Introducing

[Wryguy]

It was a pour of Rittenhouse Rye that first made me realize that whiskey was for me. If I were introducing someone to bourbon, I'd start with standard Buffalo Trace. These two were the beginning of glory recognized for me.

[ethangsmith]

I had some Jack Daniel's once when I was sick with a head cold and thought it was interesting stuff. When I finally decided to buy a bottle of something, I bought Evan Williams 86 black label. Good stuff and set me on the path to enjoying fine American whiskies.

[393foureyedfox]

i started off more as a means of stress reduction due to school demands. so, I started with the cheap stuff....VOB, HH BIB, EW 1783, KY tavern, etc....none of which i can say i thoroughly enjoyed, or honestly, even remotely......it was a means to an end. bit i WAS picking up on subtle differences, and kind of enjoyed trying new ones every time i got a new bottle.

at a blind tasting at a large gathering at a friends house, i picked regular KC as my favorite. And then later, as I realized I was enjoying the taste of higher proofers much more than i was liking 'regular' bourbons, i picked up a KC120. that really opened my eyes to what bourbon could be about. it was tasty and actually enjoyable. Then came the curious trying of a shot of Bookers while on vacation out of state....that reinforced it.

I dont think id recommend either of these though, to a new bourbon drinker. My bourbon friends are shocked that I took to bourbons and then quickly discovered a preference for barrel proofers. its probably not something many people take to out of the gate. I also cant think id recommend anything like MM to a beginner either. If that was my first introduction, i may have just left bourbon alone and moved on. but, theres a reason it is a very popular whiskey.

[Guy Debord]

I dont think id recommend either of these though, to a new bourbon drinker. My bourbon friends are shocked that I took to bourbons and then quickly discovered a preference for barrel proofers. its probably not something many people take to out of the gate. I also cant think id recommend anything like MM to a beginner either. If that was my first introduction, i may have just left bourbon alone and moved on. but, theres a reason it is a very popular whiskey.

[393foureyedfox]

I am with you here, high proof bourbon scares me a bit (I hate getting super drunk-I need limits). Out of curiosity, what is the flavor profile of higher proof bourbon. Is there a big alcohol flavor there, does it burn more, etc. What's the passion about? Maybe I should try an OGD 114.

Thank you for sharing out.

i never get super drunk, and really never even get drunk. i like the rich taste of higher proofs and i like the mouthfeel of the higher alcohol contents. a decently made high proofer doesnt necessarily have to taste 'hot' or 'rough'. some people, one of my friends included, says high proof is only good for hiding poor quality. i disagree.

if you havent tried an OGD 114, go for it. I dont think its harsh, and for the price, you cant go wrong with it.

though i may have a drink most nights of a high proofer, i probably only have a 1/2 ounce or so (1/2 shot glass). i just like to enjoy the taste a bit as i wind down and prepare for bed.

[Guy Debord]

393-I hope I did not offend with the drunk comment--simply saying that with this new hobby, one can get loaded quickly and that's usually not my goal when I drink to enjoy life. I too just love to sip. I can spend 45 minutes with 1oz or 2 and just have a blast.

These are great tips. Thank you.

[Paddy]

Maybe I should try an OGD 114.

Thank you for sharing out.

[393foureyedfox]

Yes, I also think you should give it a go. Its big and bold in a good way. A truly classic bourbon! Just ask Squire!! :coffeedrinker:

i dont think squire is a big fan of OGD 114; he loves the OGD BIB. i am just the opposite.

[bjbronwyn]

Id also put EWSB in the category of great introduction bourbons, sweet, smooth and lower proof...

[Guy Debord]

Hi All,

Thanks.

You suggested intro bourbons as: Maker's Mark, Bulleit, or Buffalo Trace

For illuminating bourbons you said: Evan Williams Single Barrel, Four Roses Single Barrel, Weller 12, Elijah Craig 12, or Elmer T. Lee.

What about Eagle Rare 10 SB? Would that be a good intro? Is it too much in any one direction?

I think if you want to hook a friend the bourbon needs to be balanced, classic, and slightly more obscure than the popular names they see everywhere--Woodford, Maker's, Bulleit, Knob Creek, and Wild Turkey. Some people believe these are the best 5 and everything else is bad. I like the suggestions. Thanks.

[Dolph Lundgren]

ER 10 year (90pf) broke the camel's back for me. Whenever I encounter somebody interested in bourbon these days, I recommend FRSmB (standard release). I've brought a bottle to a few parties and its usually gone in an hour.

[Guy Debord]

ER 10 year (90pf) broke the camel's back for me. Whenever I encounter somebody interested in bourbon these days, I recommend FRSmB (standard release). I've brought a bottle to a few parties and its usually gone in an hour.

What do you mean by broke the camel's back Dolph?

[FlounderinDC]

Makers was my intro bourbon and I just drank that for several years right after college. I only drank bourbon at bars or restaurants, it wasn't a hobby to me yet. Then I got Blanton's as a gift and it really peaked my interest in different types, tastes and experiences with bourbon and rye. For newbies entering bourbon I'd recommend Maker's or Buffalo Trace, then FRSmB if they want to keep exploring...

[Alphanumeric]

What do you mean by broke the camel's back Dolph?

He is using the phrase idiomatically to indicate that Eagle Rare was what tipped the scale and sent him tumbling down into the inescapable chasm of bourbon fanaticism.

The full and proper phrase is "the straw that broke the camel's back". Camels being beasts of burden, straw being of negligible mass; eventually we all succumb to the allure of bourbon.

[smknjoe]

I think if you want to hook a friend the bourbon needs to be balanced, classic, and slightly more obscure than the popular names they see everywhere--Woodford, Maker's, Bulleit, Knob Creek, and Wild Turkey. Some people believe these are the best 5 and everything else is bad. I like the suggestions. Thanks.

I heard ETL when I read this.

[Guy Debord]

The idiom usage kind of threw me there Alpha, I did not catch that he loved the ER10

ETL it is!

Thanks to all.

[hn4bourbon]

The idiom usage kind of threw me there Alpha, I did not catch that he loved the ER10

ETL it is!

Thanks to all.

ER10 was what got me into a chasing state of mind. I had tried the usuals like MM, WT101, WR, KC, and a couple others prior to ER10. When I got into my first bottle of ER10 (it could have been an exceptional barrel), it was like it launched me into "fill in the blanks". I was hooked then. I was into Scotches pretty heavily prior to that. I have a lot of scotches that I have not touched much since then.

Edit: at close to the ER10s price point, ETL would be a great one:)

[SqueakScolari]

ER 10 year (90pf) broke the camel's back for me. Whenever I encounter somebody interested in bourbon these days, I recommend FRSmB (standard release). I've brought a bottle to a few parties and its usually gone in an hour.

Had some FRSmB tonight. I had forgotten how smooth and flavorful it is. It's a good one to introduce someone to bourbon.

There are so many wonderful, inexpensive bottles available...

[SqueakScolari]

ER10 was what got me into a chasing state of mind. I had tried the usuals like MM, WT101, WR, KC, and a couple others prior to ER10. When I got into my first bottle of ER10 (it could have been an exceptional barrel), it was like it launched me into "fill in the blanks". I was hooked then. I was into Scotches pretty heavily prior to that. I have a lot of scotches that I have not touched much since then.

Edit: at close to the ER10s price point, ETL would be a great one:)

I enjoy ER10. I find it woody and spicy, so maybe not best as an introduction to bourbon. I would certainly recommend it to someone who wants to try different styles. It's completely different from FRSmB which I just recommended. I would do the FR first, and the ER later.

[Kalessin]

Whiskey for me meant scotch. Then I needed to reduce spending after becoming underemployed, and I picked up a bottle of Maker's Mark because my grandfather used to get it, and I remembered sips from his glass when I was a kid. After a few bottles of MM over time, Elijah Craig 12 was on sale, and I bought a bottle. Amazing! How can they charge so little for something so good?

[Guest]

He is using the phrase idiomatically to indicate that Eagle Rare was what tipped the scale and sent him tumbling down into the inescapable chasm of bourbon fanaticism.

The full and proper phrase is "the straw that broke the camel's back". Camels being beasts of burden, straw being of negligible mass; eventually we all succumb to the allure of bourbon.

I like what you said

[Guy Debord]

Thanks all,

Your posts make me think of tasting and how much fun it is. Last spring, we went to New Glarus Brewery and tried everything. This summer we went to Spain (drank cheap amazing wine) and Porto where we toured the port wines caves of the Duero Valley (Taylor Fladgate 10yr, Graham's, Croft, etc.!). I came home for a minute and then took a Maker's Mark tour, the next week my friend introduced me to a Ledaig 40yr (wow), Laphroaig 10yr, Bowmore 12yr, and Oban 14yr; this opened my mind to whisky even more. I started coming here and doing research, it's been a great time.

I agree, the Elijah Craig 12 is something scotch people can appreciate immediately. To the prices, you just can't beat bourbon. This says it all: $30 and below: Weller SR, Weller 12, Weller 107, Four Roses SmB, Elijah Craig 12, Eagle Rare 10SB, Jefferson’s Reserve, Elmer T Lee SB, Bulleit, Henry McKenna 10yo SB, Evan Williams 10yo SB

[Quantum]

I heard ETL when I read this.

This would be the first thing I would pour someone unfamiliar with bourbon. I am absolutely terrible at describing things, but it has this soft warmth on the initial taste that makes that makes it so easy to drink. It might not be everyone's favorite, but I find it unlikely anyone would actively dislike it.

Russell's Reserve was the first bourbon that really made be appreciate it as something more than just what you had with coffee in the morning. I had always loved the way bourbon smelled, but this was the first time the flavor lived up to the nose. I tried several solid bourbons in college, but I didn't develop an affinity to whisky until I got into scotch. Bourbon still didn't do much for me until I started drinking Balvenie 12. It sounds weird, but somehow that helped me appreciate the flavors in bourbon more.

[Guy Debord]

I want to use ETL and something else as an intro session. What sound like more fun?

ETL and FR1B?

ETL and ER10?

ETL and EC12?

[BMartin42]

I want to use ETL and something else as an intro session. What sound like more fun?

ETL and FR1B?

ETL and ER10?

ETL and EC12?