3 Bourbons for a beginner..

[cap]

If you could recommend 3 bourbons suitable for a beginner, which bourbons would you recommend?

I was thinking of buying WT 101 , EC 12, and Woodford Reserve, but i thougt i had to check with you, the experts, first.. .

Are those different in taste[kind of what i want]?

/cap

PS. Sorry if my english skills lacks.. Im from Sweden.. DS.

[bobbyc]

Nothing wrong with those choices, Cap. On the same page and up on 1 down on 2 would be Russells Reserve( up) and Evan Williams and Old Forester ( Down) I would go with your 3 however EC12 has a way of grabbing you that Evan Williams doesn't, After a few drinks of different things one is always pleasantly surprized at how good and how good a value Evan Williams is. ( speaking of the black label 7 year) Wild Turkey gives good value across the board with the 80 proof being least favored. Woodford Reserve is Honey Barrels of Old Forester aged further at Labrot&Graham and now with a little L&G potstill added , we think. I guess you could substitute any bottling of Bartons for that, if you wanted to make a statement about the recent court proceedings!

[cap]

Thanks, Bobby.

However.. The Only EW i have available here in Sweden are The 94 single barrel [86,5 proof] and the 92 single barrel [also claims 86,5 proof]. Both affordable for me. Any recommendations?

/Louis[thats my real name.. ]..

[bobbyc]

I certainly like the 94 EWSB. Those are the high end of the Evan Williams line, disregarding the 23 year, as it is unavailable here in the US.

Welcome to the forum , Louis. We hope you find it an enjoyable place .

[cowdery]

I would be tempted to include Maker's Mark or another wheater (Old Fitzgerald, W. L. Weller). Wheaters tend to be a little friendlier to beginners. I also might consider (this will surprise some people) George Dickel No. 12, which I find very mild, with fewer rough edges even than Jack Daniel's.

[ratcheer]

Before I read what the others have posted, I will say that I think you have made an excellent selection. All three are from different distilling companies and show the distinctive characteristics of their companies, quite well. If you wanted to save a little money, you could substitute Old Forester 100-proof for the Woodford Reserve, but that is picking nits.

Tim

[Paradox]

w/o seeing other peoples opinions here's mine... They should be easy to find and represent different varying tastes.

Makers Mark (or another wheater, like Weller 12yo or ORVW 10 year 90 proof since its for a beginner)

Wild Turkey 101 or better yet, Russell's Reserve

Elijah Craig 12yo is a very good and affordable choice for a beginner. EWSB Vintages are also very nice. If you want to try something that is good and can find it, try Buffalo Trace.

[cap]

Welcome to the forum , Louis. We hope you find it an enjoyable place .

Well, thank you, Bobby.

What i like about this forum is that it is ACTIVE. A lot of forums i visited were all old and not THAT informative. This seems like a place i could spend some serious time .

One problem, though. Im here when it`s night in the US, which makes me feel a little lonely when i check who is online. But thats not really a forum flaw. It`s a matter of Geography, isn`t it?

Im thankful for all the advice. I think i stick with those 3 i mentioned since you guys thougt they all were great and different in taste.

Actually, right now i`m on my way to the store to pick up my WT 101 and will order the 2 others while at the store.

I`m not even going to tell you the prices since that would raise concerns from you how anyone could soend THAT much money on a bottle of licor. You know, when there`s a monopoly they can charge you skyhigh prices without any competition.

Howewer, if you want to enjoy some good spirits you`ve got to spend a little bit. And the fact that i currently only enjoy 2-3 glasses a week[scotch for now] i think i be OK in the end despite the costs.

I will graduate from my school[i take logistics classes] in about 25 days and i`m planning to bring the Reserve and let my 2 friends taste some. Maybe my teacher too but he once said he was a hardcore scotch drinker, so i don`t now.. . Anyway, do you guys have any serving tips for me? Right now i have like 12 pretty small glasses. They look like very small tumbler glasses i think but will prabably do OK. Ice, water..? Suggestions for the WF Reserve will be appreciated.

Again, Thanks.

[musher]

Anyway, do you guys have any serving tips for me? Right now i have like 12 pretty small glasses. They look like very small tumbler glasses i think but will prabably do OK. Ice, water..? Suggestions for the WF Reserve will be appreciated.

My preferences . . . No ice. Water if necessary, but I prefer to not use it. A snifter-like glass, or other wine tasting type of glass is best. The flavor and aroma (nose) really blossom when the whiskey is warmed by your hand.

[cap]

Anyway, do you guys have any serving tips for me? Right now i have like 12 pretty small glasses. They look like very small tumbler glasses i think but will prabably do OK. Ice, water..? Suggestions for the WF Reserve will be appreciated.

My preferences . . . No ice. Water if necessary, but I prefer to not use it. A snifter-like glass, or other wine tasting type of glass is best. The flavor and aroma (nose) really blossom when the whiskey is warmed by your hand.

Oh, i forgot[never thought of wineglasses when it came to Bourbon.. ]. Anyway, I have 4 of these: http://www.sophiescrystal.com/Orrefors/elixir.asp.

Think they will do OK? Otherwise i will just use the small tumblers.

[musher]

The glass pictured would do quite nicely. I'd still have the tumblers, water and ice handy, just in case they don't wish to try the whiskey without ice or water. Choices are always nice. Maybe even have them try it the different ways to see if they can notice the difference (yourself too?).

[cap]

(yourself too?).

Well, i certainly hope so.. .

I will try you suggestions.. Thanks. BTW.. Just brought home the WT 101 and it sure looks like a classic. Can`t wait to drink it.

[cap]

Damn! How could i make this mistake. I brought home the WT Rye 101 Proof thinkin it was Bourbon!

No harm done since i can return it within 14 days, but still.. .

Well, off to the licor store tomorrow.. .

[TNbourbon]

Nothing wrong with Wild Turkey rye -- it's just not bourbon, nor is it Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye. But it's an enjoyable, if fairly simple, straight rye whiskey.

[OneCubeOnly]

Actually, your shopping mistake could certainly turn into a "happy accident." While WT isn't the absolute best rye I can think of, it does offer a contrast to the bourbons you're exploring. If you're trying to negociate the difference between 'ryed' bourbons and 'wheaters', this might help you know what characters to attribute to the rye component.

My suggestion: don't take back the rye.

[dhooch]

The traditional Manhattan is made with rye, not bourbon. Keep the bottle and make a true Manhattan once in a while.

[Black85L98]

Welcome to the forum.

You have made three good choices. I feel EC is the best value for your bourbon buck and is my standard pour.

As far as your tasting party goes I would have filtered water and ice (cubes and crushed if you can). That way you can take notes and decide what you like best. I drink some stuff neat, Blantons and Makers Mark, most others get ice.I often mix Ezra Brooks or Ancient Age with coke but most here frown on the practice. Just remember there is no wrong way to enjoy your bourbon, just enjoy. It is after all yours, drink it how you like it.

I'm sure your friends will thank you for the experience. Let us know how it goes over.

Rick

[brendaj]

I`m not even going to tell you the prices since that would raise concerns from you how anyone could soend THAT much money on a bottle of licor.

No Sweetie, you're among friends here...

We understand. Welcome to the forum.

Bj

[cap]

I`m not even going to tell you the prices since that would raise concerns from you how anyone could soend THAT much money on a bottle of licor.

No Sweetie, you're among friends here...

We understand. Welcome to the forum.

Bj

Hmm.. . One day i might let it out.. .