Question about a first bourbon

[Doctor zeroed]

Hello everyone, was wondering if I could ask your collective opinion(s) on buying my first bottle of bourbon. Just for reference, I've had Bushmills Irish whiskey (white label), and I quite enjoyed that. My probably I inferior pallete picked up nutty notes as well as a very slight sweetness and not much taste of alcohol. It's 80 proof and very smooth. I also had some really cheap bourbon at a party that burned my mouth (I think from the alcohol, as it a as 100 proof). I was wondering if buying makers mark would be a good idea, because I love sweetness in my whiskey. I as also thinking about picking up a second bottle of Wild Turkey 101, because I've heard it's very good and very smooth, and probably won't burn my mouth like that other bourbon I had. These are the two that I have researched, but if you know of something you think that I would like better (that won't break the bank,so preferably in the same price range), please let me know.

Thanks!

Edited March 27, 2015 by Doctor zeroed

[dcbt]

Evan Williams 1783 comes to mind, 86 proof, about $11, without much burn. Gentleman Jack may be up your alley also, 80 proof, $21.

Makers is available in airplane size bottles so that's an affordable one to try a small amount of. (GJ is too, by the way.) Larceny is another wheater like MM also available in airplane bottles (if Larceny is sold where you live.)

[kcgumbohead]

The bourbon tree thread is your friend, as is airplane and other small sized bottles. Review the thread and familiarize yourself with who makes what. it is 1 fun and 2 will help you avoid overlap as there are few distilleries but many labels made by those distilleries. Make a short list and head to a well stocked local shop, drop a few bucks on those small inexpensive sizes and taste away, make notes, read SB forums such as "what are you drinking..."

There are MANY different flavors in bourbon and many house styles so a little time spent here will answer a lot of questions and guide you on your way. It doesn't take long and did I mention it's fun!! Welcome aboard don't forget to introduce yourself on the new to SB thread.

Cheers

[ThirstyinOhio]

A few that I would recommend to those who are new, Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams Single Barrel, Larceny, and Ancient Ancient Age.

[Doctor zeroed]

@dcbt Thanks, I've heard that gentleman Jack is quite good for my purposes. Would the ones that I initially picked out be a bad idea then? Are the ones that I picked comparable in any w any to the bushmills? Are the ones that you all picked comparable to it?

[dcbt]

@dcbt Thanks, I've heard that gentleman Jack is quite good for my purposes. Would the ones that I initially picked out be a bad idea then? Are the ones that I picked comparable in any w any to the bushmills? Are the ones that you all picked comparable to it?

In my opinion Irish whiskey tastes nothing like bourbon so you won't find anything that tastes like Bushmills. I'd suggest grabbing a handful of airplane bottles and sampling. Buffalo Trace was recently described (accurately I think) as a typical bourbon, what bourbon should be. But it may be too hot for your palate, but it's a good starting point. If you don't like it, I wouldn't swear off bourbon altogether per se, try some of the others mentioned.

Edit to add: once you find something you like, use the whiskey tree that kcgumbohead mentioned and you can branch out from there. (thank you, thank you, I'm here all weekend.)

http://www.gq.com/images/life/2013/11/bourbon-tree/bourbon-family-tree-large.jpg

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?15005-Whiskey-Tree

Edited March 27, 2015 by dcbt

[flahute]

If you like sweet, Maker's is a good choice. If you fear the burn, be careful with WT101 for now. It doesn't burn a more experienced palate, but it might burn a new one used to 80 proof Irish whiskey. WT101 is readily available in airplane size bottles so start with that size when you are ready to take the Turkey plunge.

I will also agree with dcbt - Irish whiskey differs from bourbon enough that you aren't going to find something similar enough to call it "safe".

[Doctor zeroed]

If you fear the burn, be careful with WT101 for now. It doesn't burn a more experienced palate, but it might burn a new one used to 80 proof Irish whiskey.

Something I don't really get is "burn", do you mean from the alcohol? Is that different from "hot", or does hot mean spicy, like a pepper?

[Tony Santana]

I'd second the idea of buying the airplane sized bottles and trying a few different things. Makers is generally considered a good "entry" bourbon, and if you are willing to spend somewhere in that range Basil Hayden may be a good choice as well. It's a higher quality "small batch" Jim Beam product that still doesn't always get a lot of love around here, probably because it's 80 proof and those who frequent these forums tend to like a little more kick. So it might be right up your alley if you're not yet ready to tackle the higher proofs.

[PaulO]

I think starting with MM is a good idea. Also I suggest Four Roses yellow label 80 proof. Regular Evan Williams, Single Barrel, or 1783 are other I'd suggest. Bourbons are all at least 51% corn but the other grains can vary. The different brands can be quite different. Some brands like MM have wheat in the recipe. Others have a high rye content. I believe Irish whisky is all or mostly barley. Some bourbons have some barley in the mash, but only a small %. I like the idea of airline bottles too.

[TunnelTiger]

Would suggest any 80 proof main line bourbon to start with but 4TYL is hard to beat

[texaspete]

Second the recommendation for a good mid shelf bourbon. Makers Mark, buffalo trace, Evan Williams Single Barrel. if you want to go upwards a little bit, Eagle Rare 10 is a good easy drinking bourbon.

[GaryT]

Third the recommendation on the airplane minis - I'd grab Jim Beam white label, Jack Daniels black label, Wild Turkey 101, and Maker's Mark. If you can, try em blind and see which you liked best (and why) and worst (and why).

[ebo]

Evan Williams SB is good, but I would steer you toward Evan Williams Black instead. It's cheaper and it will give you the overall house flavor of the brand.

Stick with any 80/86 proof offerings from any of the major labels while starting out. You will get a sense for the flavor profile of each distillery and decide what suits your taste. You can move up to the more expensive and higher proofs later when you figure out what you like.

[flahute]

Something I don't really get is "burn", do you mean from the alcohol? Is that different from "hot", or does hot mean spicy, like a pepper?

Yes........

Burn, hot, spicy are all variants of the same thing. As a general rule, higher proof begets a higher chance of experiencing said burn. (But not always). Truth be told, your palate can change from night to night and what burns one day might not the next, or vice versa. Some lower proof bourbons can burn and some higher proof can come off downright smooth. Just remember one thing - never take a first impression to the bank. Revisit and see if you or the bottle changes.

[steelersfan1]

If I were you I would try some Woodford. It is a bit more expensive, but I feel it is a very refined and well behaved bourbon.

[jackthedog]

I think the FR Yellow Label or Evan Williams Black recommendations are good. Both are great value for the money and not overpowering.

[ramblinman]

Would suggest any 80 proof main line bourbon to start with but 4TYL is hard to beat

This, it had been a couple years since I'd had it but it was the base of old fashions at a friends birthday (roaring 20s themes, times were good) last weekend and I had about 1/3 of the bottle myself while tending bar. I forgot how good it is. An often overlooked value pour well worth having a bottle on hand.

[youngmc]

I recommend starting with the mid shelf. ER10, BT, FRSmB, EWSB, are all good choices. I'm glad I didn't start with the bottom shelf. You could also move onto the various BiB to get used to the various profiles. To me the 80 proof stuff would turn me off if I started with it.

[Hodunk]

I'll add to the recommendations for BT and WR.

[Harry in WashDC]

I recommend starting with the mid shelf. ER10, BT, FRSmB, EWSB, are all good choices. I'm glad I didn't start with the bottom shelf. You could also move onto the various BiB to get used to the various profiles. To me the 80 proof stuff would turn me off if I started with it.

YES!! Stay away from the bottom shelf - nothing to see down here!! AND, if you see a bald headed old faht sleeping down here, leave me alone; I know what I'm doing, and I'm doing it well.:22:

[flahute]

YES!! Stay away from the bottom shelf - nothing to see down here!! AND, if you see a bald headed old faht sleeping down here, leave me alone; I know what I'm doing, and I'm doing it well.:22:

Hahaha.....Harry's trunk is empty and he does not want to share the fine pours available on the bottom shelf that youngmc is inadvisably steering the OP away from.

[amg]

Don't forget about 86 proof Old Forester. It's a good intro to the Brown Forman bourbon profile.

[kwshannon]

I've thought about introducing friends to it recently, decided on a 6 item range. White dog (BT), wheater, high rye, true rye, tennessee, and limited edition.

So as a simple first bourbon, I would suggest either a wheater (Maker's Mark or Weller SR), or a a higher rye mash bill (ETL, OGDBIB, FRSB). Then add in the other, and/or a TN (Dickel #12). Once you have those 2 or 3, see if your taste pulls you toward more wheat, or more rye.

[fozzy71]

Evan Williams 1783 comes to mind, 86 proof, about $11, without much burn. Gentleman Jack may be up your alley also, 80 proof, $21.

....

Good grief, we must have insane liquor taxes in MI. Gentleman Jack is low 30's here.