OT: [Weekend Drinking Thread] Really nice bourbon to buy for guests who love bourbon?

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:06 PM ^

Good choice
I like to do the rye once in a while too. Decent for the price IMO

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trackcapt

December 24th, 2017 at 12:10 AM ^

nfc

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fluidlike

My goto.. Always have a bottle at the house.

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DMill2782

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:03 PM ^

Phenomenal stuff. Plus you can collect the horses on the cork. Collect each letter to spell Blanton's and Blanton's will make a display piece for you.

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December 23rd, 2017 at 5:35 PM ^

It’s very good, but too light and smooth for me. Very easy drinking, which is not bad, but in that price range I expect something more powerful / complex.

It’s a great splurge / gift for a newer bourbon drinker though, and gorgeous packaging.

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MJ14

December 23rd, 2017 at 6:44 PM ^

I'm not a big drinker at all but I've tried a few bourbons with friends. Out of every alcoholic beverage bourbon seems to be my favorite. But I like any alcoholic drink really smooth and not a lot of after taste if that makes sense? Anyways, from what I'm gathering this might be something I would like?

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December 24th, 2017 at 8:13 PM ^

You probably would. It’s sweet and smooth. It’s a very good bourbon, don’t get me wrong, I just think my palate has kind of outgrown it. But a great first premium bourbon and a very pretty bottle, so a good gift (to someone else or yourself). If you’re not sure if you’ll like bourbon though, start with Maker’s Mark. Advertising in OH issues aside, it’s extremely approachable and a good, inexpensive gateway drug to sipping whiskey.

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Yo_Blue

December 23rd, 2017 at 9:37 PM ^

Blantons is hard to find outside of Kentucky. They cut way back on their distribution to make it rarer. We had to go to six liquor stores in Covington to find three bottles.

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AFWolverine

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:04 PM ^

Bought some real egg nog for tomorrow evening. I have to work on Christmas and the day after, as well as today.

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PurpleBeaverEater

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^

Basil Haydens

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MGoStu

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:42 PM ^

Had that for the first time this year. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

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December 23rd, 2017 at 5:59 PM ^

Honestly wasn’t impressed by Basil Hayden’s. Very, very light. If you have it, drink it neat. Can’t hold up to cocktails or even too much ice. Many better options for the price (or less). Eagle Rare is a step up - similar but richer flavor, and usually $10 cheaper.

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taistreetsmyhero

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^

I’m a simple man. I can’t refuse $4 for a 6 pack of alcoholic, beer-flavored water.

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December 23rd, 2017 at 5:08 PM ^

Cos it’s cheap. Shake it with ice and a splash of bourbon aged maple syrup. Makes for a warm Christmas sipper. And yes. I am warm now.

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Just as I sent my reply the wife set a glass of Prosecco next to my bourbon. Could be in for a rough night.

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Monocle Smile

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:14 PM ^

OP said "guests who like bourbon," not "Bud Lite lovers."

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trackcapt

No offense, but this is like answering "Motel 6" if the OP had asked for the best luxury hotel

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KO Stradivarius

December 23rd, 2017 at 9:28 PM ^

is a good everyday drinking bourbon for $25

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December 23rd, 2017 at 5:19 PM ^

I get it. I’ll take the shot for that one

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wolpherine2000

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:51 PM ^

If you are looking for quality/value

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BlueWon

December 23rd, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^

Just a splash.

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Duck4President

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:09 PM ^

Literally just bought a bottle of Jefferson’s Reserve Groth Cask Finish. finished in Cab Sab casks. Really warm and sweet. Great winter sipping.

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Duck4President

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:10 PM ^

Cabernet Sauvignon casks. Not cab sab, whatever that is.

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MileHighWolverine

Does it need to be KY bourbon? A list in no particular order for consideration:

1. Michters Reserve

2. Bulleit

3. Makers Mark

4. Basil Hayden

5. Woodford Reserve - easy to find and generally pretty smooth

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December 23rd, 2017 at 5:13 PM ^

I haven’t had a bad michters. Very distinct and good taste to me. Bourbon makes me excited

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gustave ferbert

December 23rd, 2017 at 10:33 PM ^

going for $800. I imagine that one is pretty good.

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ppToilet

December 23rd, 2017 at 9:07 PM ^

I would suggest Angels Envy, but I like your list. I use Woodford Reserve when I want to make an infused bourbon for the exact reasons you mentioned.

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Yessir

December 23rd, 2017 at 10:45 PM ^

Maker's Mark is my every day go to. Like it a lot.

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old98blue

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:10 PM ^

Michter's, Four Roses small batch and what about Big House Bourbon for obvious reasons

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SouthOfHeaven

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:30 PM ^

Big House bourbon is fantastic, and not just because of the name. I second this recommendation.

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Aero01

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:58 PM ^

Personally disagree. Received it as a gift and did not enjoy. I also dislike Bulleit for the record. For me, Knob Creek is where it's at as far as house bourbon. To each their own though.

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Greatgig

But I have been enjoying a selection of fine IPA's from our local growler filling station. Currently enjoying a Tricerahops from Ninkasi, delicious. Cheers mates!

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Rabbit21

Seconding the Buffalo Trace. It's got a nice sweetness to it and it's relatively inexpensive. If you're going to go for a conversation piece a cask strength bourbon(higher alcohol content) is a good one, my favorite is the Eli Craig but there are several other good ones. Price may bean issue.

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OwenGoBlue

Good recos here (I'd add Basil Hayden in the $30-40 range) but if you can, get a holiday gift box. Usually same/cheaper than the actual bottle, looks slightly more elaborate and much easier to wrap.

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Monocle Smile

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:13 PM ^

Does it for me every time, but Four Roses is the most cost-effective mentioned in the thread.

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One Armed Bandit

$30 More bang for your buck

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MGoBeast

December 23rd, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^

I just can't find Old Grandad 114 consistently. Where do you buy it at?

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One Armed Bandit

December 23rd, 2017 at 7:31 PM ^

If you're in the Detroit area, the Rusty Keg in Sterling Heights has it on the back wall

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evenyoubrutus

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:14 PM ^

Tbh, I think Buffalo Trace is a great bourbon and only costs around $30. No matter what anyone tells you, DON'T buy Wild Turkey. Unless you want to spend the holidays cleaning up vomit.

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michmaiku

December 23rd, 2017 at 5:32 PM ^

I had a very, very bad experience with WT sophomore year in Ann Arbor. Now, at the time I was not yet a bourbon drinker. But I agree, without ever having tasted it since, that it's a gut-burner to avoid.

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