Must Taste Bourbons

[Yeti]

A must taste bourbon for me to try is the PHC 4th edition. This has continued to elude me for whatever reason, but I absolutely love barrel proof wheat bourbon, and this has as strong a following as any. I don't have the history with special editions that a lot of you do, but last years WLW is one of my absolute favorite bourbons ever. I have a hunch this one will be up there as well.

A must taste bourbon recommendation would be Elmer T. Lee. I think it's one of the most approachable and delicious whiskies on the standard shelf, and if you're just getting your bearings in the bourbon world it's the first single barrel offering I would recommend to someone.

[p_elliott]

Love it Squire ...................

[portwood]

I think there are two basic categories of "must taste bourbons":

1. Every newb should experience "value must taste bourbons" - the type listed by squire - in order to appreciate the second category,

2. once in a lifetime bourbons - the type being suggested by everyone else. These can only really be appreciated once one has experienced the first category.

[ramblinman]

I'd put GTS on my must taste list. Only had the pleasure of it the first time a few weeks ago and everyone who enjoys bourbon should give that high proof monster a session.

I also think Henry McKenna BiB SB is one whose profile is different enough from everything else out there that it deserves to be tried.

[Richnimrod]

I also think Henry McKenna BiB SB is one whose profile is different enough from everything else out there that it deserves to be tried.

I couldn't agree more. I think H. McKenna BIB SB is wonderful and strong on character, as well as complex and has a wonderful nose. In fact it somewhat reminds me of the other one I mentioned earlier in this thread: Ezra B SB. Both are worth a taste IMHO.

[JPBoston]

* EWB -- Represents clean, 'standard' bourbon flavor (what I consider to be, anyway) at a ridiculous QPR. No off-notes. Admittedly, I can't get my mitts on the BIB... that may be an even better example and still value priced.

* Buffalo Trace --- Represents the leathery/earthy spice spectrum exceptionally well. This was my gateway bourbon and made me realize that all whiskey doesn't basically taste like Jack Daniels.

* OWA -- The best widely available wheater and also happens to be a great value.

* OGD 114 -- Example of high proof, high quality, yet still reasonably priced.

* Knob Creek -- represents the best widely available middle/upper shelf option (again, all my opinion, obviously). Similiar to EWB in that it doesn't offer outlier flavors... just tastes like a really nice bourbon.

* Fighting Cock -- Shows how sweet can also mix with spicy in the same bourbon.... and at a very nice price.

* FRSmB -- Example of the floral flavors you can find in a bourbon.

Edited August 9, 2013 by JPBoston

[ebo]

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.

I couldn't agree more. OGD is really good stuff. The fact that it's under $20 is a bonus. I can't get the 114 here, but I always have the BiB on hand.

[GaryT]

Bourbon Supreme . . . so you'll know what you DON'T like

No one has mentioned Bookers, and for me - while it isn't my "go to", it is great stuff that is easily available. I like it better than CEHT Barrel Proof, which was half-again more expensive. But . . . not as much as ECBP which was cheaper

[bingstein]

I'll pick a kinda weird one that is triggered by recent events: Old Ezra 7 Year 101. Saw it with a clearance tag for $15 the other day and found out the local haunt won't be ordering it anymore. I've only tasted this once or twice and found it to be amazing.

It's my must taste bourbon because it showed me that the go to value pours arent limited to the ones we all know and love (VOB BiB, OGD, etc) and that there are some that newbies like myself would never dream of enjoying. Glad I grabbed a few bottles in case it becomes harder to find around Lexington.

[squire]

McKenna SB and Ezra SB are a pair I don't think about unless I run across them. I used to buy one or both a couple times a year from a store in Louisiana when business took me over to that area. Oddly I never seemed to have both in a tasting at the same time so that will have to be a future project.

[mbroo5880i]

The more bourbon I drink tonight the more lost that I get. However, I don't think it is the bourbon. I think it is all of the suggestions on must taste bourbons. So many to try. Now I need to make a list. I have tried many but now there are more that I need to try.

[squire]

So much work so little time.

[smknjoe]

I'll throw Old Forester 100 proof in there.

[TheNovaMan]

* EWB -- Represents clean, 'standard' bourbon flavor (what I consider to be, anyway) at a ridiculous QPR. No off-notes. Admittedly, I can't get my mitts on the BIB... that may be an even better example and still value priced.

EW black is definitely a solid pour, but EW BIB is completely different. I enjoy both, but there really is a BIB style, and EW BIB fits right in. If you enjoy other BIBs, you really should try EW white label. I think it's the best dollar per ounce pour available in MI.

[bingstein]

The more bourbon I drink tonight the more lost that I get. However, I don't think it is the bourbon. I think it is all of the suggestions on must taste bourbons. So many to try. Now I need to make a list. I have tried many but now there are more that I need to try.

[TheNovaMan]

How are HH bottles not the same as value pours?

[JPBoston]

EW black is definitely a solid pour, but EW BIB is completely different. I enjoy both, but there really is a BIB style, and EW BIB fits right in. If you enjoy other BIBs, you really should try EW white label. I think it's the best dollar per ounce pour available in MI.

[ebo]

I'll pick a kinda weird one that is triggered by recent events: Old Ezra 7 Year 101. Saw it with a clearance tag for $15 the other day and found out the local haunt won't be ordering it anymore. I've only tasted this once or twice and found it to be amazing.

It's my must taste bourbon because it showed me that the go to value pours arent limited to the ones we all know and love (VOB BiB, OGD, etc) and that there are some that newbies like myself would never dream of enjoying. Glad I grabbed a few bottles in case it becomes harder to find around Lexington.

[Wryguy]

The dizzying nature of trying to try everything has probably gripped all of us at some point. For instance my must taste bourbon, VOB BiB is one I passed over when in SC. I grabbed an AAA10 star instead, which I'd also never had before, but my focus at the time was trying to find dusties. It did result in a UD OC10 finding its way into my mitts, but as other members have noted, this bourbon/rye journey is something that will stretch on and on through the years, with many a permutation along the way. The glory of this community is in all the guidance and perspective it provides to newbs like me. :bowdown: I'm just glad that I'm so green that even a couple years down the path there are still so many things left to try. :cool:

[TunnelTiger]

My "must try" for anyone new to Bourbon would have to be VOB, AAA10star, EWBIB, 4RYL, & GD12*.

Why? Because I still can't get over how good these taste for what they cost and yes I know that GD12 is not a Bourbon but it beats the pants off JD.

[squire]

Arguably Tennessee whiskys are Bourbons they just choose to differentiate themselves.

[393foureyedfox]

Arguably Tennessee whiskys are Bourbons they just choose to differentiate themselves.

rightfully so, i assume....if they were labeled as bourbons they would be lost in the sea of other bourbons. as is, GD and JD clearly stand out in their own categories.

some 'must try' bourbons i would say are, from cheapest to most expensive.......HHW BIB, OGD 114, and bookers. I refuse to go over $40 a bottle, so i limit myself to the lower 2/3 of the bourbon world.....theres so many in that category anyway, and so many good ones, i cant see the point in even going past $40 a bottle. others would disagree, or there wouldnt be the market anyway (i'll gladly sit back and let them drive their prices up while enjoying my 'value pours'). bookers is over $40, so i only get it when i go to a local bar that is renowned for huge pours at low prices.

BTW, i swear less than 1% of drinkers could differentiate EW BIB and HH white BIB.........only the pocketbook will notice

[deathevocation]

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

Too right Squire!

[393foureyedfox]

Too right Squire!

me too. with barely a year of bourbon experimantation, i dont think one can beat OGD 114 for the price.

the OGD BIB, though, did not impress me, particularly at almost the price of the 114

[smknjoe]

I agree that the BIB is not nearly as good neat as the 114.