Best mid priced beginner bourbon

[hectic1]

As far as Binny's bottlings go I would lean towards the ETL and the BT as being their best selections that they currently have available. Seeing that he is just getting started with bourbon I would get him something that is a little sweeter and lower proof...IMO I would go with a wheater...Weller 12, Maker's 46, and VW Lot B IMO all would be very good choices in the $25-$50 range and available at Binny's. :cool:

[Parkersback]

As far as Binny's bottlings go I would lean towards the ETL and the BT as being their best selections that they currently have available. Seeing that he is just getting started with bourbon I would get him something that is a little sweeter and lower proof...IMO I would go with a wheater...Weller 12, Maker's 46, and VW Lot B IMO all would be very good choices in the $25-$50 range and available at Binny's. :cool:

What Bob said.:toast:

[flintlock]

I still have never seen a weller 12 on the shelf. Living is north Alabama is not fun, but never saw these in all my Georgia and Tennessee stores...even on my recent trip through Kentucky up to Lexington.

Same here. We hear legends of Weller 12, but have yet to find it.

Autiger, you couldn't even find it in KY?

[squire]

Trying to remember the last time I saw Weller 12 locally, it was here, of that I'm sure, but how long ago I'm not. Curious because we get Weller Reserve, Antique, most of the Van Winkle line (limited supply) and the Antique Collection (also limited), in addition to BT.

[autiger23]

Not while I was up there, I only hit the bigger superstores though which might have been the problem.

[awhiskeydrink]

"When I was first starting out, one of the first few bourbons I got was Buffalo Trace. I thought it was a good starting bourbon because it was smooth, fairly straightforward noes and taste, and at 90 proof, its a baby step toward the higher proofs. It's not a sexy pick, but a solid one. Also, congrats on having a friend who wants to spend money on bourbon" -tehbeardman

Looking back on it, I may have given Buffalo Trace a little lower of a rating than it deserves (a 7.5/10 when it's closer to an 8). Buffalo Trace is good sippin' and great for mixing.

I included my review; Feel free to take a look if you got the time:

http://www.awhiskeydrink.com/search/label/Buffalo%20Trace

I came across Buffalo Trace as an alternative to Makers Mark for mixed drinks and a value brand. It came highly recommended by bluekitchen.com and did not disappoint. Buffalo Trace succeeds by being good at what it is, an above average Bourbon. Sure it scored a 7.5, but Buffalo Trace is not competing against 20 year old Pappy Van Winkle or 18 year old Single-Malt Scotch

Buffalo Trace, formerly named Ancient Age, got its name from a trail crossing where buffalo once forded the river, the Great Buffalo Trace. Since 1857 the distillery has garnered a reputation for experimenting with ages and woods. Their straight Whiskey is pronounced in vanilla and oak (Maclean).

taste - warm up front, smooth, with a burn of the back end; understated, caramel, roasted vanilla sugar, pine, citrus oil (but not oily), bark.

smell - slight metallic, oak, wood, cooked sugar, vanilla, spice.

look - copper rust, worn brass.

rating - 7.5

price - $20 - $30

Cheers,

Swift

Work Cited

MacLean, Charles. World Whiskey. New York: DK, 2009. Print.

[ErichPryde]

awhiskeydrink-

If you liked kentucky spirit, perhaps you should try an older bottling. Heck, I read your rating and I think perhaps you did... because the current stuff really isn't all that great in comparison.

...

[awhiskeydrink]

ErichPryde,

Sorry it took me a bit to get back with you, I’ve been swamp by work and school. I believe my bottle of Kentucky Spirit is about 1 1/2 old. If it were not for me sampling so many, there’s no way it would have lasted that long. My father-in-law is always snatching the stuff

You say the latest batch isn’t as good. Mind if I cite you? Maybe I’ll buy a new bottle and conduct another taste test for everyone here. It’s be very interesting, and a real disappointment if Wild Turkey fell off with this premium lable.

Thanks for the great reply.