Next Steps?

[TSNeat]

Hi everyone,

 

My whiskey journey started in college, where my roommate and I would splurge for a mid-shelf bottle of whiskey and drink it until it ran out and was time to buy another (and usually try something new). At the time, it was very difficult to tell which bottles I liked vs others, because I would stick to one bottle until it ran out and had nothing recent to compare it to. Plus, when you have the craving for a glass, it's hard not to enjoy the only option!

 

Flash forward to now, when I have been out a college for a year or two and thankfully have the financial stability to buy a few bottles at a time and really start to compare the offerings to each other. I'm trying to get a feel for what kind of whiskey I have a greater tendency to enjoy. I figured I would make a short list for you all and see if anyone is generous enough to give their thoughts. Is it safe to say at this point I am more likely to enjoy higher-rye bourbons compared to wheated? Or, is it too early for me with my limited sampling to really get a feel for what my taste buds crave? I would greatly appreciate any recommended bottles to try that could help me get a better understanding of my preferences. I've seen the recommendation before of trying something from each major distillery and going from there, but to me that feels like starting from scratch and was hoping I am closer to identifying my preferences at this point. However, with my limited knowledge and experience, its hard for me to produce any meaningful observations from my experience so far.

 

Bottles I loved
Bulleit 10 Year
EC SB
ER 10
HW Campfire
Breckenridge PX Cask Finish
HW MWND

 

Bottles I liked
Willett 3 / 4 Year Rye
Bulleit
Michters SB
Evan Williams SiB
HW Double Rye

 

Bottles I did not like as much
Weller SR
WT Longrbranch
Basil Hayden's
Makers Mark

 

Thanks for any responses! I've enjoyed lurking for the past few months, reading feedback and opinions about bottles that I want to try next, hopefully sooner rather than later! Cheers!

[flahute]

You are all over the place on what you love/like with a wide variety in low to medium rye bourbons (nothing truly "high" there) as well as ryes. I don't think you can decide yet if you prefer low or high rye.

 

The wheaters you've tried are not considered among the best so don't give up on that category yet.

 

To try: Weller Antique, some Turkey products such as Rare Breed and Russel's Reserve, Four Roses Small Batch and/or Single Barrel, OF Single Barrel and OF 1920, Knob Creek small batch and Single Barrel, Stagg Jr.

[Bob_Loblaw]

First thought after reading your post is 4 Roses Single Barrel. 

[Mako254]

Bob and Flahute are on track as usual. 

 

I’ll second the Four Roses (I love the single barrel but if small batch better fits your budget it is a great pour). 

 

WT 101 is a fantastic ‘swiss army knife’ bourbon for my money. 

 

Old Grand Dad 114 pushes the envelope proof wise and is less than $25 in my market. 

 

Henry McKenna 10 year BiB has a lot of fans around here (rightly so). 

 

Also check in with your local shop for store picks. A good way to start to build a relationship. 

[l364cy]

I wouldn't rule out wheated just yet, but you do seem to prefer at least a hint of rye.

 

You might want to try a HW Rendezvous Rye, for something in between the Double Rye and the MWND.

 

McKenna 10YR BIB, 4R Single Barrel, Rare Breed & Stagg, Jr all get a +1 from me.  I'll let someone more informed

on the wheated side make recommendations, I am not a great wheated fan, but higher proof wheated are more

tolerable to me than say a Weller SR.

 

 

 

[TSNeat]

It felt like my list was all over the place when I started putting it together, guess I was just looking for someone to confirm. 

 

I’ve had most of the suggestions before, but it’s been too long for me to remember much of what I thought of them. I remember getting a bottle of ER in college and thinking nothing of it at the time, but got another bottle a few months ago and loved it. I’ll have to circle back around to some of those and give them another go. 

 

The Weller Antique and 12 are not easy to find in my neck of the woods, but I’ll certainly be on the lookout. Thanks!

[fosmith]

Buffalo Trace, Evan Williams BiB, Old Grand Dad BiB, Knob Creek and Wild Turkey 101 are all worth a try.  If/when you're ready for cask strength (or nearly) there's Booker's, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Stagg Jr., Knob Creek Single Barrel and Maker's Mark Cask Strength.  The MMCS just may change your mind about Wheated bourbon. 

[Richnimrod]

I'd say, after a quick and dirty peak at your lists, that you prefer a bit more age than some folx. 

Many of us (but not nearly all) felt that way early on in the journey. 

Don't toss out any brands forever until you try 'em again in a couple years.     If those you really didn't care to drink are still "un-favorites", then you can scratch 'em off the 'buy list'.

The advice above to try Henry MeKenna 10-year BIB is right in line with that extra age guess on my part.    You might try Elijah Craig as well, though the age statement is gone it probably rides in the same general track as the H McK.

[dad-proof]

As already mentioned, the list does seem to skew to stronger flavors - more wood, more rye,  more proof, and more savory, earthy/smoky notes. 

 

I'll echo Henry  McKenna 10 as something to (re) visit, but I also think that you would be ready for the bolder flavors of full/barrel proof. My top recommendation would be to try 1792 Full Proof, then Knob Creek Single Barrel, and if you can find it, Elijah Craig Barrel.

 

Have fun and report back! 

[PaulO]

There's nothing wrong with being all over the place.  I started drinking bourbon in the 1980s.  I'm still all over the place.  There are good options in all categories.

Stuff that's not too hard to find: Henry McKenna BIB, WT 101 or Rare Breed, Four Roses Single Barrel, Small Batch, or 80 proof, many others...

[graftonbc1]

I think it is good to have a palate that "is all over the place". You are liking some really good stuff.

 

I am going to second (third, fourth) that you should give Henry McKenna BiB a shot. I also am a big fan of 1792 small batch, which has a style all its own for the price.

 

Enjoy,

Ray

[NDN98]

Since it appears you seem to lean towards older bottles or those with a higher rye content, I would recommend the Henry McKenna 10 or the Four Roses Single Barrel.

[Charlutz]

My recommendation is to work on your process for identifying what you like rather than trying to predict which whiskies you will like. Do some blind side by sides with what you already have. Take written notes and identify the common flavors and their intensity - vanilla, caramel, wood, smoke, leather, tobacco, rye, etc. Same for the nose. Spend some time with them. Once you’ve identified the flavors and how you like them blind, you can then use others’ tasting notes as a better predictor of what you should try. JMO

[Charlutz]

I’ll also add that what you may find is that you like to play the field. That is, that your enjoyment of whiskey comes from comparing and contrasting the different styles. I have my favorites, but I surely have an appreciation for almost the entire spectrum. 

[rjg1701]

Pick up a bottle of Rittenhouse Rye, and keep an eye out for Mellow Corn.  These two will help you differentiate the flavors of the constituent grains in a typical bourbon mash.   Bear in mind that Mellow Corn is also aged in used oak, which provides a unique experience compared to bourbon which must always use a new barrel.

[TSNeat]

Gave Buffalo Trace and WT101 another try this week. WT was good, thought BT was great. It tasted similar to me as EC SB. While it’s still difficult to pinpoint exact flavors, I’m starting to think what I like most is what I would call the “traditional” or “classic” taste of bourbon...would that be oak, or smoke, or brown sugar? I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but I think it’s a flavor that I can almost always immediately point out when I take my first sip. 

[CardsandBourbon]

I have kept all the major distilleries in business lately but BT is becoming one of my favorites.  If you like the regular BT there are numerous bottles in their line that I would be on the lookout for.  Colonel E H Taylor Small Batch, Elmer T. Lee, Blanton's and Rock Hill Farms.  Also the Stagg Jr. is a higher proof but very very good pour.