Introducing

[Guy Debord]

Dear SB-

I really enjoy the random replies when people name the bourbon that introduced them to "good bourbon." Some call it their "gateway bourbon." With that in mind, what would you pour for a friend in order to introduce them to quality bourbon and the journey we all share?

My introduction to bourbon was Maker's Mark, to me Maker's was that difference between classic whisky flavor and bourbon.

Most recently, and since meeting all of you, Elijah Craig 12 showed me what bourbon can be. EC12 is quite a bourbon and I thank these boards!

Best,

[TunnelTiger]

Welcome to the board Guy. For me it was WT101. Look forward to your posts.

[Guy Debord]

Welcome to the board Guy. For me it was WT101. Look forward to your posts.

So was the WT101 your gateway and would that also be something you would pour for a buddy wanting to see the world?

Sorry, my post was a 2 parter not yet so clearly so.

[TunnelTiger]

No it was just my start. In fact I really don't enjoy it anymore but it's no lost because there are just so many great tastes at very good prices. I've really love all the 4R recipes and the YL is the only bottle I'll buy below 90 proof.

I'd start a friend off with one of those or OGD114, ETL, AAA10, EWBIB, HMcBIB, I could go on and on.

[Trey Manthey]

I'd always been a whiskey fan since before I could legally drink. My uncle was a brand rep for Wild Turkey in the 80's and always brought us stuff. I stayed a bourbon drinker into my 20's and usually kept a bottle of Maker's or EC12 around because seemed to be the price/quality sweet spot. I discovered FRYL around 2007 and started keeping that around as my go-to. However, it was WLW that opened my eyes to high-end bourbon, though. I remember it like yesterday, where I was, who I was with, what I was wearing. Truly a magic moment.

[CL]

My gateway was getting on SB.com in 2002. Before then, it was the usual bourbons that a non-expert would drink - Makers, Knob Creek, Booker's - the stuff readily available.

After SB.com, I can't remember the first bourbon I had, but there were so many. I soon expanded from a couple open bottles to about 30. ;-)

[DrBob]

Bulleit got me started and I have already used it as a gateway to get a friend started. I don't often drink it now, but I like rye heavy bourbons in general.

[Paddy]

I cut my teeth on some very good bourbon and TN whisk(e)y in the 80's (Old Fitz, WT 101, ER, OC 10, Beam, HH & EW BIBS, AAA 10 yr, Rebel Yell, Weller, JD, Dickel and pretty much anything put in front of me) and didn't really appreciate it at the time. I also drank a lot of stuff that was less than stellar, but youth didn't mind and my pocketbook didn't complain.

I went away from it for a time and then, upon my return, realized the error of my youth. That was my ahhhh haaa moment, and I haven't strayed again. Had I only known then what I know now, I truly would have appreciated what once was. At that time, during the glut, there was just so much good product going into the standard bottlings that we were fat and spoiled.

Thankfully, for the most part, the brands haven't changed and we continue to be spoiled rotten with fabulous bourbons readily available on the market. However, due to the demand market we are currently in, you'll never see a honey barrel slip through the distillery cleverly disguised as a standard bottling again. The industry has gone high tech and now the consumer is forced to look harder, spend more and hope for the best. Bottle by bottle...hit and miss...thick and thin.

[SqueakScolari]

Dear SB-

I really enjoy the random replies when people name the bourbon that introduced them to "good bourbon." Some call it their "gateway bourbon." With that in mind, what would you pour for a friend in order to introduce them to quality bourbon and the journey we all share?

My introduction to bourbon was Maker's Mark, to me Maker's was that difference between classic whisky flavor and bourbon.

Most recently, and since meeting all of you, Elijah Craig 12 showed me what bourbon can be. EC12 is quite a bourbon and I thank these boards!

Best,

[boneuphtoner]

My gateway bourbon was Woodford Reserve. I started to really become hooked with EC12. And I turned into a real bourbon enthusiast with Four Roses SB.

[jwacky]

Buffalo Trace was the first that opened my eyes to how good bourbon could be.

[SqueakScolari]

Buffalo Trace was the first that opened my eyes to how good bourbon could be.

[cowdery]

I always recommend Maker's Mark for beginners because I figure if Maker's Mark packs too much punch for them, they might want to stay away from bourbon.

[MtnDew]

Makers is what I was started on, though I tend to encourage people to buy a bottle of 4RSmB when they as for a good recommendation for a starter whiskey.

[Guest]

Me too. Yes, I said me too.

I guess that makes me "me three" this was the bourbon that completed the transformation from being primaily a scotch drinker

[bjbronwyn]

Ive given new friends to bourbon buffalo trace and Blantons and if they like that, then we hit the ETL and I haven't had any rejections to that either. Then we would progressively more to some more harder to find in Australia like 4RsmB. My first intro to quality bourbon was ETL, but every now and then I find one that eclipses that!

[Guy Debord]

These are really great gang, much appreciated.

I agree, simply learning about the Buffalo Trace brand line-up is eye-opening to newcomers like me. Their website really expands the scope of the bourbon field. Not to be an advert for them, but the bottom of the brand page is revealing if your just getting started, seeing the 15 brands just begs the question--How do all of those taste!?

Thanks for sharing.

[JonRob]

Bulleit was my gateway. Still one of my favorites.

[DBM]

Gateway bourbon poured for me (I was squarely an Islay scotch drinker at the time) = EC18

What I would pour to introduce someone to bourbon = SB Blend, Weller 12 or Maker's 46 (I don't have any MM) - Something with mellow, classic bourbon flavors that doesn't overpower.

[Tony]

My intro was heading to Jim Beam on a trip South. Took the old style tour and then was in the gift shop. I was looking to get the Basil Hayden, more because I like the bottle, and the woman ringing me up said a lot of women liked this with the lower proof. So of course I told her to give me a Booker's as well. I think having the two to start was a good introduction.

Best regards, Tony

[jaycamm]

Jim Beam Black.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

[cnybrbnhntr]

Maker's would be my "first one's free" as it tends to be more widely accepted - smoother maybe? I would set the hook with EC12.

[BAO]

My gateway was Noahs Mill 15yr.

My gateway for others is Weller 12.

[smknjoe]

My gateways were Beam White and Jack Daniels (sometime in the early 90's.) I much preferred the Beam. The first premium that I had that I liked a lot was Jefferson's Reserve around 1998 or 1999. Now that this has become a hobby and I have tasted a much broader range I would say that Maker's or WSR would be good mild bourbons for newbies. I think that Buffalo Trace and ETL are good ones to start out on too. If they like Jack Daniels give them some Evan Williams Black Label which is better IMO.

Edited October 17, 2013 by smknjoe

[sutton]

EW Black, Larceny or MM.