Worst Bourbon you ever tried ?

[johnm13]

WR's "special" ryes.

[stiffchainey]

Ezra Brooks by far. Really evil stuff.

[ebo]

Just goes to show that people's tastes are different. I'm very fond of Ezra Brooks 90 and especially the 101.

[ethangsmith]

I'm going to back ebo on this one too. Ezra 90 and 101 are my go-to bourbons. If you don't like it, you can always send me yours! It won't go to waste around me!

[GaryT]

I think that Old Granddad 114 is the worst bourbon I have ever tried - along with Ancient Ancient Age 10-Star. Anyone who can read this should just avoid both of those for their own good, because it has to be true since it is on the internet.

[SFS]

OGD114 is pretty bad, but in fairness, I grudgingly place it two steps ahead of Dickel #12, and am on record here as to why the Dickel was poured down my drain.

Full disclosure: I've not tried the now (in)famous Premium Bourbon Supreme. (But I really want the goatskin jacket, so I'm potentially, reluctantly, game, I think.)

[TheNovaMan]

Just goes to show that people's tastes are different. I'm very fond of Ezra Brooks 90 and especially the 101.

I think this pretty much sums up the thread, but I'm going to add to it anyway...

I think the "worst" bourbon I've ever had was Ten High; however this speaks more to the goodness of bourbon in general than the badness of Ten High. It was just young and low-proof, but it was a perfectly good whiskey and honestly a good value. I haven't gone out of my way to try all that many of the lowest-shelf pours, but in my opinion, care and time was taken to produce anything that is called straight bourbon, and I count none of them among the worst kinds of rotgut.

Right on, Jim! More than one person has mentioned how they disliked Ten High, which perplexes me. I've spent alot of time on bottom shelf bourbons, and Ten High (straight, not "bourbon blend") is what I think WAS the best whiskey for the least money. Other than being a little harsh and simple, which you should expect from a cheap, young bourbon, there was nothing WRONG with it: no goofy/off flavors, and no fusel oil finish. It went great in mixes, OK in cocktails, and I even drank it on ice or neat sometimes. Even now, as a blend, it doesn't suck nearly as much as other blends, probably because it contains way more bourbon than any other blend I've tried. However, my conscience won't let me recommend anyone try the blend. My current best cheap bourbon is HH80, but I welcome your suggestions.

On the other hand, Old Crow is the only bourbon I have only purchased once. It was rotgut, plain and simple. I'd much rather drink Ten High blend neat than Old Croak in a mixed drink!

[stiffchainey]

The Ezra Brooks I meant was a very cheap one, around 13 €, so 15 Dollar I reckon. The OGD 114 is my favourite bourbon!!!

[squire]

To me a bottle is bad when I realize I paid 2-3 times more than it's worth.

[sob0728]

To me a bottle is bad when I realize I paid 2-3 times more than it's worth.

By those standards, my worst bourbon would be Black Maple Hill (paid $30, worth $10) or 2011 WLW. I don't know if I have a tainted bottle of the WLW or what, but I have poured it 4 or 5 different times and it has never been good.

[Alden]

Jack Daniels. Tastes like ass to me.

[squire]

You will know if the cork is tainted SOB, if so even a high proof whisky will be undrinkable.

[Alden]

SOB? What does that mean?

[squire]

Those are the initials of the poster to whom I was responding.

[Alden]

Oh I see. Now it makes sense. I thought it meant the other thing, the way my dad used to use it.

[Josh]

Jack Daniels. Tastes like ass to me.

Which begs the question...

[Alden]

I should say, tastes like I imagine ass would taste.

:slappin:

[ethangsmith]

Yea, Black Maple Hill was a huge disappointment, as was Noah's Mill and Rowan's Creek. For what the price tag is, I will not be buying any more of them.

[Meruck]

I've heard of people just spitting it out in the sink.

[berkeley223]

I'd say my most disappointing was Woodford Reserve's Seasoned Oak Finish. It tasted like smoked shoe leather. I also don't like Blanton's.

As for worst, probably Old Crow or something (whatever I used to drink in college when I didn't know bourbon from scotch)

[ramblinman]

Old Grandad 114 is petty terrible stuff, its like they ran standard beam through a sweat sock.

Second only to that would be Willy Nelson's own Old Whiskey River. Few buddies and I thought it'd be a good idea to have a real whiskey tasting instead of usual beer and jack fun. I remember hearing "this has got to be great, Willy seems like a man that would really know his whiskey", and immediately thinking about the poor decision making that the red headed stranger is known for. I recall char, salt, and a bundle of other horrible flavors. Very young in my whiskey drinking at the time and I'd probably think different now, but the rememberance of it still makes my stomach turn a bit.

[ErichPryde]

I tried an old log cabin dusty from the 60s that tasted like gasoline and burning tires.

[JPBoston]

Fighting Cock, Old Forrester didn't dump but turned into marinade.

For shame!!! I know this post is old, but FC is damn fine stuff.

I'd have to go with Beam Black label. I've enjoyed everything else I've tried to varying degrees, even Benchmark.

[unclebunk]

Old Bardstown. My bottle was absolutely terrible and holds the distinction of being the only bottle I've ever dumped down the drain in my life.

[drunk]

This is quite an entertaining thread. Blanton's, Dickel 12, Noah's Mill are some of the worst you've had?! Were you drinking them with or without a silver spoon in your mouth? I kid. Perfect example that the best bourbon out there is the one that tastes best to you, and why when new folks ask for recommendations, we tell them to just try everything.

Back on topic, the worst I've had was Yahara Bay, an indie from Madison, WI. In a close second place was Willett Pot Still. Tasted like nutty, salty, buttery popcorn gone bad.