Crude comparrison

[kitzg]

Last night we went out to dinner and I ended up drinking five different bourbons over the course of the evening -- so I thought it was worth posting my reaction. This was not any side-by-side comparison but social consumption.

The restaurant we chose had (surprise, surprise) a somewhat limited collection but did carry Knob Creek, Bookers, Basil Hayden, and Makers (of course I did not ask what was in their well). The Bookers and Basil Hayden were offered once I asked what premium bourbons they carried. That compares with Chuck's posting about Jim Beam's advertising assignment to BBDO where Knob Creek is referred to as a 'superpremium.'

I took the Knob Creek, though I know it well. I really enjoy the caramel I get from KC.

After dinner, given a very crowded bar where we were, we ventured to one of our favorite pubs. I had to tell the server who knows us that I was not drinking the usual beer tonight and when I asked about bourbon I learned Ten High was in their well and well drinks were on special. I decided to try it -- I don't recall drinking Ten High before. I got a generous pour (though the Knob Creek pour at the other place had been even bigger). To me the Ten High had a 'hot' note to it but it was still pleasant. Thin but pleasant.

I think the only other quality bourbons our pub has are Makers and Turkey 101 so for my second drink I switched to the Turkey. I usually get what I call the same 'hot' notes with Turkey.

At home, I was going to pour my last drink of the night but decided after all of that just to put less than an ounce of Stagg over a little ice before I settled into that last full drink. I thought the Stagg was very smooth over ice! I've usually sipped it neat or with a splash of water.

My fifth bourbon was Weller 12, which has almost become my regular pour.

While I love my Weller I think my ranking of these five would start with

Stagg,

Knob Creek

Weller 12 (though I could move it up a notch on another night)

Turkey 101

Ten High

Hope you don't mind me sharing.

And it always nearly amazes me, even after all of my experience, that the bartenders and servers barely know a good bourbon.

[Paradox]

And it always nearly amazes me, even after all of my experience, that the bartenders and servers barely know a good bourbon.

You're not kidding, but nevermind them knowing a good bourbon. I've had servers on several occasions not even know what bourbon was; they started rambling off scotches to me instead...

[CL]

And they think that JD is a bourbon, but, even worse, they think it's a good bourbon.

[Paradox]

Yep, in the whole scotch speal they toss in Jack as well... I can almost understand a 'lamen' not knowing Jack is not a bourbon but naming scotch's and canadian's is .

[brendaj]

Mark,

I've had servers on several occasions not even know what bourbon was

When this happens to me while I'm out of town, it makes me chuckle. When it happens to me here at home, it pisses me off... I believe it's every Kentuckian's duty to know a little something about Bourbon...

Bj

[Paradox]

So it even happens in Bardstown huh?! That's inexcusable, they should be forced to be locked up to that prop in front of the Jailers Inn for an hour as punishment.