Tasting Suggestions, or now what do I do?

[Variable]

Great forum guys, have learned tons in the past few days! I am looking for some suggestions on what to try next. So far I have had:

• Knob Creek
  
• Makers Mark
  
• Russell's Reserve 6yo Rye
  
• Eagle Rare 101
  

I have enjoyed all of them, to be quite honest. Not sure what to make of the Rye though, as I had never had any rye whiskey before, and the flavors are a little unfamiliar. Are there any other benchmarks I should be looking for? Next on my wish list are Old Grandad, Buffalo Trace, and Fighting Cock. Are there any others?

[squire]

Yes, there's Barton, 86, 90 or 100 proof.

[rndenks]

I am newer to this bourbon thing, and I have been trying to broaden my tasting background. One thing I have found is sometimes I can buy two different 375 ml bottles for the price of a 750 ml bottle. That way you get to try two bourbons!

Okay, back on track. I recently acquired a bottle of Larceny, and really enjoyed my couple of pours. The other reason I suggest this, besides it is delicious, is that it is from a distillery that you have not tried anything from yet.

[Smokewagon]

Great forum guys, have learned tons in the past few days! I am looking for some suggestions on what to try next. So far I have had:

• Knob Creek
  
• Makers Mark
  
• Russell's Reserve 6yo Rye
  
• Eagle Rare 101
  

I have enjoyed all of them, to be quite honest. Not sure what to make of the Rye though, as I had never had any rye whiskey before, and the flavors are a little unfamiliar. Are there any other benchmarks I should be looking for? Next on my wish list are Old Grandad, Buffalo Trace, and Fighting Cock. Are there any others?

Since you like makers, maybe branch up to Makers 46, or try the other Wheated Bourbon's Like Weller 107, or Larceny. I'd give fighting Cock a try for sure. I served up some Old Fashioned's made using Fighting Cock, and they went over well. I'd give Old Grandad 114 a shot, it's a great pour, as well as Small Batch Evan Williams. Also, you may try to find a bar with a good bourbon selection and get pours that way, it's an inexpensive way to sample different bourbons. Be on the look out for tastings, I have a store that does a Wednesday tasting of various whiskies (Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, etc) every week. That's been extremely cost effective for me since it is free.

~SW

[squire]

Every Wednesday? Be still my foolish heart.

[SFS]

Every Wednesday? Be still my foolish heart.

It's cold up there Squire. Just think about the past two weeks where you are.

[squire]

Cold notwithstanding I hear the siren song.

[SFS]

On the other hand, we could share the drive.

[unclebunk]

Great forum guys, have learned tons in the past few days! I am looking for some suggestions on what to try next. So far I have had:

• Knob Creek
  
• Makers Mark
  
• Russell's Reserve 6yo Rye
  
• Eagle Rare 101
  

I have enjoyed all of them, to be quite honest. Not sure what to make of the Rye though, as I had never had any rye whiskey before, and the flavors are a little unfamiliar. Are there any other benchmarks I should be looking for? Next on my wish list are Old Grandad, Buffalo Trace, and Fighting Cock. Are there any others?

There are so many great ones to try. How about Four Roses Single Barrel and Elijah Craig 12? Those two will expand your horizons a bit. Enjoy!

[black mamba]

Unclebunk, you beat me to the punch. Those are the two I thought would round out his arsenal.

[Meruck]

If your going to give the Elijah Craig 12 or any of the other ECs please remember to say an "amen" after. That's the way the Reverend would want it.

Also get your self a bottle of the Very Special Old Fitzgerald. If you enjoy wheaters, its a nice pour, as is the Old Fitz 100 proof Bottled in Bond.

Edited March 12, 2013 by Meruck

[Borchard]

Definitely recommend EC 12. Really good bourbon for not much money

[Variable]

I can get Elijah Craig here locally, so I'll hit your suggestion this weekend before starting on the list I compiled. I'll see if I can find some of the Four Roses SB as well. Much appreciated!

[Pieface]

EC12 is a good suggestion.

SB near revolves around wheaters at times so I think you should expand a little in that direction. MM is a great baseline so you could explore an increase in proof (Old Weller Antique), an increase in age (Weller 12) or simply a difference in execution of the same base principles (Weller Special Reserve.)

[Variable]

Been getting acquainted with the EC12 these past few days. I am finding it to be very good. Not bursting with in your face flavor, but very pleasant and polite to sip. Also had a chance to sample Bulleit, and WT 101, and WT Rye over the weekend. I REALLY liked the WT Rye. Ended up with bottles of all three.

I can really get used to the bourbon prices! I am really enjoying these bourbons, many under $30. Beats the crap out of single malt prices.

[HighInTheMtns]

Been getting acquainted with the EC12 these past few days. I am finding it to be very good. Not bursting with in your face flavor, but very pleasant and polite to sip. Also had a chance to sample Bulleit, and WT 101, and WT Rye over the weekend. I REALLY liked the WT Rye. Ended up with bottles of all three.

I can really get used to the bourbon prices! I am really enjoying these bourbons, many under $30. Beats the crap out of single malt prices.

So, which WT Rye did you sample? 81 or 101? Which did you buy?

[Variable]

Ahhhh, I just looked at the bottle, and it is the 81 proof. The regular WT I did buy was the 101.

[squire]

Still quite a value for those accustomed to Scotch prices.

[HighInTheMtns]

Ahhhh, I just looked at the bottle, and it is the 81 proof. The regular WT I did buy was the 101.

I'm guessing what you sampled was the 101. The 81 is universally decried. Shame on Wild Turkey for fooling you into that bottle.

[Variable]

Wow really? The only other rye I have had is Russel's Reserve. For the 20 bucks that WT Rye cost I felt it was pretty good! I'll have to look for a bottle of the 101 now.

[squire]

You may also wish to try a high rye Bourbon such as Old Grand Dad.

[Richnimrod]

Great forum guys, have learned tons in the past few days! I am looking for some suggestions on what to try next. So far I have had:

• Knob Creek

• Makers Mark

• Russell's Reserve 6yo Rye

• Eagle Rare 101

I have enjoyed all of them, to be quite honest. Not sure what to make of the Rye though, as I had never had any rye whiskey before, and the flavors are a little unfamiliar. Are there any other benchmarks I should be looking for? Next on my wish list are Old Grandad, Buffalo Trace, and Fighting Cock. Are there any others?

[Variable]

Hey 'Variable'... You might want to try a few wheaters; like the new Larceny, which is pretty nice, or Old Fitzgerald, or, W. L. Weller Special Reserve, or even Old Weller Antique 107, which in my humble opinion is very good Bourbon.

As a matter of fact, I purchased a bottle of Weller 12 over the weekend. Found it to be quite a nice pour. Very sweet to my palate. Been partial to rye based bourbons, but as a newb, this one kinda opened my eyes. I liked it quite a bit!

[squire]

Variable it appears you are enjoying all the Bourbons, both wheat and rye. There's no rule that says we must settle on one style alone. Some of us do but we don't have to.

[Richnimrod]

As a matter of fact, I purchased a bottle of Weller 12 over the weekend. Found it to be quite a nice pour. Very sweet to my palate. Been partial to rye based bourbons, but as a newb, this one kinda opened my eyes. I liked it quite a bit!

If you like the Weller 12 Year, you'll love Larceny. It's a bolder expression with a similar profile. Weller 12 is actually a bit refined for my palate most evenings. Don't get me wrong, it's very nice bourbon, just a bit 'mild' to me. The bold edge on Old Weller Antique 107 is more in my wheelhouse. But, hey; try 'em all! On some occasions I like the Weller 12 very well, depends on my mood, I guess. The main thing is ENJOY your drams! ... And, Have Fun!