Good bourbon for a beginner?

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Originally Posted by Rockefeller

How I "trained" to drink whiskey neat years and years ago:

Bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black
1st night: 2oz + 4oz water
2nd night: 2oz + 3oz water
3rd night: 2oz + 2oz water
4th night: 2oz + 1oz water
5th night: 2oz + 0.5oz water
6th night: 2oz + splash of water
7th night: 2oz neat

You now have a gradually conditioned brain/mouth that no longer overreacts to high proof liquor.

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I never "trained" myself to drink whiskey neat. I started drinking whiskey mixed with soft drinks. After a few years I moved to drinking whiskey on the rocks. One day I bought an ultra-aged bourbon, and it fell apart with ice. I sipped it neat, and was turned onto a whole different realm of flavors. Today I drink most of my bourbon neat, and now my new journey is exploring barrel proof expression that are non-chill filtered. Whiskey is great... Take your time and enjoy it. Explore it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Halifax

I never "trained" myself to drink whiskey neat. I started drinking whiskey mixed with soft drinks. After a few years I moved to drinking whiskey on the rocks. One day I bought an ultra-aged bourbon, and it fell apart with ice. I sipped it neat, and was turned onto a whole different realm of flavors. Today I drink most of my bourbon neat, and now my new journey is exploring barrel proof expression that are non-chill filtered. Whiskey is great... Take your time and enjoy it. Explore it.

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Funny how the brain works and you adapt to stuff. There was a time when even Maker's Mark was firewater to me. Now I can drink high octane barrel strength whiskey with a straw like it's a bottle of Yoo-hoo!:grin:

Thanks for all the recommendations guys! Im going to pick something up tonight. Ill reply back and let ya'll know how it turns out!

What did you end up buying?

we're waiting to hear
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/e...staggsmall.jpg

Someone mentioned maker's 46. I think if you're going to go Maker's step up a half notch and get Maker's 46. It has a bit more flavor than the standard and it shouldn't be too high a proof for a beginner.

I may be in the minority here but for a beginner I'd also recommend Bulleit Bourbon. Very reasonably priced. It does have a higher rye content than the typical bourbon so has a good bit of spice to it but at 90 proof not too hot. BUT it also has a nice honey and caramel taste on the palate, if you are looking for something with sweet notes to it. definitely a good bargin, I think.

The OP doesn't mention if he will be mixing his drinks, if so Jack or Jim would do.