Must Taste Bourbons

[Wryguy]

Must taste Bourbons might make a good separate thread. -- squire

At the suggestion of one of our esteemed senior members, how about a thread for must taste bourbons. Either something you are really looking forward to trying or something you feel that everyone should try at some point. Ryes fly too of course.

I went over to a friend's new home for the first time a couple days ago and took over a VOB 6/90. He broke out rocks and two glasses and we had a couple pours. I don't drink on ice ever really, but it was really pleasant and surprisingly refreshing, which is not a term I associate with whiskey. Thought it brought out a bit of sweetness I'd never noticed in the pour before. I've never had the VOB BiB, it's not distributed in these parts as far as I know.

So VOB BiB is my current must taste bourbon.

[whiskeyagonzo]

I am looking forward to the possible mud wrestling that may be involved in order to get my hands on this years FR LE SmB.

[squire]

For that one I wouldn't fight fair.

[Richnimrod]

Here' one I recommend that isn't always given it's due IMHO (because it's marketed by a Non-Distiller, Luxco):

Ezra B Single Barrel, 12-year, 99.5-proof. It has a rich, complex nose; a lovely, thick mouthfeel; and a taste to delight the palate.

Worth the few extra bux IMHO.

[smokinjoe]

A bourbon that I would suggest every bourbon explorer try would be Old Grand Dad. Ideally the 114, but 100 will do. It's easy to by-pass on in the store due to it's low price, and resulting perception as lower quality. But, in the bourbon category, where the taste profiles can sometimes become muddled, and hard to distinguish and differentiate, the OGD house profile stands apart. To my taste buds, there really isn't anything out there quite like it.

[squire]

Others have tried but there is only one head of the Bourbon family.

[TheNovaMan]

Considering that I like Ten High straight, I think I ought to try 1792 Ridgemont Reserve sometime. It's just so hard to spend $30.99 on it when EW BIB is so tasty and it's only $14.96...

[Andre28]

Ok ill bite. Despite the controversy, I am going to be 'that' guy and say at some stage you have to try one of the Pappys. I have only had the 15, but it really does stand out to me.

[theglobalguy]

4R SB, doesn't even have to be a special bottling or barrel strength. Just the normal old SB is a huge step up from the small batch, and not much more $.

[smokinjoe]

Ok ill bite. Despite the controversy, I am going to be 'that' guy and say at some stage you have to try one of the Pappys. I have only had the 15, but it really does stand out to me.

Edited August 9, 2013 by smokinjoe

[sutton]

So VOB BiB is my current must taste bourbon.

+1 ... tasting this got me to explore more fully the bottom shelf - and has me questioning why spend $$ on the $40-$50 range - save money for the occasional luxury expression, but there is incredible QPR in the 'every day' expressions.

VOB BiB

OGD 86, 100, 114

HH BiB

To name a few.

[Guest]

Oh, your that guy...

Funny how PVW has joined MM and WR as the bourbons you dare not say you purchase and enjoy.

2 wheater out of 3, sensing a trend?:grin:

I think you can add JB black and anything JD to that list...*

*hides under bed

[smknjoe]

Elmer T. Lee is one you must try.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I'm kind of surprised Fighting Cock hasn't been mentioned as of yet as a value pick and a must try,nice sweet and balanced and plenty of proof to back it all up.

[mbroo5880i]

In the interest of sticking with reasonably priced options, I agree with the suggestion of regular Four Roses Single Barrel. I would also suggest that one of the Weller bourbons, either WL12 or OWA, is a must taste bourbon.

[squire]

My original thought behind this thread was what are the 'must trys' in the World of Bourbon to get a grounding for those who are starting out in Bourbon or returning to it from wandering in the wilderness of other distilled spirits. Many of our members may have been drinking Bourbon for years (decades) without ever doing serious comparative tasting or analysis of the subject. My thoughts to get the basics is acquire an example from the major houses/styles and start from there. Forester, Grand Dad, Beam Black, Evan Williams Black, Buffalo Trace regular, Four Roses yellow label, Weller 12, and Wild Turkey 101, something for everybody there. Gather some friends, get the wife to fill the glasses blind (yes, I said fill, we're serious here) and set to our task. Only when we have the basics down can we advance along the path. Who among us has hit a perfect drive the first time we held a golf club? Every serious endeavor takes practice.

We come to this common subject from a variety of ages and backgrounds all following the path to enlightenment. The subject is Straight Bourbon/Rye whisky and we are here to discuss it. We actually give a damn if the oak tree used to make the staves was grown on the North facing side of the mountain and it's age when felled.

Face it, we're Bourbon Geeks, it's what we are, it's what we do.

[Richnimrod]

So WELL SAID, Squire.

I agree with all of that!

[mosugoji64]

Excellent post, Squire. To that end might I suggest going to the 50mL section and loading up? That would probably be the quickest way to get an education on differences/house styles. I've regularly seen JBW, EWB, BT, OGD, MM, WR, WT101, WTRB, Blantons, KC, and probably a few others there. I'm just thinking locally vs a store with an exceptional selection like TPS. One could find even more for experimenting there.

[squire]

That's a good idea Brian and I should have included Maker's Mark. Donno why I didn't, just never think about it.

[MyOldKyDram]

Very nice sentiment there, squire.

[Andre28]

Oh, you're that guy...

Funny how PVW has joined MM and WR as the bourbons you dare not say you purchase and enjoy.

Hey I like MM as well, my go to at a bar or something for easy sipping. Not as big a fan of WR though.

[Vosgar]

Face it, we're Bourbon Geeks, it's what we are, it's what we do.

That would be a great signature!

[squire]

That's a good idea Gary.

[T Comp]

May I add to must taste should be the must read of Chuck Cowdery's Bourbon, Straight. Read it along while tasting and see how his bourbon descriptions from 2004 still apply. And that Bourbon Geek thing is why I generally stay silent when new folk are looking for suggestions...you need to grow your own geekiness. And just as we say twice a year in Bardstown, it also applies to your bourbon journey, "it's a marathon not a sprint".

[squire]

At my age it's pretty much a walk.