Do you climb up or down the ladder?

[Flyfish]

I enjoy drinking bourbons in the same family. Tonight, for example, I started with BT and moved on to Blanton's. The Blanton's seemed even more special on the heels of the BT. Last night it was EW White, 1783, then EWSB '03.

Sometimes I tell myself that it is better to go right to the good stuff before my palate gets "tired"--as in Booker's before KC. Sometimes it seems better to build up to it by climbing through KC to Baker's to Booker's.

I can't really decide if it is better to climb up or down. What's your experience?

[garbanzobean]

Ralfy always recommends you warm up with something basic prior to drinking something really special. Sometimes I follow his advice, but rarely with bourbon.

[Harry in WashDC]

I don't usually change labels even within one house during one night, particularly if the proof is high (OGD 114, etc). When I start at or about BIB, (WT101) I very occasionally will go down but consciously drink the same amount or less so I don't overindulge "by mistake". When I start below 100, as with EWB, my only switch would be to, say, EWSB. Can't remember when I went UP in proof on the second pour. Hadn't thought about this until you brought it up. Thanks. Curious drinking habits we have.

[jonhalter]

I tend to stay at the same proof or move up, never down. For me, moving down in proof makes everything taste pretty bland. But then again, I often have a second and maybe a third pour of the same thing so I dont have to really worry about what my palate is doing.

[Andre28]

do you mean moving up and down in proof or quality of the drink? I think I prefer a single "warm up" in terms of proof, but in terms of quality i like to start with the good stuff when I can appreciate it more.

[camduncan]

I tend to move where the mood takes me, but will usually step beginners through specific products to 'climb' the ladder.

[Richnimrod]

As to proof; I usually try to drink the lower proof drams (or at least taste 'em) prior to moving upwards.

As to favorites (I prefer that term over quality, since everyone has favorites; and it's understood that not all will be the same ones) versus 'everyday' pours; I generally enjoy those I like best first, on the assumption that with each successive pour, I'll derive less satisfaction; but more 'buzz'.... Why 'waste the faves if not enjoying 'em to the fullest?

[393foureyedfox]

most, about 90%, of my bourbons are right at the 100 proof mark. The exceptions are Bookers, WTRB, and KCSB. Usually, I just go right for whatever sounds good at the time, which is the 100-ish proof stuff. Sometimes, the high proofers sound good and I go right for them. Other times, I may want to relax and will have a large pour of whatever it is I want to get rid of most, and then enjoy a pour of what sounds good. So, no, I dont really have a set rule or ritual.

[lakegz]

Sometimes I like to jump wildly back and forth between the proofs. On nights like that, I feel like it allows each drink to distinctively jump out at me whether it's for its heat or for it's gentleness.

I do generally like to start off at around 100 proof because it gets me ready for the heat as well as the soft flavors.

[DBM]

I typically move up the proof ladder, but I also don't jump around much, if at all. Unless my first pour tastes "off" (which rarely happens) I tend to drink more of the same, only occasionally finishing with a barrel proof, or uncut BP if that's what I started with.

[Vadertime]

If there is to be a ladder, I must say that one must climb it- proof, quality and rye content. Otherwise the session ends in a dud.

This hold true for hoppyness of beer as well.

Cheers!

[GaryT]

I tend to move all over the map. When I'm preparing to do a serious blind tasting, I do like to warm/wake up my palate with a low proofer. If I'm at a gathering where there will be lots of whiskey to sample, I'll tend to go for what is either a low fill option (that might not be available in an hour or two!) or the one I want to taste the most (as tasting it further into the evening, while still enjoyable, won't give me as clear of an opinion). At the house, I tend to go up the ladder in proof - although I don't often have more than a couple pours (so it is more like a step than a ladder!)

[dcbt]

The OP didn't mention proof, so if I'm drinking something top shelf I tend to do that first and then move down the shelf. Prefer not to have my taste buds numbed at all when enjoying the top.

[TunnelTiger]

I tend to move up the ladder but that is based on my personla taste preferences as to what's on the bar. I've also been know to start with bourbon and finish with rye and then again I reverse that.

Shucks sometimes I just stick with one bottle until it's empty.

Shouldn't have really posted here because if anything I'm not predictable.

[Flyfish]

Shouldn't have really posted here because if anything I'm not predictable.

I just knew you'd say that.

[ThirstyinOhio]

I tend to jump around and even through a cocktail in to change things up once in a while.

[ramblinman]

I tend to move horizontally, if I start with something barrel proof I'm usually going to finish there, same with something bonded.

[Hawg73]

I'm boring. I tend to drink the same whiskey over the course of one night. Then the next night I will change up and try something new.

[AnotherCigarGuy]

I'm boring. I tend to drink the same whiskey over the course of one night. Then the next night I will change up and try something new.

[Paddy]

On an evening I plan to have more than one brand, I often will compare similar age/proof releases from the same house. I think it's a good way to evaluate the nuances that can often lead one brand to cost much more than the other (and whether they are worth the price variance).

If I know I'm going to be jumping from low to relatively high proof, I'll usually start low and work my way up (so I can taste the lower proof offering before I've scorched my palate:grin:).

[Renegator]

I typically start with a "warm up" pour of something like BT. Then move to the high end stuff 2nd and then move back down the ladder from there over the course of a night. I also target lower filled bottles to open up more space on my bar for something new (can only have about 10 open at a time due to space constraints). If I'm going to have a barrel proofer - I finish with that because it usually puts me on my ass!

[JPBoston]

Usually, I start with the higher end expression then climb downwards from there. My palate seems to be sharper within the first pour or two, then starts to dull a bit.

But then there are times when I'll have an EWB, which puts me in the mood for something higher on the shelf and I just go with the flow.

[Tony Santana]

Unless I start an evening with a specific plan, such as comparing wheaters or something, then I usually begin with whatever tickles my fancy. I may stick with the same thing if it strikes me as even better than usual, or if I'm trying to finish a bottle. More often than not (on nights I have more than one pour) I'll switch it up. Don't usually go from a higher proof to a lower proof. And if I'm going with one of my top shelf pours, it's usually the first or second one - I don't want to "waste it" when I may not fully appreciate it.

Then again, all rules are meant to be broken. If I want to drink some WLW after EC12, OGD114 and KCSB, then I'll do it.

[oke&coke]

It all depends on what my mood is for that night.

[mbroo5880i]

I sometimes get confused and just start drinking! Just kidding, or am I? Anyway, I tend to move up the proof ladder but down the volume. So, if I drink a 2 oz pour of 100 proof. I may opt for a 1 oz pour of a 120 proof. However, I often find myself just sticking with the date I brought to the dance. If I start with it, I finish with it.