I Drink Bourbon At Work

[TexasPride]

OK.

Hi to all. I am impressed greatly with this site and its constituants.

I have already stolen one of your moderator's sigs for my posting on another message board (University of Texas).

So... I pour my first bourbon and soda around 7:00 AM. I work in a small office and I am in straight commission sales. I find that it takes the edge off of the pressure of the job, and lets my personality come out in its fullest (I am almost 100% onthe phone).

Anyway, I go through a lot of Bourbon at work (though not by many of your standards I am sure). I finish off a 1.75 liter bottle every 3-5 days.

I was wondering what you folks would suggest as the best of the cheap bourbons. I need to go cheap because I: a)Mix it with soda, b)Don't really have the ability to appreciate it here at work, and c)Need it to take the place of dinking straight soda to actually quench thirst.

SO- what are your suggestions?

In most humble anticipation, I wait for comments.

[TexasPride]

BTW, My employer is fully aware of my current personality improvement plan. He drinks Canadian whiskey. At work. Every day. He will occasionally ask me if I need more as he is running errands.

It's a good job.

Unfortunately, we are not hiring right now.

[Paradox]

For the price and the availability of 1.75's (its hard to find many bourbons that are 'good' in 1.75's) I would go with Buffalo Trace (I think it was around $32 for a 1.75 last time I saw it in KY) and many people like Elijah Craig 12 year. (Somewhere about $28 for a 1.75 I think) I'm not too crazy for the Elijah Craig but many love it, even my dad, which amazed me. So there's just 2 choices for you to look for...

[cowdery]

First, I want your job.

Second, nothing with alcohol is good for hydration so bourbon won't really quench your thirst unless that was just a euphemism.

Third, I always find Old Fitzgerald a good value choice, especially the bottled-in-bond. Likewise I think Very Old Barton (VOB) is available in Texas, which is a very high quality value-priced bourbon, also preferable in the bottled-in-bond expression. I guess you don't say you're in Texas, but if you're anywhere in the South, VOB should be available. If it's not, you might try Hiram Walker's Ten High, which is VOB's little brother. Not quite as good, but a good value for the money. Evan Williams is another good value choice. You might also tell us what is available in your area and price range in the 1.75 and let us pick our recommendations from that list.

[TexasPride]

Thanks for the help, I will give 'em a shot, so to speak.

[Barrel_Proof]

Hats off to you for the funniest pair of postings made here in quite some time--especially the second one about the boss. I had a real good laugh.

As for 1.75s, you are in luck, because Spec's in Houston has one of the best selections of jugs in the country. I agree with Chuck that Old Fitz and the Evan Williams 90 are fine bargains at less that $20, but give some thought to some of the other jugs that Spec's has available, including Old Charter 10yo at $26 and Weller 12yo at $31. Spec's even gives you a 5% break for paying by cash or check. Here's the link to their bourbon listings Spec's bourbons, and this group does not include what they call "boutique" bourbons Spec's boutique bourbons.

Enjoy! And thanks for the hilarious posts.

[CL]

Being the southern gentleman that I am, I will refrain from yelling , but I find this post hard to believe. Anyone who puts down that much liquor in 3 - 5 days is not one to be envied. If they don't have health problems now, they will get them in the future.

Besides, if the post is honest, what does it matter how good the bourbon tastes if it is mixed with soda, is not really appreciated (his words), and is needed only to let his personality come through? Heck, for those reasons, any bourbon will do. Even grain would suffice.

My apologies if I have offended anyone, including you, TexasPride, but I just thought a contrary opinion was needed here.

Ok, I will now get off my

[cowdery]

You're entitled to your cultural bias, as that's what it is, and I don't intend to offend you, but I respectfully submit that consumption of 350 ml to 583 ml per day, especially spread out over many hours, does not per se strain credulity. I have known many people who consume at similar levels and in similar manner without serious problems. Diluted with water, buffered with food and spread over many hours, an adult male should be able to process that volume of alcohol with little difficulty. Alcoholism is seldom definitively indicated or caused by a particular volume of consumption. Texaspride's habit probably doesn't represent the healthiest of dietary choices, but by no means is it automatically indicitive of a drinking problem.

I also disagree with your conclusion that bourbon "mixed with soda, is not really appreciated." Unless by "soda" he means a sweetened and flavored soft drink, as it does in some parts of the country, plain soda water, like still water, merely dilutes. It doesn't mask flavor.

In pioneer times, what TexasPride describes was quite common. In fact, daily consumption of 1 L and more was not uncommon. The liquor was drunk throughout the day, typically diluted or chased with water, and many in that era claimed that the hard labor characteristic of their lives would have been unbearable without it.

Consider to the history of drink in the military. Before the 17th century, the ration in the British Navy was one gallon of beer or wine a day. Because beer and wine took up too much space, Admiral Blake introduced brandy instead of beer in about 1650. Rum replaced brandy in 1687 following the conquest of Jamaica. The ration then was half a pint of rum twice daily. One British Pint equals 568 ml. In 1785, the U.S. Congress authorized a daily spirits ration for all troops of one gill (about 4 ounces) per day. A few years later it was cut to 1/2 gill, then subsequently increased back to 1 gill. It went back and forth like that a few times. By Act of March 2,1819, "an extra gill of whiskey or spirits" per day was allowed to "noncommissioned officers, musicians and privates" engaged in "work on fortifica­tions, in surveys, in cutting roads, and other constant labor, of not less than ten days." The daily spirits ration in the U.S. Army was eliminated in 1832.

Few Americans today drink during a normal workday, but I can remember when that wasn't the case. Remember the "three martini lunch"? It wasn't a myth and the people who did it weren't all alcoholics.

Obviously, I don't know if there was an element of fiction in TexasPride's story, but as he correctly stated, from accounts in this forum, many members here consume 350 ml to 583 ml every night in front of the television.

[koji]

Hi guys,

As a bourbon bar owner here in Japan I drink and work for 7 or more hours everynight.The best part about it is that the customers buy the drink they pay I drink,part of the job!

Most of the time its Elijah or Turkey,Roses,name it we got it.Sometimes when they get there bonus at work the Virgin 21 comes around.

I'll say it again its part of my job!He He!

Do you think I enjoy this all.

Koji

[CL]

Ok, I'll admit I was a bit cranky last night.

As for your post, thanks for the history. I didn't know how common it was to drink all day.

As for the amount of bourbon, I didn't do the math on the 1.75L every 3 - 5 days, but seeing your numbers, it doesn't seem as bad as I originally thought. Still, it seems to me that there would be a negative effect. I know that in the past when I have put down a 750ml over a week's time, I do feel a negative cumulative effect. But, that's me and my metabolism may be different. (BTW, I am 5'11" and 205 lb.)

As far as soda goes, I was referring to soft drinks (Cokes, etc.) that would mask flavor. I hadn't thought of soda water which would not mask flavor as you mentioned.

As far as "appreciating", I was just referring back to what TexasPride said "a)Mix it with soda, b)Don't really have the ability to appreciate it here at work". I wasn't referring to anyone mixing soda with bourbon. Heck, I have no qualms how folks drink their bourbon.

[Barrel_Proof]

Chuck, you reveal yet another facet of your knowledge with the history just related of spirits rations in the military. Rather amazing, my good man. I know I speak for many here when I express my appreciation for your being here and sharing your wealth of knowledge and insights with the rest of us.

[cowdery]

Now I feel compelled to tell two stories, one true from personal experience and the other a joke my father told me. I have posted the joke here before but it seems apt in this thread.

True story.

About 20 years ago I was acquainted with a man in Louisville, a successful sculptor. Every day when he left his studio to get lunch, he also purchased a pint bottle of Old Grand-Dad, which he proceeded to drink from for the rest of the afternoon and invariably finished before it was time to go home for dinner. If there were guests in the studio, he shared. If there were not, he drank it all himself. Naively, I pointed out that it would be much cheaper and more convenient for him to buy a larger size. He pointed out that this was his system for managing his alcohol consumption and it seemed to work pretty well.

The joke.

There was an old man who lived in the country, about two miles from town. Every afternoon he would walk to town, purchase a pint of whiskey, and walk home. He repeated this ritual every day. His son, who lived in town, became concerned because his father was getting older and this daily walk clearly was becoming more difficult for him. Intending to spare his father from these grueling walks, one day the son purchased and delivered to his father's home a gallon bottle of his father's favority whiskey. The next day, much to his surprise, the son saw his father again walking into town, looking as if he had aged ten years. The son ran out to meet the father in the street.

"Dad," he said, "I bought you that gallon of whiskey so you wouldn't have to make this walk every day. What happened?"

"Son," the old man replied, "whiskey don't keep."

[MarkB]

In regards to booze in the modern U.S. Navy, it is now strictly verbotten. They'll keel haul you on board ship if you're caught with alcohol of any kind. The one exception is the Captain's stateroom, where it is still traditionally OK to have a decanter of... nice Bourbon or Van Winkle Rye one would hope. A good thing I was never a ships Captain-- there would have been be a full working party prior to saling carrying in crate after crate and stacking it high along the bulkheads. "It's books, men... honest!" Then out on a quite night in the calm seas of Southeast Asia a lonely (sober) sailor on watch hears rowdy whoops and breaking glass from the COs stateroom... Led Zepplin blaring.

There are two schools of thought concerning the strict anti-alcohol policy in the U.S.Navy. The one is (and in force perhaps due to our country's deep seeded anal retentive Puritanism)-- is zero alchohol on Navy ships. The thought being that it can only lead to "incidents," drunkeness on duty, etc. The other, and one I always enviously noted from a distance is the policy of the Navys of Britian, Austrialia, and others where in places like the Petty Officers Mess it is no big deal to (after the completion duties one would assume, but then maybe not) have a beer or other alchoholic drink. One argument is that when alcohol is available like this it loses its mystique of "something you can't do" and once the ship ports in, the crew doesn't go quite so much hog wild in over indulgence once off the confines of shipboard life (which isn't much fun, even though conditions aren't nearly as bad as those old timers-- iron men on wooden ships. Thank goodness they had some rum or whatever to help make it bearable). I think there is some validity in the latter school-- every time a ship I was on pulled into port everybody went ape, and did their best to perpetuate the sterotype of the drunken sailor (myself included, I must admit). I really think that if even a very limited amount of alcohol was available to the crew while at sea there would have been less abuse once in port.

Unfortunatly, since I never quite made it to Commander and Chief and given the authority to change the policy, I wasn't able to put it to the test. I can see it now: voted President-- my first official act is to allow alcohol on board Navy vessals. Followed by a rash of submarines and aircraft carriers ramming into docks, destroyers lost and unaccounted for for days at a time...

[ratcheer]

In pioneer times, what TexasPride describes was quite common. In fact, daily consumption of 1 L and more was not uncommon.

I recently read on another board that W. C. Fields was once asked what his father would think about him drinking one quart of liquor per day. "He would think I'm a sissy", Fields replied.

Tim

[bobbyc]

In pioneer times, what TexasPride describes was quite common. In fact, daily consumption of 1 L and more was not uncommon.

Was the pioneer life that bad? I have around here someplace a copy of the letter( Not original) from Geo. Washington telling the congress he needed strong spirits for his men and that wine or beer would not do. I suppose that in the end it's not how much, but rather how it affects you. There are lots of folks who have found their way to a 12 step program by drinking well below the threshold mentioned here.

[TexasPride]

OK, this just in, this Cowdery fellow is a stud.

[brendaj]

I am in straight commission sales...(I am almost 100% onthe phone).

Texas Honey,

IMHO, you should have an expense account, and Bourbon should be an allowable expense. And, if you are 'cold calling'...they should pay for your soda too...

Taking cost and availability into consideration, one can't go wrong with Evan Williams 7 yr. old.

Welcome to the forum.

Beej

P.S. Where do you really live?

[ratcheer]

Taking cost and availability into consideration, one can't go wrong with Evan Williams 7 yr. old.

I am inclined to agree with Brenda.

Tim

[dougdog]

I was forwarded this account, don't know if it is true...you decide...

Subject: FW: Old Ironsides

The U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides) as a combat vessel carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators.

However, let it be noted that according to her log, "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannonshot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum."

Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping." Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.

Then she headed for the Azores, arriving there 12 November. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.

On 18 November, she set sail for England. In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchantmen, salvaging only the rum aboard each.

By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clydein Scotland. Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn.

Then she headed home. The U.S.S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February, 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whisky and 38,600 gallons of stagnant water.

[mrt]

The historical information was really interesting.Thanks...However, I can not even think of drinking at work!

[brian12069]

OK.

Hi to all. I am impressed greatly with this site and its constituants.

I have already stolen one of your moderator's sigs for my posting on another message board (University of Texas).

So... I pour my first bourbon and soda around 7:00 AM. I work in a small office and I am in straight commission sales. I find that it takes the edge off of the pressure of the job, and lets my personality come out in its fullest (I am almost 100% onthe phone).

Anyway, I go through a lot of Bourbon at work (though not by many of your standards I am sure). I finish off a 1.75 liter bottle every 3-5 days.

I was wondering what you folks would suggest as the best of the cheap bourbons. I need to go cheap because I: a)Mix it with soda, b)Don't really have the ability to appreciate it here at work, and c)Need it to take the place of dinking straight soda to actually quench thirst.

SO- what are your suggestions?

In most humble anticipation, I wait for comments.

No offense, but I'm not buying this. Why would someone want to do this? Also, this isn't really what these boards are about. If I were to believe this, I would feel bad for you.

[jburlowski]

This "feels" like a phony post to me... I have trouble believing it is real. For one thing, if true, why would the individual be on (or bother with) this forum?

I suggest we ignore him (for multiple reasons).

[bluesbassdad]

John B.,

Ignoring him should be easy. He hasn't posted since November, 2003.

One can only guess why that might be.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[brian12069]

John B.,

Ignoring him should be easy. He hasn't posted since November, 2003.

One can only guess why that might be.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

HA!...Your right!...hahahahah

I just went back through the posts. dougdog brought this back to life!...

[Nebraska]

This is a really deviant group of individuals, who will stop at nothing, hold nothing sacred (other than bourbon), and show no regard for...

Ahh never mind...I feel right at home.