Cask/Barrel Strength vs. Reg Bourbon

[Don_Draper]

I am fairly new to the bourbon world, but I am wondering if this has happened to anyone. I had some bourbon that I really, really liked. Then I started drinking some barrel proof bourbon like George T. Stagg and Col E H Taylor barrel proof. Now that I go back to regular bourbon it all tastes watery to me, and I can only drink barrel proof. I hate it because I bought some Blanton's Single Barrel that I used to love and now it tastes so boring to me...ugh.

[GaryT]

While I am definitely a fan of barrel proof, I haven't had that issue. If I drank GTS or ECBP every day for some extended period of time, I suppose I could get spoiled - so I avoid that.

[393foureyedfox]

Im fairly new to bourbon and alcohol in general as well....less than a year. I immediately decided 80 proofers were not what i liked, and settled into the 100 proofers and BIB stuff. Then a had a shot of Booker's.....

at the prices of cask strength stuff, they wont be everyday drinks for me, but i do prefer them. $50 a bottle for Booker's, I cant handle the thought. But, there are some cheaper (read; less expensive) ones out there that seem to have similat kicks and not be over $40. Knob Creek 120 proof is about $37 here and almost as good. A lot of people love the OGD 114, Im feeling mixed on it (open the bottle and take a first drink and its not too good, let it sit a bit and its pretty good), and its $21 here.

So, enjoying the full strength stuff hasnt ruined "regular" bourbons to me, they were already ruined. but i do imagine, if you were a long time drinker of 80 proofers, then got caught up in barrel proofers, youd not be able to go back to 80 proofers. Just out of curiousity, at the bar a few weeks ago, I tried some MM (strangely, never had any), just to see why its so popular. tasted like someone made a 50-50 mix of bourbon and water to me.

barrel proofers are awesome, but with the current trend of lowering proofs and doing away with age statements (or reducing them), Im not sure theyre going to expand much, as bourbon in general is seeing a growing popularity. supply and demand, you know.

[Meruck]

4-I'd-fox is right.

if 100 proof is the base line you will do fine down to 90 and up to whatever, 80 proof is more of a mixer for when the neighbors come over.

[omgmarclol]

i like variety. sometimes i like to drink barrel strength offerings and sometimes i like lower proof bottlings. it all depends on my mood. but i'd never say that i can only drink barrel or high proof after drinking *insert barrel strength bottling*.

[Tico]

Sometimes I like to have a standard 90 proof drink before I dip into the barrel proof stuff. It helps calibrate my palate a bit, the first sip of the night being barrel proof stuff can sometimes be a bit rough!

[Grain Belt]

At the hunting shack where I go each November we have a cocktail hour once the weapons are safely housed each evening. I am one of the younger members and the older fellas go into their early 70's. My dad and uncle are bourbon and water guys. Some are brandy coke guys, and one is a rum coke guy. When I pour my bourbon on the rocks or just add a splash of water they look at me in shocked amazement. I wonder what they would do with a neat pour of OGD 114!? I am writing this just to illustrate the habits of ten average guys. The bourbon afficianados are a rare lot. Those who go bonded or higher are rarer yet, at least in my circles.

[AaronWF]

It's about flavor more than proof for me. Higher proof can often be a shortcut to more flavor, but not always. Blanton's is fine, but I don't get much from it. I'm trying to think of a 90° or less bourbon that doesn't taste watered down to me... Perhaps FRYL or SmB, but it's been awhile on those. ETL varies by barrel, but the last bottle I had was full of flavor. Same with EWSB, especially a particular barrel of the '03 vintage.

Anyway, you're better off not caring for Blanton's. It's over-priced IMO.

[squire]

Booker Noe would fill a tall glass with ice, throw in a half ounce of his namesake Bourbon, then fill the glass with water calling the drink Kentucky Tea. Elmer T. Lee mixed his namesake Bourbon with Sprite. I recon we can class those two as Bourbon aficionados.

[Flyfish]

Sometimes I like to have a standard 90 proof drink before I dip into the barrel proof stuff. It helps calibrate my palate a bit, the first sip of the night being barrel proof stuff can sometimes be a bit rough!

I have the opposite experience. I start with the fuller-flavored, higher proof--sipping just about a half shot--then segue to the regular. I want the full experience, undiluted by the diluted, so to speak.

[ramblinman]

I think its "ruined" things a bit more me too. The 80 proof, neat anyway, isn't a good sipping proof for me. Its great in mixers and fine enough if I'm in the mood for a sweet chaser, but for drinking neat or in a real cocktail 90+ and 100+ preferred is where its at.

[Grain Belt]

Booker Noe would fill a tall glass with ice, throw in a half ounce of his namesake Bourbon, then fill the glass with water calling the drink Kentucky Tea. Elmer T. Lee mixed his namesake Bourbon with Sprite. I recon we can class those two as Bourbon aficionados.

[Meruck]

I'm trying to think of a 90° or less bourbon that doesn't taste watered down to me....

[AaronWF]

Weller 12 would be a fine place to start

[Meruck]

I was really bored and turned off by my last few bottles of this. Lots of astringent wood and not much else. Been a while though, perhaps a revisit is in order!

[smknjoe]

I was really bored and turned off by my last few bottles of this. Lots of astringent wood and not much else. Been a while though, perhaps a revisit is in order!

[squire]

At least a case in reserve, good play that.

[ER07]

I hardly ever drink barrel proof bourbons undiluted. I find the 120+ proof bourbon's flavors overpowered by the alcohol. A few drops of water really help me appreciate it more

[justataste]

Im fairly new to bourbon and alcohol in general as well....less than a year. I immediately decided 80 proofers were not what i liked, and settled into the 100 proofers and BIB stuff. Then a had a shot of Booker's.....

Just out of curiousity, at the bar a few weeks ago, I tried some MM (strangely, never had any), just to see why its so popular. tasted like someone made a 50-50 mix of bourbon and water to me.

Yep 393. I agree. Every time I try MM, on the rocks, neat or with a splash, I keep trying to find some taste. Not much there. Booker's on the other hand......

[squire]

100 proof has been the standard for so long (BIBs) I just have it ingrained in my head that's the right proof for the good stuff.

[savagehenry]

You may soon tire of cask strength and go back to some lower proof offerings.

[hectic1]

i like variety. sometimes i like to drink barrel strength offerings and sometimes i like lower proof bottlings. it all depends on my mood. but i'd never say that i can only drink barrel or high proof after drinking *insert barrel strength bottling*.

Ditto on this...I prefer barrel proof unfiltered bourbons on most nights but there are certain nights when a 90-100pr bourbon fits the bill!

[squire]

As far as I'm concerned if it says Bourbon on the label it fits the bill.

[MyOldKyDram]

Can't think of an 80 proofer that interests me, but very nearly everything else is in play.

[GaryT]

Can't think of an 80 proofer that interests me, but very nearly everything else is in play.

Good point - while I'm not stuck on barrel proof, my range probably doesn't go all the way to the shallow end :grin: