Lighter Bourbons

"Lighter" here meaning lighter in body, lighter flavors, lighter mouthfeel, etc.

The recent threads on Benchmark have made me think about this subject. I generally don't like lighter-styled bourbons: usually if I want to drink lighter whiskey I'll drink Canadian. But it may simply be that I haven't tried good representations of the style. The only ones that occur to me right now are Ten High (which is drinkable, if a little "hot"); the standard I.W. Harper, which I didn't like at all -- too bland; and this Benchmark, which as I've mentioned in another thread, is okay.

Have I been missing anything? Are there lighter bourbons worth sampling out there? Which ones? What do people think of the style, more generally?

doug

Basil Hayden. I consider it brown vodka but others here really like it.
Mike Veach

I consider Blanton's fairly "light," but in the best possible sense. Its pleasures are subtle and sophisticated.

On the "value" side, I would say Jim Beam White Label matches your criteria for "light."

--Chuck Cowdery

Drink canadian?! *NEVER* Since you like Rebel Yell may I suggest good old run of the mill Old Fitzgerald? Be a good American and leave those imports out of the picture. For a truely "light" whiskey I myself much pefer corn liquor straight off the worm. It costs about two dollars a gallon to make, and you don't have to pay any taxes!

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

Mike now you know that any corn liquor distilled by any man named "Clyde" is good drinking!

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

Heh. Well, ah, I like Canadian whiskey. Occasionally. It ain't bourbon, but sometimes it ain't bad.


doug

Try McKendrick. Oh! I'm sorry! I thought you said "lighter <u>FLUID</u>"

Seriously, though, I agree with Mike; Basil Hayden is just the thing for a high-quality light bourbon. Also Gentleman Jack (I know, it's not bourbon). Other light bourbons I can think of are all really cheap, and include my least favorites (I like lots of flavor), but you might like them -- at least they're inexpensive to try...

Henry McKenna (standard, not single barrel)
Cabin Still
Old Crow
(Omagawd! I can't believe I really recommended those to anyone!)
Four Roses (get it while you can)
J.W. Dant BIB

and if you want a light whiskey that will serve the purpose of Canadian, don't neglect the better American blends like Kessler and Seven Crown.

=John=
http://w3.one.net/~jeffelle/whiskey