Give the gift of bourbon

[BourbonGuy]

Someone came to me today and asked me for an opinion on two bourbons, Black Maple Hill Small batch bourbon and Jefferson's Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon. Since I have never tasted the Black Maple Hill and only purchased the Jefferson's Presidential Select 17 & 18, which I learned here is not the bourbon, I am coming to you guys.

If you had to pick one of the two bourbons mentioned aboveto give as a gift, which would it be?

BTW: should I buy a Black Maple Hill and try it?

[tanstaafl2]

Someone came to me today and asked me for an opinion on two bourbons, Black Maple Hill Small batch bourbon and Jefferson's Reserve Kentucky Straight bourbon. Since I have never tasted the Black Maple Hill and only purchased the Jefferson's Presidential Select 17 & 18, which I learned here is not the bourbon, I am coming to you guys.

If you had to pick one of the two bourbons mentioned aboveto give as a gift, which would it be?

BTW: should I buy a Black Maple Hill and try it?

Could consider it very carefully and then recommend EC12 at a considerable savings!

If you are stuck with only those two I would probably lean towards the Jefferson's. They are at least blending several different bourbons to acheive hopefully a similar profile each time and seem to do a decent job of it. The current bottling of the NAS BMH is a complete unknown KBD bottling as best I can tell and may well be a different source from one bottle to the next.

[squire]

We have a duty to assist our friends when they have been misinformed. Over priced, medium grade stuff is never a good choice.

Elijah Craig is fine for those who like Bourbon or those who like a pretty bottle with a 12 year age statement.

Edited December 9, 2013 by squire

[mbroo5880i]

I agree with the two gentlemen above. I would try to steer him away from those two options. I would add that I think Four Roses is a nice choice as well. The Small Batch and Single Barrel are normally safe bets and come in pretty cool bottles. And they are appropriately priced.

I guess one question that I have is whether your friend is buying for an experienced bourbon drinker and wants to find something "special." Not that the above recommendations are not special but the recipient may already have these. In that case, something like a Four Roses Store Selection or Blanton's might be safe.

[Tony Santana]

BTW: should I buy a Black Maple Hill and try it?

[squire]

I agree, what will be the end use of this bottle?

[BourbonGuy]

This is a family member that asked for these specific bourbons. It may be a case that he has always wanted to try these bourbons and therefore the request. He may just be looking to try new bourbons to him. Having said that, the list may be open to other bourbons. Realize that not everyone has tried as many types of bourbons as the guru's on this board. I'll see what I can find out.

[squire]

Nothing wrong with upgrading his mixing Bourbon if that's what he likes, the purpose of a gift is to please.

[GaryT]

If those were the only two options, I would lean towards the Jefferson - although might try to find out if they are aware of ETL (and if not, arrange an introduction!)

[sutton]

I think I'd go Jefferson's too, but I'm probably not being fair to BMH - I had one bottle and it was an odd duck; the price has kept me from a repeat purchase.

Jefferson's is NDP as well, but I've had a few bottles at the standard and high end of their range and they have all been good/excellent.

[bingstein]

FWIW, I fully suspected to dislike the BMH NAS I had after reading some pretty bad reviews of the current stuff. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it, though I don't think it's better than a lot of bottles around the $30 range that I would recommend and could be seen as a gift-worthy bottle (ETL, WTRB).

[sailor22]

Jefferson's Reserve Very Small Batch (not the regular small batch) is a good pour and would make a lovely gift for a Bourbon drinker. Tasty and a little pricy at $50, but that is why it would make a good gift. The Very Small Batch may not be widely available. I don't recommend the small batch.

[hn4bourbon]

I enjoyed both the Jefferson's Reserve Very Small Batch and the BMH when they've been opened for a while and only when I had them exclusively by themselves. When I have either of those on the same night following other $30+ or even some $20+ bourbon, these have generally tasted worse than when they've tasted on their own.

[BourbonGuy]

Thanks to all that replied. Theresa is enjoying the replies and is now asking if the two requested bourbons are set in stone, or just pulled out of a hat. If not set in stone, then she is free to follow suggestions made here. BTW: Theresa like Blanton's, and was looking for something else if not limited.

[squire]

If someone told me they liked Blantons and wanted to try something else my first thought is Elmer Lee.

[GaryT]

If someone told me they liked Blantons and wanted to try something else my first thought is Elmer Lee.

+1 ETL is my "default recommendation" for most who have tried some and like some bourbons, and are looking for something good in that price range (unless I know they like higher proof, which would be OGD 114). I think ETL is just very approachable for folks expanding their bourbon horizons.

[BourbonGuy]

If someone told me they liked Blantons and wanted to try something else my first thought is Elmer Lee.

The only issue she has with Elmer T Lee is I am not sure where she can buy it here on Long Island. I get my bottle from http://www.superwinewarehouse.com/. But the shipping for just one bottle is not cost effective. I think he charges $12 for up to 12 bottles.

Usually you have to buy six bottle min to make it worth while.

[squire]

I see your point, my Long Island friends shop in the City. What brands are available to her?

[BourbonGuy]

I see your point, my Long Island friends shop in the City. What brands are available to her?

Honestly, it depends on the store. Some have more than others. The numerous Mom and Pop's carry what sells the most...Black Jack.

[humchan2k]

If someone told me they liked Blantons and wanted to try something else my first thought is Elmer Lee.

If I heard this statement, I would introduce them to Rock Hill Farms