Booker's or Noah's mill?

[bdrinker]

I'm new to bourbon. I only have one bottle of bourbon in my cabinet - Woodford reserve. I now have a choice of buying Booker's or Noah's mill. Which would you go for and why? They're about the same price.

[squire]

Bookers on any day that ends in a y.

[ccleve23]

I would take Noah's mill just because I can't stand Booker's.

[GerryM]

Hands down, Booker's

[amg]

Booker's. No contest.

[flahute]

For someone new to bourbon, I'd say Booker's. It will tell you a lot about how much you like (or not) the Beam profile which will then direct you to many more options in their family. Noah's Mill, on the other hand, is an NDP sourced product and since you won't know where it came from, you won't know where to go from there if you do like it.

[Kyjd75]

I've had both on several occasions. At present I have 5 bottles of Booker's in the cabinet. No bottles of Noah's Mill. 'Nuff said.

[393foureyedfox]

bookers. its got a profile like no other. its not a mixer though, its something you either our neat or over some ice and sip slowly.

[TunnelTiger]

Neither, but then that's just me.

[smokinjoe]

If you're from THE Jerusalem, then I think you go with the Noah's.

[Richnimrod]

IMHO... Booker's. I"ve yet to buy a bottle of Booker's I didn't like, though there is some variability from batch to batch. Noah's Mill, on the other hand, used to be a reliably good Bourbon, although it too was variable... But in recent years it has gone a step or two down (IMO) from a once good-to-great Bourbon picked and mingled by Willett. If you found you liked the Noah's Mill you bought, you'd probably never be able to buy a bottle that tasted the same ever again (IMO). This is, of course all highly subjective, and dependent upon one's own taste profile.

[BigBoldBully]

Booker's, mostly for the reasons given by flahute. With Booker's you know what you are getting.

[GaryT]

I would opt for Bookers. I do like Noah's Mill, but between the two I prefer the younger, more bold profile of Bookers. Noah's Mill has an interesting musty oak quality to it, but for the money I prefer Bookers personally. And as others have mentioned, you get some idea on what you think of the Beam profile.

[Smithford]

If you are new to bourbon, and you're used to Woodford, you may find both of those choices to be a shock to your senses. They are both big bruiser bourbons, and very different from the mild mannered Woodford Reserve. You would probably be better off with something else entirely, more of a stepping stone.

If for some reason those are the only two you can buy, then I'd say go with Noah's Mill. It's a good bet that you'll be adding a few drops of water to either of these to bring them down to a more drinkable proof. Personally, I find that while Bookers is full of personality right out of the bottle, when you proof it down, it becomes very bland. Noah's, on the other hand, will keep its personality more or less intact after a few drops of water are added. Whether or not you like that personality is yet to be seen. Be sure to report back.

And welcome aboard.

[dcbt]

Bookers, just on principle. (Basically what Flahute said in a nutshell.)

[texaspete]

Bookers, because even if YOU don't like it, it's fun to give a little to unsuspecting friends as a practical joke.

[smokinjoe]

Booker's would be the prudent choice, for all of the apparent reasons, but the Noah's Mill has brought me much enjoyment over the years. The best Noah's that I have had was better than the best Booker's that I have had. If it were me, I'd take the shot with the NM. But, with your particular circumstances that you've described, you're better off being safe and going with the known commodity in Bookers.

[The Black Tot]

Like Forrest's box of chocolates, with Noah's Mill you never know what yer gonna get.

[chooch714]

Never had Noah's Mill so I vote Bookers.

[Flyfish]

Mrs. F. votes for Booker's. She sips hers neat at first then adds just a couple drops of water (with a medicine dropper). I know. She's one hell of a woman.

[mopgcw]

Like Forrest's box of chocolates, with Noah's Mill you never know what yer gonna get.

[BourbonGuy]

I'm new to bourbon. I only have one bottle of bourbon in my cabinet - Woodford reserve. I now have a choice of buying Booker's or Noah's mill. Which would you go for and why? They're about the same price.

I prefer the Bookers. But if your new to bourbon, try it in a bar first. Unless you add a bit of water, I have found folks new to bourbon find it a bit tough to deal with due to the high proof.

[bdrinker]

If you are new to bourbon, and you're used to Woodford, you may find both of those choices to be a shock to your senses. They are both big bruiser bourbons, and very different from the mild mannered Woodford Reserve. You would probably be better off with something else entirely, more of a stepping stone.

If for some reason those are the only two you can buy, then I'd say go with Noah's Mill. It's a good bet that you'll be adding a few drops of water to either of these to bring them down to a more drinkable proof. Personally, I find that while Bookers is full of personality right out of the bottle, when you proof it down, it becomes very bland. Noah's, on the other hand, will keep its personality more or less intact after a few drops of water are added. Whether or not you like that personality is yet to be seen. Be sure to report back.

And welcome aboard.

The high proof of both is kind of intimidating. You mentioned i would be better off trying something else, more of a stepping stone. What would you suggest?

[Smithford]

It depends what's available to you. Start with an entry level or mid-shelf brand from a major distiller to see what you like - Beam Black, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses (skip the Yellow Label and go straight for the Small Batch), and either Evan Williams or Heaven Hill, whichever you can get. Pick a proof point that's near or just above what you're used to. Then move up from there. All of the distilleries have house styles that intensify as you make your way up to the top shelf.

Four Roses Small Batch would be a nice step up from Woodford, and it won't come as too much of a shock.

[Xevious]

I agree that you should start with something else if you're new to Bourbon.