bayouredd Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 KC is better than BT, WR, Bulleit, etc. and here's why! 1. Because I said so... 2. Ok, it's just my opinnion. Truly, besides the JB, EW, JD & WT just to name a few, it seems the BT, WR & Bulleit are what most restaurants carry as a standard of the tier above the oldies; at least in my area. They added KC about 2 years ago into the same tier. I truly like KC better in this limited range and have made that my goto pour for limited choices. Of coure Whiskey bars are a differnet animal and choices go up from there. What is your goto bourbon in a limited choice restaurant or bar and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yobber76 Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I really like KC Single barrel select 120 proof, KC 12 yr, MM 101, EHT, OF 1920 or 100, ER, 4R, to name a few. Usually most bars have a few of these. If it's really limited FR yellow, KC, or MM. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzhead Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I think a Knob Creek is a very safe way to go in a bar. Bars that ain't well stock generally have Wild Turkey 81, but not the good stuff. Heaven forbid they have any Old Forester variant. Knob usually hits the spot in a sports bar better than Makers Mark, although with the new 101 that may no longer be true. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulO Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 6 hours ago, bayouredd said: KC is better than BT, WR, Bulleit, etc. and here's why! ... KC has a 9 year age statement. The others have no age statement. KC is 100 proof. The others are 90. KC just tastes better to me. Another great bar/restaurant pour is WT 101, pass on the 81. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrokeCal Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I'm going to agree with Paulo. For that $25ish range of bourbon, KC is definitely better than the other non age stated 90 proof rivals. KC not only has the stats over its competitors, it also flat out has a more inviting smell and taste profile over BT, MM, EC, WSR, etc, etc. To really beat regular 9 Year KC, by having a noticeably more nuanced and pleasant taste, you have to spend $45 plus. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJWP Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I like KC but to me BT and WT beat it hands down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebo Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 (edited) 15 hours ago, bayouredd said: KC is better than BT, WR, Bulleit, etc. and here's why! 1. Because I said so... 2. Ok, it's just my opinnion. Truly, besides the JB, EW, JD & WT just to name a few, it seems the BT, WR & Bulleit are what most restaurants carry as a standard of the tier above the oldies; at least in my area. They added KC about 2 years ago into the same tier. I truly like KC better in this limited range and have made that my goto pour for limited choices. Of coure Whiskey bars are a differnet animal and choices go up from there. What is your goto bourbon in a limited choice restaurant or bar and why? Usually it's WT101 because it's available everywhere. If they have KC I'll order that. Note: I don't go to expensive or very hip, popular restaurants because I don't have the income for that...lol. I agree with your # 1 - 2. Edited January 9, 2021 by ebo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Black Tot Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I think if you've got access to reasonably priced KC, BT, OR WT101 at a bar or restaurant, you're doing very well. WT101 seems to have managed to avoid the boutique pricing in far more places, so I usually pick this on value alone. They're all good. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flahute Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 WT101 is my goto because not only is it good, it's usually the cheapest option on the menu. Unless I see a good price on BTAC I'll avoid paying up for all the mid shelf options because I have them all at home. There is one particular bar and grill near us that has a good price on KC so I'll get that. They used to always have OWA for a good price but those days are gone. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berto Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 I generally order a cocktail or beer when out. Most restaurants can't compare to what I have at home and the stuff at home is already paid for. I don't need to pay 1/3 of the cost of a bottle for a run of the mill pour. I love bourbon but I don't feel the need to drink it just because I'm out and they have some. I'd rather pay for the bartender's expertise in making a cocktail because I don't have that expertise and for the same price I'd rather let the bartender do some magic than pour me a shot. Restaurants with serious lists are different. I look for their own picks or maybe something I've been waiting to try. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flahute Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 1 minute ago, berto said: I generally order a cocktail or beer when out. Most restaurants can't compare to what I have at home and the stuff at home is already paid for. I don't need to pay 1/3 of the cost of a bottle for a run of the mill pour. I love bourbon but I don't feel the need to drink it just because I'm out and they have some. I'd rather pay for the bartender's expertise in making a cocktail because I don't have that expertise and for the same price I'd rather let the bartender do some magic than pour me a shot. Restaurants with serious lists are different. I look for their own picks or maybe something I've been waiting to try. This is a great point. When I'm at a place that I know to have exceptional bartenders I too go the cocktail route. The places where I get WT101 or KC are the kind of places that don't have trustworthy bartenders. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0895 Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 21 hours ago, bayouredd said: What is your goto bourbon in a limited choice restaurant or bar and why? I went to New Orleans for the first time a couple years back. On Bourbon Street, not wanting to drink whatever colorful, sugary mixtures in weird containers my friends were having, I quickly learned just how good WT101 and Makers Mark are neat in a plastic cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayouredd Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 28 minutes ago, berto said: I generally order a cocktail or beer when out. Most restaurants can't compare to what I have at home and the stuff at home is already paid for. I don't need to pay 1/3 of the cost of a bottle for a run of the mill pour. I love bourbon but I don't feel the need to drink it just because I'm out and they have some. I'd rather pay for the bartender's expertise in making a cocktail because I don't have that expertise and for the same price I'd rather let the bartender do some magic than pour me a shot. Restaurants with serious lists are different. I look for their own picks or maybe something I've been waiting to try. While your point has merit, my philosophy differs. If my Wife and I are in the party/eating out mode, we have already decided to spent the money. How much is determined by restaurant caliber chosen. I can sit at home and enjoy the best of bourbons anytime and that is a wonderful choice as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyjd75 Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 IMHO, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gurgalunas Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 2 hours ago, berto said: I generally order a cocktail or beer when out. Most restaurants can't compare to what I have at home and the stuff at home is already paid for. I don't need to pay 1/3 of the cost of a bottle for a run of the mill pour. I love bourbon but I don't feel the need to drink it just because I'm out and they have some. I'd rather pay for the bartender's expertise in making a cocktail because I don't have that expertise and for the same price I'd rather let the bartender do some magic than pour me a shot. Restaurants with serious lists are different. I look for their own picks or maybe something I've been waiting to try. Agreed. If I want to drink bourbon when out, I pick places with a selection I enjoy. If the place we go is mediocre, I'll have a cocktail, beer, or water. I don't need to drink bourbon at resturants and agree that my home bar has a much better and more cost effective selection. As for the KC topic, I'll choose water over any Beam product, other than KC SiB picks that the funk has aged out of. Those I love... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 I seldomly, if ever, climb the premium ladder at a restaurant or bar. Prices too quickly get uncomfortable to me. $10 is my limit, unless it’s something nice or something I don’t drink often. A BT, MM, WT, will usually my choice. As far as restaurants or bars (other than known entities) who promote a “large bourbon menu of X+ amount of bourbons”, I have come to have low expectations of its quality going in, and underwhelmed even then, coming out. Typically, they are filled with a few interesting selections (of which most of these being hugely overpriced or not having been in stock for months but left on anyway as eye candy), a lineup of uninspiring legacy choices, and mostly littered with crappy crafts or a menagerie of NDP MGP crap. Very few of these “bourbon bars” really deliver anything worth a damn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeTen Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 11 hours ago, smokinjoe said: As far as restaurants or bars (other than known entities) who promote a “large bourbon menu of X+ amount of bourbons”, I have come to have low expectations of its quality going in, and underwhelmed even then, coming out. Typically, they are filled with a few interesting selections (of which most of these being hugely overpriced or not having been in stock for months but left on anyway as eye candy), a lineup of uninspiring legacy choices, and mostly littered with crappy crafts or a menagerie of NDP MGP crap. Very few of these “bourbon bars” really deliver anything worth a damn. Holy smokes, Joe. Ya' know, you shouldn't hold all this stuff in all the time. Don't be so reluctant to say what you really feel. Luckily, our favorite local steakhouse has Blanton's for $15/2oz pour. And my go-to burger bar has Weller 12 for $12 - just gotta' know the bartenders and ask for it (and tip well, too)! Wagyu and Weller - life is truly great sometimes. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlfaLarreo Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 I’m in the ‘why pay ridiculous prices camp.’ I’d rather save the money on drinking out and apply it to buy a more expensive bottle. But for me it’s also a question of being a purist and not eating anything that will spoil my tastebuds (which are fickle enough) for the bourbon. I don’t drink bourbon with a meal at home. That being said, I understand those that feel like it can enhance the drinking and eating experience. I certainly understand pairing it with specific foods (vanilla ice cream or a salted chocolate Carmel), but I think there’s too many tastes introduced from a complete meal for my palate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinjoe Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 2 hours ago, Respectfully said: There’s not a single restaurant steak worth its price either, but people pay for the convenience and to have a lovely evening. No reason one’s bar order shouldn’t be the same. . Thanks for the advice, sport. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul_cooperstein Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 In general if I’m sitting at a table in a restaurant it’s 90% gonna be wine. If I’m sitting at the bar it’s 50/50 wine vs whiskey neat. At the bar, if it’s somewhere without a specific whiskey focus (a good guide is places that don’t have private barrel selections or glencairns) I usually stick with WT101 (bourbon or rye), bookers/bakers/KC120 if looking for high proof and Makers for wheated unless they happen to have something limited at a nice price. For places with a whiskey focus, if I’m not in a mood to splurge I usually work with the bartender to find something interesting and delicious based on what general style I’m looking for that day (bourbon vs rye vs high proof vs wheated). Bartenders in these kinds of pleases usually share a similar passion and steer in a good direction towards something rewarding...such as a really good barrel selection. If I’m looking to splurge (such as at longman and eagle in Chicago or hardwater in SF) I go for something not too overly priced that I would otherwise not be able to find elsewhere or at home. For example the last time I was at longman and eagle I enjoyed a very nice pour of Vintage 17 paired with duck fat fries. A very nice evening. Can’t wait till I’m traveling again... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRich Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 On 1/8/2021 at 6:27 PM, bayouredd said: What is your goto bourbon in a limited choice restaurant or bar and why? Wine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWBadley Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 19 hours ago, Saul_cooperstein said: snip/ I enjoyed a very nice pour of Vintage 17 paired with duck fat fries. A very nice evening. Can’t wait till I’m traveling again... That sounds like my version of heaven! Wowza the Vintage 17 hasn't been out for a while... I bet they weren't giving that one away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marekv8 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 On 1/8/2021 at 5:27 PM, bayouredd said: What is your goto bourbon in a limited choice restaurant or bar and why? Bulleit Rye. It's usually at any bar, anywhere-- doesn't carry any bourbon craze pricing baggage and holds up well to food. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul_cooperstein Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 9 hours ago, RWBadley said: That sounds like my version of heaven! Wowza the Vintage 17 hasn't been out for a while... I bet they weren't giving that one away It certainly wasn’t cheap but way way under secondary market. For me on that night was worth the splurge. Paired perfectly with fries and my palate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Don't go out as much in these times of Covid, but I generally order something that I do not have at home. Somehow this seems to help me justify the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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