What's Your Favorite Bourbon?

[00 mod]

I like Beams Devils Cut but I'd be curious about how they make it, they imply they have a proses to squeeze the more flavorful "stuff" from the barrel and wait for it to mature then they call it Bourbon?

 

 

As you know, all whiskeys are cut with water before bottling.

 

The easiest way I have been explained of the process for Beam Devils' cut is this:

 

After extracting the bourbon from the barrel, they put said amount of water back into the barrel and put it onto a "giant paint shaker."  Let that run for 24hrs, and then use this water as part of what they cut the bourbon with.  This water extracts the charred wood flavors from the barrel, thus giving  Beam Devil's Cut the wood characteristics you taste.

 

Jeff

[jbsoonerfan]

I hate to play devils advocate here. But, I will say the same thing about Bourbon as I do beer. I would be willing to bet that most of you couldn't tell the difference from one to the other if you didn't know what you were drinking. I am talking about actual Bourbon here, not charcoal filtered. I have tried to bet my buddies hundreds of dollars to take two light beers and pour 20 drinks and if they can guess all 20 correct I would pay them 10 to 1 to my bet. No one will ever take the bet, yet they all claim to have their favorite beer and they claim to know what is junk. I would be willing to bet the same is true with Bourbon. 

[flyfisher]

 I would take that beer bet in a second.  But after drinking 20 beers my judgement may be a little cloudy  

[jbsoonerfan]

 I would take that beer bet in a second.  But after drinking 20 beers my judgement may be a little cloudy

 

Too bad we aren't closer. I would love to take your money. :wink:

[.dsaavedra.]

I could definitely tell the difference between some light beers. Maybe not all of them though. But I could easily distinguish PBR from Bud Light or Milwaukee's Best. Others would probably be harder for me to distinguish like Natural Light or Coors Light. But even still, I could distinguish these from Bud Light (it has a very distinctive taste... I don't like Bud Light) or PBR (my go-to light beer, I am very familiar with the way it tastes). Milwaukee's Best also has a distinct tastes that I could distinguish from any other, though I do kind of like Milwaukee's Best (mainly because it's cheap as hell and 5.9%).

 

As for bourbon, I'm still trying to refine my tastes so I would not be so good at a blind taste test. But I could definitely tell the difference between some top shelf stuff and something like Evan Williams or Old Crow. My girlfriend set up a blind taste test of all the bourbon bottles I currently have open (EW black label, Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, and Bulliet) and I got every single one of them right. Though that could be because I knew exactly what my options were and I am pretty familiar with all of them since I've had the bottles open for a while.

[ww2farmer]

I like Maker's Mark, but I can afford Evan Williams.

[edfitzvb]

I used to drink I.W. Harper but can no longer find it. I have switched to Ancient Ancient Age (aged longer than Ancient Age) which is a fine flavored bourbon and does nicely. I can tell the difference between my usual bourbon and others, even the better ones like Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, etc. The AAA is a smooth bourbon that is not heavy. I recommend it

[BenB54]

I'd say Maker's 46 is my favorite bourbon, but my favorite whiskey would be a blended whiskey called TX.

[RoLo]

I'm surprised that 'Old Grand Dad' wasn't mentioned, that was my favorite bourbon before Wild Turkey.

I believe Old Grand Dad is now owned by Jim Beam.

 

Roger

[slonezp]

I'd say Maker's 46 is my favorite bourbon, but my favorite whiskey would be a blended whiskey called TX.

If we are talking whiskey, Canadian Club 10 Year Old Classic is my poison but you can't go wrong with Jack or Crown

[Root beer]

Makers Mark and Woodford Reserve are the best everyday drinks. Basil Hayden is pretty good as well. If you're on a small budget Old Forester has to be the best of cheap bourbon. Since the holiday is here, apple pie moonshine is the best holiday drink. (Moonshine basically unaged bourbon. )

 

I prefer Scotch that old enough to order its own scotch. It has different taste to it than corn whisky. However, the past week I been drinking 4 years old aged brandy that not going to live to see its 5th birthday. Paul Masson aged brandy is very good! I got a bottle from my cousin as a birthday gift;I finally cracked the bottle open and was very surprised with its drinkability and it doesn't burn either at 80 proof. 

 

Edit: On my birthday I had a 1999 edition Rocky Patel cigar paired with McClelland Highland scotch, it was amazing. 

[.dsaavedra.]

How does Woodford Reserve taste? I've seen it on the shelves of just about every liquor store around me and it's not too far out of my price range, I might end up getting a bottle to try.

[jbsoonerfan]

How does Woodford Reserve taste? I've seen it on the shelves of just about every liquor store around me and it's not too far out of my price range, I might end up getting a bottle to try.

 

It probably taste like most other Bourbons. Just close your eyes or mix it with something and you will never know the difference.

[ww2farmer]

If we are talking whiskey, Canadian Club 10 Year Old Classic is my poison but you can't go wrong with Jack or Crown

Can't beat Crown, I'll drink that over the two I mentioned in my post.....but he asked about bourbon.

[.dsaavedra.]

It probably taste like most other Bourbons. Just close your eyes or mix it with something and you will never know the difference.

 

We get it, you think all bourbon and all beer tastes the same. Move on if you don't have something more meaningful to contribute.

[jbsoonerfan]

We get it, you think all bourbon and all beer tastes the same. Move on if you don't have something more meaningful to contribute.

 

 

Don't get all butt hurt over the deal. How about you go try some different bourbons for yourself to see how you like them. If I want to know who makes the best fried chicken I would think I would go try them and make my own decision. I suppose that is too difficult for others to comprehend.

 

Btw, if you have to ask, you probably should get out more.

[Hi Salenity]

How does Woodford Reserve taste? I've seen it on the shelves of just about every liquor store around me and it's not too far out of my price range, I might end up getting a bottle to try.

It's not one of my favorites but it is in no way one I'd call bad

[Mxtaylor]

Jim Beam makes a 7 year with a red cap. Only available in some states. Great bourbon.

[Cryoglobin]

You guys want some amazing stuff (warning, not price friendly), try the following:

 

Blantons Single Barrel: My long time favorite sipping whisky.  A couple of fingers in a tumbler warms the heart.

 

Willett Kentucky Straight Pot Still Rerve: This one is one of my new discoveries. Much smoother than Blanton's.  Easier sipping, but lacks some of the character IMO.  

 

 

Either way, both are very worth trying if you don't mind ponying up $35-40 for a bottle.  Just don't mix them with coke.....that would be sad.

[00 mod]

You guys want some amazing stuff (warning, not price friendly), try the following:

 

Blantons Single Barrel: My long time favorite sipping whisky.  A couple of fingers in a tumbler warms the heart.

 

Willett Kentucky Straight Pot Still Rerve: This one is one of my new discoveries. Much smoother than Blanton's.  Easier sipping, but lacks some of the character IMO.  

 

 

Either way, both are very worth trying if you don't mind ponying up $35-40 for a bottle.  Just don't mix them with coke.....that would be sad.

 

 

Blantons was the first to ever make a single barrel.  They created the trend, and it was by long time distiller and recently passed away Elmer T Lee.

 

If you can find a bottle(750ml) for $35-40 buy it all.  Here it retails for $61.99

 

Jeff

[Root beer]

We get it, you think all bourbon and all beer tastes the same. Move on if you don't have something more meaningful to contribute.

 

In his defense, not all beer and bourbon tastes the same but it very difficult to remember each ones. I highly doubt people's taste bud and memory can store the exact taste of every brands out there. There not a vast difference between low-end to mid-range bourbon. Just a very small slight difference that most people cannot tell.

[quanjig]

Slo has it right, I will add Basil Hayden to the mix as well as Bowmans. So many good ones to choose from, I have to say Woodford Reserve has to be my fav with a couple bourbon stones (thanks Robert!) and you are good to go!!

[Hi Salenity]

Normally the people that can't tell beers... Apart don't know much about beer or how it's made. For example what was the base grain 2 row or a Pilsner and then what other grains were used Corona uses some corn wheat beers use some wheat and porters use Dark roasted grains... Then the mash temp can change the mouthfeel making a difference. Then you have over 100 different hops that vary from bittering to flavor. The hops obviously change the IBU of the beer. beer also has 2 main styles Ale and Lager.

By looking, smelling, tasting a beer some can tell you Ale or Lauger, get pretty close on telling the IBU, give an decent guess on the grains and hops used.

I'm using beer for example because it's what I know best but I have no doubt Bourbon is the same.

The brewery I built.

I ended up selling

[slonezp]

and if you mix it with a anything more than ice (I hear a splash of water is supposed to wake up the flavor) then don't waste your money on the good stuff. Beam is cheap and mixes well.

[Nice_Bass]

Try FEW if you can.  Amazing stuff but I am doubtful much of anyone outside of 200mi or so of Chicago will find it.  Slonez- try it if you run across it sometime, should not disappoint.

I am with others though as well- prefer scotch or rye over bourbon.