What barrel proof whiskey do you enjoy neat, no water added.

[MDBourbon]

I wanted to read the post.  I have to say, just because people enjoy higher proof does not mean they are trying to be "badass"

Just now, The Black Tot said:

My word isn't good enough?

http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/be-careful-with-high-proof-whiskey.html

 

[The Black Tot]

Just now, MDBourbon said:

I wanted to read the post.  I have to say, just because people enjoy higher proof does not mean they are trying to be "badass"

 

Sure. But the effects of the alcohol aren't interested in the character of the drinker.

And frankly, some of them ARE seeing themselves as badass. We can agree to disagree on that

[MDBourbon]

Just now, The Black Tot said:

Sure. But the effects of the alcohol aren't interested in the character of the drinker.

And frankly, some of them ARE seeing themselves as badass. We can agree to disagree on that

Well... it's alcohol. You're an adult. Everything in moderation.  

[fozzy71]

Meh, I have watered down BP a few times but I would rather just pour less to sip on anymore.  90 - 100 or 110 proof I usually pour 1.5 ounces.  110+ I pour 1 ounce and on rare occasions (130+) I 'might' add a few drops of reverse osmosis water from a dropper if it seems a bit too hot.

[The Black Tot]

33 minutes ago, MDBourbon said:

Well... it's alcohol. You're an adult. Everything in moderation.  

Yes, that's kind of the point of Chuck's post. Barrel proof is not moderation.

It's a good post, and these words are wise. I'm not bickering with you. Drink 'em how you like 'em. But I think some people can get the wrong idea. Like Chuck said, most of these BPs are released with the intention of you adding water to your own tastes. Not drinking them straight.

[fozzy71]

lol, being badass over here and having a pour of ECBP 139.8 neat.........

[flahute]

I'm with TBT on this. Not because Chuck Cowdery said so, but because what he says has been born out by my own personal experience. In the past when I've gotten on the barrel proof train I've ended up giving myself quite the case of palate burnout. It starts with a particularly good pour of ECBP/Stagg Jr./KCSB/takeyourpick. This leads to more pours of the same/similar. Then your taste buds are a bit numb so in order to taste anything you need to keep drinking higher proofs to get flavor. If you do this for a few days, it leads to possible other problems such as heartburn and then total palate burnout. 

SO, what I do now is take one sip neat just to get the full flavor. Then I add water to suit. If it doesn't take much to get to the sweet spot, I keep that in mind so I can go lower proof for a few days after that. Just being careful. Ideally, somewhere between 100-110 proof is usually best for me.

[dcbt]

8 hours ago, The Black Tot said:

I harken back to a Chuck Cowdery post where he discussed the dangers of the higher proofs, where he pretty much said anything over 110 proof gets water in his home.

I've worked with this and also found it to be my preference. Anything over 110 gets water, but I don't dilute it down to 90. I think a rough splash down to about 100-110 is the ideal.

You don't get a medal for how badass you are at drinking higher proofs. You get tissue damage.

I've mentioned this in several other threads as well, but I tend to believe that ingesting a liquid that is majority alcohol can't be good for your insides.  So I dilute down to 100 proof for the most part.

[Louisiana]

17 hours ago, The Black Tot said:

Like Chuck said, most of these BPs are released with the intention of you adding water to your own tastes. Not drinking them straight.

 

If you don't want to drink them at Barrel Proof then I understand why. 

But the above statement is ridiculous. Why else would they release them?

Some of us really enjoy them straight from the barrel.

[The Black Tot]

It's not ridiculous at all. It's better value. You're buying your whiskey concentrated - such that your 750ml bottle goes further.

Also, you get to add the water in your glass at the point of consumption, the molecular turbulence of which results in the release of scent and flavor.

If they add it at the distillery, it has settled by the time you pour it into different (more stable) bonds. I'm not a chemist, but there's a chemist who has put out an article on this.

Do you also drink your frozen orange juice without adding water? Or do you take it at "orchard proof?" (I'm just kidding around )

[flahute]

4 hours ago, Louisiana said:

 

If you don't want to drink them at Barrel Proof then I understand why. 

But the above statement is ridiculous. Why else would they release them?

Some of us really enjoy them straight from the barrel.

They release them that way so you the consumer can decide how best to enjoy it, not because they deem barrel proof to be the best or only way to enjoy it. Lots of bourbons out there at 90 or 94 or 98 or whatever proof because the master distiller thinks it shines at that proof.

[Louisiana]

15 minutes ago, flahute said:

They release them that way so you the consumer can decide how best to enjoy it, not because they deem barrel proof to be the best or only way to enjoy it. Lots of bourbons out there at 90 or 94 or 98 or whatever proof because the master distiller thinks it shines at that proof.

 

Saw another post where you said 100-110 are best for you. The last 3 bourbons I have enjoyed were 99, 100, & 107 proof.

I still like my BP's neat though. The pours are small and bottles last a while.

 

1 hour ago, The Black Tot said:

Do you also drink your frozen orange juice without adding water? Or do you take it at "orchard proof?" (I'm just kidding around )

 

Haha. Yes "Orchard Proof" is the best!

[SebastianLloyd]

I like my proof between 80 and 90 (high rye usually near 80, wheated near 90). I like a sip or two of the BP neat when I open the bottle but the acid in my stomach gets really bad and I start to cough if I don't add water.

[kcgumbohead]

Depends entirely on the bourbon. Some drink at, others below and others above their proof. I sample all BPs neat and its evident pretty quickly which will benefit from water and which are good to go on their own. I have experienced a number of bottles around or above 120 that drank better at their native proof than some 90-100 proofers.

Most of my experience is with 4R barrel proofs so a minimal number of those get water, a few drops generally does the trick.

I have a KC120 that always gets water and a good amount at that but once added, it is wonderful. 

let the bourbon tell you what it needs, if you add too much water there is an easy fix, just add more bourbon!!

 

 

[Paddy]

2 hours ago, kcgumbohead said:

Depends entirely on the bourbon. Some drink at, others below and others above their proof. I sample all BPs neat and its evident pretty quickly which will benefit from water and which are good to go on their own. I have experienced a number of bottles around or above 120 that drank better at their native proof than some 90-100 proofers.

Most of my experience is with 4R barrel proofs so a minimal number of those get water, a few drops generally does the trick.

I have a KC120 that always gets water and a good amount at that but once added, it is wonderful. 

let the bourbon tell you what it needs, if you add too much water there is an easy fix, just add more bourbon!!

 

 

This is a great post.  If you're new to the game, this bit of wisdom can/will save you and your friends a lot of time and trouble. 

My experience with 4RBP's is that they most always drink below their proof, as well as always drink very well! 

[chasking]

I think it's interesting that there are more posts in this thread than I expected from people who don't prefer straight barrel proof whiskey.  I am among them:  my personal preference is in the 90-100 proof range, and while it can be very interesting to taste whiskey at barrel proof, I don't find it particularly pleasant to drink it at that proof.

It seems like Americans in general have an unshakable "more = better" mindset which precludes the concept of "too much" of anything.  So, it comes as no surprise to me at all that recent years have seen a sharp upswing in high proof bourbon.  It tracks a similar fascination with really old whiskey.

[Harry in WashDC]

42 minutes ago, chasking said:

I think it's interesting that there are more posts in this thread than I expected from people who don't prefer straight barrel proof whiskey.  I am among them:  my personal preference is in the 90-100 proof range, and while it can be very interesting to taste whiskey at barrel proof, I don't find it particularly pleasant to drink it at that proof.

It seems like Americans in general have an unshakable "more = better" mindset which precludes the concept of "too much" of anything.  So, it comes as no surprise to me at all that recent years have seen a sharp upswing in high proof bourbon.  It tracks a similar fascination with really old whiskey.

As a couple of you have said, some of us like the BPs because we, as consumers, get to "tune" it to fit our taste and mood.  The 4R CS offerings are one such for me - I almost never drink a 4R CS at the BP, but by careful playing, I've learned which bottle on the shelf requires how much water to fit me.  And as I've posted before, about the only BP I do not dilute is GTS - one ounce with (room temp) water on the side will last me about two hours, and I don't think I've ever felt the need to have a second on the same night.  And while I do drink WT101 and most bondeds neat, there are a few - Fighting Cock being one - that I'll take down to 90 or so before even starting.

[SebastianLloyd]

I also wanna say thanks for this proof calculator to whoever created it:

http://www.straightbourbon.com/index.php/faq

[PorkPieHat]

I always drink neat... take my time with a couple of doubles throughout the evening, as I like to feel mellow not hammered.. although, I may experiment with a couple of drops in the future... never say never, I guess..

[GeeTen]

Getting back to the query of the OP (Original Poster), I really enjoy Barrel Whiskey (#005) neat, 124.7 proof - very little, if any, burn on the nose, loads of cinnamon and vanilla on the palate (with just a hint of dark chocolate coming through at the end), and a long, warm finish that warms you all the way down and lingers for a long, long while.  Me likee muchly!   

When I first encountered this bottle (at my other favorite store near where I used to work), I specifically went in to try the 4R Single Barrel (4RSB?).  After having a taste or two that were underwhelming, my buddy suggested that I try the Barrel.   Took one look at the proof on the bottle and asked for ice/water on the side.  My buddy laughed and said, "OK, but you won't need it."  Now I'm a fairly large fellow that has played rugby all over the world and am currently a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the county -- don't consider myself a " badass", tho'.   Don't like Islay scotch and super-hot Szechuan food, either (don't want to drink burnt peat and I like to taste my food without hurting myself).   But I did the "nose" thing, held my breath and took a sip (neat) while clutching an ice cube and the glass of water (try to picture that!).  WOW -- it was the revelation of my bourbon tasting life!  Barrel proof doesn't necessarily have to hurt, bubba.  And it was delicious.   

My daddy used to say "It doesn't cost that much more to go first-class - you just can't stay as long"  (at least that's a close translation from the Chinese).  I apply that thought every time I pour a wee dram of Barrel - only one neat pour per night suits me just fine.  Now when anyone asks if I have a recommendation for a "different bourbon" at work, I recommend the Barrel.  And I tell them of my first taste of the stuff and say, "If you don't like it, just bring it back and I'll buy it from you myself."  I've sold over 3 or 4 cases of the stuff since Christmas and not one bottle has been returned!  In fact, a lot of people have come back to buy more (we're now selling the barrel #006 bottling which, I'm told, is super as well - I sense another purchase today).  

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to get back this thread back on topic for the OP.

YMMV,

F.

8-)

 

 

Edited January 23, 2016 by GeeTen
Spelling and punctuation corrections

[smokinjoe]

14 minutes ago, GeeTen said:

Getting back to the query of the OP (Original Poster), I really enjoy Barrel Whiskey (#005) neat, 124.7 proof - very little, if any, burn on the nose, loads of cinnamon and vanilla on the palate (with just a hint of dark chocolate coming through at the end), and a long, warm finish that warms you all the way down and lingers for a long, long while.  Me likee muchly!   

When I first encountered this bottle (at my other favorite store near where I used to work), I specifically went in to try the 4R Single Barrel (4RSB?).  After having a taste or two that were underwhelming, my buddy suggested that I try the Barrel.   Took one look at the proof on the bottle and asked for ice/water on the side.  My buddy laughed and said, "OK, but you won't need it."  Now I'm a fairly large fellow that has played rugby all over the world and am currently a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the county -- don't consider myself a " badass", tho'.   Don't like Islay scotch and super-hot Szechuan food, either (don't want to drink burnt peat and I like to taste my food without hurting myself).   But I did the "nose" thing, held my breath and took a sip (neat) while clutching an ice cube and the glass of water (try to picture that!).  WOW -- it was the revelation of my bourbon tasting life!  Barrel proof doesn't necessarily have to hurt, bubba.  And it was delicious.   

My daddy used to say "It doesn't cost that much more to go first-class - you just can't stay as long"  (at least that's a close translation from the Chinese).  I apply that thought every time I pour a wee dram of Barrel - only one neat pour per night suits me just fine.  Now when anyone asks if I have a recommendation for a "different bourbon" at work, I recommend the Barrel.  And I tell them of my first taste of the stuff and say, "If you don't like it, just bring it back and I'll buy it from you myself."  I've sold over 3 or 4 cases of the stuff since Christmas and not one bottle has been returned!  In fact, a lot of people have come back to buy more (we're now selling the barrel #006 bottling which, I'm told, is super as well - I sense another purchase today).  

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to get back this thread back on topic for the OP.

YMMV,

F.

8-)

 

 

Thank you for your attempt at getting the thread back on topic.  You were almost there, before publishing your autobiography.

Despite it being the glorious and mammoth whiskey that it is, I can't bring myself to dilute George T Stagg.  I'll pretty much play around with everything else if the mood strikes me. 

[GeeTen]

17 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

Thank you for your attempt at getting the thread back on topic.  You were almost there, before publishing your autobiography.

Despite it being the glorious and mammoth whiskey that it is, I can't bring myself to dilute George T Stagg.  I'll pretty much play around with everything else if the mood strikes me. 

OK, I'll keep this short - can't find GTS and can't stand StaggJr (it's now destined for the ER10:BT:StaggJr vatting) - it hurts!  So, I'm not immune to the burn.   

Sorry,

Newb F.

8-(  

 

Edited January 23, 2016 by GeeTen
Spelling

[BigPapa]

1 hour ago, GeeTen said:

Getting back to the query of the OP (Original Poster), I really enjoy Barrel Whiskey (#005) neat, 124.7 proof - very little, if any, burn on the nose, loads of cinnamon and vanilla on the palate (with just a hint of dark chocolate coming through at the end), and a long, warm finish that warms you all the way down and lingers for a long, long while.  Me likee muchly!   

When I first encountered this bottle (at my other favorite store near where I used to work), I specifically went in to try the 4R Single Barrel (4RSB?).  After having a taste or two that were underwhelming, my buddy suggested that I try the Barrel.   Took one look at the proof on the bottle and asked for ice/water on the side.  My buddy laughed and said, "OK, but you won't need it."  Now I'm a fairly large fellow that has played rugby all over the world and am currently a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the county -- don't consider myself a " badass", tho'.   Don't like Islay scotch and super-hot Szechuan food, either (don't want to drink burnt peat and I like to taste my food without hurting myself).   But I did the "nose" thing, held my breath and took a sip (neat) while clutching an ice cube and the glass of water (try to picture that!).  WOW -- it was the revelation of my bourbon tasting life!  Barrel proof doesn't necessarily have to hurt, bubba.  And it was delicious.   

My daddy used to say "It doesn't cost that much more to go first-class - you just can't stay as long"  (at least that's a close translation from the Chinese).  I apply that thought every time I pour a wee dram of Barrel - only one neat pour per night suits me just fine.  Now when anyone asks if I have a recommendation for a "different bourbon" at work, I recommend the Barrel.  And I tell them of my first taste of the stuff and say, "If you don't like it, just bring it back and I'll buy it from you myself."  I've sold over 3 or 4 cases of the stuff since Christmas and not one bottle has been returned!  In fact, a lot of people have come back to buy more (we're now selling the barrel #006 bottling which, I'm told, is super as well - I sense another purchase today).  

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to get back this thread back on topic for the OP.

YMMV,

F.

8-)

 

 

Great post!!!!

barrel proof 4 roses is tough to find here in MN. Will look harder. 

[starhopper]

If I buy a barrel proof, I drink it neat - in small amounts though.  While I understand the point of "getting more concentrated juice for your money" and thus, being able to cut it to your taste, I still don't add the water.  If I wanted water added, I would simply pay less and get a lower proof bottle.  I like the barrel proof because to me it is the "purest" form of the bourbon - without it being cut by the distiller. I don't know if I buy the claim that distillers EXPECT you to cut their barrel proof offerings.  I don't recall seeing any distillery recommending that.

For me, Stagg Jr, batch 4 (132.2% abv), is simply an amazing barrel proof offering.  I also love ECBP.  OGD 114 is a close third.

I think the phrase "To each his own" is applicable here - and be safe about it, however you drink it.

 

Edited January 23, 2016 by starhopper

[Special Reserve]

WLW barrel strength bourbons are great neat especially to break your morning fast.