Ok, whiskey, has officially been nerdified but I'm not complaining. Used to be-back in the day-that your eye just wandered to the top shelf and that was it; but now there are an incredible proliferation of boutique whiskeys which are very good. Enjoying some small lot bourbons recently-Pappy, Blanton, Four Roses.

Plus we are revitalizing our manufacturing base in a key core industry while increasing exports. I feel good about our future again.

I'm currently enjoyng Knob Creek and Jefferson's Reserve. Both recommended!

I've been a bourbon drinker or decades, and completly agree with you that the small lots - even if larger distilleries have bought many of them up - give us reason fo optimism.

I drank the heck out of some Templeton small batch rye this last Sunday with a friend. Soooo good (not so much on Monday, but you've got to pay the piper). Now this is a thread to get excited about.

Any of you guys try Old Potrero from Anchor Distilling, the Anchor Steam Beer people?

Currently on my shelf: Booker's, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Balvenie 14y Caribbean cask, Laphroaig, Trader Joe's highland single malt Scotch, Maker's Mark, Bulleit rye, TJ's single malt Irish whiskey, Jack Daniels, and Grant's blended Scotch.

Each has its own character, but my personal favorite is Basil Hayden. Well balanced small batch bourbon, smooth and not harsh in the slightest. The TJ's highland Scotch is a steal at $20, too - front notes of apple, vanilla, and caramel with a subtle peaty finish. Rivals plenty of $30+ bottles out there.

beelzebear;841973714 said:

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Any of you guys try Old Potrero from Anchor Distilling, the Anchor Steam Beer people?

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It's goooooood. Love that stuff. Hard to find right now because they're revamping their distillery. At least that's what I've been told.

Love me some High West, Whistle Pig, Buffalo Tres, and Pappy when I can get it (thanks Hideout!). Jack sucks, but I've been known to hang with Jim from time to time. My go to for inexpensive, widely available, and decent (especially when mixing) is Bulleit.

I brought some Oban 14-year-old single malt scotch to the Dwinelle tailgate on Saturday, and it somehow disappeared rather quickly. As I told my host, when your team is 1-4, you have no time to mess around with beer or wine...straight to the hard stuff! Given the results, I may have to do the same thing for the rest of the home games, although that noon kickoff for Big Game may prove somewhat challenging.

I've tried dozens of different whiskeys and bourbons and I always go back to my old stand by Jim Beam. I guess my pallet isn't as refined as some of you. No matter.....it's all good. GO BEARS!!!

Love it!

Last time I was on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, the wife and I joined the Highland Scotch Whiskey Tasting Society. Touristy, yes, but it came with an amazing flight of different whiskeys from Highland, to Islay, Speyside, etc.

Highly recommended if any of you get to Scotland.

Single. Malt. Scotch. Particularly those of Islay provenance. Laphroaig. Lagavulin. Bruichladdich. Bowmore. Ardbeg. All delicious.

We have just returned from a trip to Kentucky where we visited Loretto. FWIW, we preferred the standard to the 46 label. They also taste a variety of white lightning that I haven't seen elsewhere.
If you visit the area, don't miss the Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse -- 200 years of devotion.

Anyone done a Kentucky bourbon tour? Whiskey, horses and baseball bats makes me long for a home and home.

kcbear, thanks, you beat me to it.

There's a distillery in Alameda called St. George Spirits. They make a bunch of different liquors (the most famous probably being St. George Gin) but their bourbon, called "Breaking and Enterting" is delicious. They go to Kentucky and buy barrels and then mix and bottle them in Alameda.

Delicious, and available at a Bevmo near you.

uchighlander;841973753 said:

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I've tried dozens of different whiskeys and bourbons and I always go back to my old stand by Jim Beam. I guess my pallet isn't as refined as some of you. No matter.....it's all good. GO BEARS!!!

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I didn't drink Jim Beam for many years, preferring Jack or Jameson when needing a quick snort (pick me up or down). I tried it last year for the first time in awhile and I can attest that it is a fine drink. Now I prefer it to the other two. Nothing is wrong with your pallet, you just know what you like.

On the shelf: Jefferson Reserve, Eagle Rare, Elmer T Lee and Old Granddad.

Big fan of Basil Heyden and High West does some very good ones as well. Pappy is great when it can be found.

When I go cheaper, I like Old Granddad a lot. A very good, smooth bourbon for the price.

uchighlander;841973753 said:

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I've tried dozens of different whiskeys and bourbons and I always go back to my old stand by Jim Beam. I guess my pallet isn't as refined as some of you. No matter.....it's all good. GO BEARS!!!

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Bingo!

Experts out there: I am also sort of a "casual" whiskey drinker. Would it take effort for me to appreciate the finer whiskeys, or is it nearly as easy as appreciating a $30,000 car vs. a $15,000 car?

I usually only drink whiskey when I make a Manhattan. Would that do it, or would I need to sip it slow and straight (or on the rocks)?

Big C_Cal;841973807 said:

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Bingo!

Experts out there: I am also sort of a "casual" whiskey drinker. Would it take effort for me to appreciate the finer whiskeys, or is it nearly as easy as appreciating a $30,000 car vs. a $15,000 car?

I usually only drink whiskey when I make a Manhattan. Would that do it, or would I need to sip it slow and straight (or on the rocks)?

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I don't think it takes any sort of specially-trained palate, unlike with wine. Do a blind taste test between a $20 bottle of whiskey and a $100 bottle of whiskey, there will be a very noticeable difference.

And if you have a very nice whiskey or scotch, by all that is holy do not mix it with anything. You can add some ice if you like, or just drink it straight. Use the cheap stuff for mixers.

Big C_Cal;841973807 said:

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Bingo!

Experts out there: I am also sort of a "casual" whiskey drinker. Would it take effort for me to appreciate the finer whiskeys, or is it nearly as easy as appreciating a $30,000 car vs. a $15,000 car?

I usually only drink whiskey when I make a Manhattan. Would that do it, or would I need to sip it slow and straight (or on the rocks)?

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A manhattan is a composite of two alcohols so I'm not sure it is the best introduction though I have had one made with one of these boutique ryes-Whistlepig?-and it was great. I'd recommend sipping straight which they all hold up to. In truth, the old makers of Bourbon and Rye (Old Overholt) make a great product for the price so there is a reason you are happy.

Big C_Cal;841973807 said:

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Bingo!

Experts out there: I am also sort of a "casual" whiskey drinker. Would it take effort for me to appreciate the finer whiskeys, or is it nearly as easy as appreciating a $30,000 car vs. a $15,000 car?

I usually only drink whiskey when I make a Manhattan. Would that do it, or would I need to sip it slow and straight (or on the rocks)?

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Plenty of good under $50 bottles mentioned in this thread to enjoy. As much as I drink one bottle lasts a long time.

I put in a vote for Buffalo Trace for small batch bourbon.

There's also a resurgence of corn whiskey lately, or moonshine as they like to call it. I've had a couple pretty good ones but most is way too sweet. Too sweet for even bourbon, imagine that.

BTW it's really hard to find bourbon overseas or on planes. Jack and Jim is it.

Bulleit bourbon is pretty tasty for the price.

BerkeleyChris;841973770 said:

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Single. Malt. Scotch. Particularly those of Islay provenance. Laphroaig. Lagavulin. Bruichladdich. Bowmore. Ardbeg. All delicious.

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Started out with "the longest Glen," but Laphroaig was my favorite until I tried Lagavulin, which was my favorite until Ardbeg. Haven't tried Bruichladdich, I've got to make a note of that. I have a bottle of Pappy and Ardbeg sitting around but my go-to is Maker's Mark. I think I may be developing a problem. Can we have a poll for our favorite scotch and bourbon?

:beer:

Woodford Reserve (best high quality bang/buck--no need to go higher $$, unless you're looking for a particular trait)

Old Forester (priced too low for how good it is--a universal favorite if you're low on cash but want good stuff, hosting a party with people who frown at Jim Beam and/or mixing drinks).


http://www.bluekitchen.net/bourbongallery.html

GB54;841973700 said:

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Ok, whiskey, has officially been nerdified but I'm not complaining. Used to be-back in the day-that your eye just wandered to the top shelf and that was it; but now there are an incredible proliferation of boutique whiskeys which are very good. Enjoying some small lot bourbons recently-Pappy, Blanton, Four Roses.

Plus we are revitalizing our manufacturing base in a key core industry while increasing exports. I feel good about our future again.

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.. what's the deal with ultra-expensive SingleMalt'd, and is that a whisky too?

Thanks in advance for plain and simple elaboration.

Signed, Innocent in onitrepuC.

#and NO, i didn't read the rest of this thread.. just doing a drive-by.

Bushmills 1608

Used to like Rebel Yell 100, but they only make Rebel Yell 80 now. Wild Turkey. Jack Daniels.
I like VO and Irish whiskey (Paddy and Old Bushmills) too. Can't stand Scotch, though.

This whole thread is giving me one delicious flash back hangover.

GB54;841973778 said:

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Anyone done a Kentucky bourbon tour? Whiskey, horses and baseball bats makes me long for a home and home.

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Back in September 2007 we missed the Arizona game because we had to fly to a wedding in Owensboro KY. Had the misfortune of drinking some local brewery's bourbon beer at the rehearsal dinner. I like beer and I like bourbon, but not together.

I use Maker's Mark for my award-winning bourbon balls as well as my own occasional inebriation.

MiltyBear;841973829 said:

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BTW it's really hard to find bourbon overseas or on planes.

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It is. Though I did find Four Roses in France a few years ago. I had never heard of it before. It wasn't bad.

According to wiki, they used to focus on the European and Japanese markets, and now that Kirin has bought they, they have gone back into the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Roses

SiniCal;841973875 said:

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.. what's the deal with ultra-expensive SingleMalt'd, and is that a whisky too?

Thanks in advance for plain and simple elaboration.

Signed, Innocent in onitrepuC.

#and NO, i didn't read the rest of this thread.. just doing a drive-by.

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A single malt scotch whiskey is made solely from a malted barley at a single distillery then aged but I am not a scotch aficionado so others may chime in with superior descriptions

GB54;841973905 said:

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A single malt scotch whiskey is made solely from a malted barley at a single distillery then aged but I am not a scotch aficionado so others may chime in with superior descriptions

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Guess SMS still gotta be kept sloshing around in my bucket list.

Much enjoyed the comments so far, I'll need to look some of these up.

My current Bourbon favorites are Woodford Reserve first, LB Weller 12 year old second, and Bulleit Bourbon third. I have had many a Manhattan made with Jim Beam that has been very enjoyable. Currently drinking DeWars White Label scotch straight or with club soda and a lemon slice as a basic, no frills scotch drink. DeWars 12 year old is quite good, next level up at DeWars, and can occasionally be found on sale at BevMo.

I must say there are some great bourbons that you gentleman have highlighted.

For a good bang for the buck - you can't go wrong with Makers.

High end bourbon: Jefferson's Reserve.

I have tasted the Pappy Van Winkle 20 year - its over $100 a bottle but is superb.

Great bourbons: Woodfords, Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, Basil, Bookers.

There's also a bourbon that only for the past 4 years or so is now sold in California - 4 Roses Single Barrel. It is also quite good.

Knob Creek is good, but I like to dilute it a bit cuz its a bit strong. I think the same for Bakers - its good, but its like over 100 proof or something. On the rocks with a splash of water and then let it breathe!

I'm going to enjoy some Bulleit Rye. The first time I've ever bought the stuff. It's pretty good. On deck is a full, unopened Makers Mark bottle. Between the two I have about a 6 months supply. Hopefully someone 'reloads' me at Xmas. My suggestion: try the ones you can afford and then stick with the ones you like. I used to drink single malt but found I didn't like the peat flavor. I drank Makers and Rebel Yell for quite a while and still like bourbon but am really enjoying the rye, a bit less harsh than the bourbon.
Oh yah, drank Jim Beam one night a few years ago at an IBM convention. Everyone in my group except one guy left early and gave us their drink tickets. I staggered back to my hotel room. I don't really remember if I liked or hated Jim Beam.

Cheers.