Jim Beam is pretty solid. Sorry, only graduated a year ago
Jim Beam Black label is really as good as a lot of bourbon that sells for twice the price. Old Grandad Bonded is another good budget bottle, $17 on sale.
Not really a cognac guy but I had Louis XIII once. That was by far the best spirit I've ever had. Not worth the cost unless money isn't an object, but it was really, really good.
Never had Pappy. Have a buddy who has a bottle and I still haven't convinced him to even open it.
Tried Pappy's 20 year at a place called Sanford's in Astoria (NYC). Good restaurant and great bourbon bar. Anyway, Pappy's was really good but not $60 a shot good.
As for the picture in the OP it's missing a great label: Angels Envy.
Angel's Envy is my go to. I also love their Rye.
I'm an Accountant and I worked at liquor store chain 4-5 years ago. The buyers all agreed that Pappy isn't bad, but it's more hype and folklore at this point, and not at all worth the cost.
Just bought a bottle of JB Black, great price a good taste. Four Roses is pretty good. I rotate between several brands including Bulleit and Woodford Reserve
If you are looking for a decent bourbon at a low price point - try Evan Williams. I can't believe the relative quality you get at such a low price. You can make a damn good Old Fashioned using it as well. Give it a shot.
I'll put Buffalo Trace in that category also.
Buffalo Trace FTW
Eagle Rare from that distillery is also very solid
The Buffalo Trace distillery my favorite I’ve yet to have anything from them that was great and also a solid value from Eagle Rare, Elmer T Lee, Blantons, the Weller Trio, Pappy is getting ridiculous nowadays but I’m sure if the knew 20 years ago the stuff was going to blow up they would have put more In barrels.
Jim Beam is my go to. I like to taste them all but always have some Jim in the house.
Booted: That is an impressive collection of bourbon you have there.
My personal favorite is Ezra B single barrel, but can't find it anywhere now.
Went to Balcones in Waco this spring and really enjoyed it. Highly recommend checking out.
Cheers!!!!
Sorry - still no points for you BIR! Seth! Seth!
Seth told the other mods not to fix my account with the points bump. I think he might be annoyed with my persistent requests. I am his blood sacrifice.... whatever that means.
I read his comment and I think you are the outlier. He actually requested a blood sacrifice to save your account. I volunteered.
Oh man, you are the best. Not sure if I am worth it. I have pretty much resolved myself that it will never be fixed.......
I decided to look up the origin of the word, since it looks French. I thought bourbon was an American Whisky. Sure enough.
Journeyman’s Silver Cross. Got married there and had a small barrel aged with that in there so it was delicious and special.
Just went to my buddy's wedding there over Memorial weekend...cheers!
Yes.
I'll actually go with "no". Virgin oak is the worst thing one can do to a whisky. Single malt all the way baby.
Peat tastes like vomit. You don't change my mind.
single malts don't work for me either..... i'm a bourbon & rye guy
don't mine a little Appalachian clear once in a while either.
Most people don't seem to realize that most single malts aren't peated. And because they have such a wider variety of cask maturation there's a lot more of a flavor spectrum than bourbon can offer.
Beer tasted like vomit the first time you had it too (Same goes for an IPA). Get past that stage and a good peaty profile is awesome.
I can’t get used to an IPA. Prefer porters and dark amber to get a beer with flavor. I’ll eat a lemon before drinking an IPA.
I had my first taste of beer at 8 and it most definitely didn’t make me vomit.
It did later though
invite me over for some of that Pappy
Honestly, its over rated. Don't get me wrong, its good stuff... but in a blind taste test, I bet most people wouldn't pick Pappy 15 or Lot B over Weller Antique.
That bottle has been hit twice. The day my granddaughter was born and the day I told my former business partner to go fuck himself.
I'm not a bourbon expert, but I do like to drink it. I've had Pappy once and agree with you. It tastes good but not good enough for me to pay what most people will ask you to for a bottle.
Have you had Middleton Rare? Also very good and more affordable, though still an expensive bottle.
I’m looking for a business to buy right now. I heard from SO many people don’t do it with a partner...it’s not worth it. Since I got that advice 3 months ago I have asked many in my network if they have any good experiences...Still waiting.....and a lot of animosity like you expressed there
oh...on topic: Elijah Craig is my stock choice bourbon, and I have an affinity for ryes. Do enjoy angels envy rye, drinking a lot of michters rye recently (bourbon and American whiskey michter very hard to find right now).
a treat tonight was an orphan barrel old blow hard 26 yr bourbon at a friends house... a blessed man who I am lucky to know and learn from
Talking Ryes...try Whistle Pig. Odd name. Great Rye.
On the business front...
Question: what is the ideal number of partners in a business?
Answer: an odd number less than three.
Partnerships can work.... but they're difficult unless there are clear & respected lines of responsibility. He is one of those guys who has to try impressing everyone by being a big spender... which is fine if he's doing it with his $$ but when he's expensing $8k a month, which comes out of profit (which is 1/2 mine)... He's basically stealing $ from me and the rest of the office (we bonus staff quarterly based on profit) Yeah, fuck him. My life, career, practice has improved greatly since I told him where to go.
CHEERS! and GO BLUE
Thanks for the context. I love learning about peoples' careers.
Woodford Reserve typically. Eagle Rare if I can find it.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is outstanding, you can't go wrong with ER either, although it's getting harder and harder to find. Stock up the bunker.
I will echo the Eagle Rare. Very good bourbon for the price. I tried it based on a thread here on MGoBlog in the past. I am glad I did. I like it better than any other bourbon at the same price or even higher. I have had Pappy, and it was very good as well. I agree with others that I do not think Pappy is worth the extra premium you pay for the name.
I like Eagle, but it's got some burn. I think it's 100 proof. So it's got some kick
I think eagle is 94 or 96
+1 for Woodford Reserve.
Eagle Rare is my go to. I've tried about 10 different bottles at this point, but if I want to grab something I know I'm going to enjoy, Eagle Rare is the best so far.
Seconded. I've only gotten a couple off bottles that tasted kinda grassy. Enjoying elijah craig barrel proof lately. B518 and A119
Bulleit is my daily/go-to but I’ll pick up some Basil Hayden’s if I feel like spending a little extra. Hochstadter’s Rye Whiskey if I need a change up.
Cheers to the weekend!
I second the bulleit
....Yes and Angels Envy.
I'm a bulleit guy as well. If you're looking for something more unique, Widow Jane is very good with similar characteristics. Widow is a little more forward with the sweet vanilla and caramel undertones. Best bourbon I've ever had neat, and I like to think Ive been around the bourbon block.
Ever had Old Pogue? If not, sounds like it would be right up your alley for taste.
Basil Hayden’s is my favorite to use to make Old Fashioneds, but Welles’s is probably my favorite straight up.
that being said, I prefer all of them on the rocks.