Taste Profile Question

[greatgoo]

Still fairly new to the bourbon world and determining what my preference on flavor profile is. I know I'm not into rye. I believe I lean more towards woody bourbon like booker's and knob creek. Looks like I'm a Beam fan? Is that woody assessment correct based on my preference to those Bourbons?

Thanks,

Ryan

Edited November 8, 2014 by greatgoo

[dSculptor]

Hey Ryan,

Well, maybe not so much the woodiness as it could just be the proof,(or the funky yeast thing that a lot of folks out here associate with JB) both are up there which just gives your taste buds an extra jolt, want wood try some RHF if you can find it, or for an experiment try some OGD 114, I personally never get woodiness from that but the proof is there, which is why I like all my bourbons 100 pf (BIB's) or more, I also love the woodiness of certain bourbons, but I usually don't start getting that until I hit the more mature ones. You would also probably like some Baker's.(all are JB which I'm a big fan of .. except for the RHF)

Cheers...

[jeffrey r]

Well, Booker's is not particularly old, but its high proof packs a punch, and can come across a bit oaky. Knob Creek is a bolder bourbon, so you may just like that profile as well. You should definitely give OGD 114 a try. Elijah Craig 12 is a very solid, affordable oaky bourbon. Smooth Ambler 10 year old as well, but that is a bit more rye forward. One to definitely give a go is Weller 12 year old, if you can find it. Excellent aged wheated bourbon.

[greatgoo]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I actually have a bottle of OGD 114 and it is actually my least favorite Bourbon. So what does that mean?

[Richnimrod]

Hey Ryan,

If you haven't tried a bottle of Henry McKenna 10-year, Single Barrel, BIB; that is one with identiably more wood than many others. It is a HH offering, so it also usually has that 'Eucalyptus' tang that many note. The fact that it is a Single Barrel, unfortunately means there is a possibility of some variation. I've never had a bad bottle, but I've heard of a few that were disappointed. Just a suggestion to see if wood is or isn't your thing. Personally, I find a some woodiness fine, as long as it doesn't dominate.

[T Comp]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I actually have a bottle of OGD 114 and it is actually my least favorite Bourbon. So what does that mean?

It means you know yourself well. You said you don't like rye and OGD is a higher rye (about twice the regular Beam) mashbill. Also on the younger side-thought to be about 6 years but only Beam knows for sure.

[393foureyedfox]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I actually have a bottle of OGD 114 and it is actually my least favorite Bourbon. So what does that mean?

let it sit open for a day or two with the lid off, then try it again. I only notice the difference in air time with OGD114, but it makes a huge difference

[The Black Tot]

Do not be so sure you are not into rye.

There is a great deal of variation in rye, and some of it is very close in taste to bourbon.

Not telling you what you like or don't like, but be sure and ask someone knowledgeable about rye to set up a tasting for you sometime. You'll probably be surpryesed (terrible, I know, I can't help it).

[Flyfish]

Do not be so sure you are not into rye.

There is a great deal of variation in rye, and some of it is very close in taste to bourbon.

We had guests for dinner Wednesday. I gave some Ritt to a woman who likes bourbon. She did not care for it. "I guess I just don't like rye," she said. So I poured her something else. "Oh, this is nice!" she said. It was Baby Saz.

[GaryT]

Have you tried OWA 107, and if so - how did that hit you?

[squire]

We had guests for dinner Wednesday. I gave some Ritt to a woman who likes bourbon. She did not care for it. "I guess I just don't like rye," she said. So I poured her something else. "Oh, this is nice!" she said. It was Baby Saz.

Blind tasting is the way to go.

[squire]

I don't think I truly began to understand what I liked/recognized about whisky until I began tasting it blind.

Edited November 8, 2014 by squire

[greatgoo]

Have you tried OWA 107, and if so - how did that hit you?

I have not. Only OWR. Was very middle of the road IMO.

[GaryT]

I have not. Only OWR. Was very middle of the road IMO.

Old Whiskey River? I haven't had that one, but Old Weller Antique 107 for me is a great higher proof wheater (and aside from limited releases, the only one that comes to mind). Reasonably priced too, although harder to find these days.

[amg]

Old Whiskey River? I haven't had that one, but Old Weller Antique 107 for me is a great higher proof wheater (and aside from limited releases, the only one that comes to mind). Reasonably priced too, although harder to find these days.

[GaryT]

I think he probably means WSR?

OOOh - well that makes sense

I have the same reaction to WSR; definitely don't let that steer you clear of OWA 107. While both the same distillate, they are very different whiskies IMHO.

[greatgoo]

OOOh - well that makes sense

I have the same reaction to WSR; definitely don't let that steer you clear of OWA 107. While both the same distillate, they are very different whiskies IMHO.

Ha yeah that is my bad. WSR. Keeping all the names and abbreviations straight is a learning process as well.

[Harry in WashDC]

Ha yeah that is my bad. WSR. Keeping all the names and abbreviations straight is a learning process as well.

Nothing bad about it. This is the best support group I've ever been a part of. Or, to paraphrase Winston Churchill: It is the best support group of which I have been a part.

RE: OP's original taste profile Q -- Until I started reading books about bourbon, I had no idea I was gravitating toward particular mash bills. Check out those books from our illustrious SBers - Veach, Cowdery, Risen, Minnick, and some others whose names are fuzzy right now (it's after 5PM where I am). It will save you years of liver damage, not to mention dollars. :kiss: Read their lists of "typical" house offerings and - trust me - be prepared to be amazed.

[dmarkle]

I agree with dSculptor. Make sure you don't buy a bottle of bourbon less than 90 proof, and pick a rye recipe bourbon Well, that's just good advice anyway... For your taste, stay away from young wheat recipe bourbons like OF, MM, WSR...

Perhaps Old Forester Signature? Perhaps our beloved Four Roses? Small Batch is great, Single Barrel is also great.

Wasn't there a post somewhere about abbreviations? Probably should be a sticky somewhere...

MM - Makers Mark

OWA - Old Weller Antique

WSR - Weller Special Reserve

KCSB - Knob Creek Single Barrel

JBW -Jim Beam White

PVW - Pappy van Winkle

OGD - Old Grand Dad

Lot B - Van Winkle 12 Year old "Lot B"

ORVW - Old Rip Van Winkle

FRSB - Four Roses Single Barrel (I think? Or was it small batch?)

BT - Buffalo Trace

ERSB - Eagle Rare Single Barrel

RHF - Rock Hill Farms

ETL - Elmer T. Lee

BH - Basil Hayden

HH - Heaven Hill

OF - Old Fitzgerald

OF BIB - Old Fitzgerald 100 Proof

VSOF - Very Special Old Fitzgerald

BIB - Bottled in Bond - 100 proof (there are more restrictions, technically)

BOTM - Bourbon of the Month

NAS - No Age Statement

KSBW - Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

SOB - The guy that just took the bottle you were about to buy to drink in order to flip it.

EtOH - Ethanol. Not used on StraightBourbon.com, but your doctor will be writing it on your medical chart.

[fishnbowljoe]

There is an announcement pertaining to abbreviations in the "New To Straight Bourbon" forum. Here you go.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/announcement.php?f=43&a=8

[Quintilian]

If you like woody, I suggest Eagle Rare, Elijah Craig, and Makers46. The current bottle of EWSB I have has some strong wood overtones, but that could just be the barrel.

[Quantum]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I actually have a bottle of OGD 114 and it is actually my least favorite Bourbon. So what does that mean?

I did not really enjoy my first bottle of OGD 114, but it has developed into one of my favorites. As you progress on your bourbon journey, revisit it every once in a while. It may never be your cup of tea, but it is the only bourbon that really grew on me over time.

[Flyfish]

Yep. High probability that wood overtones come from the barrel.