Bourbon suggestions for a new bourbon enthusiast

[Jazz Nut]

Hi All,

My young cousin Matt, turned 21 recently, and has expressed a liking for bourbon! I am going to give him a gift of bourbon to help him along. I am thinking of Woodford Reserve, or Russell's Reserve 10 (90 proof), or Elmer T. Lee, any other suggestions?

I would like to stay around 90 proof as to not scare him away!! But would like to find something that isn't too oaky, too high in proof, but is a representative take on a classic bourbon.

I can't wait to introduce him to a few limited editions, or barrel proofers, but baby steps first!

Perhaps Buffalo Trace would be a good option too.

Thoughts??

[oke&coke]

BT is always a good one start IMO. Readily available, fairly inexpensive and tasty to boot. There is also a few other thread with this same question, a search through those will yield some good advice.

[Harry in WashDC]

Before I got to the end of your post, I was already thinking Buffalo Trace. At 90 proof, it doesn't burn but does have a bite that is usually missing in an 80 proofer. Its candy apple/cinnamon finish is pleasant enough without being "sweet". It is usually available.

But then, I'm partial to bourbon with a hint (a BIG hint) of rye.

Regular Maker's Mark is a good alternative (or, a good second bottle to give). It's a bourbon but has that mellow wheat thing instead of that minty/grassy/grainy (pick one or more) rye thing. It would allow a compare/contrast evening if you give both. Or maybe pick an 86 or 90 proof from each of the baker's dozen of major distillers so he can learn about house styles, such as they are.

If your cousin is an obsessive/compulsive, I suggest that you make liberal use of the "search" function and pull up those older threads that mull over "What should I try next?" or "bourbon books I should have" or "10 lower shelf bottles to be interred with", or go to Amazon and search for bourbon books by persons who post here. I've read them all and have read most of them two or three times -- you cannot go wrong.

You get my drift/wandering/rumination: it is bourbon, and there are no wrong answers. (HEY!! the Nats won, and the Mets lost!! It ain't over!!) Yeah, that's a little off thread.

[Golzee]

I vote RR10yr, it is very sweet and wouldn't scare anybody away. I believe it has the best "classic" bourbon taste out on the market today. If a friend asked what bourbon tasted like, I would pour him/her this.

[dcbt]

I agree that BT is a great representative bourbon. If you want to go higher shelf, I'd say ETL or Blantons.

[kjbeggs]

Hard to beat ETL. Weller 12 would be a good choice too, if easy to find in your area.

[mbroo5880i]

Hard to beat ETL. Weller 12 would be a good choice too, if easy to find in your area.

I agree. These are two really nice bourbons for the new enthusiast.

[willmohawk5]

Hope he's got a good job at 21years old to subject him to the choices recommended above.

[Jazz Nut]

Thanks everyone! The more I thought about it, I dug around my bunker, and I chose to gift him a bottle of Blanton's, with the gift box, for a special occasion like turning 21. Figuring it would likely be a good bottling, easy proof to sip neat or on the rocks, and classic flavor. He was nice enough to open it up tonight and we had several pours, and it was great. He enjoyed it, and I was reminded that Blanton's is a dang good Bourbon!

I did emphasize that there are wonderful choices on the bottom-middle shelf (EWB, EWBIB, WT101, EWSB, Knob Creek, Maker's, OWA). We had a lot of fun tonight, and had great conversation.

[Paddy]

Although there are many that are easier on the wallet, Basil Hayden's is a good gateway 'standard' bourbon for newbs.

Larceny would be my introductory wheater of choice.

[mosugoji64]

My suggestion would have been to get him a set of 50 or 200mL bottles representing all of the major distilleries. That would allow him to try a variety of brands and familiarize himself with the different house styles.

[Flyfish]

It can be difficult to introduce a newb to bourbon. I remember sharing sips of four or five bourbons just to establish commonalities and differences in house style. We identified all the usual suspects--caramel, vanilla, oak....We also noted some anise/licorice in one. I don't recall which one. Now the newb is disappointed if he doesn't find licorice because he has concluded that it is an essential identifier of "real bourbon."

[johnnyflake45]

Four Roses Yellow Label is excellent to begin with. Also mentioned and hard to beat is Buffalo Trace, the original Maker's Mark and I'll add the original Crown Royal!

[PaulO]

I would say: MM, WT 101, and Evan Williams. Then he can say he's tried some of the more popular ones. I think 4R Small batch and Larceny are very approachable and a bit of a step up from the more common. I like the idea of get a bunch of mini bottles too.

[DonutsNBourbon]

Although there are many that are easier on the wallet, Basil Hayden's is a good gateway 'standard' bourbon for newbs.

Larceny would be my introductory wheater of choice.

Basil Hayden's was exactly what I was going to recommend too. newbies seem to like that one a lot, very smooth and easy to drink. one of the first ones that I really liked too.

[ReadyAndAbe]

Great choice to gift him a bottle of Blanton's. It is a smooth, tasty introduction and will give him a nice enthusiasm for bourbon.

I would also recommend Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 Year Bottled in Bond. Even though it is 100 proof, there is little to no burn and it really opens up after the bottle has been opened for a number of weeks. It just keeps getting better and better with every pour.

[Jazz Nut]

I love the ideas everyone! I wish I could find Larceny in Minnesota, but currently it's not distributed here. I totally forgot about FRSB or FRYL, but both good pours for sure. I really like the idea about 200ml bottles of all major distillers, and I think I may arrange a tasting party centered around that idea. Basil Hayden's would have been a nice 80 proof option.

Again, I was pleasantly surprised how good the Blanton's was!

[Master Distiller]

I am not proud to admit that at 21 years old I would'nt have even known the significance of Blanton's, had I been gifted something like that at that age. I would have shot and chased it, or mixed it with Dr Pepper or something. Sounds like a good kid, and to know what that bourbon is and then to share it with everyone is impressive to me.