How to Convert the Reluctant Bourbon Drinker

[jwevan01]

The suggestions given so far have been excellent, particularly the focus on nosing, sipping, and how to handle the sip while imbibing. Another approach might be to try introducing bourbon as a cocktail base. I'm pretty fond of well made cocktails and spend a lot of time tinkering around with ingredients and techniques. Back in May my wife gave me a copy of "The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book" by Joy Perrine (longtime Louisville bartender). Joy's premise is that pretty much any well known cocktail can be made with bourbon and she then goes on to provide her modified recipes. Thus far, I've been pretty happy with the results of following her choices and have had good reviews from my wife (dedicated scotch drinker) on the bourbon based cocktails that we have tried. Just another way of easing people into appreciating the flavor of bourbon without overwhelming their palate.

Joel

[CoMobourbon]

Well, dammit.

I really appreciate all of the advice; the notion that slow nosing, sipping and description of flavors to be tasted seem like great suggestions.

Unfortunately, when I finally found an opportunity to put some Basil Hayden's in front of my mother-in-law, she picked up the glass and downed it as soon as she agreed to taste it. She is actually a pretty cultured person and does know better, but she clearly has preconceptions about her liking of bourbon. She actually likes me a lot - hence the willingness to try something she was sure she would hate - but obviously she decided to treat the whiskey as bad medicine that just had to be put down as quickly as possible.

[ILLfarmboy]

Well, dammit.

I really appreciate all of the advice; the notion that slow nosing, sipping and description of flavors to be tasted seem like great suggestions.

Unfortunately, when I finally found an opportunity to put some Basil Hayden's in front of my mother-in-law, she picked up the glass and downed it as soon as she agreed to taste it. She is actually a pretty cultured person and does know better, but she clearly has preconceptions about her liking of bourbon. She actually likes me a lot - hence the willingness to try something she was sure she would hate - but obviously she decided to treat the whiskey as bad medicine that just had to be put down as quickly as possible.

If she ever agrees to try another bourbon, give her only a sip in riedel.

[White Dog]

When someone offers me BH, I also try to politely knock it down as fast as possible.

[CoMobourbon]

When someone offers me BH, I also try to politely knock it down as fast as possible.

Yeah, it's not exactly my favorite either. But for a first timer...?

[bllygthrd]

but she enjoys (and presumptively critiques) spicy, dark flavored red wines, is always willing to try new alcohols and generally enjoys those she tries.

I generally agree with the suggestions made ... and add ... ask her to treat the bourbon tasting with the same respect and technique she has/uses when tasting wine. She'll eventually convert!

[ILLfarmboy]

.... but she enjoys (and presumptively critiques) spicy, dark flavored red wines,

As do I.

I've long suspected a connection between one's wine preference and distilled spirits. Red wine drinkers like the tannins.......

Try giving her some, and I'm might get flamed for this, but try giving her some Maker's 46. Give her just a couple small sips in a Riedel or one of those scotch glasses everyone raves about nowdays. The name excapes me.......

[Rutherford]

Try giving her some, and I'm might get flamed for this, but try giving her some Maker's 46. Give her just a couple small sips in a Riedel or one of those scotch glasses everyone raves about nowdays. The name excapes me.......

Glencairn?

I agree with the Maker's 46 (or regular Maker's) recommendation. I don't personally care about smoothness much and don't keep Maker's around, but it did help get me started on bourbon. Something at a reasonably low proof, which is reasonably smooth, and which isn't overly oaky is probably a good choice to start. Four Roses Small Batch might be a good choice as well.

[HighInTheMtns]

As do I.

I've long suspected a connection between one's wine preference and distilled spirits. Red wine drinkers like the tannins.......

Try giving her some, and I'm might get flamed for this, but try giving her some Maker's 46. Give her just a couple small sips in a Riedel or one of those scotch glasses everyone raves about nowdays. The name excapes me.......

I think this is a good suggestion. The main thing I thought when I tried Maker's 46 was "tannic." I think smoothness and lowness of proof (I'm guessing these are among your reasons for selecting BH) are less of a concern, higher proof comes with more flavor and a red wine drinker likely isn't too concerned with smoothness.

[bad_scientist]

I think this is a good suggestion. The main thing I thought when I tried Maker's 46 was "tannic." I think smoothness and lowness of proof are less of a concern, higher proof comes with more flavor and a red wine drinker likely isn't too concerned with smoothness.

My friend drinks red wine but he must stick with Roses or something, because every time he tries a bourbon above 40%, he grabs his throat and complains about the burn. I just told him he really shouldn't be drinking whiskey.

Anyway, for my wife, it helped a lot to serve bourbon in a rocks glass to let lots of air get to it. The spirity notes in whiskey get concentrated in specialized glasses, and non-spirits drinkers (or at least my wife) is pretty sensitive to them. I gave her some 4RYL once and she's hooked, but she won't have it out of a Glencairn.