New to the addiction and loving it.

[RockBottom]

Not sure what to do or how to slow down. I have always beer a beer drinker with the exception of a moderate collection of tequila that was how I started long nights. For 15 years the thought of any type of whiskey made me feel a bit queazy. Too many rough liquor nights in college I guess. Well my world changed this Christmas Eve when my brother-n-law talked me into trying some Michters American Whiskey. WOW! What have I been missing? Since then I have been to every local liquor store repeatedly. It's a little ridiculous actually. My first bottle was the Michters AW and then Jeffersons Reserve and then and then……up to 20+ now. I'm still developing my buds so I haven't decided on a favorite yet and Ive only tried them neat and a few with ice so far. I must say the Bookers caught me off guard, wow I could have burnt my house down had there been an open flame in the room. I was definitely digging the lower proofs until Stagg Jr. which I enjoyed immensely. Currently I have been enjoying WT RB. I've been trying to taste a few different selections each week and I still have a long ways to go. Anyway, my local stores are pretty limited on bourbon stock at least I think they are, so I'm putting together a list for my friends and family to be looking for. My questions for you all is -What easy to find bourbons should I be looking for locally and what should I add to my list to send out to my friends and family. Below is a current list of what Ive been able to accumulate.

Michters American WhiskeyMichters Bourbon small batch

Bookers

Jeffersons Reserve

Blantons single barrel

Stagg Jr

Eagle Rare 10yr

Ridgemont Reserve "1792"

Elijah 12yr

Four Roses single barrel

Four Roses small batch

Buffalo Trace straight

Bernhiem Original small batch wheat whiskey

Rock Hill Farms single barrel

Basil Haydens

Yellow Rose double barrel

Pritchards double barrel

Willett Pot Still Reserve

Angles Envy finished rye

Widow Jane

Woodford Reserve

Woodford Reserve double oaked

Knob Creek

Knob Creek single barrel

Stranahans Colorado Whiskey

Old Scout SB

Wild Turkey Rare Bread

J R Ewing

[squire]

Hey RB, welcome aboard. I see you have some NDP (non distilling producer) products on your list that you may want to rethink, perhaps a new thread over in the General Bourbon forum.

[RockBottom]

Sorry for not understanding, still new. Is NDP a bad thing? Looking for an education from you guys.

[callmeox]

NDP isn't a bad thing at all. A Non-Distiller Producer sells a product made by someone else and that gets some people wound up. A good part of the ire is due to the fake back stories that the companies tell regarding the history of the product but some highly regarded labels are from NDP's.

I used to have a strong opinion on the topic but I've mellowed quite a bit lately.

You're new to the hobby and still in the discovery stage. Try everything you can get your hands on without driving yourself into the poor house as that's the only way to find out what you really like. Once you establish your palate baseline, you can get more discriminating.

Welcome to the site, enjoy the journey.

[RockBottom]

Thx OX. I respect everyones opinions. That is what makes the world go round and forums like this. I understand that some of the stories behind the bottles and distilleries are often super interesting and important pieces of our history. I also understand that other stories are stretched a bit, or a lot, and that is what it is. I'm into good juice so I'm going to try them all. I will label the bottles fiction or nonfiction as I learn. I hope this doesn't offend you purists out there as is definitely not my intention.

[Hop]

Rock,

Here's one from an NDP that several here on SB enjoy and it's $20 or less in most areas. Old Ezra 101 give it a try.

Hop

[TunnelTiger]

Welcome and you've been given some good advice. Mine is try em all, that's half the fun.

[garbanzobean]

Welcome to the boards from another Maryland SBer! Sounds like you've got a good start on your collection. One piece of advice for you: The competition for the more sought after limited edition bourbons in Maryland is extremely cutthroat. This leads to a lot of price gouging. While value is certainly in the eye of the buyer, trust me when I tell you that your money is better spent on more available stuff and store selections of various great bourbons. I'm not sure what part of MD you live in, but feel free to PM me if you're in the DC/Baltimore area and want some help with locating someof the better stores.

[Xevious]

Only advise someone like me that is still new (three years or so) to this hobby can give is to do your research. Learn which distillery each whiskey comes from, what the mash bill is, etc. One reason so many people get worked up over NDPs is that you very likely can find the same whiskey, or something similar, for a lot less under a different label. You might find that you don't need to spend a lot to get something you really enjoy. That's what I love so much about american whiskey, there's a lot of really good bottom and mid shelf bottles. Don't be afraid to try the cheaper stuff, I say this because you have a lot of expensive bottles on your list. If there is something there that you particularly enjoy, taste your way down the family tree to see if it is truly worth the price to you.

You might also do a side by side with different mash bills to zero in on where your taste lies. But above all else, have fun!

Edited January 25, 2015 by Xevious

[Harry in WashDC]

Welcome. Lots of good advice above and, I'm sure, yet to come. Like several people wrote, try it all - in moderation, of course. My advice is: spend some time reading some of the older, even closed, threads. Pretty quickly, you'll find some threads that, more or less, talk about the bakers' dozen of major distillers and the "typical" products they make. I made a list (based in part on Chapter 8 of a BS member's book on Bourbon, Straight) and tried at least one of each (not telling how many tries). Personal discovery, I learned, is good for the soul (the liver, well, in moderation . . .).

About that NDP issue - bourbon is like art: if you like it, you like it and pay no attention to people telling you what you should like. I have some I'm NEVER without.

AND, don't ignore the "bottom" shelf. WT 101 and OGD BIB are two (but only two) of my favorites that are readily available in Maryland.

Enjoy.

[HOF44]

One of my favorite not real expensive Bourbons is McKenna 10 Year Old BIB.

[Paddy]

Welcome aboard 'the board'! Your definitely off to a great start, so my advice is to just try to enjoy what you have and figure out what your preferences are. Drink, be merry, and have fun doing it! :toast:

[RockBottom]

Yeah I'm learning that price doesn't equal good juice. Four Roses and wild turkey really have some awesome tasting spirits for every budget. Please keep your suggestions coming. I'm trying to find a bottle of ETL locally without any success. OGD and Mckenna are on my list in the near future.

[RockBottom]

Are there any tasting clubs out there?

[jaycamm]

I said it before and will say it again now: start on the bottom shelf and work your way up. This way you can try typical juice from all of the distilleries without breaking the bank. When you find one you like you can then go up that distilleries line. It also drives home the point that cost does not equal quality.

On NDP's, you never know if the stuff in the bottle today will be the same when you buy another bottle tomorrow.

[tannnehill kid]

I'm new to the addiction too. I'm enjoying the hunt for bourbon ALMOST as much as anything else. Not many liquor stores around where I live so when I 'm in the big towns I hit as many liquor stores as I can. Hit 9 stores in Houston this weekend.

[RockBottom]

It's nice to know I'm not alone. The wife thinks I've gone nuts.

[Richnimrod]

Welcome to 'the board', RB! You'll do well here, I'm sure. Have FUN!!!! That's what it's for.

[kjbeggs]

Lots to learn here, though the majority will tell you- Figure out what you like. Just because some may not like a particular brand/profile, doesn't mean you won't. On the other hand, time spent here can save you from over-spending on a real dog.

Learn about different mashbills, and whether you prefer "wheaters" to Rye bourbons, not that you can't like both equally.

Good luck finding some ETL, though if you end up loving it like I do, you may wish you'd never tasted it, given it's relative scarcity now. If you like the Rock Hill Farms, you will like ETL.

I really started as a middle-shelf purchaser, moved up to the top, then discovered some real treasures on the bottom shelf, like OGD114.