Does anyone else mix bourbon regularly?...

[TNbourbon]

Hello. My name in Tim, and I used to only drink bourbon straight.

I spent a lot of money doing it; I made a lot of friends and acquaintances; I drank a lot of significant bottlings. I don't regret it.

Still, I couldn't keep it up. My resources were limited, both by income and attitude. Eventually, I had to admit it: I like bourbon, even mixed with cola or ginger ale (diet versions, usually).

It was hard to break the 'purist' habit, as both myself and others had come to view me as somewhat accomplished at tasting straight bourbon. I can still 'call' a flavor, in a pinch. But, it's a lot of trouble. Easier to 'call' the ginger ale or cola.:grin:

I still don't drink before 5 p.m. (weekends, especially Sundays, excepted). I don't drink if I expect to drive (or ride the motorcycle). I don't drive if I've had more than a modicum of drink. But -- I'll admit it! -- I enjoy the buzz!

Frankly, it's easier to down a good amount of bourbon with an auxiliary (if I spelled THAT correctly, I'm not drunk yet) cover. Ginger ale for rye, cola for wheat!

I don't want to give up the society and experiences I've enjoyed being a purist. But, I'm also not going to pursue 'speciality' anymore.

Is there a place for me in the bourbon encyclopedia? I -- if not the world -- wonder.

[G.H.Adams]

Tim

I think your ok. While I drink bourbon neat, a lot of time I will add ice or cola depending how I feel. We are all linked together by a love of bourbon and we are all different. Do what makes you feel good.

[RyanL]

I don't really mix bourbon at all right now. That is probably mostly because I just really got into it seriously in the past 4 months and I am excited to try lots of new ones. I've had plenty of jack and coke and crown and ginger ale's in my lifetime though. I personally wouldn't use any decent bourbon to make a mixed drink but that's just me. I prefer bourbon neat(or an old fashioned) so to me that would be a waste of it. When it comes down to it though it's your money and you're the one that has to drink it so drink it how you want.

I wouldn't suggest going to someone elses house and asking if they have any coke to add to the Pappy 23 they just poured you though. :eek:

[T Comp]

Hello. My name in Tim, and I used to only drink bourbon straight.

I spent a lot of money doing it; I made a lot of friends and acquaintances; I drank a lot of significant bottlings. I don't regret it.

Still, I couldn't keep it up. My resources were limited, both by income and attitude. Eventually, I had to admit it: I like bourbon, even mixed with cola or ginger ale (diet versions, usually).

It was hard to break the 'purist' habit, as both myself and others had come to view me as somewhat accomplished at tasting straight bourbon. I can still 'call' a flavor, in a pinch. But, it's a lot of trouble. Easier to 'call' the ginger ale or cola.:grin:

I still don't drink before 5 p.m. (weekends, especially Sundays, excepted). I don't drink if I expect to drive (or ride the motorcycle). I don't drive if I've had more than a modicum of drink. But -- I'll admit it! -- I enjoy the buzz!

Frankly, it's easier to down a good amount of bourbon with an auxiliary (if I spelled THAT correctly, I'm not drunk yet) cover. Ginger ale for rye, cola for wheat!

I don't want to give up the society and experiences I've enjoyed being a purist. But, I'm also not going to pursue 'speciality' anymore.

Is there a place for me in the bourbon encyclopedia? I -- if not the world -- wonder.

A man of your bourbon acumen can call his shots anyway he desires. For me, 90% is drunk straight but about twice a week and always before dinner, love to mix some bourbon and diet Ginger with lots of ice. My mixing bourbons are the BIB's from Bartons or Heaven Hill and if splurging Knob Creek. No cola ever. Once in a while a dash or two of bitters.

[2highcal]

If I mix it is only a teaspoon of water or so or an ice cube 95%of the time just neat

[camduncan]

I grew up and live in the country that is the biggest consumer of bourbon RTD's (Pre Mix cans & bottles eg Jim Beam and Cola) in the world..... Of course I mix bourbon with Coke :bigeyes: :grin:

I'd rekon 95 out 100 Australians who claim to be 'bourbon drinkers' are really saying they drink Jim Beam and Cola or Wild Turkey and Cola from a can or glass stubbie.

[Virus_Of_Life]

I cannot stand whiskey (any kind) and cola, the only time I mix bourbon or rye is with Disaronno which really do enjoy as I think they go well together; otherwise it is straight or occasionally with some ice. Cola and Captain Morgan is fine, but keep my whiskey out of it.

[cds]

I've been trying to drink up my Bulleit with orange juice or by making mint juleps.

Normally I will always drink neat, but I do enjoy the bourbon and juice. They seem to go well together!

[tehbeardman]

I've never been a big fan of bourbon and cola. I think it mixes much better with the likes of ginger ale or 7up. I can kind of understand the OP's situation. Sometimes on the weekends hanging out with friends (who are not bourbon people) I don't mind mixing because the palate can't keep up. And in those situations, I'm not wanting to sit and contemplate tastes and give the bourbon it's due diligence. IMO ginger ale still preserves the taste of the bourbon instead of covering it up.

If I'm at home, I'll make manhattans, mint juleps, old fashions, etc to change things up. My biggest problem with all of this is trying to decide what bourbon to mix or include in cocktails. I tend to feel guilty mixing anything I really enjoy neat. Most of the time I use EW Black label. Interested to hear what other people use.

[MarkEdwards]

Eventually, I had to admit it: I like bourbon, even mixed with cola or ginger ale (diet versions, usually).

The only time I mix is in the fall, when I make my 'eggnog blend' (equal parts bourbon, rum and brandy) to add to plain eggnog (or to perk up alcoholic eggnog).

Other than that, I couldn't bear to dilute my bourbon. I see nothing wrong with anyone else doing so, I just prefer mine neat.

Also, I think the word you are looking for is 'heretic'. :lol:

[Tucker]

I'll mix only when it gets hot, which it's fixin' to do this week, and only the cheaper stuff with ginger ale over crushed ice.

[chefnash51]

I would say I drink whiskey neat 99% of the time. Sometimes I will get into a Manhattan mood and make a few, or at a restaurant/bar I may order one. Old fashions creep in once and awhile.

I generally find soda disgusting and I don't think I could ever make the switch to soda and whiskey most of the time, no matter the reason. I would probably rather go without whiskey at all if I had to choose between nothing and soda whiskey every night. But that's just me!

[angler82]

I drink my bourbon neat most of the time, followed by on the rocks.

In the last two years I've been getting into making fancy cocktails at home for the wife and guests. Thanks to the recommendations of some local Boston bartenders I've picked up a couple great books, my favorite being "Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails" (http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Spirits-Forgotten-Cocktails-Alamagoozlum/dp/tags-on-product/1592535615).

When it comes to bourbon cocktails I like Manhattans and Seebachs. The Scofflaw is my go to rye cocktail.

If anyone has been to Death and Company in NYC (highly recommended), they make a drink called a Gold Rush that I had the recipe for in the past. It was a combination of Buffalo Trace, Applejack, maybe lemon, and Bittermen's bitters. If I could find it again I'll post it. It's one of my favorite bourbon cocktails.

[unclebunk]

I'll mix only when it gets hot, which it's fixin' to do this week, and only the cheaper stuff with ginger ale over crushed ice.

Same goes for me, though I tend to drink ginger ale and rye for the most part when I'm mixing. When made with Rittenhouse 80 or WT Rye, you've got yourself a winner!

[kickert]

I wouldn't suggest going to someone elses house and asking if they have any coke to add to the Pappy 23 they just poured you though. :eek:

Some friends and I went together to purchase a bottle of Pappy 20 to try. One person before even smelling it poured about 3oz of $0.50 coke into her $10 shot of Pappy.

[cigarnv]

On a warm evening bourbon and ginger ale (Blenheim redcap) is just what the doctor ordered.....

[Flyfish]

De gustibus non disputatum est--there's no arguing about taste. Bourbon enthusiasts (and even more so, Scotch enthusiasts) tend to focus on subtleties that are guaranteed to be obscured by cola or ginger ale. It seems to me there is no point in paying for premium bourbon and then hiding all of its virtues with a mixer. I make Manhattans with "value" bourbon.

[bourbonbasement]

The wide quality spectrum is part of the magic of whiskey. You can grab anything off the bottom shelf and make a nice mixed drink with cola, ginger ale, various juices or what-have-you.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the Manhattan. I use rye if I want something with a bite, or Makers Mark if I need to satisfy my sweet tooth. Old fashioneds are good as well, but I can never seem to grind the sugar cubes properly, and peeling an orange is a pain.

My hard and fast rule is to never, ever use any bourbon that is not easily replaceable for mixed drinks. The top shelf and rare stuff is for neat or rocks drinking. Makers Mark flows like water around here, so why not experiment?

[AaronWF]

I hate soda, waaaay too much sugar, and I can't stand the taste of diet. I'll drink a ginger ale or a Coke for a sour stomach, but I think it's dangerous to mix liquor and sugar. From what I gather, it's the sugar in the liquor that gives your liver and other organs a hard time; adding soda puts a further burden on a part of me that I'd like to remain in good standing with for as long as possible.

I'll slip some bargain bourbon or Irish whisky into my coffee on the weekend, and I'll order a Manhattan at a bar or restaurant if I'm not particularly fond of the bottles on hand and I'm thirsty for a brown fix, but I see Jack & Cokes as a recipe for diabetes and cirrhosis. Maybe that's naive, I don't know.

[pepcycle]

There are no rules, only judges.

If you don't care what others think and you enjoy it, have at it.

I cook mushrooms with Pappy and make Zabaglione with Elmer T Lee instead of Marsala.

I also draw outside the lines and find lane markers a relatively useless invention for the unimaginative.

[MarkEdwards]

There are no rules, only judges.

If you don't care what others think and you enjoy it, have at it.

I cook mushrooms with Pappy and make Zabaglione with Elmer T Lee instead of Marsala.

I also draw outside the lines and find lane markers a relatively useless invention for the unimaginative.

[OscarV]

To answer the thread's question, no.

Cola and bourbon tastes bad and water, well, it waters it down.

But if you have to add water remember what Pappy Van Winkle said on the subject.

Pour the water in your glass first then add bourbon. That way you will be improving something.

If you pour the bourbon in first and then add water you will be ruining something.

[the Duff]

I'll drink some cheap stuff; like EWB, FC, VOB, OGD; on ice for the after work happy hour. We're drinking socially, and the other guys really don't want to hear me go on and on about what's in my glass. The ice really does kill it. When I'm at the last swallow I normally pitch it cause its so watered down. I drink everything over $18 neat (and a lot of times the cheap stuff too). If I really don't care for a recent purchase I drink it with Sprite.

I used to take everything with ice and maybe even a dash of water, then I found you guys. Its really opened my mind up to what is good about whiskey.

[jcg9779]

I do enjoy a Manhattan or Old Fashioned every now and then when I'm out, but typically I drink my bourbon neat. Occasionally I do enjoy bourbon with ginger ale or Coke Zero during the summer...it's very refreshing to me.

[callmeox]

For 8 months out of the year bourbon gets mixed with my saliva and then the contents of my stomach shortly after. During the other 4, I am known to partake in a Manhattan, an Old Fashioned or even a good bourbon sour.