Gift suggestions

[Merlin_AZ]

My office manager drinks Beam White label.

For the holidays, I was considering getting her one bottle each of the 4 Beam Small Batch bourbons.

She hasn't tried any of them, so I don't have any hints from her as to whether or not she'd like any of them.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

[sailor22]

Buy her some quality Chocolate to go with her Beam White. My guess is she will appreciate it more than different juice.

[Josh]

My office manager drinks Beam White label.

For the holidays, I was considering getting her one bottle each of the 4 Beam Small Batch bourbons.

She hasn't tried any of them, so I don't have any hints from her as to whether or not she'd like any of them.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

I have seen a set of minis of the Small Batch collection at the Clermont gift shop and elsewhere in KY. That might be more affordable.

That said, they're all good, but might I suggest you skip the Basil Hayden and get her a bottle of the Old Granddad Bonded or the Old Granddad 114 instead. They're both much better and much cheaper.

If it was me, I would also consider subbing either Evan Williams Single Barrel or Elijah Craig 12 for either the Baker's or the Booker's. They're both good, but getting both Baker's and Booker's would be redundant, I think. If she likes Beam, she'll probably like Heaven Hill Products too. Or if you want to stick with the Beam theme, you could sub Maker's Mark for one of those too.

She must be a very good friend if you're going to get her all of those!:grin:

[Merlin_AZ]

She must be a very good friend if you're going to get her all of those!:grin:

She's my office manager.

She got me a Highland Park 25 last year, so I'd like to try to match her generosity with something I hope she can enjoy, since I know she won't buy them herself.

She might not like the "spice" of Basil Hayden, so I guess I can substitute that, and maybe Baker's as well.

So maybe Booker's (which I'd like to get her), and a few others, and I guess I don't have to stick to Beam only.

Opens the door a little.

[Lost Pollito]

Wow. HP 25 is quite nice. The Small batch collection would be a nice gift. I say go for that. :grin:

[loose proton]

Wow. HP 25 is quite nice. The Small batch collection would be a nice gift. I say go for that. :grin:

yep, it would hard to beat the HP 25yo. Definitely the Bookers since it says right on the label that it's best of the beam.

[fishnbowljoe]

I would get her something other than Beam products. If you do that, she can compare Beam with other bourbons. This might help her spread her wings a bit, so to speak. I agree with Josh that Maker's Mark would be a good one. Other suggestions would be ERSB 10/90, Weller SR, Weller 12, or OWA. IMHO these would be a bit of a step up from Beam White, especially in taste, without going too crazy on the price or proof. (Other than the OWA at 107 proof) If you want something a bit better than those, a bottle of Lot B would be great if you could find one. Good luck Merlin. Hope this helps. Let us know what you decide. Cheers! Joe

[barturtle]

The Small Batch Collection is a set of fine whiskies. The Basil Hayden tends to get marks off for its lower proof, but it is otherwise a fine whiskey. All of them are fine, but as a set they lack "range" they are too alike (other than simple age/proof differences)

Sadly there are no other sets of whiskies like that to offer as an alternative.

[Lost Pollito]

The Small Batch Collection is a set of fine whiskies. The Basil Hayden tends to get marks off for its lower proof, but it is otherwise a fine whiskey. All of them are fine, but as a set they lack "range" they are too alike (other than simple age/proof differences)

Sadly there are no other sets of whiskies like that to offer as an alternative.

Except maybe BTAC? :skep:

[barturtle]

Except maybe BTAC? :skep:

Not quite easy to find or regular production...nor can you pick it up in a nice glass fronted case.

[spun_cookie]

My office manager drinks Beam White label.

For the holidays, I was considering getting her one bottle each of the 4 Beam Small Batch bourbons.

She hasn't tried any of them, so I don't have any hints from her as to whether or not she'd like any of them.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks in advance.

Marlin,

I think that would be a good gift for a Beam drinker. You may concider adding the Beam 8 yr black to the list or just teh beam black and the beam rye. Both are a fair price and would be a good stepping stone into othersin the future.

[BBQ+Bourbon]

She drinks beam white? How much does she drink? The only reason I can think of to consume that grog is that it's cheap. People who drink cheap liquor do so because 1) they drink a lot or 2)they don't know better.

If she's a high-volume consumer, she'll appreciate a few handles of JBW (EWB is much better at a similar price).

There is nothing in JBW that is enjoyable, so if she's not a raging drunk, get her some good bourbon. It's BTAC season, so spend your budget on these fantastic bottles. I have GTS, WLW, and Handy and all are phenomenal. These bottles have changed the way I look at bourbon and my expectations have been recalibrated. Anything that's not barrel proof and unfiltered had better offer a compelling story or I will keep looking!

What is your budget?

[ILLfarmboy]

There is nothing in JBW that is enjoyable,....

I can't disagree with you there. But I'm assuming she's consuming it mixed with Coke.

I'd go with a handle or two of Beam Black. She may be one of those brand loyalists. JBB and Coke ain't my thing, but it is better than JBW and Coke and at least it is drinkable neat.

[barturtle]

She may be one of those brand loyalists.

She may just be scared to risk trying something new. Beam may be all she was ever introduced to.

[Merlin_AZ]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

What is your budget?

My budget is pretty good...about $200.

I was hoping to get her 3-4 nice bottles, since I know she won't spend that kind of money on herself.

[Ruby K]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

My budget is pretty good...about $200.

I was hoping to get her 3-4 nice bottles, since I know she won't spend that kind of money on herself.

For that budget, i'd get her booker's, a pappy 20, and a 4rsb. Different quality products from a few different distilleries.

[WsmataU]

OK, don't get carried away here. I think a variety of the "bargain" bourbons would be a nice foray into premium bourbon without breaking out the Pappy 20. A few suggestions:

Lot B 12 yr

W.L.Weller

Makers Mark

Blanton's

Wathen's

Pick 2-3. Remembering it is a gift, for someone. the "pretty bottles" that some people on these boards detest still make great gifts and all of the bourbon above should be relatively easy to find if she decides she really likes one.

[Ruby K]

She's my office manager.

She got me a Highland Park 25 last year, so I'd like to try to match her generosity with something I hope she can enjoy, since I know she won't buy them herself.

She might not like the "spice" of Basil Hayden, so I guess I can substitute that, and maybe Baker's as well.

So maybe Booker's (which I'd like to get her), and a few others, and I guess I don't have to stick to Beam only.

Opens the door a little.

WsmataU,

this is why i suggested the Pappy 20, a bit of reciprocity. Highland Park 25 is no joke.

[WsmataU]

WsmataU,

this is why i suggested the Pappy 20, a bit of reciprocity. Highland Park 25 is no joke.

[Ruby K]

Understood, but if she is not a connoisseur she likely won't enjoy it as much as a variety of "good" bourbons to learn about our hobby, and determine what she really likes. If it is about the dollar amount then you'll be hard pressed to beat Pappy 20, but I don't think she'll appreciate it as much. Just my $.02.

fair enough. we agree to disagree. in honor of said disagreement, think i'll do a flight of ORVW15, JRPS17 and PVW20. lchaim!

[p_elliott]

The lady drinks JB which is a rye bourbon and almost every person on here suggested wheater bourbon. Why? She likes rye bourbon lets not go 180 degrees here. I think his original idea was not a bad one the small batch collection would be good. It's with in the profile she's used too not a huge shock but a step up. Lets take baby steps not giant leaps. Giant leaps could turn her off more than encourage her. If you want to throw in a single bottle of a wheater that would be OK but not a whole collection as some have suggested. Next occasion branch out with something else.

[fishnbowljoe]

My suggestions were based on price and taste versus cost. I realized I may have suggested a lot of wheaters, but I was trying to give Merlin a choice that was a small step up in price, but a nice step up in flavor. But, granted, I love my wheaters. :yum: Joe

[greenman]

Dont forget to give her this web site. best of all, it is free.

[Ruby K]

The lady drinks JB which is a rye bourbon and almost every person on here suggested wheater bourbon. Why? She likes rye bourbon lets not go 180 degrees here. I think his original idea was not a bad one the small batch collection would be good. It's with in the profile she's used too not a huge shock but a step up. Lets take baby steps not giant leaps. Giant leaps could turn her off more than encourage her. If you want to throw in a single bottle of a wheater that would be OK but not a whole collection as some have suggested. Next occasion branch out with something else.

fwiw, i suggested three different routes- one wheater, sure but also the 4RSB and the Booker's. :grin:

[Merlin_AZ]

I continue to appreciate all the recommendations.

My original intent was to get her some bottles a few steps up from JB White, without going too far since I'm not sure she would be able to appreciate anything at a much higher level/price point.

Our office party is next Friday night, and hopefully I can make some choices she'll enjoy as much as I enjoy HP 25.

I'll let you know what I decided on once I commit.

Thanks again.