Lets hear your top 5

[camduncan]

I think every new bourbon I try makes into my top 5 fo a period of time. Without checking my previous post (it'll be interesting to compare later)

My current top 5 would have to be (in no particular order) -

1. Buffalo Trace

2. Evan Williams '94 SB

3. Elijah Craig 12yo

4. Blantons Single Barrel

5. Old Rip Van Winkle 10yo

A noteable abscence is my '04 Stagg - it isn't open yet, so I can't rate it.

I also didn't include Rye whiskey, but I'd rate them as follows (in order) -

1. Old Rip Van Winkle 13yo

2. Sazerac (this would be number 1 if it was readily available)

3. Jim Beam Rye (the only Rye sold in bulk Downunder)

4 & 5 yet to be tasted

[mike1]

until I try one of the bottles in the back of my stash here are my five.

1.buffalo trace

2. Elijah craig 12

3.old grand dad 114

4.old charter 12 yo

5.blantons

runners up

knob creek

old rip 107

russell reserve

[hookfinger]

It seems that Buffalo Trace has made it alot of top 5 lately. It's certainly in mine. I gave a bottle of it to one of my employees as part of his X-mas bonus this year, he claims he his not really a whisky drinker. Until now. Says he can't believe how much he enjoyed it. Then his girlfriend showed up at work today and started raving about it. Gotta love that.

My top 5 (in no particular order)

Buffalo Trace

Wild Turkey (common, yes, but consistantly great)

Ancient Ancient Age (never leave Ky. without a half dozen)

Old Granddad bonded

Whatever boubon you are kind enough to offer me.

[Black85L98]

#1 EC12YO Taste and value

#2 Eagle Rare SB

#3 Wellers Special Reserve

#4 Any Wild Turkey it's all great

#5 Evan Williams BIB Good 100 proof for about $11

All Bourbon is good Bourbon, there is one that tastes like Flintstones but I guess it's good in a Bedrock kinda way.

[Gino]

Hello,

This is my first post here and I don't have experience with a huge number of bourbons, but I thought I'd chime in anyway.

1) A.H. Hirsch (OK so I only tried it once, but yum)

2) Elijah Craig 18 Year

3) Michter's 10 Year Rye (only rye I've tried so far)

4) Van Winkle 12 Year Special Reserve

5) Woodford Reserve

BTW, I tried to tally up all the votes so far in this thread.

The results are here (not including my 5) if anyone is interested: Bourbon Votes

DISCLAIMERS:<ul type="square"> [*]I was drinking bourbon while I did this. [*]I didn't always try to distinguish between different bottlings from the same brand. [*]I included "Honorable Mentions". [*]The variation in people's notation and my own unfamiliarity with some of the brands likely led to some errors, but I think I got the general idea right.

If I messed anything up too badly, just let me know.

-gino

[RedVette]

Wow, nice first post. Lots of work, but I think you nailed it, it is the concensus of this group that the Van Winkles are the best and that everything else is in second place.

[jeff]

Thanks for that Gino While the winners are pretty obvious, it just goes to show how diverse our tastes really are. I think bourbon should have its own place on the food guide pyramid. Two shots a day keeps the doctor away!

[Gillman]

Jeff, could you kindly mention again the weekend this event is being held?

Gary

[Gino]

Thanks. Another thing I found interesting is that Elijah Craig 12 Year -- which sells for $16.99 here in PA -- is ranked right up there with bourbons that cost 5 times as much. I've probably passed that bottle over a dozen times just assuming that price == quality. I'll definitely have to give it a try.

[jeff]

Are you refering to the sampler? I think you might have read my other post and replyed here It is the weekend of April 30th. It seems that the Sampler gathering has grown to two days, but it's all good Gary, you must bring another exotic scotch with which to try and convert me No really, I do appreciate the opportunity to try different things

[jeff]

EC12 seems to be a love it or hate it kind of bourbon. Personally I enjoy it with a nice cuban cigar on a warm summer evening. Oh the memories

[Gillman]

Jeff, many thanks, I did mean the Sampler. Okay you're on I'll bring an interesting scotch - I am inclining to a 24 year old Port Ellen, another Islay (no longer made) - that or one of the Compass Box products. That would be good too, to show a style rather different from that Lagavulin we had last time which is rather ... Gothic. Plus I'm a bringin' my ORVW 15 year old for Randy's tastings.

Gary

[robbyvirus]

At the moment, my top five are:

1. Weller 19yo (and my supply is almost gone now, alas...when it runs out the Weller 12 yo will replace it's spot on the list)

2. Old Rip Van Winkle 15 yo bourbon (the standard by which all others are measured)

3. Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye (Sazerac Rye is almost a tie)

4. Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit (A truly fine and distinct bourbon)

5. Rock Hill Farms (this one also has the classiest bottle)

[hookfinger]

To Gino- I agree with the later poster EC12 is a love it or hate it type boubon. Unfortunately I fall into the latter category. Bought I bottle once in Fla. when it wasn't yet available in WI where I lived at the time. I wasn't all that impressed, yet when I moved to PA and saw it on the shelves, I thought I should give it another try. Still nothing.

I think if you're actually going to break a 20 dollar bill, you're better off spending the extra 3 bucks on a bottle of Buffalo Trace, possibly the best introduction to the mid priced bourbons in many years.

[Gino]

hookfinger -

Thanks for the tip. Although I have a pretty nice selection available to me at my local (premium) state store, I haven't seen Buffalo Trace yet. I'll keep an eye out though.

[mobourbon]

Gino, I'm the manager at the Schwenksville store. I've been having trouble getting Buffalo Trace. I've had it in before. Now it's listed as a test-market item. I'm pretty sure Ardmore has it. I know Collegeville has it.

Fred

[wrbriggs]

Somehow NH has received a 20-case shipment of Buffalo Trace. I'm purchasing 2 bottles along with the 2 bottles of Stagg I talked them out of. They both will be in this coming Thurs, and I should have them in my greedy little hands by the following Wed when my NH buddy comes up to VT.

[hookfinger]

Mobourbon - I know this may not help you guys in Philly much but the "superstore" in Lemoyne always has Buffalo Trace;. It shouldn't be all that hard to get. It's usually at most of the other small stores around here as well. Now if I could just figure out how other common whiskys simply go missing!!!!!

[Gino]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like I just need to visit a few more stores in my area.

[Black85L98]

Tim

Been away for work but I must admit this is a class act top five . Easy to find and worth the money for every bottle CHEERS!