How old were you when you first starting loving good bourbon?

Cliff,
Please don't misconstrue my meaning as belittling 1843. All I was saying is that in my market there weren't any Old Rip Van Winkles, Blantons, or Elijah Craigs such as I truly enjoy these days. For bourbon, we did have Beam and Wild Turkey but I never cared for White Label Beam even back then and Wild Turkey had a mystique of making people do funny things like dancing naked around the court square (did I really do that or were they making it up?) 1843 was to me at that time what a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 20 is to me today. That was the point I so clumsily tried to make. And just when I was getting that Nike taste out of my mouth too.

Well, I was one of those good girls who didn't drink at all until the legal age of 21. And I was even in a sorority in college! I learned how to bartend as a second job at 21 and it all went from there. Loved learning about all kinds of booze and wine, but was fascinated by our very own American spirit. I also learned you could gain some respect by ordering Booker's instead of a Cosmo when out with "the boys," not to mention the money you save sipping on that one drink for a while. At 30, I was introduced to Pappy. No turning back.

A long, long time ago when I was about 16 or 17 I was given some Wild Turkey 8 year old at a party. I had tasted several very cheap bourbons before that, but the WT was yummy. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forum...emlins/yum.gif

Then, in college, I still tended to buy the cheap stuff when a new friend from Kentucky had me try his Stitzel Weller bourbon (I can't remember if it was Old Fitzgerald or Weller Special Reserve). Another wonderful eye opener.

But, I kept buying the cheaper brands (Old Forester, Henry McKenna, etc). Around 1988, another friend gave me a taste of the (then) new Blanton's. Wow! http://www.straightbourbon.com/forum...ns/bowdown.gif But, I was still too cheap to buy it for myself. For about ten years there, I pretty much stuck to George Dickel No. 12.

But, in about 2001, a bug bit me to try every different bourbon I could get my hands on. Then I found sb.com and now, somehow or other, I have become a "virtuoso". http://www.straightbourbon.com/forum...aemlins/bs.gif Its a lot of fun.

To put all this into perspective, I am now 52 years old.

Tim

I guess I must have been bitten by that same bug. My income is meager, to say the least, but I just can't seem to help sinking just about every spare cent I have into buying another bottle of the stuff. I can only wonder how this bodes for the future...

I envy you Aaron! I remember not so long ago when all of bourbonia was new to me. Every trip to the liquor store was an adventure. There was a certain mystique to trying a new bourbon. I do believe I am happier now now with more experience, but the early days were sure lots of fun! You have come to the right place. Welcome to straightbourbon.com! http://www.straightbourbon.com/forum...lins/toast.gif

Enjoy where you're at right now, Aaron -- I'm reaching the end of that stage, and it's been fun; and, with the help and guidance of so many experienced palates here at SB.com, educational. But, now, after only maybe 16-18 months, I'm starting to know enough to have to make some decisions -- like, do I really like this well enough to pay that price?, or, is Hirsch getting too rare to drink?, or maybe, shouldn't I finished the six bottles I have opened before I buy that $40 'Noah's Mill', or should I grab it now because I might never see it again? There's something to be said for just popping the cork or twisting the top and pouring.

Have never been much of a drinker , at an early age I found that even small amounts of alcohol be it beer , wine or hard stuff left me with a mind spliting headache.... On my 21st birthday Dad poured me a glass of Bellows Club Bourbon I found that it was not bad at all baring the headaches after such indulgent. I tryed a few other low priced bourbons but never really cared one way or the other if I drank .
A friend who did drink and had formed the opinion of what was a "Good" bourbon as to what a cheap bottom shelf ,Rat/dog p*ss, etc etc etc bourbon was got me to try a few different bourbons , I then found out what a Good Bourbon and a Headache in a glass was..... Due to the fact I drink very little and have been known to nurse an open bottle / 5th for over a year price was not much of a draw back as to finding a selection (early 80's -90's ). It's good to see a greater selection of bourbons these days more common . As to love of a good bourbon I guess people and time make up a part of this that even a low qaulity bourbon can be great in the company of good people and the right monment ...
Bill G.

Well, it has only been about 2 to 3 years. I am now almost 57(wow, where did the years go) and I love drinking and collecting all of these fine bourbons.

When I was younger, gin was my drink; martini, g & t
were my favorites. I still enjoy a good martini before
dinner.

But I am truly fascinated with bourbon as many of you are.
I find enjoyment from every bottle and brand that I open.
Unfortanely http://www.straightbourbon.com/forum...lins/smile.gifI have way too many to ever drink by myself.

Soooo, please let me know when you are traveling through Maryland . My hospitality awaits you.

Why, as a matter of fact, I am headed that way in just a few minutes. http://www.straightbourbon.com/forum...emlins/lol.gif

Tim

When I was in my late 20s I played golf with an older gentleman who was from England and he turned me on to bourbon. He told me that we Americans didn't know what a good thing we had in our own backyard. I found it odd that this man was not a Scotch drinker. He said that he did like his Scotch but bourbon had so much more character and bravado. He has since passed away but I always remember sharing his flask contents on cool fall afternoons. I am in my late 40s and consider myself a bourbon novice and hope to learn and enjoy this forum.