Best bourbon on the rocks

[BarrelChar]

Why use an ice cube when a tincture dropper and a glass of filtered reverse-osmosis water offer so much more control and flavor retention? The other problem: cubes from a restaurant, fridge or commercial bag still have the offensive chlorine taste and other impurities that destroy the delicate bouquet of the whiskey.

Even with overproofed juice like GTS or Handy Saz, I manage my water drop by drop, rather than indiscriminately throwing in a huge chunk of ice and hoping for the best. A friend of mine dilutes his drams by splashing in Topo Chico like he's putting out a brush fire. It's cringe-inducing.

Then again, an employee at the liquor store today told me he bought a bottle of VWFRR and made Manhattans out of it. So disturbing...That's like slathering Kobe beef with ketchup or buying the High Times grass of the year and rolling it into a spliff with Camel Light tobacco.

In my world, ice is for soda, bruises, and burns. If the booze is foul enough, maybe the fact that ice mutes the flavors is a good thing, but in that case, hopefully I wouldn't have bought the bottle in the first place. By the time ice cubes enter the picture, it means I've given up on the bottle and exiled it to the Siberia of "only fit for mixed drinks"--a recent example being that particularly vinegary bottle of Willett Rye 4 YO.

[Parkersback]

The other problem: cubes from a restaurant, fridge or commercial bag still have the offensive chlorine taste and other impurities that destroy the delicate bouquet of the whiskey.

You absolutely might be right on that, but with ice made at home, I assumed that by the time the ice froze in the freezer, the chlorine had burned off.

Of course I got a 'C' in chemistry my sophomore year of high school, so I'm not really the guy to ask.

[sob0728]

Why use an ice cube when a tincture dropper and a glass of filtered reverse-osmosis water offer so much more control and flavor retention? The other problem: cubes from a restaurant, fridge or commercial bag still have the offensive chlorine taste and other impurities that destroy the delicate bouquet of the whiskey.

Even with overproofed juice like GTS or Handy Saz, I manage my water drop by drop, rather than indiscriminately throwing in a huge chunk of ice and hoping for the best. A friend of mine dilutes his drams by splashing in Topo Chico like he's putting out a brush fire. It's cringe-inducing.

Then again, an employee at the liquor store today told me he bought a bottle of VWFRR and made Manhattans out of it. So disturbing...That's like slathering Kobe beef with ketchup or buying the High Times grass of the year and rolling it into a spliff with Camel Light tobacco.

In my world, ice is for soda, bruises, and burns. If the booze is foul enough, maybe the fact that ice mutes the flavors is a good thing, but in that case, hopefully I wouldn't have bought the bottle in the first place. By the time ice cubes enter the picture, it means I've given up on the bottle and exiled it to the Siberia of "only fit for mixed drinks"--a recent example being that particularly vinegary bottle of Willett Rye 4 YO.

We are all proud of your reverse-osmosis and tincture dropper, but this thread is for people who like bourbon on the rocks, not haters. If someone has the means to use VWFRR in their manhattans, good for them. If someone has the means to have a huge whiskey bunker in their basement so there is less on the shelves for me, I don't begrudge them at all. I think the pictures of the bunkers are awesome.

I am going to be drinking Makers Mark with ginger ale this weekend, I hope that doesn't make your head explode.

[ratcheer]

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

Tim

Oh, I forgot to mention my favorite on-the-rocks bourbon - Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

Tim

[Josh]

Oh, I forgot to mention my favorite on-the-rocks bourbon - Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

Tim

I agree, that's a good one too. I like 1 ice cube with RB or one of the barrel strength 4R. I got that tip from ACDetroit and I've been a fan ever since.

[BourbonBaron]

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 felt the same way about WLW. The ice didn't do it for me. I tried my whiskey stones and those didn't do it either. Really muted the flavor for me. Forcing myself to stick with neat pours and some water depending on proof (now that I can actually do it, after years of only drinking whiskey on the rocks) has really helped me find the nuances amongst all of the bourbons out there.

I am gonna try some OWA with ice, though, based on the suggestions here. At least I won't be too sad if that one doesn't work out.

Booker's is indeed one I still go with ice on.

[sob0728]

I felt the same way about WLW. The ice didn't do it for me. I tried my whiskey stones and those didn't do it either. Really muted the flavor for me. Forcing myself to stick with neat pours and some water depending on proof (now that I can actually do it, after years of only drinking whiskey on the rocks) has really helped me find the nuances amongst all of the bourbons out there.

I am gonna try some OWA with ice, though, based on the suggestions here. At least I won't be too sad if that one doesn't work out.

Booker's is indeed one I still go with ice on.

I am with you on this one. Ice mutes the flavor, especially the front-end sweetness, IMO. Wheaters have that in abundance so I can see why some would be disappointed with them on ice. So, maybe the question should be "which bourbon has the best finish?" rather than "which do you enjoy on ice?" since it seems that the finish is not diminished by the ice as much of some of the front to mid palate flavors.

[cards81fan]

I like Bulleit, and find it does well with a bit of ice (one ot 2 cubes). I think they open up a bit and allow me to enjoy the rye flavor more.

I had OWA on the rocks last night (after trying a few sips neat), and found that basically, I ended up with cold Special Reserve Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, certainly better that SR on the rocks and diluting it further.

[clingman71]

I believe that the setting can dictate enjoyment or lack there of as much as anything concerning bourbon on the rocks. More times than not I drink my whiskey neat, or with a splash of water. But, there are times and situations where I do drink it on the rocks. What I don't do is expect to get the same results. Occasionally on a Friday evening after a long week, I will pour a larger than normal pour of OWA or OWA/Weller 12 vatting(which from this point forward I will refer to as the SB blend) over a cube,maybe two, of ice and drink this more for relaxation than "tasting". As the ice melts, the drink mellows, as do I. I recently attended a get together in which I knew one person there, Karen. But when Karen informed the host that I was "into bourbon", she informed us that her brother, who was in from the east coast, was also into bourbon. Instant connection, he was a fan of AAA and picked some up whenever he travelled near KY. I happened to have a CnB ETL with me and he had never had it. A few ETLs over ice and he was a fan. I didn't drink it for critical tasting purposes, but enjoyed it nonetheless. It was all part of a bigger experience than simply having a pour.

Back in the summer I picked up a few ORVW 10/107s, and also mistakenly picked up a lone 10/90. I attended an August coworker's cookout, rather hot at the time, and took the 10/90 with me. Many of the men were drinking Makers, I turned them on to the Old Rip. Again, it wasn't about nuances and tasting notes, it was about good bourbon, over ice, with friends. Very refreshing.

If I had kept the same mindset and expectations that I have when I'm drinking my normal pours, neat or with a splash, I wouldn't have enjoyed the bourbon as much. I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the situatons as much either.

[gburger]

None in my opinion, I sometimes use soapstones

[chilidawg7]

Count me in among the group that has suggested OGD 114. It is one of my favorite pours and I often use one or two ice cubes.

[Martian]

I tend to like the higher proof bourbons on the rocks, such as OGD 114 and Tom Moore BIB. I almost forgot WT 101.

[Young Blacksmith]

How is the Tom Moore BIB? I see it occasionally and wonder....

[p_elliott]

How is the Tom Moore BIB? I see it occasionally and wonder....

IMHO it taste like shit

[JayMonster]

Leaving the "holier than thou" arguments aside, I agree with several thoughts here.

1. In general "wheaters" don't do as well with ice (ecept for possibly a higher alcohol one like OWA).

2. In the right setting (more for pleasure than for contemplative tasting), just about anything can work to some extent since it is really about the event where you are drinking the bourbon than the bourbon itself.

On a more personal level, Knob Creek and Devil's both work well on the rocks for me.

[DreamTheater]

My mom told me if I can't say anything nice, dont say anything at all. Me being a purist, when I hear ice in whiskey my soul is pained.

With that said, I think it is more than fine to enjoy what you like the way you like it. And, while it pains me, it seems really crappy to come in thunder and lightning about purity this and ice is bad that.

But there is one fact that I do not think is really too much up for debate: if you thoroughly ice your whiskey then you are equally watering it down and anesthetize your taste buds that you are not going to get an abundance of the flavor out. So please, for the love of god, save yourself a little money and do not make the gods of whiskey weep by using anything more than $30/bottle if you thoroughly ice.

[tommyboy38]

I enjoy a few cubes in my PVW15 and Coke.

[T Comp]

I enjoy a few cubes in my PVW15 and Coke.

I've been out drinking with him...don't let him fool you...it's actually Tab that he mixes with.

[jcg9779]

I've been out drinking with him...don't let him fool you...it's actually Tab that he mixes with.

And when he goes to the Tab Clear...watch out! The party is ON!

[AaronWF]

When I'm on the rocks, the best bourbon for me is the one in the fullest bottle, cause I'm gonna drink it all, come hell or high water, damnit! I want it strong, I want it hot, I want it to burn, and I want it to f**k me up, because when I- ehhuhhu-ehuh-ehuh-ehuh.... weeeeeeeppp........

[deathevocation]

I've been out drinking with him...don't let him fool you...it's actually Tab that he mixes with.

[Halifax]

I enjoy a few cubes in my PVW15 and Coke.

Ah yes... The classic Pappy & Coke. One of my faves... FYI, Next time try Mexican Coke. I find that the cane sugar in Mexican Coke brings out the subtle nuances in Pappy much better than the high fructose corn syrup in Coca-cola Classic.

[callmeox]

Ah yes... The classic Pappy & Coke. One of my faves... FYI, Next time try Mexican Coke. I find that the cane sugar in Mexican Coke brings out the subtle nuances in Pappy much better than the high fructose corn syrup in Coca-cola Classic.

Or buy your Coke Classic in the Cleveland area. Rumor has it that the presence of a sugar refiner in this market makes it cheaper to use than HFCS for the local Coke bottler. IIRC, the label still lists sugar and/or HFCS for sweeteners.

[bad_scientist]

Since several have said KC was good on the rocks, I tried it a couple of days ago. BLAAARGGH!!!

[silverfish]

FYI, Next time try Mexican Coke. I find that the cane sugar in Mexican Coke brings out the subtle nuances in Pappy much better than the high fructose corn syrup in Coca-cola Classic.

Or buy your Coke Classic in the Cleveland area. Rumor has it that the presence of a sugar refiner in this market makes it cheaper to use than HFCS for the local Coke bottler.

If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times - Pepsi Throwback!!

The others are just pretenders to the throne.