What to bring ....

[jwes1776]

If this is in the wrong thread my apologies in advance. So here is the situation: in my group, I am the guy who drinks bourbon. I am going to a a party this weekend and have been asked to bring a bottle of something other than jack or jim or makers to try. No problem, except I know after the first sip they will all start making bourbon and coke with whatever I bring. I'm thinking of taking either an Old Forester (86) or a Dickel 12. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

[jeffrey r]

Well, once you bring a bottle somewhere, it's out of your hands what other people do with it. That said, if as you say, these are not bourbon drinkers, I would bring something good enough for you to drink as you wish, but not crazy expensive. You could bring anything from Evan Williams BIB, Old Ezra 7/101, Henry McKenna BIB, EWSB, BT, OF 86, OF 100, etc. Plenty of options under $30/bottle or even $20/bottle.

[jwes1776]

Yeah, I honestly don't mind what they do with it, but I do want something that they will enjoy mixed with coke and that I could drink neat or on the rocks. I'm thinking too that they will probably enjoy something between 80 or 90 proof. My wife tried the EW Bib and it was too much for her.

Edited May 19, 2015 by jwes1776

[dcbt]

I'd go with Buffalo Trace. It's good in its own right for sipping neat but cheap enough for people to mix without making you cringe.

[dboland]

I'd go with Buffalo Trace. It's good in its own right for sipping neat but cheap enough for people to mix without making you cringe.

Same here. It was the bourbon that got me out of the JD/JB stuff and it mixes well for those who just don't want to taste alcohol.

[unclebunk]

I too think Buffalo Trace is a good option, though you might consider spending a few more bucks and bring a bottle of EWSB and pour a BIG glass for yourself before the Coke hits the scene. The Dickel 12, which I really enjoy, gets lost as a mixer (at least for me), so you'll need something with a bit bolder profile.

[jwes1776]

How is the Old Forester? It's cheap and I've heard it compared to WR.

[jeffrey r]

How is the Old Forester? It's cheap and I've heard it compared to WR.

Old Forester is good stuff. It's from the same distillery as WR, and to be frank, I think that many of us on here prefer Old Forester to its more expensive and better known big brother (WR). The 86 proofer is just fine to bring to something like this, though I only keep the 100 proof around at home.

[Richnimrod]

I'd expose 'em to Old Grand Dad BIB. Quite a mellow, yet distinctive Bourbon, with a nice nose and flavor profile, that would also stand up to 'coke', or whatever else they may want to try mixing it with.

...And, not extra-expensive. Hell, who knows? You just may get a few to enjoy it over a cube, or with just a bit of water. I'd encourage that, if I were you.

[squire]

Yeah, Grand Dad BIB or Evan black label. Couldn't go wrong with Forester 86 either.

[KyleCBreese]

I posted a similar question over a year ago. I was going to a party and brought 4RYL as the bourbon and Bulleit as the rye. They were both affordable and available and I wouldn't cringe when they were mixed.

[Paddy]

BT is a good recommendation. If I knew for sure they'd be watering it down and/or using it as a mixer, I'd probably take a WT101.

[jwes1776]

Haven't tried the 4ryl yet. How does it compare to the small batch?

[TunnelTiger]

Or some EWBIB and a GD12.

[petrel800]

I'd probably just bring Buffalo Trace. Good proof for mixing and decent for sipping.

[PaulO]

Yeah, I honestly don't mind what they do with it, but I do want something that they will enjoy mixed with coke and that I could drink neat or on the rocks. I'm thinking too that they will probably enjoy something between 80 or 90 proof. My wife tried the EW Bib and it was too much for her.

You could try EW 1783. It's 86 proof.

[WhiskyRI]

Not bourbon but Mellow Corn is a great inexpensive whiskey to bring to a party where people will do weird things with their whiskey like add coke or ginger ale. I also second 4R Yellow Label - I brought some to a Superbowl party with a bunch of French ex-pats and it was gone within 2 hours - meanwhile I was enjoying some amazing Bourdeaux....after all man can't live on Bourbon alone, although I keep experimenting.

[The Black Tot]

If it's on shelves where you live, bring an OWA. Else, bring an OGD. Hell, they're both under $30 - bring both.

Edit - if there will be women at the party, bring Four Roses Small Batch. No brainer.

[GaryT]

I like the Buffalo - sharp looking bottle and might be unfamiliar to others. Otherwise, my next choice would Old Forester Signature.

[fishnbowljoe]

Another vote here for BT.

Joe

[typoerror]

old grand dad 114. get some hair on their chest.

[amg]

Haven't tried the 4ryl yet. How does it compare to the small batch?

It's mellower and sweeter than the small batch, but still a nice sipper. At 80 proof it's a little mild for mixed drinks in my opinion, but it still carries the spicy 4R profile.

[jsrudd]

Four Roses Yellow Label is my usual pick for this sort of situation. I think it's good on its own and once you start mixing it really doesn't matter.

[garbanzobean]

I'd personally go with Four Roses Yellow Label or Evan Williams Single Barrel.

[El Vino]

I'd go with Knob Creek. Great flavor profile. A bit more expensive than some of the other suggestions, but you might just turn some heads in the right direction. Holds up to ice and Coke.