5 To Start With

[ratcheer]

Here are my five, keeping in mind a moderate budget:

Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Woodford Reserve
Blanton's
Elijah Craig 12-year old
Old Grand Dad 114

Each of those is from a different distilling company and each is distinctly different from the others. There were some close calls, but you said five and only five, so I won't mention the ones I had a hard time leaving out.

Tim

[CL]

I think it will be difficult to stick to bourbons available in 375 ml, so I'll just list five suggested bourbons. But, I will stay in the spirit of the 375 ml rule and mention relatively inexpensive bourbons. (It seems though that many others ignored your request to keep in mind that you were on a budget.)

Since you appear to be wanting to learn about bourbon (and not just trying to taste the five best bourbons), I will select representatives of several styles.

In no particular order...

W.L. Weller 12 yo
ORVW 107 10 yo
ORVW FR Rye 13 yo
Elijiah Craig 12 yo
Buffalo Trace

All of these are under $20 except the ORVW FRR, which should be under $30.

[ratcheer]

I agree with that, Tom. I have said several times that, to me, KS and RR taste very similar. I also agree that KS is a little better. My prices are about $46 and $26. However, I can get both at my ABC stores.

Tim

[ratcheer]

And, after my reply agreeing with Tom about KS and RR, I will also agree with you - I much prefer RB to both of them.

Tim

[ratcheer]

Well, then, stock up on RR before they figure it out. And their RB is way overpriced - it is only $31 in Alabama, "the home of high liquor prices".

Tim

[Gillman]

There is an article in the current, U.K.-based, Whisky Magazine (excellent magazine, scotch whisky-oriented but covering bourbon too, see www.whiskymag.com) on this very problem and how inspectors try to cope. No doubt the problem is widespread, because compliance is so hard to verify. I reported recently being served "Crown Royal" in a Toronto bar that was nothing of the sort, it tasted like the cheapest whiskey blend seasoned with women's perfume, just awful. The only way is for people who know what things taste like to complain. Malefactors will naturally feel guilty and are more likely to reform if complaints are made.

[bobbyc]

Same flavor, but not 101 proof. I saw the bottle, and it was 101 not 80. How would you guys address something like that?

Ask them to open and pour from a new bottle. If they care about your business they will do it. If that bottle had been tampered with they will make well drinks out if it or save it for the unsophisticated drinker.

[cowdery]

I agree that you have to complain immediately. Proprietors who substitute do so because they believe no one will notice. If you do notice, and make a fuss, they'll be more motivated to change their ways.

[Bob]

Jeff,

I guess I'm in the minority as well. I definitely prefer KS to RR, and I agree that their flavor profiles are quite different. I like Rare Breed quite a bit also, but it falls in between KS and RR IMHO. I also agree that there are lots of good bourbons that are relatively inexpensive that I enjoy. Amazingly enough, I don't always want the expensive stuff, like KS or Stagg. There seems to be a time and place for all ranges of the Bourbon spectrum.

Bob

[MurphyDawg]

I don't always want the expensive stuff, like KS or Stagg.

I agree with that, I love bottlings like RR (23) AAA 10 (15) And Old Ezra 7/107 ($11), and probably have them twice as often as the so-called good stuff.


TomC