Branching Out and Building a Collection

[pnessutt]

Being still relatively new to Bourbon over the last few years, my tastes have been limited primarily to the Beam Small Batch Brands (Bookers, Bakers, Knob Creek, Basil Haydens).

I'd like to grow out my collection more and I'm curious as to the kinds of Bourbon's that you might recommend - both for casual drinking and for those once in a while opportunities that you might truly want something to savor.

Thanks for your help!

-Bob

[cowdery]

Try:

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage
Labrot and Graham Woodford Reserve
Ezra B 15 year old Single Barrel
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
Blanton's

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://cowdery.home.netcom.com>--Chuck Cowdery</A>

[MurphyDawg]

ya still can't go wrong with Old Forester (or Evan Williams 7 Year) as kick-ass everyday drinks .


uhm i suggest Russell's Reserve too, I just tried some at a bar last night, and now I hope everyone could share the joy I had expereincing it.
Yummy,

Rock On,
Tom (all chuck's choices are spot on, YUMMY)C

[bobbyc]

Any thing you see that has Old Rip VanWinkle on it is worth having . Ditto's for what Chuck and Murphydawg says as well. Wild turkey does not sell any bad whiskey you may want to leave the 80 proof at the liquor store. Wathens is great same as ezra 15 but not in the barrel as long. A good Ezra Brooks is the 101 proof 7 YO , get some Elijah Craig 12 YO as soon as you can if you like Knob Creek you should love the EC .

Bobby Cox

[MurphyDawg]

i wish they sold EC 12 YO where I live. I feel like I am missing out.


TomC

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Tom wrote "i wish they sold EC 12 YO where I live. I feel like I am missing out."

You are.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Welcome to Bourbonia Bob! You've certainly come to the right place for in depth bourbonic insight. I concur whole heartedly with the suggestions proffered by my esteemed colleagues here on this forum. I highly recomend A.H. Hirsch. This is a 16 year old pot stilled whiskey from Pennsylvania from the now defunct Michter's distillery. It's quite expensive at $80 per 750ml bottle, but once it's gone it's gone.

For an easy drinking small batch bourbon that is surprisingly good for it's young age allow me to also recomend the six year old 90 proof Virginia Gentleman also known as 'the fox' due to the fox hunting sceen on the label and embossed foxhead on the bottle. An excellent choice at $20 per 750ml bottle.

Linn Spencer

Have Shotglass. Will Travel.

[ratcheer]

Welcome, Bob. Several of these have already been mentioned, but I won't try to filter. The bourbons that I enjoy the most are:

(Expensive)
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Woodford Reserve
Knob Creek
Blanton's

(Everyday)
Wild Turkey 101
Old Forester 100 proof
Elijah Craig 12 year old

Tim

[rwilps]

Welcome, Bob! I'd suggest you try to "track the rye" as many of us do. Start with a high-rye bourbon variation on your Beam products - Old Granddad 100 proof - then go to the high-end ryes like Van Winkle 13 year old or Hirsch 13 year old. Then try Sazerac rye as an elegant comparison to these flavorful spirits. A nice change from the corn-sweet bourbons often suggested, and an education to the palate.

Ralph Wilps

[Creggor]

Hello, Bob. As Linn said you come to the right place. Buffalo Trace has what they call there Antique Collection.. 18yr Sazerac Rye the 2001 Bottling won whiskey of the year this past year. 17yr Eagle Rare is given 5 stars by Paul Perout of the spirit journal and ther 19ye Weller aint bad unless your like Linn and just don't like wheaters. Julian Vanwinkles 13yr Rye is a must so is his 15yr 107 Proof and
then he has 20yr & 23yr Pappy Family Reserve. I agree with linn I love the 16yr Hirsch I believe it's better than the 20 yr which is all bottled. I understand Julian Vanwinkle still has some 16yr Hirsch. The Hue family of Cork-n-Bottle of Covington ,Ky has control over all the Hirsch. Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is high on my list of favorites as is there Rare Breed. Buffalo Trace has a 10 Eagle Rare Single barrel which I really like. I have not had the chance to try There Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel of the 92 Evan Williams but have 6 bottles of the 90 & 91 vintage on hand so you know I really like what they have done with this vintage bottling. Just for the record. I have been kinda on the wagon and a diet since feb 4th. have only had a few drinks since then have managed to get my weight down to 212 from 250 and my target is 188. Maybe then I can start to open some of the near 60 bottles of fine Bourbon I have sitting around here. Hope this info helps. Creggor