So why do like you Bourbon better than Scotch?

[GreggJ]

I enjoy both equally. Just as there are some bourbons I prefer over some scotches the same can also be said in reverse.

For me I enjoy both and take them both for what they are.

I would also disagree in regards to the QPR. Some scotches are just as good QPR as some scotches.

I would place Aberlour A'bunadh, Laphroaig 10yr Cask Strength, GTS, WLW, PHC in a similar category given their provenance in regards to quality, price and overall value.

For me it is all personal preference and how you train / develop your palate.

Some days nothing but, a pour of a damn fine bourbon will do. Just as some days I find it damn hard to beat a good islay.

I also enjoy many other liquors as well including Anejo's (Don Julio 1942, Casa Noble SB, JCRDLF) and rums (Ron Zacapa 23yo, Zaya, Havana CLub, El dorado etc).

I must say I enjoy all good libations profusely and will not limit my world to just one type. Frankly I am alway intersted in trying new things and gaining new expreiences / appreciations and would have it no other way.

I will say if you have not at least given scotch a try that you are missing a lot of quality and enjoyable bottles. As they say that just leaves more for me. :-)

[weller_tex]

I like both

A good whisky is something that makes old man cry. I have become emotional over old Ardbegs, old Mortlachs, old Springbanks and the likes

Steffen

Now I do love many Scotches, don't get me wrong. On your list..I was amazed at Ardbeg Uigeadahl..never had the really old Springers, but the new 12 year Cask Strength is really good.

[Neat]

There are some similar threads to this on the board, but not exactly this particular question. What is it about Bourbon that makes you prefer it? What taste component..etc caused you to prefer it over Scotch...or is it simply economics.

For me I think it is threefold..and I was a Scotch only drinker for a while (still like many Single malts):

1) Economics..at least in the U.S. I can get high quality bourbon for much less than the cost of a good bottle of Scotch.

2) It's Made in America.

3) I went on a diet and cut out dessert pretty much. I discovered that Bourbon really satisfies my sweet tooth. I used to think that Bourbon was one-dimensional..just sweet, but now I feel that frequently it is actually more complex than Scotch. Sometimes the complexity is more subtle and takes some time.

WOW! almost the same - economics (except the delta is not as great as it used to be), USA and i developed a sweet tooth. however, i still like single malts and rye whiskey. i prefer bourbons and rye whiskey.

[SMOWK]

I'll opt for the simple answer that needs no explanation. It tastes better.

[ebo]

Nah, you got the point just fine Sometimes scotchs are price far beyond tyeir value and are there only for bragging rights. It is indeed silly.

How do you think bourbon is priced in other countries? Scotch in Scotland isn't anywhere near the price it is here. I can imagine what a bottle of Stag would cost in Scotland. Just sayin'.

[Neat]

I'll opt for the simple answer that needs no explanation. It tastes better.

simple, direct and honest. i would have said "cheaper AND tastes better".

[ebo]

I don't. I like them equally. It's like choosing between my dogs or children. Sometimes I'm in the mood for scotch and bourbon just won't do. Sometimes it's the other way around. They each bring something different to the table. Fortunately, I have a pretty big table.

Amen!

............

[Andre28]

Try as i might, i just cant get the palate to appreciate a good Scotch. Quite simple, to me, Bourbon just tastes better.

[Neat]

when it's chilly/cold, i drink some of the scotches and i am reminded of sitting around a campfire, my nicks and scratches covered up by a bandaid or standing near a cliff, with the winter seas crashing against the cliffs. the majority of my bunker is devoted to bourbon and rye but i there are still some single malts: ardbegs, laphroaigs, lagavulins, taliskers and some dusty macallans, glenfarclas and glendronachs.

for those of you folks that don't like scotches, i can tell you that some of the irish stuff is very good.

[AaronWF]

A good whisky is something that makes old man cry.

Amen to that! Crying becomes harder and harder as you age, so anything that will break through the crust and fondle you in your deep parts is right up my alley...

These kinds of questions turn me off. I don't feel the need to put scotch down to elevate bourbon. Bourbon stands just fine on its own, thank you very much.

I have found it much easier to develop a close relationship with bourbon, and less so with scotch, simply because bourbon is so much more available here in the U.S. If I lived on the other side of the pond, I'd probably be spending much more time getting to know the ins and outs of malt.

For me, scotch prices make it very difficult to take a risk on something I may not like. I'll spend $20-$40 on a bottle of bourbon I'm not familiar with just for the education, but I'd be much more hard-pressed to spend $100+ on a bottle of scotch that I didn't know was a sure thing.

[dmarkle]

How do you think bourbon is priced in other countries? Scotch in Scotland isn't anywhere near the price it is here. I can imagine what a bottle of Stag would cost in Scotland. Just sayin'.

I once asked Ralfy and if I remember correctly I believe he said it was in the hundred*s* of dollars!

[dmarkle]

for those of you folks that don't like scotches, i can tell you that some of the irish stuff is very good.

It's amazing how people think of JB White when they hear "bourbon". It's amazing how people think of Jameson when they hear "Irish Whiskey". A good single malt Irish whiskey is amazing, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's different enough from a Single Malt scotch that someone who doesn't like Single Malt Scotches will like a SM Irish Whiskey...

[Andre28]

When i was in the States it seemed there was plenty of scotch Around, at least as much as Bourbon? And at the airport duty free it was a tiny tiny selection of Bourbon compared to Scotch.

[PappyVW23]

true, there is much more scotch available in all the stores i have been in. and much more knowledge about scotch too.

[macdeffe]

A bottle of stag is is around 400$ where I live. It`s the importer abusing the fact that they get allocated few bottles:-) (not my favourite impoter....)

PvW is 100-200$ which is more on the general whisky price level

I think btac`s are around the 100£ in UK

This is all about demand and availability...

It is a fact that if I want a full set of BTAC the price difference can pay the flight ticket to US and a big part of a holiday as well :-)

Steffen

[Bmac]

It's amazing how people think of JB White when they hear "bourbon". It's amazing how people think of Jameson when they hear "Irish Whiskey". A good single malt Irish whiskey is amazing, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's different enough from a Single Malt scotch that someone who doesn't like Single Malt Scotches will like a SM Irish Whiskey...

[Neat]

It's amazing how people think of JB White when they hear "bourbon". It's amazing how people think of Jameson when they hear "Irish Whiskey". A good single malt Irish whiskey is amazing, but I wouldn't go so far as to say that it's different enough from a Single Malt scotch that someone who doesn't like Single Malt Scotches will like a SM Irish Whiskey...

[Brisko]

Well, there's never any peat or brine in Irish whisky and tbey are many times tripple distilled. It tends to be more floral,minty, and sweeter than scotch. That's been my take but I only have 3 Irish whiskies in my collection.

[gburger]

Just say the word "scotch" a one syllable word that I hear in a high pitched sound in my head.

"SCOTCH", not a very nice or pleasant sound.

Now say "Bourrrbon" a long two syllable word that drips off of the tongue inviting you to partake in an American product backed by years of pride and history. A sweet tasting, with hints of spice, orange peels, cinnamon, pepper, well this list can go on and on.

Why would anyone want a "SCOTCH" rather than a great pour of a fantastic brown and aged nectar that we call "Bourrrbon" that goes down smooth and invites you back for another?

[timd]

I like both.

I don't get this "historical" value of Bourbon over Scotch argument, however - because Scotch (and Irish whiskey) have been around much longer - those immigrants are who brought distilling to the US. Talk about History - it's in the UK for hundreds of years. No to diminish US history - because it's very cool too. But don't think they didn't have moonshiners & bootleggers in Europe.

I'm a whisk(e)y slut - I'll drink anything if it's good. Sure, I love a nice peaty dram of cask strength Islay nectar about second to none, but a well aged, spicy and juicy rye is also a little slice of heaven. A rich, sweet smokey single village mezcal? nirvana. Creamy, buttery, sweet and savory wheated bourbon? I'll take it any time of the day. It's all good.

I honestly don't see why you "have" to like one better than the other. Such a huge variety among Bourbons & Scotches and so many amazing flavors and smells - how on earth can you pick just one?????

[Jono]

As with many things in life things I enjoy they are different rather than better... this is the case of bourbon and scotch.... neither is better, they are just different...

[Bmac]

how on earth can you pick just one?????

[JayMonster]

From where I am at, some of you are getting unnecessarily defensive of Scotch. Nowhere does the original poster state a disdain for Scotch (though some of the posts answering... Including my own... Do).

I don't think it is an unreasonable assumption, considering this a board predominantly visited by and targeted at bourbon enthusiasts, that most people posting here have preferences that lean more to Bourbon than Scotch. And the question simply is, "Why is that the case? " That doesn't mean you can't like Scotch (or any other liquor).

[ebo]

I like both.

I don't get this "historical" value of Bourbon over Scotch argument, however - because Scotch (and Irish whiskey) have been around much longer - those immigrants are who brought distilling to the US. Talk about History - it's in the UK for hundreds of years. No to diminish US history - because it's very cool too. But don't think they didn't have moonshiners & bootleggers in Europe.

I'm a whisk(e)y slut - I'll drink anything if it's good. Sure, I love a nice peaty dram of cask strength Islay nectar about second to none, but a well aged, spicy and juicy rye is also a little slice of heaven. A rich, sweet smokey single village mezcal? nirvana. Creamy, buttery, sweet and savory wheated bourbon? I'll take it any time of the day. It's all good.

I honestly don't see why you "have" to like one better than the other. Such a huge variety among Bourbons & Scotches and so many amazing flavors and smells - how on earth can you pick just one?????

I'll second this post. It's all good.

[ILLfarmboy]

I like slightly sweet, caramel, vanilla, and butter toffee flavor notes..

Ditto.....

I like bourbon better because, as someone else noted, it sort of satisfies my sweet tooth.

I love what I would call dark rich flavors; I prefer Coke to any lemon/lime soda, I Love real maple syrup, dark chocolate, chocolate covered espresso beens, those mocha flavored coffee drinks sold in miniature milk bottles.

Something like ORVW 10/107 goes well with a nice grilled steak, charred on the outside with a warm red center it also goes well with BBQ, a molasses based sauce---more dark rich flavors.....

I like some scotches well enough but not on a regular basis.