Best bourbon on the rocks

[sob0728]

I know everyone is a purist and likes it neat, but does anyone have a favorite "on the rocks" bourbon. I have heard the PHC 2010 does not do well with ice. I really enjoy 4RSB on the rocks as well as OWA. Any other favorites/recommendations? One of the reasons I am asking is that I can usually convince some buddies to drink straight with some ice, but rarely neat.

Thanks.

[tigerlam92]

It really depends on my mood.

But I do like my bourbon on the rocks actually. The only one I do not drink on the rocks are the VVOF or VOF.

In terms of favorites for on the rocks, can't really say. However, the higher proof things I normally like it more on the rocks so GTS or WLW do really well with a little ice.

cheers

--Hugh

[nivto]

it's a rare occasion for me, but OGD 114

[Special Reserve]

The first PHC offering is wonderful on the rocks. The PHC 10 is not. Mostly I do like my bourbon neat but I just love the firs PHC over ice.

[ratcheer]

I frequently enjoy bourbon on the rocks. I agree on OGD 114, and I would also suggest Blanton's. And Knob Creek.

Tim

[angler82]

I find myself drinking two different bourbons on the rocks from time to time- Rowan's Creek and Old Grand Dad BiB

[Parkersback]

Any of the HH bondeds.

I haven't had them in a while, but I'd guess all the Beam small batches (save BH) would also work well.

[Josh]

Any of the HH bondeds.

I haven't had them in a while, but I'd guess all the Beam small batches (save BH) would also work well.

I agree. White Label HH BiB is good on the rocks as is Knob Creek. I think WT 101 and Weller Antique (as sob mentioned) also do very well.

P.S. Good to see you posting again Tom!

[stevegoz]

I prefer Booker's on the rocks. Can't think of any others.

[jcg9779]

Any of the HH bondeds.

This is what immediately came to my mind as well. EW White Label is what I go to in the summer, and keep a bottle in the fridge year round. I think that it holds up well with ice, and isn't so complex that you lose things by drinking it as a colder temperature.

[trumpstylz]

I'm surprised nobody said Very Old Barton 100 or Wild Turkey 101. OGD 114 would probably be good as well.

What about Weller 107?

[Eth3rStrik3r]

I typically prefer mine at around 90-95 proof, so adding an ice cube or 2 isn't usually out of the question. I also have those silly fancy whiskey stones, but I rarely use them. I typically use ice more often on OWA and WT101. However, even higher proof ryes I typically drink neat.

[AaronWF]

Nobody's said it, so I'll mention it even though it's been a few years since I've actually drank it: Noah's Mill.

It's strong enough to take a couple cubes and randy enough to hit a deep herbal corn candy note when chilled. Or was. I wouldn't be surprised if the profile has changed over the years.

[moose]

Knob Creek on the rocks works well, I usually take my bourbon neat but will try most of them on the rocks at least once, not too much of a purist.

[Brisko]

I don't use ice that often but these tend to do really well with it:

OGD 114

WT 101 and WT rye

OWA 107

I also prefer my Handy with a couple ice cubes rather than adding water. For some reason the flavors come together better for me.

It really comes down to mood. Ice tends to mute some flavors and bring out others.

On the other end of the spectrum I find that Dickel 12 doesn't do well at all on ice but handles water pretty well.

[mosugoji64]

I've found that ice can bring out pleasant qualities in bourbons that I otherwise dislike. I have a bottle of EW green label that isn't very good neat but develops a great oakey quality on the rocks that brings back memories of the distillery warehouses. If you have something you don't like very much, give it a try on the rocks.

[cas]

I prefer Booker's on the rocks. Can't think of any others.

I do as well. Sometimes also EC 12.

Craig

[Young Blacksmith]

I'm a heathen, I drink them all with ice whenever I feel like it. Which is pretty often!

[bad_scientist]

On the advice of the good people in this thread, I'm trying Ritt BIB on the rocks (or one small rock, quickly annihilated by the whiskey) and it's delicious The chill brought out a thick brown sugar and cherry component that was not obvious to me in past tastings.

[ACDetroit]

I enjoy FR1B on the rocks in the summer time, though only 100 proof to start it performs very well with a little ice.

[Parkersback]

It's not a hard and fast rule, but I don't think wheaters take ice/water as well as rye flavored bourbons. Maybe the OWA would do OK, but I feel like the Weller 12 and even the WLW I've tried to add water/ice too has usually suffered for it.

[JB64]

I prefer my whiskey neat but every now and then, mainly during summer, I will have a bourbon on the rocks. WT101 and OGD BiB do OK with ice.

[White Dog]

It's not a hard and fast rule, but I don't think wheaters take ice/water as well as rye flavored bourbons. Maybe the OWA would do OK, but I feel like the Weller 12 and even the WLW I've tried to add water/ice too has usually suffered for it.

I agree 100%, although I never really feel a need to add ice to any wheater.

[White Dog]

I've been given 4 bottles of Booker's in my life (which means I've owned 4 bottles of Booker's in my life), and ice is the only thing that saved any of them for me.

[LongBeachScott]

I occasionally have bourbon on the rocks. Or, more accurately, on the "rock" because I usually only use one cube. I don't like wheaters over ice that much but once in awhile I will have OWA 107 with ice. I think OGD 114 is really nice with an ice cube.