Curious on Thoughts (New here)

[Killsocket]

I am really new here and pardon me if I am posting in the wrong spot.

Also being very new to bourbon, I wanted to share an observation and was curious if others felt the same?

Short story is I picked up a bottle of Knob Creek and the first pour I really enjoyed like crazy. Then a few days later had another, but just didn't get that "wow" thing. So, I decided to stop and get some Gentleman Jack (I know - not bourbon) and really liked it. I went back to Knob Creek the other night and it has that "wow" thing for me again!

Do you think it could be from my inexperienced palate? Could it be that Gentleman Jack, while smooth as hell and good in its own right, is not too complex and Knob Creek is just that different and more flavorful? I can't imagine what other explanation there is, but it was kind of exciting to taste the difference between Whiskey and bourbon. And growing my taste.

[BigBoldBully]

Sounds normal. Your buds just get bored quickly--probably a form of habituation. With hops (e.g. in hoppy beers) it gets so extreme that a person becomes practically unable to taste them at all or sense their bitterness and needs to avoid the stuff for several weeks before regaining the ability--along with a renewed "wow" reaction.

[Richnimrod]

My advice? Don't put too much faith in one bad (or one really great) outing with any brand.

Our taste buddies (mine for sure; but I believe most of us) change from day to day, and probably 'evolve' over longer time spans.

Also, our perceptions of pleasure (or the lack thereof) are variable as well as evolutionary.

So, just enjoy those pours that hit you perfectly whenever that occurs; don't worry too much whenever it doesn't happen; and keep some track of which ones do that the most.

Also NOTE: Jack Daniels isn't really much different than Bourbon. That difference being: Tennessee Whiskey must be filtered thru a charcoal rick (the 'Lincoln County Process') to be labeled such; but it starts out with the same requirements as Bourbon.

[jonhalter]

I know I change what Im drinking almost daily. When you get into the hobby a little more, you have a feeling of what you are in the mood for. Sometimes it hits that sweet spot, and other times its just ok. Keep around bottles that you like. If you dont care for something, hold onto it and try it again in 3 months. You may like it much more the next time. Have fun and explore. Only you can decide what you like.

[jvd99]

I agree with all the comments above. I reset the taste buds by switching to single malts for a couple days or a couple weeks, it just depends. Or just have a few different bottles open and drink something different each night, or do some side by side blind tastings. Mix it up and have fun with it.

[sailor22]

A good analogy might be music. The first time you hear a song you really like there is a Wow moment. In time it becomes something you have a great appreciation for but doesn't give you a wow every time you hear it. Play it regularly and you can sometimes hear more in it but sometimes it just isn't the right one for the moment. Revisit the song when you haven't heard it for a very long time and it can sound fresh again, or you appreciate that it's just something you used to like but have moved on.

[chooch714]

Taste is influenced by many things. Aroma, your mood, surroundings, and what you may have eaten that day can all be factors, Think of your favorite food or meal, although it is your favorite, there are times when that just isn't what you want. I have bourbons for when I have a sweet tooth and ones for when I crave the burn, as well as stops in between. Never forget to use your nose, it tells your palate what to expect. Just my thoughts, YMMV.

[Tony Santana]

Yeah, I had a pour of EWSB last night, not the most exciting or sophisticated bourbon in the world, but in my view a really good value pour and one I go back to on a regular basis. Last night it just tasted extremely blah to me. Finished the glass, didn't have anything more. I could try the same thing tonight and it may taste terrific.

[jackthedog]

Definitely seems to vary day-by-day for me. Had some FR Single Barrel two nights in a row last weekend, first night I didn't really like it but the second I thought it was great.

[fishnbowljoe]

A good analogy might be music. The first time you hear a song you really like there is a Wow moment. In time it becomes something you have a great appreciation for but doesn't give you a wow every time you hear it. Play it regularly and you can sometimes hear more in it but sometimes it just isn't the right one for the moment. Revisit the song when you haven't heard it for a very long time and it can sound fresh again, or you appreciate that it's just something you used to like but have moved on.