Cask/Barrel Strength vs. Reg Bourbon

[squire]

Yeah well I used to say I'd never date a woman over 40.

[Meruck]

Yeah well I used to say I'd never date a woman over 40.

I still wont,......... my wife would be livid!!!!!

[GaryT]

Yeah well I used to say I'd never date a woman over 40.

I'm not saying I'd never drink 80 proof - just that to date I haven't found much I care to drink. Some folks don't care for young whiskey, but I've had 3 yr Willett rye (around 110 proof) that I thought was tremendously better than 4 yr Old Overholt (at 80 proof). Granted, OO is down to 3 yrs (or is labeled as such - probably still in transition), but I'd bet I would like it better if it was bottled at 90 or even 100 proof. Bernie Lubbers was lobbying Beam to make that a BIB to compete with RR, and he was disappointed to hear it going in the other direction.

Long story short - maybe one day I'll meet an 80 proof gal that "does it" for me. Thus far, hadn't happened. But that doesn't mean someone else shouldn't date her

[mosugoji64]

I'm not saying I'd never drink 80 proof - just that to date I haven't found much I care to drink.

I haven't found many that I like, either. Virginia Gentleman and ND OT come to mind, but those are the only ones. Most of them just taste too watery and bland.

[BigBoldBully]

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.

So glad you mention this, squire. I was about to confess that I do something similar once I have gotten properly acquainted with a bourbon through some neat sippin'. The Kentucky Tea version I have just been calling optimized water. Many other times lemonade is the liquid partner of choice. Speaking to the OP's dilemma, though, even with these predilections of mine, often a good high abv bourbon discharges its diluted duties better than an 80%er (speaking % for %). Maybe it has something to do with extra filtering messing with the "standard" expressions?

[CoMobourbon]

I'm not saying I'd never drink 80 proof - just that to date I haven't found much I care to drink. Some folks don't care for young whiskey, but I've had 3 yr Willett rye (around 110 proof) that I thought was tremendously better than 4 yr Old Overholt (at 80 proof). Granted, OO is down to 3 yrs (or is labeled as such - probably still in transition), but I'd bet I would like it better if it was bottled at 90 or even 100 proof. Bernie Lubbers was lobbying Beam to make that a BIB to compete with RR, and he was disappointed to hear it going in the other direction.

Long story short - maybe one day I'll meet an 80 proof gal that "does it" for me. Thus far, hadn't happened. But that doesn't mean someone else shouldn't date her

FRY! She's well over 40, but she is keeping it tight! (Insert an even more sexist MILF joke here).

Regarding the op: as long as I keep it within a proof territory (e.g. 90ish, 120ish) over the course of one night, I am usually good.

[black mamba]

The only 80 proofer I buy (and like) is 4RYL with it's wonderful, silky mouthfeel, but I like to blend it with OGDBIB as well, to make 90 pf.

RR10 yr is a full flavored 90 pf bourbon . . . . good stuff.

[tigerlam92]

Agreed with the taste and variety.

Want to stress the different proof lends better to different ways to drink - neat, splash of water and ice for different mood.

But if you like GTS neat and gulping it, then you probably need to count how many active taste buds you have. Then diluting 200 proof ethanol will be better.

[Balcones Winston]

I can't really appreciate many whiskies under 100 proof. Some of the dusties out there are nice at 90, maybe even 86, but you don't get as full a mouthfeel, which is disappointing at times.

[Meruck]

..............., but you don't get as full a mouthfeel, which is disappointing at times.

If I knew you better I might make a "ur mom" joke

[WAINWRIGHT]

All points of my own personal views have already been covered.I will agree in the assessment that mood is a truly defining factor for me as for proof of pour in a given evening and so is the factor of flavor over proof in many cases as Aaron has already touched on earlier.I think a combination of these two main factors are key to my own personal tastes,I will also have to say that I have never been proof spoiled in any instance.

[Danger]

Isn't that bourbon-racism or proofism or something if you refuse to acknowledge the virtues of anything under a certain proof?

[squire]

It's called Bourbon profiling.

[GaryT]

I don't think most of us could afford (either from a time or money perspective) to try EVERY bourbon or whiskey that hits the shelves. If you know you're not a big fan of 80 or 86 proof bourbon, I suppose you could go out and buy new stuff that is in that range. But - if I know I like corn flakes, but don't care for Rice Krispies - I'm a special kinda stupid if I buy every new kind of Rice Krispies. True - there might be one with enough different stuff that I enjoy - but I'm likely to waste a lot of time/money on that chance.

Back to the op question - I really do like barrel proof stuff, but don't think I would exclude all others as that is a very narrow category. I don't have any stats, but I'm pretty sure if I did a poll of my local bottle shops offerings I would find less than 10% are barrel proof. My recommendation would be to not drink the BP stuff as often if you're finding it takes away from your enjoyment of all others, as this could lead to a very expensive stash

[Special Reserve]

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

[squire]

Your breakfast cereal reference is an apt comparison Gary. For years (decades) we bought every new brand that came on the market but now I stick to the rye recipe Bourbons and don't feel slighted in the least.

[boneuphtoner]

Call me crazy, but I certainly enjoy a couple of neat cask strength whiskeys (THH, Bookers, GTS) while simultaneously also appreciating the softness of many of the lower proof bourbons (ETL, Four Roses Yellow, Old Forester 86, JD Old No. 7). If you are looking at these lower proof pours looking for the same experience as cask strength, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. They are different animals. Most bourbon drinkers more experienced than I say to appreciate the lower proof offerings for what they are.

[MyOldKyDram]

BHC I. W. Harper at 80 proof is very good bourbon. I've had a few bottles and still have a couple left, I'd buy more if I found it. I think it's about the only 80 proof bourbon that I'd purchase.

Never seen any of these, but if I do will definitely give it a whirl.

[squire]

The Bourbon Heritage Collection limited edition 15 year 80 proof Harper came out in the mid 90s and a bottle may surface from time to time but the chances of finding one are slim.

[MyOldKyDram]

Yeah, I know. But I'm just dumb enough to keep looking.

[squire]

If you find two I'll buy one off 'ya.

[bad_scientist]

Call me crazy, but I certainly enjoy a couple of neat cask strength whiskeys (THH, Bookers, GTS) while simultaneously also appreciating the softness of many of the lower proof bourbons (ETL, Four Roses Yellow, Old Forester 86, JD Old No. 7). If you are looking at these lower proof pours looking for the same experience as cask strength, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. They are different animals. Most bourbon drinkers more experienced than I say to appreciate the lower proof offerings for what they are.

The only real rule is, start with lower proofs if you're doing a tasting! Otherwise, your preferences are all yours, unique, and important. As long as you honestly speak your mind, everyone wins.

[squire]

I've found keeping the bottle within reach a good rule.

[Meruck]

glass optional...........

[stiffchainey]

OGD is good at 90, but that's it for me. I usually go for the higher proof stuff - just more flavour.