Your Top 5 Bourbons to Avoid and Why

[DBM]

I like the fact that I tried my "top 5 worst bourbons" and didn't avoid them, had others persuaded me to. How else would I know I didn't care for them?

Also keep in mind that tastes and palates change over time. My current "do not drink" list would include Woodford Reserve because it has a sharp metallic note in it, but I used to drink the stuff happily 10 years ago.

I recently purchased a handle of AAA 10 star (not year) out of state and opened it as part of a semi-blind taste test and it was pretty terrible compared to anything else in the lineup which included value pours like Fighting Cock and OGD BIB. I haven't revisited it by itself yet.

I am not a fan of Rowan's Creek. Not terrible, just not worth going after.

Haven't cared to try the really bottom shelf stuff like Old Overholt, Old Crow, Rebel Yell, Ten High and such, because I don't have to.

[sutton]

I have tried a bunch and have found something to like in most, the question to me is whether it is worth a repurchase. The comment about a Trappist monk who finds Anheuser-Busch beers remarkable resonates with me, because of their ability to take a natural product and produce it so consistently over many different sites and in millions (if not billions) of gallons. From a manufacturing perspective, this is actually quite a remarkable achievement whatever you may think about the intrinsic value of the product. You know that bottle of Bud will taste the same within some pretty tight specs each time.

So I don't have a top five "bad" bourbons, but purchasing a bottle or bar pour that I found enjoyable only to find that my next purchase was just awful, I have since avoided that brand simply over a concern regarding their ability to control their product. Current Old Fitz BiB is that bourbon for me. Others on here have been very positive on it, but given the one really bad bottle I have never repurchased it, not because I don't believe that others have found it a good, low-cost quality pour, but because I just don't want to buy another bad bottle, even though I just might have been unlucklly that one time.

So perhaps not a fair way to go about it (as I do like the wide range of HH products, both distillery brands and NDPs), but once bitten forever shy - there is just too many other things to give a first chance or repeat purchases of good/great brands that haven't (yet) given me that good/awful experience. And I do think distilleries should get this kind of input - they need to hear about the good and the bad to improve their processes (if they are so inclined).

Edited September 19, 2013 by sutton

[Guy Debord]

DBM,

You make excellent points. Tastes do change, I believe you do have to make a "revisit later list," but for some of us getting started it helps to have guidance from the vets like you and others. Even if you folks say it's bad, I still may try it just to see how bad it is (depending on finances of course). I think some of us want a flashlight in this dimly lit world. We are coming to SB so that we don't have to read lame Esquire magazine articles and GQ bourbon blogs. SB is a tested source.

Thanks

[393foureyedfox]

Haven't cared to try the really bottom shelf stuff like Old Overholt, Old Crow, Rebel Yell, Ten High and such, because I don't have to.

well put. cheap + 80 proof = crap

[smknjoe]

Even if you folks say it's bad, I still may try it just to see how bad it is (depending on finances of course). I think some of us want a flashlight in this dimly lit world.

[Enoch]

I once ate a raw egg in college for $15 so I can say there isn't any bourbon I couldn't be paid to drink.

[tigerlam92]

I once ate a raw egg in college for $15 so I can say there isn't any bourbon I couldn't be paid to drink.

[tigerlam92]

I'll skip my worse 5 since that is very likely someone's favorite, I've checked.

But one I tried at a bar and will likely never purchase is:

Booker's

[393foureyedfox]

But one I tried at a bar and will likely never purchase is:

Booker's

[Old Dusty]

Wheated bourbon was my gateway to this hobby and wheaters still have a soft spot in my heart. With that said the worst bourbons I have tried are the low end HH made wheaters- Reb Yell, Reb Reserve and Old Fitz Prime. Damn near undrinkable neat. Adding water or ice just made them thinner and flatter. Good for mixing only. Haven't tried a newer Fitz BIB so will leave that off the list.

[tigerlam92]

really?! thats my special 'treat' bourbon when we go to one of our favorite nice restaurants...

oh well, i cant stand a lot of what you guys love either. if we all liked the same thing, thered be no point to a website like this, would there?

[CorvallisCracker]

Jack Daniels (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know)

80 proof, four years old, $22 or higher. Only idiots buy this stuff.

Big Bottom

I hate big bottoms and I cannot lie...

Firefly Sweet Tea Bourbon

I took advantage of of a bottle one night...promised to call the next day...didn't...now when I spot it in a store I have to duck down behind the tequila rack...

Maker's Mark

The red wax creeps me out...probably because I watched one too many episodes of "True Blood"

Stein

Actually made in Oregon...I want to like it, but it's only two years old...and costs $38...

[squire]

Actually GMO corn and its products are received without restriction in most markets around the World. The problem for a Bourbon distiller is consumer resistance, particularly in Japan which is a major market for Four Roses.

Don't have an all time list of stinkers though, and the occasional disappointment can be ameliorated a bit if it was free.

[393foureyedfox]

bookers just has a really nice balance of sweet and 'hot' to me. its not as flavorful as the KC120, but the sweet/hot balance is just right. maybe one day ill try mixing them, that oughta be interesting!

[zillah]

Is it OK if I like all the bourbon? My rule of thumb is to stick with Kentucky Straight.

[JPBoston]

Man, don't get why people can't just answer the question without getting all touchy about it.

Here's a few that I only tried a bottle or two of, and won't be in a rush to get again:

(no real order)

1) Jim Beam Black. Overpriced, bitter wood.

2) Woodford Reserve. Not gross, just way over priced.

3) OF Signature. This is a well respected brand... but didn't float my boat. I actually enjoyed it on several occasions, but seems to be a 'enjoy based on mood' type for me. Can only get it by the handle here, so it's a bit more of a commitment than I'd prefer based on my taste preference.

4) Maker's Mark. Not bad, actually fairly pleasant. Just overpriced when compared to OWA.... as I typed this, I just remembered: MM and OWA have basically swapped prices here in AZ. OWA is now $21.99 and MM is now $18.99. Bummer... OWA is better, but loses it's specialness now that it's more expensive than MM.

5) Early Times. While not 'straight bourbon'... it's gotta be the worst whiskey I've ever tasted. EWB manages to be cheaper, actually 'straight bourbon', and 10x better.

Edited September 19, 2013 by JPBoston

[compliance]

Not sure if these are my real top 5, just off the top of my head. I'm a big complainer, so i have no problem calling stuff out.

1. Woodford - All I taste is chemicals and bathroom cleaning supplies.

2. EWSB - So smooth and SUPER boring

3. Craft Distillers - Not that I've had them all, so I probably shouldn't generalize, but all the ones i have had are really terrible. Hudson should give up.

4. Four Roses LESB and Secretariat- LESB is twice the price of store selected single barrels but no better, Secretariat and all bottle only SEs at exorbitant prices can DIAF.

5. Beam products - Almost all are undrinkable straight. A lot of bars use them for cocktails and it ruins those too.

[TunnelTiger]

Jim Beam Devils Cut, a very vile product

[rcb4d]

4. Four Roses LESB and Secretariat- LESB is twice the price of store selected single barrels but no better, Secretariat and all bottle only SEs at exorbitant prices can DIAF.

Yeah, I was one of the dopes who paid double for standard issue FRSB OBSK in a really pretty bottle. So now every bottle of FR that I open gets poured into that damn bottle. I know have a LE Secretariat decanter!

[Guest]

Interesting thread and one that I hope gets a lot of replies.

Personally I never avoid anything based on someone else recommendation, I will always try for myself, and as far as worrying about someone else not liking what I like or vice versa, well who gives a crap, thats just like your oppinion, man. Lets celebrate our differences.

Whiskey I dont buy:

1) Jim Beam small batch - starchy? The finish just doesnt work for me

2) JD - not cos its bad, just overpriced for what I consider a mixer, but I will never knock back a freebie.

3) Blantons special - why wouldnt you buy the private reserve instead?

4) Basil Hayden - too mellow for me, I dont like subtle, thats why I drink 100 proofers and Islay scotch!

5) Eagle rare 10 - i have bought a bottle every 6 months for the past 4 years and it is yet to grab me, its nice, but for me thats it

[bourbonfoot]

I'm sticking some rye in here too.

Templeton - Worst example of an LDI rye I've had yet.

Jack Daniels - Just don't care for the generic.

Larceny - Too mellow, nothing grabs me.

Bernheim (not bourbon I know) - see above

EH Taylor SB- More an argument about the price... seriously? THAT will get me to avoid anything.

[Tony Santana]

W.L. Weller Special Reserve - Tried some Weller 12 year, loved it, couldn't find it in a store so tried this instead. Don't hate it, just find it to be super bland. Found a use for it though - mixed 1:1 with Bulleit Frontier it smooths out the edges of the Bulleit and makes for a decent blend. Would never buy another bottle though.

After that, I can't come up with anything. Not as experienced as many of you. Have generally stayed away from the bottom shelf stuff, just because I can. Would never buy the basic Jim Beam, but I guess that could be said of many of you.

[393foureyedfox]

4) Basil Hayden - too mellow for me, I dont like subtle, thats why I drink 100 proofers

[michaelturtle1]

For me it is any and all Beam products distilled after about 1985 (I hate the yeasty funk)

Most whiskeys with proofs over 105 (I like to taste bourbon not anesthetize my mouth)

All Four Roses except OESO (they all taste like rotten fruit)

Any Brown Forman product (I call it the Brown Forman funk a weird metallic after taste)

[393foureyedfox]

i dont think beam and its upper level stuff seem to share much other than a dsp#. i dont really pick up on a funk though, as a lot of you guys do. the stuff with the actual 'beam' name isnt bad, it is just completely unremarkable to me.