Flavored Bourbon ?

[LakeJ]

I would like your guy's opinion on flavored Bourbon which is technically just flavored whiskey. I'm a purist all the way. If I want maple syrup I'll have it on pancakes. I not judging anyone here for liking it , I'm just curious. I received a bottle of Jim Beam Maple for Christmas and will most likely never drink it.

[chrisg]

I don't have any but if I were gifted one I would probably use it for cooking.

[TunnelTiger]

Agreed, if I want it flavored I'll do it myself. The same goes for 80 or 86 proof. If I want lower proof I'll do it myself.

[Richnimrod]

Flavored Bourbon???? :bigeyes: EEEEEWWWWWWW!!!! :cry:

[squire]

I don't care for it but then I don't drink flavored coffee either. I also don't think of myself as a purist in either regard, just a matter of taste. I've certainly bought my share of flavored whatsits to please others.

[Tucker]

I'm not a fan, but to each his own.

Finished bourbon is another story, of course.

[GaryT]

I bought a bottle of JB Red Stagg, and just don't even think of it as bourbon (or whiskey to be honest). I haven't had any of it in a while, and mostly keep it on hand for the wife - but I do enjoy it. Just - not like bourbon or whiskey (sorta like I enjoy Coke Zero and milk - but don't think of them in the same vein).

[dcbt]

Would never touch flavored whiskey.

Not too long ago I saw the sticker tag for Stagg Jr at a store but the shelf was empty so I asked the manager if he had left in the back. He said, "Oh, we have a whole shelf of them." I pointed out that the hang tag was there but the shelf was empty, but he was insistent. He then led me right to the Red Stag. Thanks, but no thanks.

[camduncan]

I'd use it in a cocktail, pour it over pancakes and/or icecream, put it in your coffee or use it as a mixer when people come over who mix their drinks. Otherwise, I guess you could always re-gift it next Christmas.

[393foureyedfox]

Agreed, if I want it flavored I'll do it myself. The same goes for 80 or 86 proof. If I want lower proof I'll do it myself.

[Harry in WashDC]

Most of these taste like they have an incredible amount of corn syrup added - not even cane or beet sugar - plus some chemical flavoring that approximates the claimed "spice". Like most (I'll admit, not "all") flavored vodkas, you can do better yourself. Your own mixtures are called "cocktails" and you don't need to buy them pre-mixed. Just my rant from over here.

[smokinjoe]

Pretty good article on it that I came across while looking into the subject:

http://punchdrink.com/articles/is-flavored-whiskey-a-threat-to-hardcore-whiskey-drinkers/

And, Lew Bryson is quoted:

“I hear an awful lot of whining and moaning about how they’re wasting whiskey by putting flavors in it, but all the manufacturers I talk to say they’re selling the hell out of it,†says spirits writer Lew Bryson...

Maybe not for me, you, and probably most of us...but there's no denying they are successful.

[mbroo5880i]

I have only tried WT Honey and I found it dangerously drinkable. While I am a "straight" bourbon person, I am not opposed to flavored or blended whiskeys. I don't believe they are wasting "good" whiskey on these products. In fact, I appreciate the guy standing next to me in the bourbon/whiskey aisle picking up a bottle or two of flavored whiskey and even a bottle of flavored vodka. I know that I am not going to and his purchases help improve the availability of the products I like.

[Grain Belt]

I like bourbon and rye. I like cocktails made with bourbon and rye. The flavored whiskey craze is an abomination to both. I do not like the stuff. The flavored stuff is used in cocktails for people who don't know how to make cocktails. All that being said the flavored stuff sells and that is the nature of the game. I feel bad for liquor stores because the have to stock all the flavored whiskeys and vodkas. They really do. I had two co-workers who prattled on the other day about the virtues of blood orange Skyy vodka and Crown Royal apple. Good Lord help us all! On the other hand, more power to them for liking what they like.

[Restaurant man]

Pretty good article on it that I came across while looking into the subject:

http://punchdrink.com/articles/is-flavored-whiskey-a-threat-to-hardcore-whiskey-drinkers/

And, Lew Bryson is quoted:

“I hear an awful lot of whining and moaning about how they’re wasting whiskey by putting flavors in it, but all the manufacturers I talk to say they’re selling the hell out of it,†says spirits writer Lew Bryson...

Maybe not for me, you, and probably most of us...but there's no denying they are successful.

Agreed. This category is huge and growing. I asked Jim Rutledge once if he thought flavored bourbons were good for introducing new people to whiskey and he went on a tirade about how there is no such thing as flavored bourbon. He was hot!!?????

[Chris m]

I've had WT Honey & KC Maple. I don't really have anything against them, but if I have more than a sip I get an overwhelming urge to brush my teeth.

[tannnehill kid]

I was in three different liquor stores this past week and all of them said that Apple Crown was selling like crazy. I know it's a blended whiskey.

[BigBoldBully]

I am no "purist" in the sense that I am against combining ingredients--and I view bourbon as an ingredient like anything else, good for vattings, good for cocktails, etc. My main problem with having a whole bottle of a flavored spirit is that it is highly unlikely I'll be in the mood for it often enough to justify the cabinet space. Had the same trouble when I made up a bunch of different manhattans. Each one was only 375ml, and a couple were quite good, but now that whiskey is forever committed to that flavor combination and I am not often enough in want of it. My other problem with flavored whiskeys is that they are rarely the best representative of the mix. Take the honey ones, for instance. You simply cannot buy a bottle that is the pre-mixed equivalent of adding some of your best raw honey to the bourbon you would enjoy most with honey added to it.

[bmajazz]

Speaking of, i have two old, old Wild Turkey liqueur bottles. One is 70 proof, the other 80 proof! The high proof is older. Some day i need to explore it. The granddaddy of the newer guys.

[callmeox]

Moved to the Other American Whiskey forum because I'm a strict TTB adherent.

[CorvallisCracker]

I've had WT Honey & KC Maple. I don't really have anything against them, but if I have more than a sip I get an overwhelming urge to brush my teeth.

I knew it! The stuff was intended for kids!

Response to OP: Maple flavored bourbon sounds like just the thing for adding to BBQ sauce.

[kjbeggs]

I wouldn't go out and buy any, but having tasted several, if forced to drink one it would either be Knob Creek Maple or one of the Jack Daniel's varieties. They seem to have more whiskey flavor cutting through the Honey/maple/cinnamon etc. than most varieties.

That being said, I have and will enjoy some home made Apple Pie 'shine.

[El Vino]

Curious about folks sensitivities. I had a No.14 Bourbon in Vermont - young bourbon with a touch of Vermont maple syrup added to the mix. A flavored whiskey and I loved it and if it was available locally it would be a regular on my bar. Tried the Knob Creek Maple and found the flavor to be too artificial. Tried the Hudson Maple Rye and liked it enough to buy more recently. The Hudson is different than any of the other "flavored" alternatives in that it is aged in a cask that was used to age maple syrup. I am going to guess that most will dismiss the difference. If a distillery chooses to "finish" a scotch in a sherry cask, no one blinks an eye. Or a "finished" bourbon in a cognac cask, no issues. If a distillery chooses to "finish" a rye in a maple syrup cask, does that cross the line? It's merely a different flavor than sherry or cognac after all? No?

[Chris m]

I had a bottle of No. 14 and I'll agree with you that it's not half bad, and certainly better than KC. It's available on Caskers for $45, if you're interested in tracking down another bottle.

[Golzee]

Flavored whisky and bourbons serve their own purpose...getting drunk. I have never seen anyone drink Fireball or a flavored Beam straight/neat, however, I have seen (never participated) many people drink bottles at a time. A word to the wise, don't try Revel Stoke it was bad...quit drinking bad. I tried it because the guy at the liquor store gave a 750 to me for $4.