40-$60 range.

If you really like Makers, you may not like rye whiskey, but that’s what I like. Whistle Pig and Willett rye are two of my favs. Since they are ryes, they will have more “bite” than a wheat-heavy whiskey, and they are also higher proof (Whistle Pig is 100 proof, Willett rye is 110, and Makers is 90).

Willett bourbon is also really good, and comes in the coolest bottle (  https://www.caskers.com/willett-pot-still-reserve-bourbon-10583/?/?utm_campaign=USC - Shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4feY08ji5QIVCtVkCh1SaQRYEAQYASABEgKDSfD_BwE) in the business, so that might be a good choice if you are going to keep it for a while.

I’d also throw our Angel’s Envy Rye, it’s tastes great, but is aged in old rum barrels and you mentioned not wanting anything funky like that.

Basil Hayden’s is also one of my favorites - easy drinking (80 proof) and rye-heavy so it has a nice bite without being too harsh.

Let us know what you ultimately decide. And I have my doubts that one bottle will last you a year...
For the past 5 years, I've been averaging a bottle a year.  I just don't drink that much anymore.  And, like I said, when I do drink, it's usually out at an event, or at a dinner.  

I drank Saturday after a wedding.  It was a Muslim wedding, so no alcohol.  But it was at the MGM Casino in DC.  So midway through, we snuck out and I think I drank about half a bottle of Maker's.  I'm not sure how kids drink anymore.  I'd order my wife and I a double and with tip, it would come to like $50.  WTF? 

 
HellToupee said:
I agree with this. I typically spend $40-60 but I’m real happy spending $28 Elijah Craig or Eagle Rare
Really to tough to beat Eagle Rare for the money.   Basil Hayden's has been a favorite of mine lately.   When I want to spend a little more money, I go with Blantons.   Blantons is smooth and has a nice, balanced taste.   Woodford reserve is too sweet for me but other people love it.   Buy some bottles and figure out what works for you.   You should always have a handful of bottles on hand so you are prepared for your taste that day and for guests.    The bourbon thread has been awesome in my bourbon journey.   Give it a read and make a list of bottles to buy for your journey.    Good luck. 

 
ditka...mike ditka said:
Weller 12 is in that range secondary.  Blantons SFTB will cost you a little more, but worth it in my opinion.  
Where do you go to get Weller or Blantons?  Can't get either anywhere here in Tennessee.

Can sometimes find Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace.

What secondary market is safe/affordable?

 
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Weller 12 is extremely hard to find at this point.  I remember buying for like 30-40 bucks but now finding it at a store is near impossible and Internet prices starting at over $200.  A year ago you could get at 125/150 but bourbon prices have gone crazy and its connection to Pappy has made Weller hard to find.  You can still find special reserve and 107 fairly regularly but 12 is so hard to find.   
The bar at the Seelbach in Louisville charges $55 a pour for Weller 12. I laughed out loud.

 
TheIronSheik said:
Yeah, the key thing is the taste.  I mean, I like bourbon but some of the really expensive ones were talking about how they are aged in casks from other liquors.  Or how they are more oaky than others.  I have no idea if I like oaky bourbon.  I didn't know that's how we described it.  :shrug:

I do like the higher end Beam brands of Bookers, Basil Hayben  and Knob Creek.  I had thought about getting a bottle of one of these.  But I thought I'd check to see if there was something up 1 or 2 levels above this.  I also like Woodford Reserve.  Not sure exactly where that falls on the scale.  

I would definitely say I'm not looking for anything with a 'fancy' taste.  I like the taste of bourbon.  
This is what came to mind to me when I read your first post. 

 
TheIronSheik said:
So I used to be a big drinker.  I could put down more than a bottle of bourbon in a sitting.  But as I've gotten older, I just don't have the desire to drink that much anymore.  The headaches and hangovers just are no longer worth it, to me.  But, I haven't sworn off drinking all together.  I would say that I probably drink 3 to 4 times a year.  And most of those are when we're out.  But when I get back to the house, it's nice to have another glass or two of drink.  

I grew up drinking Beam and I loved it.  When I got older, I switched to Maker's and that's really what I still drink if I'm out.  It's good but not stupidly priced at a bar.  I usually have a bottle of Maker's at home, but as I near the bottom of this bottle, I'm thinking I may want to splurge on a really good bottle for the house.  Instead of paying $28 for a glass of good bourbon at a bar, maybe just spend $100-150 for a really good bottle at home.  Since that bottle will most likely last me a year, I figure why not?

But I'm not sure what I should get.  Any suggestions from the FFA?  

TIA
TIS
Elijah Craig Small batch.  $40 in Michigan(which is a high state) and sooo smooth

 
Where do you go to get Weller or Blantons?  Can't get either anywhere here in Tennessee.
My local Wegmans(supermarket)gets it in and puts it in their display cabinet, $59. They get it regularly and then maybe will disappear for a month . I used to buy it when I see it but haven’t lately, still have one and a half left. I haven’t seen Weller in a liquor store around here 

 
The State allotment system for bourbon basically works on the grandfather system. How much States get is based on numbers established 80 years ago. So availability varies widely and that’s before we account for the bizarre liquor laws some States have.

 
Weller 12 is extremely hard to find at this point.  I remember buying for like 30-40 bucks but now finding it at a store is near impossible and Internet prices starting at over $200.  A year ago you could get at 125/150 but bourbon prices have gone crazy and its connection to Pappy has made Weller hard to find.  You can still find special reserve and 107 fairly regularly but 12 is so hard to find.   
You are looking in the wrong places.  Sure, if you just google it, $200.  But there are plenty of fb groups that you can get it all day at $125-$150, shipped to your door. 

 
Where do you go to get Weller or Blantons?  Can't get either anywhere here in Tennessee.

Can sometimes find Eagle Rare or Buffalo Trace.

What secondary market is safe/affordable?
Weller 12 Ive seen a couple times on the shelf in Chicago.  Usually 1 bottle sitting out (likely more in back).  I bought it for $99..  Passed on it about a month ago at a different store for $129.   You can find it on FB secondary sites for about $125 if you are in a local site, $150 if you need it shipped.

Blantons you see a couple times a year here in the supermarkets of all places.  Otherwise states like Idaho seem to always just have it on the shelf (im there once a year for work and bring a bottle back).  You can always find this on those secondary sites for $80 or so.   The Blantons I was talking about SFTB, is not sold in the US.  You must get overseas, or secondary FB sites.  This will set you back closer to $175 a bottle.  

If you buy secondary, always check references from others they have done deals with!  Also, FB has cracked down on these secondary sites big time.  I personally don’t get involved with the shipping of it, just stick to local groups with people who you get to know.  Some of the groups have a very similar community feel as this message board does.  

 
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   The Blantons I was talking about SFTB, is not sold in the US.  You must get overseas, or secondary FB sites.  This will set you back closer to $175 a bottle. 
Is it Blantons "Black" because I've had some of that and it is better than the Pappys I had the same night.

 
Is it Blantons "Black" because I've had some of that and it is better than the Pappys I had the same night.
No, its called Blantons Straight From The Barrel, or STFB.  So its their Barrel Proof version.  So a lot hotter (higher proof) than regular Blantons.  Ive yet to have Blantons Black, but its definitely on my list of ones I’d like to try!!

 
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Is it Blantons "Black" because I've had some of that and it is better than the Pappys I had the same night.
Blanton's Black is Japanese label low proof (80). Blanton's Red is Japanese label regular Proof (93). Blanton's Gold is non-US high proof (103).  Blanton's STFB non-US and  Barrel Proof. All are delicious but STFB is the best by far, IMO.

 
Basil Haydens Dark Rye is one of my current favorites but it is not a bourbon.  I could drink that stuff any day.

 

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