Bourbon (Whiskey) For Beginners?

[MediumMouthBass]

Hey guys, ive had food cooked in bourbon alot and really enjoyed it, ive always wanted to try it.

Well tonight i had my first bourbon, it was a Makers Mark. I kind of liked the smell and flavor but hated the rubbing alcohol taste after taking a sip, it only lasted a few seconds but it took a long time to drink a small amount.

 

(I got through most of the Makers Mark but couldnt drink any more so i added some cola to it and while it was good, id rather find a bourbon that i can enjoy without having to add soda to it).

 

A suggestion was made that i try Buffalo Trace and it was a much better drink, still had a rubbing alcohol taste but it was almost cut in half compared to the Makers Mark. It also took awhile to finish even with the lessened rubbing alcohol taste, even tho it was lessened it was still there, after it went away (lasted a few seconds) i really enjoyed the taste and flavor of the bourbon, but the bigger the sip the more of the rubbing alcohol taste.

I just started drinking within the past few months and have only had beer so far until this. When i first starter trying beer i could barely drink half of one at first because i never drank until i was able to do so, so beer was a completely new taste to me. And i really disliked it. Ive tested several different beers the past few months and now actually enjoy the beers i once hated.

So i have 4 questions.

1. To those of you who have experience with bourbons/whiskeys, does it get easier to drink the more you give your taste buds some?

2. Do you still taste the rubbing alcohol after being used to it? I had to take extremely small sips (barely can even call it a sip) to not get that taste.

3. Should i be taking such small sips or bigger ones?

4. What are some bourbon/whiskey brands to try for beginners (mainly ordering from bars or restaurants so not buying bottles of it, so common ones). Easy to drink and not too expensive options please.

[BigAngus752]

The "rubbing alcohol" flavor you talk about is more prevalent in some than in others and, many times, that is predicted by the cost of the bourbon.  Not that cost matters to flavor, but it's demand...the better/older/rarer bourbons cost more.  One of the bourbons (and ryes) that I recommend to people new to bourbons is Woodford Reserve (or if you want to try a rye Woodford Reserve Rye).  It's low cost (comparatively) both at the store and at bars.  In fact, you can buy it at most Walmarts.  Is a very smooth, easy-drinker with a lot of caramel and sweet and a short finish with almost no spice.  You just have an uneducated palate which we ALL did at one point.  Bourbons and ryes are a hobby of my wife and I and we travel just for that hobby.  It didn't happen overnight by any stretch of the imagination.  It came after we discovered that there was something out there other than a Jack and Coke, which it sounds like you are discovering right now. 

 

I absolutely dislike Maker's Mark bourbon.  By that I mean the cheap Maker's Mark that you tried.  This weekend, however, I was thrilled when we were driving around and visited one of mom and pop liquor stores and they had been allocated ONE bottle of Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Limited Release 2023.  It's the last of the Maker's Mark releases of this bourbon (2019 to 2023) and is said to be the best.  We paid $72.99 for the bottle and felt blessed since we know people who have paid $149.  It's very, very good.  But I hate the cheap Maker's Mark?  Do you understand?  Distilling is an art, you have to try a bunch of them.  That will both educate your palate AND help you find what flavor profile you really like.  You won't get it on the cheap!  LOL.  I cringe at what we've spent but it's a hobby my wife and I share together so it's a blast.  

[TnRiver46]

Smallest sips possible

[A-Jay]

A-Jay

[DitchPanda]

 My favorite bourbon to recommend for beginners is buffalo trace, I feel like its smooth, has quintessential bourbon flavors and is easy drinking with very little burn. Looks like you noticed that as well compared to the makers mark. I'd recommend a step up in price if you have somewhere locally that has a very good bourbon selection. One I tried recently was Calumet Farms small batch, I was actually gifted a bottle. It is a mix of 8 and 15 year bourbons and its only 86 proof, so that low proof coupled with good barrel time equates to a light, easy drinking whiskey with no ethanol hit or rough edges.

 Another trick to try is find a few boubons you like the flavor of and add an ice cube or a tiny bit of water to see if you can tame down the harshness. If you don't dilute them too far you can usually still pick up the flavors while covering up that straight alcohol burn your speaking up.

 Maybe the best suggestion is try and seek out a bar near you that specializes in bourbons, or at least whiskey in general. If they are serious about whiskey they will have bartenders that are serious and educated as well. Go in and strike up a conversation with the bartenders, explain that you are new to bourbon but are interested in learning and experiencing them, do they have any easy drinking recommendations for newbies? 

 Lastly ill just say don't force it. I've got buddies that are seasoned alcohol consumers that I've tried to convert to whiskey and its just a no go. Straight high proof alcohol no matter how refined is going to be somewhat hot and offputting to a certain degree. If you find you like whiskey that will diminish thru experience and you will come to love the flavors and mouth feels of the different offerings. However if you find yourself always saying I liked the flavors, but I can't get past the alcohol taste maybe it will be time to look elsewhere.

[A-Jay]

 

 

7 minutes ago, DitchPanda said:

 My favorite bourbon is buffalo trace, I feel like its smooth, has quintessential bourbon flavors and is easy drinking with very little burn.

X2

A-Jay

[VolFan]

Initially I would say why get started drinking if you don’t like anything? It’s cheaper and healthier to abstain.

 

Now with that out of the way,  I like mine with one big ice cube. Woodford is a great suggestion. Elijah Craig Small Batch is another one that’s fairly easy to find. Michtner’s is another that won’t break the bank and is easy on the palate. 
 

There’s zero shame in a little ice or a splash of water and it helps open up the bourbon, even the trendy spendy ones.

[Darth-Baiter]

I talked with a bartender once.  she was smoking hot.  she was also a bourbon drinker.  that is WHY you add water!!  she said you add water to get the bourbon to your level of booziness.  

 

heck, that Australian youtube bartender preaches the same thing.  ice allowed to melt if you have time, or add water from the get go if you are in a hurry.  

[slonezp]

Larceny or Elijah Craig

[MediumMouthBass]

@VolFan the only thing i dislike is the Makers Mark, i really enjoyed the taste of the Buffalo Trace. Im just not used to the higher alcohol taste since ive only had beer until that. And at first i really hated any beer i tried, but a few months after having it more frequently and letting my taste buds adapt to it i now love the taste of the beers i once didnt like. So maybe the bourbon will be the same, just take awhile for my taste buds to get used to it.

And the reason i want to drink it is because im now legally able to do so, and its been a long wait.

 

[BayouSlide]

Hard to go wrong with Woodford Reserve and a cube or two.

[BigAngus752]

35 minutes ago, VolFan said:

Now with that out of the way,  I like mine with one big ice cube. Woodford is a great suggestion. Elijah Craig Small Batch is another one that’s fairly easy to find. Michtner’s is another that won’t break the bank and is easy on the palate. 

+1 on these suggestions and I'm going to add Four Roses Small Batch to it.  Very economical and very smooth. 

 

@MediumMouthBass Fair warning, if you really get into bourbons, ryes, and/or single malts it's a hobby like fishing.  Here was our weekend finding a new single barrel that we thought was very good (Remus), a liquor store that bought their own private barrel of Elijah Craig (outstanding), and the hard-to-find Maker's Mark I mentioned earlier. I don't sweat the Bait Monkey because the Bourbon Monkey does a lot more damage.

[VolFan]

Come back to Makers Mark after you’ve had a few others. It’s actually an easy drinker. Not everyone’s cup of tea though. Jack Daniel’s tends to encourage similar emotions.

[roadwarrior]

Taste all the whiskeys in the world, but the base line is still Jack...

 

https://mejoresvinos.mx/en/whisky-jack-daniels-old-no-7/

[the reel ess]

If you're going to drink it straight look for Buffalo Trace or something that costs more than $30. Larceny is a steal (puns all intended) at about $28. But I like an old fashioned. That's a bourbon or rye whiskey (I use bourbon), several dashes of bitters a tiny drizzle of simple syrup (you can get those last two at any decent liquor store) poured over a single large ice cube. If you want to stay cheap, I think Jim Beam is smooth and you won't have to feel guilty for cutting it with soda. I'm partial to ginger ale and a lime wedge. I like Maker's but it's a bit overpriced for the taste.

 

If you want to taste some good straight whiskey, not technically bourbon, all those flavored ones are good. There's a pecan one, and bird dog has them in all fruit flavors.

[slonezp]

3 hours ago, the reel ess said:

If you're going to drink it straight look for Buffalo Trace or something that costs more than $30. Larceny is a steal (puns all intended) at about $28. But I like an old fashioned. That's a bourbon or rye whiskey (I use bourbon), several dashes of bitters a tiny drizzle of simple syrup (you can get those last two at any decent liquor store) poured over a single large ice cube. If you want to stay cheap, I think Jim Beam is smooth and you won't have to feel guilty for cutting it with soda. I'm partial to ginger ale and a lime wedge. I like Maker's but it's a bit overpriced for the taste.

 

If you want to taste some good straight whiskey, not technically bourbon, all those flavored ones are good. There's a pecan one, and bird dog has them in all fruit flavors.

I used to drink Beam straight. I was broke at the time. It's best used with a mixer.

[813basstard]

Black Velvet is top shelf.
Mix that with a women named Misty, a job you hate, unresolved issues from childhood. and a pack of heaters and you sir have a night ahead of you…

[A-Jay]

15 minutes ago, 813basstard said:

Black Velvet is top shelf.
Mix that with a women named Misty, a job you hate, unresolved issues from childhood. and a pack of heaters and you sir have a night ahead of you…

LOL ~

When you get up in the morning and the light is hurt your head.

The first thing you do when you get up out of bed

Is hit that streets a-runnin' and try to beat the masses

And go get yourself some cheap sunglasses

?

A-Jay

 

 

 

[Junger]

 

23 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

1. To those of you who have experience with bourbons/whiskeys, does it get easier to drink the more you give your taste buds some?

2. Do you still taste the rubbing alcohol after being used to it? I had to take extremely small sips (barely can even call it a sip) to not get that taste.

3. Should i be taking such small sips or bigger ones?

4. What are some bourbon/whiskey brands to try for beginners (mainly ordering from bars or restaurants so not buying bottles of it, so common ones). Easy to drink and not too expensive options please.

 

1. Yes, your palate will acclimate to the ethanol/alcohol over time.

2. Some bottles yes. Some bottles need time to open up. Some pours also need air to open up.

3. Take a small sip, and wash it over your gums first, and not the tongue first. Then the next small sip, let it sit on your tongue next. Now, take a bigger sip and try to focus on at least one note.

4. My low proof drinkers are Michter's American whiskey (83.4prf), Old Forester Statesman (95prf), Tincup 14yr (84prf). They pack a lot of flavor, with a bit less burn. Give those a try.

[deaknh03]

Jamison black barrel ftw

[LrgmouthShad]

I liked the taste of bourbon and whiskey right off the bat. I think Maker's Mark was one of the first ones I tried, along with Jameson. I thought Jameson tasted great back then but now it's meh. 

 

In my opinion 1792 and Pendleton are two really light tasting options to try. Pendleton in particular. 

 

My favorite bourbons are probably Woodford Reserve and Knob Creek but the best I've had is WhistlePig 10yr small batch, which was a graduation gift to me. I still have the bottle

 

[Happybeerbuzz]

Four Roses is another low cost bourbon that I keep on hand.  

[GReb]

They are all going to taste like ethanol at first. You will eventually move past that but it does take time. I’m in no way an expert but here are some thoughts. 

 

Start with a quality bourbon in a whiskey forward cocktail like an old fashioned.  The bitters and fruit will help but there is not a liquid mixer. Knob creek 9 is a good one to start with and won’t break the bank. 
 

Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare is a solid straight sipper for a beginner but are tough to find at msrp. Don’t pay $50. 
 

Don’t be afraid to stray from 80 proof whiskeys. Higher proofs will generally have more robust flavor profiles that you may be easier to locate through the ethanol. Just my experience. 
 

Adding ice or water will help you more than most anything else. 
 

Finally, try multiple distilleries and see what you prefer. Whether it be Wild Turkey, Bookers, Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, etc. Each have pretty distinct flavor profiles that flow through most of their product lines. 

[NorcalBassin]

1. Definitely gets easier with reps!

2. Rubbing alcohol taste... generally you'll start as a proof pansy and anything over 80 will probably give you that sensation. With time you'll start to appreciate the flavors of 100+ proof bourbons.

3. Small sips. Take your time to enjoy it!

4. In addition to the Buffalo Trace already mentioned, something like 80 proof Gentleman Jack's or Pendleton's would be considered an "easy drinker." Wild Turkey 101 is a nicely flavored, readily available inexpensive bourbon when you're ready to step up in proof or want to add a little ice.

[the reel ess]

12 hours ago, slonezp said:

I used to drink Beam straight. I was broke at the time. It's best used with a mixer.

It makes a decent old fashioned if you already have it around.

7 hours ago, Happybeerbuzz said:

Four Roses is another low cost bourbon that I keep on hand.  

I had that this weekend. It's a bargain. You can get the small batch at a good price as well.