What is your favorite proof?

[cdcdguy]

I know this is subjective. I have become a bib fan of BIB. But at 100 proof I tend to slightly water. Over that I have to water. I generally don't drink 80 proofers. Only exception and I know it's not bourbon, but like Jack Daniels Green label. It would be amazing at a higher proof, but doubt they will ever go back to their stronger proof in their basic stuff. 

 

For me, 90 proof is about right, from bottle to glass, no water. I don't use bourbon in drinks, so not sure what proof would be best. What is your favorite proof and is that neat, or water and or ice added?

[CardsandBourbon]

I started out with 80 proof so as not to "fry" my taste buds.  There are still some lower proof bottles that I enjoy but right now I would say from 107 (Baker's) - 129 (latest Stagg Jr.) would be my favorites.  That includes OGD 114, Booker's, OWA,  . . .  If forced to pick just one proof I would have to go with 120, which is the proof of KC SiB.

[DCFan]

Whatever's on sale. 

[JCwhammie]

It varies by what kind of mood I’m in. I suppose right around 100 Proof hits the spot more often than not, though. 

[FasterHorses]

90 this week. The BT was fantastic

[Clueby]

I really enjoy higher proofs and rarely add water to anything. The ECBPs, Stagg Jr's, BTAC, etc. Occasionally I will find something that just seems unnecessarily hot without a depth of flavor (to me) to go along with the burn. Im looking at you RY10SB and 1792FP.

So for me it's really about the flavor that comes with the burn...or sometimes without it.

[CardsandBourbon]

33 minutes ago, DCFan said:

Whatever's on sale. 

Cop out! 

[DCFan]

1 minute ago, CardsandBourbon said:

Cop out! 

Ok have it your way; 86 - 115. Happy now? 

[CardsandBourbon]

Yes I am, and don't you feel better having taken a stand? 

[DCFan]

1 minute ago, CardsandBourbon said:

Yes I am, and don't you feel better having taken a stand? 

Maybe, maybe not. 

[kevinbrink]

Somewhere between 107 and 115.

[El Vino]

Very subjective topic.  That said, assuming the starting point is barrel proof:  for me, it depends on the bottling:  some I like best at barrel proof (ECBP/CEHT BP/SAOS) while others I prefer cut with some water or over ice (1792 FP).  In general, I think the younger they are (particularly 4R PS) the better they take some water while I appreciate the nuances of older barrels best a full barrel strength.

[kcgumbohead]

100p and up, there are a couple sub 100s that I enjoy (Blantons, BT, GD12, 4RSmb- depending on the batch) but the majority are 100+ and of the 90s I enjoy I would gladly take them at 100 instead if available.

[BigSkyDrams]

I guess I don’t really have a favorite proof per se. I generally find many 80 proofers a bit thin. I enjoy many barrel proofers neat, but there are some bottles where I find that a single large ice ball tansforms it wonderfully. I know the coldness can mute the flavors, but I find, with certain high proof and hot bottles, it makes the texture/mouthfeel incredible, while still keeping a lot of flavor. Pretty vague and general I know, but my $0.02. And it can vary by the day, bottle, mood, etc. so I don’t have any more universal answer.

[cdcdguy]

2 hours ago, CardsandBourbon said:

I started out with 80 proof so as not to "fry" my taste buds.  There are still some lower proof bottles that I enjoy but right now I would say from 107 (Baker's) - 129 (latest Stagg Jr.) would be my favorites.  That includes OGD 114, Booker's, OWA,  . . .  If forced to pick just one proof I would have to go with 120, which is the proof of KC SiB.

What are the lower proofs you like? Always looking to try something new.

[Kane]

I thought I liked barrel proofers the best, no exceptions. But working on a few of them exclusively for a few months, I feel a bit worn out, and my taste buds fried! I now find myself reaching for lower proof bottles, not 80, but ~90-100 proofs certainly have their place. As always, you gotta appreciate the variety.

[jbutler]

I remember a time when 90 proof seemed brutally hot to me, and barrel proof was simply incomprehensible. Of course, 140+ is still incomprehensible to me, but in general I'm not interested in anything < 90. At 100, I'll water the liquor, but Blanton's at 93 seems about ideal to me.

[ondarocks]

For me probably 100 proof. I think it depends more on the whiskey. I find Four Roses SiB standard release as about perfect with no water. OTOH George Dickel PS 9 year old at 103 proof is hot and really improves with water. Everything else over 100 proof gets a splash or a cube. I do consider fried taste buds and esophageal lining too though!

[CardsandBourbon]

1 hour ago, cdcdguy said:

What are the lower proofs you like? Always looking to try something new.

I'm going to consider lower proof anything under my stated 107.  That would include Blanton's, ETL, RHF, ECSB, Larceny, Maker's 46, EW SiB, 4R SiB, BT, CEHT SmB, 1792, WSR, W12, Russell's Reserve SiB, Woodford Reserve.  These are ones that I have in my cabinet.  There are probably others but if I haven't tried them or bought a bottle I didn't list them.

[Richnimrod]

In my case, this can vary considerably from session to session.    If I know I'm only gonna have one or two pours, I'll generally go with a barrel proofer.     If I'm likely to exceed a couple pours in an evening I'll often (but not always) drop down to a BIB, or vary the proofs among the several pours.  

A couple tips, strictly from my own experience (and hoping not to seem like I know more than I do):

When taking on a barrel proofer, especially over about 115-proof, take very, very small sips and be sure to have adequate saliva in the mouth to wash it around with.

Generally start with lower proof stuff, and work your way through the evening increasing the proof, if you intend to vary the pours.

(Otherwise the lower-proof stuff has a tendency to seem kinda crummy by comparison, and not all of it is.)

[Auracom]

100-110 is always my target when I'm doing home blends, even where nuclear proofers like ECBP are included.

 

I've noticed that I really like 4R and Heaven Hill in that range... while I'll never shy away from the super hot stuff, less alcohol heat really does result in more enjoyable tasting. I think drinking more single malt (generally under 115-120 proof) has also encouraged me to favor lower proofs.

[dcbt]

2 hours ago, ondarocks said:

I do consider fried taste buds and esophageal lining too though!

Indeed, I tend to believe that pouring something down your hatch that is over 100 proof (which therefore is mostly alcohol) can't be good for your insides.  Most BPs I dilute with water down to 90-100 proof, except the big boys like WLW and GTS, which I only drink sparingly anyway.  And I tend not to buy many (or even any?) in the 100-120 range that aren't BPs.

[beasled]

I tend to add water above 90 proof, just find there is usually more to the whiskey and less burn. 

 

I usually enjoy 100-110 proof more than anything else, but again I do add water.

[fishnbowljoe]

I'm a bit like the Boss. When I got started in this, 90 proof bourbons seemed a bit hot to me, and BIB's were almost above my threshold. As time went by, I started becoming more comfortable with higher proof stuff. As I've said before, next to my wheaters, I love me some BIB's. I've developed a very strong fondness for them over the last few years. Part of it may be my becoming more acclimated to different proofs, and part of it may be the power of suggestion. It's been said/written/posted that the "sweet" spot for bourbon is between seven to ten years of age, and around 100 proof. That might be partially why Weller Centennial and HH6 BIB are two of my favorites. I don't know what the age was on the (now discontinued) AA BIB, but it was pretty darned good too.

 

Cheers! Joe

 

 

[NDN98]

88-100 proof seems to be right in my wheelhouse.  I really like some of the barrel proof bourbons, but I definitely prefer them with an ice block or sphere.