Tasting For Newbies

[cformes]

I'm having some friends over tonight, both of whom are wine lovers, with the intent of introducing them to bourbon and all of its glory. The question is: what should I pull out for them to start with?

Here's a list of what I have at the moment:

BT

Makers Mark

Stranahans

Yamazaki (I know, not bourbon, but still cool)

Black Maple Hill

Rowan's Creek

Noah's Mill

Four Roses

Four Roses SB

OVW Lot B

PVW 15

PVW 20

PVW 23

GTS08

WLW08

Saz08

Handy08

ER08

ER07

Hirsch 16

Jefferson's Reserve

Bookers

Beam White

Beam Black

Bernheim (Not Bourbon)

Bulleit

Vintage 17

Michters 10

Rittenhouse BIB

Sazerac

I think I should include a little uncut Stagg, just for fun. What would you suggest? 3, 4, 18 different types? Which ones? Order? I'm not sure that I wouldn't just walk through the line with them, but I don't think that would do anyone any good.

Thanks!

[SBOmarc]

Give them a brief intro into styles and variety and let them make selections. A flite of Van Winkle is another way you could go.

[spun_cookie]

I would sat two flights for experience.

Do a 1/4 oz of each in that flight.

Flight 1:

Makers Mark

OVW Lot B

PVW 15

PVW 20

PVW 23

WLW08

Hirsch 16

Bernheim (Not Bourbon)

Flight 2:

BT

Four Roses

Four Roses SB

Saz08

ER08

ER07

Bulleit

Vintage 17

Sazerac

Thomas Handy

That would be plenty of goodies for two distinct flights and the you could just let them go wild from there.

[ILLfarmboy]

If it were me, I'd select one wheater, one low rye and one high bourbon and two rye whiskeys. If thy are new to whiskey entirely, I would stay away from the barrel proofers. I would go with Makers, Buffalo trace, Beam Black, Four Roses (either iteration) and then Saz Jr. and Rittenhouse BIB.

I'd go with the wheater, Makers Mark, first, then the ryed bourbons and finally the rye whiskeys.

[fishnbowljoe]

Chris, I would try to do a step ladder starting with a lower end bourbon, then work my way up. Going from my tastes, and doing the best with my slightly limited experience, here are my choices.

1. Jim Beam White

2. Maker's Mark

3. Bulleit

4. Buffalo Trace

5. Four Roses Single Barrel

6. Lot B

See how that goes, and if they are still interested, explain the BTAC to them. Then maybe have a second flight of BTAC, Hirsch, and PVW 15-20-23.

I haven't yet tasted the Hirsch or PVW 20 & 23. For those I'm going by reputation and what I have gleaned here at SB. Good luck with your tasting. Let us know how it goes. Joe

[gothbat]

VWSR12, FR1B, Rittenhouse BIB (maybe add a 4th, the Bernheim) and then suggest something different based on what they liked of those 3 or 4.

[ILLfarmboy]

VWSR12, FR1B, Rittenhouse BIB (maybe add a 4th, the Bernheim) and then suggest something different based on what they liked of those 3 or 4.

[cformes]

Hey gents,

Thank for the suggestions!! There are some fantastic assortments there. Let me tell you what I wound up with:

1. Yamazaki 12: they were non-boubonites, and I thought the single malt would be anecdotal and also provide a basic and bold comparison for the non-peats in the room.

2 .Black Maple: It's an excellent bourbon, and on the lower end of the price chain. I was hoping that it would draw them in.

3. GTS08: I wanted to peak in the middle, as Shakespeare had intended. Both of my friends, without prompting, commented on the quality and flavor here (backed up my choice to buy 7 bottles of this). A wonderful high note.

4. PVW15: DIfferent from the Stagg, but still a quality pour. Also the first wheater in the group.

5. Michter's 10 yo bourbon: Not much response here. I must be alone in my love of this one. For the most part, it's been shunned by my brethren, but it's still one of my favorites.

So that's what we drank over a dozen or so games of pool and chats about life. Thank you for the suggestions, I really tried to use them in my choices, and in retrospect would have poured a bit more from the "utility" section with the GTS as a culmination, rather than trying to cover all of my non-rye bases.

Thanks again, and have a great night!

[gothbat]

I'm not sure what your reasoning is but I like your suggestions.

[kickert]

I know you have already done your tasting, but when I am walking people through try to offer contrasts. I usually do three flights:

High Wheat / High Corn / High Rye (Weller SR, OC10, Bulleit/WT)

Less Age / More Age (Weller SR, Weller 12)

Personal Favorites (ER10, ETL)

Then I offer them a taste anything they want.