Five bourbons

[bvscfanatic]

Anybody up for a little game? Imagine that you have been ordered to lock in the names of just FIVE BOURBONS. These five bourbons will be the ONLY bourbons which you may purchase for the rest of your life. Which bourbons would these be?

For myself, the goal has always been to find value. I'm not a top shelf drinker, nor am I sophisticated in describing bourbon. I'm looking for affordable great taste, and I like high proof. I normally drink neat. Color is very important to me. Dark amber approaching ruby is what I look for. Experience has proven that the darker the hue, the more likely I'm going to approve. The possibility of buying in magnum (1.75L) bottles is nice, but I included one exception in my list. Here are my choices:

Elijah Craig 12 year (94 proof)
Weller Antique (107 proof)
Fighting Cock (103 proof)
Very Old Barton (6 year, BIB, 100 proof)
Old Grand Dad (114 proof)

I could be happy forever with these.

[White Dog]

I'll bite. I like your choices. I would want to cover styles and ages, but it's sad to think of only 5 for the rest of my life. I'll only use current releases.

OGD114 for Rye heavy.
GTS for some extra age.
Weller Antique for wheat.
FRSB just because.
And VWFRR, because if I can't have a Rye, life ain't worth livin'.

[flintlock]

Cool idea. Although a novice, I'd choose:

EW white label BIB
WT 101
Bulleit
OGD 114
one of the Wellers...(hard to make up my mind)

[ggilbertva]

I'm going to assume the originator meant currently available so I'll go with that.

1. WT 101
2. Very Old Barton BIB
3. Pappy 15
4. Rittenhouse BIB
5. George T Stagg

My selections give me a decent cross section of distillers, mashbill and upper proof and quality.

[kickert]

I could be very happy with Greg's list, but I would probably say:

1. Pappy 15
2. GTS
3. Rittenhouse BIB
4. EWSB
5. 4RSmB

[chilidawg7]

In no particular order...

1. OGD 114
2. Pappy 15
3. Booker's
4. WTRB
5. Pappy 15 again.

[SMOWK]

I really have no idea. I'd let someone else make the decision and then beat them up and take it.

[OscarV]

I have so many favorites in my "Top 5" that the list would be to long for me to type.

[camduncan]

From the range available in Australia (in no order):

1. Bookers
2. Buffalo Trace
3. Jim Beam Rye
4. Elijah Craig 12yo
5. Makers Mark

Whilst not a bourbon, I really have to add one more:

6. Wild Turkey American Honey

[fishnbowljoe]

I'm gonna split hairs on this one. I have two lists. One for current bottlings, and one for bourbons no longer being produced. Anyone else get a feeling of deja' vu?

Current list, in no particular order.
1. Weller 12
2. OWA
3. BTAC WLW
4. Pappy 15
5. Lot B

Out of production list, again in no particular order.
1. ER 101
2. Weller Centennial
3. WTRR 101
4. Old Forester BIB
5. A tie between the older Old Fitz BIB and AA BIB.

Well, that about covers it for me. Cheers! Joe